Level Suppression

"Obstacles are put in your way to see if what you want is really worth fighting for."

"Never stop fighting till the fight is done."

- - -

[ Grey Forest Boss ]

[ Mutated Horned Rabbit (Elite Monster)

Level 10

HP: 1500

This Mutated Horned Rabbit has the highest level in Grey Forest, so he is titled as the 'Grey Forest Boss'. ]

Lydro prepared for the battle. He had one anesthesia hanging in his pants. Both of his hands has a dagger each.

He planned to open the chest first as he has a 'Conceal Presence' and 'Cloaked' skills and if any useful things to Lydro appears in it, it will make his possibility to win go higher.

He controlled mana in the surroundings as to not make any disturbances and also to make sure no monsters nor any life go near the rabbit.

Then, he used silent steps as to not make any sound nor disturbances.

The chest is right beside the rabbit, he has to be very careful as rabbits have very high perception.

Soon, in front of Lydro, there's the chest, and it's a Copper Chest!

In EoVT, the ranks of the chests are the same as the equipment. There are White rank, Grey rank, Copper rank, Bronze rank, Silver rank, Gold rank, Dark-Gold rank, Platinum rank, and Legendary rank.

There's also sub-legendary, fragmented legendary, quasi-legendary, special, and rainbow rank.

'Luckily, this is not a locked chest.'

Lock chest is a chest that needed something to unlocked a chest. For example, a key, a magic chant, a skill, a magic stone, etc.

It will take fifteen seconds to open an unlocked Copper Chest and after it opens, it will make a pink blinding light. (1)

So when Lydro opened it, he needed to put the items from the chest to his inventory immediately.

Then, Lydro finally opened it. He waited 15 seconds.

When it's finally open, Lydro immediately gets the items inside the chest and put them in his inventory.

The Mutated Horned Rabbit woke up from the light coming from the chest, and when he saw the chest has been opened, he become so furious at the human thief that is stealing his useless treasures.

Even though Lydro is still in dazed because of the blinding light, he still got up and cast a 'poison' skill and attacked the rabbit with his two daggers.

The rabbit didn't manage to react as he's still daydreaming a little bit.

-18 HP! -15 HP! -8 HP! -11 HP!

[ You have inflicted your target a poison effect to the target! The target will lose 3 HP per second for 10 seconds. ]

-3 HP!

[ Grey Forest Boss ]

[ Mutated Horned Rabbit (Elite Monster)

Level 10

HP: 1445/1500 ]

The Mutated Horned Rabbit finally woke up completely and used his skill 'stamp' to Lydro.

With Lydro's AGI being high, he dodged the attack easily and attacked back. He's also gathering mana while attacking and some compressed magic bullets attacked the rabbit's eyes.

The rabbit tried to dodge, but the magic bullets are fast.

-10 HP! -8 HP!

Although the magic bullets hit the rabbit, it didn't manage hit the eyes of the rabbit!

Lydro didn't stop attacking with his daggers and magic bullets!

Just as the rabbit distracted in his magic bullets, Lydro pulled the anesthesia in his pants and inserted the anesthesia syringe in the back of the rabbit and pushed the plunger.

[ You have inflicted a numb effect to your target! The target will be numb for one minute. ]

'Shit! The paralysis didn't work!'

Lydro didn't stop, he's distracting the rabbit with magic bullets and when the rabbit is distracted, he'll attack the blind spots of the rabbit with his daggers.

Although the rabbit is fast, Lydro is always analyzing his movements as Lydro's reaction speed and foresight is very experienced.

Lydro is very prudent and careful person, he doesn't like to lose nor fight if the possibility to win is low.

The rabbit saw Lydro put something in his body. He doesn't know what is it, but he's very annoyed and angry of this human. He then attacked Lydro as he thought, 'this human looks so dangerous! I need to kill him as soon as possible!'

Before the rabbit attacked Lydro, Lydro used shadow steps.

