Rise of a Tank: A LitRPG Adventure (Getting Hard Book 1), page 35
“Nit—!” I called out. Nitana, help me, was what I wanted to say. But those pathetic words shouldn’t leave my mouth. And it was probably better to die here than bother them.
Nitana was busy fending off the [Lvl 33 Frost Imps] attacking Kezo and Megan, but she turned around upon hearing my yell. She pointed her staff at me. The Nixigaunt swung its spear.
CHAPTER
FIFTY
The Nixigaunt’s ice spear met Nitana’s crystalline barrier that covered me at the last second.
The barrier instantly broke into several shards of orange glass that dissolved into the air. Nitana had cast her protective spell in time, but it was destroyed just as easily as my shell. Was it ultimately in vain?
I braced myself for the excess damage to finish off the small amount of health I had. The next time I opened my eyes, I expected to be looking at the entrance of the Chief’s Lodge.
“Move, you idiot!” Nitana yelled at me.
Huh? I’m still alive? And I could move!
The spear had shattered the ice covering me, dispelling my frozen status. I hightailed it out of there, running toward Nitana. The other Nixigaunt slammed the ground, sending waves of ice that thankfully didn’t reach my fleeing ass.
Blazing fairies zipped past me. Explosions shook the ground. I tried to maintain my balance.
“Hurry! Hurry!” Nitana ordered.
“I’m coming!” I shouted. “That’s what she said,” I muttered under my breath—this one’s for you, Mason.
This reminded me of the times when my friends and I would try newly released bosses in Nornyr Online, and things went awry due to a lack of experience and knowledge of mechanics. We’d run around like headless chickens, shouting at each other to do this or that. Yelling is an essential part of the MMORPG experience.
The Nixigaunts were still alive. I could hear their angry bellows becoming louder.
A second batch of larger fairies zipped by, beating their numerous gossamer wings.
Looking over my shoulder, I saw that the Nixigaunts were distracted by the fairies. They wildly swung their arms covered with ice blades at the tiny flying creatures. Each time they hit the fairies, explosions followed. The burning Nixigaunts poofed into sparkles of Essence and Gli that went to us.
I slowed down as I neared Nitana.
“Sorry I left you,” she said, giving me an embarrassed grin. “I was too focused on protecting Kezo and Megan. And to think I promised to also protect you… I dropped the ball so bad.”
“You saved me, so it’s fine.” I gave her a thumbs-up, mimicking Kezo’s favorite gesture. “And it was my fault for lagging.” I didn’t go with them to the Rotted Cedarlyon because I didn’t want to accidentally get its aggro, given I had no experience with it or any other boss and mini-boss. Inadvertently, I’d strayed too far back.
“Also, sorry for calling you an idiot.”
Herald Stone accepts your apology and cleanses your sin of blasphemy. “I was a bit of an idiot there, wasn’t I?” I chuckled to show I wasn’t offended.
It was on me to learn more about playing with a party in MCO. How could I stand at the top to look down on people if I couldn’t climb up there because I had no clue about what I was supposed to do? Herald Stone, the Great Learner, was a massive sponge, soaking in all the information to improve himself.
Perfection meant stagnation—that is not who I am.
Herald Stone was infinite, infinitely improving.
On a serious note, situational awareness and quick decision-making on the appropriate movement during a fight were essential for tanking, even more so if a tank wasn’t sufficiently geared to trivialize the threat of mobs or bosses.
Another thing I realized was how different playing with a first-person view was when it came to fighting as a party. The MMORPGs I used to play were third-person, usually with a top-down perspective. It was easy to see the whole battlefield looking from above, assessing the positioning of my party mates, the mobs, and especially the boss.
Now that I was actually ‘inside’ my character’s body, I found it difficult to keep track of what was happening around me. Once the mobs came, I focused on my survival and instinctively shut out everything else. I didn’t know where Nitana went, even though I should’ve stuck with her for my safety.
