A Bar a Vampire and the Apocalypse

It was finally time. The combat members of our group were standing outside of the dungeon entrance. The group was me, Edward the twins and steward. We could not find a weapon in time for Todd. . Even then I do not feel comfortable with a gun user yet. I may be strong enough to shrug off a missed shot by him but the others are not. Edward on the other hand had a sword of his own he brought from his house; it was quite the nice looking rapier. I just hope it can hold up in real combat.

The rest of the group with the exception of Sarah were off doing other things.

“Well I don't think you will need it with Vivi but good luck guys.” Sarah said.

“We will do our best!” Angie said with Grace nodding along.

“There's no use in sitting around here. Let's get a move one everyone.'' I said. They all looked at me and nodded. I lead the group in for our first look into the dungeon.

The tunnel that led into the dungeon was on the side of the mound where the Chinese elm tree sat. It was dimly lit with glowing crystals in the ceiling. The tunnel also grew in size the further in you walked down. This went on until the tunnel was around 12 feet both height and with.

After about 10 mins of walking a new light began to shine. Not much after that was the sight of the forest of stars. It was a sight to behold looking like some of the fay forest I have seen before. It was a spacious forest covered in the vastness of a well lit night. Breaking from how light pollution works the full moon did not take away from the galaxy of stars in the sky familiar yet off. A sky that was not our own.

Before us was a sea of trees, some small, some tall, some short but a relatively small variety of them. Bushes were sprinkled here and there from what I could tell but there was a surprising lack of them. With the light of the full moon seemingly able to penetrate the leaves of the trees all of the forest was light with a soft white light. This also left rather haunting looking shadows on the ground of only the branches of the trees.

This was all on top of the fact that we were underground but we couldn't have gone underground as much as the sight before us suggested. There had to be some system shenanigans going on here. Looking back towards the cave we walked out of it was in the face of a massive rock wall that rose into the sky line. It was rather intimidating and felt slightly out of place.

“This place… it looks like a normal forest but we have to be better than a hundred feet underground. But there is a sky with stars and a moon. How…” Steward spoke.

“It really is incredible. I would have never imagined something like this being possible two weeks ago. But the world is changing and we have to be ready to change with it.” Edward said.

I stepped out of the tunnel and instantly felt it. My racial ability had activated and I saw my hair change color. With that my decision of my class was made.

“Give me a second guys I'm going to choose my class real quick.” They all nodded so I sat down and selected my class.

[You have chosen Midnight’s Perfect Assassin (Epic rank 1) you have been given the following skills: Assassin's Creed, Cloak of Stars, Constellation combination , Moonlight Step, Kill Count, Lethal Execution, and Star Shoot. Child of the night was moved from your general list to Midnight’s Perfect Assassin.]

Well it is definitely night themed abilities with only two of them not having a direct reference to a night. Let's see what they all do.

Assassin’s Creed (Advanced)

A passive that activates when in the act of assassination. Your first attack needs to be your last. When assassinating something, bleed effect, penetration power, and cutting ability are all increased. Effects are more potent with level.

Well that is one way to start off an assassin class but it makes sense. All it does is make it so when i go for the kill on an unsuspecting target i'm more likely to kill them which to be fair is really helpful. This could be very helpful against bosses even if I can't kill them in one shot I can do a lot more damage on the first hit. But that's if the skill activeats i will have to test it but overall a great start.

Cloak of Stars (Advanced)

When activated you will cover yourself in a mental of stars. The mantle can absorb damage based on constitution intelligence and skill level. It also blends in with a clear night sky. While active it will drain stamina.

This seems like a very useful ability. Too bad I can’t use it on someone else. If I could put this on one of the others like Steward he would not have to worry about being hit as much. Because my stats are so high I bet the mantle can take quite the beating.

Constellation Combination (Advanced)

When you attack someone in the same pattern as that of a known constellation your attack will have bonus effects based on what constellation you used to attack and how acurite you were to replicate the constellation. Effects are more potent with level.

Well looks like i will have to brush up on my Astronomy. I wonder what all the effects will do. This will take some experimentation.

Moonlight Step (Epic)

All the moon light touches is your domain. Blink to any place that moon light touches. Range of blink based on level and agility.

