Exodus: Guns & Gore

One by one the GnG freshmen disappeared from their class until only QJ, and his teacher remained.

"Do your best QJ!"

QJ nodded, "try not to choke on my dust Ringo." The pleasant sound of her laughter echoed in his ears as the room disappeared around him.

Welcome to Guns and Gore the Phoenix Server.

Laredo 12 PM, Player population 7,043. Your current level is 1.

System Message: You have joined the guild One Problem.

System Message: You have received your starter package.

"Woah." QJ stepped off the entrance platform; he had waited a few minutes to log in because he wanted to avoid the initial rush. There were still people everywhere, but they were starting to spread out more.

The town was what he had expected. It was a typical pioneer town; single story wood buildings lined the streets. Unlit gas lamps were on every corner, crushed rock roads and lots of saloons.

QJ glanced up Main Street; the Laredo Corral would be where his class trainers were located. There would already be a huge line, so he pushed that down on his list. He accessed his inventory and opened the starter package.

1 set of basic medium armor has been added to your inventory.

1 basic Pump Shotgun has been added to your inventory.

1 basic Six Shooter has been added to your inventory.

1 Lariat has been added to your inventory.

1 Holster has been added to your inventory.

"Equip all starter package items." Many of his classmates spent points upgrading their initial gear, but QJ figured everything below level 20 would be complete crap anyway.

System Message: Do you wish to customize gear?

"Make everything black." A big blinking sign that read 'Laredo Saloon & Casino' caught his attention. He rubbed his hands together and walked towards it.

The casino was by far the largest building on the block and the only one that was two stories. It had painted glass windows and batwing doors. He could hear the sound of a piano being played from the boardwalk. A handful of saloon girls standing outside the entrance were trying to lure in customers.

"Hey Wrangler! Want to have some fun with me?" A brown haired girl with bright lipstick and lots of make-up pushed her bountiful chest against QJ's arm.

QJ let her slide an arm through his, "I'm QJ. What's your name?"

The brown haired girl smiled and leaned closer, the scent of jasmine flooded QJ's senses. "I'm Dixie."

He returned her smile and stepped through the batwing doors. "Can you handle a gun, Miss Dixie?"

Dixie's smile faltered for a moment.

"Nevermind, where can I use these?" QJ held up the platinum dice that he had received from the Academy.

Dixie latched onto his arm tighter, her face lighting up with excitement as she pulled him toward a table in the center. "Stand back. We have a high roller here!"


QJ found himself at a dice table surrounded by Saloon girls; an older gentleman hurriedly rushed down the far stairway when he noticed the commotion.

"Platinum Dice?" He rubbed his hands together greedily, "I'm Ezra Charles, the owner of this establishment."

QJ bowed his head slightly, "I'm QJ, nice to meet you, sir."

The older man's smiled widened, he had a full head of white hair, but his face didn't have any wrinkles. "That's a very respectful greeting young man. You may roll the dice whenever you are ready!"

QJ blew on the dice and tossed them onto the table, the moment they made contact with the surface a wave of pressure pushed everyone back a step.

System Message: The Laredo Saloon & Casino is awarded 10 million credits as the receiving establishment.

System Message: Dixie Jones is awarded 1 million credits as the personal host.

System Message: You have received the Skill: Show Stopper.

System Message: You have received 1 million credits.

System Message: Ezra Charles has formed a good opinion of you.

System Message: Dixie Jones has formed a good opinion of you.

QJ noticed the Casino was steadily filling up, the commotion from the Platinum dice was drawing a lot of attention. He lowered his voice and bent close to Dixie's ear, "show me the back way out of here."

Dixie glanced at her boss, who surprisingly seemed to have heard. He nodded, and she pulled QJ to a backroom that exited into a short hallway. "Did you get something grand QJ?"

"Dunno yet, I'll check it out once I get some privacy."

She brought QJ to a door and opened it up for him, "To answer your question, I can handle a gun. Come back and see me when you get to level 10 and I'll show you something special."

System Message: You have received a Quest.

