[<LUCIUS>: I am prowling inside the forest, swiftly jumping from tree to tree, looking for the perfect target.]

[<ELISA>: How do I beat the first boss?]

[<LUCIUS>: I wouldn't call it the first boss. It's more of a tutorial encounter.]

[<ELISA>: You didn't answer my question. *pouty face*]

[<LUCIUS>: Reduce its hit points to zero?]

[<ELISA>: *explosion* *explosion* *explosion* *explosion* *explosion*]

[<LUCIUS>: That could work too.]

***

[<LUCIUS>: I finally spot what I've been looking for.]

[<LUCIUS>: A troll has wandered a bit too close to the end of the forest. The monster is scanning into the distance and carefully moving about. Fairly secluded, loud sounds won't be able to reach any others.]

[<LUCIUS>: I stealthily position above my target and drop down.]

The troll hears the whistling of air my fall produces, twists its body to my landing spot, but is too late to react, catching a brief glimpse of a devastating strike. My kick caves its chest in, sending it crashing against a tree, and killing it instantly.

[<ELISA>: ???]

[<LUCIUS>: Target eliminated. Blunt force trauma.]

[<LUCIUS>: I pick up its bow, deliberating.]

[<LUCIUS>: Shaking my head, I drop the weapon and examine the quiver.]

[<LUCIUS>: Almost a dozen intact arrows. More than enough.]

[<LUCIUS>: I grab the monster by the ankle and give it a few good whacks against a tree.]

[<LUCIUS>: This scene is set.]

[<LUCIUS>: I leave the forest and prepare for the next one.]

***

[<ELISA>: This is bullshit. *rage*]

[<ELISA>: Why does this stupid knight have two health bars? *chart trending up*]

[<ELISA>: And how does taking off the armor make him stronger! *person smashing keyboard*]

[<LUCIUS>: Do you want to play together?]

[<ELISA>: You can do that!]

[<ELISA>: Of course I do. *heart*]

[<ELISA>: Help me with this guy, please.]

[<LUCIUS>: Oh. I am going to match your skill level.]

[<ELISA>: *chart trending down*]

***

[<ELISA>: Don't you let Nova die! You hear me, Lucius!]

[<ELISA>: I am coming, my queen! *person running comically fast*]

***

[<LUCIUS>: I am hidden in the tall grass, listening for the regularly passing patrol.]

[<LUCIUS>: I hear the growling and gnashing of the orcs approaching.]

[<LUCIUS>: Once they start getting closer to me, they appear to calm down and get more alert. We are quite close to the forest.]

The patrol is almost next to me. Five orcs. They pass my location, failing to notice me. I pull out an arrow and grip it near the head. I rise from my cover and silently rush the monsters, their focus firmly on the trees. I jump and strike, embedding the arrow in the trailing beast's skull.

I block a retaliatory swing back. The reflex attack is the orc's final action as it spins from the momentum of its own arm and crashes to the ground. The rest hear the sound, turn around, and immediately barrel for me.

I dodge a messy clash of bodies and clubs, pull out another arrow, and bury it in the closest enemy. The others roar out, intensifying their frenzied assault, wisps of red smoke lifting from their bulging forms.

The blind rage increases their strength and speed, but all the struggling is for naught. Three more puncturing strikes bring them all down.

[<LUCIUS>: Patrol eliminated. Sharp force trauma.]

[<LUCIUS>: I move the bodies closer together and adjust their positions.]

[<ELISA>: You sure it's going to work?]

[<LUCIUS>: Most likely. At least the configuration of the dungeon strongly implies it.]

[<ELISA>: *shrug* Maybe it's a trap by the Guild.]

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

[<LUCIUS>: That is also a possibility, but I am simply acting in character.]

[<ELISA>: Good luck with that.]

[<ELISA>: Now gimme the wand. *hands grabbing* It sucks for your build.]

[<LUCIUS>: I have obtained this item fair and square. Abuse of power.]

[<ELISA>: Don't care. Party agrees with me, anyway. *smug face*]

[<LUCIUS>: Role-playing games really show one's true nature...]

***

[<ELISA>: This is so unrealistic. If my character is a so-called master of light magic, we should have finished this dungeon fifty times over already. *person shouting* *sun*]

[<LUCIUS>: I apologize if the balance of the game is causing you distress.]

[<ELISA>: Okay, Mr. Snark. Start pulling your weight before I kick you out of the party. The others and I have been talking. *pointing at you*]

[<LUCIUS>: Where would the fun be in being overpowered? And didn't I convince Blake to betray the king and join us?]

[<ELISA>: *stare* *pointing* Better watch yourself, buddy.]

***

[<ELISA>: Now this I can agree with. *nodding* You have to be consistent if you want to improve your magic.]

[<ELISA>: What did you call it?]

[<ELISA>: Grinding?]

[<LUCIUS>: I thought you'd be bored.]

[<ELISA>: Are you kidding me? Best part of the game.]

[<ELISA>: Except Nova.]

***

[<LUCIUS>: A troll hunter stumbles upon its brethren. After examining the scene, it returns to the camp.]

[<LUCIUS>: The next patrol of orcs encounters the previous. The perceived leader dissuades the others from rushing into the forest by knocking one out and breaking another's arm.]

***

[<ELISA>: No!]

[<ELISA>: Nova!]

[<ELISA>: Don't listen to him!]

[<ELISA>: Help me convince her, Lucius!]