“The shield spell you cast on me, what was it?” I asked Nitana. “It’s strong.” Similar to my [Greater Pyro Shell], it was destroyed after only one hit from the troll-like Nixigaunt. But unlike my shell, I didn’t receive the excess damage.
“Strong?” She snorted in disbelief. “You’re kidding, right? My barrier sprite skill is just level one. Haven’t touched that thing since it was unlocked in one of my Ocadules. It barely protected you. Like, it was gone just like that.” She snapped her fingers.
“Yes, it was. But it also completely nullified the damage of that attack.” I explained its difference with my [Greater Pyro Shell] and told her, “That’s why I think it’s strong. Where did you get that Ocadule?”
If it could negate the full damage of one hit, then it was a great tanking skill, especially for emergencies. I could tank the Rotted Cedarlyon even if I were only level twelve. Just one of its attacks… but still. It could be more like a panic button.
“Completely nullify…?” She frowned as she tried to comprehend what I told her. “I don’t under—Oh! I get it.”
The roar of the Rotted Cedarlyon calling for reinforcements swallowed her words. Break time was over. We’d have to continue our discussion later.
Nitana put on a serious expression and nudged her head toward the next wave of monsters. She cast another barrier on me.
I nodded. I swear I’m going to keep myself safe this time.
In return, I used [Healing Touch] on her even though her life was full to show I was trying my best to help. We looked at each other and then at the small green number ticking per second to heal her.
“It’s better than nothing,” I said with a wide smile. She laughed before returning to her duty of clearing mobs.
While my heal barely amounted to anything, there was something I could do that might have more impact.
I approached Kezo and the Rotted Cedarlyon locked in intense combat, stopping at the maximum range I could cast [Rusting Ground]. I placed it under the mini-boss. After five seconds, monsters standing on it would have the maximum stacks of armor decay and have ninety less armor—even if it was a tiny amount, it’s better than nothing.
I immediately returned to Nitana in case the Rotted Cedarlyon suddenly turned its attention to me because of the skill I cast.
Fortunately, Kezo kept it in check with [Enraging Call]. “Thanks for the help!” he shouted when he noticed the orange haze swirling around the Rotted Cedarlyon’s feet.
Nitana sent her fairies against the mobs called by the Rotted Cedarlyon. I carefully observed how she fought. Then I analyzed the different types of monsters, assessing their movement speeds, attack patterns, and special abilities.
I noticed Nitana couldn’t make the most out of the AoE explosions of her fairies because the monsters came from all sides. She tried to aim for the densely packed groups, but there were many stragglers she couldn’t eliminate in time before they reached Kezo and Megan. Our two boss killers had to turn their attention to these monsters instead of concentrating on the boss.
I might be able to do something here, I thought.
Of the four mobs in this area—Cedarlyons, Laphisheres, Nixigaunts, and Frost Imps—only the Laphisheres and Cedarlyons were faster than me. The energy balls surrounded by rocks accelerated if they rolled in a straight line, while the tree folk had wide strides courtesy of their towering legs.
But if I ran in circles or zigzags, they wouldn’t be able to catch me.
I also noted all their dangerous moves that could incapacitate me, like the Nixigaunts’ AoE freeze and the weird slow caused by the Frost Imps’ breath. This wave of monsters was thinning out. I was going to try my plan to help Nitana in the next one.
“As I was saying,” Nitana said after blowing up the last Frost Imp. “I get what you’re talking about with that nullify thing. My barrier skill doesn’t actually do that.”
“It doesn’t? But the attack was—”
“You see,” she interjected. “It’s a summon—a sprite creature that forms a barrier around a target with its body. So, what happened was the Nixigaunt hit you, right? My summon took the hit for you and died because it’s super squishy.
“It’s not an actual shield skill—um… I guess it is. I’m explaining this badly. Once the barrier sprite is dead, that’s it. Just think of it like someone blocking a bullet meant for you with their body, like in a cheesy action movie. Uh… unless the bullet goes through their body and still hits you.”
“I understand now,” I said. “Thanks for the explanation.” It was a variant of tanking with summons or minions instead of a type of skill that adds another layer of health—that was why there was no spillover of excess damage like the case with [Greater Pyro Shell].
