"Morning QJ," Anna sat at the island by herself sipping her coffee.

"Morning Nan, I see mom's coffee, but I don't see mom." QJ grabbed a bagel from the bin and poured himself some orange juice.

"Your parents went to the lap-pool to swim." Anna smiled at the face he made, "you weren't up yet sleepyhead."

"c.r.a.p..." QJ wasn't a swim nut like his mom, but they always stopped at the Waffle House on the way home from the pool. "I could eat me some waffles." He bit into his bagel viciously, somehow he didn't taste as good.

"Hate to bolt like this, but I have some things to do, have a good day at school QJ," Anna hugged him from behind and headed upstairs.

"Okay Nan, catch ya later."

The Painted Lady was open when QJ casually walked by so he stopped in. Jezi smiled when she saw him, "how'd the fade ring work?"

QJ smiled, "very good, complete stealth for five-minute duration." He sat three items on the counter, "could you identify these for me Jezi?"

Jezi nodded and picked up the scroll. "Oh... nice insurance. It's an instant rez scroll, anyone can use it."

QJ watched her identify the items, the prior evening kept creeping into his thoughts.

"These gloves are nice, know any healers?" Jezi glanced up and caught him watching her. "It's normal to have wandering thoughts QJ, I also thought of last night when you walked in."

QJ felt his face heat up, "I guess so."

Gloves of Restoration

Healer Cla.s.s only.

+20 to healing.

BR:8

Jezi whistled and held up the hatchet. "Now this is nice."

Blackhawk

Hatchet: Tank Cla.s.s only.

+10 Stamina

Additional Effect: Chance

to stun.

BR: 9

"Not sure if you are interested in this, but take a look." QJ placed a large chunk of bee wax on the counter.

Jezi picked it up, "wax?"

QJ nodded, "it has really good sound suppression."

"Sound suppression? Really..." Jezi smiled and put out a slender hand, "a bit more please."

"Sure," QJ took out a large portion and sat it on the counter. He kept about half for his engineer friends to look at. "I didn't realize until just now, you're an alchemist aren't you?"

"Maybe," she replied casually. "Bring me back some more wax if you get the chance."

"Okay Jezi, thanks for the help." He waved and headed out the door quickly.

**********

QJ didn't see Lotte at the stables so he headed to cla.s.s. The door to his cla.s.s was open and he stepped into a crowded cla.s.sroom.

"Morning QJ." Freya, the third year teacher was in their room, along with most of her cla.s.s.

"Morning Miss Freya." QJ noticed Maya was sitting in his desk, talking to Lotte.

"Call me Dessi please, Level 8 Field Medic." The third-year teacher was standing in the front of the room.

"This a take-over?" QJ walked over to his desk, "that's my seat."

Maya gave him a friendly smile and stood up, "was keeping it warm for you."

"Did my first-year cla.s.s suddenly get bigger?" Ringo walked into the room a few seconds after QJ, her face unreadable.

Dessi smiled at her friend. "Thought we'd take a look at the leaderboard with the freshmen cla.s.s."

"Oh? Is something wrong with the one in your room?" Ringo knew her friend, she was here for a reason.

"We just want to bond a bit more." Dessi smiled innocently and leaned against her desk.

A few minutes later all of her students were seated and the 3rd years were standing against the windows. Ringo waited until everyone quieted down. "Let's take a look at the leaderboard shall we?"

Top Guild Level: 1) Old Skool-Lvl 9.4 2) One Problem 7.6 3) Chupa Lupa 7.5

Cla.s.s Leaderboard: Range Rider: s.e.xy Dexy-Lvl 10, Gunfighter: Oldman Crane-Lvl 11, Brave: Laffy Taffy-Lvl-7, Tracker: Carlotti Hottie-Lvl 9, Shaman: Dead Mimi-Lvl 9, Field Medic: Suga Pie-Lvl 8, Wrangler: Kingslayer QJ-Lvl 8, Scout: Cactus Flower Lvl 8, Commanchero: Breeze-Lvl 9, Cavalry: Iron Lou-Lvl 9, Raider: Devil Woman-Lvl 9, Gambler: Pinnacle-Lvl 8.

