1 Login 1: The Wandering Minstrel

<<Underground Abandoned Ancient Tomb: Level 10 (Boss' Tomb Room)>> Level 40 Dungeon

3:35 PM, Philippine time | Asia Server

"It's no use, we're going to be wiped out!" The vice leader of the party shouted in frustration. As he ran to dodge the Boss' attack.

"Idiots!" the Party leader growled when he saw another one of their party members has fallen. The Party leader opened the party window and saw that three of their Party members has already fallen. Finishing the dungeon is pretty much impossible. It was already a miracle that they survived this long to actually see the boss.

The Party consisted of five old players: OneKill, the party leader who's a Shadow Chaser. RagingFlames, the vice leader who's an Elemental Majesty. BlazingFist, an Ace. HeadCutter, an Infinity Edge. And TheRoyalAssKicker, a Royal Guard. Since they were missing a healer they decided to just invite someone random. They found LifeSaver who's a Saint and the perfect missing piece of the team. She also had two friends with her, which OneKill didn't see the problem in bringing them, so he invited them as well. A Rebellion named Papillon and a Blade Emperor named ValiantSword.

The Dungeon actually started pleasant, but when they reached the 5th level of the Dungeon, everything went down hill from there. It was becoming more and more obvious that the three players that OneKill has invited along were actually Noobs. They made a lot of beginners mistakes that interrupted the party's rhythm multiple times, making it more troublesome that costs them a lot of resources and time. If it really wasn't for OneKill's desperate need of a rare item dropped by the boss, he would have already left the dungeon. But the problem was this was his and his companion's last run on this dungeon and leaving would again be another waste. So they just decided to endure the whole run and continued.

When they finally reached the Boss' tomb room, most of their stacked potions and recovery items has already been consumed. Not wanting to back out, OneKill decided that they should continue. Since OneKill and his companions has already ran this dungeon multiple times, he was confident that they could finish it again, but he was so wrong. Once they entered that Tomb Room, The Boss awakened from his tomb and life bar appeared of top of it with the name

<< Vengeful Forgotten Emperor, Zhang Qi Ling>>. The Boss looked like a young man with pale ghostly skin, has glowing emerald eyes, wearing an ancient Chinese robe that you would see in a Wuxia film and wielding an Ancient Jian Sword, emitting a ghastly and sinister aura. The Boss that came out was actually not the normal Boss but an Ancient Specter (Which in other games are called Hidden Bosses) which only has a 10% percent appearance rate. Ancient Specters are more powerful than normal bosses and more difficult to defeat. They drop the same items that the original boss drops, but including a 100% drop rate for the rare items that the normal bosses drops as well. Not only that Ancient Specters also drops special items raging from Amethysts type equipment and weapons to Ancient Items, which are used in creating self made equipment and weapons.

Upon seeing the Ancient Specter, the party got really excited. This was also their first time facing such a super rare boss, but the problem was that they were not familiar with facing it. When the Boss saw the party, it let out an angry roar and swung his sword horizontally in a 180 degree angle, releasing a powerful crescent shaped energy wave that swiftly flew towards the party. The party didn't even had the time to register what was happening when they all got hit. Their health bars turned from green to orange and red, and from there everything was a disaster. The first fallen party member was the Ace, Blazing Fist. Not knowing how the Boss' mechanics works, he was stabbed by the Ancient Specter and drain all his remaining health. Not long after that, the supposed to be Main Tank, TheRoyalAssKicker, followed. Having the Ancient Specter's arggo on him the whole time, swiftly depleted his health, turning his health bar form orange to red, until it hit 0. Even with a healer, it didn't save TheRoyalAssKicker. The problem was that LifeSaver was still a beginner and her heals and support were out of timing, and her brain was all over the place. Either she was really ahead or far too late. She also doesn't really know how to use some her skill, rendering them useless and wasteful.

Papillon and ValiantSword tried doing their best by throwing out some skills, but in the end they literally just threw out their skills and wasted it. Even more the skill that didn't hit sent out explosions all over the place, interrupting and destructing the rhythm of OneKiller and the left of his companions who had and gave their out most effort to create, which eventually all turned to waste.