Personally, it wasn’t my style of tanking because I wanted to be front and center. I am the hard one. Not others.
Nonetheless, this mechanic could be helpful while I was still putting together my tank build. No matter what I do, no matter how many millions of Artas I’d spent, I wouldn’t be tanky enough to compete in the big leagues come the time for the Great Hunt around two weeks from now.
But if I could find a way to abuse this skill or others like it to help my party for the event, I’d do it.
“It’s a skill from my Fire Sprite Ocadule,” Nitana explained. “I bet you’re thinking about getting it for protection?” I nodded. She shook her head. “Best not bother. It’s mostly a DPS Ocadule. It has two survivability skills, barrier sprite is one, and the other reduces damage. Both are garbage. You can ask Kezo if he has tips on better skills to get if you want to be tankier.”
Kezo and Megan had gotten the health of the mini-boss down about halfway. There was still more work to be done. And it was going to get more difficult as the mobs increased. The Rotted Cedarlyon’s roar reverberated through the forest. Rumbling, shaking, and growling answered.
Between the trees were silhouettes of numerous monsters.
“This is going to get hard,” Nitana said.
That’s what she said—Wait, she actually said it! Hooray! If only Mason were around for this historic moment. I kept my chuckles in check as I told Nitana, “I’m going to help you this time.”
“Wha—? Just stay back. I’m already having trouble killing all of—”
“I’m going to herd them for you.”
“Huh?”
“I’m going to use myself as bait for the mobs and try to bunch them up so your exploding fairies can kill more of them.” This was also the job of a tank. And I didn’t need to be tanky for this… So long as I didn’t let the monsters catch me.
“I know I said sorry for this a while ago, but don’t be an idiot and just stay here.”
“Trust me on this.”
CHAPTER
FIFTY-ONE
“Handle the mobs over there first!” I told Nitana, pointing beyond the Rotted Cedarlyon. The monsters were closer to reaching Kezo on that side. She hesitated, looking back and forth between Kezo and me. “Focus there!” I insisted. “I’ll call for your help here later!”
She gave me a firm nod. Fiery fairies swirled around her as she galloped in the opposite direction.
“Let’s get this started,” I said. “I need to get hard.”
[ Toggle All PvP Damage Setting: OFF ]
Before diving into battle, I turned it off so I could max [Ancestral Constitution]. My party mates were far from me. Hopefully, I wouldn’t get caught by friendly fire—actual friendly fire, not the skill.
My shell was up, both shields in front of my body, and I began my charge. My hooves dug into the snow as I thundered onward, raking them to the sides as if I was parting waves. If only I had epic background music to accompany my charge.
Monsters came crashing out of the forest, double their previous numbers.
I curved to a group of cackling Frost Imps climbing over a gigantic toppled Mardukryon statue.
Using their crude bows, they shot arrows as I passed to say hello. A few of their projectiles hit and destroyed my [Greater Pyro Shell]. Good thing I’d cast it several seconds before, and it was already off cooldown. Fortunately, I managed to recast it in between the rain of arrows or I would’ve died despite most missing their marks.
I’m squishier than a marshmallow melted in the microwave!
My regeneration and [Healing Touch] could patch me back to full health in a few seconds—obviously, that was good. But it highlighted the problem that my health pool was still incredibly low, even if I had invested all my attribute points in Vigor because I was only level twelve. High health regeneration meant nothing if I was dead in a second or two.
The Frost Imps released another clumsy volley, but I was already out of their range and heading to another group of monsters.
Screeching in anger, the imps placed their bows on their backs and dropped on all fours, crawling on the ground like four-legged spiders to chase me. Their wide mouths that stretched ear to ear spewed glowing blue wisps. If they got close enough, their breaths would slow me down and spell my doom—is that too dramatic?
Right now, I shouldn’t think of what was in front of me. I should focus on what was behind me.
Hollering Nixigaunts ambled on their knuckles like gorillas toward the Rotted Cedarlyon. I hurled rocks at them—that got their attention.