[<LUCIUS>: How unlucky...]

[<ELISA>: *sobbing*]

***

I throw the mangled body of a hunter, and it splatters in the middle of the troll encampment.

***

[<ELISA>: I knew she was just pretending from the beginning!]

[<ELISA>: There was zero chance that Nova would betray us.]

[<LUCIUS>: *brow quirk*]

[<ELISA>: Hey!]

***

I throw a few precisely aimed arrows at the orc encampment. Most impact the ground, sticking up. Two find eyes, only enraging the monsters. One pierces the central tent, inciting a bellowing scream.

***

[<ELISA>: *fireworks*]

[<LUCIUS>: I find it fascinating that you would enjoy a repetitive action so much.]

[<ELISA>: It's satisfying and calming at the same time. And I really like when the numbers steadily go up.]

[<LUCIUS>: I am happy that you are enjoying the game, Elisa.]

[<ELISA>: *smile*]

[<ELISA>: While we have some downtime, is *radiation symbol* magic that dangerous?]

[<LUCIUS>: ...]

[<LUCIUS>: You read the fifty-page warning before accessing the information, correct?]

[<ELISA>: *nodding*]

[<LUCIUS>: You pressed the button that said, 'I have read this warning in its entirety and agree to exercise extreme caution'?]

[<ELISA>: *nodding*]

[<LUCIUS>: You examined the information in full?]

[<ELISA>: I did.]

[<ELISA>: It looks impressive, and has the potential for destruction, including lingering effects, but it's not unprecedented.]

[<LUCIUS>: That's the issue. I have no idea how these two forces might interact when brought together.]

[<LUCIUS>: I need to experiment with the application of nuclear magic myself. Safely.]

[<LUCIUS>: It might not even work. Many 'metal' concepts showed zero reaction when translated into spells.]

[<ELISA>: You do know that I have over five hundred years of experience in the magical arts, right?]

[<LUCIUS>: I don't want you to get hurt.]

[<ELISA>: Fine... *bashful*]

[<ELISA>: But work those hands faster! I want us all to be at least level fifteen before the next fight. *whip crack*]

***

Dismembered orcs are hanging from trees, mocking each patrol that passes, driving them into a barely contained frenzy.

***

[<ELISA>: Heal! *green glow*]

[<ELISA>: Chase those cultists. We can't let them get away.]

[<LUCIUS>: I am a support build. It is suboptimal to send me on this mission.]

[<ELISA>: *whip crack*]

[<LUCIUS>: ...]

***

The forest burns with a sickly, black smoke dirtying the blue sky. Howls and bellows fill the dungeon's space.

***

[<ELISA>: Only with your brave sacrifice were we able to find the cultists' lair, Lucius.]

[<ELISA>: You will be missed. *single tear*]

[<LUCIUS>: Please revive me. You are going to wipe.]

[<ELISA>: I can still remember his beautiful voice, so full of optimism.]

[<ELISA>: Our party will never be whole again.]

***

The wind at their backs, gently blowing the grass, only to be trampled under determined feet. They march forth to war.

The fires of loss at their backs, illuminating their former home with its destructive light, a final reminder. They march forth to war.

[<ELISA>: How's your little strategy unfolding? *thumbs up*? *thumbs down*?]

[<LUCIUS>: It has progressed according to projections.]

[<ELISA>: At least you were right about one thing.]

[<ELISA>: Good for you. *head pat*]

[<ELISA>: And don't you worry, we are ready to avenge you! *pumped up*]

***

Arrows fly loose, cutting down the charging horde. But not enough orcs fall. The front lines clash with a devastating impact. Purple shimmers, stopping the green behemoths from trampling over the trolls.

The advantage is short-lived, though as a loud growl brings about change. The orc warriors' eyes glow red, wisps escaping from their skin, pushing against the twisted magic using fury and blood.

The Orc Chief follows its own command with a reckless advance, colliding with ally and foe alike, pushing away the former and crushing the latter into paste, its war hammer swung around the battlefield with ease.

The Troll Shaman howls a cry of sorrow. The sky darkens, and the purple magic intensifies in power, enveloping the hunters in protective cocoons, lashing out against any attackers, infecting them with more than rage—with madness. They turn against their fellow orcs, ripping apart anything they can reach.

***

[<ELISA>: Take that, you cultist scum! *fireball*]

[<ELISA>: We have done it, Lucius. We have finally avenged you.]

[<ELISA>: If only you were here with us, to celebrate this victory.]

[<ELISA>: Don't worry, Nova, I'm here for you in this time of need. *hug*]

[<LUCIUS>: Congratulations on beating the first main quest, Party Leader Elisa.]

[<ELISA>: Now where did I put that darn Scroll of Revival? *looking around nervously*]

***

The idyllic plain is strewn with corpses and drowned in blood. The mighty chief, covered in arrows, brings its hammer up high, looking down on its final enemy. The shaman is battered and bruised, missing an arm, and barely keeping its eyes open. The orc sneers at its failure. The remaining arm draws a malevolent rune. As the hammer falls, the troll explodes into a mist of death. The last monster looks confused for a moment, until its skin melts away, its muscles fall off, and its bones turn to dust.

Atop a nearby tree, I yawn and drop down, dusting my hands.

Attendant Tryss softly lands next to me, somewhat failing to hide the distress on his face.

I turn to him, smiling. "Ready for our duel?"

The distress evaporates, and he smirks at me, shaking his head. "You're real messed up."

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