《Heart of the World (LitRPG)》


 Ch: 1 - Give them a hug?

    [Arc 1] Chapter 1: Give them a hug?


    I played the keyboard like a lazy orchestra. Repetition. The word only half described my infuriating battle. And worse, it was only now and then exchanged for a brief masterful twist to throw off my adversaries. A meagre blip of progress. For the hundredth time, I wished I cold go full dive again. But, I had a mission. One that I took as a personal challenge. It only made me feel like a masochist... Throughout the epic challenge nothing seemed to have change for hours. A groan rumbled from my throat. The many and I mean, many ¡®I told you so¡¯s¡¯ started gnawing at my mind with renewed vigour. Maybe they were righ¡­


    Then something happened. No... something changed. I sat up, staring with wide eyes at the screen.


    What the...


    It could actually work?


    ¡°It could work!!!!¡± I exclaimed, swung my arm down and pressed the action button with a large grin. The constructed mini game in front of me concluded and I held my breath in anticipation. It was for a hope beyond a hope.


    No reaction.


    For a moment a hint of doubt wormed its way into my mind.


    Then I flicked the worm off with a grin as the chatter went off the charts.


    Though, it all came from the three A I¡¯s I had hoped to catch off guard for the last month and unlike the last several years, they were not trying to expel the other two through complex wars of attrition, they were communicating together.


    In sweet harmony!


    I sprung up and pumped a fist in the air and immediately stopped to look around if anyone had seen.


    Awkward¡­


    I plopped down and silently celebrated with a much more miniaturized version of my previous effort. The mini fist pump!


    The hair on my neck rose all of a sudden; I glanced around again and shrugged as the tangible glares from them became apparent.


    Sure they, my co-workers, said it couldn¡¯t be done. No person had ever gotten the three revolutionary A I¡¯s¡¯ to see eye to eye together.


    BUT, everyone had tried to solve it with maths. And yes, there might have been a breakthrough there eventually, they have yet to show any progress towards it.


    I saw a way to bypass more years of boring math.


    Something boiled in my chest. I choked and coughed as I fought down the massive urge to not shout out ¡®Take that boring math!¡¯ though, somehow, I calmed myself down. I was no programmer and math clearly was not my strong suit. Never liked the complexity of it; saw that it had an absolutely huge place in the world, sure, and it really did change lives. But, my way was might and fun!


    ¡°Huehuehue¡ª¡±


    A hand slammed on my desk.


    Pure shock crawled down my spine. The wild boss had appeared. And from the way he looked at me, I must have made a horrible face.


    </a> ¡°Leo? Sorry, I tripped and¡­ are you okay man?¡±


    I slapped a hand to my chest and gulped in a breath as my face relaxed back from its extreme reaction.


    ¡°Agh heh s-sure¡­ You really got me there! Give me some warning next time.¡±


    The boss shrugged apologetically and dragged a hand through his curly hair. Even with his heavily tanned hand, the wild highlights screamed at me. I wanted to recoil, but I shrugged off the feeling. Yet another took its place.


    Before Nate could say anything, I blurted,


    ¡°Seriously, where do you get the time to tan?! Everyone else in this company looks like a ghost compared to you.¡±


    The man straightened up to his full six foot two height and belted out a laugh.


    ¡°Hahaha, that¡¯s funny.¡±


    ¡°Really. I want to know.¡± I responded without thinking.This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    Nate gulped down his laughter but still smiled.


    ¡°I¡¯ve got my ways.¡±


    I wanted to pull at my brown hair and shout out in misery that I would never know his secret to find enough sun while being a technology major. All that vitamin D! Lost!


    Luckily, Nate snapped his fingers and pulled me out of my despair.


    ¡°I¡¯ve got to tell¡ª Noooo¡­ it can¡¯t be¡­ Is that what I think it is? I thought you were kidding when you said you had an idea at trying to get the A I¡¯s to work together. How?¡±


    I grinned like a kid in a candy store.


    ¡°I¡¯ve got my ways.¡± I threw back at him.


    It lit up my boss¡¯s face and he said,


    ¡°Touch¨¦. Still, I know you rather avoid heavy programming. The engineers will go¡ª¡°


    I shot my index finger to my mouth and shushed him.


    ¡°Quiet, Nate, You know the guys from the programming department don¡¯t like me none.¡±


    As if I had dumped a bucket of cold water on him, he froze and cringed.


    ¡°Sorry. I forgot.¡±


    I shrugged and said,


    ¡°But you are right, the programmers will freak and froth with jealousy. Why I can¡¯t imagine. We are supposed to be a team and be all happy with each accomplishment.¡± I scratched at my week old beard.


    I looked over my cubicle¡¯s wall and was met with even more intense glares. My neck muscles twitched and I slowly dropped back down. Yeah still hasn¡¯t changed.


    ¡°True, I am working on them. You haven¡¯t found out why they hate you either?¡±


    I shook my head slowly. But I had an idea.


    ¡°Hey, but way to go with the A I¡¯s working together for the first time ever. That changes things. We might even be able to work our massive world expansion in a far more epic direction with this.¡± He slapped my back, but then suddenly got this extremely worried look. ¡°Ack! I forgot to tell you! There is a glitch in the latest level you and Carli worked on; something about a Hob Goblin raging in a starting area. The rookies are dying like flies, you better get in there!¡±


    Now that got my attention.


    I wonder if there was popcorn in the cafeteria¡­ No! Focus!


    I jumped up.


    ¡°On it. Call Briar and tell him to load up my pod. How long has it been going on?¡±


    ¡°Twenty-five minutes.¡±


    I froze.


    ¡°That¡¯s five hours of real-time in-game?! Why didn¡¯t you start with that?!¡± I asked in shock.


    ¡°Sorry.¡± He lifted his hands sheepishly. ¡°You better run.¡±


    And run I did.


    I stormed down the hallway. The thought of a mid-level monster rampaging in a starting area, and for that amount of time, sure gave me the chills. Those poor noobs! They are probably wailing by now. I hoped they had started to log out. Yeah, they¡¯d be smart like that.


    Then I struck someone, cups went flying and I rolled on the ground, just like I had been trained. I tumbled dexterously back upright. I huffed in relief, suddenly glad for all the hours I spent in the gym; company policy for all the employees. Though, I spent twice the mandatory time in there and in the Dojo. I liked me some real fights.


    Glancing back, it immediately became apparent; my co-worker hadn¡¯t drilled tumbling into their workouts.


    He was face down on the floor with coffee spilled all over him.


    I held out a hand to help him up and stiffened, it was one of the ¡®we don¡¯t like Leo group¡¯. In fact, it was Mister I am the programming engineer. Tai Yitomo.


    Just my luck.


    Still, I held out my hand. We were still co-workers. But, the moment he took it, he realized who I was. He recoiled in disgust and then came the tongue lashing¡­


    ¡°You! You did that on purpose! I¡¯m going to report this¡ª¡°


    I jumped on my toes. Every second count. When a Full Dive game runs a full hour before five minutes passed it means EVERY SECOND COUNTED.


    I shrugged apologetically and said,


    ¡°I really got to go!¡±


    I turned and took a few steps when something bowled me off my feet. This time I landed face first on the floor and puffed in breaths as a knee pressed into my left shoulder. Not painfully so, but enough to keep me down. At least he believed he could keep me down like that. I turned my right palm down.


    ¡°Where do you think you are going, I am not fini¡ª¡°


    I shoved with all my strength in my right arm and flipped over, with him on his back.


    I rolled up and without looking back I said,


    ¡°I said, I have to go!¡±


    ¡°YOU¡¯LL REGRET THIS!¡± Tai shouted from behind.


    It wasn¡¯t hard to ignore him as I rushed to one of the log in areas.


    A left and a right later I stumbled into the room with a series of pods, with my usual one sitting in the middle. The area¡¯s single OGA (or Outside Game Administrator) was answering calls left right and center; it seemed like she was barely keeping up.


    I didn¡¯t want to bother her as I ran to my pod.


    ¡°Hey Leo! Things are not cool in there. There is¡ª¡°


    ¡°I know, a Hob Goblin. I¡¯m on it.¡± I said as I was about to close the hatch of my pod.


    ¡°No, there is three now!¡± Macy yelled after me.


    I froze. Three Hob Goblins rampaging in a starting area¡­ that was more than a little trouble. It was extremely unlikely to ever happen.


    I nodded and closed my hatch.


    ¡°Wait! There is¡ª¡°


    The last part didn¡¯t come through as the MSL rushed into the pod. A smile tugged at my lips at the title Tai came up with, Maelstrom Support Liquid. It was corny as they come. Still, the company stuck with it.


    Within seconds the tank was three-quarters full and I finished strapping myself in.


    My head dipped back and the gentle but firm arms locked my body and head into place. A warm feeling enveloped my head, accompanied by tingling. I closed my eyes and within seconds a bright light swirled as I dived into the vast game world of Realm Of Ancients.

 Ch: 2 - Jumping in!

    Chapter 2 ¨C Jumping in!


    Opening my eyes, I glanced down at my body forming in-game. It was gender locked, so, mine was a male I had created two years ago when I joined the company. As with everyone, your real body parameters were inserted in-game, but then you had the option to sculpt to a degree how you look, how much weight or muscles you want, what style of hair you wanted. But with Full Dive dating now a vastly popular thing, it was no wonder the devs wanted to keep the avatars in-game as close to the real thing as possible.


    The final parts of my legs swirled into place and stretched my muscles. Even two years on, I still couldn¡¯t believe how intense the five senses were in this game. Closing my eyes left me wondering if I was outside the game.


    It was no wonder the world of Full Dive Technology had to find a new power source and cooling system to support the revolutionary A I¡¯s in giving this much immersion to a game world.


    Well, if it wasn¡¯t for a freakish combination of elements found on an island in the middle of the Pacific ocean, the game would not be possible. Not in an age where the power grid ran to the max in the world with such high demand.


    One thing I didn¡¯t understand, if they created the A I¡¯s, why didn¡¯t they built it in that they work together from the beginning.


    As, always, I shook my head at that.


    I flexed my fingers to make sure the neural sync was a hundred percent. Though, I couldn¡¯t recall someone having a problem with a neural sync in the new tech before. I shrugged, a force of habit from previous generations of Full Dive technology. Dark days. Floppy arms and legs all over the place, now aptly called the Jello Glitch. I shuddered. The memory still stayed strong with me, even if others only laughed at the avatars getting jelly limbs.


    They didn¡¯t know how it felt.


    I shook that personal horror from my thoughts and placed two fingers in my peripheral vision on the left and swiped to the right.


    Like a trusty exit buddy, my status swept into view.


    Health bar full and Energy was halfway full with no movement. Those bars were capable of staying up even in combat. The developers just made it optional.


    I tapped the inventory button, though the thought of it would have called it up too. I was old school sometimes.


    With a few more button presses I pulled my sword, Xianmou, out of thin air as particles formed to complete the form.


    It was a blade of Guardians, real and not a hack sword that some of the other game admins like to conjure up with brute force commands sent into The Core.


    I still didn¡¯t trust the fact that the company plugged their AI command triplets and the servers directly into a volatile elemental power source. Still, they keep telling me it takes away the lag, and help with sculpting the landscape more efficiently blah blah blah.


    The area around me came into view as the single loading time in the game was finished.


    Well, it was chaos.


    Rookies were running around screaming, and wailing in what is normally a very serene meadow.


    I face-palmed.


    Instead of logging out for a minute, they stayed. Of course they would. No reason to log out to spare yourself from dying over and over¡­ and over again. It was worse than I thought.


    ¡°Why can¡¯t there be smart rookies!¡± I called out into the air.


    Just then, one came running at me. It was a guy at least two heads taller than me. And without even a semblance of manliness, he dropped to my feet.


    ¡°Save us! Those things are madness!¡±The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    I was so much smaller than him and yet he clung to me as if his life depended on it. This caused a twitch in my head and I was a hairsbreadth from aiming for the log out button, the rookies staying was madness! Yup, popcorn and laying back in a chair was the right way here.


    Then I saw the creatures causing the havoc and my complete reluctance to help turned to the exhilaration of taking on the beasts rampaging.


    With little effort, I shrugged off the helpless rookie and ran towards the fighting. Left and right the people were being slaughtered. And sure, I can imagine the huge frustration of being slaughtered over and over in a starting area. But, I still couldn¡¯t fathom them not logging out. It was enough to give me a clench in my teeth. Yet, I practiced my breathing techniques and calmed myself down. I truly needed to ask them why they ended up adding a breathing mechanic into the game.


    My eyes opened and I ran, activating my boots of haste. I swept across the fields and skidded to a halt right in front of one of the hulking Hob Goblin.


    It had a big ogreish body with Gorilla like arms.


    All in all, ugly as they come.


    I looked at its Health bar and expected a number next to it showing the monster¡¯s level. But my fears were realized. It had purple wings in its place, a scaled-level monster with the color showcasing that it had a high minimum level. Instead of it being far below my current level, it had a high base level, but on top of that, it was scaled to the max of that level¡¯s strength.


    It changed things. And nervously, I checked for the other two. I wasn¡¯t sure I could take on more than one scaled level monsters on my own. That is if the Intel was right.


    Then I sensed a dangerous presence behind me and I dodged and tumbled to the left as a muscled arm came slamming down where I was just a moment ago.


    My feet barely touched the ground before I scampered out of the hitting range.


    Okay, now there were two Hobgoblins. Well just great.


    ¡°Oh, hiii.¡± I said as sweat dripped from my brow. I was tempted to scream at the devs for adding such a useless mechanic as sweating when under pressure. Words will be said.


    As I shelved that little titbit for later, the Hob Goblins started to circle me.


    My fingers gripped the hilt of the sword tighter. It started to glow the bright green of its enchantment, the primary being attack speed. With a swift kick, I launched my first attack on the first monster. A vertical slice with all my weight put into it.


    It landed true on the creature¡¯s arm and it howled in rage. Quickly, I swept around in an arc and managed to land a hit on the charging second monster. But, not without taking a hit myself, flinging me into the air as its muscled arm connected with my torso.


    The ground seemed to launch itself at me as I slammed into it with a painful grunt, my face acting as an exceptional stopping mechanic. Even with ROA having a scaled-down pain threshold, it still hurt.


    My health bar blinked and the temporary recoup gage disappeared a moment in, leaving a quarter gone.


    ¡°Hard hitters, ain¡¯t ya?¡± I grumbled but only received a growl back for my efforts.


    The second one looked angry and the first one simply seething with fury. Well, at least I know how to tick them off.


    A quick flick of my wrist and I stuck the sword into the ground as a crutch to get up.


    I was about to take another charge at my foes when I glanced at my peripheral vision, my Energy bar was almost full and that would unlock my Second Tier bar. I smirked. If I timed my strikes right, I might be able to get a sick combo in.


    I pulled back my sword and dragged my muscles tightly in a well-practiced motion. A power attack. This movement for the Vertical Arc. The closest Hob Goblin already bounded towards me with a horizontal charge. The nice thing about the Vertical Arc¡¯s power attack was the fat Acrobatics bonus it gives at the initiation of it.


    In seconds, the Hob Goblin reached me and I jumped with all my might. The bonus to the stat sent me sailing right over its bulk and a green arc sped over my head as my sword impacted with its form.


    A howl split the air, but I ignored it as I concentrated on my combo multiplier, a small circle ticking down at a fast rate in the corner of my eye. I shifted into a hurried crouch on the stumbling monster¡¯s back, and just before the counter disappeared, I reversed my blade in a cutting backslash. The circle renewed and I smiled. Immediately I stabbed down and into the Hobgoblin.


    That¡¯s three.


    It was eating at its HP (Health Point) bar like butter; this was the big advantage of knowing how to chain combos, big damage multipliers. Well, it was one of the things I actually read while skimming the manual. Boss probably won¡¯t be happy with me just skimming it¡­


    I glanced at the first Hob Goblin looking at me dumbly. Good, it was unsure what to do. My eyes riveted to my Energy bar. It shook slightly, making me mark it as the time for my next chain of combos with devastating effects. With a pull of my arm, my sword came free of the kneeling monster and I aimed for the free-standing Hob Goblin. An intense green glow started all over my sword as I placed my Energy bar at active, unlocking my Second Tier tab.


    The small circle just under them had just enough time left for me to pull it off. I jumped with a rush towards the first adversary.


    And then an explosion of purple and burgundy struck me out of the air sending me crashing into the ground ten meters away from the creatures. I groaned at the hit and looked at my HP bar. Just a third left. The dizziness buff effect only momentarily stunned me before it disappeared. I got up and watched as two more shapes joined the couple of Hob Goblins. Another of their kind and to my dismay, one of the last things I wanted to see at that moment. A Miasma Druid.


    ¡°Macy, you should have told me that first!¡± I could almost imagine her nervously shrugging as I stumbled to a more upright position.


    To put it lightly, I was in big doo-doo.

 Ch: 3 - There are more of them?!

    Chapter 3 ¨C There are more of them?


    Now the developers can go on about how balanced the game was and how the AI¡¯s were programmed to ensure that. But, one thing they could not always guarantee balance was with roaming higher level monsters, and the uncommon glitch that caused them or Level Scaling monsters, who were lone wolves, to fight together.


    Whatever caused this scenario, made one thing sure. It was going to be a long battle, or much more likely, a quick trip to respawing for me¡­


    I jumped back; increasing the distance that I gained after my, ughm, unceremonious flailing through the air like a fat turkey that believed it can fly.


    Deftly I tapped on the left of my peripheral vision, a faded sword-like icon with colored dots on it, and swiped right.


    The world didn¡¯t pause. So, I had to hurry while I watched the hunters stalking me with rapt attention. I swiftly switched out my Great Strength II rune in my sword to a Deep Harrow Tree rune, a pretty rare critical hit rune that you have the option of changing its nature through several chain quests to unlock its unique qualities. The ¡®Tree¡¯ in the name said it all. It took a lot of patience over months of failing to finally acquire, all while still learning this vast game, which I only feel I have scratched the surface of while I started to work on my small piece of the first world overhaul patch. But regardless of how difficult it was to obtain, by everything that is good I was sure glad that I got that rune at that moment.


    It slipped into one of the two slots of Xianmou, secure, the other was still an attack speed rune. Yet I was very aware of the two minutes it would take for the switched rune to attune to the sword. That crazy sweat mechanic was working overtime on my face. I licked my lips. I just had to keep dodging four Level Scaling monsters until my sword was back in business. Yup, too easy¡­ Not.


    Still, the rookies had stopped running around wailing. That at least was something. It didn¡¯t encourage me one bit that they sat cowering behind a big bush looking at me with big puppy eyes. Almost like they were sure I had this in the bag. The big guy that acted so unmanly lifted his arm and threw me a thumbs up.


    My lip twitched, but I ignored the group staring at me.


    I popped a regenerate health potion and saw my health slowly increase. Far too slowly.


    Unsurprisingly the third Hob Goblin came at me from the side, though my focus was on the Miasma Druid drawing energy for an attack. I had to dodge that one no matter what; my health was too low to tank it.


    Improvisation was the only way I could think of. I switched my sword for the only other blade in my arsenal, an average dagger. One I kept for special kind of side quests, but useless against the enemies I faced now.


    But there was one ability that had slight promise. One I had long since unlocked in a skill tree that gave me a chance here. And as I watched the Miasma Druid finish drawing energy for that large creepy looking ball that it was certainly going to chuck at me, I tensed my feet, my boots got a glow to them and I held the dagger in a pose where it looked as if I really wanted to stab my own leg.


    Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.


    Of course, as that creepy ball suddenly came flying at me, I did not stab my leg. It would have been imbecilic.


    Instead, I activated a rush ability towards the third Hob Goblin. The Miasma Druid¡¯s attack came at me like a heat-seeking missile and the sweat was pouring down my features like a fountain!


    Within a meter of hitting me, I tried out my risky attempt at dodging the attack. I aimed at the leg of the closest Hob Goblin, and activated ¡®Skin Monster¡¯.


    Sure, I¡¯m almost convinced no one had ever used this ability while rushing at breakneck speed towards a living monster. And that was my hope; that the very developers who were my co-workers never even stopped to consider the crazy possibility of ¡®Skin Monster¡¯ being used like this.


    A moment passed and nothing happened.


    Then with a flash and some serious G-force that made my cheeks flap, I was sent flying at the Hob Goblin¡¯s leg. The miasma ball brushed past me as the dagger plunged into Hob Goblin¡¯s flesh. The brute roared and stumbled with my neat circular extraction of its hide.


    Then the momentum of Rush and my impromptu Skin Monster, sent me flying into the bark of a tree. I folded neatly in two around the trunk and made a sound I¡¯d rather not think about.


    At least hitting the tree only took off ten hit points against probably instant knockout from that creepy ball.


    I stumbled to my feet and blew out a breath. This was going to be a tough one. With a flick of my wrist, I unsheathed Xianmou. The timer still ticked down on the attuning of the rune, 5¡­4¡­3¡­2¡­1.


    Relief flooded over me before I proceeded to lift the sword into an active position. I checked my Energy bar, Rush had only drained a minute amount. It was full again, thankfully.


    The Hob Goblins were walking towards me, all lined up, with the Miasma Druid in between the second and third one. A grin spread my face. I smelled a big combo.


    My sword dropped to a horizontal stance, and I twisted it to ready the Swift Guardian Tree¡¯s Log Chopper attack. A risky manoeuvre considering the situation, but, it could get me on the combo train quickly.


    The first Hob Goblin came storming at me with the second one from the side. From my previous attacks, both were below half on their HP bars. With the second one¡¯s flashing dangerously in the red. I leaned back and started spinning Xianmou in the circle that immediately activated Log Chopper. The first spin hit the first enemy¡¯s legs as well as the second run by. The third collided with the knee cap of the next enemy. With all my strength and gritting teeth, I pulled the sword upwards for the next spin and it only just sunk into the second Hob Goblin¡¯s stomach.


    With a trembling groan, it fell to the ground, dead. After that, my Log Chopper came to an end with me staring at the gnarled features of the old Hob Goblin that was the Miasma Druid. It was pulling at the air as space around its hands became thick with menace. I briefly glanced over at my combo counter. It had four seconds left. I had enough combos in the bank for my Second Tier bar.


    The full Energy bar activated at my prompt and two parts in the new bar flared up, hopefully, to be used this time.


    I pulled heavily on my sluggish sword still on cool down from my previous ability. But, as I pulled it up, the effect disappeared.


    With a roar, I readied my stance for Sky Fury, an ability only available if you allow your Energy bar to fill up completely accompanied with four combo hits still active.


    Just as the Miasma Druid readied its throwing arm, Xianmou swooped me into the air twenty meters up and arced before crashing down on the gnarled figure now below me.


    The combat counter almost hit reset before I struck, but my sword hit my foe with three damage multipliers and the deadly red glow of my Deep Harrow Tree rune. It couldn¡¯t even lift an arm before it was dead on the ground. I couldn¡¯t celebrate as I swept my sword into another arc at the third Hob Goblin. It still had full health, but I had five combos, meaning four sweet multipliers now and my Second Tier bar increasing the critical chance stat by hundred percent and cool down¡¯s between attacks. With one hit at its side, I took down half of its health. That was five, and then I reversed my sword, striking it again in a thrust, ending its rampage right there. Only one enemy remained. I was ecstatic!


    Just as I was thinking about how I could maybe keep my combo for the last Hob Goblin, someone called my name.


    ¡°Leo! I¡¯m here to help!¡±


    Distracted, I looked around and then saw my step-sister, Eri, running towards me.


    Something struck me hard on the head and everything went red before I blacked out.

 Ch: 4 Story of Mr. Bear

    Chapter 4 ¨C Story of Mr. Bear


    I woke up in the respawning area called the Star Pool. I was took out!


    ¡°Come on!¡± I screamed.


    All that trouble and a single distraction caused my demise. I was so livid I wanted to go wrestle a bear. And the way I felt, that bear had better give its all. But, as I sat there at the serene Star Pool, I breathed deeply and slowly, and I mean slowly, as I calmed myself down. It helped that it was a beautiful place with star-like lights glittering in the clear water. Still, the frustration bubbled up in me again. It was the first time in two weeks that I was struck down and had to respawn.