Shadow Step is a movement technique that makes the person concealed and unnoticeable. It has a better effect in the dark. Shadow Step's greatest effect is that you can do whatever you want in the shadow.

As Lydro saw the rabbit's HP is still high, he said in his mind, 'The level suppression is too big! My damages are too low! I need to do something!'

Being an extremely popular game, a good balance was of the utmost importance. While big spenders had certain advantages, it was not so unfair to the extent that it displeased the casual players.

Any game must be totally fair. It must be possible for the player to reach the objective and win. This is not to say the game cannot be complicated or random or appear unfair. (2)

Maintaining competitiveness and improving skills were key factors towards game balance, and EoVT did a good job in these areas.

An important trait of any game is the illusion of winnability. If a game is to provide a continuing challenge to players, it must also provide a continuing motivation to play. The game must appear to be winnable to all players, beginners, and experts, but it must never truly be winnable or it will lose its appeal. (3)

The Level Suppression effect for level 1-9 is quite unnoticeable. But, after level 10, the effect is extremely visible.

For example, if a level 7 fighting a level 8, there's only 55% that a level 8 will win. And if a level 9 fighting a level 10, there's 70% that the level 10 player will win and only 30% that the level 9 will win. It's all because of the Level Suppression effect!

Lydro and the Mutated Horned Rabbit has a seven-level difference. Plus the title 'Boss of Grey Forest', furthermore, it is an elite and a level 10 monster!

This Mutated Horned Rabbit specialty is Strength and Agility.

Even though Lydro has phantom steps. He and the rabbit has the same level of agility. Just one hit from the Mutated Horned Rabbit, he'll be instantly killed!

Rabbit's biggest advantage is their high senses and their ability to jump very high. As this rabbit can't jump in the cave, Lydro is so grateful to the system right now

Even if the rabbit can't jump, Lydro needs to be extra careful. Fighting the rabbit head-on will make Lydro lose, so Lydro just needs to do some hit-and-run tactics.

He also used his other anesthesia. Luckily this time, it made the rabbit to be in a paralysis effect!

[ You have inflicted a numb effect to your target! The target will be numb for another minute! ]

[ You have inflicted a paralysis effect to your target! The target will be paralyzed for 30 seconds! ]

The Mutated Rabbit is confused and startled as he can't move. Although he can see and move his eyes, he cannot do something!

Lydro went all-out! He created two compressed mana balls again and attacked the rabbit blind spots. He attacked very quickly and mostly at the blind spots of the rabbit and its limbs.

After 29 seconds, the remaining HP of the Mutated Horned Rabbit is 180. Then, the rabbit can move now!

The rabbit knows that he can't win and die, so he tried to run.

"I already know you're going to escape."

The rabbit is already crippled as Lydro targeted his limbs and crippled him as he knew that he can't kill it in a half a minute.

The Mutated Horned Rabbit panicked and screamed in his head, 'No! I can't die! My babies were just born! I only saw them this morning!'

Then, the Mutated Horned Rabbit triggered his survival instinct and went to kill Lydro fast as he has no choice. 'I need to kill him fast!'

[ System Notice: The Mutated Horned Rabbit used his skill 'Survival Instinct'! He forced his whole body to heal and move. His strength and fortitude doubled! He'll kill you no matter what to survive! ]

'Wtf! Impossible! He's only level 10!'

It's really impossible for a level 10 to force himself to heal and move. But, he's a Mutated Monster!

Lydro can't keep this fight any longer! Lydro's strength and endurance are low.

Although his endurance is too low right now, he maneuvers swiftly and forcefully used both shadow steps and phantom steps to its peak!

While Lydro is moving around and hiding in the shadow, he put his daggers in his inventory and exchanged it into something from his inventory.

'I don't have any choice right now.' He is clear and determined to kill this Mutated Horned Rabbit no matter items he used.

It's a attribute scroll!

Lydro immediately opened it and used one of its usages.

