Dungeon Core Online 19 Chapter 19

"Are we really supposed to take on a bunch of chickens?" Oak HardBark, the warrior of the group, asked the others. They had made it to one of the d.i.c.ken coops on their way to the barn, and had stopped to look at the little demonic chickens.

"What are you complaining about? How many squirrels and rabbits have you killed farming up experience?" Z's comment was met with a grin from the whole group, and James found himself smiling as well. Many games he had played, usually had adorable furry little creatures, or rats or slimes, as the level one mobs. Countless fluffy creatures had been slain by James, and he could imagine even more by the group below.

"Yeah, I know, but still, like, it feels like we are just raiding an old farm." Well, you kind of are.

"Look man, these chickens-"

"d.i.c.kens." Faust, the mage interrupted Z as he was nearing the d.i.c.ken coop, and the entire party started laughing. The name was even more amusing when adventurers' said it out loud.

"-d.i.c.kens," James could tell Z was fighting to not break into laughter. "Are harmless." He smacked one of the d.i.c.kens with his bow, sending the chicken clucking away, though it eyed him angrily. The sound of other d.i.c.kens growing agitated in the coop could be heard, even by James.

"They probably shouldn't do that." James commented to Rue, watching as the other group eyed the d.i.c.kens. He was thinking about their Flock together skill. James was able to tell there were five d.i.c.kens in that group, meaning they were already getting buffed. Activating Flock together would result in Z getting swarmed by angry d.i.c.kens. Hilarious, yet likely tragic for the adventurers.

"So Z, should we just kill them and keep exploring?" Elm, the other archer in the group, had an arrow knocked and leveled towards the d.i.c.ken. The others had all drawn their weapons and seemed prepared to attack.

"Might as well." Z pulled out an arrow and turned towards the d.i.c.ken he had struck. The farm animal was eying him and clucking angrily, rustling its feathers, preparing to attack. It was so comical, James almost felt bad for the little guy when an arrow punched into its chest. To his surprise though, the d.i.c.ken simply let out a cluck, and lunged at Z.

"Oh c.r.a.p." Z smashed the chicken with his bow, knocking it back as he scrambled away from the coop. The strike elicited even angrier clucking from within. By James's count, that was three hits on the d.i.c.ken, all nonlethal. If he were the developers, he had to wonder how many strikes would count as repeated in order to prompt the d.i.c.ken's skill. James decided to see if the d.i.c.ken's information would offer him any clues.

d.i.c.ken

Type: Demonic Poultry

HP: 13

MP: 20

Atk: 2

Def: 2

Unique Traits

Birds of a Feather (Active): d.i.c.kens double all stats when in groups of 5.

(3 of 5) Flock together: If d.i.c.kens are repeatedly struck by nonlethal damage, the offender will pull the agro of all d.i.c.kens within a 10 x lvl yard radius.

Based off what James could tell, Z's arrow had likely done 5 damage, while his bow strikes did a measly 1. Because the d.i.c.ken had Birds of a Feather activated, its hp was set at 20 max, instead of its normal 10. So, if James was right, it would take more than 2 more shots from Z to finish the d.i.c.ken off, meaning Flock together would activate. James was loving this.

"Z's in for a d.i.c.ken." Rue's comment made James laugh, and sure enough they both watched as Z shot another arrow into the d.i.c.ken, making it cluck angrily. It was quite comically, seeing a demonic chicken with two feathers sprouting from its chest, as it clucked angrily and lunched at Z. Once again, the archer knocked it back with his bow. "That's number 5."

As the d.i.c.ken landed, and the counter showed 5 for 5, the mood around the party instantly seemed to change. The d.i.c.ken that had been abused by Z let out a crow, like a rooster would have, and began glowing. At the same time, a burning feather icon appeared above Z.