    I shrugged and started to check my runes for my eventual return. While I was waiting, I also got out my mortar and pestle and crafted a single regen health potion. There were just enough ingredients for it. A reminder that I had to spend time gathering the uncommon resources for potions like that, but I didn¡¯t mind that too much. I¡¯d much rather spend the more than average effort in finding the hard to locate Quria plants and Jinxo Grass, than end up in a tough spot like the fight I just had without a regen HP potion.


    The clock still showed a minute to go until I could get back in the game. So, I started sharpening my blades with a wet stone. The more uncommon a blade, the less chance it had to go dull beyond a fifteen percent drop in cutting potential, but sharpening kept it at hundred, and as there was the extra buff on sharpness attainable for taking the time, I was more than willing to spend the time. And to be honest, every single edge in a fight helped.


    There in the middle, a light brightened up the water and I got up. The counter quickly struck zero and I flashed back into the meadow.


    Just this time there was no rampaging Hob Goblins there, and all in all, the place looked peaceful again. That was a good thing even though I was severely bugged by being caught off guard. There was a golden carrot though: Loot!


    From my experience, Level Scaling monsters always carried rare loot. I quickly ran to the area where I downed three of the monsters, only to stop in shock. I fell to my knees in horror. Oh the horror!


    The rookies were just about finished picking the monsters clean. It was true there was a loot sharing system in place for all who took down a monster. That is if one in the party that took it down is still alive, at the end of the fight. As I was not in a party and died, it became a free for all unclaimed loot drop.


    And what would you know. I wasn¡¯t alive to claim my loot. If I had known I was going to hit the dirt, I would have at least quickly tapped the Miasma Druid for ¡®take all¡¯ before going to the last enemy. Now the big guy that had been a sorry sight was decked out with several rings far beyond the starting zone.


    I plucked at my hair in frustration when a hand tapped my shoulder. My step-sister.


    ¡°Um, sorry about that. I realized a bit late.¡±


    I waved her off, too busy trying to pull the hair from my scalp and most certainly more than entertained the thought of becoming the next rampaging monster in the meadow.


    Though, I bit that one down. The boss won¡¯t be happy with me going on a noob killing rampage. Oh but I wanted to¡­ Finally, I breathed deeply and said,


    ¡°Yeah, well, it was interesting to say the least.¡±


    She rubbed my shoulder and all I wanted to do was wail like a rookie. But, I manned up and got to my feet.


    ¡°What are your plans?¡± I asked offhandedly. Not really too keen on staying to chat.


    ¡°One of the Spires in this region is open for a siege. So, Aimee and I are heading towards the teams prepping for it.¡±


    A Spire Siege! That was awesome!


    For a moment I thought about going to join in. But, the rookie checking out his enchanted rings really worked at my nerves up to a point where looking for a bear to wrestle might be the way to go. Regardless of that fact, yeah fact; Spire Sieges were always big events. It opened up a new region to explore in the game, or a new dungeon system or sometimes the rare event where even entirely new biomes got unlocked. It was extremely hard to find and even harder to clear out. Exciting stuff.


    ¡°Well, enjoy. And say hi to Aimee.¡±


    Eri blanched like I had slapped her.


    ¡°Huh¡­ You aren¡¯t coming? You loved your first Spire Siege.¡±


    My neck twitched. It was true. But, I reaaally wasn¡¯t in the mood.


    ¡°No, I¡¯m going to the Hem-Iree Woods.¡± I said.


    Then I recoiled a bit. She had this glare that could cut steel. I almost wanted to apologize for something I didn¡¯t know that I did.


    Then her cheeks puffed up and she exploded.


    ¡°What did those bears ever do to you¡ª¡° Ah, she knew. ¡°¨CThey don¡¯t drop anything besides low level furs and they never attack players unprovoked. They are only there for taming as pets! Why would you want to attack such cute and cuddly bears out of nowhere?¡±


    She got me there. In fact, I couldn¡¯t fathom an answer to a glaring girl about why I chose the bears of Hem-Iree Woods for my frustration dampening wrestling matches. Except for they were big, and they made excellent sumo wrestlers when provoked. And, that it taught me a thing or two on how to attack huge monsters when your only weapon was on cool down. Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site.


    Now, my step-sister was going to tear that reason to shreds¡­ So what would you know? I was sweating again. Buckets.


    ¡°Um, they make great sparring friends¡­?¡±


    ¡°Words kind of left you there, didn¡¯t it?¡± She said flat-panned with narrowed eyes, and I could just scratch at my head.


    ¡°Yeah, it did. But hear me out. It is true! Well not the friends part, the bears immediately get suspicious when I go there lately.¡± It was strange really. It hadn¡¯t always been like that.


    ¡°It¡¯s no wonder. You go attacking them out of the blue every other day.¡±


    Now that I think about it, she had a point. Was that one of the main AI¡¯s handy work? Maybe I should trick that AI into revealing that to me¡­ My step sister¡¯s glare made me twitch. Though, I wasn¡¯t going to give her any more ammo regarding that.


    ¡°Well, there is something there to learn.¡±


    ¡°Like what?! The ideal way to arm lock a big bear into submission while you practise your crazy laugh?!!¡±


    ¡°Hmm, that is a really good idea.¡± I said sincerely without thinking.


    ¡°Leo¡­¡± Eri groaned.


    I snapped out of my new plans for that day¡¯s sparring match.


    ¡°Yeah, yeah, I¡¯ll only wrestle three bears.¡±


    ¡°Leo! I¡¯m serious.¡± She said with more meaning.


    I smiled at her and said,


    ¡°Say what you want, they really do make excellent wrestling practice.¡±


    Before she could fire another shot of artillery at me, I waved at her and activated my boots of haste again. I still had to win an argument against her. So, I got out while I still could.


    She shouted stuff from behind. But, I was already two thirds to the closest Travelling Stone. Luckily I had completed the Travelling Stone Quest of the Hem Iree Woods; each region or area had one, some far and I mean faaar more difficult to complete than others. That one was actually quite a brutal chain quest to unlock fast travel to, and I have no clue why. It still bugged me.


    The oval stone standing in the grass hummed as I approached. Within seconds, the energy in the stone rushed through me as I chose my destination.


    I landed in the peaceful woods and was immediately met with suspicious stares. They really did know me as the guy that messed up their day. No matter, they got a lot of fight in them too, so it wasn¡¯t like I had it easy. I rubbed my hands together and ran towards the toughest looking one of them. Though really, they never attacked without being attacked first. My fist struck the bear and I started on attempting the idea of an arm lock as it growled and tried to maul me.


    Half an hour later.


    I cackled madly in the forest. Four bears was licking their wounds close by. The arm lock had worked! I had to thank Eri for the idea¡­ uh or not.


    I wiped some sweat from my brow and was about to call it a day and log out, when a big shadow fell over me. Odd, the in game world was still a ways off from switching to night.


    I turned around and immediately swallowed. A massive and creepy looking bear was glaring at me. It was different from the other bears in the region. Its ears were capped with threatening looking protrusions and it had weird burnt orange stripes on its face and a completely black body. Different or not, what made it really creepy was that it was twice the size from the normal ones. And it definitely didn¡¯t look too peaceful to me.


    I stepped back, It stepped forward. I stepped back again and it followed.


    ¡°Uh-um, hi Mr. Scary Bear, I don¡¯t want no trouble.¡±


    It charged. And before I realised it, I was locked in an epic struggle. One that would keep me up at night.


    Two hours later.


    I was grunting on the ground, my arms felt like lead as I nurtured my numerous bruises. Looking over, I saw Mr. Scary Bear doing the same. But one thing was for sure. I have met my wrestling match. A stalemate raged between the two of us. Neither of us could get out on top. And my pride as a strong bear wrestler denied me even a hint of the notion to use my weapons. No! I will prevail!


    I worked up strength from somewhere as I looked at the bear also getting unsteadily back to its feet. I stumbled upright and lifted my arms. Round Fifty Seven. A sudden alarm went off, startling me. A recorded message popped up from Macy.


    ¡°Um, Leo. I know you said I shouldn¡¯t bother you while in game, but your boss says his boss wants to speak to you.¡±


    Agh¡­


    I looked at Mr. Scary Bear with intensity and it returned the stare. Then I nodded in respect, pointing a finger.


    ¡°This is not over.¡±


    The bear tilted his head ready to charge. I shakingly lifted my arm and flipped through the menu up to the log out button. I tapped it before he entered my combat zone and the world broke into a thousand shards.


    The pod powered down and the MSL flowed off of me without leaving a drop behind as I got up out of it. It was a fun little quirk of the support liquid. I stretched with a focused resolve. Macy came up to me and held out a hand.


    ¡°Good job in there, I only received the news a few minutes back.¡±


    The whole five minutes real time for an actual hour in game really was an interesting challenge to manoeuvre around for the Outside Game Admins. I would never have had the patience for that. And for that I had a lot of respect for the OGAs.


    ¡°Thanks. Though¡­ next time start with something like a level scaled Miasma Druid when giving me last second intel.¡±


    She giggled as she blushed.


    ¡°Sorry. I¡¯ll be sure to.¡±


    I half saluted her and left the circular command room. Though as I walked, I was furiously trying to understand why on good earth I received the title Bear Wrestler. It had happened while I was busy fending off Mr. Scary Bear¡¯s attempt at squishing me during one of my neck grabs.


    Monster Wrestler I


    You have wrestled valiantly against


    monsters of all sizes, and have even discriminated against


    the peaceful monster bears of the Hem Iree Woods.


    With it, you have gained extra bonus strength when you attempt a grapple while unarmed.


    Strength +2 while grappling.


    Bears will be even more wary of you.


    I groaned again while thinking of the text that had accompanied the title. My step sister was going to have a field day way with that one. But, that was a battle for another time. What a fierce battle it will be.


    Really the title was interesting to say the least. I had grappled with hundreds of monsters and more so with bears and the title had never popped up until now. I didn¡¯t even know the Bears of Hem Iree Woods were considered monsters. In the game there was distinct groups called critters, animals, and monsters, etc. Sure, those specific bears were creepy looking, but, it was something I didn¡¯t know. Either way, the +2 to strength when I grappled something unarmed was a welcome bonus.


    Macy coughed behind me, clearly to grab my attention.


    ¡°Yes?¡± I asked.


    ¡°Your boss¡¯s boss wanted to see you.¡±


    Oh! I scrambled out of the room.

 Ch: 5 Troubles and the Core

    Chapter 5 Troubles and the Core.


    I should have known seeing Tai Yitomo walking out of Mr. Eynia¡¯s office with such a broad grin must have spelled something bad coming. Nevertheless, I never imagined he would run to the big boss with a tantrum. My foot tapped frustratingly.


    ¡°You understand my predicament here don¡¯t you. The engineers say you are a disruptive influence to the work space.¡±


    I stopped my neck from twitching.


    ¡°I understand what the engineers are saying. But, I have been nothing but friendly with them. Talk to Nate¡± ¨Cmy boss- ¡°he would clear this up.¡±


    Mr. Eynia cringed.


    ¡°Sorry, I can¡¯t do that right now. I sent him to the Yard to go prepare for the world expansion patch this weekend.¡±


    ¡°Wait? I thought the world patch would only go live in two weeks?¡±


    ¡°It seems the engineers got a huge breakthrough with the co-operation of the triplet AI¡¯s and they say it has eased out most of the bigger glitches that was on the list of to do things for the next two weeks.¡±


    My blood went cold. That was my triumph. I got the AI¡¯s to work together¡­ How was it possible?


    Then as I forcefully dragged my fingers through my hair, I remembered leaving my computer without switching it off. It was when I ran to save the rookies¡­


    Immediately, I wanted to scream out at the injustice of it all.


    However, just as I opened my mouth to defend my stance, the secretary buzzed in saying,


    ¡°Mr. Eynia, the press is ready for your statement on the release of the world expansion patch.¡±


    I opened my mouth.


    ¡°The AI¡¯s was my breakthrough¡­¡±


    Just then, the boss stood up and grabbed his jacket.


    ¡°What? Never mind, I¡¯m already late. Listen take the week off. I know the lead up to the patch has been hard on all of us. Maybe harder on some.¡± He looked at me and I was fuming inside. ¡°Though¡­ I will see to talking with Nate about your situation. You can do your last touches to your area from home, can you not?¡±


    ¡°Yes, but I don¡¯t want to take the week off! You don¡¯t understand!¡±


    My voice was breaking with a bit of desperation.


    ¡°Enough Leo. That is my final word.¡±


    With that, the man left the room and I sat dazed in silence. I truly felt cheated.


    Even after ten minutes, I felt like a nicely tenderized steak. I stood up with difficulty and dragged my feet like a brain-eating zombie as I walked to my cubical.


    It was indeed still logged in. With frustration, I logged off and packed up slowly. The other engineers¡¯ heads rose up out of the cubicles looking confused, and it only made me wonder who the heck stole my work. I shook it off and didn¡¯t even turn to go say bye to any of my co-workers or even Eri. I just left. As I got to the front doors, Tai stood there with a big grin with his two cohorts behind him, Melia and Shiro. I immediately knew they were the main culprits.


    I clenched my fist and was about to demand answers when a camera crew rushed past me. The last thing I wanted was a spectacle, so I waited until they hurried around a corner, but as I looked back to my targets, Tai and the other two was gone.


    I burst out in anger, but instead of shouting, I suppressed my anger and cast out thoughts of Tai, Melia and Shiro. I knew getting in fights with co-workers would just get me fired. I would bide my time. Nate was the only one who knew the truth and maybe Eri. I discussed my plans with her a few times, but she wasn¡¯t there to see my breakthrough.


    Thinking of how to win that bear at least got my mind off the low blow I just faced.


    ***


    I gulped down the last of another energy drink and crumpled it before I threw the can against my bedroom wall.


    Earlier in the morning, they released a huge expansion to Realm Of Ancients. They added a whole slew of new Class Trees and entire new Biomes. Okay, I helped sculpt some of those new Biomes using one of the AI¡¯s, biggest of them called the Shimmering Caves. It was an entire new underground area that opted for a more enchanting experience in the deep than the normal dangerous idea of going into the underground, plus there was a hidden city to be found for the players! But¡­ even that excitement was nowhere to be found for me.


    Normally by this time, I would be busy digging feverously through patch notes and features lists, all to make sure if there were aspects of the patching that could have an impact on the areas of the game I was in charge of creating. And, to be honest I always did like to find out what the others had been busy with. Yet, I could simply not get myself to do it. The unfairness of my situation was like a ball and chain around my arm.


    ¡°Leo?¡± A familiar voice said from behind me.


    I sulkily glanced back. It was Eri.


    ¡°Come on! Are you still doing this to yourself? You haven¡¯t shaved in days! Moreover, look at your room... it looks like a warzone. Now get up, we are going on a trip.¡±


    I flopped onto the couch and beat my hands.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to!¡±


    Eri simply slapped her hand to her forehead.


    ¡°If Tai and the others see you like this, they will have a field day!¡±


    New energy sparked through my veins and I jumped to my feet.


    ¡°Like heck they would!¡±


    ¡°Then shower and get dressed. We leave in 10 minutes.¡± She said and walked out of the door.


    Sudden realization hit me.


    ¡°Oi!!¡± I shook my fist after my stepsister. She knew I would react to that. That crafty woman!


    But, it didn¡¯t stop me from getting in the shower and cleaning up.


    The electric car drove silently down the road. I was still a bit frustrated that Eri pressed my buttons so deftly, but I would never tell her that. The thing that bugged me more, however, was I had no clue where she was taking me.


    ¡°Mind filling me in on our destination?¡±


    She grinned as she gently guided the car.


    ¡°Nope.¡±


    Without thinking, I said,


    ¡°Is this about me getting that title in the game? I didn¡¯t think it would happen, you know.¡± As I said it, I realized I just stepped on a landmine.


    Eri¡¯s knuckles whitened on the steering wheel.


    ¡°What title?¡±


    I squeaked. ¡°Um¡­¡±


    She tapped the break and pulled over on the side. This time real sweat started flowing down my face, but I dared not draw attention to it.


    ¡°What title, Leo?¡± She said more demanding. I loved her to bits, but man could she be intimidating sometimes.


    I licked my lips and couldn¡¯t resist flicking off a drop of sweat from nose. It tickled okay!


    ¡°Well¡­ um¡­ the other day after we talked in game¡­. well I went and wrestled those bears and I um got a title: Monster Wrestler I.¡±


    Eri shrugged heavily.


    ¡°I can¡¯t believe you¡­ I don¡¯t like it. Yet¡­¡± She shook her head. ¡°I¡¯m not going to say anything today. I want to cheer you up, okay?¡±


    I nodded and she punched me on the arm and smiled.


    ¡°You¡¯re still a jerk sometimes. Those poor bears.¡±


    ¡°Would it cheer you up if I tell you even game think I discriminated against them? It added it into the description.¡±


    Her eyes beamed excitedly.


    ¡°Really? That is so funny!¡±


    She started laughing and I couldn¡¯t help but join her.


    We rounded the corner and I jumped in my seat. The region we were approaching¡­ Nah, it couldn¡¯t be.


    ¡°No way!¡±


    ¡°Yes way.¡± She said, chuckling.


    ¡°You are taking me to the Core! I didn¡¯t think you had access.¡±


    ¡°Well, I have been working at Real Worlds for five years.¡±


    I sat in mute awe.


    Only staff with higher security access could go to The Core, where all the main servers and the Triplet Command AI were housed inside the core of the elemental fusion that powered the huge demands of Realm Of Ancients.


    I was like a kid with full access to a candy store with rainbows, shooting stars and everything.


    As we got closer, the big dome structure came into view. It was quite a remarkable sight. It looked like one massive glittering structure standing in the middle of the valley. Oak trees lined the road leading there.


    It blew me away so much, I hardly realized we had arrived when the car stopped and I was startled out of my wonderment. Surprisingly we were already in the underground parking.


    ¡°Okay hop to it. There is much to show you in there.¡± Eri shoved at me and got out of the car.


    I followed her like a lost little puppy as she swiped the card and the elevator took us up. The doors opened and I tried to stop myself from drooling but failed miserably. It blew my breath away.


    ¡°Leo¡­ do you want to look like an idiot, or are you just weird?¡±


    I shook my head wildly and wiped the drool from my face.


    ¡°Sorry, it is just really amazing... Eri?¡±


    ¡°Yes?¡±


    ¡°Thank you.¡±


    She smiled,


    ¡°You are welcome big brother.¡±


    Inside it looked like a completely different environment than anything back at company headquarters. This place was cutting edge. Everything looked clean and untouched. There were big round chambers filled with Full Dive Pods, most of them in use. In fact, I could barely spot any that were not in use. What did draw my eyes away was the next room where they were clearly busy with upgrading and testing new Full Dive Pods. My first instinct was to walk closer and press my nose against the glass.


    However, I received a slap to my shoulder.


    ¡°There will be time for that later, okay?¡±


    I pulled away and noted my nose leave a smudge print on the glass. For a moment, I wanted to attempt to draw a mini smiley face, but Eri pulled at my arm.This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    As we walked, we passed entire rooms dedicated to concept art and drawn ideas for the world. That excitement that had left me was now back in droves! I wanted to explore every single part of this place! I started sneaking away from Eri, when she announced,


    ¡°Leo, I want you to meet, Miss Claire Kurume, one of the three creative directors for Realm Of Ancients.¡±


    I jerked upright and spun to see a woman in her thirties, she had beautiful flowing black hair and she was dressed for the job, looking sleek and alluring at the same time. I moved closer and took her hand to shake it briefly.


    ¡°N-Nice to meet you. My name is Leo.¡±


    ¡°Nice to meet you too, Eri here has told me all about you.¡±


    The weirdest thing popped into my head. I hope she didn¡¯t tell her about the bears!


    However, her smile put me ease.


    ¡°You have created something extraordinary here Miss Kurume.¡±


    ¡°Please, call me Claire. The press keeps me in formal mode too much these days. I would rather not have it infect the Core.¡± She giggled and I melted a bit.


    ¡°S-Sure.¡±


    The woman swept her hand to the right and said,


    ¡°I believe Eri said you always wanted to see our grand jewel?¡±


    I could only nod vigorously and followed her as she led the way. This was almost too much too believe for my short circuiting brain. It felt like there were roller coasters running rampage in my skull.


    ¡°To our left we have the cooling chambers and as you can see, the Core needs a lot of it.¡±


    I just dazedly stared at the massive coils that had frost on them. The pipes that ran to and fro from them criss-crossed the entire facility up on the ceiling. She then showed us to the concept and design rooms, the asset testing chambers, the experimental ward where pods were being constructed and tested.


    ¡°That Zealot is our latest Full Dive Pod technology, we only just finished it before the World Expansion went live, which I believe couldn¡¯t have been done so soon, I hear, were it not for your breakthrough.¡± She looked to Eri and then pointedly at me, but a happy smile was on her face.


    I was shocked, I had already been dreading the fact that the engineers took credit for my breakthrough, but then I remembered that Nate came to the Yard, it being the greater set of buildings with the dome known as the Core. He must have told the higher ups what he had seen!


    I grinned broadly and asked,


    ¡°You knew?¡±


    She nodded and said,


    ¡°Yes, Nate was quite animated about your achievement with the Triplets. In fact, he couldn¡¯t stop talking about it. We were quite surprised that it solved so much of our problems leading up to the World Expansion. It saved Real Worlds quite a lot of effort. I would love to see how you did it.¡±


    I was overjoyed, but then as I looked past her, my eyes fell on Tai.


    I froze. There was no reason for him to be here. I couldn¡¯t understand it.


    A knot formed in my stomach. There was no doubt he was here for reasons that is not in favour of the unity of the team.


    Almost mechanically, I said,


    ¡°I would be happy to, that is, when things have settled down here, Claire.¡±


    ¡°Superb! That is good news. Now let¡¯s go see the main event¡ª¡±


    ¡°Forgive me, you go on ahead, but I just saw a fellow worker of mine and I wish to go say hi.¡± I walked towards Tai and Eri looked concerned.


    ¡°As you wish,¡± Claire said, ¡°We will start moving towards the inner chamber. Just follow that tunnel there.¡± She pointed to the entrance and I nodded.


    While I walked I could feel the anger boil in me, but I was certain my face kept calm through it all. As I approached Tai, he smiled.


    ¡°Good day Leo. What a pleasant surprise.¡±


    My fists clenched, but I casually responded,


    ¡°Tai. Strange to see you here.¡±


    He grinned in a way that made my stomach churn.


    ¡°Yes, you see I convinced the boss to give me access.¡±


    ¡°What are you after, Tai?¡± I blurted.


    He held up his hands and asked,


    ¡°Whoa there, I¡¯m simply here to see the Core.¡±


    ¡°So, you being here have nothing to do with my breakthrough with the AI¡¯s being stolen?¡±


    His lips tightened ever so slightly, I would have missed it if I had blinked.


    ¡°Whatever are you talking about? I told you why I am here.¡±


    I looked to see Claire waving me over at the security door. I had to go.


    ¡°I¡¯m watching you.¡± I said with intent and walked away.


    Tai shouted after me,


    ¡°You are a wackjob you know.¡±


    I ignored him and jogged over to Claire who was busy swiping her card and typing in a password.


    As the door opened, I threw off my dispute with Tai. I could worry about that later. I was there to see the jewel of the Core and I sure wanted to actually enjoy it.


    Inside the door, a tunnel led down into the ground, I immediately thought of the Independence Day film with Area 51, I wanted to spout stuff from the film, but as I looked at Claire I gulped. There was no way to know how she would react to my jokes.


    I got a bit nervous the further down we went, it spiralled and spiralled ever deeper. Though, a few minutes later we stopped at a big solid steel door.


    ¡°That is some door you have there, you keepin¡¯ aliens down here.¡± The words spilled from my mouth and I shut it as fast as it had come out. Eri was glaring at me and I cringed.


    But then, Claire giggled to my side.


    ¡°Hahaha. Good one Leo.¡±


    A weight lifted from me. I felt much more at ease as she went through the security measures.


    Without warning, the ground started shaking a bit. Enough so that I exclaimed,


    ¡°Earthquake?!¡± I pressed a hand against the wall to keep upright.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, it happens once or twice each day. It is barely a 3 pointer.¡±


    It didn¡¯t comfort me much, but I nodded while looking around cautiously.


    Within seconds, the steel door swung open, revealing a circular room about hundred by hundred metres across, and in the middle was a massive glowing green honeycomb. It was pulsing like it had a heartbeat. A creepy heartbeat.