Top Five Ranking: 1) Oldman Crane, 2) s.e.xy Dexy 3) Carlotti Hottie 4) Sunny Meadow 5) Breeze

"Oh... we have two students on the leaderboard today." Ringo shot a glance to the back of the cla.s.sroom where Breeze sat, "very well done Breeze."

Dessi nodded, "your cla.s.s is doing very well, we are at 7.8, however, please take a look at the neat little t.i.tle your ace is holding."

Ringo turned back toward the board, "Kingslayer? Where did you get that t.i.tle QJ?"

QJ made a locking gesture over his lips, "that information belongs to One Problem."

"Hey! You should share that kind of stuff!" Nina's face started to get red.

Ringo kept her face expressionless, "I've no issue with keeping our own secrets."

"Miss Chi! We should be helping each other more!" Maya's voice was calm as she tried to reason with the first years.

"Call me Ringo please, level 8 Slinger."

"You don't get the Kingslayer t.i.tle without killing a King." Dessi knew her friend wouldn't budge, "how about you offer to sell us anything your cla.s.s can't use?"

"I only received one thing worth mentioning and I'm saving it for Breeze."

Breeze heard her name and peeked over at QJ. "Something for me?"

Breeze was not only talented but also very friendly. Her avatar was exactly the way she looked irl. She had brown skin and black hair. Her dark eyes always seemed like they were laughing.

QJ linked the item to the cla.s.s. "Thought the server's top Chero could use it."

Blackhawk

Hatchet: Tank Cla.s.s only.

+10 Stamina

Additional Effect: Chance

to stun.

BR: 9

Breeze seemed to instantly appear in front of QJ's desk. Her smile showed all of her pearly white teeth. "That's for me?"

QJ laughed at her expression and handed her the hatchet. "Remember this when a Wrangler item drops."

Breeze nodded solemnly, "I'll definitely look for you if that happens."

"And you get to be my tank for a few days." QJ rubbed his hands together, finally a meat s.h.i.+eld.

Ringo was listening to the conversation. "There are four of us who are level 8 or higher, that means we can finally start a real group."

"I know someplace nice, but none of our healers are level 8 yet." QJ had a tip from Anna on a nice dungeon crawl.

Lotte had been listening quietly. The gunslingers on the server were fast levelers. "I need some better gear."

QJ caught noticed Dessi watching him, "want to group with us today Dessi?"

Dessi stared at him in surprise, "you want to cooperate now?"

"You've got some serious b.a.l.l.s QJ! What have you done for us?" Nina shouted at him, her temper finally erupting.

QJ shrugged, "hey, I have a nice healer item you can have if you tag along."

The purple haired girl stomped on the floor, "You idiot! You think she's interested in your c.r.a.p?"

Dessi ignored the tantrum her student was throwing, "show me QJ."

"Sure." QJ linked the gloves from his inventory.

Gloves of Restoration

Healer Cla.s.s only.

+20 to healing.

BR:8

Dessi stared at the stats, her blue eyes expressionless. "I'm in." She held out her hand, a sly smile on her face.

"I'll give them to you when we meet up in GnG."

Dessi frowned at him. "Where's the trust QJ?"

"Left it at home."

Ringo laughed as her co-worker's expression, "okay third years, out of my cla.s.sroom."

Dessi stood by the door until the last of her students exited. "Meet at the Laredo platform?"

QJ nodded, "yep."

Ringo waited until they were well down the hallway, then she shut the door. "Very nice job everyone. Once we get to level 10 we can start some raids."

QJ walked up to the front of the room and switched his hud display to the board. "North of Laredo, there's a group of caves." He circled the spot on the map. "You have to go into the back entrance here.

Ringo studied the map, "this where the King is?"