Wait so I can teleport?!?! Well ok then with there only being the one restriction stated I wonder if there is a stamina drain attached to the skill because even with it having the moonlight restriction that is a very powerful skill. Definity worthy of being the first epic skill of the class.

Kill Count (Grand)

Gain a permanent flat amount of damage per enemy killed. You have to be the one to get the killing blow for it to count. For kills to count they can not be more than 10%+5 of your level lower than you. (if you are level 100 then kills on a being lower than 85 will not count towards the skill.) Base damage per stack increased with level.

ANOTHER GRAND SKILL. That I was not expecting. But it really lives up to the ranking. This has the potential to be the most powerful skill for a long time to come ever more so than sex goddess for the simple fact it is easier to use it. I bet this skill can compete with some of the next tier skills. Wow, I really was not expecting to get another grand skill from an epic class. Maybe the ranke of the class means it will only give you skills within one rank of the class? It will require some testing and research.

Lethal Execution (Epic)

Once per day you can Execute the perfect kill. Pour all your power and stats behind one attack to deliver a blow to kill things above your weight class. After use you will have all stats reduced by 10% until the skill comes off cooldown. Damage increased per level.

So this is my trump card. It also should only be used as such outside of the controlled environments. Because not only will it weaken me but I bet this debuff also stacks with my racial ability that makes me weaker in sunlight. Still if it pulls strength from all my stats if i use this on a perfect night the things I could bring down wow.

Star Shoot (Advanced)

You are able to throw a projectile similar to a ninja star. It will produce light when thrown. Damage is based on agility, dexterity and level.

A bit of a bummer that it produces light when thrown but having a ranged projectile will be immensely helpful. This will also let me act as ranged damage in the dungeon if needed. But I don't know how many I can throw before I start to feel the stamina drain. Testing will be needed.

That's the last of them and I am very happy with my choice. The grand skill alone makes this class worth it. So now it's time to start stacking it.

“I’m done, you guys ready?”

“Oh so you did go with the epic class so that means your skill works in here. You are going to be an unstable focus on the weaker creatures aren't you.” Steward said.

“I guess I will. But I was given a ranged skill so I will act as our ranged damage and only step in if I think you guys can't handle the fight. Even though we all have low level classes I don't need the fighting experience or stats as much as you guys do so I'm going to try and stay out of the fights so I don't siphon experience from you guys.”

“That is very kind of you Vivi.” Angie said.

“Well I need you guys to get stronger. It's better to have 10 people that are an 8 out of 10 in power than to have one that is a 10 out of 10 power.”

“Fair enough shale we start?” Edward asked.

“Wow, your hair changed color. It’s much lighter.” Grace said.

“Yup that means that my racial abilities are active. Now then shall we?” I said they all nodded and we moved our way into the forest.

The forest only became more impressive the further we went. It is as a person painstakingly placed every tree bush and rock. Along with training the trees to grow in just the right way. Gareena has a master hand in the way she made this forest. If the first floor is that spectacular I wonder what the other floors are like.

Even with how impressive the sight was we all kept our heads on a swivel and stayed vigilant. We were in a hostile location and did not know where the creatures were and if they wanted to kill us or would only attack if disturbed. It did not take long before we came across our first potential opponent. It looked almost exactly like a normal grizzly bear. It was eating what looked like a wolf.

Level: 18

Race: Forest bear

Highest class: N/A level: N/A

Hmm no class but I guess that makes sense. Bears thought they may not be as smart as humans are much much stronger. I would not be too surprised if the bear's strength stat was close to mine. Sadly with it not having a class we have no ideas on what kind of skills the bear has outside of things that would help the bear do bear things I guess.

“Level 18 do you guys think we can take that?” Grace asked. She clearly was not including me in her statement, and if she was I would be a little hurt.

“I believe we can kill it without Vivi’s help but I don't know how injured we will be after.” Edward said.

“Well we will never know until we try. I'm confident we can do this with minimal help from Vivi.” Steward said.

“Don't worry guys if I see something I don't like I will step in.” With that they all nodded and moved their way over to the Bear with Steward in the lead. I shook my head at this. It seems they will get an early lesson.

