War Grounds 51 BROTHERHOOD OF SHIRTLESS PUNKS

Al Gentrix and the group were now back on the operation floor of their workshop. Osho was currently using Sol's station, while the rest were already immersed in their respective gaming chairs.

[Welcome back, Al Gentrix So Strong.] SARS immediately greeted, the moment that Al equipped his gaming helmet.

"Hey, SARS! How long has it been, since we've talked? I've missed you, buddy! Haha! A lot of things happened while you were gone!" Al excitedly responded, eager to share his stories.

[I've finished researching the Orc's Capital City of Frahim, and I can confirm that Dalaran's Skull is indeed in that place. However, the data are a bit long, so I'll keep you updated along the way.] SARS reported the results of his analysis, completely ignoring the endearment of Al.

"Wow! That's an awesome job! Yeah. You've missed me. I've felt the love, buddy. Thanks a lot!" Al rolled his eyes before smiling halfheartedly. He was already starting to adapt to SARS' coldness and indifference. The latter is a robot, after all.

[So, what's your plan? The expected minimum travel time from Alistor to Frahim is twelve hours on foot. I've already compiled a list of leveling spots to make our journey a productive one.]

'Too far.' Al realized. "Change of plans, for now, SARS. Peace, hehe. Can you just continue with the Phase 2 Analysis of the Open World? Meanwhile, I'm gonna continue training with the team in preparation for the coming Rookie Challenge."

[Rookie Challenge? You made me work for nothing ( -_- ) Ok. Fine. SARS out. Don't you dare disturb my analysis! Bye, Al Gentrix So Strong.]

"Hehe. Bye, buddy." Al forced a smile; he was just about to explain the Rookie Challenge when SARS suddenly disappeared.

Previously, SARS had reprimanded Al that a time should come, wherein the latter will no longer depend on the former's autopilot, but rather conquer his adversaries by relying on his strength.

'This must be done.' Al muttered to himself as his resolve was firm.

Now that he's not only playing for himself, but also for others, Al was starting to be guilty of receiving the bot's assistance. If he wants to be fulfilled with his victories, he needs to rely more on himself than depend on SARS. To reach this level of strength was his goal.

"Al, what's taking you so long? We're waiting for the party invite!" Jack suddenly sent him an in-game message.

"Sorry, just fixing some things. G!" Al immediately apologized as he sent out a party invite.

...

Meanwhile, Pat and Osho were already inside the Custom Room. It was a free feature of War Grounds for all players, wherein they could create private lobbies without the need of a daily pass to practice their skills, enhance their virtual motions and reactions, and spar with their friends or other players. This is also one of the reasons that War Grounds were able to retain their players, especially the casuals and newbies, who were easily defeated in rank matches.

The Custom Room's default setting is a medium-sized circular arena. Looking around, one would see nothing, but white. It seemed to be a dull and creepy place, but it was deliberately designed to allow maximum focus for users.

In addition, one would be able to see numerous threads of tournaments in War Ground's forum that were held through Custom Rooms. There were even some rumors that 'underground battles' or infamously coined by the players as 'illegal gambling' are held in these private rooms, offering real-time money and in-game items as prizes. However, it was hard to find these VIP rooms without proper connections.

Back in Al and Osho's early days in War Grounds, the two spent most of their time in custom rooms, sparring with each other, until one of them outgrew the other. As Osho's win rate in rank matches increased, Al slowly found himself being left behind. Osho was growing in leaps, while he was stuck in a subpar gaming profile.

...

CancerIsLife found himself facing Osho, who was now dressed as a samurai. The latter was gilded in a black metal chest plate. His other body parts were covered in thick red leather armor, which was decorated with swirls of red embers, while a yellow tengu mask hid his pony-tailed face. In his, both hands were a black-blade katana with a silvery wisp of energy flowing through its body. A crafted weapon called 'Shogun's Wrath'!

IGN: Osho

Level: 40

Rank: Silver II

Race: Human

Class: Samurai

Guild: Member of Keyboard Warriors

"Here, I come." With a dash, Osho disappeared from his position.

...

[Ranked Mode - Party]

[Finding match...]

As the team captain of the group, Al was the one who started the match. It was a 4-man party rank mode.

[Match found...]

[Waiting for other players to get ready...]

Al grinned. This was always his favorite load screen - the thrill of battle! Here they come!

[Three minutes before the start of the battle.]

[You may access the lobby to make proper changes with your character, or you may directly choose 'ready,' and if other players are set, the match will immediately start before the timer ends.]

'Should I really pick a healing skill?' Al was hesitant at first as it would mean a decrease in his damage output. However, he had already said that he would fill in the role of a healer. 'Let's risk it...Wait! There's one that I've read about an offensive healer!' Remembering something in his past experiences, the boy immediately scrolled through the list of available skills.

[Piston Lungs removed. Seed of Life added.]

(Seed of Life) - A buff skill for the user's next attack, which absorbs target's 2.5% Max HP per three seconds, and transfers it to the nearest ally, within five body units. The duration of the skill is one minute. One-time use and single-target only.

[Devil's Tongue removed. Breath of Life and Death added.]

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(Breath of Life and Death) - The user breathes out a green flame, covering up to 5 body units in a cone-shaped area. Allies hit by the skill will have a 5% increase in their HP recovery. Conversely, enemies will experience a debuff that negates their HP recovery to 0% for the next ten seconds.

[Happy Burnday removed. Whisperers of Life added.]

(Whisperers of Life) - Summons three 'Whisperers of Life,' each one capable of healing the user and his allies for 1% Max HP per five seconds. Covers a circular area of 10 body units for one minute.

The new three skills that Al had learned were a mix of different classes: Amplexator, Exorcist, and Enchantress, respectively.

Meanwhile, the skills, 'Rave' and 'Blink,' were retained. Also, there were no changes made in Udil's attribute points anymore.

[Ready.]

[Loading match...]

[Loading completed. Deploying players to the battlefield...]

[Battle Field: House of Euophrys]

[Battle Type: Dungeon Raid]

Al's eyes brightened upon reading the battle type. He had played this one before. This mode is a haven for experience!

[Dungeon Raid: Two teams will compete inside the dungeon. The first team to kill the Dungeon Boss or eliminate all their opponents will be declared as victors. Players may earn experience from mob-grinding. No time limit.]

[ Team WisDOOM vs. Team Brotherhood of Shirtless Punks ]

Match begin!

Chapter end