The latest fallen party member, HeadCutter, fell when another unknown special attack instantly drain the last of his health.

Everything was chaotic and it was truly a miracle that LifeSaver, Papillon, and ValiantSword were all still left standing, but they might as well be dead with their red health bars statuses.

"OneKill! Let's go! It's already hopeless! It's not worth the EXP loss!" RagingFlames sent OneKill a private message.

OneKill let out a stream of Curses before sending a reply to RagingFlames "You're right! DAMN THIS F(*Beep*)ING NOOBS!"

Upon receiving the reply, RagingFlames immediately opened the exit window and teleported out of the Dungeon. OneKill swiftly followed.

The three that were left, panicked even more when they noticed that their Party leader and Vice Leader already left them, to be massacred by the Ancient Specter. They didn't have time to whine about being abandoned, because just before the two left the Ancient Specter did the same unknown special attack that killed HeadCutter, but this time LifeSaver was the target when she OTed the Ancient Specter because of her excessive healing.

LifeSaver Just stood in place, like a deer caught in headlight, as the Ancient Specter swiftly approaches. Having been traumatized by the way HeadCutter was killed, her fingers froze and eyes stayed on her screen as she watched her character, about to be killed by the Ancient Specter in terror. Her world suddenly turned slow-mo as she watch the Ancient Specter Swung it's sword upward and it's eyes blazing green with hate. Suddenly the view of her character's impending doom was interrupted when a system message appeared on her screen.

<<CherishedSong would like to join your party: Accept | Decline>>

At first she was confused why she was receiving the system message, but LifeSaver didn't need to think twice as her finger subconsciously already clicked on accept. After pressing the accept button, the Ancient Specter was already in front of her character making her yelp and jump out of her chair. LifeSaver was about to witness her character's demise when her character suddenly was surrounded by golden musical notes and Bar lines. When the Ancient Specter swung it's sword downward, it's sword bounced off with a *Ding*, leaving LifeSaver unharmed. The Ancient Specter tried slashing again but it bounced of again with a *Ding*

LifeSaver was so shocked that her eyes were about to bust out of her eyes sockets. She controlled her character to turn around and saw that she was not the only one surrounded by the musical notes and bar lines, Papillon and ValiantEdge also had them. She turned her character once again and saw a character standing at the tomb entrance with the name CherishedSong, but she could already tell that he was not a beginner like the three of them. CherishedSong was playing a sweet melody with his violin, and golden musical notes and bar lines danced around him. He also has three pairs of golden wings made out of light.

"I'm currently using 'Symphony of the Archangels'. This skill only lasts for 15 Seconds, while channeling you guys can't take any damage at all! Use this time to regroup!" CherishedSong sent a party chat.

When none of three seemed to register what CherisheSong meant, CherishedSong sent a sweating emoticon in the Party Chat.

"Everyone re-group then Party leader, use 'Heaven's Salvation'" CherishedSong instructed in the party chat, but the problem was the three didn't know who he was talking about, because they were already left by their supposed party leader. So the three just stood in place, not knowing what to do.

"LifeSaver you're the Party leader, don't you know your skills?" CherishedSong sent in the group chat, followed by a panicking emoticon.

LifeSaver snapped out of her confusion and realized that CherishedSong was indeed talking to her. Apparently, being the Party leader was passed to her when OneKill and RagingFlames left them. She got a pass of not knowing about being the Party leader but LifeSaver felt deeply embarrassed and ashamed that she couldn't act accordingly because she actually forgot about the names of her skills . But she couldn't let her emotions get the best of her.

"Guys re-group!" LifeSaver shouted in the voice chat. Her hand were still shaking but she willed herself to press the right keys and made her character re-group close to CherishedSong.

