Gatecrash: Awakening

I found myself once again in a forest, though this time I was in the middle of things instead of a clearing. There was an earthy smell and the ground was a bit damp, as if it had just rained. This Instance was thankfully warmer than the obstacle course. It was actually quite pleasant, and perhaps would have been a bit muggy if I'd had any clothes on. It seemed my nudity had come in handy once again.

Unlike last time, I did not find myself in a crowd of people. I looked around for any sign of danger. I could hear the chirping of birds and insects and the rustle of leaves, but I didn't see any monsters or other Hunters. Once I was satisfied, I dropped my covering arms and read the explanation.

Instance: 2

Time: 6 Hours

Theme: Survival

Summary: Survive against monsters until time expires. Participants have been randomly distributed throughout the Instance.

Rewards: Defeating monsters will provide XP and Coins. Treasure has been hidden throughout the Instance. This Instance is not a competition--there is no reward for completing it.

Special: Death will result in ejection from the Instance.

The summary explained why I didn't see any other Hunters. It was for the best, all things considered; I wouldn't have put it past Forrest to hang out by the Gate and wait for me to emerge if we'd all ended up in the same starting area again. Less favorable, however, were the rewards.

I had no intention of killing any monsters if it wasn't required to complete the Instance. Despite the bonus from the Feat I'd earned from my placement in the first Instance, my Growth was still overall abysmal. Gaining early Levels would be easy, and the main benefit of that was the increases to my Stats. The more Levels I gained before correcting my bad Growth, the more stats I would be leaving on the table.

That meant the only thing I could get out of this Instance (aside from the right to participate in the next one) was the treasure that had been scattered around. It would be difficult to find it without encountering a monster or a hostile Hunter, but I decided to give it my best shot anyway.

I started by climbing a nearby tree. It was an old pine, and it had a few branches which were nice and close to the ground. I hoisted myself up, enjoying a more leisurely pace compared to my frantic climbing during the obstacle course.

The tree was quite tall, almost as tall as the ladder that had been the second to last obstacle yesterday. I quickly ascended, trying to get above the high canopy. About halfway up, I finally breached it.

A sea of trees sprawled around me, roiling like ocean waves thanks to their varying heights. I hadn't noticed because of how gentle the slope at my starting point was, but it turned out that the Instance consisted of a mountain rising out of a vast blue sea. I took a minute to admire the beauty of the azure splendor which stretched off to each horizon, then got a better lay of the land.

The entire mountain was covered in a forest, even up to its peak, where a massive willow tree rose from the top. The foliage made it all but impossible to notice any monsters or Hunters along the mountainside, but besides the willow tree, there were a few notable landmarks. I was about two-thirds of the way up, and the peak looked to be about a mile and a half from me.

The first was a clearing about a half a mile down the mountain from me. I could identify a circle of standing stones in it with boulder in the middle. The second was a large rocky outcropping about 60 degrees clockwise around the mountain, around the same elevation as the base of the tree I'd climbed. The third and final landmark was a wooden fort built at the top of a steep cliff about two-thirds of a mile up the mountain and 45 degrees counter-clockwise, which seemed to be about four stories tall.

The standing stones were tempting, but unlike the rest of the landmarks I'd spotted, they were not easy to notice without being close and elevated like I was. I decided to leave them for later, since they would take me away from every other landmark. The tree seemed to me like the obvious place to start. Other Hunters would probably also have the idea of climbing the mountain to see what was at the top. Especially since we'd all been informed of the hidden treasures. I'd climb up there, try to get first dibs, then head down to the rocky outcropping before circling back to the standing stones if I had time.

As I prepared to descend, I saw a red light shoot up, close to the rocky outcropping and a bit lower down the mountain. It soared into the air, hovering for a few seconds before winking out. As soon as it did, another one followed.

That was the Flare skill, which cost 1000 Coins in the Tutorial shop. It did very little damage, but it had low AP consumption and lived up to its name. 1000 Coins was a huge amount to spend after the first Instance, but if several Hunters had pitched in with the intention to use it to meet up if the second Instance allowed for it... that was actually a solid plan. They'd have a good shot at killing enough monsters to make back their initial investment and then some.

