A New World, an immersive game experience

Chapter 42: From group to group

Finally ready for combat Eldrian rushed forward as he saw more beasts about to break through the soldier's formation. As he went up, Vivian and Gregory finished a second beast, having killed the first already. But more broke through with every second.

"Dammit, that's a direwolf," Vivian said as she saw one of the yet black wolves break through with the others.

Not sure what she meant the player looked around at the beasts. They were currently forming groups and going forward to help when they had finished forming up. Seeing the much darker colored beast alone with the normal grey wolfbeasts, the players promptly concluded to avoid any beast looking like it.

Some players took the time to observe the beasts. Surprised by the massive difference between the monsters themselves, and compared to a normal wolf.

[Direwolf, Demonic Beast]

[Tier 1, Level 1]

[HP: 150]

[Attack: 30]

Turning to look at a normal wolfbeast they got.

[Wolfbeast, Evolved Beast]

[Tier 1, Level 1]

[HP: 120]

[Attack: 20]

The players knew the importance of these stats. From their experience fighting normal wolves, whose stats were far lower than both of the beasts' stats. A wolf's stats were normally.

[Wolf, Animal]

[Tier 1, Level 1]

[HP: 100]

[Attack: 10]

Thus the biggest difference was the damage these beasts would be able to deal. Making the players want to be more defensive. Therefore they tried to take a beast on with at least four players, surrounding it and then slowly trying to whittle it to death.

"Dammit, I do like no damage." A player complained as he found he was only hitting the wolfbeast for 5 damage. While he would take 18 damage when the beast graced his arms or legs. He knew he would die immediately if it managed to hit is vitals.

Adding onto this troubling factor, was the fact that players had yet to find a way to recover health. Other than resting, which was certainly impossible in this situation.

The other players also observed the beasts they were fighting, finding discouragement and not hope. The level 1 wolfbeast was the weakest of the lot.

Some of the beasts were higher level. Resulting in them gaining more HP and attack for each level. While the growth was not that much, the beast was also a little faster. Making them have to approach the fight in an even more reserved manner.

Luckily three people in the group were able to do more, "You two, go and help the others. I will be fine against the direwolf." Gregory said as he charged the lone direwolf.

Eldrian and Vivian also immediately split up, each heading to a different group.

'Seems like it was indeed planned.' Eldrian thought as he rushed to help a group of three players. The presence of a direwolf, had confirmed his suspicion. Making him far more wary of monsters than he had previously been.

Seeing as they could seemingly make a battle plan. He did not think those breaking through the formation were part of the planners. Thus he could face them normally, not having to worry about a scheme.

The group he headed for had an archer, greatsword, and a shield-and-sword users. The shield guy tried to keep the attention of the beast, while the greatsword lady attempted to deliver damage. All while the archer guy would fire arrows when he could.

Eldrian had rushed here since they were the only group with only three people, but they were doing surprisingly well. The beast found no good time to attack, since the shield guy would always rush it if it turned its attention away, while he would use his shield to block the beast's counter-attacks.

Reaching the group, Eldrian waited just outside their circle of fighting. Observing their fighting style and waiting for a chance. Soon he found it, rushing in, thrusting his double-headed spear into the beast's chest.

His spear managed to go in for a good forearm's length. He then immediately pulled it out, dragging the blade downwards as he did. Making it cut through the beast as it went out.

The beasts howled, turning to Eldrian in rage. But it could not do much, as the greatsword lady delivered a heavy downward strike onto its back. Causing it to stutter, stopping its movement. While the attack only did 6 damage, not really anything.

Eldrian was not aware of this. He just saw the chance it created, using it to deliver an upwards cut with his spear. Slicing the beast's neck open. The beast lost its strength after this attack, falling to the ground not even a second later.

[15 XP gained]

Eldrian glanced at the message and started moving to the next group. Not wanting to waste time as he saw the situation continued to deteriorate.

The players on the other hand stared at Eldrian in disbelief as he left.

