As he woke up he decided to go to the Vikas estate and pick up his gear and smooth over his transgressions between him and Jasmine. As he left inside of the estate he was immediately handed a massive plate armor set and a one handed hammer. The same Halume butler looked at him.

  “To my understanding they received the measurements from the memories of Lady Jasmine so if it doesn’t fit as well as you like please let me know and I can have it retailored to you. “

  Fortune’s Bulwark[Unique]

  Base Efficiency Bonus: 48%[+100% Unique Bonus] = 96%

  Skill Tree: Ladies of Fortune’s Grace

  Base Ability: Lucinda’s Blessing

  Trigger: Saying the Command word(Lucinda’s Blessing)

  Energy Drain: Low

  Description: Allows the user to dramatically decrease the efficiency of the next attack by an amount equal to The user’s efficiency bonus. This effect lasts for 3-5 seconds. You can apply this effect to anyone by pointing and saying the command word if willing. There is a small chance that this effect can trigger without you activating it or using energy right before a hit.

  Made By: Drogi Shadowrock

  Attunement: 80[-20: Unique Bonus] = 60

  He looked at it and the man smiled. It was unique. THIS WAS INCREDIBLE. As he examined the piece, he had assumed that some final adjustments would be necessary, so he was taken aback by the flawless fit when he tried it on. The entire piece gleamed with a rich, lustrous gold, intricately adorned with inlays of deep black onyx that added an elegant contrast. Delicate filigree, resembling intricately patterned coins, was meticulously imprinted into the metal, adding to its ornate beauty. To his surprise, it was lighter than he had anticipated, almost as if it were crafted from air, yet it retained an undeniable sense of solidity and craftsmanship. As he was putting on his armor he also saw that the butler go and come back with a massive one handed hammer as he spoke.

  “Our crafters with your generous donation of resource crates decided to use the allocated 140 attunement slot budget and the fact that you made a Unique armor that you could attune to an additional Major item. We saw the shield on your back when you came in and assumed that you liked either dual wielding or using a shield. So we have crafted a one handed hammer. While it is not Unique it is Masterwork."

  Major Hammer of Rot[Masterwork]

  Base Efficiency Bonus: 48% + [80% Masterwork Bonus] = 86.4%

  Skill Tree: Vestiges of The Rot Lord

  Base Ability: Mark of Decay

  Trigger: Mental Activation upon hitting a target

  Energy Drain: Medium

  Description: Upon activating this ability a glowing mark appears on the target's body where they were struck. While the mark is on their body their ability to regenerate is dramatically reduced while slowly spreading necrosis around the mark. This effect stacks. The duration of the mark is based on the user’s wisdom and efficiency of this weapon and resisted by the target’s wisdom.

  Attunement: 80[-10: Masterwork Bonus] = 70

  As he picked up the hammer, he examined it closely. The tool was an intense jet black, giving it the appearance of being carved from stone rather than forged from metal. The head of the hammer was particularly striking, crisscrossed with strange, glowing red veins that pulsated like lifeblood coursing through the entire mass of the weapon. The handle, in contrast, was crafted from a sleek, black metal that exuded simplicity yet strength. Wrapped around the grip was a luxurious red cloth, its vibrant hue adding an element of elegance and allure to the formidable instrument. He pulled out 25 gold marks and handed them to the butler.

  “Please give this to Drogi for the armor. It's wonderful.”

  “If you would like I can take your clothes and make sure they are returned to you if you are going to speak to Lord Vikas.” He nodded and handed him his clothes and boots before the butler led him upstairs to the war room as he saw Jasmine, Vikas and the Orume or Orcish looking man Makashi. Vikas looked at him and blew a soft whistle before Jasmine turned around to face him.

  “You look good son. Not as good as I did at the time but close. You actually gonna want to sit down and talk to me for once or you just gonna brood out the door again and not know what's going on.” Marcus rolled his eyes but nodded as Vikas motioned for him to sit down at a seat on the war table.

  “I would like to thank you for allowing me to use your crafters and come to your estate. I have been suffering from a poor disposition and I am looking to come out of that hump and help.” Lowian clapped him on his back and smiled as Vikas continued.

  “As you might have heard. The Undead Horde is on its way to Druid’s Grove and is about a week out. We have set up defenses about a day's travel away from the city. We have had out several dozen Earth and Plant mages set up defenses and towers along the main road. We have built anti-flying buzz traps to take out as many of the flying riff raff as possible. There are several monsters that we need our heavy hitters to deal with.

