SWNOVELXO Chapter 33: Bone Island
The fishing boat wasn't fast, needing a few minutes to reach Bone Island.
Silver Blade took the time to approach Onriel.
"How is your grandfather?"
"Ah, he… I'm afraid he won't be able to hold on much longer."
"Could the trident help him?"
Onriel had a troubled look on her face.
"Probably. Grandfather has always been a proud man. He was the guardian of the village, protecting it regardless of his health.
But the last time those pirates came he wasn't even powerful enough to chase them away.
I handed over the trident to protect the village."
Onriel choked, her face fraught with sadness.
Silver Blade felt a pang in her chest. Just as she was about to comfort the young woman, Cyclone dashed towards them.
The mage had a distressed face, her skin taking on a sickly color.
"Onriel, sister. How long until…?"
Cyclone didn't manage to finish her sentence. She leaned over the railing, letting out ugly sounds.
"Bwaah."
Silver Blade scrunched her face. She looked apologetically at Onriel before hastily approaching Cyclone, holding her friend's hair back.
To her surprise, Onriel helped as well, gently patting Cyclone's back. Silver Blade was amazed by this lifelike behavior.
The fishing boat wasn't big enough for everyone to scatter. Naturally the commotion attracted the attention of the rest of the party.
Fortunately, it didn't take long for the boat to cross the sea.
When Onriel expertly came to a stop before a gorgeous tropical beach, Cyclone was the first to jump off, glad to have solid ground below her feet.
Silver Blade followed, giggling at her friend now that the situation was over.
"I never knew you get seasick this easily."
"Well, there isn't much sea on Falva, so it never came up."
"What about space travel?"
"It alright as long as I hide in a closed room."
"Miss Cyclone, maybe you should train being on boats. This behavior is not very ladylike.", said Radiant Shield.
"You! I show you ladylike! Wait, stand still!"
Everyone laughed as Cyclone raised her fists and chased Radiant Shield around the beach.
Even Liam wore a refreshed smile.
A short while later the group gathered, waiting for Liam's arrangements.
"Ok guys. Here is what we'll be doing. Silver Blade and Radiant Shield take the lead. Silent Acacia will do the scouting.
Let's go."
"What? That's it?"
"Of course. What were you expecting?"
Cyclone looked at Liam with furrowed brows.
"What are you planning? Do you want to watch us make fools of ourselves?"
"Are you training us?", guessed Sun's Knight.
"No. He wants us to experience the challenge. Thank you, brother mirage!"
Silent Acacia had a touched expression, prompting his girlfriend to look at him strangely.
"I don't know if we can do this."
Balm looked somewhat intimidated as her eyes fell on a group of monkeys roaming the beach, a few of them at level 6.
"Don't worry guys. We are so many people. Just pull small groups and fight your way through."
Liam encouraged his party while Silver Blade looked at him thoughtfully.
The young woman tried to figure out her new friend.
Obviously, Liam had extremely rich knowledge about the game. This wasn't impossible as explorers found information about the virtual world in ancient ruins.
But in Liam's case he most likely came from a prestigious family who bought the results of multiple explorers.
However, Silva thought she knew all the higher-class families on Falva Star. None of their young masters matched Liam.
Furthermore, those families wouldn't happily share their knowledge with others, but rather build up their own powers.
What was Bleary Mirage's purpose in gathering them and then relinquishing the lead? She couldn't figure it out!
Meanwhile Radiant Shield didn't ask too many questions. He puffed out his chest, announcing matter-of-factly.
"Companions, I won't betray your trust! As a warrior it is my duty to be the first in every fight and lead the party to success.
Follow my lead! Let us punish the pirates and retrieve the mighty trident!"
Liam recalled the quest information.
[
[Step one: Reach Bone Island.]
[Step two: Find the pirate hideout.]
[Optional: Kill 20 Pirates]
[Hint: Don't underestimate the captain.]
Obviously Radiant Shield suggested accomplishing the optional goal as well, which Liam strongly agreed with.
Optional goals increased the evaluation and subsequently the rewards as well.
The others didn't have strong opinions, ready to follow Radiant Shield.
After a short discussion between the two tanks the group got moving.
Silent Acacia separated from the group, closing in on the few palm trees lining the beach.
He took out his bow, attacking one of the small, red-furred monkeys.
"Ouh, ouh, ouh."