QJ nodded and brought up the two caverns separated by a wall of wax. "There were two sp.a.w.ns, an Empress and a King. Although initially, they were elite place holders. When I killed them, they sp.a.w.ned 8 hours later."

Ringo didn't hide the surprise on her face. "Two t.i.tled mobs?" It will be 48 hours until they come back until then it will be placeholders."

Breeze whistled softly. "How did you kill them QJ?"

"Acoustics. The bee chamber walls are coated with sound-proof wax, the ceiling is basically one big tuning crystal. I drew the Ants inside the Bee chamber and when I shot the ceiling..."

"Everything starting taking damage." Lotte finished his sentence, her head shaking in amazement. "How'd you avoid dieing if the acoustics are so damaging?"

QJ took out a small piece of bee wax from his inventory. "Place this in your ears, and you barely hear anything."

"Feel free to log-in. Extra duties after lunch and Equestrian training following that." Ringo gave her cla.s.s the thumbs up, "oh and rumor has it that Maya will be attempting 12 bells today."

Lotte tightened her ponytail, "Think she'll make it?"

QJ nodded, "She has a good chance."

************

Welcome to Guns and Gore the Phoenix Server.

Laredo 12 PM, Player population 7,155. Your current level is 8.

System Message: You have received a group invite from Ringo, do you wish to accept?

"Yes."

*Group: QJ* Heya!

*Group: Breeze* Hi QJ.

*Group: Lotte* Welcome slow-poke.

*Group: Ringo* Hi QJ.

*Group: Dessi* I'm coming.

QJ checked his hud, the rest of the group was going to be a few minutes, so he headed down to the market hub. After purchasing some level 10 armor and weapons, he packaged it up and sent it to Remmy along with the a few large chunks of bee wax. His hud blinked almost immediately, Remmy cute face popped up.

"What's this stuff QJ?" Remmy had a bit of the wax in her hands and was squeezing it.

"It's bee wax I found in GnG. It has really good sound suppressing characteristics. Thought you might be interested."

Remmy almost immediately had it hooked up to an instrument, "look at that, barely any vibration." She turned her head, completely forgetting about QJ, "Tal look at this!"

A moment later Tal's pretty profile came into view. "Where'd you get that Remmy?"

"I gave it to her." QJ was used to being ignored by engineers, "this is like my childhood all over again."

Tal turned her head and looked at the hud, "oh... sorry hun I didn't realize."

"It's fine, gotta run. Thanks guys." QJ didn't listen to their replies, he cut comm and summoned Scorch.

**********

After the group met up, it took another 15 minutes to ride to the dungeon.

QJ handed Dessi the healer gloves, "thanks for coming."

The group stood there staring at the ma.s.sive tower.

Breeze frowned at the structure."I thought you said it was a dungeon."

QJ nodded, "Tower dungeon. We fight on the floor below the one we pull from, we'll start out here and clear the first floor to start."

The group moved away from the entrance QJ pulled out his Lariat and glanced over his shoulder. "Ready?"

QJ disappeared into the entrance. "Incoming!"

*La.s.so*

An Elite Angry Skeleton has been roped and is closing on your position

*Kneecap*

An Elite Angry Skeleton has been slowed by forty percent.

*Breeze has activated Blood Feud*

An Elite Angry Skeleton has been taunted.

*Quick Shot*

Lotte has. .h.i.t target for 652 damage.

*Quick Shot*

Ringo has. .h.i.t target for 532 damage.

*Aimed Shot*

(Head-Shot Bonus)

QJ has. .h.i.t target for 1230 damage

*Breeze has activated Turoc Mach'tu.

An Elite Angry Skeleton has been hit for 223 damage.

An Elite Angry Skeleton has been stunned.

*Hot Pack*

Dessi has healed Breeze for 450 hp.

*Double Direct Shot*

Ringo has. .h.i.t target for 223 damage and 347 damage.

*Direct Shot*

Lotte has. .h.i.t target for 322 damage.

"Incoming!"

