MMORPG: Shattered Land

"How many hours a day do you play?" Marius asked.

Having graduated with a degree many years ago, Marius had long since disregarded the 'value' of a Degree. A Degree, of any kind, simply meant that one could learn to memorize facts and figures that were relevant.

Of course, he said relevant in the loosest sense possible. The world was in a constant state of change, making relevant things lose their relevancy over time. One only needed to look at the now defunct oil industry to accept this fact. Though over a short time it was hard to see, as an old man, Marius could attest to that statement.

However, though the value of a Degree was questionable, Marius found that the path one took to complete it was of true value.

As a young man, Marius had breezed through university. Average grades, average attendance and average interest in completing a business degree. However, what set him apart was the occupation he undertook in his first year.

As a passionate reader, Marius had grown up with a passion for the written word. So he took the time to write novels. Some long, some short. But over his four-year tenure, he gained some notoriety, earning a substantial amount from his stories.

By the time he graduated, he had enough capital to start up a small business, hiring professionals and essentially rode the coat-tails of their success.

Turning a passion into a profit. In a way, Marius could draw a parallel between himself and Super Nova. However, Marius could never look at writing the same after those four years.

All things have a price.

"I play for around ten to twelve hours a day," Super Nova replied.

"And how often do you study?"

Marius could tell that Super Nova didn't want to answer.

"Art's degree?" he asked.

"Haha. No. My mum and dad are making me do a business degree. It's just so stupid."

Marius laughed. "I felt the same when I did mine," Marius admitted.

"You're a graduate?" Super Nova asked.

"Haha. Yes. Though I graduated in a very different time to you."

"Really?" Super Nova was curious. "How long ago was it?"

"Hmm," Marius paused. "I would say, close to 70 years ago."

"But."

Super Nova was stunned. Marius didn't blame him. After the Cold Drop 20 years ago, after the massive damages had run their course, the planet would face a different kind of catastrophe.

See, due to the growing reliance and popularity of Implosive Technology, the use of Explosive Force became sorely obsolete. Over time, some scientists found ways to turn those Implosive Forces, it a weapon. They were called 'Cold Bombs'.

In theory, they worked by creating a resonance within any material. It could bend stone and metal into dust and turn water into a gas, directly splitting the Hydrogen and Oxygen atoms into the atmosphere.

In other words, it could destroy the very foundation of any physical structure that was within its area of effect. And turn any fluid into pure oxygen, suffocating anyone unfortunate enough to be in the vicinity.

That's if the Cold Bomb had left any bodies behind.

Unlike their more explosive cousins, implosive weapons did not leave a crater. The crater could act as a kind of buffer, limiting the range of an explosive weapon such as artillery or nuclear weapons. Effectively, reducing the damage their shockwaves would incur.

Implosives weapons did not have such a buffer. Instead, then they activated they sent their destructive shockwaves straight through to the Earths Core. Thus, the Earthquake.

However, there were other side effects of using such weapons. The Earthquake that tore through half the world was one. The other was the atmospheric pollution.

The pollution did not last long. Its effects dissipated within a year and the world recovered from it. However, in that year many people died.

The pollution was widespread and affected people on a molecular level. If you were young, your body would recover with minimal long-term effects, as the old infected tissue would be replaced with new.

The elderly were not so fortunate.

It was estimated, that any affected people over the age of 50 had a 99.999% chance of dying. Their bodies simply did not have the regenerative means to replace the old infected tissue.

Shivani's parents had been affected by this, including many of her older siblings. It had been a very difficult time for everyone involved. Rajan's father was also lost to the disease.

It was later called 'Byzantius' Disease'. In reality, it was named that because a Doctor by the of Richardo Byzan was curious about why people above a certain age were dying of rigor mortis.

He was a fairly young doctor.

Rigor mortis is, of course, the phenomena that will occur after death, where muscles stiffen and the body degrades. The unfortunate thing is that is only meant to happen after one dies.

The poor souls that died of Byzantius Disease were struck by several unfortunate side effects before slipping into rigor mortis. They would die hours later. In some cases, days.