Some brandished blades of ice and others held their massive fists high, ready to slam the ground as I came near. But three continued on, ignoring me.
Dammit! Am I not attractive enough for them? And to think Mum said I’m handsome.
“Juicy level twelve target here! Come get me!” I yelled as I rushed to head off the Nixigaunts separating from the rest. I ducked under swinging ice blades and navigated through cascading mini glaciers as these troll-like beasts brought their fists to the ground for their AoE freezing skill.
And I was safely through—Boom!—That’s a lie! My shell!
One of the Nixigaunts swiped my flank with an ice blade. Another slash I couldn’t avoid brought my health bar down to a sliver. Ripples of ice nearly caught my hooves. I didn’t bat an eye at almost dying. I calmly healed myself and recast my shell as I continued chasing my targets.
With my sling, I aimed for the lead Nixigaunts. Stones hit their backs. They turned around and roared, hunkering down on their knuckles before chasing me. Mission accomplished!
The Cedarlyons and Laphisheres up ahead were getting closer and closer to my teammates fighting the mini-boss. In between the marching trees, the rolling monster-rocks sped up. I couldn’t reach all the Laphisheres in time, but perhaps I could still herd the Cedarlyons.
Is this what a cockroach feels like? The thought crossed my mind as the colossal Cedarlyons stomped around me. I weaved through their legs like a dog running through an obstacle course, trying to hit every one of the monster trees with my sling.
I should’ve bought [Enraging Call] if nothing else, I berated myself. Please let attacking be enough to get their aggro.
They were just random mobs called by the mini-boss and probably didn’t have special mechanics. I hoped that being the only player nearby could help ensure they switched their attention to me.
I had thought about upgrading my gear when I should’ve bought helpful Ocadule Shards instead. Kezo and the others didn’t even bother checking my equipment because they expected me to die or at least be as useful as a fart in the wind. If I had taunt and CC skills, maybe some debuffs as well, I would’ve had more impact on this team.
“Megan, behind you!” I shouted. Rocks from Laphisheres smashed into her back. Oof, that’s a late callout.
“Thanks for the heads up!” she said. It wasn’t in a mocking way, but more to be polite to the dumbass newbie. She got damaged, only slightly, as I could see from her health bar. Despite being a DPS, she was seven levels above the [Lvl 37 Laphishere] and wouldn’t easily get hurt.
Megan’s Totem turned around and shot beams of concentrated fire like a blowtorch at the stray Laphisheres and Cedarlyons.
If I had also been able to gather those monsters, there wouldn’t have been a drop in their DPS on the mini-boss. Sponge up all those learning opportunities. It’s not only the character that levels up but also the player’s mind.
“Nitana! Nitana!” I desperately called as I sharply turned left, heading in her direction. I didn’t bother checking the monsters chasing me like I was a famous actor mobbed by out-of-control fans.
Their howls, roars, and screeches, as well as the slushing snow and shaking ground told me there was a battalion of them that wanted a piece of me… or, pieces of me.
Over the din of the monsters, I heard several twangs. I erratically ran to avoid the falling arrows, then returned to a straight line as the Cedarlyons were about to catch me with their long limbs.
I heard the rumbling of the Laphisheres catching up, and I crisscrossed, almost gambling where they’d come from. They blew past, stopped, and slowly rotated to face me. I was right. They were laughably slow at turning.
“Herald! I’m here!” Nitana circled from the other side of Kezo and the Rotted Cedarlyon. The rising smoke and the sparkles of light coming to me like a swarm of fireflies told me she’d killed plenty of mobs on the other side.
“Tactical air strike on me!”
“Wha—?”
“Your fairies! Send them to me!” I kept dashing left and right in front of the monsters like a large piece of meat tied to a string dangled before a pride of hungry lions.
I was doing this not only to avoid the monsters’ attacks but also to bunch them up more. Those in front would stop to swipe at me as I passed, and those at the back would press against the front row as they tried to reach for me. And I also didn’t want them to get closer to my party, so zigzagging delayed them.