    It sure freaked me out. But regardless of that, it was one of the coolest things I have ever seen.


    A gasp escaped me and Claire said,


    ¡°Welcome to the BeeHive, the true core of Realm of Ancients. It takes some getting used to, but by now it is like home to me.¡±


    ¡°Yeah¡­ I can see that. How on earth did you figure it out?¡±


    She smiled at my question.


    ¡°Truth be told, the combinations of the elements used was purely a lucky find in one of deep trenches in the ocean. Since then, we had refined it and that is how the BeeHive came to be.¡±


    I whistled in wonder.


    ¡°I¡¯ve heard about it, but no one has ever told me what combination of elements did you find that resulted in this whole thing coming into existence?¡±


    Claire chuckled ruefully, and then said,


    ¡°That I must admit is a big company secret. Sorry.¡±


    Eri was the one who chipped in then.


    ¡°Ah, don¡¯t be, Claire, Leo and I share the same level of curiosity. But it is awesome enough that we appreciate it being a secret, don¡¯t we Leo?¡±


    I nodded sincerely.


    ¡°Yeah, Beside the Command Triplets, how many smaller AIs¡¯ are plugged in directly into the BeeHive? If I may ask.¡±


    As if she was glad that we stepped away from the previous topic, Claire blew out a breath.


    ¡°Twenty five to be exact, they are run by the Triplets, and until a few days ago, it had been a hard job to keep the Triplets from declaring war on each other in game. So, I really am very grateful for your gift of a breakthrough.¡±


    I whistled again.


    ¡°I really didn¡¯t think the rumours were true of them wanting to take out their sibling AI¡¯s.¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± Eri said from the side, ¡°My team and I have been busy day and night trying to ease the tensions that was building between them. Which brings me to the question, Claire, how did the launch of the World Expansion go in that regard?¡±


    I saw my chance to slip away while Eri got Claire¡¯s attention. I started strolling around the circular room. There were many computers situated around the room, but as I approached the railing, I could see hundreds of large servers underneath the BeeHive with thick cables running directly to the core of the pulsing honeycomb structure. Through one of the holes, I could see the three spheres that were no doubt the Command Triplets. But then, to my complete surprise, I could see two Full Dive Pods, with the one facing me clearly activated. Though, I wasn¡¯t sure about the other one.


    In shock I asked,


    ¡°Claire, who is that inside that front pod in the BeeHive?¡±


    The two women stopped talking and turned to look. After a moment, Claire said,


    ¡°That is Darian, the Grand General Administrator. He is overseeing the entirety of the World Expansion roll out. He is checking if the Triplets don¡¯t go off the reservation with the update. He just logged in again about twenty minutes ago.¡±


    ¡°Isn¡¯t it dangerous being inside the BeeHive?¡±


    ¡°Sure it can be, the elements don¡¯t like to be drilled or hit. But, he has ensured me of his caution in taking that risk.¡±


    I shook my head. I don¡¯t know how I would have felt plugging into the game while surrounded by volatile elements that can explode with energy when hit.


    It had been one of the big talking points throughout the company how the people who lifted the first lump of it out of the ocean got blown into hospital after trying to chip off a part of it on the ship. Luckily, they survived the encounter. Still, that proved to be a pivotal in realizing the raw untapped power of the rock and the dangers of it if not handled with care.


    ***


    After a while looking around the BeeHive, Claire suggested that the three of us go have lunch together in the garden inside the dome. I ordered an Angelfish with a lemon sauce and happily munched on it as the girls chatted happily. It was quite a change of pace since trying to make the deadline for the last month and I did feel calm.


    That calm evaporated instantly as I saw Tai, Melia and Shiro talking to one of the engineers busy with the new design of the Full Dive pods. I couldn¡¯t believe all three of them got access to the place. It just made me even more certain that Tai was up to something. I could feel my fists start to shake as I glanced over at them. Then Tai saw me and grinned, it took all my self-control not to charge over there and hit him. I kept running the phrase through my head, ¡®Don¡¯t drop yourself down to that level.¡¯ ¡®Don¡¯t drop yourself to that level.¡¯ However, my body started lifting and I could feel myself moving, then,


    *SNAP!*


    ¡°Oi? Leo, are you okay? You are shaking.¡±


    I dropped back into my chair with a oomf, startled completely out of the moment. My eyes were wide as I looked back at Eri with her hand in the air. She had snapped her fingers. Both the women looked concerned at me.


    I took a breath and waved them off,


    ¡°I¡¯m okay, I think I¡¯m still on crunch time mode. My nerves feel a bit raw.¡±


    Claire smiled with understanding. Though it was true, I was certain she didn¡¯t understand the other part of what made my nerves that raw. I just blew some air out of the side of my mouth and shrugged.


    ¡°Tell me Claire, how many zones did the company add to this World Expansion? Truth be told, I had not even asked what the other teams have been up to.¡±


    I asked it as much for myself as to assure them I was okay. While waiting, I took a sip of my drink. Claire visibly relaxed her shoulders a moment later and said,


    ¡°Then you are in for a treat! All in all we added fifteen entire new zones to the game and with it entire new survival mechanics and classes to discover.¡±


    The drink almost burst out of my mouth, but I held it in. Sadly, the pressure it sent out my nose.


    I coughed and hit my chest while gulping for breaths.


    Eri patted my back and asked,


    ¡°Are you okay, Leo?¡±


    ¡°Y-Yeah... ugh-ugh... I was just surprised... ugh-ugh. Fifteen? I had the idea of only three or five. That is remarkable!¡±


    Claire nodded and sipped at her coffee.


    ¡°The company has quite a few studios working on Realm of Ancients. Hearing your surprise is actually nice. Knowing that even the staff would experience certain parts of Realms of Ancients for the first time really encourages me.¡±


    I couldn¡¯t agree more.


    ¡°Want to see some of the features the other studios added to the World Expansion?¡±


    There was no way I could refuse that kind of offer, so I eagerly indicated yes.


    Claire strolled with poise in front as led us into a room with one big screen and several smaller monitors¡¯ busy being, well monitored. There were almost twenty people buzzing around the room. With a voice of authority, Claire spoke loudly.


    ¡°James, Emily, please bring up the zone ¡®Enchanted Bone Valley¡¯ for us on the main screen.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Ma¡¯am.¡± Both called out while clicking at their screens.


    In seconds, camera shot sweeping over eerie valley came up. There were massive skeletons of creatures that I¡¯ve not yet seen in the Monster Manual. My excitement bubbled up. I still couldn¡¯t believe that there were so many things now in the game that I have never seen before, and I actually worked on it myself.


    ¡°Go to sector fifty B.¡±


    The camera flew over the terrain and a small village in a gorge went by. Everything in me wanted to say stop, I wanted to see that village, but I held myself in. It was then that it stopped on the slopes of a big mountain. There were big nests of Harpies or the like, but the camera eased past them and came to a rock wall.


    Claire turned to me and asked,


    ¡°What do you see?¡±


    I was confused. No matter how I looked at it, it was rock wall.


    ¡°A wall?¡±


    She shook her head.


    ¡°Look closer.¡±


    I moved towards the big screen and it became clear. There was an old memorial etched into that very wall. But, I could already see how clear markings showed that there could be an event around this memorial, a mystery. My eyes lit up and I said,


    ¡°Is there a hidden door there that only opens under very specific conditions?¡±


    Claire grinned.


    ¡°You are a quick thinker! You are indeed correct. This specific one only opens when the monthly shadow hunt has begun and the crystal acquired from the dungeon in the area is placed in that slot in the memorial with the moon¡¯s light as its catalyst. It then reveals a big secret in the mountain.¡±


    I was in awe. I knew we were hiding a ton of secrets in the game, but this one took the adventurers on such a wonderful journey to discover it. The awesome thing is, with enough time spent in that town alongside studying the memorial it would become clear how to unlock it.


    The more I was here learning about the World Expansion patch, the more I wanted to go dive in and discover all the intricacies.


    From the side, Eri spoke up.


    ¡°Claire, I wanted to ask you a question, how did you manage to balance the newest survival mechanics with the game while keeping it fun?¡±


    ¡°We wanted to add more of a challenge to those who wanted to explore farther into the zones without overloading the players who enjoy questing around the cities. So, closer to a city it is easier to find what you need to survive, like a fireplace or lesser mobs for food. But, when you go out into wild lands of each zone, it becomes far more involved, you have to then build a fireplace when you camp for the night, and you have to start using your tracking and survival skill trees more to keep alive. And to keep the beginners from dying within a short time, we added everything they need in the starting areas, and like I said, around cities and the bigger villages.¡±


    While Claire talked, I was like a sponge, drinking in every word. I remember now placing mushrooms that give off heat closer to the more populated areas in the Shimmering Caves and having to add a list of crafting materials and specific mobs scattered around in the outer regions of the zone. It made a lot of sense now.


    ¡°Does the HUD (Heads Up Display) show indications when those survival mechanics kick in?¡±


    ¡°Yes, though, there are different ones like warmth and hunger/thirst. There is also things like chill factor when your armour is wet and the wind starts picki¡ª¡°


    The entire building shook.


    Moreover, for a moment, I believed it just another small earthquake. But, it ramped up and shook much more intensely. So much so, that some of the smaller monitors started toppling over and glasses shattered around the room. I fell against the wall and glanced at Claire and Eri in shock. Seeing Claire look afraid told me everything, this was not normal.


    A green light flashed through the walls, knocking us off our feet. My head slammed against something solid and everything went blurry.

 Ch 6: The Wave

    Chapter 6 The Wave


    A spark close to my head shook me awake. It was dark and I rubbed at my eyes, but it did not change a thing. With some effort, I sat up while groaning in discomfort. I had a headache that made me think there were people dancing on top of me.


    As I looked around, it just told me one thing, the earthquake did damage to the place. There were monitors strewn all over the place, with sparks lighting up often around the room. A big beam that clearly came from the roof blocked my view from half of the area. A pain lanced in my head again and I grabbed hold of my scalp. But, it only made me panic, my hand became wet. There was no doubt, I was bleeding.


    Slowly, I got up and scanned over the room. Strangely, I could see just one other person in the room slumped in a chair. My heart thudded faster in my chest, I jumped over the beam and glanced around frantically for Eri and Claire, but there was no sight of them.


    I ran to the edge of the room to its only door and a person ran into me. Stumbling back, I realized it was Eri.


    ¡°Leo! You¡¯re alright?!¡±


    ¡°Yes. Where is everybody? And what happened.¡±


    Eri was nervously looking around.


    ¡°When the earthquake hit, Claire and I fell to the floor. Next moment the whole beam came falling down with several roof panels dropping as well. It was too dangerous to stay inside, so we evacuated, it was only when we got outside in the panic that we realized you were not with us. But, the emergency personnel did not want to let us back into the building until everything had settled.¡±


    Before I could ask anything further, a man dressed in yellow and brown with a constructers cap came into view.


    ¡°Miss, we have to keep moving, this area took some of the worst damage.¡±


    Eri nodded and turned around, but I quickly said,


    ¡°Hey, wait! There is someone back there. I¡¯ll go get him.¡±


    I scampered over the debris and got to the chair where the other person sat. I shook him and said,


    ¡°Hey, man. We have to get out of here.¡±


    Nothing.


    I shook him harder, surprised he wasn¡¯t waking up.


    The guy with the cap came in next to us and pressed his fingers against the man¡¯s neck.


    ¡°Sorry sir... there is no pulse.¡±


    I scrambled away from the dead man, my heart beating in my throat. I couldn¡¯t believe it. My eyes wide, I turned and ran past Eri.


    ¡°Leo?¡±


    Nevertheless, I sped up and ran out of the building. Even in my daze, I somehow realized it was night outside. Hours had passed.


    It was not enough as I went up a hill close by. On top, I fell to my knees and shouted out into the night. I had never seen a dead person with my own eyes before... The movies did not add the same weight to the reality.


    But, after a few minutes I started to calm down and sat there silently. It was when I turned around that something slammed my senses. I have never seen a sight like it before.


    Out of the one side of the giant dome, there were these huge glowing green crystal structures that was pulsing. Pulsing just like the BeeHive had done.


    That was not just an earthquake. Something entirely different had happened in there.


    I was still staring open mouthed, when I saw a figure running up to me. I got up and shortened the distance.


    Claire came into view. Her eyes wide with fear. I couldn¡¯t understand why she would run to me with such fear. There were loads of other people she knew far better already outside.


    ¡°Claire?¡± I asked quite confused.


    She stumbled into view.


    ¡°We have a problem. I need your help. I... I don¡¯t know where else to go.¡±


    My fists clenched as we jogged back into the dome, it was clear the main support pillars still stood strong. The building was in better shape than I would have thought possible after that earthquake. The section leading to the BeeHive looked entirely different though. The massive green crystals had invaded a whole part of the dome. This made my mind real again, with what Claire had told me. It had caught me completely by surprise. New terror replaced my shock from earlier. But, still some part of refused to believe it true.


    Yet, when we reached the pod rooms my vision started spinning. Every single one of them that had a person logged into the game looked overgrown with green strands of the pulsing crystal. I ran to the closest pod and stared inside.


    There was a woman I did not recognize, but regardless of it, where the main connection cable was, she had a crystal stalk there that fused with her neck and veins of the strands enveloped her body. As I watched, the pulse went from in the wall to her neck. And ten seconds later, the crystals grew a tiny amount, covering her in more of the vein like shards.


    It was true...


    ¡°What is this?¡± I asked barely able to get the words out of my mouth.


    Claire stood next to me. Her face looked grim.


    ¡°We don¡¯t know. And to be honest, it scares the heck out of me.¡±


    ¡°This is... What on earth do you need my help for?¡±


    Her face took on nervousness and then fear.


    ¡°I... You...¡± She breathed deeply. ¡°Eri and Nate have told me you were one of the better enforcers of the game. The thing is, we are locked out completely from the game. We can¡¯t contact Darian to tell him to brute force logout every player. We can¡¯t even insert commands to the Triplet AIs¡¯ nor any of the other AIs¡¯ below them. No one in there knows what has happened! All we can do is send a few people in there and somehow get to Darian in time.¡±


    I stared at the pods covered in crystals. This was by far the scariest thing asked of me in my entire life. I could hardly keep the storm in my mind at bay. Moving forward, I gripped the handle of the closest pod, my knuckles turning white. Everything screamed in me not to even think of going into such an uncertain situation. And that was what it was, a situation in which they could not guarantee a single thing for me.


    I turned to Claire, a small part of me wanted to turn her down. It was so freakishly scary to even begin thinking about going in there. Would a sane person even do such a thing?


    Eri stormed into the room and shouted.


    ¡°Leo! Carli and Nate is logged in here!!¡±


    My heart sank.


    ¡°What? Are you sure?¡±


    ¡°It is true, Carli and Nate came from your studio to oversee the Zones and mechanics you worked on.¡±The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.


    As she spoke, my breathing quickened, so much so, I could hardly get enough oxygen. Eri was quick to pat my back. But as she did, something strung like a steel cable inside me. If I could help, then I had to do it.


    I turned to Claire and said,


    ¡°I¡¯ll go in, but I need to ask a few things.¡±


    She nodded.


    ¡°Sure.¡±


    ¡°What else has changed? Has anybody been able to log out? What would give me the best chance of getting to Darian? And is there any way to get the crystals off of these people.¡±


    Her brow furrowed and she was chewing on her lip, clearly deep in thought.


    ¡°We can still see basic diagnostics; of how stable the regions are and what story lines the AI Triplets are busy implementing. But, we can¡¯t interact with any of it. The logging out... I can¡¯t give you an answer. We know as much as you do. Though, I¡¯m sorry Leo, it looks bad. However, I can help you with going in with the best chance. The Zealot Pod wasn¡¯t in use when the earthquake hit. It has much faster response times than the normal pods, it might help.¡± Claire looked at the pods embraced with crystals and shivered. ¡°The crystals are going to be our biggest concern. It is incredibly volatile and takes extreme care to mold and shape. All I can say, is it is going to be a huge challenge and the most time consuming.¡±


    I nodded as she spoke, my mind racing to what I needed to do. We all knew it needed to happen fast. Every minute outside, the time inside was rushing by at breakneck speed. As Claire said the last part, I glanced up.


    ¡°How long would it take then?¡±


    Her head dropped and she took a deep breath.


    ¡°Going on how long it took for us to shape the BeeHive without it blowing up in our faces? Months.¡±


    I felt the blood drain from my face. Months out here, but that would mean... I shook my head with dread. Carli¡¯s face popped up in my mind. I couldn¡¯t bear the thought of that girl stuck in there. If the brute force logout command somehow alters the surge that was making the crystals grow into the pods, then I would have to do everything in my power to get to the centre.


    ¡°Claire, what are the chances Darian would realize something is wrong?¡±


    Somehow, as I asked that question, I knew the answer.


    ¡°He was in the middle of BeeHive, Leo. For all we know, he is dead. And if he is, then your knowledge with handling the AI Triplets will be our best hope.¡±


    I could see the desperation in her eyes and it suddenly made sense why she wanted my help in the first place. I closed my eyes and breathed in deeply. Then I opened them and looked at Claire and Eri.


    ¡°Okay, let¡¯s go. But before I log in, I want to take in at least some information about the World Expansion and where I need to go in the game to reach the Heart of the World.¡±


    They both nodded and we hurried out of the room. It was a mad rush, we needed to hurry, but we also needed to prepare.


    I stood at a round table busy going over information that Eri procured of the expansion. It would take me days to go over every detail. But, I was prioritizing certain subjects like spire sieges and which ones was the closest to my position to unlock the zones that lead to the core of the world. It was more than I was hoping for, the amount of events that need to be unlocked overwhelmed me. This game was never meant to be rushed... This was going to be insane without help.


    Then I looked at one point in the game and my entire being sank. The Heart of World cannot be reached alone. There were three arms signifying the Triplets, showing that people would have to be unlocking parts of the game from the other side of the world! All the while, while I was busy battling it out with my side. The Emperor Sieges only unlocked when the other corresponding arms activated.


    It meant there would have to be three teams going into the game to get to the AIs¡¯. We didn¡¯t know what state the players inside were in after the Surge, so we couldn¡¯t bet on any of them, at least not without knowing.


    While I was stumped, a voice said from my side,


    ¡°There will be two more enforcers going into the game. It is a long shot, but if you succeed we can save so many people.¡±


    I glanced back at Claire and lifted the side of my mouth in a slight smile.


    ¡°I¡¯ll do my best.¡±


    ¡°You are a brave man.¡±


    I huffed and waved her off.


    ¡°We are ready for you in about ten minutes.¡± She said, as she left the room.


    I stuffed as much information into my head as I could, but it was just a small pond compared to the great lakes.


    The room was crowded. Yet only the two other women in their twenties and I stood in the middle of the room with a lot of empty space around us. We were the three chosen to unlock our respective arms to synchronize and open up the Emperor Sieges that would lead to the Heart of the World.


    This was the war room.


    And the truth was, I felt like a man in his undies in Antarctica the way I was shivering. Oh, I was certainly not cold. But, I sure was scared.


    I looked over to the other two women. The one called Mileva had scarlet hair made up into a braid. She looked utterly in control of her emotions. At least one of us was, and it certainly wasn¡¯t me.


    The other one had straight black hair. She was one of the natives. A Japanese girl that looked like she had practised in the dojo far more than me. Her eyes were sharp and ready. My shoulders dropped, I really felt deflated in being so aware of what we were stepping into when my counterparts looked so ready to go save their colleagues.


    But, I knew I had to go. I¡¯ve been trying to trick the AI triplets for so long, I really knew how get past their defences. At least I hope that would count in the game.


    An older Japanese gentleman stood up next to Claire and said,


    ¡°This is a day... a day that has shook our people. We were beat down at our heart. However! United we can overcome anything, we have done so in the past and we shall do so again. Now we send into danger these young ones, let us support them in their trials and pray to God for their safe passage, to bring back to us what we have lost. Let us begin.¡±


    Everyone roared to life in the room. They cheered loudly and I suddenly didn¡¯t feel so alone anymore. My counterparts and I threw our arms around each other and smiled sheepily together. I said to the other two women,


    ¡°Let¡¯s do this.¡±


    ¡°For the others.¡±


    ¡°We fight together.¡±


    After that, everything happened fast. I had to put on a sleek grey suit that would make the Maelstrom Support Liquid(MSL) even more efficient in well keeping me stable in my time in the game.


    Then I got led to the Zealot Pod. As I walked, my stepsister came up to me, her eyes were teary and she looked uncertain.


    ¡°Leo, I don¡¯t think this is a good idea anymore... You can still say no.¡±


    I paused and shook my head before I grabbed her in a hug.


    ¡°I am scared, but I have to do this, I see that.¡±


    ¡°What will I tell Mom and Dad?!¡±


    ¡°Tell them I love them, always had. And I love you too my crazy lil sis. Take care of them for me.¡±


    She started crying in my arms. Her shoulders shook and then she looked up at me with tears streaming from her eyes.


    ¡°What if something happens to you?!!¡±


    I breathed in deeply and said,


    ¡°I¡¯ll not have you think like that. I want you to be strong out here. To be the awesome person you are. I need you to be.¡±


    ¡°You can wrestle all the bears you like! Just stay...¡±


    I chuckled and flicked her nose.


    ¡°What fun would that be if you stopped nagging me about it.¡±


    I wiped a tear but she didn¡¯t say anything for a while. After a minute, she stepped away and looked me in the eye.


    ¡°Love you big brother. Come back safe, okay?¡±


    We smiled at each other, even with her tears and then I walked towards the pod area.


    The two women similarly dressed in the sleek grey suits came to middle ground point between our pods, we bumped fists and I said,


    ¡°Okay, so as soon as any of us hit a city in game we start sending invites and mail to each other, it might take a while, but we need to be able to be able to have some form of ability to communicate in game.¡±


    Mileva nodded and said,


    ¡°Agreed. The zone I am currently in, is the Great Mountains. The closest city to me would take some time. How about you Hayami-chan?¡±


    The Japanese girl straightened and said,


    ¡°I am in the Whispering Forest, it would take a few days as well. Though, I do agree as well. What is your name?¡±


    ¡°Leonard Goodchild. I¡¯m sorry for not introducing myself earlier in the conference room.¡±


    She shook my hand and said,


    ¡°Pleasure to meet you, Goodchild-san.¡±


    I shook my head wildly.


    ¡°Call me Leo. No need to be so formal.¡±


    A brief flash of surprise popped over her face, but then she smiled shyly and nodded. I was about to say more, when Claire called to me from the Zealot Pod.


    It was time.


    ¡°Okay,¡± I said while looking at the two. ¡°All of us know this is not going to happen overnight. But, keep strong and stay patient, and above all trust that even if things go sideways at times, we are not alone.¡±


    We grasped hands and I understood then, that the three of us were going on huge adventures. Separate, but united.


    I turned and hurried to the pod. It was already prepped, shining with a golden sheen. No matter what had been said, I still felt trepidation as I stepped into the Zealot Full Dive Pod. Though, there was no going back now. The clamps locked me in place and felt the connection unit pressing gently but firmly against my neck.


    I looked to Claire and smiled as best as I could, though she was completely aware what I was risking here. She typed in a set of commands into the brand spanking new and cutting-edge pod.


    ¡°Good hunting, Leo. And God willing, I will see you on the other side.¡±


    ¡°God willing. Um, Claire...?¡±


    ¡°Yes?¡±


    ¡°Take care of my sister will you?¡±


    She smiled softly and said,


    ¡°You can count on me.¡±


    The hatch closed me off from the real world. As the Maelstrom Support Liquid started flowing into the pod, I looked to where Eri was busy helping Mileva and Hayami into their respective pods.


    I was about to close my eyes, when I glanced across the room to the secondary pod room. I frowned as I saw three people readying more pods. It was just as the MSL reached my shoulders and I was seconds away from being logged in that I saw with clarity how Tai looked back to me grinning back at me like before. He closed Melia and Shiro into their pods and climbed into his own!


    I shouted out, but couldn¡¯t be heard through the glass of my pod. As I thrashed, nobody noticed them going in. Just me.


    I struggled and struggled, but then my senses started numbing and then I got connected to the world.

 Ch: 7 THE REALM OF ANCIENTS

    Chapter 7 Realm of Ancients


    The red and blue trees of a forest came into view, the peaceful sight of Hem Iree Woods. Yet, nothing in me felt peaceful. I wracked my brain trying to think what Tai¡¯s plan could possibly be, but the solution wasn¡¯t coming to me at all. Irritation bubbled in me and all I could do was try and contain the anger inside me.