Something Special

Quest Type: Hidden

Talk to Dixie Jones after

you get to level 10.

QJ stepped into the back alley, he heard the door close and then locked behind him. No one was around so he decided he would peak at his prize. "Display skill list."

QJ

Skills

Pistol 5/100 Level 1

Shotgun 5/100 Level 1

Show Stopper

The amount of XP you

need to reach level 10

has been tripled.

"Sweet mother..." QJ felt his stomach slowly sink, "Display all Stats."

QJ (Cursed)

Wrangler

Agility 30

Perception 25

Stamina 12

Wisdom 9

Strength 10

Command 5

BR 2.2/12 (Battle Rating Avg)

Skills

Pistol 5/100 Level 1

Shotgun 5/100 Level 1

Show Stopper

The amount of XP you

need to reach level 10

has been tripled.

QJ cleared his throat and looked around the alley. "Well... I guess there's nothing more to do. Display leveling progress."

0/3000 You need 3,000 XP to reach level 2.

"I know for sure that should read 1,000XP. What dogshit luck." QJ made his way out of the alley and turned down Main Street to the Corral.

His hud blinked at him, and a moment later Ringo's face popped up.

"Did you roll the dice yet?" Ringo smiled at him; the effect made him feel a little better.

"Yep, it was a curse." He quickly linked her skill.

Show Stopper

The amount of XP you

need to reach level 10

has been tripled.

Ringo whistled, "Woah, that is a show stopper. You doing okay?"

"Besides the heart attack I just had... I'm doing great." QJ could hear Lotte speaking in the background, "you grouped up with Lotte?"

Ringo nodded, "we made a group along with Thalia."

QJ scratched his head as he approached the Corral, Thalia was one of their male classmates, who had decided to roll a female character. "Going to pick up my class skills and start digging my way out of this hole."

"Good thinking QJ; hang in there." She cut comm just as QJ arrived at the corral.

"Now I've seen everything." The trainer was the spitting image of Jobo, the fodder Rider he had played in the Doubler Canyon Raid. "Someone is a bit obsessed."

Red Dawn shook her head when he stepped in front of her. "That's a hell of a curse you got there Wrangler."

"...." QJ. " So mean...Return all stats to anonymous."

"I didn't mean anything by it; I'm sure you will pull through." Red Dawn placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. Her clear pale skin was slightly sunburned on her cheeks, pretty blue eyes fluttered when she talked.

"I would like to see the available skills please." QJ understood that Skills were upgraded every ten levels, so getting them now would take care of things until level 10.

Red Dawn leaned forward, her substantial attributes pushed against the front of her red and white checkered shirt. "Of course, here's what I have."

Lasso

Single point pull,

AE calm in effect.

Reuse: Instant

Kneecap

Slow down your

target by 40 percent.

Reuse: 5 seconds.

Feign Death

Fall down and pretend

you're dead. Lose all aggro.

Reuse: 20 seconds.

"I'll take them all Miss Dawn." QJ pressed the receive icon; there was no charge for class skills at this level.

System Message: You have learned Lasso.

System Message: You have learned Kneecap.

System Message: You have learned Feign Death.

"There you go, Wrangler. Good luck to you!" Red Dawn slapped his shoulder hard and laughed like she had said something funny. QJ couldn't help but crack a smile.

"Thanks." He pulled his bridle from his inventory and activated it. A moment later he climbed up on Scorch.

Red Dawn's eyes widened, "now that's what I call a horse!"

QJ didn't answer as he kicked his heels and took off toward the Town Gate.

QJ pulled up the local map while he rode. "The easy spots are bound to be taken by now, gotta get someplace isolated, so I don't have to share mobs."

To the far north of the map, there was a small mountain range. A small plateau butted up against the canyon, if he could manage the climb, it was very isolated. QJ let Scorch gallop as they ran by Wranglers and mobs. Occasionally one of the mobs would chase after Scorch, but they were quickly left in the dust.

Ten minutes later he was at the base of the cliff, staring up at the steep incline. He spotted a rock outcropping and pulled out his lariat. He had been using the rope since he was a child, only Jacob could top his skills.