I rapidly descended from the tree, though I didn't drop straight down in a repeat of my stunt during the obstacle course. In the event that I did encounter something hostile, I wanted as many Hit Points as I could get.

It was rough going up the mountainside. As I was becoming sadly accustomed to, I kept a hand over my breasts to keep them in check as I moved as quickly as I could. But the terrain was uneven (not to mention a bit slippery thanks to the recent rain), and there was a lot of flora getting in my way. It was a constant struggle not to trip over tree roots or loose rocks, and I was scratched and stymied by many low-hanging branches and inconvenient bushes.

But my stats were not just for show, and I'd gone on my fair share of hikes in college (including the Blue Hills Skyline Trail). I powered through the hindrances, relying on my Might to push past stubborn plants and my Dexterity to keep my balance over the treacherous ground. I suspected I was making good time, and was optimistic that other Hunters with high stats had either not had the idea to race for the peak, or had started lower down than me.

The excess of greenery was not solely a hindrance, however. It made it difficult to see more than a few yards in any direction, which was a great boon for my plan of avoiding running afoul of any enemies. Unlike the other Hunters, who would find it a nuisance as they hunted for prey, I used it to cover my relatively rapid ascent up the mountain.

Whether by good fortune or prudence on my part, I approached the peak after what I estimated was around half an hour. A pretty incredible time for a mile and a half in these conditions. Sure, I was covered in scrapes, bruises, and mud. But I could see into the clearing at the peak, where the enormous willow resided.

It looked even bigger up close, its branches descending in a circle at least a football field in diameter around the top of the mountain, obscuring whatever was beneath. And it was at least twice as tall as the pine tree I'd climbed earlier. I took a look around the clearing and, seeing the coast clear, quickly dashed to the cover of the hanging leaves.

They were like an expansive curtain, and I brushed about halfway through to hide myself from either side. I took a look behind to make sure I'd gone unnoticed, then peeked through to see what was beneath. It was as dark as twilight beneath the willow's canopy, and the ground of the area was rough stone. The base of the tree was thick, at least thirty feet across. There was a strange black coil wrapped around it several times.

I crept forward, trying to keep the padding of my feet as soft as possible on the bare stone. I couldn't see any monsters, but I doubted the Instance had left the peak unguarded. I looked up at the fractaled branches overhead, specks of sunlight visible through the smallest gaps in the coverage. I didn't see anything lying in wait up there. The place was eerily quiet.

The stillness was unsettling. Especially since I was completely naked. My head was on a swivel, darting between the tree and the ring around me. Another Hunter could emerge at any moment, and with my pale skin in the darkness--not to mention my eye-catching curves bouncing with every furtive step I took--I would be spotted immediately. My heart hammered as I moved, my arms tensed as I readied to cover myself at any moment.

Once I was about halfway from the edge to the base, I took a better look at the black coil around the tree. It seemed perfectly round, and it was thick; each coil seemed to be around two feet tall. There were five loops around the tree in total, about ten feet up the tree. Upon closer inspection, there was a sheen to it like the black glass of a smartphone, though it had some kind of texturing like a hash pattern across it.

Was it an environmental hazard? I intuitively expected a shock since it resembled an oversized power cable, though that didn't really fit the forest aesthetic. Maybe it was sticky? I doubted I could clear it with a single jump, so I'd have to touch whatever it was if I wanted to climb the tree. But my investigation was interrupted.

To my left, there was a sudden crashing through the curtain of leaves. None other than Forrest emerged from the greenery, accompanied by all three of the men he'd been eating with. Had they been the ones to buy Flare? Forrest may have been a crass pig, but he certainly made for a formidable opponent. My tensed arms darted over my body, one holding my breasts and the other nestling between my legs.

"Well, well, well," he said, grinning like a maniac. He spread his arms wide in a welcoming gesture. He scanned me, eyes narrowing at how I'd hidden my most intimate bits. "Looks like my little fleshlight with legs used them to walk herself right up to me. Are you that desperate to get fucked?" He turned back to his goons and gestured to me with his sword. "Get around her." Then he held out his free hand to me.