    I sat down and had to admit I needed time to figure it out. Still... it did not make me any less uneasy.


    The fact of the matter was, I had a purpose to fulfil and that started out with finding a city. It was a bit of a bummer that Hayami and Mileva weren¡¯t close to any Travelling Stones, so it would take some going for them to reach their respective cities to set up the mailing system.


    I chuckled for the first time in what seemed days. The mailing system was a fun little mechanic. With these angry little pixies taking the letters from the cities and delivering them anywhere in the game, that is, if you set it up between acquaintances. It was kind of like a mutual agreement to be able to receive letters. This removed spam from the picture, well, at least long distance spam.


    No matter how much time go by, I always found the angry pixies delivering the letters great fun.


    I took a deep breath and look to my right in my peripheral vision.


    Starting from the top there was a small diamond, which signified my status, and below that a tree with stars and multiple colors, signifying my primary class, secondary class and general skill trees. Below that, were a small map icon and lastly the combo circle.


    Flicking my finger, I tapped on my Status icon.


    Leo Stormchild, I shook my head. That was Carli¡¯s idea of a joke.


    Leo Stormchild


    Race: Norskai


    Level: 55


    Guardian [Primary Class]


    Swiftling [Secondary Class]


    Health: 630


    Energy Bar: 710 [Tier 3 accessible]


    Armor Class: 70


    >Equipped Weapons and Runes:


    Xianmou [Deep Harrow Tree- Epic Rune][Attack Speed III-Rune]


    Skinning Knife []


    >Equipped Armor and Runes:


    Reinforced Gjeriat Hide Armor -Torso-. [Enhanced Strength VII-Rune][Greater Health II-Rune]


    Reinforced Gjeriat Hide Armor -Legs- [Acrobatics II-Rune][Haste I-Rune]


    Fine Fur Cloak [Windwhisper-Glyph][Weather Resist I-Glyph]


    </a> Etched Silver Gauntlets [Swift Strike I- Rune][Stone body II-Rune]


    Lightfoot Boots [Haste III-Rune][Jumping Jack-Unique Rune]


    >Equiped Trinkets:


    Shadow Veil Ring [Stealth +10%]


    Amulet of the Protectors [Physical Resistance + 7%]


    Armband of Might [Strength +1]


    [...]


    I nodded at the first list and ignored my attribute stats. I actually gained a level after my fights with the scaled level Hobgoblins. I flicked my finger onto the small map icon, and the world map filled my vision.


    It didn¡¯t do anything to pause the game, there was no feature like that. You had to be fast or cautious if you opened up any of your maps, menus or inventories.


    I studied the map, thinking about my options. Hem Iree Woods were actually halfway to the centre, but it became difficult to think about progressing further without preparing for it. The woods were like a small safe haven for adventurers to go find pets without being attacked by everything. How I got there in the first place was through a hard to find quest chain that led me to a cave with a teleportation circle with only five uses left in its power crystal. It was clear one needed to be careful in opening up the Travelling Stone for Hem Iree Woods then, otherwise you would lose access to it after those five times travelling there.


    Fine, seeing the zones where between it lies, I could understand the developers wanted to use it as a tease of a place that was in the peaceful eye of the literal storm around it. Even at level 55, I didn¡¯t know if could just walk out of the woods and be okay.


    Nevertheless, even if Hem Iree Woods were my furthest point into the world, I still have to go to a city first.


    I checked on my list of Travelling Stones to see the cities and villages I had unlocked.


    Hmmm... there was Tardok to the southwest, a city of warriors. That would have a mailing system.


    Then, all that was left before I went there, would be to Level up and place my three skill points. I clicked on the Tree ic¡ª


    A sudden force struck me by surprise. In seconds, I was tumbling seeing, black, seeing the trees, seeing black and seeing the trees.


    I gulped in breaths and realized I was being grappled. My first instinct was wondering what on earth attacked me in the Hem Iree Woods. It was not an aggressive area!Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators!


    I struck out with my fists and it sent me skiing on the ground to a stop. Not wasting any time, I jumped and looked at my attacker.


    Mr. Scary Bear.


    I narrowed my eyes.


    ¡°Fancy seeing you here today. I¡¯ll give you points for the surprise attack.¡±


    All I got in answer was a loud growl reverberating through the trees.


    ¡°Ah, I missed you too.¡±


    Quickly, I tapped my weapons Icon on the left menu and ignored the fact that it glitched out a bit. I tapped on Xianmou and watched it materialize. It was sad really, I did not want to kill that bear at all. But, I needed to settle back into the game, and get my stuff together to figure how to get to the Heart of the World. A sigh escaped me.


    ¡°Sorry, Mr. Scary Bear, we had fun times. Really.¡±


    The bear stormed me. There was about thirty metres before it would hit me. I readied my sword, not even activating a special skill for the sword.


    Five metres from me, a sudden small message popped onto my field of view.


    [Scan Anomaly]........... [Error][%09/504].... ...[Unknown]...[New]... [Error/*&55%#]...[Z1]... [Error][01/*False]...[Reassemble initiation=Active]


    ¡°What the heck....?¡±


    The bear struck me, I missed my direct centre strike and instead stabbed deeply into its leg, the bear on the other hand bit painfully into my shoulder and we went skidding across the ground.


    It gnawed on my shoulder, and I started striking it with my free arm repeatedly, trying to get it to dislodge.


    It didn¡¯t budge one centimetre, so I tapped with my free hand on my left icons, on the weapon switch. My Skinning Knife popped into my left hand and I swung at the bear.


    Without warning, this immense force, unlike anything I had ever felt struck me from the side. It swooped Mr. Scary Bear and me up and then we were sent flying into the sky at breakneck speed. My cheeks were flapping in the wind.


    Within seconds, the trees disappeared and the ground raced away, enough to see the curvature of the world. The wind rushed past my face in great torrents. For a moment I glimpsed what I was sure was the Heart of the World zone. That view only lasted mere moments as the force sent the bear and I sideways and falling back to the world. I felt the g-force of the extreme acceleration compress my body; it was hard to keep consciousness. My eyes started shutting more and more every other second. I glanced to my side to see the bear already knocked out. But, I desperately clung to my senses. As, we got closer to the ground, I realized we were over an entirely different zone, one I had never seen before. Though, I did remember seeing its name and a quick description while pouring over the World Expansion notes. The Crystal Gorges, a zone meant for mid level adventurers that seek to take on a tougher than normal challenge. It was as if a light bulb went on in my head.


    The game thought I ended up in Hem Iree Woods by accident and was sending me back to a random starting area.


    Shock lanced up in me. The Zealot pod, they hadn¡¯t recalibrated it to accept higher level players instantly. It was one of the last big changes to complete for every pod in design!


    ¡°Nooo!¡±


    This couldn¡¯t be happening!


    ¡°Stop!¡± I screamed out.


    In the distance I could see a snow area and then a range of dagger like mountains that barred entrance into a frozen biome. But, I was certain somewhere beyond those mountains would be a rookie area.


    There was things I could not and will not accept, and starting over in a rookie area against my choice, was high on that list.


    Without any hint of what was going on, my boots ripped off my feet. This was bad!


    Next, the torso piece of my Reinforced Gjeriat Hide Armor, which took me a whole month to acquire, tore off and fell into a dark and creepy biome beneath me. I knew where this was going and I couldn¡¯t do anything about it.


    I was powerless!


    It was going to throw me back as a rookie with newbie gear and everything if I did nothing. Without a doubt, I was certain my levels had already taken a nosedive. How far down, I didn¡¯t know yet. But, there were always different ways to power level. My greatest concern at that moment was the items and runes I had spent months assembling. Yet, I couldn¡¯t think of a solution!


    Then the bear came back into my view and an idea formed in my mind, a crazy idea, but anything was better than ending up with the rookies as a blank slate, stuck in a loooong-winded tutorial while I had such an important mission to tackle.


    My sword was still stuck in the bear¡¯s leg, which was also my best chance. Mr Scary Bear was a Level 59 Dire Bear, the game won¡¯t pull it into the rookie area no matter what.


    The Hobgoblins were monsters that shouldn¡¯t have been there but they had somehow wandered into that starting zone which is in a way plausible. But, I was certain without a doubt the Triplets won¡¯t ever force a Level 59 monster into a rookie area, which meant...


    As the legs part of my Reinforced Gjeriat Hide Armor tore from my legs and fell to a mountain covered in snow not far below me, I sprung into action.


    The bear was beginning to descend to the snow biome. So, hurriedly I ripped a long piece of the very average pants left on me, and tied my Skinning Knife to it and threw it with all my might at the bear¡¯s other leg. It sunk in and inwardly I cringed. But, this needed to work, otherwise... that tutorial. I shuddered in dread.


    I quickly tied it to my hand and started pulling myself to Mr. Scary Bear. With it, I lost a solid chunk of the airtime I had. Which brought me much closer to the ground, er snow now. Without waiting, I grabbed hold of my two main item pouches and held it clenched in my gauntlets, before I swung my arms around the unconscious Mr. Scary Bear.


    Clinging on for dear life, two opposing forces became evident. The tug upwards was strong, but, I was counting on a higher level monster not being forced into a rookie area as a greater priority.


    It became intense within seconds and I held on with everything I had. With force, my arm band ripped off and then my amulet. It sucked. But, by now what was way more important was me not ending up in a starter area at all.


    Then the gauntlets started to heat up with the force of it trying to pull from my hands. It just made me hold on tighter, pulling every muscle in my arm to keep my grip. The force on my body started to lessen, but on the gauntlets, it was still plenty strong. My left hand struggled to maintain its grip. It was not my dominant hand.


    I tried.


    It ripped from my hand all of a sudden and with it the one bag. It fell into the snow, which was less than three metres below me now. Still, I held on.


    A rock protrusion struck me and the bear out of nowhere, and the bear stayed behind as I got flung with great velocity over the snowy hillside until I landed in the cold snow.


    Out of breath, I sat up. The rocky hillside where the bear ended up was not in sight, making me realize the sheer force that had been in play. At the very least, I knew the direction in which I had to go.


    Then I realized, I was in the middle of an unknown zone without my primary weapon with only a Skinning Knife attached to my makeshift rope and the average clothes on my back and one gauntlet.


    I saw the only item bag that came with me in the snow, so I approached it. It quickly became apparent a lot of it got lost in the mad rodeo ride. It had a flint in it, my Great Strength II rune, which I had exchanged with the Deep Harrow Tree rune the other day and that strange key I had received for finishing the Hem Iree Woods¡¯ Travelling Stone quest. Checking over the direction I was flung, I couldn¡¯t see any other discernible items that got dropped. It was going to be a slog to even find some of my items.


    I sighed. But, I got together the courage and tapped my status icon to see what the rest of the damage was.


    Leo Stormchild


    Race: Norskai


    Level: 1


    </a></a> ________ [Primary Class][Search for a main class tree in game.]


    ________ [Secondary Class][Explore and find your first sub class tree in the world]


    Health: 40


    Energy Bar: 50 [Tier 0 accessible]


    Armor Class: 7


    >Equipped Weapons and Runes:


    Skinning Knife []


    >Equipped Armor and Runes:


    Stout Shirt {little to no shielding against the elements}


    Stout Pants {ittle to no shielding against the elements}


    Etched Silver Gauntlet -single- [Stone body II-Rune][Missing second gauntlet _ effectiveness halved.]


    >Equiped Trinkets:


    Shadow Veil Ring [Stealth +10%]


    [...]


    No¡­


    Level 1??? I lost my class trees!!!!


    ¡°AAAAAAAAAAGHHHHHHHH!¡± I screamed at the top of my voice. Startling a fox close by.

 Ch 8: The Freezing Wilds

    Chapter 8: The Freezing Wilds


    I never expected this!


    The furthest thing from my mind going into this crazy quest just came and kicked me on the ground. I looked at the snow-covered landscape before me. I have never been here. In fact, I wasn¡¯t suppose to hit a snow area for quite a while. But, there was lower levelled snow areas too though.


    Frustration bubbled in me and I hurriedly clicked on my Character¡¯s Status again. I had to be sure it wasn¡¯t just a bad dream...


    Leo Stormchild


    Race: Norskai


    Level: 1


    ________ [Primary Class][Search for a main class tree in game.]


    ________ [Secondary Class][Explore and find your first sub class tree in the world]


    Health: 40


    Energy Bar: 50 [Tier 0 accessible]


    Armor Class: 7


    >Equipped Weapons and Runes:


    Skinning Knife []


    >Equipped Armor and Runes:


    Stout Shirt {little to no shielding against the elements}


    Stout Pants {ittle to no shielding against the elements}


    Etched Silver Gauntlet -single- [Stone body II-Rune][Missing second gauntlet _ effectiveness halved.]


    >Equiped Trinkets:


    Shadow Veil Ring [Stealth +10%]


    [...]


    ¡°Agh!!¡± I groaned.


    I really was level 1 and my classes really were gone. It royally sucked. But then a thought popped up and slowly trepidation grew in me. If I¡¯m not in a starter area... Then I didn¡¯t have a primary class in a higher level zone!


    No!


    That would make things far worse... My hands shook as I tapped the map icon, the world map popped up and my fears became a reality. There was no way that I was even in a level 5-10 zone where even the hardiest of solo players are forced to find a primary class before being able to tackle the more difficult zones.


    The 5-10 zones bordered the starting zones and I wasn¡¯t anywhere near one of the beginner areas. My gaze shot up and looked around for the fox.


    The critter jumped around in the snow to get around. I rushed after it and the moment I was in range, I shouted,


    ¡°Identify!¡± My voice broke in the crisp cold air, but it did the trick.


    Silver Fox


    [Critter] Level ??


    This critter is commonly found in the cold places around the world. Its thick silvery fur makes it ideal for the breezy temperatures.


    [Extra Info] ??


    [??]


    [Non-Hostile-Unless Provoked]


    Sweat started rolling down my face, and then froze. I yelped and scraped the ice droplets from my face. This was extremely bad!


    I sat in a cold biome that I am not prepared to survive in, classless and now I learned every moving thing could probably kill me here.


    This meant only one thing, I had zero time to actually think about how I should proceed. Looking up at the top of my field of view, I saw a little ball and three bars blinking into existence. The one was dropping. My exposure.


    I flicked on my Character Status and tapped the [...] at the bottom.


    [Attributes]


    Choose the Attributes you wish to increase. This will affect your character.


    [Points to allocate= 4]


    I paused. Four? At level 1 you always only get a single point... Could it be because I had unallocated points before being flung halfway across the world, and it stayed? Not being one to complain about a silver lining, I looked to the menu again.


    [Attributes]


    Choose the Attributes you wish to increase. This will affect your character.


    [Points to allocate= 4]


    Strength 10


    Vitality  10


    Agility 10


    Willpower  10


    Intelligence 10


    Acrobatics 10


    Luck 10


    [Race Attributes]


    The Norskai is a hardy people from the cold north. They have survived through severe weather conditions their entire lives. Where others would have quickly perished, they remained and so they have gained first-hand knowledge how to endure and stand fast in times when storms would hit at a moment¡¯s notice.Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.


    Endurance 1


    Survival 2


    A bit of relief came my way. Claire had said, there would be a survival mechanic overhaul. The extra Race attribute for it meant I was a bit better off in extreme weather related conditions than some of the other races. It still did little to change my situation.


    I gave one point to Strength, which would make me hit harder and be able to carry more. Strong guy stuff. I had to put one in Vitality to increase my health and resistances just a tad. Survival was a no brainer for my third point. I NEEDED TO SURVIVE! Lastly, I added one to Luck. That was one thing paramount for me to get through this.


    I closed my menus and looked around, a gust of freezing air blew past me. My exposure bar was down to half. Looking at the fox, I watched it jump to get to places. So, I tried my hand in it. Walking through thick snow would be too much of a hindrance. There was a small cluster of trees in the middle of an open area to my left. Apart from those trees, the only other trees for a quite a distance on the plain were a larger cluster a relative distance away. It would mean a lot more cover from the elements.


    But, it also invited the chance of something nasty to find me, and that promptly ruled it out for the foreseeable future.


    I jumped and actually cleared the snow before landing a meter away. I blew out a breath of relief, my acrobatics were just high enough to jump like this. Sure, I would tire after several bigger jumps, but walking would take me twice as long in snow.


    Upon reaching the clump of trees, I noticed it was about ten trees. Night wasn¡¯t far away and I would not survive the night out in the open. My shivering already got worse. I needed some place where it would be out of the wind.


    There was a nice little spot in the middle of some of the trees, I fished out my Skinning Knife and started striking at a bigger branch.


    Hack!


    I cringed.


    Hack!


    My mind ran scenarios of larger predators hearing me.


    Hack!


    Hack!


    Then the branch fell off. I was happy that the Skinning Knife was sharp enough to get through it. I stripped off the foliage and heaved the branch against a solid tree, getting it to stand diagonally.


    Then I repeated my process. But, each hit on the branches just made me more paranoid. Though, I had little choice.


    Ten minutes later, I rubbed the frozen sweat from my forehead and put in place my seventh branch against the tree. I took the foliage and padded the outside. My exposure bar was down to a tenth. I quickly wriggled into the makeshift shelter and scrounged together the twigs that had remained. The flint in my hand shook as I took a breath out of nervousness and started hitting my Skinning Knife against it. Sparks flew down to the twigs. Nothing.


    I struck the flint again and again.


    Still nothing.


    I looked at my exposure bar, it had only a sliver left. If I didn¡¯t get the fire going, I would start losing health, and even after adding a point in Vitality I still only had fifty health points. It would disappear in minutes, if that.


    I struck it again, my hands shook more out of anxiousness than the cold.


    Again.


    Again...


    Then my health bar popped into view. It was getting really problematic.


    45


    I struck it again, faster.


    40.


    My health depleted faster than I expected.


    Sweat rolled down my face as I continued striking.


    35


    It was not working!


    Then I remembered watching a program of a woman preparing a fire in the wilds. She had used her knife to carve off small pieces of wood from a branch and used that as tinder.


    Quickly, I took my knife and scraped several pieces off the wood. I bundled it together and hurriedly took up my flint again.


    30


    I struck it hard and sparks flew. And then smoke started drifting up. I grabbed the tinder and blew and blew on it. Then out of nowhere, flames appeared.


    Overjoyed, I started piling small twigs over it and kept blowing air into the middle.


    25


    Then the fire took and heat finally spread over my face. Grabbing bigger sticks and a small branch, I placed it on top and watched as it grew in size.


    I slumped down on the cleared ground, out of breath. Almost afraid, I looked up at my exposure bar.


    It was turning to a warmer color as it filled up and stopped at half full. That was about as much I could expect from my makeshift efforts. I sighed in relief and closed my eyes feeling the heat ease over my cold extremities.


    There was a sound. Opening my eyes, I saw a small round Info icon hovering on the left of my field of view. I lazily tapped it.


    [You completed your first shelter!]


    XP gained: 50


    [You started your first fire!]


    Wilderness Skill[Novice] +1


    XP gained: 50


    [Bonus Achievement][Getting it done under heavy duress. Top points!]


    Patient Endurance[Novice] +1


    XP gained: 200


    A chuckle bubbled from my tired body. The game has a sense of humour it seemed. I closed the notifications and just lay there exhausted, somehow. It wasn¡¯t long before my weariness overtook me and I drifted off to sleep.


    ***


    I was startled awake. A branch cracked nearby.


    In moments I sat straight up, completely alert. Another crack sounded. This was no small animal. I kept silent, suppressing my urge to breath quicker at the tension. I glanced back, the fire was down to glowing coals. It still gave off heat, but a little less so. Though, in the moment, I was glad that it wasn¡¯t attracting too much attention. I tensed my muscles and leaned forward while keeping every part of me under complete control. My eye neared a tiny gap in the foliage cover between the supports.


    There was moonlight lighting up the snow outside. I glanced as best I could from side to side. And then a large shadow passed through my view. My breath got stuck in my throat. It was a predator, no two ways about it. Hoping to see what was out there, I called out in the barest of whispers.


    ¡°identify...¡±


    ????


    [Monster] Level ??


    ????


    [Extra Info] ??


    [??]


    </a> [Extremely dangerous]


    My heart beat quickened. If you couldn¡¯t even see the type of creature. It was so far above your level, you would last less than a second against it. Sweat tumbled from my features in droves. This wasn¡¯t good at all. I dared not move at all, there was no way I wanted to bite the dust while everything was so chaotic topside.


    Then fear tapped at me. If the Surge compromised the BeeHive, what did that mean for dying and respawing in the game? Were there any safeguards still in effect? I wanted to face-palm myself for not considering that little titbit before signing up for this crazy thing.


    Regardless of the answer to that question, I didn¡¯t want to get eaten at the moment. But, the uncertainty of it gnawed at me as I sat silent, hoping beyond hoping the creature would move away. Even then, I would have to get out of the wilderness if I wanted to try and log out safely.


    A few minutes later my exposure bar lost its warm glow and started ebbing away again below half. With as much caution as I could, I slowly reached over and took a bigger twig. Cringing as it made the barest of sounds. I scraped together the last of the coals, and softly scraped off tinder with my knife at a snail pace and dropped it onto the coals. I inched my face down and took a deep breath.


    A growl pierced to the air outside. For a moment I wanted to clap my hands over my ears at the intensity of it. I froze.


    Then, in the distance another growl drifted in the air. I waited in anxiousness, before whatever creature was outside could be heard mashing through the snow. The sound of it became softer and I finally let out my breath.


    In seconds, I was frantically blowing at my small fireplace, desperate to get the thing going again.


    Luckily, it only took a few seconds before the heat started up again and my exposure settled back down again.


    Ding! Sounded inside my head. I tapped the notification.


    [Staying undetected from a hostile monster or NPC of a much higher level]


    Stealth +1


    Luck +1


    XP gained: 590


    I gasped. That was a huge gain! To gain a greater attribute point, did not normally happen. It only meant, that whatever had been out there was really bad news. Still, I was really happy for the award.


    As I sat there, I fed the fire until it was bigger again. Unlike earlier, I was anything but calm. The place was way too dangerous to be in. Yet, there was absolute nothing I could do about it. The only way out of there was like climbing a sheer cliff with no ropes. Possible, but highly unlikely, that is unless you are an expert climber. For me however, it meant all that time I had not spent studying up on the very game I was working on, was biting me in the ankle right now.


    I slumped against the tree and tried to keep vigilant, even though it felt like my eye lids were made of lead.


    Time slogged by, and I kept the fire nice and big. The exposure to elements was far worse at night and especially in storms. Luckily, there was no storm, yet. I just had to make it to the morning, and not get eaten while I¡¯m at it.


    I awoke with a start. I had fallen asleep. My eyes darted from left to right, but everything was still intact. I sighed in relief when I noticed the fire still smouldering. Though, as I looked at my shelter, I could see light filtering through. Joy erupted in me and I opened up a hole. The sun was out.


    The pure exposure during day was much less, giving me a real chance to go out and hunt for the materials I need to actually have a better chance at survival in this place.


    I opened the side of my shelter and stepped outside. The sun was nice and warm as I breathed in happily.


    Then I spotted eyes staring at me intently and I stopped.

 [[NOT a chapter]] Sub ATTRIBUTES

    I''ll use this chapter to establish my secondary attribute list, basically the three sub attributes for the PRIMARY attributes that govern them.


    As they stand now,


    [Primary Attributes]


    Choose the Attributes you wish to increase. This will affect your character.


    [Points to allocate= 0]


    Strength 11


    Vitality 11


    Agility 10


    Willpower  10


    Intelligence 10


    Acrobatics 10


    **Luck 12


    Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.


    [Race Attributes]


    Endurance 1


    Survival 3


    [Secondary/Sub Attributes]


    These affect the primary attribute governed by them.