It took three tries to secure the rope, from there he continued up. The entire trip wasted nearly half an hour of his time. "Damn, four hours isn't much."

He finally climbed up on the plateau. There were a few dozens mobs of different types. A group of three wolves was closest. They were all level three.

*Lasso*

A timber wolf has been roped and is closing on your position.

QJ drew his pistol and carefully aimed.

*Kneecap*

A timber wolf has been slowed by 40 percent.

QJ ran in a circle away from the other wolves.

*Snapshot*

(Head-Shot Bonus)

A timber wolf has been hit for 230 damage.

*Snapshot*

A timber wolf has been hit for 60 damage.

A timber wolf has been slain. You have gained 100 XP and 4 credits.

"So... ten of those would have leveled me up." He trotted back toward the other two wolves.

*Lasso*

A timber wolf has been roped and is closing on your position.

*Kneecap*

A timber wolf has been slowed by 40 percent.

QJ pulled his shotgun and aimed from the hip.

*Point Blank*

A timber wolf has been hit for 120 damage.

He quickly retreated and pulled his pistol.

*Snapshot*

(Head-Shot Bonus)

A timber wolf has been hit for 250 damage.

A timber wolf has been slain. You have gained 100 XP and 2 credits.

QJ walked toward the last one; there was no sense in using lasso since it was by itself. He brought his pistol up slowly.

*Aimed Shot*

(Head-Shot Bonus x Critical Hit)

A timber wolf has been hit for 365 damage.

A timber wolf has been slain. You have gained 100 XP and 5 credits.

"Hmm, this shotgun needs to be modded." He reloaded his pistol and walked towards the next set of mobs.

"I've never actually seen you shoot before. You really are as good as they say."

A familiar voice caused him to look up. Angel dropped stealth and landed neatly next to him. "Ouch, where did you pick up that curse?"

QJ frowned at her. "I'm currently anonymous. How can you even see it?"

Angel smiled, her pale skin radiated otherworldly beauty. "I'm an NPC. Those rules don't apply."

"You on your way to challenge the Ant Queen?" QJ recalled that she was looking to muscle another NPC out.

"The current Queen won't die for a few more days; then the challenges will be held." She turned her warm green eyes on him, "you need to get stronger QJ, you're a tiny ant."

"Don't worry. This is how the heroes start out. Even dad was pathetic and weak at one point." QJ reloaded his shotgun and started toward the next group of mobs. Angel grabbed his arm and stopped him.

"You definitely need some help." She patted both of his cheeks softly before gripping his face and pressing her lips to his. They were soft and sweet, QJ froze in the moment until Angel forced his mouth open and pushed something inside with her tongue. She leaned away and covered his mouth with a small hand.

"Wleem Te furc dd yyu pte na mrrrmp?"(Loosely translated: What the f*ck did you put in my mouth.)

"Don't swallow, and don't chew... just wait." Angel easily held him in place, as the strongest NPC in TAP, there was only one player who could handle her in a fair contest.

QJ felt the heat building in his mouth, there was a soft glow from Angel's hand, and then she let go. QJ immediately fell to his knees coughing. "Blech, Blech, God... that was disgusting. The hell was that?"

Angel gave him a small smile, "just a few spiders, don't be such a baby."

QJ felt a wave of nausea as his stomach clenched tightly. "Spiders?"

Angel nodded sweetly, "put your hand out and tell them to come out."

QJ spit the nasty taste out of his mouth and then took a step back. He held his hand out in front of him, palm up. "Come."

Three tiny spiders the size of pennies appeared.

System Message: You have learned a new skill.

Simple Summon

Call your three Cider

Spiders to your side.

Cider Spider

Level 1

HP 3/3

Strength 1

Agility 1

Stamina 1

BR:0

He felt the multitude of eyes watching him and a mildly comforting feeling of warmth before they scurried up his sleeve. He gave Angel a deadpan look, "they have 3 HP."

Angel shrugged, "they are some sort of mutation and won't stay stored away with my minion army."

QJ shot her a concerned look, "you have a minion army?"

