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Fortress of Hope 18
All the way or a strange quest.- Isn't it too cool to climb impassable mountains? Ehan asked Tarka dubiously as they followed the boy Puchkens had sent to escort the nobles to Virker along the cobbled alley.“We’ll find out from Virker,” Tark remarked gloomily. - Now I understand why so many people are eliminated from the first round. A crowd of rods.“I think there are a lot of people looking for workarounds, like us,” Ehan said thoughtfully.- I hope we will be the first at Virker, - Tark agreed with his friend worriedly and looked back angrily.That is why, of all the friends in Chartier, it was Nick who brought it? Now protect your empty-headed sister from this preoccupied dog.These two, or rather, three, if you count the dog, felt great. It was as if they were on a pleasure trip, and not in a serious competition, success in which could qualitatively affect their future life.The alley where the boy led them was quiet and deserted. And the owner himself came out to knock.The bo
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Moments when you regret past decisions.But getting out of the city was not so easy. A crowd of cheering players blocked the road leading to the only gate in the fortress wall.- Beauty, let's go with us? - from time to time someone rolled up to Lisa, shining with enthusiasm in his eyes.Tark grimaced each time. It seems that everyone is going to have fun, not compete. Flirting hung in the air like a thick smog. Many left the city in hugging couples.But the mounts came across only in units.“I don’t understand anything,” he muttered. “But how are these boobies going to win?”"Hopefully lucky," Ehan replied. – You do not take into account that due to the specifics of the selection there are many who have never played professionally. Except for yourself, for fun."Maybe you're right," Tark agreed reluctantly. “Hurry to get out,” he sighed at last.Virker confidently led them along, holding a real donkey by the bridle.The donkey was unceremoniously loaded with such a rather big hill.
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Well ... and now with God!As they stepped out into the open, everyone breathed a sigh of relief.Just past the bridge, Virker turned left onto a barely visible path.- It's calmer, - he muttered, as soon as the path dived into the first bushes.The cheerful hubbub behind was getting quieter. The forest reliably hid a small team from prying eyes. The birds chirped merrily overhead.- I hope there will be no trap, - Tark remarked quietly, without losing his vigilance.But the dense vegetation, as well as hiding them well, did not allow them to look around themselves. All that remained was to rely on his guide.The detachment walked in silence, trying not to break the silence with unnecessary talk.Fortunately, but Virker's calculation turned out to be correct. There were no more people who wanted to meddle in the forest.The path climbed stubbornly up the slowly rising surface. The forest gradually thinned the higher they climbed the mountains.Only the quiet hubbub of the forest reign
Fortress of Hope 21
The game is a game, and lunch is on schedule.The next meeting of friends was already in the dining room. The whole team was in the collection, sharing their impressions. Mark, Nick and Kim were surprised to learn that the same bodyaga with a temple and a single path in other locations.- There are no girls. Nick kept looking around, hoping to see Vel with Rita.“Probably on other floors,” Mark suggested calmly, starting to eat.The dining room was buzzing with conversation. The players shared their impressions and information.Has anyone made it to the temple? – there was a loud question nearby.Friends looked around with curiosity.A red-haired guy, in a thick hemp, carefully looked at the guys from the table next to him.“No,” they replied. - We're in line. We have a couple more hours to go.Has anyone been to the temple? the red-haired man repeated his question even louder, rising.- Yes, who confesses to you? one of the neighbors chuckled. - They lie from three boxes.And the re
Fortress of Hope 22
Just go ahead and hope for good luck.By the time he got back into the game, Mark was exhausted.The fact that he was the first, he was not surprised."Virker," he called to the conductor, who was sitting on the sidelines. “Who in Chartem can go to the Uhl valley except you?”Virker frowned as he walked towards the revived Tark.There are only two of us who know the way. Me and Drobus.- It's clear. Drobus is leading our sworn enemies into the Uhl Valley. Will they follow the same path?- Not. The conductor's face darkened completely. “They will fly on wyverns.- Seriously, - Tark was upset. Now it was not necessary to count on a handicap. – What threatens us that they will be there before us?Virker sneered contemptuously.- Drobus doesn't know about the shortcut through the mountains. They will be waiting for us upstairs. Where the outer path exits. And we will go out on the lower tiers of the Erkling Palace.- Good. Tark nodded. We must try to avoid collisions.Virker grinned.- Ea
Fortress of Hope 23
Bad news and what to do about it.The next meeting of friends was already in the dining room.With surprise, they looked at the joyful faces of other players. And the more they listened to their conversations, the more they frowned.“Maybe we overdid it? Nick asked uncertainly.- No matter what. There's nothing to win back, - Mark snapped gloomily.And they had something to spoil their mood. Grisella's temple did not disappoint. Everyone who passed through it received an individual quest.The result of the quest was to be a gift for the king.So far, all the players have been full of hope and enthusiasm. The first day for each of them was successful and even fun. After all, what are you doing in line? You can dog, but you can have fun. So many have chosen to have fun. And now the fun from the game smoothly flowed into real life.Nick looked at them enviously and pursed his lips in resentment. He could be understood. It's a shame. After all, all this time they did nothing but wander i
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New location.Will they be able to open the gate? Tark asked the guide anxiously."If there are noble women with them, then probably," Virker replied grimly. Drobus boasted that he had found another key. I didn't believe. But I don't think he would lead to the Noble Gate if he didn't have it.But Virker did not know that Drobus did not know everything about the gate. And now the feisty merchants, not having received the bribe due to them, slowly descended from their pedestals to deal with the uninvited guests.But even on this side of the gate, things were not going smoothly.The ringing sound of the interface being activated instantly erased the satisfied smirk from Sionel's beaming face.- Oh! Not! he groaned when the system kindly informed him that in connection with the murder of three players, penalties were imposed on him in the form of deprivation of three additional lives.Tark, silently listening, silently activated the exchange icon in his interface.- The exchange and trans
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The first artifact and at what cost.The team reached the mobs reflected on the map with orange dots in a few minutes. They turned out to be strange creatures, the size of a good dog, with the lean torso of a hound. A head with bright red-blue plumage was crowned with a powerful beak. The forelimbs ended in paws, and the hind limbs ended in cock-like ones, with impressive spurs.Clumsy animals did not cause a sense of danger.The team carefully examined them from around the corner of the house, not risking being caught by mobs.- That's why the stats on mobs do not open? Ehan fiddled with his interface, but to no avail.- And you touch the mob with your hand, then they will probably open, - Fox suggested mockingly, remembering how easily the data on the crystal in her hand opened."Ridiculous," Ehan snapped.“I'll distract them to myself, and you run after the artifact,” Sionel suggested, taking out a crossbow from behind his back.- Accepted, - agreed with his plan Tark.And the team