    -


    Grip


    Muscle Memory


    Hand to Hand


    [Governing Attribute= Strength]


    Body


    Mind


    Potential


    [Governing Attribute= Vitality]


    Reflexes


    Stealth


    Marksman


    [Governing Attribute= Agility]


    Energy


    Patience


    Insight


    [Governing Attribute= Willpower]


    Perception


    Charisma


    Lore


    [Governing Attribute= Intelligence]


    Athletics


    Swiftness


    Blind Awareness


    [Governing Attribute= Acrobatics]


    Toughness


    Shielding


    Resistance


    [Governing Attribute= Endurance]


    Wildcraft


    Scavenge


    Camouflage


    [Governing Attribute= Survival]


    **Should there be Sub attributes for Luck too? If so, what do you think would be fun?


    ***Body (Health Points + Health Regen)


    ***Mind (Ability to convert actions in Energy Points)


    (Maximum Energy Points for the Energy Bar comes with the Energy Attribute under Willpower)


    -


    Everyone is welcome to leave comments below. I do want to hear what you all think about my setup on the attributes and sub attributes. I am looking to make this as much fun and as balanced as possible. So any feedback will help.


    Have a wonderful day,


    Omri

 Ch:9 The Plot!

    Chapter 9: The plot!


    I stared at the eyes holding my gaze, my breath caught in my throat. It was no more than thirty metres away from me. There were no two ways about it, the thing in front of me could possibly kill me. In fact, I was hundred percent sure of it.


    That thing would kill me, given the chance.


    Nervously I licked my lips before gulping. It had moved closer to me.


    I narrowed the gap between my lips and whispered ¡°Identify¡± softly and just hoped my one secondary attribute, Perception would be high enough to couple with my Intelligence to be able to fully identify one of the creatures in the biome.


    I held my breath.


    Then I saw the words filling out some of the question marks! I wanted to jump in jubilation, but I held it in with every ounce of my ability. If this thing got aggressive and attacked me...


    Sweat ran down my forehead. It cooled down considerably on its path, but the sun kept it from freezing this time. Without warning, the creature moved.


    I froze, but it quickly bounded away. With a woosh I breathed out in deep relief.


    My hand swept away the sweat from my brow and I actually started breathing normally again.


    A plan formed in my mind. I could not fight a single thing in this biome with my bare fists or my single Knife and even think of possibly winning. There was just no way. So, I was thinking about creating an elaborate trap for one of the mobs in the biome and use gravity to assist me in slaying a monster.


    I thought back to the creature and its beady eyes and anxiousness bubbled up in me. If I miscalculate and the trap did not kill it, then I will be dinner for that thing without a doubt.


    I started chopping at a bigger tree in the patch of trees. It still drove the paranoia high in me as the noise rolled out in waves as I worked. But, then minutes later, I scrambled around the tree and watched as it cracked and started to fall.


    Then with a surprisingly gentle let down, it fell into the thick snow. Even so, I looked around frantically. But my efforts had only startled a fox. A deadly killer fox¡­ I shook my head.


    The tree was big enough that my arms only barely got around it. I started chopping it into large logs used in my trap. What followed was mindless repetition. Yet, it was sooo necessary.


    An hour passed when I suddenly got a notification.


    Ping!


    Muscle Memory + 1


    Grip +1


    ¡°Nice.¡± I said and continued working the logs and using the flexible bark to braid together makeshift ropes.


    The chopping was probably responsible for two of my secondary attributes going up. Already the swings of my knife felt a little more natural. Grip was a nice one as it meant having a stronger and firmer hold on whatever I was holding or carrying.


    At the moment, every little bit extra help was more than welcome. It made me think about not having a class to assist my progress in such a lethal environment. Still, I had a chance. If I could defeat one monster in this biome, it would improve the odds of my getting out of here by more than a hundred fold.


    Gladness bubbled up in me that during the mad flight my skinning knife hadn¡¯t been pulled away. The only means I could survive in this cold situation. Well, with what I had, anyway.


    Breathing out, I looked at my handy work.


    I now had several ropes tied to two four big pieces of log. Essentially big swinging hammers. I would need as much force as I could muster.


    During my time chopping, my exposure bar slowly depleted down from halfway. At least during a sunny day it took a couple of hours instead of minutes for it to go down. There was still no way I could go exploring. I needed to be close to a fire with the clothes I was wearing. But, more, I had no clue what kind of monsters were out there. As if reminding me of the cold, I realized the stinging in my hands had gotten worse, so I stumbled back to my fire and warmed up a bit.


    Looking back out over the snow expanse that surrounded my precious clump of trees, I studied the landscapes a bit better for the first time since my mad dash to find a shelter and building a fire.


    Apart from the more flat area of snow around my trees, there was a hillside to the direction of the morning sun. Big rocks stood about its face. But, that could mean caves and caves could either mean better shelter or more than likely, instant death.


    I would need to be incredibly cautious if I thought about exploring there. I leaned out of my shelter and looked away from where the sun was shining. There was a frozen waterfall that way, and from there clearly a stream that led in a direction away from me. That was an option for water. Eating snow was a last resort sure, as it is fine for drinking water, but it would cool down my core majorly and make my exposure bar plummet.


    As my exposure bar reached full capacity, I grabbed a few ropes and went to a tree I felt suitable for my trap. I quickly climbed to a reasonable height, tied a secure knot, and went about setting the scene of my stand.


    It took me two more hours to tie together all the ropes and add the manual trigger, which was me. But, just to be sure I tied a second trap with a lot of sharp pointy sticks on them. A ball of, do not mess with me.


    Ping!


    Skill gained.


    Trap Maker II [Novice]


    Having made big strides in functional traps, you now have higher percentage damage when setting up an ambush and resetting your traps.


    + 5 % Surprise attack damage


    + 20 % Chance to quickly reset a sprung trap.


    The skill gain did not surprise me as much. I had it before while at my much higher level. Just the thought of the game nerfing me made me want to wrestle a bear again.


    I sat up.


    My sword was inside Mr. Scary Bear¡¯s leg! That got me thinking, if I could go in the direction of where I saw the bear land, I might get my sword back! But... that would mean making a big trek over dangerous lands with just a knife and in clothes ill equipped for being outside too long. And what if the bear was still alive!? It out levelled me by a very very big margin.


    ¡°Ughhh!¡± I threw up my hands in frustration. That was a pipe dream. A very ambitious pipe dream.


    I sighed and rubbed my temples to soothe my overworked brain. Now was not the time for crazy schemes. First plan had to be first.


    I eased back, with my hand on the first trap¡¯s rope. I would wait. The fire crackled behind me, giving me much needed heat as I hoped one of the smaller creatures would approach first. Bigger now meant me running away like a wild pig screaming for my life. Not many mucho points in that, but eh, I needed to survive to help other people. As I sat there reciting the quite considerable list of people at the dome that got struck by the Surge while in game. I needed to remember their in game names to recognize the ones that were in the most immediate danger.


    I sighed. I was in immediate danger hanging around in this high-level biome¡­ Shaking it off, I kept my focus as best as I could.


    My eyes started dipping as I waited. The wind only gushed enough to shake me a bit more alert and it only happened now and then. But, luckily, no bigger creatures approached my trees. Yet.


    Small snowflakes drifted down, it was like a gentle lullaby¡­


    I started awake. The sun was almost completely below the tree line.


    Whoa. I had nodded of for quite a while.


    My eyes drifted down and immediately my entire gut turned to a knot. There sat my quarry. No more than fifteen metres from me. I dared not make any fast movements as I double-checked if my trap would go off in the right location.


    I gulped. It had been my plan to let the furthest traps start the process, but now only the closest two had any chance of hitting the beast.


    ¡°Identify.¡± I said softly. I had to be sure this one was still in my reading bracket.


    Dire Ermine


    [Monster] Level 30


    Ermines are normally peaceful critters that are well suited for the snowy landscape. With their elongated bodies they are able to squeeze into smaller tunnels to hunt their favourite prey, the giant moles. Their pelts, though sleek are excellent to keep the cold out. Little is known about what set about the change to the Dire version of the species. It is, however, known that they have outgrown most of their own kind. Known to attack much larger prey even without provocation, they are best handled with caution.


    [Extra Info]


    ??


    [Dangerous]


    The monster licked its lips. And I was almost certain that it thought I would make a yummy snack.


    ¡°You will have to fight for it.¡± I said and gripped the rope to the trap closest to it.


    It was a little bigger than a house cat. But one thing was definitely certain, I was not going to underestimate a Level 30 monster, no matter how cute or cuddly it looked. The fact that it didn¡¯t have the Critter or the Animal tag, just made me really cautious of the thing.


    I waited for it to inch closer. Yup it was definitely up to something.


    My knuckles tightened around the rope. Every muscle in me was ready to spring. Though, a smile did tug at my lips. The scene had to look super weird. Me being tensed like a knot while I waited to ambush something that looked like a big fluffy wiener dog mixed with a fox. But, I had little time to enjoy the absurd situation.


    I was ready-


    A white flash jumped from the side. I recoiled and glanced to the side. A second Dire Ermine came running towards me from the left.


    ¡°Agh!¡±


    Instinct made me pull my second rope sending the closest spiked trap tumbling down in a swinging arc. It hit the new Dire Ermine and disappeared to the side with thing squealing. I had no time to see what happened. The first Dire Ermine had launched the moment I tugged at the other rope. I scrambled to grab the first rope and pull just in the nick of time. A whoosh sound filled the air and then a loud crash as two of my hammer traps collided.


    Thankfully, it managed to slam into the first enemy. I watched it fall over. A dazed icon appeared above its head.


    I reached for my knife.


    A bloody streak came barrelling into me. I rolled with the Dire Ermine out of the heat from my fire. Almost immediately, I had to block the Ermine from biting me in the face. My forearm trembled as even its much smaller body was already close to overpowering my feeble level 1 strength. I could only hold it of for a couple of seconds more. I had to get to my knife. It was the only way.


    As it pressed, I used its strength against it and just let it get closer, but deflecting the bite at the last second. With a deep breath, I flung the body of the Dire Ermine over my shoulder and jumped into motion. I got my knee under me and sprang forward, stumbling as I grabbed my knife. With my momentum, I was sent past my shelter towards the first trap that have gone off. I spun around, ready to finish off the one Dire Ermine.


    Yet, when I looked, I could see a limping but definitely awake Dire Ermine and the bloody Dire Ermine stalking towards me.


    Uh-oh.


    I strode back, keeping my muscles tense. This was trouble. The first Dire Ermine looked about half health, and the bloody Dire Ermine looked about quarter of its health left. I squinted above them and could see I was right. Their health bars echoed my guess. Still¡­ the skull next to it did little to comfort me. These things were waaaay way above my ability.


    I was anxious about taking on the crippled one alone¡­ never mind the half health one.


    I shook my head. The situation wasn¡¯t going to change with worrying. I had to out think them.


    As we moved, I studied my options with mere glances, never fully taking my gaze away from my two adversaries. Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.


    There was the fire. But, that was to the right and enclosed in my shelter. The two un-triggered traps were still in play, but their ropes were behind the Dire Ermines. I bit my lip. My options weren¡¯t good. The knife would only hold off the one for a few moments at best. If only the other Dire Ermine was still dazed.


    Then something painfully pinched my calve, I shot my eyes back to see the spike trap right there.


    ¡°Okay, let¡¯s dance.¡± I said, as I lifted my knife to a ready position. I made a mock jerk towards the one with more health, hoping it would come jumping first.


    Luckily, my plan worked, and as it sailed through the air towards me, I jumped to the side. I heard a yelp, followed by silence. I rolled up just in time to see the bloody Dire Ermine right there fangs gaping.


    I fell back into the snow and held up my knife.


    The next moment, the Dire Ermine¡¯s fang caught my arm and I could see an icon flashing.


    Critical Strike!


    My health bar went from fifty to ten in a single moment.


    I cringed, expecting the second attack to surely finish me off. Nothing came¡­


    Opening my eyes, I looked at the defeated Dire Ermine on my knife, its tooth still on my arm. Without waiting, I threw it off and stared to the spike trap. My breath caught as I saw the second one hanging there without movement.


    My breath gushed out and I stood up glancing into the now darkness around. No movement presented itself.


    Ping!


    I ignored it as a flashing bar caught my attention. I gasped. My exposure was a sliver from being depleted! I ran towards the fire, but made sure to quickly grab both the bodies of the Dire Ermines. There was no way I was going to leave anything to chance. Though a despawn that quick was highly unlikely, after the Surge I wasn¡¯t sure what glitches roamed the game.


    Just in time I reached the fire, my exposure bar had depleted a moment before. But before my little health could whittle down even more, the exposure started evening out again.


    I breathed heavily after my fight, glad I had come out on top when the odds were completely stacked against me. Luck had played quite the role.


    My hands shook as I closed my shelter to the outside world. As I sat down, I tapped the closest Dire Ermine, the one that had ambushed me from the side.


    Dire Ermine


    [Monster] Level 32


    Hmm it was two levels higher than the other one¡­


    I scanned past the info I have already seen and saw what I was looking for


    [Search Loot]


    Average Dire Ermine pelt[Crafting Material]


    Three Dire Ermine Fangs[Crafting Material]


    Raw Meat x2


    I tapped loot all and watched as the body turned to dust and only the loot remaining. I grabbed the Raw Meat and stuck it on a stick over the fire. I was hungry and I needed the extra health regen from the food.


    I turned to the other Dire Ermine and tapped the body.


    Dire Ermine


    [Monster] Level 30


    ¡­.


    ¡­.


    [Search Loot]


    Good Dire Ermine pelt[Crafting Material]


    Four Dire Ermine Fangs[Crafting Material]


    Raw Meat x 2


    I tapped the loot all and repeated the process with getting the meat over the fire. The adrenaline of the fight left me and I felt like I had run ten kilometres. I sat back and twisted a fang in my hand. Then I remembered the system prompts!


    I tapped my status and was bombarded with messages.


    [Perceived an ambush of a monster 20 levels higher]


    +2 Perception


    XP gained 300


    [Sprung a trap successfully for the first time]


    +1 Wildcraft


    XP Gained 170


    [Survive a brawl with a monster or NPC of 20 levels or higher]


    + 1 Toughness


    +1 Grip


    XP gained 500


    [Tricks up your sleeves: Adapt to your combat situation and lure your adversary into unperceived harms way]


    +1 Insight


    XP gained 480


    Defeated Dire Ermine Level 30


    XP gained 200+ Level difference = 2280


    [Survived a direct attack from a monster or NPC 20 levels or higher]


    +1 Toughness


    +1 Body


    XP gained 880


    Defeated Dire Ermine Level 32


    XP gained 220+ Level difference = 2500


    Level up!


    I gasped. That was something! Quickly, I tapped my Character Status.


    Leo Stormchild


    Race: Norskai


    Level: 1 + 5


    ________ [Primary Class][Search for a main class tree in game.]


    ________ [Secondary Class][Explore and find your first sub class tree in the world]


    Health: 40


    Energy Bar: 50 [Tier 0 accessible]


    Armor Class: 12


    ¡­


    ¡­


    [...]


    [Attributes]


    Choose the Attributes you wish to increase. This will affect your character.


    [Points to allocate=15]


    Strength 11


    Vitality  11


    Agility 10


    Willpower  10


    Intelligence 10


    Acrobatics 10


    Luck 12


    [Race Attributes]


    The Norskai is a hardy people from the cold north. They have survived through severe weather conditions their entire lives. Where others would have quickly perished, they remained and so they have gained first-hand knowledge how to endure and stand fast in times when storms would hit at a moment¡¯s notice.


    Endurance 1


    Survival 3


    I allocated the points without waiting and checked again.


    Leo Stormchild


    Race: Norskai


    Level: 6


    ________ [Primary Class][Search for a main class tree in game.]


    ________ [Secondary Class][Explore and find your first sub class tree in the world]


    Health: 85


    Energy Bar: 80 [Tier 0 accessible]


    Armor Class: 12


    >Equipped Weapons and Runes:


    Skinning Knife []


    >Equipped Armor and Runes:


    Stout Shirt {little to no shielding against the elements}


    Stout Pants {ittle to no shielding against the elements}


    Etched Silver Gauntlet -single- [Stone body II-Rune][Missing second gauntlet _ effectiveness halved.]


    >Equiped Trinkets:


    Shadow Veil Ring [Stealth +10%]


    [...]


    [Attributes]


    Choose the Attributes you wish to increase. This will affect your character.


    [Points to allocate=0]


    Strength 15


    Vitality  15


    Agility 11


    Willpower  13


    Intelligence 10


    Acrobatics 10


    Luck 13


    [Race Attributes]


    Endurance 1


    Survival 4


    My body slumped in relief. In one attack, my chances went from very very very very low, to just very very low. It gave me somewhat of a fighting chance in such a high level biome.


    My head pressed against one of the support beams of my makeshift shelter. Sleep was high up on my list of things to do. But, looking down to my bare feet, there was no doubt that it had to wait. If it had been the real world, frostbite would have started to set in ages ago. That in part was lucky. Still, it didn¡¯t make the situation any less dire. I had zero confidence of being able to explore the woods and the rocky hillside in the direction of where my flight through the sky took me. Stuff in there was going to rip me apart even at level 6. And actually seeing the levels of the Dire Ermines made me guess this was at very least a level 35-40 zone. Just my luck...


    It complicated matters utterly, especially with me missing my classes.


    Yet, it couldn¡¯t be helped, I made the choice of stabbing that bear mid flight to escape being thrown into an incredibly long winded tutorial.


    Wiggling my toes, I sat up and decided to do something about my cold feet. If I succeeded, it would increase my time able to brave the area away from my fire. I grabbed the Dire Ermine pelts.


    I laid them out before me and was happy that they were more than big enough to cover my feet and my ankles. I took my skinning knife and carved both pelts in half, using the better pelt for my actual feet and the average pelt for going around my ankles. Wrapping the better pelts around my feet, I used the knife to make small incisions to make them fit better. Next, I picked up the flexible bark strips. An idea popped into my head and wondered if it would work I said,


    ¡°Identify.¡±


    Maple Inner Bark


    The Maple tree¡¯s inner bark is flexible and strong. Can be used for crafting and weaving. Also, a little known fact; it is edible.


    ??


    [Extra Info]


    Crafting material


    Fibre


    Raw Food


    ??


    My eyes widened. I did not know that! It made me wonder what the hidden properties of it were.


    I turned around and tapped a log of the same tree but was surprised.


    Maple Sap


    This sweet sap is edible.


    ??


    [Extra Info]


    Cooking ingredient


    Alchemical ingredient


    ??


    I looked down and saw the sap that I had tapped on. It made me want to hit myself for playing this game without actually observing the world. It actually made me wonder. I hadn¡¯t heard any of the players talk about hidden properties of things in the wild. Was it new? Or did no one ever bothered to identify normally boring stuff. A good question to be sure. At the very least, I now knew that there were far more to any biome than just different roaming monsters. I actually tapped the wood from the log next.


    Maple Tree Wood


    Excellent use for crafting and quite flammable.


    [Extra Info]


    Crafting material


    Wood


    Nodding I looked back to the pelts I was busy shaping for my feet when I received a notification.


    Ping!


    [Paying close to the nature around you have detected several hidden properties.]


    +2 Insight


    +1 Perception


    Skill gained!


    Herbalism I [Novice]


    You have gained an eye to spot natural materials that can be used for various purposes.


    +1 Wildcraft


    +1 Scavenge


    Flabbergasted, I tapped on my Character Status and scrolled down to my Skills for the first time since being plunged into this zone. Surprise struck me straight in the middle of my forehead.


    [Skills]:


    Monster Wrestler I [Advance]


    You have wrestled valiantly against


    monsters of all sizes, and have even discriminated against


    the peaceful monster bears of the Hem Iree Woods.


    With it, you have gained extra bonus strength when you attempt a grapple while unarmed.


    Strength +5 while grappling.


    Bears will be even more wary of you


    Wilderness Skill I [Novice] (+1)


    You gained awareness of the natural compounds around you.


    With a bit of focus you can spot and use naturally occurring materials to survive.


    +2 Perception


    Patient Endurance I [Novice] (+1)


    When pressure is high and most would start to panic, you have learned how to keep focus on the critical task at hand.


    +2 Patience


    Trap Maker II [Novice] (+2)


    Having made big strides in functional traps, you now have higher percentage damage when setting up an ambush and resetting your traps.


    + 5 % Surprise attack damage


    + 20 % Chance to quickly reset a sprung trap.


    Herbalism I [Novice]


    You have gained an eye to spot natural materials that can be used for various purposes.


    +1 Wildcraft


    +1 Scavenge


    No way! I kept my Monster Wrestler skill? That was amazing! No wonder I could hold out a bit when that Dire Ermine jumped me. It made me think. I had extra points to allocate when the game dropped me in the snow. Which meant the new level and the new skill had stayed untouched. It never finished completely dragging me back to a complete rookie. And I was extremely glad it hadn¡¯t. But, the herbalism was a surprise too, I never had it at my previous build. It wasn¡¯t added with the patch, that much was sure, I had heard people talk of it before. But, I thought it was a Sub class they had found in the level 5-10 zone. Now, it made wonder what kind of other skills I had missed while busy playing the enforcer. If I had to guess one, it would be alchemy. If I could perceive the Maple sap as an Alchemical ingredient, it meant it probably wasn¡¯t a class. Through and through, I was sure I would be looking out for hidden skills from now on.


    While pondering this whole new part of the game, I went back weaving the inner bark strips through little holes I made with the skinning knife. Some boots would be nice.

 [[ Poll ]] Character Story Or Stat Heavy

    I was thinking. While the story is still young there is a real important question that needs to be asked.


    One, do I forego heavy use of stats and points and a lot of math and concentrate on the characters and build the story through emotional adventure. (Still a game story but with a lot less stats and skill layouts.)The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.


    Two, I stick to my stat heavy approach to this story.


    Or Three I tone down a little bit on the stats and make a big middle ground between story heavy and LitRPG heavy.(Basically I focus more on the story but add in a backbone of achievements and progression.)


    I am asking this, because I want to know, REALLY want to know what kind of LitRPG story you all want. What is the story you need in this genre? I am asking this for your sake. ">

 Ch: 10 The frozen waterfall

    Chapter 10


    The meat melted in my mouth. It was as if the effort obtaining it increased the enjoyment of it two fold. Besides the lovely taste, I was glad to see my hunger bar return to full and disappear.


    The next thing on my list would definitely be water, but the thought of it just made me nervous. It meant I had to go to the waterfall area, that or eat snow. But, with my fire and clothes only increasing my exposure back to half, ruled out the eating of snow. All I could hope for was that nothing spotted me as I ran like a mad man out in the open.


    It would have to wait till the morning.


    I finished my last bite of meat and looked down to my now makeshift boots. Pulling them on I already saw my exposure bar increase another tenth. It was good news, it would make the trek across the snow quite a bit more bearable.


    Tapping the boots, more than one notification popped.


    Ping!


    [Success in crafting your own first pieces of armor!]


    +1 Wildcraft


    +1 Patience


    Skill gained!


    Crafting I [Primitive]


    With some fiddling around with basic materials you have discovered how to make simple usable items.


    +40% Success rate of creating usable simple clothes or crude items or weapons.


    +10 % Chance to create average clothes, weapons, or items with basic crafting materials.


    [Dire Ermine boots]


    Using the pelts of Dire Ermines and inner bark, these boots were created using primitive means. The pelts themselves offer decent protection against cold weather. Though, the durability is not as high due to the means by which it was made.


    +10% Exposure Protection


    +1 Armor Class


    50/50 Durability


    I smiled. Even though just a little bit of help, every bit was welcome. The Crafting skill definitely was a nice touch. It meant that while creating something, it had a percentage of automatically finishing it in a successful craft. And the chance to create something higher in quality than simple was nice too. It was just too bad on the boots having such a low durability rating. They wouldn¡¯t last me more than a few days.


    After that, I threw on a few more sticks and logs on the fire and sat back against the tree. Within seconds, my eyes closed and I drifted off to sleep.


    I started awake, glancing around, seeing my fire down to coals. I quickly added more fuel, but paused as I saw the light outside. Relief tumbled over me for making it through the night without interruptions.


    Gripping the one support beam, I pushed outside my shelter. As I got a look outside, I gulped. There were paw marks all over the place.


    It was a wonder nothing disturbed me in my shelter. No matter, even with the troubling thought of predators skulking about outside my shelter sniffing at the battle scene last night, I wouldn¡¯t get anything from worrying about it now. I tapped my Inventory and took out more cooked meat. It gave a little buff of Athletics.


    With a deep breath I stepped away from my shelter and ventured out of the clump of trees.


    Staring around revealed only open snow and the forest, hillside and a waterfall, nothing big was moving outside.