I yelped as I tumbled out of the way of the sudden red streak which shot from his fingers. The move had forced my arms away from myself, and the heat I felt under their leers was mirrored by the heat across my back as the flare just missed me. I came to my feet, my curves quaking with the motion and spiking adrenaline. I started scrambling backwards from his companions, who were already executing his instructions and closing the distance. I worked my arms to move rather than covering again, my face going as red as his skill's light as I briefly gave them a full view of me before turning and running.

Forrest began sprinting after me, shouting at my heels, "Bet I've still got enough teeth left to bite your perky nipples off, bitch! But I'll let you back to the rest area painlessly if you stop running like a good girl!" He fired another flare, this one a warning shot that sailed harmlessly over my shoulder.

I considered shouting something back at him. But then I noticed movement out of the corner of my eye. The black coils around the great willow tree were shifting. At first it was difficult to understand what I was seeing, the loops blending in with the dark bark and gloomy stone. But then it clicked. I stifled another yelp.

The gigantic snake which had been wrapped around the tree reared its head ten feet off the ground, opening a pair of blood red eyes as it surveyed Forrest, the source of all of the light and noise. Its length was still unfurling from its resting place even as it advanced on him. It moved silently on the stone floor, unnervingly quiet despite its immensity.

Forrest had followed my gaze, recoiling with horror when he saw the creature. He recovered quickly, shouting out instructions to his lackeys. All of them were armed, and a few were armored. Forrest gave a battle cry and led the charge.

For my part, I wasted no time in sprinting for the tree. The snake hadn't noticed me, and it would be fully uncoiled by the time I got there. I was taking a big risk, but if the battle raged long enough, I would be able to get whatever the snake was guarding and get out unmolested.

The base proved a challenge thanks to the lack of branches where the snake had been coiled. Inspired by Forrest's clearing of the curved wall, I did a running jump and leapt as I high as I could. I caught one of the branches with my hands, pulling myself up.

Once I was among the branches, this climb was even easier than the ladder in the obstacle course had been. I was even able to step up the bases of some branches like stairs at certain points. The sounds of desperate battle faded quickly as I was surrounded by wood and leaves, and though I kept an eye out for further danger, my climb was undisturbed. It seemed that the snake was the sole guardian of whatever was up here.

I went up and up and up. Despite the relative ease of the ascent, the tree was incredibly tall. It was like climbing up twenty flights of stairs. After I had just run a mile and a half through a forest with no trail in thirty minutes. Uphill. I was panting as I approached the canopy, where the sun filtered through the bright green leaves into the tangle of branches below.

Then, after about three minutes, I'd made it. My head poked through the top of the leaf cover, and I squinted in the daylight. Just ahead of me, at the very top of this island, was a twisted branch holding a bottle of white liquid.

I reached out my hand and grabbed it. It looked kind of like half and half. I gave it a quick appraise as I put it in my Inventory, finding that to be the most convenient way to check its name rather than opening up my status and going to the Inventory tab. It was called "Elixir of the Vampire", and it was Legendary.

I closed the appraise window as I began my descent. I was just as quick on the way down as I'd been on the way up, though it was much easier on the lungs and I began to catch my breath. Elixir of the Vampire sounded ominous, and I was less than thrilled to receive yet another consumable rather than something more permanent. Still, as a Legendary item, it would no doubt be incredibly potent at whatever it did. I was excited to give it a closer look once I wasn't in such a desperate situation.

As I neared the base of the tree again, the sounds of battle returned. They lacked a certain sharpness that had been present before, though I could still hear rallying cries from Forrest and ferocious hissing from the snake. It seemed my gamble had paid off.

I made it all the way back down to the lowest branches, ten feet between me and the dark stone floor. I took a look at the action. All four of the Hunters were still standing, though they looked unsteady on their feet and were drenched in sweat.

The snake, however, was even worse for wear. Dark blood glistened on the ground, smeared by its slithering. It seemed unable to keep its head reared. It would only be a matter of time before Forrest finished the job, and I didn't want to stick around for when he did. Even in their weakened state, there was no reason to risk taking on all four of them at once.

