Gnomes are surprisingly quick when moving on an open road, sir. That said, it only adds about 50% travel time in spite of the fact he’s roughly half your height.”
Forty-five minutes, eh? Plenty of time to go ahead and clear the air.
It says they had a better life than me.
needing
Nik slowly shook his head at me, clearly unsure of where I was going. “It’s short for confidence man. Basically, a con man builds up your confidence in what he’s trying to sell you, whether it’s a product, service, or his crazy sounding plan. The modern equivalent would be social engineering.”
I paused for a beat to make sure it didn’t look like I lost him so far. “What I did used the same concept, but not to take your money for your own benefit. I knew my plans would work and would benefit both of us, but we’ve only just met. That means if I laid out my plans and asked you to have faith in me, a reasonable person would just say no and we’d both miss out on the opportunity to invest in our future.
was
Nik thought about this and I guess decided it was a good enough answer for him. “I-if you mean what you said about n-not trying to screw me over then I’ll trust you. It would be nice to have some f-friends.” he said without being able to hold eye contact. I knew then that his stuttering was more nerves and shyness than anything. I smiled in response.
your confidence!”
***
The gnomes told us before we left town that it would be fastest and safest to follow the road, so we did. Normally I’d want to start grinding XP as soon as possible, but getting to know Nik was more important. As Alfred predicted, it took around 45 minutes to reach the marker on the road letting us know to branch off the main path and head towards the mine.
Alright, Nik, so what can you do during combat?” Nik straightened his back a bit trying to look proud. “I have basic proficiency with a crossbow and I have a few small grenades and traps I made in the first few steps of the Artificer quest chain.” OK, he’s ranged support.
Alfred, are there parties in this game?
Yes, sir. As is typical in role-playing games, you will share experience and be able to track party member’s positions and Level, Class, and HP/MP/SP status. To create a party, simply think about creating a party and adding someone to it.”
Party Created
You have invited Nik to join your party!
Nik has accepted!
New Skill!
Leadership
Level 1
You admitted to lying to him and he chose you as his leader? Have you considered a career in politics?
Party members receive half damage when struck by other member’s attacks.
Note:Increasing this skill adds new bonuses instead of increasing a set bonus.
Party Members 2/5
Name: Nik
Class: Rogue
Level: 4
HP: 100/100
MP: 450/450
SP: 140/140
Whoa, you’re a couple of levels higher than me already? Guess that quest chain gave solid XP for something where you never had to leave town. And 450 MP? Someone is stacking Intellect!”
Nik gave a proud grin at that as we started making our may towards the mine entrance. “It’s required for certain crafting skills. Things like grenades require me to pump mana into them to stabilize them. My trainers said later I can use it to create magical weapons and eventually even make gadgets that aren’t physically possible without magic.”
Interesting. This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it
please warn me before you through any grenades at what I''m fighting.”
Nik thinks on this and agrees with a nod, although he does seem nervous now that I''ve mentioned grenades. “If you can, try to pull with that crossbow mounted on your arm. It won’t do as much damage as mine, but it’s a good opener for someone who is going to rely on melee anyway.” he adds on.
Oh, I almost forgot about this thing! “Good call. Now stay here, I think we’re getting close to the entrance.” We quickly found a good spot for Nik to fire from cover and I started sneaking my way towards the entrance.
Yes, sir. Do try to minimize your silhouette as well. A standing human silhouette is not a shape that naturally occurs in nature, typically, so it is easy to spot.”
Oops. I’m really starting to wonder if I can pull off this whole Rogue thing in a game like this when I get the notification.
New Skill!
Stealth
Level 1
Fun fact! You learned this skill because they COULD see you right now, but they don’t. Yet. I’m not sure which is worse: Hiding from your past or hiding from creatures as pathetic as kobolds
1% harder to spot when hiding
Note: This skill is affected by environmental factors (light levels, walking surface, etc.) and the perception abilities of your enemies
OK we really need to talk about these notifications, Alfred.
Kobold takes 10 Sneak Attack (x2) damage!
Kobold defeated!
You earn 10 XP!
Skill Increase!
Stealth
Level 2
You managed to hide long enough to kill the least dangerous monster in this world! Fantastic! Clearly you have become death incarnate...
2% harder to spot when hiding
Note:This skill is affected by environmental factors (light levels, walking surface, etc.) and the perception abilities of your enemies
Skill Increase!
Gadgets & Trick Weapons
Level 2
Well you might not be smart enough to make them, but you’re sure as hell able to use them with a passing level of competence!
+2% Damage & -2% Chance of Device Failure
mean
Kobold takes 5 damage!
Well, I guess that’s a start. Both swords out, I charge in to meet my foe.
Skill Increase!
Dodge
Level 2
WOW these things are bad at this. Especially if YOU are making it look easy.
+2% Chance to Dodge
I see now what El meant about training from the best to make someone great! This thing moves slooooow compared to her. Half of its attacks I can just sidestep with minimal effort. It’s coming after me with what I can now see is a fairly well made iron spear, and it is not very good with it at all. After a few easily dodged sidesteps, I decide to end it.
The kobold goes for another one of its incredibly telegraphed thrust attacksand it seems like a perfect opening. Using my off-hand sword, I push the spear to my left as I step to the right. With the techniques El taught me, combined with some slight intuition granted by the skill itself, I’m able to change the trajectory of the attack without reducing the momentum.The same momentum that carries the kobold forward just a few extra, fatal steps that allow me safely into its guard.That’s the problem with spears: let the enemy get too close and suddenly it’s an over-sized, unwieldy club. With no way for the kobold to block my follow-up, my main-hand sword easily takes his head and ends the fight.
Kobold takes 5 damage!
Kobold defeated!
You earn 10 XP!
Skill Increase!
Parry
Level 2
Don’t get cocky! These were the rookies of the worst combatants you could possibly find.
-1%Stamina Depleted
Skill Increase!
Dual Wielding
Level 2
Good job managing to use both weapons in tandem to defend AND attack. Even though you were against a completely untrained opponent that was caught off-guard!
+2% Chance to Hit(Off-Hand)/+2% Attack speed
Skill Increase!
Short Swords
Level 2
It’s almost like this wastooeasy...Hope this doesn’t lull you into a false sense of security!
+2%Chance to Hit/+2% Damage
was
Well, shit.