    Then a fox bounded by, fifty metres or so from me. Immediately, I called out hoping my perception and insight was finally high enough to identify the critter.


    ¡°Identify!¡±


    Relief flooded me when the level of the fox came into view.


    Silver Fox


    [Critter] Level 37


    This critter is commonly found in the cold places around the world. Its thick silvery fur makes it ideal for the breezy temperatures. It is non-aggressive, although, do not be fooled by its cute nature, it is an agile opponent if attacked.


    [Extra Info]


    Fur can be used as a crafting material.


    [??]


    [Non-Hostile-Unless Provoked]


    Level thirty seven? Hmmm, for a critter it was high level if my guess of the zone level was true. Yet, it helped me quite a lot that I could identify certain things now. That in itself was a small victory. I went back to my shelter and grabbed one of poles I had sharpened into a very makeshift spear the night before. Tapping it as I left the shelter, it glowed for a second before,


    Ping!


    Average Spear


    This spear was made with care, the tip was cleaned up and sharpened, with the pole having some semblance of balance.


    Damage: 15-20


    Durability: 75/75


    The upgrade to the spear made me smile. It put the damage of it at just a little more than my skinning knife.


    I breathed in deeply as the crisp and cold air filled my lungs. Today was the day I ventured out. My feet not being popsicles changes things a bit, and within seconds I was up to a nice, yet hopping, little trot through the snow. Halfway over the expanse towards the waterfall, I stopped and glanced intently in a full circle around me.This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.


    No big movement. Right.


    I continued forward.


    All that filled my hearing as I ran was the snow crunching beneath my Ermine boots. If I could reach level ten and somehow find myself to the edge of the biome, I might be able to enter a lower level zone where I actually stood a chance.


    Skidding to a stop at the frozen waterfall, I surveyed the area. If it was any warmer, the spot would be quite serene, although, even with the cold, it looked beautiful.


    Creaking and cracking sounds was the only thing stirring the air right then, so I got to a spot where the ice looked the thinnest and started stabbing my spear into it. It took a minute, but eventually the ice cracked and a small hole fell away. I cringed, I had no other option than to stick my hand into the near freezing water. With a quite bit of reluctance, I reached down and quickly stuck in my hand. Immediately I could feel the biting of the cold, but I pressed on, lifted a palm full of water, and drank. I wasn¡¯t surprised to see my exposure bar drop a bit, though not much. As I drank my second helping, I was happy to see it didn¡¯t drop any faster than a small tick.


    The next few minutes, I spent drinking my fill until my water was full again. I just wished I had some sort of canteen to fill up. Though, that couldn¡¯t be helped at the moment.


    I looked in the direction where I had come flying from. It would take a few days more before I was ready to go that direction.


    I stuck my hand into the water one last time, just to get one more refreshing sip.


    Crack.


    That was a bit louder than normal, and I wondered if I disturbed the pool enough for larger cracks to form.


    Doof


    My ears perked. That sound was a bit out of place. As I slowly straightened, too precise and steady noises came from a single direction. It made my heart beat quicken and I gulped. Making no sudden movements, I turned my head at a snail¡¯s pace. In my peripheral vision a large figure moved towards me with deliberate steps.


    No...


    I turned the last bit and froze. A giant white and blue striped Sabre-tooth tiger with its haunches low in a stalking manner, stood there looking at me no less than twenty metres away from me. Its one paw, which was twice the size of my head, lifted ever so slowly and placed it closer ever so carefully.


    I gulped again.


    As imperceptible as I could, I glanced around to see if I had any chance of surviving the first few seconds.


    That is what I had if the thing pounced, and unlike the Ermine, I had no way, not one of coming out on top. Not with the levels I had, or the weapons. It would literally be over in seconds.


    I spotted a snow-covered tree hanging next to the waterfall in the rock face. It hung over the frozen pool. The only way to get up there was a crack in the rock that was as big as my foot.


    I moved my one foot as slowly as I possibly could to the other side of the hole I made in the ice. My body eased with it, until I was standing with the hole between us. I glanced back.


    It was within fifteen metres from me. Its teeth were just as long as the sword I had wielded up until that huge flight through the air. Just seeing their sharp points made sweat start to roll down my face.


    I had one single chance of buying me more than a few seconds against the thing, but I didn¡¯t even know if I could get up there.


    Steadying my breath, I tensed my muscles and ever so carefully lifted my spear. I pulled back slowly and with every single point of strength, I threw the spear at the Sabre-tooth.


    Everything happened at once, the spear sailed through the air, digging into the predator¡¯s more than formidable shoulder. It roared and the sound rung in my ears as I spun and ran as fast as I could possibly go.


    The ice beneath me held as I ran over the frozen pool of water. I could only hope it held.


    I heard explosive movement behind me, I risked a glance, the tiger came storming towards me, the spear in its shoulder hardly slowing its speed. Its eyes raged with killing intent. Then it tripped in the hole I made for the water.


    I booked it then, running even faster. Within moments, I reached the cliff face next to the waterfall and jumped, my hands dug into the course rock and my foot slid into the crack. I pressed down and sprang upwards as hard as I could.


    My hand grabbed the branch and I pulled with all my strength.


    The air below me changed in a whoosh. My right arm got around the tree and I looked down to where the Sabre-tooth tiger had just flashed under me. It shook its head and then looked up. It sat on its haunches and I knew what was coming next.


    I pulled with all my might and lifted my one foot up to the tree.


    A rip sounded as I felt my shirt shredding open at the back. Frantically I pulled myself against the tree as I heard it jump again.


    It missed. But just barely.


    Within seconds, I got up onto the tree, heaving for breath and looking down at the giant Sabre-tooth.


    ¡°Identify.¡± I gasped finally.


    ????


    [Monster] Level ??


    ????


    [Extra Info] ??


    [??]


    [Extremely dangerous]


    The same thing happened as that night. I shook my head and shouted,


    ¡°It is a giant sabre-tooth! Identify!¡±


    Giant Frost Sabre-Tooth


    [Monster] Level 44


    ????


    [Extra Info] ??


    [??]


    [Extremely dangerous]


    Ping!


    +2 Insight


    +2 Perception


    It worked? I was surprised. I only did it out of pure frustration. Yet, it only made my situation even more dire. It wasn¡¯t a mini-boss or boss creature, and it wasn¡¯t a level scaled monster either. So, the place was beyond any doubt at least a level 40-45 zone and that meant it was like an earthquake going from a 6 to a 7 on the Richter-scale. It could almost not be compared.


    Crack


    Creaaak


    Everything shook and I had to grip more tightly. Something didn¡¯t feel right. My gaze jerked back.


    The roots of tree popped out of the rock one by one. My eyes popped open wide. This was bad.


    I looked down at the fearsome tiger below and eased backwards...


    Crack


    My body was shaking as I moved backwards. As I got to the rock face, I glanced up. The ledge was three metres above me. Not a jump I could make. I had to hit the handholds halfway up, I studied them and then looked at the tree. There were only three roots left in the face¡ª


    Creeeaak


    Two left.


    Quickly I turned around and pressed my hands against the rock, getting my feet under me.


    Crack


    I had no time! I stood up and jumped up towards the protrusions in the rock. Desperately I grabbed at my only lifeline. My right hand got hold of one and immediately slipped. I heard the tree rip out of the rock and fall. My left hand just barely got hold of the rock and I hung there straining at having all my weight on a single hand. Grimacing, I looked down and saw the falling tree hit the jumping tiger and it yelped as it landed on the ice. It cracked and a huge piece of it gave way. The Sabre-tooth was sliding into the water.


    I could barely take it in as my left hand started losing grip. If I let go, I was done for. I held on for dear life, but I could feel my pinkie slip off the rock, then my ring finger. In a last ditched effort, I tried grabbing the right hand-held again.


    It slipped again.


    My thumb scraped off on my left.


    I reached up higher, and just as my left hand jerked loose, my right got a hold. Not wasting any more time, I searched for another place to hold on. As I was a bit higher now, there were more options. I swung up my left arm grabbed another and then another with my right.


    A minute later, I dropped exhausted up on top of the small cliff. My lungs burned as I tried to suck in more air.


    I stared at my exposure bar. I had little more left than a third of it. This was not the end of my trouble.


    Ping!


    [Having detected and successfully evaded an attacking predator of thirty levels or higher.]


    +2 Perception


    +1 Acrobatics


    [Having scaled a cliff under extreme duress]


    +1 grip


    Skill gained!


    Extreme Mountaineer I [Journeyman]


    You have accustomed yourself to vertical climbing and even done so to survive. You now have a better awareness of the safest route to climb.


    +1 strength when climbing.


    55% chance to detect a more favourable climbing route.


    I could hardly take in the information as I rolled over and stared down the side of the cliff. The Sabre-tooth was still very much alive, though struggling a lot to get its bottom half out of the freezing water.


    Scraping together courage, I pressed myself upright. I had to use the time to get away. To maybe find a place where I could warm up. My exposure bar was down to a quarter.


    I had little time.

 Ch: 11 Fear Outside

    Chapter 11 Fear Outside


    I had run for ten minutes. The only reason why I had even an inkling of an idea where I was, laid squarely on the sun. Certainty was rife in me that I was running away from my shelter and the only fire. Still I ran.


    If that Giant Frost Sabre-tooth tiger got out, I had no chance of making it back to my shelter. The only problem with running away was that my exposure bar was getting too low for comfort. If I reached zero health out here, I would drop unconscious and if I did so in the snow, death would follow within minutes. That didn¡¯t even start going over the fact that if anything hostile in area found me unconscious... And since, I have not been to a starter town or any town for that matter, who knew what the AI would do with me? ... And with that frikken crystals taking over outside the game, I could not begin to imagine if the respawn function still functioned 100%. I had to stay alive...


    I shook my head wildly and slapped my cheeks. There was nothing to gain thinking like that.


    Glancing up, I cringed at my exposure bar, it only had less than a tenth left. In day time, that gave me tens of minutes.


    As I crunched through the snow, a drop down a hillside revealed a meadow. I swallowed heavily and slowed down. There was two other Sabre-tooths down there. By some mercy, they had not detected me.


    Carefully, I went higher up onto the hill to the crest and moved behind the edge, with it, I started running again.


    Ten minutes later my exposure bar got dangerously low. I had to do something. Looking around I spotted a tree with leaking tree sap. I scrambled to it. As I touched it, I blew out a breath of relief. Resin.


    Without waiting, I broke a branch from the tree and smeared the top half in as much resin as I could find.


    84 health left


    I groaned, already on borrowed time. I pulled out my skinning knife, started tearing bark from the tree, and shaved off wood chippings to use for tinder.


    83 health left


    At least it was not dropping as insanely fast as that first night, and my extra levels and attributes gave me an extra buffer. I glanced up at the sun. I had maybe a few hours before sunset. Then I needed to be inside, a torch wouldn¡¯t cut it at night in the snow.


    I held the makeshift torch between my legs and started striking my flint. It wasn¡¯t long before the resin and tinder erupted in small flames, I blew on it to increase the size.


    70 health left


    As I felt the warm from the torch, my exposure bar increased to a tenth and then stopped. Well, I couldn¡¯t expect any more.


    Ping!


    [Success in crafting your first torch!][Bonus for using Resin]


    +1 Wildcraft


    +1 Insight


    Torch [Primitive] (+1)


    You created your first torch! Made by primitive means, by smartly using Resin. It is useful for lighting the way in the dark and giving some warmth. It doesn¡¯t last too long, however.


    [Extra Info] Some Monsters and animals fear light and/or fire.


    [??]


    4 metre Light radius


    +5% warmth.


    Durability: 5/5


    At least it was something. I looked around. My path before me was clear, but I knew to find some of my old gear and maybe even my sword, the risk of running into monsters would go up.


    Shrugging, I held up the torch and set off in that direction. The cold wind brushing by me made me feel much more alone in the dangerous wilds. The crunching of my Dire Ermine boots were scarce companions. As I ran, tinkling sounds filled the air. I looked to the side and could see the glow of wisps in the forest to the right.


    If their summer cousins were anything to go by, they were harmless. Yet, I still called out,


    ¡°Identify.¡±


    White Breeze Wisp


    [Critter] Level 30


    These peaceful entities roam the forest, even giving off light at night for weary travellers. They often travel in groups and their calls have been observed to make some of the smaller monsters to shy away.


    [Extra Info]


    They give off twenty metres of light.


    [??]This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author''s work.


    [Non-hostile even when attacked]


    The information made a smile tug at my mouth. My heartbeat eased as I watched the wisps float through the trees.


    Taking a deep breath, I moved on. Happy to have witnessed such a peaceful sight. I just hoped it was a sign of things changing to something manageable. The trees became denser, but I saw no other sign of the monsters. Not yet. I pressed through, more slowly, however.


    A branch cracked.


    I stopped in my tracks and listened.


    Just the sound of the cold breeze filled my ears. There wasn¡¯t even any bird life to fill in the surrounding air. It was nothing. But, it was not wise to not be too mindful of what was happening around me. My heart couldn¡¯t take much more of it. I stepped forward, the trees giving way. As they opened up, I could see the hill drop in a clear area of about hundred metres.


    At the end of it, there was a big complex built out of stone. It somewhat looked like a really, really old abandoned town. With a lot of the structures broken. The light ebbing away in the afternoon gave it more of an epic lighting theme, I was impressed. My foot slid just a little bit as I started towards¡ª


    A crunch of snow behind me sent a chill up my spine.


    I looked around and jerked.


    Inside the thicket of trees stood the same Giant Frost Sabre-tooth tiger. My spear was snapped in half, but the point still stuck in its shoulder.


    As I turned around as slowly as I could, something caught my eye. Icicles adorned its entire body. The creature had fallen completely in that lake.


    That didn¡¯t help me one bit! It was back! This time there was no cliff to clamber up.


    I glanced down at the stone structures a ways away. My chances of reaching that was zero. But, I had to try, the chances of survival in that forest was way less than that.


    My breath started coming out in fast puffs as I stared at the transfixed eyes of the Sabre-tooth.


    Tensing my core, I levelled my torch to the tiger. As I did, it growled threateningly. Yup, the torch would help me nothing. Just great.


    It stalked closer, bearing its really scary looking teeth even more. Naturally, I eased backwards, sliding a bit down the hill.


    I was careful not to lose my balance. Yet, my mind was reeling, no ways out of this presented itself. It was the Sabre-tooth and little ol¡¯ me, that was it. No waterfall to climb. No water to use between us.


    I so missed having a class. My Swift Leap ability would have given me a chance to dodge the monster every three seconds. No use dreaming about it! I shook my head.


    I could see the shoulders of the monster dropping. It was readying to pounce at me. Even just hitting me with a jump would kill me.


    Without giving it time to attack first, I did the only thing I could think off. I threw the burning torch at its face.


    The only thing I saw before I turned and ran, was the Sabre-tooth falling over and frantically swiping at its face.


    My arms were pumping at my sides as I stormed down the hill. Two or three times, I almost lost my balance. Yet, I didn¡¯t slow down even one bit. I heard what sounded like a truly frustrated and angry growl. But, oh, I did not dare look behind me. Twenty seconds since I threw the torch and the clear sounds of a tiger charging at me at full speed was so evident.


    Within another ten seconds, the fast crunch of something very large running at me was close behind me. The stone ruins, were still twenty metres away at least. I wasn¡¯t going to make it.


    Not able to ignore the Sabre-tooth, I turned and saw it coming at me in great leap and bounds. I ripped my shirt off my body. The cold snapped at my torso, but I didn¡¯t pay it any heed as I jumped to the side to dodge the tiger as best I could. The tiger was mid air on its bound and luckily could not turn with my movement. As I tumbled into the freezing snow, I held up my shirt. Not sure what I wanted to do with it. Then I got an idea.


    I quickly reached down filled the shirt with snow as the tiger landed and turned with a ferocious snarl. A second later it burst forward. I threw my snow filled shirt at the seared face.


    The snow hit it square in its face. Even with the shirt giving me more volume, it barely covered the face of the Giant tiger.


    I got out of dodge! Not waiting a second, I ran from the very temporarily blinded monster.


    All I had left was my skinning knife now, the Dire Ermine fangs meant nothing in this battle. If I lost my knife... I wouldn¡¯t be able to strike a flint to make another torch. Then I would be dead anyway.


    Yet, I had to try and survive. I had to. The alternative was just too uncertain.


    Ten metres away from the stone ruins! The hackles on my neck rose and I desperately jumped to the left and forward. A loud woosh filled the air behind me.


    12 health left!


    The scrape sent me sailing through the air. My health bar flashed dangerously as I skidded through the snow and hit cold stone. Shaking my head to clear it, I glanced around, some sort of entrance was right there!


    Yet, as I started towards it, the Sabre-tooth filled my peripheral vision. I looked at it and grimaced.


    I threw my knife at it.


    It sunk into the leg harbouring my shattered spear. It let out a howling roar.


    Yet, I could see it only took of a sliver of its health. All I could do was slip into the maze of stonework and I hoped I could find some hiding place.


    As I ran through the stonework, the blood dribbled from the wound in my back. It cooled down going down.


    The scraping of claws filled my ears. The Sabre-tooth was somewhere in these narrow alleyways. But I still had a chance...


    As soon as I thought that, I looked up and my heart sank.


    My exposure bar was just about empty. I had to find heat, yet I also had a frikken monster hunting me!


    Still, I ran.


    A bigger diagonal building came into view as I took a left. Snow covered its entire face. I looked right and then left. Which way?


    I stumbled over a stone and almost fell on my face, but barely got my balance under me.


    Then, as I got up right. I looked straight at the severely limping, but still crazily dangerous monster glaring at me. A truly last resort, I picked up the stone and in a hurry I tossed it.


    And missed the tiger.


    Teary eyed, I watched hopelessly as it sailed over the Giant Sabre-tooth¡¯s head. If I could get minus points I would have gotten one for Marksman.


    Just as the tiger lifted its right leg to swipe at me. A deluge of snow poured over it and buried it.


    I hardly paid it any mind, as I scrambled away. I turned the corner and ran down the alleyway as fast I could.


    5 health left!


    I ripped out my flint, and started ripping off a piece of my pants, but then sickeningly I remembered throwing my knife.


    Frantically I looked around for something to strike the flint. There was only small rocks. I was maybe twenty seconds away from falling unconscious. After that, I would stay alive for minutes at most. But by then either the Sabre-tooth or my inaction while unconscious in a the frozen ruins will kill me.


    I picked up a rock and hurriedly struck it against the flint.


    Nothing.


    I tried again.


    Nothing.


    My hand shook as I struck it harder.


    2 health left!


    With that I felt a heavy weight drop onto me and my body slumped over.


    Blackness embraced me.

 Ch: 12 The cold dark

    Chapter 12 The cold dark


    Crackling sounds stirred me, accompanied by a warmth that settled over my cold and hurting form. The mere thoughts of the aches in my body, amplified them all of a sudden. I groaned and rolled over on what was clearly a very hard surface. With some effort, my eyes fluttered opened.


    A starry sky glittered above me. Must be the Star Pools, I sighed.


    I tried to sit up, but the pain in my body made me cringe and fall back down.


    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t move as quickly if I were you.¡± A quirky voice said from my side.


    Within seconds, I was on my one knee in as best a fighting posture as I could manage.


    From behind a fire, a cloaked woman laid on her side with her one hand propping up her head. She stared at me. Her actions pronounced an air of unworried confidence sprinkled with a pinch of laziness. My senses told of zero intent to hurt me, so I shifted my gaze around to my location.


    It was the same ruins where I went down, where I battled the Giant Frost Sabre-Tooth.


    Remembering it, I frantically glanced around, then hurriedly said,


    ¡°I don¡¯t know who you are, but we can¡¯t stay here. There is a¡ª¡±


    ¡°The Giant Sabre-Tooth? Oh! So dangerous!¡± She giggled


    ¡°Yeah, but I¡¯m serious.¡± I said and looked at the woman and she flicked her head pointing behind me.


    ¡°Take a look.¡±


    Her aloof nature considering all things confused me slightly. Still, I humoured her, glanced back, and almost fell on my butt.


    There, not two metres from me, was the tiger. Very much dead, it had a ferocious look on its face, like it was just about to bite. Frost and snow covered it.


    ¡°Whoa! You killed it?¡± I exclaimed with sincere admiration.


    The mysterious woman rolled onto her back and looked at me upside down in surprise, which doubly caught me off guard.


    For a moment I thought she didn¡¯t understand me and was about to ask again, when she said,


    ¡°Ya know, I thought you did. I heard this crazzzy commotion and stealthily came to see what was going on when I saw you drop and that tiger slowly walking to you before it fell over and stopped moving.¡±


    I gulped.


    Then, I looked up to my HUD and saw a lot of notifications. It couldn¡¯t be. I tapped the first one.


    Warning! Get warmed up! Unconsciousness because of exposure will strike at 1 health left.


    I expected that one. So I tapped the second one.


    Defeated a Giant Frost Sabre-Tooth - Level 44


    XP gained 24400


    Level up! x10


    [Master of improvisation! Kill a dangerous foe you could not possibly kill with your weapons, using only your wit and the environment around you]


    +2 Willpower


    +2 Luck


    +1 Agility


    +1 Acrobatics


    +1 Endurance


    +1 Survival


    Skill gained!


    Battle Observer I [Expert]


    You know how to keep focused even in a chaotic battle that seems lost. Instead of falling prey to a negative mindset, you think fast and observe your surroundings, revealing solutions most would never notice.


    +10 Perception while in battle.


    +5 Insight while in battle.


    +30% chance to reveal objects that can be used to fight.


    First to unlock Battle Observer I!


    Bonus Calculating. . .


    . . .


    Strength +3


    Willpower +2


    XP gained 1000


    Level up!


    I have never heard any player having that skill. But, I didn¡¯t feel like celebrating the victory. It was obvious what led to the Sabre-Tooth¡¯s death. It had fallen in that frozen pool at the bottom of the waterfall and its exposure had dropped to almost completely zero before I had thrown that rock to cover it in snow, finishing it. What was glaringly obvious, it was pure dumb luck. Yet, my blind actions did cause a set of events, even with the luck involved.


    Ignoring my level up tab for now, I looked at the woman grinning at me for what reason I could not imagine. The fire caught my attention then. It was the sole reason why I didn¡¯t kick the bucket too. My shoulders sagged and I said,


    ¡°Thank you for saving me. Can I inquire as to your name?¡±


    She smirked under her maroon and dark green hood, and then her hands lifted it back to reveal bountiful locks of auburn hair and orange tinted hazel eyes.


    ¡°Talia.¡± She said with a face I couldn¡¯t quite place. ¡°I saw you turning blue and couldn¡¯t just stand by to see you go down after facing off against such a great monster. We tend to go to great lengths to avoid encounters with those.¡±


    She pointed at the Sabre-Tooth and wiggled her nose.


    I could only shrug.


    ¡°It ambushed me while I was getting water. I had little chance to avoid it. My name is Leo, just so you know.¡±


    ¡°Leo? A strong name. Hopefully a strong will, because I have need of such an ability.¡±


    I chuckled as I crossed my legs and stared at the fire.


    ¡°Why would that be?¡± I asked, quite a bit dumbfounded that she needed my help. ¡°To be in this zone alone means you have to be more capable than me.¡±


    Her eyes popped open and she tilted her head further than one would expect in a conversation.


    ¡°Ah no! We are sneaky and so we survive alongside these terrible beasties. I wouldn¡¯t stand a chance against one ya know.¡±


    Again, the way she talked surprised me. I couldn¡¯t quite place the accent. But, it hardly mattered. I was just glad I met someone else after all that scrambling to survive. Still, it did make me curious to what quest she would be on. She kept talking about ¡®we¡¯, it just made it more likely she was with a party trying to tackle an area with quite a few levels advantage above them.


    ¡°Okay, colour me intrigued by your request of needing my help. What would it be?¡±


    She grinned and nodded like she was chuffed. A smile tugged at my lips. She was clearly closer to my age, but her mannerism was fun, and to be honest, cute.


    ¡°There is an old story in this place.¡± She said with a sudden seriousness, and the way her face looked out into the night with a deep yearning made me stay silent as I waited for her to continue.