When Papillon and ValiantSword arrived, LifeSaver Immediately casts Heaven's Salvation. The heavens opened and Papillon, ValiantSword, CherishedSong and LifeSaver's bodies glowed; Swiftly increasing the health points of the three. Even though CherishedSong's Health is full, he was still in the area of effect so his body still glowed. Heaven's Salvation is an AOE skill, that anyone in the AOE gets healed by a large amount. The Ancient Specter started chasing them when they started re-grouping, but when LifeSaver casted Heaven's Salvation, the Ancient Specter suddenly halted and let out an angry roar.

"Huh? Why did it suddenly stop attacking?" ValiantSword said in confusion.

"According to the story of Vengeful Forgotten Emperor, Zhang Qi Ling, He fears sun light. And Heaven's Salvation's visual effects looked liked sunlight. Didn't you guys read any guide before entering the dungeon?" CherishedSong explained in the party chat.

The three couldn't answer in shame because he was completely right. They were arrogant in thinking that don't need a guide to defeat this dungeon, because they had veteran old players with them, but it eventually bit them in the end. Dungeons from level 1-35 are easy enough that guides are really not needed for them to be finished. But the difficultly level on clearing Dungeons from level 40 and above, increases a lot. This are the dungeons that started having special mechanics for it to be cleared. The stories of the dungeon, which most of the time are being ignored, can reveal special characteristics of the boss that may give you a hint on how to defeat it. Entering the level 40 dungeons and above without preparations and an arrogant attitude is just a disaster waiting to happened.

Once Heaven's Salvation finished, the Ancient Specter charged at LifeSaver because she still has the Ancient Specter's aggro. At the same time Symphony of the Archangels channeling also finished.

"Party Leader, use 'Lion of Judah'" CherishedSong sent in the party chat.

LifeSaver didn't hesitate and followed the instruction immediately. LifeSaver stretched both arms forward with palms wide open and casted Lion of Judah. A majestic lion appeared in front of LifeSaver and let out a mighty roar. Lion of Judah boosts all party member's Physical Attack.

CherishedSong also casted Ballad of Tenacity, which increases all party members' Physical and Magical defense and also has a 50% chance of negating CC effects.

"BE, Use Counter then follow up with Heart Pierce. Rebel keep your distance and use Gatling Fever. Party leader, be ready to use Heal at any time." CherishedSong sent in the party chat and finished up with an "You Can Do It!" emoticon.

The three were sweating buckets but didn't dare to make any mistakes. They focused on their screen and followed the instructions given to them. CherishedSong seemed to be an expert, so they did their best not to embarrass themselves by not being able to follow simple instructions.

CherishedSong casted Harmony, which increases the Combo damage dealt by the party.

ValiantSword used Counter as instructed, countering the Ancient Specter's attack. He followed up with Heart Pierce, making his sword glow and swiftly stabbed the Ancient Specter on the chest, knocking it back. The distance that was made by ValiantSword made it easier for Papillon to aim Gatling Fever on the Ancient Specter. When Papillon was sure of her aim, she used Gatling Fever without hesitation. Her character pulled out a huge Gatling Gun and fired. Thousands of bullets rained down on the Ancient Specter making the combo count increase. And since the combo count kept increasing, the damage buff from Harmony also kept increasing. The Physical attack boost for Lion of Judah also helped with the damage output.

When Gatling Fever finished, the Ancient Specter was covered by a cloud of dust. The three wanted to celebrate but they knew that the Ancient Specter can't be defeated just like that, so instead they celebrated internally in their little victory in not making mistakes, readied themselves on what's to come.

"Great job guys, keep this rhythm and we'll finish this dungeon without a hitch" CherishedSong send in the party chat with a clapping emoticon. The three felt good being praised by an expert, but they have to keep doing their best because deep down they still know that they have a lot to learn.

The Ancient Specter let out an Angry Roar indicating that he was about to do one of his special attack.

"It's going to do that attack, it used in killing BlazingFist!" Papillon started panicking.

"Relax!" CherishedSong sent to the party chat immediately. "Just follow what I'm going to say! When the Ancient Specter summoned his ghosts, Don't move!"

