“First, let’s start with some stats! Yesterday, Codename: Freedom broke every record and then some with eight billion, four hundred million viewers watching live during the opening day event. That breaks the previous record for a non-established game set by Controlled Chaos by over two hundred million people.”
Holding her eyes open wide with figures and thumbs, she mouthed the word ‘wow’.
“Incredible, I know. With the ramping up of pain to 100%, a few famously obnoxious players that have always mocked 40% pain have been caught freaking out and even in tears; often from not too serious wounds. If seeing arrogance crushed wasn’t enough to entertain a girl, the talk is that removing the limiter on pain will change combat from a callous but flashy exercise in violence to a desperate struggle to survive. With more meaningful action, the viewership has already given Codename: Freedom over ten billion tips of varying amounts.
Moving on. If you haven’t already heard, nearly 17,000 players found themselves shut out of multiple player cities last night and were attacked by hundreds of goblin baddies!”
She paused, wide-eyed with shock.
“There were even a few named bosses scattered at a few of the starter cities. And believe me when I say they were the purest kind of ugly. These bosses were giant hobgoblins followed by their own hordes. I’m sad to report that over 5,000 players died in the raids last night.”
Turning her head, the angle cut to a different screen where she gave her best puppy dog face.
“On a serious note, it must be said the level of pain in Freedom is higher than anything we have ever seen before. You’ve got to feel sorry for these guys and gals. Well, some of them. As you might expect, the players’ families and human rights organizations are up in arms. For those of you that died last night, better luck next time, guys!”
Mia breathed deeply, releasing a heavy sigh. “It must be reported that over a thousand players have already chosen to quit and leave Freedom. But not to worry, plenty are waiting in line to take their place!”
Turning back, she continued, “This challenge also gave some of the up and coming star players an opportunity to shine. We compiled highlights from every player city. As a disclaimer before we get started. The players of Freedom are watching this, so we are not allowed to show the locations of each of these events—only the events themselves. Also, all quests have been forbidden to report on. With that said, here are the top 10 moments from the attack last night!”
A large granite Number 10 appeared on the screen stretching from one side to the next.
A wall of eight men and women with spears stood at the ready with a horde of goblins running their way. As one they stepped forward and lunged, their spears skewering the front line of goblins.
The players in the video didn’t have any levels or name indicators above their heads.
They quickly kicked the impaled goblins off their spears and immediately pulled back. The goblins’ next attack wasn’t in unison. Their attack staggered in response, making short work of another row of goblins. They continued this pattern until the goblins were finished. Such teamwork was nearly impossible without even knowing each other for a day, yet they pulled it off.
Number 9. A lanky dirty-blond guy with a full mustache stood surrounded by 7 goblins. He wielded a bronze longsword which he rested against his shoulder. His eyes faced straight ahead looking at no goblin in particular.
The first potbelly jumped forward, and his sword flashed. He leaned to the right, the goblin’s hatchet missed by mere inches. His sword found its home in the goblin’s chest. Dancing into another unsuspecting goblin, he pierced it through the gut.
In response, the rest of the goblins came at the man enraged at seeing their fellow goblins’ deaths.
Stepping forward, the man’s sword found another goblin’s heart and de-legged another in one motion. He spun, retreating back, but immediately countered the first goblin that stepped forward by removing its head.
The last goblin on its feet rushed forward despite seeing all its friends die.
With a simple parry, the man followed with a thrust to the chest. Afterward, he finished the legless goblin.
There were bound to be real expert fighters like him in Freedom. It was an impressive display.
To our surprise, number 8 was our group after Peter, Oliver, and Victoria joined us.
“Yeah!” Kline stood in celebration.
The other players in the tavern turned to look at us.
It began with us quickly finishing our wave of goblins, then forming up and plowing through the goblin line. I was there, but seeing it now from an aerial view really emphasized how dominant our front line was. The goblins very literally crumbled before us.
Some players turned to give us nods of congratulations, where others were jealous and weren’t shy in showing it.
Number 7 was another group, also not from Willingham, of three guys with swords and shields that stood back to back and took out a wave almost single-handedly, before they were overwhelmed and died. They weren’t actually that skilled, but in desperation, they had proved to be quite the scrappers.
The next scene was a single guy that faced off with an iron spear against at least twenty goblins. He backstepped, smacking the closest goblin in the side of the head, forcing it to the front of the group, then speared it in the gut. Its death slowed their advance. Jabbing another in the thigh, he smacked another at the knee.
As they swarmed around the injured, he kept the lead goblins funneled with well-placed swats, killing another to slow their progress. With this strategy, he killed the twenty of them, not letting any get close enough to even swing at him.
Another weapon expert.
Number 5 showed two guys rushing the goblins instead of waiting for them to reach the player defensive line. One wielded two swords and the other a hatchet and the first small bronze shield I had seen. They were obviously skilled, but their greatest attribute was enduring stupidity. They nearly overwhelmed the goblins at all times, never letting up their barrage. Their tenacity to not stop driving forward was too much for the small green humanoids. The rest of the players defending soon joined them.
Number 4 was a group of about twenty players surrounding one of the hobgoblins and piercing it from every angle. The group of eight spearmen from before was leading the attack. It seemed their village saw far fewer player casualties than the rest of us. This was probably the most proficient strategy to defeat a boss like the hobgoblin.
My stomach dropped. I saw myself heave my spear overhand on the 3rd spot. It was also the third time I was reliving the attack. This was the first creature that had its name appear above its head on screen. Seeing the mace forcibly backhanded into my shield caused my arm to itch. Even the vicious way my sword cut into the meat of his leg couldn’t change my mood. I knew what was coming next.
There were a few cheers throughout the dining hall when my sword found its mark.
When the club found my back, I was already so overwhelmed with anger that everything else faded.
A hand found my wrist. I looked into the face of my friend. It was impossible to miss the tremor in Victoria’s neck, as she tried to encourage me with a smile.
For her kindness, I returned desire. Her closeness was sudden, just as my reaction was surprising. The resurfacing of fear faded as quickly as it had come.
My shame didn’t have the same reversing power that my lust had over my fear. What was wrong with me? I was having the mood swings of a pregnant cat.