Preparations

Nightfall was quickly approaching. The street lamps in the town lit up with bright flames, lighting up the town with a warm glow. Players were in the streets, partying and getting ready for the boss fight in the morning. Kibaou and Diabel were drinking together. I sat at the edge of the water fountain with the rest of my group.

"How much money does everyone have?" I asked.

"I have 217 coll," said Nightshade. "I spent my money on my new axe." I looked over and there was a dual edged axe slung on her back.

"Is that the type of weapon you want to use?" I asked her, curious. She nodded with a smirk.

"I have 157 coll," said Hawkfury. "I just bought this spear." A steel spear was on his back. "I just bought it as well." I nodded in acknowledgement.

"I have 1,537 coll," said Moon.

"I have 1,929 coll," stated Shade.

"I think it's time to upgrade your dagger," I said to Moon.

"I just upgraded my sword," stated Shade.

"Then you should upgrade your equipment," I told her. "You only have one life you know." She had an annoyed expression on her face. I got up and stretched. "The equipment I have is good for everyday use, but I need new equips if we're going into a boss fight."

"How much money do you have?" asked Hawkfury inquisitively.

"5,682 coll. I've been saving whatever I can," I said. "It's a good thing I did, too. Bosses are ten times tougher than the regular monsters."

Moon jumped up and asked, "Can I pick out my dagger?"

"Of course," I told her. "I won't tell you what to buy this time." She lit up and smiled. "But make sure that it's a good one. Remember, we will be fighting the boss tomorrow."

"I will," she assured me then ran off into the marketplace.

"What should I get?" asked Shade. "You said I need new equipment, right?"

"Yes, I did. Get yourself some armor to boost your defense. When you're done, meet back here."

"All right," she said then ran off just like Moon.

"You two stay here and wait for Moon and Shade to return," I ordered Nightshade and Hawkfury. "I'm going to get new equipment as well. If they return before I do, then all of you go to the inn. I'll be back before midnight." They nodded then I ran into the marketplace as well.

Shops lined the streets everywhere. Players were walking and talking in the streets and looking at the different things to buy. Everyone was busy preparing for the boss fight the next day.

I walked to the western most edge of the marketplace and stopped at an alley. Looking to see if anyone was watching, I slipped into the alley and hid in the shadows, slowly making my way to the secret shop. I rounded the corner and went in.

The secret shop was under the item store. The only way in was through a cellar door at the back of the building. One could buy weapons, shields, and armor there that was better than what the other shops sold. All sorts of equipment was displayed on the walls.

"Welcome to the secret shop," said the NPC behind the counter. "How may I help you?"

"I am here to buy," I told him.

When I walked into the inn, I saw the other four sitting at a round table. Moon and Shade sat close together and Nightshade and Hawkfury sat apart. Nightshade sat closer to Moon and Hawkfury sat closer to Shade. Moon had a mostly eaten slice of cheesecake in front of her.

I walked up to the table and said, "I'm back." They all looked over and cries of amazement escaped their mouths. I had on steel scale mail armor and leggings, light metal gauntlets and sollerets, and a light metal helmet that came down over my entire head except my face. A steel hand and a half longsword hung from my back with a large shield over it. The shield was black with a blue dragon silhouette on it. I sat down between Nightshade and Hawkfury.

"Where did you get all those?" asked a bewildered Shade. "I was at every shop comparing equipment and I didn't see any of those anywhere."

"You didn't go to every shop," I told her.

"Then which one did I not go to?" She asked, annoyed.

"The secret one." All of them were shocked.

"There's a secret shop?" asked Nightshade. "Where is it?"

"I will not tell where there can be someone listening. It wouldn't be a secret anymore if everyone knows about it." Nightshade looked annoyed but understanding.

"So, what is the plan for tomorrow's boss fight?" asked Hawkfury. "I know there is already a plan, but I was wondering if you had any further plans." I leaned forward over the table and everyone else leaned in to hear.

Calmly, I said, "We will be one of the parties dealing with the Ruin Kobold Sentinels. I will engage the sentinel and try to knock it off balance. Once I have done so, everyone will strike. I will strike first because I will already be there, then Shade will strike. Third will be Moon, next will be Nightshade, and Hawkfury will deliver the final blow. Any questions?"

"When do I hit the monster?" asked Moon.

"You hit the monster as fast and as hard as you can after Shade hits it," I told her, smiling. She smiled back. "One more thing. If you see that someone needs help, help them. But only help them after the sentinel is killed. We need all of us to bring it down, but we also need to protect others."

"So helping others is important but focusing on our target instead of helping is more important?" asked Shade with her arms crossed.

"I am glad you asked that question. Let me clarify what I just said. Helping others and taking out this sentinel are equally important, but we must work together and not split apart to help everyone if we are to win. The key to victory is teamwork. We must stick together if we are to survive."

"I understand," she said.

"We must stick together to eliminate the sentinel so that we can help others."

"That makes more sense," stated Hawkfury.

"I can't wait to split some skulls with my new double edged axe," stated Nightshade.

"Tomorrow," I said. "Right now we need to sleep." I stood up. "Again, protect each other. I don't want any of you to die." I don't want anyone to die.