I kept the tree between myself and the battle, hoping my pale flesh wouldn't stand out too much if they got a look around it in their maneuvering. I didn't hear any shouts besides exertion and motivation behind me, and I slipped through the leaves.

I sighed with relief. Forrest would no-doubt investigate the tree once I'd left; he probably wouldn't have the wherewithal to remember my presence in the heat of the moment, only realizing what had become of me once he reached the top and found it empty. I smiled ruefully as I imagined his reaction. If only I could have stuck around to see it.

I began walking around the edge of the clearing, planning to head down the side Forrest had come from to reach the rocky outcropping I'd seen near the flare they'd let off. As I did, I went into my Inventory and appraised the elixir.

Name: Elixir of the Vampire

Rarity: Legendary

Description: To use, uncork and drink the contents. When consumed, the Elixir of the Vampire grants the following effects in the form of a permanent feat:

• Skill: Regeneration, Lesser

• Skill: Gloamsight

• Increases Growth of all stats by 10 each.

• Increases Growth of Potency by an additional 5.

• While in direct sunlight, all stats are reduced by 50%. This penalty persists for 1 minute after exiting direct sunlight.

• +600 to all Physical Defenses

• -1200 to all Physical Defenses against attacks with silver weapons (or equivalent)

• +800 Dark Defense

• -800 Light Defense

• +400 Ice Defense

• -400 Fire Defense

• The AP Cost of Dark and Ice Skills is reduced by 30%.

• The AP Cost of Light and Fire skills is increased by 30%.

• The effectiveness of Dark and Ice skills is increased by 30%.

• The effectiveness of Light and Fire skills is reduced by 30%.

That was... wow. I could see why it was Legendary. The stat growth alone was exceptional, enough to single-handedly bring me halfway to average in all of my stats, and bring my Potency above average. Maybe an offensive casting class was the way to go after all? But the defense bonuses and skill enhancements were icing on the cake. Combined with the bonus "Neophyte Nudist" was giving, my Physical Defenses would be as high as a Level 20 main tank in level-appropriate gear. It even gave Lesser Regeneration, a delectable cherry on top.

The problem was that the main benefits would only shape up as I gained Levels and Skills. A Dark or Ice attack Skill would be extremely powerful with my high base Potency and the multiplier, but that required finding or buying one. Meanwhile, I would suffer the 50% cut to my stats immediately, since it was a nice sunny day out. That would bring my exceptional start down to average, eliminating my only strength. I didn't know if the half-light under the canopy of leaves would count as "direct" sunlight, but now would be a terrible time to test it. I resolved to wait until after this Instance to drink it.

I continued my trek through the forest. I moved at a more measured pace now, no longer racing to get to the top of the mountain. Certainly, it would be better to get to the landmarks sooner rather than later. But I only had so much stamina.

It was hardly a leisurely walk, but I was at least able to stop holding my breasts to keep them from jostling as I walked. They did give the occasional bounce on the uneven terrain, but the infrequent discomfort was worth the feeling of freedom.

The forest was strikingly similar to those outside of Boston, which were some of the last vestiges of the great woodlands which had once stretched all across New England. Like many familiar with the Gates and what lay beyond them, I had often wondered how the environments within were formed. Now that I was stuck in the middle of one, however, I could only appreciate its beauty.

Sunlight speckled the rough terrain. Although the undergrowth caused me no end of trouble as I passed through it, the teeming life was sublime. The whole of it was suffused with the earthy smell after the rain, and my crashing footfalls could hardly hope to drown out the chorus of birdsong and insect calls. I lamented how busy I'd become that I couldn't go on hikes like this anymore.

Elevating the serenity of the experience, the oneness I was feeling with the strange yet natural-feeling world of this Instance, was my complete lack of clothing. I could feel the breeze on my bare skin, could look down and see the mud caking my legs instead of the stockings which usually clad them. I'd never gone streaking before, certainly never in a forest. But oddly enough, it made me feel like a part of a larger whole.

All too soon, however, my tranquil walk came to an end. My dead reckoning had proven true, and within about an hour, I'd come upon an outgrowth of rock in the middle of the forest. It had only a slight curve to it, and it was difficult to see where it ended if I looked to either side thanks to the foliage blocking the view of either direction.