    ¡°This story speaks over and over of a time when blizzards did not rule this land. When the snows were tamed to winter only. It speaks of the mountain passes not being impassable due to the raging storms. It says we were once travellers of the world! Bringing back relics and mysteries from far and wide. I look at the ruins of these lost cities now and only see an echo of the past. Yet, though I know what cataclysm brought this on us, we do not have the strength to go to the Mourning king, to go free our people of this ever frost.¡±


    As she said the last, she sighed with a heaviness that tugged at my heart. It was then that her words started to pull up numerous oddities. I did not know of a player that talked that way. Yet...


    ¡°I had hope adventurers would make it here, like in the books that spoke of the lands out there. Where adventurers took on the dangers of the world when the people did not have the strength, or solved the mysteries of the world for no other reason than excitement of what could be found. For that reason, when the blue sapphire streaked across the sky and landed somewhere in the frozen wilderness, my heart soared with a spark that adventurers would find their way through the Stormlands, to find us. Yet, I watched from the cloudless mountain, with my father¡¯s far seeing eye as adventurer after adventurer succumbed to the ferocity of the storms before turning back. So, Leo, you getting through when so many others had given up, that is why I couldn¡¯t just watch you die so close to being able to help us.¡±


    My heart started hammering in my chest.


    No way, was she an NPC? Everything about her words right now was one that likened her to an NPC. But, she was asking me of help and there was no yellow exclamation mark above her head.


    Without thinking, I blurted,


    ¡°Are you asking me to accept this quest?¡±


    She nodded and my eyes stared intently above her head. Yet, no sign showed of anything that normally happens when a quest is given by an NPC. Still... everything pointed to it. I wanted to cry out and ask her the question you do not ask other players, but the words didn¡¯t want to come out. Are you an adventurer, Talia?


    My eyes dropped to hers and they became soft as a gentle smile spread her lips.The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    ¡°I will share our hope, our quest with you, and if you accept, I can¡¯t begin to describe my gratitude.¡±


    I could barely move my mouth as I stared at her. Then, she held her hand to her heart and a glow filled her palm.


    What was that?!


    The breath caught in my throat as she held this orb of gentle dancing energy out towards me.


    It enchanted me. The only word that came to my mind was beautiful. There was something completely different than anything I had ever seen in it. But even through its beauty, confusion raged in me. I didn¡¯t understand what was going on. As if compelled, I lifted my hand and touched the orb.


    Sparks flashed and the orb entered my hand. The strangest of sensations filled me. Understanding.


    A flood of emotions embraced me. I looked up at the soft, yet sad smile of Talia. The desperation to be set free of their isolated life in the ringed off mountains, swept through me like a tsunami. I felt her heart-breaking sadness of those who had tried to leave through the raging storms, some of them her friends. How she had watched how the snow consumed each and every one of them. They only continued in memory as their bodies disappeared in the chaotic blizzards, to be forgotten. I felt her anger at her own lack of strength as she tried to enter the place where the secret to their plight lies. How she failed again and again.


    Tears flowed down my cheeks as I looked behind her aloof playfulness and saw her sadness and hope. That hope, that nothing could take away from her.


    ¡°Now you know.¡± She said softly.


    I nodded, unable to stem the flow of my tears even though trying to.


    ¡°I accept this quest.¡± I said hoarsely. But I have never felt as motivated to take on any quest like I did with this one. It almost felt personal.


    ¡°Good. Now rest. You need it.¡± She said suddenly with her playful smile again.


    I chuckled, but said,


    ¡°You are right. Though, I do want to do some things first.¡±


    She shrugged and settled against a pillar, dropping her hood over her eyes.


    ¡°Suit yourself.¡± She said with a yawn.


    Turning away from her, I looked to the Sabre-Tooth, still not believing how I had survived that encounter. Approaching it, I gripped the hilt of my embedded skinning knife and pulled it out. I sighed in relief at getting it back. It was a crazy idea to lose your knife in a zone like this. Next, I grabbed what was left of my spear. It only had about thirty centimetres left of wood behind the sharp point. Though, it could still prove useful.


    I took a deep breath at what I needed to do next. I levelled the skinning knife at the Sabre-Tooth and sunk it into the thing. The last thing I wanted to do was skin it when it was rock solid by the time it became morning. Better I do it while it still had some warmth left after it kicked the bucket.


    I soldiered through the first phase of doing it without the system assisting like normal. Reason being, it was the quickest way to gain the skill Skin without finding a trainer. Not as if I was anywhere close to a trainer out here, it mattered little.


    Holding the knife as steady as I could and making sure not to damage the pelt at all I was hoping that having observed the game¡¯s way of skinning for such a long period of time, I wanted to gain a higher grade of the skill. Well that was my hope anyway.


    Three quarters up the leg my hand started shaking with the effort, sweat starting dripping down my face, yet still I went on.


    At the end of shoulder, a ping almost made me cut through a section I was hoping to preserve.


    Skill gained!


    Skin Monster V [Journeyman]


    Having practised the art of skinning a monster¡¯s pelt, you have gained an ingrained understanding into how to preserve the more sought after sections of it and the ease of separating the pelt from the monster¡¯s body has also become almost second nature.


    100% to preserve basic parts of the pelt


    100% to preserve average parts of the pelt


    80% to preserve great parts of the pelt


    20% to preserve exquisite parts of the pelt


    1% to preserve rare parts of the pelt


    I whooped! It was a level above the one I had before. It was good news. With it gained, I said, ¡°Skin Monster.¡±


    The second I did, my skinning knife took on a life of its own as it guided my hand through skinning the Sabre-Tooth tiger. It wasn¡¯t going to look pretty afterwards with the body, but I needed the pelt. I was done with being near freezing the entire time.


    It took the better part of five minutes before I pulled free the entire thing from the very large creature. As I tugged, I realized my exposure bar was taking a nose dive. It was night and I was outside the warmth of the fire. What was more I didn¡¯t have the raw strength to move such an enormous pelt closer to the heat source, it was more than three times my length!


    I stood there pondering what to do, when I remembered me levelling up. I tapped my status icon.


    Leo Stormchild


    Race: Norskai


    Level: 6+


    ________ [Primary Class][Search for a main class tree in game.]


    ________ [Secondary Class][Explore and find your first sub class tree in the world]


    Health: 37/85


    Energy Bar: 80 [Tier 0 accessible]


    Armor Class: 12 (+1>Boots)


    Tapping the plus, it went up. 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 Whoa. 13, 14, 15, 16, 17. That was crazy! That Giant Frost Sabre-Tooth had some serious XP to be gained from it. Taking that even at level 20 it would kill my butt without blinking, I could understand why the game awarded that much XP for a level 6 player. I shook my head, I would take any help I could get.


    Leo Stormchild


    Race: Norskai


    Level: 17


    ________ [Primary Class][Search for a main class tree in game.]


    ________ [Secondary Class][Explore and find your first sub class tree in the world]


    Health: 85 +110


    Energy Bar: 80 +110 [Tier 1 accessible]


    Armor Class: 34 (+1>Boots)


    While I was in my status menu, I considered my attributes as well. I didn¡¯t want to end up being at that kind mercy to the environment again.


    [Attributes]


    Choose the Attributes you wish to increase. This will affect your character.


    [Points to allocate= 33]


    Strength 18


    Vitality  15


    Agility 12


    Willpower  17


    Intelligence 10


    Acrobatics 12


    Luck 15


    [Race Attributes]


    ...


    Endurance 2


    Survival 5


    If I go in strength, I could deal extra damage with my weapons, making an actual difference. But, the previous fight made it certain I wasn¡¯t mobile enough to stay out of the worst of the melee attacks that were levelled my way. A hard choice, no matter how I looked at it. I did need the strength to be able to pull the pelt closer to the fire. That was a given. The rest made me scratch my head. In all my time with Realm of Ancients, I never levelled more than five levels at a time. Even having gone up by 5 with the Dire Ermines were far outside the norm. Going up by 11 gave a lot of attribute points, but unlike my usual thinking, that it would be awesome, it was still complicated. Shrugging, I started the process.


    [Attributes]


    Choose the Attributes you wish to increase. This will affect your character.


    [Points to allocate= 1]


    Strength 30


    Vitality  22


    Agility 16


    Willpower  17


    Intelligence 11


    Acrobatics 17


    Luck 15


    [Race Attributes]


    ...


    Endurance 3


    Survival 7


    I blew out a breath. That took some hefty consideration. I was tempted to add my last point as well. But, it would be nice if I needed something specific and didn¡¯t have the time to get a level.


    As I closed my status another message popped up, making me frown. I tapped it.


    You reached level 10! You qualify to pick a skill to unlock.


    Class skill= Not Qualified


    Sub-Class skill= Not Qualified


    Racial skill= Qualified > Available 3


    [1] Gale Sense I [Novice]


    Having grown accustomed to the constant noise of the gushing wind in their home country, the Norskai have gained the ability to sense other movement close by in the wind.


    +10% to sense movement in the wind.


    [2] Cold Endurance I [Novice]


    Years of enduring the harsh cold, has given the Norskai the ability to remain outside for longer.


    -10% effect of exposure


    [3] Spark I [Novice]


    All Norskai know the story of the boy who saved his family by making a fire when their only chance to do so was lost. You have remembered the way to create a spark with unlikely materials.


    -Can create a spark capable of starting a fire using most types of rocks and metal


    I raised an eyebrow. That was different. My selection for racial skills at level 10 was different last time. Not that I chose a racial ability that time, because I actually had a class before I reached the point!


    Remembering it just amped up my frustration of not having a class 12 levels after 99% of all players would get their class; and that 1% was mostly only two or three levels later. I might be the only person ever to go past level 8 without a class. A sigh escaped me, but I pushed it to the side.


    The skills available this time were quite useful in my situation. In fact, all of them were very useful. With Spark, I could have made a fire after my fight with the Sabre-Tooth. If Talia hadn¡¯t showed up, it would without a doubt have killed me not being able to without my skinning knife. Cold Endurance could give me extra staying power in a fight when exposure was high. And Gale sense was an interesting one, with it I might have sensed the Sabre-Tooth before it even came close to striking distance, giving me valuable time. That first day I would have probably chosen differently, but the levels I gained gave me more of a chance. Regardless of that fact, those skills could be gained if certain criteria are met. That meant, I just had to choose one that helps me the most right now.


    I tapped Gale Sense I. There were too many high-levelled monsters in this zone. I needed to be able to know when things approached that wanted to eat me.


    Exiting my final notifications, I grabbed the huge pelt and dragged it towards the fire. It was heavy, but at least it budged under my new strength. I got to the warmth of the fire, and just in time as my exposure bar was very nearly empty.


    Sitting down, I pulled out strips I had left from the forest. I still had a pocket full of the stuff. Slowly I planned my next move and checked where the basic parts and the greater parts of the pelt were. Winter clothes here I come!


    ¡°Yosh!¡± I huffed and started experimenting with the more basic material to level up my crafting before I handled the better stuff. I looked to a sleeping Talia and paused.


    ¡°I wonder what I got myself into here.¡±


    The truth was. So much handled differently and I couldn¡¯t pinpoint why. I still didn¡¯t know if Talia was a player or not. Most likely she wasn¡¯t, but if she was, what would that mean?


    The most worrying thing she said was that the Sapphire Comet had renewed her hope for adventurers to find this place. It meant that this zone had been undiscovered even before the Sapphire Comet expansion. We had thought, it was just a cool light show that came with the expansion, the real features were new classes, new dungeons and new spire sieges. Yet, now it was clear it was meant to show the way to a hidden hard to reach zone. This was behind the Stormlands and that was a problem. I needed to get past it to start my real journey to the heart of the world.


    I just had to stab that bear.


    But, now I had found a whole zone with its own quests that has never been discovered. The developers really know how to keep stuff secret of the game. I face palmed myself. I¡¯m a dev too! Yet, I only paid attention to what I wanted to and now it was biting me in the bum.


    Well, I was here now, and that quest might be my only way out of this zone. All I could do now was hold onto a hope that was never my own.


    I really just had to stab that bear!!!


    ¡°Mark my words Mr. Scary bear, I will be coming for my sword.¡±

 Ch: 13 A Choice is Made

    Chapter 13 A Choice is Made


    </a> Sitting back, I blew out a breath. Given, it took a bit. But, as I crafted boots out of the recovered basic material, my Crafting skill levelled up II and III in the span of ten minutes. Three sets of Sabre fur boots sat next to me. Lazily I tapped them one by one.


    [Sabre Fur boots][Prim]


    Using the pelt and fur of a Giant Frost Sabre Tooth and inner bark, these boots were created using primitive but intuitive means. The pelts themselves offer decent protection against cold weather and give the wearer protection from sharp objects. Though, the durability is not as high due to the means by which it was made.


    +12% Exposure Protection


    +2 defence against piercing damage


    +1 Armor Rating


    83/83 Durability


    I tapped the last one.


    [Sabre Fur boots][Novice]


    Using the pelt and fur of a Giant Frost Sabre Tooth and inner bark, these boots were created using average, but intuitive means. The pelts themselves offer proper protection against cold weather and give the wearer protection from sharp objects. The durability is low, but better than basic items.


    +15% Exposure Protection


    +2 defence against piercing damage


    +2 Armor Rating


    120/120 Durability


    That was definitely a success! I quickly discarded my Dire Ermine Boots and donned my new boots. It already felt warmer! I sighed happily as my exposure bar lifted to a notch above halfway for the first time since I crashed into the snow covered zone. With that little bit of feel good, I looked at the boots I wouldn¡¯t be using. Normally, I would just throw them away or sell them if I had the chance. But, this was dire straits. I needed the materials.


    It was quite easier than crafting without a skill, though, I still took care in not damaging anything. It came as a surprise when after the second pair was disassembled, I heard a ping and the notification. Huh?


    Tinker I [Novice]


    Certain craftsmen would not mind taking apart old works. In so doing, they sometimes gained new inspiration to improve their work.


    [Passive] After taking apart something that had been crafted, you gain understanding how to enhance your next attempt at crafting a better item of its kind.


    [Active] +10 focus when taking apart a basic crafted item. +10% chance to gain insight into creating a higher tier item of the same kind. Lasts 3 minutes. Cool-down 15 minutes.


    [Congratulations on being in the top 100 of people who discovered this skill.]


    +1 Insight


    Odd...that was another one I didn¡¯t have on my previous play-through. Though, I never thought of taking my stuff apart. It could come in useful, but the fifteen-minute cool down on the active ability was a bit heavy handed. Still, being in the top 100 of discovering a skill was definitely nice.


    That said, I didn¡¯t plan on creating another set of boots yet anyway, so I didn¡¯t activate the skill on the last set of extra boots I had.


    The materials gained from the boots would help in making a winter coat. So, I started with that.


    Keeping a steady hand was difficult with the small gusts of wind coming through, but I wanted that coat, so I pressed through. At certain places I had to rely on the Crafting III skill as I definitely didn¡¯t know how to go on. Still, it was good to know as I saw what the skill accomplished in my place.


    Twenty minutes later, I blew out a breath and smiled. The success in warmer clothes lifted my spirits considerably. I created it as best I could a coat with the Sabre-Tooth¡¯s fur using the greater pelt material I had gathered from the beast, and also the average pelt part to craft me some better insulated pants. On completion, a ping sounded.


    Success in creating an average item.


    Success in creating a basic item.


    In seeing that, I tapped the coat and the pants. The information popped up in front of me.


    [Frost Sabre Fur cloak][Novice]


    Using the pelt and fur of a Giant Frost Sabre Tooth and inner bark, this cloak was created using average, but intuitive means. The fur offers good protection against cold weather, and gives the wearer protection from sharp objects. The durability is good.


    +20% Exposure Protection


    +3 defence against piercing damage


    +4 Armor Rating


    250/250 Durability


    [Sabre Fur trousers][Prim]


    Using the pelt and fur of a Giant Frost Sabre Tooth and inner bark, these trousers were created using basic, but intuitive means. The fur offer decent protection against cold weather and gives the wearer some protection from sharp objects. The durability is decent.


    +14% Exposure Protection


    +1 defence against piercing damage


    +2 Armor Rating


    250/250 Durability


    This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.


    A grin popped up on my face and without waiting, I threw the cloak over my shoulders. Immediately my eyes darted over to Talia before I snuck into my trousers. It was awkward enough that she saved my life without knowing her at all. So, I was careful not to disturb her.


    Though, upon finishing, my exposure bar topped out at two thirds full, distracting me from the company. A big sigh of relief escaped my lips.


    There was no need to find a fire in the snow during the day and good weather any more.


    Night to some extent, storms or blizzards would still cause a lot of trouble. All it really did was give me a bit better chance to survive the exposure of this zone. I just had to keep an eye on the durability if I was going to have go through intense situations.


    I looked at the few pieces of remaining pelt and fur.


    It would be useful to make gloves, but my eyelids were basically holding marches down my eyes. They were stubborn this time, so I waved the white flag for now. I would win that fight next time.


    ***


    A quick sting of pain woke me from my slumber. I sat upright in bewilderment.


    ¡°Took you long enough to wake.¡±


    I turned to the voice and saw Talia with a smile playing with a lock of hair looking as undisturbed as one could be in such a frozen wasteland. That weight of emotion she carried the night before was nowhere to be seen. It kind of left me confused in how to respond to it. Shrugging my shoulders finally, I got up and pulled my new coat tighter around me.


    ¡°So, where are we off to?¡±


    Talia popped a grin and said,


    ¡°We go to the Farseeing Eye. It will help in the trials ahead. Let¡¯s g¡ª¡°


    ¡°Whoa there!¡± I quickly said, ¡°I have to stop you there for a moment. How far is it to this Farseeing Eye? I have something important to do.¡±


    Immediately, she narrowed her eyes at me, like she was trying figure something out about what I said. I lifted my arms in question before she waved me off.


    ¡°The Eye is not far, maybe a few hours. What is this important business you have to do?¡±


    I rubbed at my face, she was slightly difficult to pin point. Regardless of that, I said,


    ¡°I have to go in that direction.¡± I pointed towards the path I flew. ¡°There is an item I dropped and would like to retrieve, if you don¡¯t mind.¡±


    ¡°I do mind.¡± She said flatly. ¡°That direction would add unnecessary time to our journey.¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡± I said flabbergasted.


    ¡°You now know my heart¡¯s quest. We have to go there with all haste.¡±


    She was a strong minded one that was for sure. I understood her plight, but I needed my sword!


    ¡°Look here, Lady. If I retrieve my sword, I can better help with your quest. Is that suitable to your needs?¡± I tried to keep my voice as diplomatic as I could.


    Watching her chew at her lips in indecision was working at my nerves, but I kept calm.


    An actual minute later, she said,


    ¡°If it helps the cause, then I can guide you safely in that direction.¡±


    I grinned and said,


    ¡°You won¡¯t regret it.¡±


    While Talia hopped up into the ruins to scout out our surroundings, I sliced off some meat from the deceased creature that hasn¡¯t frozen over during the night and then wrapped it in some of my extra but more common fur.


    Just thinking of some of my new fur accessories had me in a happy mood. Having had to fight day and night to survive the exposure for that amount of time was exhausting. To have that bit of extra breathing room during the day was incredible. My arms went up as I stretched lazily.


    About ten minutes later, Talia returned and motioned for me to follow her. I looked one last time at the Sabre Tooth and shuddered, that had been faaar too close. I needed to be more careful going forward.


    The snow was still cold as we trudged through it, but I sighed in relief as my exposure stayed at two thirds.


    On the closest hill, I looked back at the ruins and curiosity bubbled up in me. There had to be secrets hidden in its reaches. Yet, I didn¡¯t have the time to explore. All I could do was shrug and continue on.


    Talia stayed in front about thirty metres at all times. So, I didn¡¯t bother talking. Either way, it would¡¯ve attracted unwanted attention. The snow made the walking a bit difficult, though for the first time in days I could plan ahead outside of stay warm and tend to my basic needs.


    Problem was, I believed Talia when she said the storms claimed adventurer after adventurer. It meant, either discovering this biome needed extreme endurance and high exposure countering items, or a quest lead here, one that none has found before or is too difficult that people gave up on it. All those scenarios posed considerable problems for me. I was low-levelled in a zone that was incredibly hard to reach even with great character builds.


    Worse was, I had no memory of my fellow developers discussing this biome. Sure, mentions floated around that a snow biome got added to this side of the world, but that was it! My boss would slam me with a frying pan if he knew I was so misinformed on the very game I was helping develop... The thought made me slap my cheeks. They counted on me outside. I had to step it up and focus more.


    Somewhere through my deliberations, Talia flicked her wrist in my direction while keeping her eyes on something across the next hill. Approaching her with some caution, I carefully looked over the ridge.


    A big stone stuck out of the snow like a big tooth. I frowned and wanted to ask why she called me.


    Then, I heard a growl and my eyes narrowed. Upon looking closer, I saw blood across the snow in streaks. There was something here...


    A dark mass limped around the corner. My eyes widened in shock.


    Mr. Scary Bear!


    He survived the stab and the fall! Pure amazement washed over me, then I saw my sword sticking out of its big muscled leg. I fist pumped in giddiness, but then I realized I would have to get it away from the bear while it was alive.


    My courage dropped like a rock.


    This was the very bear that put me into a stalemate at level 55. No conceivable way I could get that sword at level 17 presented itself... Worse, Mr. Scary Bear was probably soooo angry at me.


    ¡°It is imperative that we avoid that bear. He looks like an alpha. What is more, it is hurt.¡±


    I licked my lips and choked on my words as I said,


    ¡°You know Talia, in most other instances I would wholeheartedly agree with you, but you see... I... we... um¡ª¡±


    ¡°Spit it out man.¡± She demanded suspiciously.


    ¡°That sword in its leg?¡±


    ¡°Yes?¡±


    ¡°Well, that is the thing I came to get on our little detour.¡±


    Her eyes got wide.


    ¡°You got to be joking! That thing would kill both of us with ease! Definitely if it is hurt and feels cornered!¡±


    She got me there. I was absolutely certain this bear was way more dangerous than the Sabre Tooth. The Hem-Iree woods had a calming effect on all predators in it. But, it was now in a strange biome it isn¡¯t suppose to be in and I was the one to shove that sword in its leg. If it didn¡¯t hold an extreme grudge against me, I would be Moses¡¯ uncle.


    Still, that sword would help me in my mission more than any other item I had lost on my trip through the sky, and the fact that it couldn¡¯t sprint after me with that sword in its leg made it... not so impossible, I guess?


    ¡°I know. But, we need to try something. I can vow that the sword will help your mission more than you can understand. We just need to make a plan on how to get it without being mauled by Mr. Scary Bear.¡±


    She frowned.


    ¡°Mr. Scary Bear?¡±


    I chuckled and rubbed a hand through my hair sheepishly before I replied,


    ¡°That is my nick name for it from before I came to this place.¡±


    ¡°You know that bear?!¡± She asked incredulous.


    ¡°Long story. But never mind that, will you consider helping me with this?¡±


    Her brow furrowed as she stared out over the expanse at the limping monster.


    ¡°If you say that sword will help my quest, then yes... However! We have to take extreme caution.¡±


    I nodded rapidly in agreement. No understatement there.


    ¡°Then we need to figure out a plan.¡±


    ¡°It sure needs to be a better plan than whatever you had going with that Sabre Tooth.¡±


    I just shook my head as I huffed. This was going to be a tough situation at best.


    ¡°It will be... It needs to be.¡±


    _

 Ch: 14 Reunion?

    Chapter 14 Reunion?


    ¡°I¡¯ll be frank here,¡± I said with a tight voice, ¡°I have no clue if this is going to work.¡±


    Talia nodded next to me, slightly in a daze as she said,


    ¡°You are correct in that. Still, are you really sure I have to just run away if things are going downhill? I don¡¯t feel comfortable with that.¡±


    I gulped. I wasn¡¯t sure about anything up against Mr. Scary Bear. The last few days I have been flirting excessively with luck. Why not flirt some more?


    ¡°Heh heh heh¡± I chuckled nervously. ¡°I think that would be best. I literally brought this on myself, so yeah this is my fight if something goes very wrong.¡±


    I almost choked and asked her not to boot it in that situation, but I held myself in check. It was my request in the first place.


    The look she gave me spoke miles of what confidence she had in my plan. Yet, she did not place a better one before us...


    Here goes nothing.


    The snow crunched under my new fur boots and each step almost made me cringe. Out of spite I guess, each step I tried to talk myself out of going toward the bear.