And so, Super Nova's reaction was quite understandable. By any standard, the man he was talking with should have been dead almost 20 years.

"How?" he asked

Marius smiled. "They called me a medical marvel. Apparently, my exposure to the pollution was less extensive than others, or my body just naturally fought off the infections better than other people. I honestly don't know why I am still alive."

"Sir," Super Nova suddenly began to speak with more respect. "Are you who I think you are?"

"The oldest man currently alive?" Marius asked. "Yes."

Marius was almost at Toudin.

"Super Nova. I'm going to be playing this game for a while. But I can only play a few hours each day. Would you care to accompany me?"

Marius sent his invitation to the young man.

"But," he paused, 'I do not think I am capable of..." his answer faded.

Marius couldn't help but shake his head. "I am inviting you to help me to get to the top of this game. I am inviting you to help me explore every inch, complete every quest and make our names be known as the best in the gaming world. I am not asking you to be my nanny."

Super Nova was quiet.

"I'll give you some time to think on it. Let me know if you want to join me. If you do not, then no hard feelings. Oh, and keep my name a secret."

Marius ended the conversation and welcomed the Beast Master.

"Master Toudin. I have returned," Marius stood before the Beast Master and felt the dwarfs dislike.

(Player Might Solitude has completed the quest 'Hunt the Stone Gollum')

Marius ignored the rewards as he looked at the dwarf. There was a visible change in his demeanor. His glare had turned into a thoughtful glance. The hunch in his shoulders disappeared, leaving the Beast Master standing tall and proud.

"Bah. So what if you have killed a few worthless Stone Gollums," he replied though Marius felt the positive change in his demeanor. "It's against my better judgment, but a deal is a deal. I will give you the Beast Tamer quest. Give me your arm."

Marius surrendered his left hand. In an instant, the sleeve of his equipment disappeared and runes appeared on his arm. They were not as intricate of dark as the dwarfs, but they still exuded a power that screamed of primal dominance.

"Use these Runes to go capture 10 Iron Hounds. Once you return I will teach you about being a Beast Master."

Marius accepted the quest and ran to the Level 10-15 Map. It did not take long for him to arrive but when he did a familiar sight met him.

The entire area was filled with players, grinding their way through the Iron Hounds. Or to be more accurate, the Iron Hounds were grinding their way through the players.

Iron Hounds had excellent Defense and Spirit, leaving their Attacks at a pitifully low level. However, Iron Hounds had two staggering abilities that made up for this.

'Razor Rush' was a low damage skill but had a 20% chance of activating pierce damage. Even with its pathetic Attack, the Hound would be able to wipe out the majority of a Players health if that activated.

The other, was 'Steel Edge', another low damage skill. But this one had a 30% chance of dealing a fatal blow, immediately ending a players life.

With so many players around, both of these skills had a high chance of wiping out multiple people at once and thus, a very even two-sided slaughter.

The moment Marius came into view, many players glared at him. They could see he was a Night Stalker and they were wary of kill stealing.

It was a common tactic utilized by both the Night Stalker and Assassin class. It was also part of the reason why no one liked them.

The unskilled Night Stalkers and Assassins who had yet to learn how powerful the classes truly were had occupied a special place at the bottom of the player food chain ever since the game had launched.

"Night Stalkers can piss off," a burly Swordsman shouted as he stormed up to Marius.

Marius remembered this one. He was the same Warrior that had been looking to form a group back in the beginner Village. And had also chased Marius away.

Though he had been promoted to Swordsman, it appeared he hadn't changed much. Even the female Ranger came up behind him like a trusted aide. Though it looked like she had been promoted to Trapper.

Marius waved his hand at them as he walked past. "I have no interest in you two. Leave me alone."

Not taking the hint, The Swordsman spun at Marius, his sword swinging towards him, stopping just short of his throat.

"If you cause any trouble here, I will end you," The Swordsman promised.

Marius glared at the Swordsman. "I'm here for an occupation quest. If you get in my way, I will end you."

His words shocked the surrounding players who started watching the drama.

'Hah. You? A Night Stalker will end me?" The Swordsman roared.

"Boss," The Trapper, placed her hand on his shoulder. "Just leave him be. If he causes trouble we can just chain kill him later."