As they got close the bear looked up from his meal and growled at the group but did not move from its food. Still moving forward Steward roared and ran to the bear not quite expecting the rapid approach of steward the rest of the round was a beat behind him. The bear roared in return and left his meal and started to run to Steward. The group split behind him with the twins going to the right and Edward moving to the left.

It looked like Steward activated a skill as he braced himself for impact with the bear. The bear bowled into him, knocking him back. With Steward struggling to keep his feet under him the bear got up on its hind legs and looked like it was going to try and slam down on him. That's when the other 3 started their assault. The twins hit the bear in a rhythm. Angie would throw a punch and grace would follow with a kick and they keep trading off hits. Edward on the other hand was stabbing at the bear's hind legs in precise attacks.

But it was not going to be enough to stop the bear from slamming Steward into the ground. Seeing this I moved, in a flash I was behind Steward and I pulled him out of the range of the bear before it hit him. Steward fell as I pulled him out of the range of the attack, shaking my head. I stepped back out of the fight and let the group continue the fight. Confused why its prey was not under it the bear looked around. But its confusion did not last long as it roared in pain from a particularly powerful hit from Edward. No longer caring about Steward the bear turned to Edward and swiped at him. Edward danced back avoiding the attack.

It was then that the bear fell and whimpered as the leg the twins were attacking crumbled under their combined on slot. Enraged, the bear seemed to activate a skill. It forced itself up and in a flash turned around and had its jaws open to bite Angie's arm. Her eyes grow wide as she freezes. Having seen enough of the fight I take the liberty to end it. Before the bear can harm Angie I'm next to it I twist the bear's head breaking its neck and ending the fight. Its head goes limp as the rest of the body follows falling to the ground.

Sighing, I look around. Both the twins' eyes are as wide as saucers. Edward is grimacing and Steward is standing off the side looking disappointed in himself. Shaking my head I speak up.

“Now I'm sure we can all agree that that was a shit show! So before I lay into you, what do you all think you did wrong?” I looked around waiting for someone to speak up. The first one to do so to my surprise was Angie.

“I froze up.” I nodded and continued to look around.

“We did not take into consideration what skills it might possess.” Edward said.

“That is an understatement! Well I might as well point out all your mistakes see its taking you all so long to. To start with you all ran into a fight with a creature objectively stronger than anyone of you without the slightest plan. And it obviously didn't work out, with me having to save two of you. This is not a game where you come back. Everything matters; it only takes one wrong move to die.

Now in the future you may not need to plan out every fight but right now you do. Not only are you not familiar with your abilities, you are all new to not only group combat but fighting non-humans as well.”

I stared down Steward and continued

“Now Steward what the hell was that. You started the fight without giving the rest of your party a heads up you were rushing in. They can't read your mind. How can they properly follow up with your engagement if you do not give them some sign you are going in hot.

Now this would not have mattered if you had kept the attention of the bear on you but you did not. You are not an unbreakable wall at least not yet. So you can't run into a creature almost double your level and at least 5 times your weight and expect to win that even with skills.” Steward winced at my grilling of him. Next I looked at the twins and Edward.

“To be honest what you two and Edward did was not bad, all things considered. But the first point still stands. Going after the legs to weaken it was smart, but you are lucky that I was here. Even with someone meant to take the aggression of an opponent does not mean you will not get attacked. You should always be ready to disengage at any moment. Edward, you did a good job of that. But Angie you did not.”

Looking around they all had their heads down in disappointment. I nodded. This was a good lesson to get out of the way early. I'm glad that bear was the first creature we found. I looked back at the bear wondering what would happen to the bear. Will it be eaten or will Gareena do something with it? Shaking my head I looked back at the group. There would be a lot of work ahead. With a maniacal smile I spoke.

“Now to start with I am going to help you guys get your classes leveled up a bit. Then I am going to train you guys. We are going to level your skills and get a better understanding of them. We are also going to work on your team work. After I am satisfied with your team work we will come back down here together and I will let you fight again. But I will not intervene unless I think it will kill one of you.”

They all paled hearing my words. Oh this was going to be fun.