The Ancient Specter summoned three ghosts from the ground and just as instructed, the three swiftly retracted their arms away from their keyboards and mouses, afraid of making the slightest movement. The Ghost immediately possessed the closest three players which happened to be LifeSaver, Papillon, and ValiantSword. Seeing their characters possessed by the ghost scared the hell out of them, but they still resisted moving their characters.

The Ancient Specter stayed in it's place with it's sword held high. While the three carefully watched the Ancient Specter, suddenly they saw a swift movement on the edge of their screens.

CherishedSong swiftly ran towards the Ancient Specter and used Musical Burst, making the ground where the Ancient Specter was standing, burst with a powerful sound wave. After being hit, CherishedSong followed with Allegro Slash; making his instrument glow then did a spin, doing a double slash on the Ancient Specter with his bow and violin. Then he immediately followed with Coda Stomp; leaping backwards in the air then descended with a powerful stomp dealing powerful AOE damage on the Ancient Specter who all the time took the attack and never left the place it was standing.

The three were so amazed, leaving their jaws wide open, staring at their screens. Then they saw CherisedSong retreat. While retreating the Ancient Specter let out another roar and the ghosts that possessed the three faded. The roar was different from the time it killed BlazingFist, it sounded more of a roar of disappointment than a roar ready to attack.

"DPS Attack!" A message from CherishedSong suddenly popped up in the part chat, snapping them back into reality. CherishedSong once again casted Harmony, increasing the Combo damage dealt by the party.

ValiantSword became more courageous and was the first one to move and charged towards the Ancient Specter. When he was in the right range from the Ancient Specter, he used Balestra, doing a sudden leap forward, followed by Blinding Stab, dealing massive damage to the Ancient Specter. This sudden combo pleasantly surprised CherishedSong. Opening a combo with Balestra is very common for a lot of old/veteran players, suddenly leaping forward making the next skill or basic attack deal double the damage. Using this kind of skill takes time to learn because the most important thing about this skill is the timing of launching the follow up skill or attack. Being slightly too early or too late will mess everything up, and it is not something a beginner can accomplish easily. What's even more surprising is that from all the skills that ValiantSword could've follow up with, he used Blinding Stab, which has 100% critical chance hit. So when the Blinding Stab hit, the critical damage dealt was doubled. What's more is that Blinding Stab will have knock back effect if opened with Balestra.

CherishedSong sent a clapping and thumbs-up emoticon in the party chat, making ValiantSword rejoice internally with his small but successful accomplishment.

Papillon wasn't gonna let herself be left behind and followed up the combo with Missile Barrage, while LifeSaver actually used an offensive skill, Divine Judgement. Missile rained down on the Ancient Specter followed by being crushed by a gigantic sword that fell from Heavens.

"Keep it up guys and we will definitely defeat this guy" CherishedSong Sent in the party chat with muscle and cheering emoticon.

And defeat the Ancient Specter they did. Around 50% health of the Ancient Specter, the three had already hit their stride and found their groove, becoming more and more confident and assured of their movements. They steadily chipped the Ancient Specter's Health little by little until it hit zero. And the last hit went to ValiantSword with his brilliant Balestra-Blinding Stab combo.

When the Ancient Specter faded a System announcement appeared.

<<Congratulations to LifeSaver, ValianSword(MVP), Papillon and CherishedSong on defeating the Ancient Specter: Vengeful Forgotten Emperor, Zhang Qi Ling>>

The three celebrated when they saw the system announcement, because they knew that it will be announced to the whole server. Being able to see their names being announce is something they could only dream of, and now they're names are actually on a system announcement.

"We did it!" The three shouted in joy.

"You guys did great but you guys can celebrate later, after picking up the drops" CherishedSong's message popped out in the chat box with a clapping emoticon.

"Sir Expert, you go ahead and pick whatever you want first" ValiantSword said to CherishedSong politely.

"Yeah!" LifeSaver nodded in agreement, "If it weren't for you, we wouldn't have finished this dungeon. For all we care you can take them all."