"How did he do so much damage?" The lady asked.

"No idea, his first attack did like 20 something damage." The archer said.

"That's nothing. His last cut did over a hundred." The shield guy said, causing the others to be left speechless. Wondering what was going on.

But they couldn't stay unfocused for long, as they saw more beasts coming through the line.

"How are we supposed to handle all of them?" The archer asked, receiving no reply.

Eldrian had no idea about the damage values or the HP of the monsters. He was fighting with a mindset of vitals will kill, while other hits will only maim.

This was because he did not have the skill to observe, which passively gave you your damage values. While giving the target's stats if used actively.

Eldrian continued doing this, going from group to group. Helping them kill the beasts as they were struggling to finish it off. This often wasn't because they were losing, but rather that they could not do enough damage.

[12 XP gained] ; [12 XP gained] ; [12 XP gained] ; [12 XP gained]

By the time he killed a fifth beast in this manner, he found time to look around. Looking to the front he saw Gregory finishing what seemed to be a third direwolf. Having a few new cuts over his arm and a nasty one over his face.

'Is a direwolf that much stronger, or is it because he had no one to help limit their movement?' Eldrian asked himself, finding his kill speed to be strangely quick. He felt that Gregory should be very strong, which was in fact not true. This resulted in his wrong judgment.

As Eldrian went to a new group he passed by Vivian, in passing he asked her how much stronger direwolves are than the wolfbeasts.

"Every two will be as strong as three." She briefly replied, just before she chopped off the wolfbeast head, which she had been fighting with a group of players. Curious she turned to look why Eldrian asked, letting out a single word in response to what she saw.

"Fuck."

Eldrian heard her curse and grimaced. Looking up he saw that there seemed to be many, many more direwolves coming. But he put this worry on hold as he arrived at the new group. Focusing on his task first.

Waiting for his moment, he found a perfect opportunity. Starting with an overhead swing, he slashed open the beast's skull, killing it in one.

[24 XP gained]

He then moved on again after receiving this notification.

'Wish I could see their stats.' He thought as he moved. Realizing that the one he just killed must have been stronger than the previous. Else the extra XP made no sense.

Arriving at a new group, he did the same as always. Wait for his moment to strike, but before he found it he heard Gregory shout.

"I am going to need some god damn help!"

Turning to look, Eldrian saw that the direwolves had made their move. Having no time to waste he rushed to the front of the melee. There was now a clear gap of two people's width, which made it far easier for the beasts to come through.

Vivian had done the same after hearing Gregory's shout. Hoping the players would hold out, but more hoping for reinforcements. There were easily over 50 direwolves coming, along with all the wolfbeasts nearby. She felt that the players would soon start dying at an increasing pace.

Eldrian made to it Gregory just as a direwolf passed by him, his attention having been on another beast. Just as the direwolf wanted to turn to attack his back, Eldrian swung his spear in a wide arch. Scaring the beast off and buying the time he needed to get closer.

He eyed the beast, while it eyed him back.

Eldrian took a quick glance at his stats, and saw that he still had plenty of stamina. But he realized this was going to become a problem soon. As he was no longer going to be able to rely on the players to give him a nice opportunity.

Seeing Eldrian's attention waver for a brief moment the beast lunged at Eldrian. Shocked by its quick action Eldrian couldn't do much.

He stepped to the side, dodging out of the beast's path. As he stepped sideways, he brought his spear in a diagonally downwards slash, which hit the beast's back. But the attack did little, just giving the beasts a shallow cut.

It then turned around quickly and rushed Eldrian. Luckily he had pulled his spear inward with the attack. This allowed him to force the beast to dodge as he trusted forward.

At this time Vivian arrived, delivering a quick cut onto the beast's neck. Shocking both Eldrian and the beast, as they had been focused on each other.

The beasts quickly lost strength and collapsed onto the ground after a second.

[45 XP gained]

'Dang, I have to stop my tunnel vision.' Eldrian told himself as he followed Vivian who was charging a newly arrived beast.