  We have Captain Mclane to fight the Vampire that ripped Lucille in half. There are several goliaths as well. While they are incredibly powerful, what makes them standout is their very tough and hard to deal with hide and bone armor. Outside of having around 35 to 40 in the stat you want to damage them with, our people find that you do no damage. We are thinking about putting you with the high level people and dealing with the Goliaths and Golems. While the Golems aren’t as hard to damage they are actually intelligent and can use tactics. You will be reporting to Guard Commander Deacon in 3 days.” Marcus nodded.

  “This isn’t against an actual coordinated army. Undead out of all monster groups have the largest hordes but also the lowest level among them. The scouts are saying it's looking like 20k+. We will have 1000 guards that are at least level 10, 100 of them that are level 50+ and we have 20 guards over 100+ along with at least 10 more over 250+, and one person over level 1000. Deacon commands the level 50s though with your stats you will be middle of the pack…maybe towards the top. “ Marcus thought about the vampire.

  “So tell me about this Vampire. I was there when it ripped the person on the cloud in half. They didn’t seem very weak to me.” This time Jasmine spoke up.

  “Vampires are considered the Elites of the Undead. They are considered to be around 250-1000 level as far as ability along with being highly intelligent. They are able to use their cunning and skill to lead armies. Despite this they are melee fighters that have strength beyond what you would expect. They are also the only undead that can ‘breed’ with Umes. “ Marcus raised an eyebrow before she continued.

  “Very few monsters can breed with Umes but every monster group has at least one. Some of the more powerful vampires had entire castles filled with Ume’s of their own lineage and slaves that they use for food and to sire more vampires. It is not something anyone would wish on their worst enemy.“

  For several more hours they continued to speak more and more about the plans before they called it for today and Marcus got up to leave before Vikas spoke up again.

  “Hang back a bit.” Marcus shrugged as everyone left the room.

  “Yes?”

  “You seem like a true warrior. Would you like to help me with something? “

  “What exactly can I help with?”

  “I need you to stand out, separate yourself from the pack in the upcoming battle.” Marcus’s eyes began to focus and look at him strangely before he continued.

  “You're an independent. You are free from all people here and outside of the city. I have had people look into you. From what I have been told it seems like you fell straight out of the sky. “ Marcus held up his hand.

  “I don’t do politics. I am just here to help.”

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  “Ok then do that. I have some platinum marks quick track to being a noble if you do.“

  “I am not even a citizen of this place, how can I be a noble??” Vikas laughed softly to himself before he continued.

  “That's how sheep think. Who cares what others think you are. You are a rising star. We need more people like that in this world. People that are not scared to brace the unknown and take a chance on their own life to advance and grow. You being a noble sends a good message to all others in the city as an example of how nobody can reach the highest heights.”

  “I am going to have to respectfully decline this offer of nobility. I am not tied to any factions.”

  “Of course. Well that's everything I had to say. “ Vikas got up and left soon followed before Marcus as he left the estate and went straight to Punbi’s to pick up his two dresses.

  The two dresses he got boggled the mind.

  A red sequined slip dress with gold embroidery of leaves and roses for Khaliun and a tight form fitting blue sundress with golden white flowers all over it for Celeste. He took the dress before leaving, heading back to Takanka’s to drop off his clothes there before heading out to meet Marissa and company just outside of the city.

  As he appeared with his mix mashed collection of weapons he could not think of anything but a level 3 MMO character fresh out of the starter area.

  He saw Marissa in what looked like a Leather jerkin with a leather pauldron on her dominant arm with her other arm being bare. She had on thick leather pants as well. She looked like a modern day barbarian with her red skin and brown headband. Jamal looked like he was a mage of some kind with his wool robes and staff. Ila had a massive crossbow on her back while looking straight like a rogue.

  “Hey I have your place and should be ready to go in about a week. My uncle is also getting it furnished as well so once you move in it should be ready to go.

  “Hey blondie. You're ready to kill a Wyvern?” Ila spoke up this time as the sun was finally beginning to set.

  “Of course. Any specific gameplan you had in mind?” Marcus looked at each of them as they started to leave the city entrance and head towards the village fields. Jamal pointed at Ila.

  “We are gonna find cover while Ila shoots the thing down then provides support if it dives. I can make light shields and Marissa can swipe it to scare it off. “ Marcus looked at them before speaking.