*La.s.so*

An Elite Necromancer has been roped and is closing on your position

*Kneecap*

An Elite Necromancer has been slowed by forty percent.

*Six-Gun Fan*

Ringo has emptied her gun into target for 434 damage, 358, damage, 534 , damage.

An Elite Angry Skeleton has been slain.

*Breeze has activated Blood Feud*

An Elite Necromancer has been taunted.

*Quick Shot*

Lotte has. .h.i.t target for 442 damage.

*Quick Shot*

Ringo has. .h.i.t target for 343 damage.

*Aimed Shot*

(Head-Shot Bonus)

QJ has. .h.i.t target for 986 damage

*Breeze has activated Turoc Mach'tu.

An Elite Necromancer has been hit for 185 damage.

*Hot Pack*

Dessi has healed Breeze for 525 hp.

*Direct Shot*

Ringo has. .h.i.t target for 438.

*Double Direct Shot*

Lotte has. .h.i.t target for 322 damage and 521 damage.

"Incoming!"

*La.s.so*

An Elite Haunted Spirit has been roped and is closing on your position

*Kneecap*

An Elite Haunted Spirit has been slowed by forty percent.

*Double Direct Shot*

Ringo has. .h.i.t target for 223 damage and 347 damage.

*Six-Gun Fan*

Lotte has emptied her gun into target for 654 damage, 388, damage, 517 , damage.

An Elite Necromancer has been slain.

*Breeze has activated Blood Feud*

An Elite Haunted Spirit has been taunted.

*Quick Shot*

Lotte has. .h.i.t target for 662 damage.

*Quick Shot*

Ringo has. .h.i.t target for 533 damage.

*Aimed Shot*

(Head-Shot Bonus)

QJ has. .h.i.t target for 990 damage

QJ holstered his rifle and pulled his shotgun. "Rush inside after this mob!"

*La.s.so*

An Elite Evil Presence has been roped and is closing on your position

*Kneecap*

An Elite Evil Presence has been slowed by forty percent.

*Double Direct Shot*

Lotte has. .h.i.t target for 223 damage and 347 damage.

*Six-Gun Fan*

Ringo has emptied her gun into target for 744 damage, 628, damage, 517 , damage.

An Elite Haunted Spirit has been slain.

"Follow!" Breeze charged into the first room where QJ was kiting the mob.

*Breeze has activated Blood Feud*

An Elite Evil Presence has been taunted.

*Quick Shot*

Lotte has. .h.i.t target for 265 damage.

*Quick Shot*

Ringo has. .h.i.t target for 354 damage.

*Aimed Shot*

(Head-Shot Bonus)

QJ has. .h.i.t target for 630 damage

*Breeze has activated Turoc Mach'tu.

An Elite Evil Presence has been hit for 223 damage.

An Elite Evil Presence has been stunned.

*Hot Pack*

Dessi has healed Breeze for 450 hp.

"Energy down to 20 percent!"

*Double Direct Shot*

Ringo has. .h.i.t target for 223 damage and 347 damage.

*Direct Shot*

Lotte has. .h.i.t target for 322 damage.

*Point Blank*

QJ had hit target for 2130 damage.

An Elite Evil Presence has been Slain.

QJ knelt on one knee and started reloading his weapons. "Take a break, two more on this floor then I'll start pulling from the 2nd floor."

Lotte stared at him in shock, "Holy c.r.a.p QJ."

Breeze shook her head. "One mob dies and the other is already there."

Ringo messed up QJ's hair, "doing great, stacking those mobs up like pancakes."

QJ's eye lit up at the mention of food. "I love me some pancakes."

Dessi was resupplying her Field Bandages, her eyes watching the young Wrangler. "Could I see your weapons QJ?"

QJ nodded. "It's just the starter kit gear, modified by Remmy and my Mom. Course the BR is lower now that I've leveled up a few times."

Advanced Sawed-Off Shotgun

Drum-Fed

Special Effect: Chance to Stun.

