Chapter 8
<Bad Ending Maker Episode 8>
Wings Online is a virtual reality game.
Specifically, it's an RPG.
Skills are activated by performing set motions or shouting skill names, with hit rates calculated through the attacker's and defender's stats.
But it's not entirely lacking action elements.
Blocking attacks with weapons or shields reduces damage through equipment mitigation rates.
Yet players rarely do this - control difficulty outweighs mitigation efficiency.
The current PvP meta focuses on armor, defensive skills, and overwhelming offense rather than active blocking.
However...
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Weapon defense successful!
Weapon defense successful!
Weapon defense successful!
A level 10 newbie completely blocked attacks from two level 60 second-class players - a warrior and thief.
The warrior's greatsword barrage and thief's seven-stab dagger combo all bounced off harmlessly.
"What is this? A bug?"
The warrior panicked as the thief shook his head.
"Can't be."
"That's impossible! Even with blocking, reduced damage should still get through!"
"Not...necessarily."
The thief wiped cold sweat.
"That weapon allows it."
The sole equipment with 100% mitigation rate.
Wings Online's weakest weapon.
Issued to all players and perpetually sold in starter villages...
"A beginner's dagger?!"
The warrior groaned while examining Oasis's weapon.
"Fine, let's accept the damage nullification. But how's he blocking every attack?"
"Two possibilities." The thief narrowed his eyes.
"Either this brat's a PvP prodigy..."
"...or he's hacking."
"But Wings prides itself on Anti-Cheat!"
"No other explanation exists."
If this wasn't cheating, those reflexes would qualify him for pro gaming tournaments immediately.
"Let's test this."
The thief drew a massive crossbow from his inventory.
His hybrid Thief/Archer class - Wind Walker.
"I chose archer specialization just for this!"
The archers' ultimate mob-clearing skill:
"Rain of Arrows!"
Thwump!
Dozens of arrows cascaded down like metallic rain.
"Eeeek?!"
Oasis desperately raised her dagger.
"Save meeeeee!"
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Weapon defense successful!
Weapon defense successful!
Weapon defense successful!
Every arrow split midair, clattering to the ground as fragments.
"......"
"......"
The warriors gaped.
Deflecting dozens of arrows individually?
This surpassed human capability - a divine technique.
"Hacks."
"Definitely hacks."
As they reached this conclusion...
Craaack!
Oasis's dagger shattered on the final arrow.
The starter dagger's durability: a mere 5 points.
The last arrow struck her forehead as she stared at the broken weapon.
Thunk!
"Gwaaah!"
Her HP hit zero, body collapsing backward.
"Old defense hacks never moved like that... New cheat?"
"Maybe he's just insanely skilled?"
"Creepy either way. Report to GM and bail."
As the thief opened the report window:
"Two vs one? How cheap."
They turned to find a disheveled player rubbing his temples.
"Ugh... One more hangover and I'll become a literal dog."
"Who're you?!"
"25-level noob. That's my 10-level friend there."
The downed Oasis wailed:
"Maaaaster! Why so late?!"
"Shut it. Came straight from the bar."
User Lavo drew his Thorn Sword - trash gear with Attack 10, but his best option.
"PKers should expect retaliation, no?"
"Pfft! A 25-level lecturing us?"
"Sleep tight with your friend!"
They charged.
Lavo smirked.
"The Underground's warm tradition: veterans beating newbies."
His eyes glinted dangerously.
"So...I'll beat you brats too."
Before they reacted, Lavo threw two poison flasks.
Pop! Pop!
"Basilisk Venom?!"
Their HP chunks vanished percentage-wise.
"Wasted my high-tier poison on PKers..." Lavo grumbled from a rooftop.
"Split up!"
"Right!"
As they scattered:
"Know how to clear poison clouds?"
Lavo waved a torch.
"Burn it~"
Their eyes widened.
"You madman?!"
Kaboooom!
The explosion cleared the poison...and half their remaining HP.
Oasis watched through toxin-green skin as her master's methods left her soot-covered.
"Just kill me..." she muttered unheard.
The thief staggered at 5% HP, stunned.
"Bandage! Potions!"
"Can't! Stunlocked!"
70% HP loss in 5 seconds triggered paralysis.
Lavo descended like a raptor.
"Cover me till stun ends!"
"Guard Stance!"
The warrior activated damage-redirection, confident against a low-level attacker.
Fwoosh!
Black flames engulfed Lavo's sword.
Crunch!
Critical!
The warrior froze - both character and player mind.
Dark Aura Lv1:
Dark Knight exclusive
+100% attack as defense-ignoring bonus damage
Cost: 1% max HP/sec
Critical!
Critical!
Critical!
Lavo relentlessly struck head weak points.
"Cancel Guard! Attack!"
The warrior swung his berserker blade-
-only to meet Lavo's novice dagger.
"Starter dagger?!"
"Swap?!"
The thief gaped at the weapon switch mid-PvP.
"Retreat! He's no newb - a veteran!"
Lavo chuckled at "veteran".
Originally derogatory, the term now described old-school players.
"Not veteran..."
As Wings' original developer and alpha tester, he corrected:
"Vapor."
The final evolution of gaming fossils.
Thud!
The warrior fell.
Lavo loomed over the stunned thief.
"Kids, how long have you VR-gamed?"
He casually swapped to...a torch.
"FYI, I'm a founding contributor."
"AAAAH!"
As the thief burned, Oasis made a sooty realization:
Master really loves arson.
