So we were out hunting, as we had so many times before. But with the equipment upgrade we'd given ourselves it was far easier. I could really feel the difference the battle axe had on my strength attacks and I could block longer. Karla was showing great skill with the katana and when she got up close rarely did the creature stand a chance. All and all we were having a good day. But good days don't always stay that way.

Out of nowhere, four players surrounded us, short swords and daggers in hand. And without warning they rushed us. I managed to move out of the way of the first one, take out the battle axe and block the second player's attack. Why were they attacking us? The players made a second attack, which I blocked surprisingly easily. It was as if they were trying to avoid hitting me. Karla had managed to trip the third player but he rolled and got back up. The fourth faked an attack move as Karla swung her Katana and it connected. I swung my axe and cut one on the arm. As soon as that happened the players backed off and took up positions to surround us, but did not attack again.

Then we heard an evil laugh coming from a figure I had seen once before, "Kabel." I whispered under my breath, as if it was a curse. "Enjoying the nice weather, are we?" Kabel purred. "Yeah, we were out strolling, minding our own business and hoping to avoid any unpleasant encounters." I replied hoping to get my message across. "It would be a shame to waste such a beautiful day. So if you don't mind we'll be on our way." I faked a smile. There are many people that I don't like, but few people I actually hate. I only met this guy once before but it was enough for me to loath him and now, I was forced to confront him.

"Seems you and I have some unfinished business to take care of." Kabel sneered. "I haven't received your contribution to our fund. It would have been healthier for you to comply when we asked you the last time. So, I guess now, we have to find a way to compensate me." Kabel indicated with false politeness. Karla turned around and stood her back to mine, keeping an eye on the other players while I kept my eyes on Kabel. "I don't owe you anything. If you need money, all you have to do is to hunt the mobs out here." "True. But I prefer a more profitable approach. Players tend to have far more col than anything that spawns on this floor." Kabel said. "So you're going to hand all that you've got over to me, including your equipment, potions, and anything of value. Otherwise my boys will be obliged to take it by force."

"You're crazy" I shouted angrily "If you attack us your cursor will become orange. And if you kill someone it will stay that way permanently." "You have a point. But it doesn't apply if you attack someone who already has an orange cursor" Kabel said smugly as he pointed his mace in our direction. I glanced at Karla and my heart sank. She looked worried as she realized the gravity of the situation : our cursors had turned orange. We had hit a player without them touching us. Now they would be able to attack us or even kill us without ever losing their green status, and no one would be the wiser.

"So, what will it be? I haven't got all day you know." Kabel said. "I'm not giving you anything!" Karla said as she turned to face Kabel. I could feel the anger in her voice. "It's our money, we worked hard for it. We put ourselves at risk just so we could live a little in this world. This was lawfully gained from all kinds of creatures that were bent on destroying us. I'm not going to let some half-witted thief make off with any of it." Karla then whispered to me. "Charge him, and keep running."

I didn't need to be asked twice. I leaped forward and charged into Kabel, swinging my axe in an upward arc. He managed to block most of the blow, avoiding the damage, but it left him dazed and off-balance. I sprinted right by him without giving him a chance to retaliate. As I ran, I glanced back to see Karla taking advantage of Kabel state. She swung her katana downward and at an angle, cutting him below the knee. He lost his footing and fell flat on his back. I slowed my run to let Karla catch up before we continued our flight.

"After them!" Kabel shouted as he tried to get up. Kabel was out of the picture, but we still had his gang to deal with: four players that were not going to pull their punches and would probably kill us if the opportunity presented itself. "Karla, we've got to shake these guys off." I said "Run towards an ox, agro it, then lead it right to them." Karla said. It was worth a try. I headed towards the first Ox I could see. As soon as I got close it targeted me. I swiftly changed direction and headed towards Kabel's gang. Karla was keeping her distance, ready to intervene if necessary.

I stopped halfway between the ox and the thugs. The ox charged me and I dodged it's attack at the last moment. I didn't stay to watch the chaos unfold. I turned and ran in Karla's direction. She matched my speed "Two of them are fighting the ox, but the others are still after us. And they're catching up." Karla explained. The plateau we were on was not very big. We rapidly reached the edge and had to stop, there was nowhere else to go.

I turned around to face the attackers. They slowed their run and stopped a few meters away. One of them glanced over his shoulder. My heart sank; I could see the other two approaching. They must have quickly disposed of the ox. Also Kabel would have recovered by now and would be joining his group shortly. Any moment we would be both cornered and outnumbered by an enemy that was bent on our demise.

We had nowhere to run and were faced with the prospect of a battle that we would surely lose. Karla was at the ready, but I could see her shaking. Neither of us wanted to die. I had to find a solution; a way out of this situation. So I put my battle axe away and turned to Karla. "What are you doing?" She hissed in anger. "Forgive me." I said.

I grabbed her and jumped.