Angel nodded, "doesn't everyone?"

QJ shook his head, "I don't think so. Oh and don't ever kiss me again."

Angel smiled playfully, "oh come on QJ, just one more."

QJ placed a hand on his pistol, "I will shoot you in the face."

Angel laughed, her sweet face leaned closer. "With that tiny pea shooter?"

QJ glanced down at his six-gun and pursed his lips. "I see your point. Now go conquer the underworld or something; I need to level up."

Angel grabbed him and suddenly took to the air, flapping her wings as she rapidly gained altitude. QJ froze in place, well aware that any drop would result in his first death. She quickly flew to the cliffs, and they entered some caves that would have been inaccessible to anyone without wings. She sat QJ down just inside.

QJ glanced into the darkness, "good hunting here?"

Angel nodded, "only level fives and sixes, but they are elites." She bent quickly and gave him a peck on the lips. "Got ya!" She flew off laughing and immediately stealthed.

QJ stared at the place she had disappeared for a moment and then turned back toward the cave. "Not sure I can handle elites, but I have to do something." He stayed close to the wall as he moved deeper in, there was no death penalty before level ten, so it would be worth a try.

He heard the skittering of insect feet, an ant the size of a large dog was in the middle of his path. A smile split his face. The ant was utterly bound up in spider web.

"I'll accept your charity just this one time, with the understanding that I owe you one." QJ walked up to the Ant and aimed point blank with his pistol.

*Aimed Shot*

(Head-Shot Bonus x Critical Hit)

An Elite Ant Soldier has been hit for 205 damage.

*Aimed Shot*

(Head-Shot Bonus x Critical Hit)

An Elite Ant Soldier has been hit for 188 damage.

*Aimed Shot*

(Head-Shot Bonus x Critical Hit)

An Elite Ant Soldier has been hit for 322 damage.

*Aimed Shot*

(Head-Shot Bonus x Critical Hit)

An Elite Ant Soldier has been hit for 244 damage.

*Aimed Shot*

(Head-Shot Bonus x Critical Hit)

An Elite Ant Soldier has been hit for 188 damage.

*Aimed Shot*

(Head-Shot Bonus x Critical Hit)

An Elite Ant Soldier has been hit for 311 damage.

"Damn... really?" He reloaded as the ant continued to click its pincers at him.

*Aimed Shot*

(Head-Shot Bonus x Critical Hit)

An Elite Ant Soldier has been hit for 154 damage.

*Aimed Shot*

(Head-Shot Bonus x Critical Hit)

An Elite Ant Soldier has been hit for 288 damage.

*Aimed Shot*

(Head-Shot Bonus x Critical Hit)

An Elite Ant Soldier has been hit for 211 damage.

An Elite Ant Soldier has been slain. You have gained 600 XP and 50 credits.

QJ whistled softly, "gotta move faster."

Over the next few hours QJ would completely clear out the Caves, there would be 23 Elites in all, not including a Named Ant that dropped an unidentified ring. He walked back to the entrance of the cave and took a seat overlooking the canyon. His time limit was up in just over ten minutes, not really enough time to do real hunting. "Display current Stats and leveling progress."

QJ (Cursed)

Wrangler: Level 2

Agility 30

Perception 25

Stamina 12

Wisdom 9

Strength 10

Command 5

BR:2.2/12

Skills

Pistol 65/100 Level 2

Shotgun 45/100 Level 2

Show Stopper

The amount of XP you

need to reach level 10

has been tripled.

15,300/18,000 You need 2,700 XP to reach level 3.

"My skills really improved quick." He opened his hud and examined the map he had been making all day. There were several spots where he could set up traps. "I can make this cave work without Angel gift-wrapping it."

He held out his hand, palm up. "Come."

Three little spiders scurried out.

Cider Spiders

Level 4

HP 12/12

Strength 5

Agility 5

Stamina 5

BR:0

"Guess the curse doesn't affect you guys." Unlike TAP, GnG players had a return to town token, QJ opted not to use his. "I'll be back later, with a better plan. Log-Out Guns and Gore."