+ 10 to Stamina

Battle Rating 5.4

Extended Range Pistol

Six-inch Barrel Extension

Chamber Modified to accept

Carbine Rifle bullets. Special

Effect: Increased Accuracy.

+5 Perception

Battle Rating 5.5

"...." Ringo.

"...." Dessi.

"...." Lotte.

"...." Breeze.

QJ smiled shamelessly. "Come on... its the starter kit."

Breeze smiled sweetly, "we should date QJ, seriously."

Lotte rolled her eyes. "Woah there Chero, he's my neighbor. We don't have room for more."

Dessi winked at QJ, "it's good Karma to take care of the healers."

"Sorry I can't hear you Dessi." QJ stood up and drew his shotgun.

"Hey.. what kind of slick set up is that?" Ringo stepped closer and looked at his armor. "The holsters lock into place?"

QJ nodded, "I don't even feel them. I'll get mom to look at your stuff."

Dessi cheered, "good job QJ!"

"Um... I was talking to my homeroom teacher/Guild leader."

Dessi frowned, "bad job QJ!"

**********

With QJ chain pulling, the group spent the morning flying up through the first six floors of the tower. Breeze had made it to level 11, Lotte, Ringo and Dessi were at 10, QJ was still closing in on 9.

Ringo checked her hud. "Just the floor boss left, then it will be time to go."

Dessi glanced at QJ. He was working harder than anyone, yet he remained at level 8. "Thanks for the hard work QJ."

Ringo nodded, "yeah QJ, great job."

QJ shrugged, "Just have to get to level 10."

"I'll help you QJ." Breeze threw a tanned arm around his shoulders. The group had learned over the course of the morning that the Chero was very friendly and outspoken.

"So nice!" QJ pulled his pistol and walked toward the floor boss.

*Kneecap*

Tsunder the Fallen Angel has been slowed by 40 percent.

*Breeze has activated Blood Feud*

Tsunder the Fallen Angel has been taunted.

*Quick Shot*

Lotte has. .h.i.t target for 588 damage.

*Quick Shot*

Ringo has. .h.i.t target for 538 damage.

*Aimed Shot*

(Head-Shot Bonus x Critical Hit)

QJ has. .h.i.t target for 3,540 damage.

*Breeze has activated Turoc Mach'tu.

Tsunder the Fallen Angel has been hit for 444 damage.

Tsunder the Fallen Angel has been stunned.

*Hot Pack*

(Critical Heal)

Dessi has healed Breeze for 2,870 hp.

*Double Direct Shot*

(Critical Shot)

Ringo has. .h.i.t target for 2134 damage and 1866 damage.

*Direct Shot*

Lotte has. .h.i.t target for 322 damage.

*Six-Gun Fan*

Lotee has emptied her gun into target (Critical Hit), for 1545 damage, 1381, damage, 1531 , damage.

Tsunder the Fallen Angel is Raging, All damage is tripled.

*Hot Pack*

Dessi has healed Breeze for 950 hp.

*Field Pack*

Dessi has healed target for 880 hp.

*Point Blank*

(Head-Shot Bonus)

QJ has. .h.i.t target for 1630 damage

Tsunder the Fallen Angel has been stunned.

*Aimed Shot*

Lotte has. .h.i.t target for 1,333 damage

*Aimed Shot*

Ringo has. .h.i.t target for 1511 damage.

Tsunder the Fallen Angel has been Slain.

Ringo check the corpse, "Slinger and Tank stuff."

Reinforced Armor

Reducing incoming damage

by twenty percent. + 10 to

Stamina.

BR: 9

Light Leather s.h.i.+rt

Gunslinger Only

Medium Armor

+10 Agility.

BR: 8

Ringo handed Breeze the armor, and gave a thumbs up to Lotte.

*Ringo has rolled the dice* 88.

*Lotte has rolled the dice* 93.

Lotte smiled and grabbed her leather s.h.i.+rt, "thanks for the hard work everyone."

QJ activated his return token and waved. "See you guys in cla.s.s."