This scroll is one of the items he got in the Bronze Chest, Scroll of Speed!

[ Scroll of Speed (Basic Scroll)

The user will gain an additional 30 Agility for 1 minute.

Remaining usages: 2/3 ]

Lydro got an additional 30 Agility. Now, even if he doesn't use any techniques, he's as fast or faster than the Mutated Horned Rabbit.

Due to Frenzied state of the Mutated Horned Rabbit, it's defense and senses have become decreased.

Lydro is an expert of dodging and on hit-and-run strategies. Even though the Mutated Rabbit is bashing madly and using his skills mindlessly, due to the shocks of his skills, Lydro still lose his hp a bit overtime.

He equipped his daggers once again and continued for another minute. He then, attacked the Mutated Horned Rabbit one last time.

The rabbit tried to dodge, but when the rabbit saw how fast Lydro became. He said in his mind, 'What! Shit! No! This can't be‽ How‽ I'm dying? No fu*king way!!'

After a few seconds, a final hit came at the rabbit's neck.

Critical Hit! -35!

[ Congratulations, you killed solo a Mutated Elite Boss Monster of Grey Forest! Level difference of 7! EXP will get increased by 7 times! Drops quality will be higher by two times! ]

[ You have obtained 7000 EXP! ]

[ Congratulations, you killed solo a Mutated Monster! It's also 7 levels higher than you! You have been rewarded 100 Reputation Points in Gemini Continent and 10 Gold Coins! ]

[ Congratulations, you have been upgraded into level 5 directly from level 3! + 10 Attribute Points, + 3 Skill Points, and + 2 Bonus Attribute Points! ]

In EoVT, if you level up two times directly, you'll be awarded two bonus attribute points!

[ You are the first player who killed an Elite Boss Level 10 Monster Solo! Do you want to announce your achievements, your name, and your rewards to the Gemini Continent? Yes or No ]

[ Reminder: If you say 'No', you will not receive your rewards in the announcement. ]

"Yes!" Replies Lydro to the system.

[ Player can choose your choice for your announcement name:

* Make your name anonymous (Free)

* Make your name known (1 Silver per person)

* Make an alias instead of your in-game name (1 Gold per person)

As for the player's rewards, the player can only choose one of the two choices below:

* Make your rewards known (Free)

* Make your rewards anonymous (1 Gold per item) ]

Lydro immediately said, "I choose free, make my name anonymous and rewards known."

[ Make the player's name anonymous and rewards known (free). Is the player sure? ]

"Yes!"

[ Gemini Continent System Notice ]

[ Congratulations to player ***! The first player who killed a lvl 10 Elite Boss Monster Solo!

The player will be awarded +10 additional stat points, 2 skill points, and 10 gold coins! ]

This system notice repeated 3 times.

Then, another system notice ring at Lydro:

[ Do you want to collect the remaining of the monster you killed? Yes or No ]

"Yes," Lydro replied with a big smile and satisfaction.

He professionally cut the hides and took the horn, blood, ears, and hides of the Mutated Horned Rabbit.

Then, he finally saw the drops.

The drops are a Recipe of Honey Baked Rabbit, a Mutated Crystal, a robe for shaman, and 1 silver.

Lydro also got 28 silver coins, a Production Drawing of Pants of a Hunter, the Speed Scroll that Lydro used, and a skill stone 'Mana Perception' for Mages, Enchanter, or Shaman.

End of the chapter!

(1) - Every rank has color each:

1. White rank (White)

2. Grey rank (Grey)

3. Copper rank (Pink)

4. Bronze rank (Brown)

5. Silver rank (Blue)

6. Gold rank (Golden)

7. Dark-Gold rank (Dark Gold or Metallic Gold)

8. Platinum rank (Violet)

9. Legendary rank (Red)

- Special rank (Black)

- Rainbow rank (Rainbow)

(2) - quoted from Tim Barry

(3) - quoted from Cris Crawford

Next Chapter: Carl