The monkeys let out strange sounds as someone dared to interrupt their peaceful lives. A handful of them immediately chased after the intruder, who returned to the group.
"Everyone ready! We got this!"
Silver Blade encouraged the group as she and Radiant Shield stepped forward, welcoming the opponents.
[Red-furred violent monkey
Rank: Common
Level: 5
HP: 150/150]
Silver Blade strike out with her shield. The taunting move drew the attention of four monkeys. Meanwhile Radiant Shield attacked normally with his sword.
[-27!]
The tank looked at his female colleague, surprised.
"You can do that?"
Silver Blade wasn't affected but Cyclone immediately felt proud as her knowledge as above some veteran gamer's.
"Cyclone, attack!"
The woman smiled sheepishly from Silver Blade's command.
"On it, on it!"
[-33!]
Balm looked at her good friend with admiring eyes.
"Wow, your damage…"
But Cyclone was unsatisfied.
"What's going on?! Why is my damage so low? Is this a bug?!"
Liam shook his head.
"Those monkeys have a good defense against magic."
"Unfair!"
"Hey, stop talking and help!"
Liam inwardly praised Silver Blade for fitting in her new role so quickly. Together with Quickstep he flanked the monkeys, raining down normal attacks.
Meanwhile the two tanks raised their shield, defending continuously, their stance dropping by the second.
"They are all low, finish them off!"
"On it!"
With Silver Blade's command everyone was ready to use their skills.
Liam activated [Sidestep], flashing behind the monsters. A quick [Double Slash] followed.
Several numbers popped up as three monkeys dropped dead at the same time.
Everyone was amazed by Liam's expert use of his skills, controlled movements allowing him to hit multiple enemies.
"Beautiful!"
Silent Acacia exclaimed as he activated a skill of his own.
[Flurry (rank 1)
Cost: 6 Fury
Effect: Sent out two attacks in quick suggestion, dealing 120%(PDMG) two times.
Can be used with bow or dagger.
Cooldown: 6 seconds]
Two silent arrows shot through the air, hitting a monkey right in its forehead, emptying out its HP.
Only a single primate remained standing, angrily pounding its own chest. It was level six, able to take a beating.
[-86!]
A blinding light hit the monkey, burning it to crisps. Everyone was taken aback by the huge number popping up.
"HA! Serves you right!"
Cyclone laughed proudly. Her equipment effect had triggered, allowing her [Holy Strike] to hit critically.
"Good job!"
"I didn't know you were so strong."
Cyclone smiled smugly at her friends Silver Blade and Balm.
"Wow, I leveled up!"
Sun's Knight's delighted proclamation drew everyone's attention.
"You reached level four?"
"Yeah."
"I'm not far away, too."
The party was talking animatedly while Liam checked his own EXP as well.
[EXP: 520/750]
After fighting against zombies, ghosts, and monkeys, together with discovering Bone Island Liam made a lot of EXP. He would soon be able to advance as well.
Apart from EXP the monkeys naturally had loot as well. Cyclone insisted on looting, eager to prove her lucky hand.
She received a few coins and even a common hood which was slightly better than what Silent Acacia currently had.
Eager for more the group continued, carefully pulling groups of monkeys. Under Silver Blade's urgings they didn't underestimate the opponents, advancing stably.
Soon they were deep into Bone Island, standing before a crossroad.
A shabby wooden sign explained their options.
"Pirate Village or Bone Cliff?", read Silver Blade.
Cyclone scrunched her nose.
"Who put this sign here? Those pirates?"
"Who cares, it's still a game.", chuckled Balm.
"Fellow comrades, which path should we choose?"
"Our quest should be in pirate village."
"But maybe there is something in Bone Cliff able to help us. Maybe an advantageous position."
Liam didn't state his opinion, finding it interesting to watch the group figure it out by themselves.
"Let's take a look at the cliff first."
"Ok."
Eventually Silver Blade and Radiant Shield came to a decision. They sent Silent Acacia ahead to scout the way.
But the young thief returned after a few moments with a conflicted expression.
"The area ahead is a higher-level zone inhabited by stronger monkeys.
The common ones are still alight but I even saw an elite."
"Ok. I guess the cliff is off limits."
"But… the elite was guarding a treasure chest. And it wasn't wooden."
Instantly everyone's eyes lit up.
"Treasure chest? Wow, I have never seen one!"
"We need to get it!"
"I could use a new weapon."