"Yup! Yup!" Papillon also nodded in agreement.

"I can't take them all, besides I was not the only one who worked hard. But are you guys sure I can pick first?" CherishedSong sent in the party chat.

The three gave him the thumbs up.

"Thanks!" CherishedSong sent in the party chat, not refusing the Blessing.

CherishedSong walked up to the mountain of rewards and examined them. The harvest was bountiful. The Ancient Specter dropped an Amethyst Grade Weapon(S-Rare): Sword of the Vengeful Forgotten Emperor, Ruby Grade Accessory(Rare): Ring of the Forgotten Emperor, the expected Ancient Item(Crafting material): Heavenly Jade Amulet and of course the normal drops.

<<Sword of the Vengeful Forgotten Emperor: Level 40>>

Physical Attack : 450 | Magic Attack : 200 | Base Attack Speed : 7.5

Strength: +25 | Agility: +10 | Critical chance : +10%

Special Weapon Effect: 25% chance to life steal.

While looking at all the rewards carefully, CherishedSong noticed another item that made his eyes almost pop out from their sockets. It was Pearl Grade Item (SS-Rare).

<<Essence of the Young Emperor, Zhang Qi Ling>>

CherishedSong's heart skipped a beat when he saw this item that only has a 5% chance to drop. This item is extremely rare that players really worked hard and tirelessly to obtain this kind of item, and yet it was in front of him. CherishedSong joined the party only hoping that he could get the crafting material that he needed but this was definitely a bonus plus plus. Since he was given the blessing to pick anything first, he of course took what he came for which was the Ancient Item(Crafting material): Heavenly Jade Amulet, and also took the Essence of the Young Emperor, Zhang Qi Ling.

"I got what I came for, you guys can take the rest" CherishedSong sent in the party chat with a bowing (Showing gratitude) emoticon.

"Eh? Sir Expert you're too generous, there's still a lot of items left" LifeSaver said at the item drops.

"It's okay guys, I really just came for what I needed and an extra. So you guys take the rest" CherishedSong sent in the party chat.

"So generous! Thank you!" Papillon cried out in happiness. If she could hug CherishedSong She would.

The three went and collected their rewards without even asking what CherishedSong took. They decided respectfully not to ask for what he got because what ever it was, he deserved it. He could take all the items drops and they still wouldn't care because clearing the dungeon was more than enough for the three, even so CherishedSong still left some items for them.

After collecting and dividing their items equally, the three faced CherishedSong.

"We will never forget what you have done for us today, Sir Expert! We are eternally grateful!" ValiantSword said in gratitude.

"That was really nothing. Just doing my best to help" CherishedSong sent in the party chat with a embarrassed emoticon.

"You're too humble, Sir Expert!" Papillon said in awe.

"Thanks" CherishedSong sent in the party chat with a blushing emoticon. Then another message then popped up "I need to go, but if you guys need any help in the future just send me a PM, okay?"

"Really? Thank you!" ValiantSword shouted in joy.

"Wait, we have to add you as our friend first." LifeSaver said, then sent a friend request.

The other two sent their friend requests as well. After accepting their friend requests, CherishedSong said his good-byes once again, then exited the dungeon. Soon afterwards CherishedSong's name turned gray in their friend list, indicating that he's offline already. The three didn't stay any longer in the dungeon as well and exited it.

<<***>>

<<Thousand Lotus Kingdom>>

4:25 PM, Philippine time | Asia Server

After OneKill and RagingFlames exited the dungeon and reuniting with BlazingFist, HeadCutter, and TheRoyalAssKicker, who respawed at the dungeon entrance, they all teleported back to the city and didn't care for the other three beginners to see what will happened to them.

They were in the middle of restocking their items when a System Announcement appeared.

<<Congratulations to LifeSaver, ValianSword(MVP), Papillon and CherishedSong on defeating the Ancient Specter: Vengeful Forgotten Emperor, Zhang Qi Ling>>

"The F(*Beep*)!" OneKill cursed, slamming his fists on his keyboard.