The swordsman scowled. He obviously wasn't one to take orders but he had to admit. Attacking some weak Night Stalker like this would ruin his reputation and make him look like a bully. But still. This punk had dared to threaten him.

"Whats your name kid." He spat.

"Midnight Solitude," Marius replied calmly.

Marius watched as the anger and color drained from the Swordsman's face.

A message popped up on Marius communications.

"Brother Solitude, are you there?" It was Proud Master.

"Congratulations on becoming a Swordsman Proud Master, Marius replied. "Now get out of my face."

Marius had figured out who his 'friend' Proud Master was way back when he sold the Grey Wolf Set to him. Afterall, he was the leader of what was the only team actually brave enough to venture into the Grey Wolves territory.

It also helped that Marius had spied the man sometime after the trade had been completed and he was wearing the full Grey Wolf Set. A rare feat for anyone at the time.

"Proud Master I presume," Marius spoke calmly to the Swordsman in front of him.

"Brother Solitude, I apologize. I didn't realize it was you," His proud demeanor had totally disappeared, replaced by a far politer mask.

Marius hated people like that. They would change like a snake depending on who they were around. Arrogant and overbearing when around those beneath them and bootlickers the moment a superior looked at them.

They were the worst types of people to deal with in any business. But also useful if used appropriately.

"Do you have any business with me?" Marius asked. "If not, I have a quest to complete."

For the first time, Proud Master seemed to notice Midnight Solitudes bare arm, covered in runes.

"A Beast Tamer quest?" he said surprised. "Please, allow me to help you complete your quest. Its the least I can do to apologize."

Marius nodded. He didn't like this man, but with how crowded the map was, he'd need some assistance just to get his hands on an Iron Hound.

"I'll prepare some men," Proud Master runs off to complete his self-imposed task, leaving the Trapper and Marius behind.

There was an awkward silence as the female Trapper looked at him. It looked like she had something she wanted to say so Marius helped her begin.

"What is it?" he asked. he didn't use the same tone he had with Proud Master. This girl hadn't annoyed him. Yet.

"I," She began. "I'm sorry that we chased you away back in Green Horn Village. If we could do it again, we would have..."

"Don't bother," Marius cut in. "I wasn't interested in joining your team back then. I was just curious as to what the commotion was about." He smiled, looking at the girl's shocked face. "Besides, if I had joined you, your team would have slowed me down. So there really are no hard feelings."

The proof really was easy to see. Marius was currently number 1 on both the Iron Mountain City and Shattered Land's Leaderboard. While even the highest level member of Proud Master's team barely made it to the late 50's on Iron Mountains City's and not at all on the other.

There really was nothing left to say.

With the help of Proud Master, Marius completed his quest in just a few short minutes. Taming was actually quite easy. All you needed was a sufficient Beast Tamer Level and enough luck. Combing these, all Marius had to do was touch a 'Beast' with his left hand to initiate the 'Taming'.

As such, in less than 10 minutes, Marius had Tamed 10 Iron Hounds and was on his way back to Toudin.

When he arrived, Toudin accepted the 10 Iron Hounds and gave Marius a 20 minute tutorial on Beast Taming. He explained the importance of a Monsters Rank and their corresponding Spirit Value. Even including the monsters that would earn him and lose him Reputation in the various Cities.

When he was done, Marius was close to his Timer running out. And he was quite tired.

The gameplay had been less intense and he had barely needed to do any fighting. But still, the fatigue from his battle with Schollic had yet to fade.

And through his fatigue, he felt a shiver of excitement. It had taken a while with excessive amounts of effort an luck. But he had done it.

He now had the foundations to attack the game as he truly wanted.

A powerful Weapon. A powerful occupation that allowed him to create even more powerful monsters to support him. And he had his mind.

To succeed in any venture, you had to create a foundation. In business, it could be in the form of ethical values or any number of competition inducing methods.

In the game, it could be building a strong Guild with loyal people in your top management. It could be nurturing players to become elites and giving them benefits that exceeded anywhere else.

But for a solo such as Marius. The Weapon and occupation would do nicely.