  “I can also provide ranged support up to about 300 feet though I can push it and go farther. I use a whip and boomerang combo. “ Marissa looked at him with a smile on her face.

  “A whip and boomerang is an interesting combination. I am excited to see it in-”

  “AARGH!”

  Before Marcus and company looked up to not only see a single Wyvern but Three Wyverns the color onyx with massive jaws and teeth with one of them being smaller than the others. With that the others sprung into action before Marissa called out to Marcus.

  “You think we can do this? This has to be a B ranked mission at this point.“

  “Not sure but I need to test myself. Ila cover me. I am gonna hitch a ride.” Ila grunted as the largest Wyvern had gone down to nab over a few remaining cows that had not been brought inside of walls.

  “I don’t think so!” Marcus unleashed his whip and flooded his whip with energy as it extended and wrapped his chain around its neck and began to pull it back down, easily matching its strength as Ila continued to pepper it. He also saw Marissa using returning throwing axes to continue to pepper it. He began to quickly throw his boomerang as it whipped this spiked tail looking to spit roast him. He saw a shield of blue light cover him as it bounced off and shattered. He decided to drop his boomerang and grab its tail as he leaped on its back as the two other creatures began to dive and stab at him.

  The other full sized drake attempted to skewer him as he lifted the grappled wyvern’s tail as it skewered its partner's tail instead he heard it roar in pain as he attempted to remove itself from the grappled one. He then summoned his Boomerang to his hand and with a ferocious assault began to aim for the membrane of the flying wyvern as tried fleeing as it ripped the skewered tail off the grappled Wyvern but it was too late. As it tried to fly it collapsed on the ground. As the baby wyvern attempted to fly away he saw what he imagined was a shooting star come from Ila’s crossbow and hit the baby wyvern in the wing shattering it as it also tumbled down.

  “Marissa lets deal with the grappled wyvern underneath me. Disable its wings so I can finish it with my Hammer. “ Without a second thought Marissa rushed towards the grappled tailless wyvern as he lashed out with his head another blue shield appeared around Marissa as it bounced off and the shield shattered. With a throwing axe in each hand she climbed on its back with Marcus and began to hack the wing membrane closest to its body with his Hammer making short work of its ability to fly.

  “Done!”

  “Ila, Jamal focus on the one with Marissa. I have the other ones.” Marcus shrunk back his whip as Marissa switched to her main axe and began hacking at its wings as it tried to shake off Marissa. Ila continued to combat roll and dodge wyvern tail stings as she reloaded and hid behind trees and changed targets to Marissa’s beast.

  Marcus began to walk over to the other large wyvern. It turned to him and he smiled as he rushed forward. Launched a tail stab at him square in the chest.

  “Lucinda's Blessing!” What should have been a powerful and accurate stab turned to what was a glancing blow as he continued to advance. He swung his whip at the creature as it tried to leap away but he just extended his whip.

  “Banshee Wail” As it began to scream loudly as the one winged wyvern finally got up and the supersonic wave rippled through the body of the monster before rushing over to him.

  He leaped directly on its head and began a furious combination of hammer blows as he felt its skull finally crack as it began its death rattles on his furious blows.

  The one winged wyvern moved over to him and as it tried to bite him he turned around.

  “Lucinda’s Blessing!” As it bite found purchase it wasn’t very good as he began to wrap his arms and legs around the youngling as he reached under its chin to a soft spot and began to rip out its jugular as it screamed in pain he continued to laugh as he finally ripped it out he held it up like a trophy is quickly began to bled out.

  He yelled out in just a ferocious might as he pointed at the two dead wyverns. Before he began to mount the dead wyvern and unleash a combination of hammer blows until he reached brain matter and continued to unleash powerful blows over and over.

  “You thought you were better! You were too weak.”

  “Too weak!”

  “Too weak!”

  “Too weak, ahahhaha!”

  "I REMAIN!"

  “Hey…..ummm all of the wyvern are dead.” As he shook his head as he heard Marissa and the blood lust began to recede. He saw the other three with looks of fear and shock on his face as he checked his HUD and realized that he had gained about a 100 kills and reached level 50. He stood up slowly.

  “Sorry about that. I can get a little intense in battle.” He went over and grabbed his whip and summoned his boomerang back to his side.

  “So are we selling these bodies?”