"Those F(*Beep*)ing noobs actually defeated the ancient specter! How the F(*Beep*) is that even possible!" OneKill couldn't contain his anger that he let another stream of curses that would put any sailor to shame.

"Wait!" BlazingFist suddenly said "Why does the name CherishedSong sounds so familiar"

"Who F(*Beep*)ing cares!" OneKill became even more angry.

"Wait! Isn't that the name of the rumored 'Wandering Minstrel'?" HeadCutter said, ignoring OneKill's tantrums.

"Yeah! That's him... or her" BlazingFist wasn't sure if "The Wandering Minstrel" was a lady or a guy, because they only heard rumors of him/her. "I only heard rumors about him... or her, I didn't think that the fairy tale was actually real!"

"Yeah, me as well. How bout you OneKill, ever heard of -" HeadCutter stopped talking when he saw that OneKill was no where to be seen.

"Where'd he go?" HeadCutter turned to RagingFlames in confusion.

RagingFlames let out an exasperated sigh and said "He already logged out. And I'm going as well... You guys do whatever you like"

Without waiting for any response, RagingFlames logged out.

The three that were left let out a sigh and also logged out, since they no longer had anything to do.

Notes:

Dungeon Story - *The story of the Underground Abandoned Ancient Tomb tells the classic sad story of an emperor becoming forgotten as time passed, which was the original boss of the dungeon <<Forgotten Emperor, Wei Feng>>. It also tells a bonus story of the Ancient Specter. It was actually told in the story that the Young Emperor, Zhang Qi Ling was betrayed by his most trusted general and friend Wei Feng, which became the emperor when he buried Young Emperor, Zhang Qi Ling alive. The general was helped by his three most trusted subordinates; A Witch, A Spy and an Archer. That's why entering the Dungeon with a Caster, Assassin, Hunter and Warrior classes in a party can increase the chance of encountering <<Vengeful Forgotten Emperor, Zhang Qi Ling>>, because it was told that he still seeks vengeance to those who wronged him till this day. The reason why the Ancient Specter hates sunlight is that because, when the festival of the sun was being held, absolutely everyone should stay indoors, because once the sun light touches human skin, it would instantly turn to ashes. The young Emperor's wife didn't listen and dared to bathe in the sun light. The young Emperor saw his wife's demise with his own two eyes, making him forever fearful of sun light.*

Ancient Specter: Special Attack 1 - *Every time that Ancient Specter uses this special attack, there is always one that is not going to be possessed. Everyone who's possessed should never move because it will just drain your life and power up the next attack of the Ancient Specter. The only one that is not possessed, is free to do whatever. If no one move for the rest of the Ancient Specter's channeling period, the attack would fail. If the Special attack failed, the Ancient Specter needed to take a rest and will be vulnerable to attacks in a period of time.*

Ancient Specter: Unknown Special Attack - *The Ancient Specter only does this special attack if the Four Class types, Warrior, Assassin, Caster and Hunter, are still alive in the Party. Even though TheRoyalAssKicker was killed second, there were still two remaining Warrior type class in the party, which were HeadCutter and ValiantSword. This special attack killed off HeadCutter. The Ancient Specter will keep doing this special attack until the four class types are no longer complete. The Ancient Specter no longer does this special attack, because OneKill and RagingFlames already left the party, which was an Assassin and a Caster.*

- *The others were constantly using voice chat while CherishedSong is the only one who communicated using the party chat the whole time.*

- *Philippine time is the time zone of CherishedSong*

<<Thousand Lotus Kingdom>> -*Is a town in Rampage inspired by China and its ancient kingdoms and cities.

-*CC (Short for Crowd Control) - (E.g. Stun, Confuse, Knock Back, Etc.)

-*AOE (Short for Area Of Effect) - Skills or abilities that affects a specified area, whether if it's offensive, defensive or support.

-*DPS (Short for Damage Per Second)

-*Balestra - Is a fencing move which means "A footwork preparation, consisting of a jump forwards, immediately followed by a lunge."