"I think you angered it." The group started to laugh, but wisely everyone, including Z, started to back away from the crowing d.i.c.ken. It was a good idea, as all of a sudden, four additional d.i.c.kens burst out of the coop, all clucking angrily. As one, the group of five, led by the d.i.c.ken with two arrows sticking out of it, turned towards Z. It was hilarious, yet terrifying.

"Do we run or fight?" Oak was edging closer to Z, likely preparing to tank the d.i.c.ken horde. James knew his role as warrior likely placed him as the group's tank. They were an experienced group, their composition showed as much. Three damage dealers, also known as DPS, a healer, and a tank. A nice, balanced party. However, what they didn't know, and what James did know, was Oak wouldn't be able to tank the d.i.c.ken mob.

"They're low level enough. We should be fine." The others nodded as Z spoke, and without another word, both sides began their attack.

Oak let out a cry and rushed forward, swinging his sword madly at one of the d.i.c.kens, smashing it backwards. It was likely at level one, he didn't have a taunt yet. Even if he did, James had to wonder if it would work against the d.i.c.ken skill.

Z and Elm began launching arrows into the d.i.c.kens, but the chickens were moving fast, rushing past Oak towards Z, meaning the archers missed their initial shots. If James had to guess, the developers hadn't put an auto aim feature into the game. Many people had found they preferred playing immersion games with as little aid a.s.sist as possible. That made things both more exciting, and often times a little more difficult, in the early levels of games. As players progressed, they could usually get skills and traits that almost acted like an aim a.s.sist, by adding seeking abilities to spells and ranged attacks.

"Kill the leader." Z managed to cry out, as four d.i.c.kens jumped on him, the fifth trying, unsuccessfully, to get past Oak. Z was swinging his bow wildly at the d.i.c.kens, doing his best to fight them off as they clawed and pecked at him. James pulled up his information real quick, curious to see how much damage his little birds were doing. To his surprise, Z's health was down to 20 from his initial 30. If he was alone, that swarm of d.i.c.kens would have easily destroyed him.

"Medic!" Z cried out as he took another peck. James was certain the ranger was aware of how fast his health was dropping, and also had to chuckle at the name of their cleric again. How witty of the group. Med's hands began glowing, and James watched as Z's health climbed up by 5 points, only to be pecked away again a moment later. James was certain this was the end for Z, as the archer's health dipped below half. Only a few more strikes, and he was a goner.

"Hey Z." Faust's voice pulled James and Z's attention to the mage who James was pretty sure they had forgotten. The mage's hands were glowing green, and moving in an intricate motion, he was casting some sort of spell. "What do you request?" His comment brought a grin to the entire group, and as if on cue, Z jumped backwards, dipping into a roll as he cried out.

"A shrubbery!" As these words left Z's mouth, vines shot up from beneath the d.i.c.kens, trapping all five of them in place, wrapping around them. Next to him, Rue was laughing hysterically, while James simply stared. Those were obviously vines, not a shrubbery. Was he missing something?

With the d.i.c.kens trapped, Z and the others quickly took advantage of the now immobilized mobs, and began hacking away. Shooting the feathered fury's seemed much easier when they couldn't move, and after a few moments, Z and his group had slain all the birds. As they sorted through loot Med proceeded to heal Z's wounds, and the others started to sit down, resting. They knew what they were doing, and weren't going to proceed carelessly unless they were all healed.

"Shame, no one died from a d.i.c.ken." Rue smirked and glanced from James to the group, her eyes wandering across the dungeon floor. "What do you think they'll run into next?"

The next closest mobs were a roaming Mad Cow, and a small group of roaming d.i.c.kens. Closer to the barn, three swiners and a scapegoat milled about. Old Man Jenkins was still by the orchard, though he appeared to be moving towards the corn field.

"Honestly, I don't really care. This is hilarious." James wasn't even angry they hadn't fallen to his d.i.c.kens. He was a gamer, and he knew something Rue didn't. The more successful they were early in the dungeon, the more careless they would be. That means, there was a chance James would get a good amount of experience from this group. A very good amount of experience.