    What was I doing? I gulped as the dark form of the Alpha Dire Bear became larger and larger upon approach. Even the raw scar tissue of the wound that held Xianmou became clear. The sword looked small against that bear... My mouth went dry even with it turned away from me. What was worse, the mere grunts of the bear sent chills up my spine. I couldn¡¯t imagine its roar. Oh, I knew it was going to recognize me instantly.


    Still, I took a deep breath, prepared for my role in getting back that sword. Talia motioned for me from behind the large tooth-like rock. The gesture clearly meant to hurry me up. I made a face at her, this was scary enough as it is!


    Turning back to the bear, I took a few seconds before I opened my mouth to make a loud noise,


    ¡°Squeak!¡± I slapped my hand over my mouth and shot my gaze to Talia who had her hands up in very confused manner.


    Licking my lips, I tried again,


    ¡°Heeee-y...Mr. Scary Bear. Looo-ng time no see, eh?¡±


    Immediately the big hulking form of the Dire Bear swung around. Between the stripes on its face sat searching eyes, and upon spotting me those eyes went mad with anger.


    Talia was staring at me like I was crazy. Still, I had to say something to the bear.


    ¡°Um, I-I know we-e got off to the wrong start. But¡ª¡°


    ROOOOOOAAAAAAAWRRR!!!!!


    Spit flung all the way to my feet as I stood there like a statue.


    Hick.


    I couldn¡¯t form another word in my mouth as Mr. Scary Bear stood up on its haunches. Where it looked all scary but somewhat cuddly previously. It looked just absolutely terrifying right then.


    This wasn¡¯t a good idea. I wanted to run for it, but my feet didn¡¯t move! Traitors!


    Oh, but the bear¡¯s feet weren¡¯t as rebellious, its front feet slammed into the snow and it strode menacingly towards me.


    My eyes were wide. My entire plan crumbled at the aura of intimidation oozing from the Dire bear. Why on good green earth weren¡¯t I scared of it before in the Hem-Iree Woods?!


    Before I could further lose myself in the terror of the completely unbalanced show down, a leaf blew past my face. Time somehow seemed to move slower around me. It was almost peaceful. Serene.


    With it, I remembered the look on Talia¡¯s face the night before. Those emotions stirred something in me. I had to help her out.


    Somehow, I remembered my plan and pulled my body tight in a ready stance.


    ¡°Your move,¡± I said with renewed determination.


    One direct hit would probably kill me on the spot and this was not the time to consider what would happen in that case with what was going on outside.


    In the next second, the Dire bear burst forward.


    All I could do was dive out of the way.


    In doing so, I felt a rush of wind pressing past me with force. Then I felt something relatively small and sharp hit my hip. It sent me flying and I crashed into the snow.


    Coughing, I immediately got up on my knees and gazed up to my Health-bar.


    -70 damage, at just a grazing blow? This was worse than I expected. I needed to be far more careful.


    The bear growled when it realized it had missed me. Getting up, I motioned for Talia, she needed to act on the next one. This wasn¡¯t going to work if I just tried to dodge the bear continuously.


    ¡°Hey you! I bet you dreamed of this rematch? I sure looked forward to it.¡±


    The bear¡¯s eyes narrowed, and I really wondered if it considered my words, that it somehow understood me.


    Before I could ponder it one bit further, the Dire bear stormed at me again.


    This time, I moved back and dove lower than I had before. The claw swung just above my shoulder with that same rush of air. I gulped as it barely missed me. But then the bear scraped to a stop a meter away from me.


    If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    Ack!


    Scrambling to my feet, I had incredibly little time to react. Jumping towards the bear¡¯s massive arm, I swung my own arms around it and held on for dear life as it started swinging aggressively to dislodge me.


    I was infinitely glad for the Monster Wrestler skill at that time. Through the swings, I felt like I was just able to hold on, though I didn¡¯t know for how long.


    ¡°Talia!!!! YOU HAVE TO HURRY!!!¡± I screamed with the world swirling through my view.


    Four more swings sent me to the edge of my grip. My teeth clenched tight as I barely held on.


    Then the bear roared in what sounded like pain. Some hope sprung up in me.


    But, then with incredible strength, the bear swung up and I lost my grip as I was flung into the air.


    In that moment, I looked down to see Talia struggling with the sword in the Dire bear¡¯s hind leg. It was halfway out, but didn¡¯t seem to want to budge any further.


    In my flight up, I could see the bear was about to turn towards her. So I shouted even while spinning in all directions,


    ¡°HEY BEAR! YOUR BEEF IS WITH ME!!! Run Talia!¡±


    As I spun around again in the air, I started falling again. Thankfully, I saw her running away from the bear in a dead sprint towards the rocks. I was coming down with speed.


    In seconds I would hit the bear. It was going to hurt. Just before I closed my eyes, something glimmered to my right in the snow. I squinted and saw my lost other gauntlet!


    What¡ª


    I struck the surprised bear with my whole body.


    OOooooff


    All the air whooshed out of my lungs as I spun off the bear and hit the snow. Groaning, my lead arms pressed up and I looked up at the angry death glare from the bear looming high above me as it stood on its hind legs.


    Momentarily my eyes flicked up to my Health-bar. I had 65 health left from the entire ordeal.


    Then the bear swung both its front claws up, clearly preparing to swing down with incredible strength. Bad! It was real bad!


    All I could think of was jumping somewhere. So, I jumped into the gap between its legs as those claws struck the area I had just occupied with a thunder clap.


    With a small respite, I ran with all my might.


    High-tailing it out of there, I almost ran past the glimmer in the snow. Looking down, I remembered what I saw. My other gauntlet! I dived to it, skidding in the snow. Just short. Whoops.


    In an army crawl, I crept the last bit and grabbed the gauntlet. In seconds, I slammed it onto my hand and forehand that had been without a gauntlet.


    Immediately I felt the effects of the runes kick into effect. Stone body II and Swift Strike I. Both were uncommon runes. Ones I really needed right then. Just the base +2 agility from the one already improved my odds by a measure. There was more to them, but as I stood up, I turned back towards the bear running my way. The limp in its hind leg slowed it some. It helped that it was running on all fours. It was probably going to try and bite me in half with its gaping jaws, or it was going to have to slow down to take a swipe. I had the slightest of chances to grab the sword.


    As it neared, I coiled my right leg, ready to jump to the side with all my might.


    The Dire bear¡¯s jaws opened and I sprung to the left.


    Somehow its leg still hit me and I careened off from my target landing between its front leg and hind leg. The sword was out of my reach!!


    Then I spotted Talia come running at the sword again. This was my chance. I spun onto my knee and lunged with both my gauntlets at Mr. Scary Bear¡¯s jaw. In the impact, both my arms jerked back with the force before I slid under the bears head. I was instantly prepared to keep hammering my fists into its jaw, but then the bear made this odd noise and its head dropped on top of me.


    I grunted as its weight half crushed me into the ground, even with the snow I knew just that would leech life from me.


    Sure enough, my health was dropping by 5 a second.


    I gasped, and grimaced as I struggled to get out from under the head. But, it was too heavy.


    With only 20 health left, I was panicking.


    Two arms suddenly slid under my shoulders and pulled. I slid out from under the head gulping in breaths, staring at the wide eyed and panting Talia,


    ¡°You okay?!¡± She asked with tension in her voice.


    ¡°Yeah... ugh... ugh... you?¡± I coughed while getting up.


    ¡°Yeah.¡±


    I shot my gaze back at the clearly unconscious bear. As if reading my thoughts, Talia said,


    ¡°It must have been at its limit with that sword stuck in it for so long.¡±


    I just nodded and rubbed my wounds. It was an incredibly close call. Had it been at its prime... I shuddered at the thought.


    ¡°Did you get the sword?¡± I finally asked.


    She affirmed, clearly still dazed from the event. Then she pointed to the right and sure enough, there was my old friend, the sword.


    Trudging over to it, I picked it and sighed in relief. This changed things. Gave me a fighting chance.


    I turned to Talia and was about to ask something, when she said,


    ¡°Are you going to kill it?¡±


    The question was like a slap in the face. I wasn¡¯t ready for it. Still, looking down at Mr. Scary Bear breathing deeply, I shook my head. He was like an old friend by now. Well, an old frenemy to be more exact.


    I started laughing out of my stomach. Tears started streaming down my face as I couldn¡¯t control it.


    ¡°Are you okay, Leo? Hehe, what is so funny?!¡±


    Truth be told, I didn¡¯t have the foggiest idea why I was laughing. And all I could get out was,


    ¡°That bear! Hahahahahaha! That crazy bear!¡±


    Talia just started laughing with me by that point.


    After a while it slowly ebbed away. The laughter and the extreme tension I had been feeling all this time. At her touch to my shoulder, I smiled and shook my head.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡±


    She nodded and we moved towards the forest.


    I stopped, a few paces further and checked the ping I received.


    [You expertly evaded an Alpha monster more than thirty levels higher than you. Doing so multiple times without being knocked out!]


    +1 Agility


    +1 Luck


    +1 Potential


    +1 Reflexes


    </a> Monster Wrestler I [Advance] (+1)


    Woa, I didn¡¯t think that it was considered that dangerous. Gaining that much with just evading and grappling something. A small smile spread my lips, which reminded me of something. I looked back at the bear and whispered.


    ¡°Identify.¡± Curiosity had been eating at me for a while, I had guessed it something like a level 59 Dire Bear, but now I was uncertain. Excitement at finally knowing its info bubbled in me.


    ????


    [Monster] Level ??


    ????


    [Extra Info] ??


    [??]


    [??]


    [??]


    [??]


    [Exceedingly dangerous][Avoid at all costs]


    I frowned. With my levels and my gains in perception and insight, I thought it would be enough.


    ¡°Alpha Hem Iree Bear? Identify.¡±


    The same popped up. Wow. That was confusing. And what was more, all those extra info slots? That was simply weird. Even the Saber-tooths only had one.


    I looked at the bear for a long contemplating moment one more time at the bear, before finally I said,


    ¡°Until next time, Mr. Scary Bear.¡± With that I followed Talia into the snowy forest, but then asked, ¡°So to the Farseeing Eye, I guess?¡±


    She looked back and nodded.


    All I could do was hope that this quest I had to do, that it was even remotely possibly for me at my level.


    _

 Ch 15: Gremlins in the Forest

    Chapter 15 - Gremlins in the Forest


    It took us most of the day to get closer to the area Talia was desperate to go. While I was just sooo glad I got Xianmou, my sweet sword back, I was still feeling trepidation over what lay in front. Whatever it was, quest or request from the heart, there was still no way I was even near the level spectrum required for basically anything in this entire zone.


    But¡­ I had no choice really. I needed to get out of here, and get to a city.


    Remembering my mission just made me even more nervous. The other two groups that were so vital for getting to the Heart of the World, were not close to cities when we set off. But, I had been stuck here for days! Every day that went by now, meant a day the others could manage to reach a city and start wondering where I am. This all hinged on the success of three people on completely different places in the world succeeding. Each with something vital to the mission.


    I slapped my forehead, in the moment of things I didn¡¯t even consider to demand more people to be sent in, but now I felt there was way too much riding on too few in here. Best I had was a hope of finding Nate or Carli.


    ¡°May I ask why you slapped your own forehead?¡± Talia asked from right next to me, her head tilted.


    I jumped and coughed,


    ¡°Uughem! I ¡­ um, just ignore me.¡±


    ¡°Leo, that is such a strange thing to do. Is it a custom of the Norskai?¡±


    My eyes widened at her question, and the weirdest thing was, I didn¡¯t remotely have an answer to her inquiry of my face-palm. So, I shook my head wildly.


    She frowned slightly before continue walking.


    ¡°You are an odd man, Leo Stormchild. Come, we are not far now.¡±


    That made me chuckle. One could actually say that. I stayed silent as I followed her.


    And I was sure taking notes the whole time. Talia was adept at dodging more dangerous areas. She read the lands like I could only dream of. It was to such a point, that I hurried towards her and asked,


    ¡°Hey, Talia?¡±


    ¡°Yes?¡±


    ¡°I was thinking, you know, you seem so at home in this place. Could you perhaps teach me the basics about looking for the signs of how to avoid predators? It seems incredibly useful.¡±


    The woman stopped and then dropped her fur hood onto her shoulders, a deep frown of what looked like confusion on her face.


    ¡°You truly wish to learn this?¡±


    It was a strange question, that caught me slightly by surprise.


    ¡°Um, yes. Why? Is it a strange thing to request.¡±


    Her frown disappeared only to reappear and disappear yet again.


    ¡°Yes¡­No. I don¡¯t know.¡±


    Clearly, something lay beneath the surface causing this conflict in her, so I just lifted my hands to disarm her,


    ¡°My bad, no need then. I just thought it would be useful.¡±


    Her eyes flashed back to mine and her hands shot towards me as she blurted,


    ¡°NO! I mean, I will teach you!¡±


    When I didn¡¯t respond, her hand went to the middle of her chest like she was relieved about something. This confused me.


    ¡°Okay¡­so why the hesitation?¡±


    Her countenance dropped slightly as she looked out over the snow covered trees.


    ¡°My people keep telling me that choosing to come out here is too dangerous, that I need to stick to learning skills that is useful for the town. In other words, skills suited inside the town. You are the first to ever ask me to learn such a skill. One my people have looked down on for such a long time.¡±


    Her eyes glistened. This was a sensitive subject for her. Strangest thing was, I could relate. The game engineers frowned upon my skill set constantly. I still feel they believe I didn¡¯t belong close to their department. Yet, my boss Nate never even started giving me a hard time. He saw something in me¡­


    I looked to Talia¡¯s soft face looking sad.


    ¡°You are not alone in that. But, you know? You are out here looking for a way to change the fate of your people being stuck in this place. So, don¡¯t let anyone look down on you. You are doing something to better the lives of others. That is a very noble thing.¡±


    She looked to me and like a sun cresting at dawn, her smile washed over her face.


    We both were smiling. My cheeks actually hurt. Then the absurdity of the mechanic the other developers put into the game hit me, and I huffed.


    ¡°Thank you,¡± She said finally, ¡°It means more to me than you could know.¡±


    With that, she tipped her head, and headed into the trees close by. As she went, she instructed me what she was looking out for, all in a relatively low voice for obvious reasons. This place was crazy dangerous!!!


    She would point to scratch marks in the bark, to a print obscured by fresh snow. Most of those things, I only saw the moment she pointed it out to me. I shook my head. It was enlightening and very humbling that I was close to blind as a bat to my surroundings.


    Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.


    Oddly enough, it made me think of Eri, she would slap me against the head when I was losing focus sometimes. The memory warmed me up in this frozen wasteland.


    It made me focus as hard as I could in drinking in every little detail. Who knows how long I would have her as a guide. I gulped. My salsa with that Sabre Tooth tiger just reinforced the notion that I was ill suited for this zone. I definitely had a long way to go towards that goal.


    Then a hand slapped to my chest.


    Ack!


    I had lost focus so soon! Eri would definitely engrave the palm of her hand to my scalp for that one.


    I looked to Talia. She had a finger to her lips, shushing me. Though, her eyes were following something.


    Glancing around, I could not see anything. I frowned, almost speaking. But she kept me silent.


    Shrugging, I thought better of trying to just use my eyes and attempted using my Gale Sense. It was as if the forest in front suddenly got busy with movement. I concentrated harder and opened my eyes. It took a few moments before I could see what was up ahead.


    There, not more than forty metres ahead, was a group of menacing looking creatures. The trees obscured too much of them for me to see what kind they were except for their grey skin.


    So, I mouthed as silently as I could.


    ¡°Identify¡±


    Talia looked at me with incredulity. But, I waved her down as I kept my eyes trained forward. I hoped my skill was high enough to give me some details.


    Then,


    Ping!


    Ice Embraced Gremlin


    [Monster]


    Level 41


    These strange Gremlins are not common and even more dangerous than their normal brethren. It is said they have been altered by an ancient ice consumed evil that lurks below the frozen lakes. Only rumours exist of what that encounter did to them. But, one thing is clear. They mention their master, and they do its bidding coming to search the topside lands for some mysterious reason.


    [Extra info] Their bite can cause tissue to freeze over. If not warmed by fire or a suitable heating source, it will spread.


    [Extra info] They are known to jump several metres to catch their prey off guard.


    [??]


    [Dangerous][Avoid taking them on in groups more than 2.]


    Man! There looked to be five at least. A single level 41 was more than dangerous to me at level 17.


    I leaned in close to Talia and whispered in her ear.


    ¡°They are about twice my current strength. What do you think we should do?¡±


    She looked nervous, and turned towards my ear and whispered,


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. They are expert trackers. I barely got away from them a few days ago.¡±


    Uh-oh. That spelled trouble.


    I sat back and tapped my bottom lip in thought. Talia had a leg up on me in movement, so if she barely got away¡­ then chances are that with my current mobility that I didn¡¯t stand much of a chance. There was however, the option of just trying to sneak by, but looking at the Gremlins just made it clear, they were searching for something. If they find any of our tracks... That option seemed like a trap waiting to be sprung.


    I turned to Talia and took a breath.


    ¡°You are faster than me and that limits my options here. Chances are we can¡¯t sneak by without them finding our tracks not long after. It is a bit risky for my liking. So, I¡¯m considering laying an ambush for them. Your thoughts on the matter?¡±


    She looked past me over the crest of the hill, clearly thinking things through. Yet, I couldn¡¯t imagine what was going on in her mind.


    ¡°It is a difficult situation, I agree. On my own, I would sneak away and lay false trails, and as best I could make it as difficult for them to track me until I reached the rock of the mountain.¡±


    I suddenly wondered why more players didn¡¯t pick a stealth base subclass at the very least. It seemed so incredibly useful. But... Then again, I was in a situation far beyond the natural progress of things in the game. Stealth had its pros, but the cons tied to not staying concealed were great. Where damage dealing classes had an advantage there, or any number of classes useful in the more urban areas. Still, my situation alongside my mission kind of changed my way of thinking how to, one, survive and then hopefully barge into deeper areas to get closer to the heart of the world.


    Either way, I was somehow glad I got a relatively clean slate. Although, my previous build would have been extremely helpful in this zone!


    Snap!


    My head jerked up. Talia was leaning in with her hand in a finger snapping position. Whoops, I had gotten sidetracked again.


    ¡°Did you hear what I said.¡±


    I totally did not!


    ¡°Um...I...¡±


    She sighed.


    ¡°I was thinking about how we could use the trees to make an attack on them from two sides, and confuse them in the process. If they are spread out to attack on multiple fronts, it would give us options. Though, if you can also make traps it would help. Our attacks can then point them in the direction of our traps. With you being slow, we can¡¯t risk them being in control in a fight.¡±


    I ignored her calling me slow. She had a point. For the time being my attributes pointed more in an attack build rather than a movement build. Yet, I seriously considered getting that more balanced as soon as I could.


    ¡°I agree. I got some ideas for traps. We best hurry, no way of knowing how long they will stay oblivious to our presence.¡±


    I was surprised as she pulled out the two big fangs, Sabre-Tooth fangs, from her back pack. I gestured somewhat bewildered at them and she shrugged.


    ¡°You didn¡¯t take them, so I thought it useful to acquire.¡±


    I wanted to facepalm myself. Those types of things were excellent materials to craft stuff. Though, at least one of us had the bright idea to get them from the carcass.


    Then, I lifted my shoulders and went about making some rope from the left over inner bark I had left.


    Ten minutes later, I slowly and as quietly as I could climbed into a tree on the general route the Gremlins were going. It hadn¡¯t taken me long to see my instincts were spot on. They were already moving towards the area that we had been discussing our plans. Their chattering also seemed to have increased, and my guesses were firmly on them having realised there had been movement through the snow.


    I hefted one of my two newly crafted spears.


    This was an incredibly important part of the plan. If I could take my time and make sure of doing damage to one of them, then the fight would be slightly more manageable. Still, if four or all five of them choose to pursue me even with Talia attacking from the other side, then that would be bad through and through.


    So, I hoped for only two or three as I chucked that spear with all my might at the strongest looking Gremlin of the troop.


    It flew through the air and as I held my breath, it struck true into the upper thigh of the Ice Embraced Gremlin I was aiming for.


    An almost ear-splitting squeal erupted from the creature. Immediately all of the Gremlins drew their weapons and stared in my general direction. Though, just as they all started forward, I saw a spear with a Sabre-Tooth fang flying from the other side and hitting a second one in the back.


    Anxiously I waited for what would happen next.


    Then, with great relief for me, two Gremlins turned and moved towards the new direction of attack.


    It worked.


    The one I struck, barked something and then followed the two remaining of his brethren towards my location.


    One thing was for certain, this was not going to be an easy fight. Three over forty levelled creatures against a level 17, yeah, not easy at all.


    I hefted my last spear and threw it at the closest Gremlin. The fact that I was still hidden helped in scoring me a second hit. It sliced through the side of the creature, only dealing a flesh wound, but it was damage.


    From here on out it was traps and my blades. I just hoped Talia could hold out long enough as I fought my own battle.


    I withdrew Xianmou and waited for the first trap to trigger.


    _

 Ch 16: Ice Snap

    Chapter 16 - Ice Snap


    Blowing out a slow breath, I tightened my hand around the hilt of my sword. And with my other hand, I quickly swiped an opaque sword icon in the corner of my vision. What flowed into my vision were the stats of my sword and knife, but more importantly my tier one combo chart. I had seconds to decide how best to chain my combos.


    Xianmou [Rare]


    This sword originates from the Cloud Sanctuary. The slightly curved blade has from its beginning, been passed on from master down to student. Considered a great honour to wield this sword, all students who took it up has sought to master its secrets.


    Upon pausing with complete composure to take a strike mid battle, the sword gains the attribute Master¡¯s Edge for 2 seconds.


    +25% Attack damage


    +30% Critical strike chance.


    [Master¡¯s Edge: + 25% Sharpness and a chance to ignore 20% Physical Armour]


    Sharpness 280/300 of a minimum of 150 (Use sharpening tools to restore fully.)


    [1 active slot, 2 passive slots]


    (Current Slotted Runes) [Deep Harrow Tree- Epic Rune][Attack Speed III-Rune][-]


    Skinning Knife [Common]


    This is a knife often found with hunters. It is excellent for skinning.


    +1% Attack Damage


    +70% Skinning effectiveness


    Tier One Combo Chain Attacks


    -Watcher¡¯s Strike (Unlocks at a 3 hit chain)


    -Surge of the North (Unlocks at a 7 hit chain)


    -Owl¡¯s Sigel (Unlocks at an 8 hit chain)


    Okay, I had limited options. I definitely missed my high-level combo unlocks. Ah, the log chopper would have been perfect for multiple enemies. Nevertheless, I had to use what I had.


    Lastly, before I jumped down, I checked my health.


    Health: 195


    Energy Bar: 190 [Tier 1 accessible]


    Armor Rating: 34


    Even though I have never before faced Ice Embraced Gremlins, at roughly level 41 their weapon attacks should not outright kill me, but they might do more than half my life as damage anyway.


    The part that worried me was firstly their freezing bite, the damage for it was unknown and the freezing effect might spread faster than my guess. Their leap attack wasn¡¯t as much of a worry. But, my perception had only unlocked two out three of the extra info slots, what that last bit of info was could spell trouble.


    That said... I was already committed to the fight.


    Just then, I heard a crack and glanced down to see my trap trigger. One Gremlin flung up into the air with a squeal.


    My queue.


    I jumped down sword leading. Hitting the snow with a roll, I immediately came up with a swing at one of the Gremlins looking up in shock at its high-strung partner. The surprise gave me just the moment to pause long enought to activate the two seconds of Master¡¯s Edge.


    I jumped forward and struck with all my strength, slicing true into the Gremlin. It howled, but I knew the damage was still minimal.


    One combo tick.


    It lashed out at me with a claw, though I dodged it easily enough, already having moved back for such a case.


    I stepped forward and balanced my body for a forward strike. The combo ring refreshed.


    With a step back I prepared for a horizontal swing. Then from the side a sudden shadow entered my peripheral vision. I dived to the right, but a numbing shock struck my left arm as I tumbled away. On looking that way, I just caught a glimpse of a club.


    -75 HP


    Ack! That was a lot!


    It had been too soon to get hit in the fight. Suddenly, I remembered my combo ring and I glanced up with hope that it was still on countdown. It had barely more than a second left. I leaped forward hoping to catch at least a scrape on an enemy. It was a stumbling mess as I did get my scrape, though barrelling into the limping Gremlin was not my plan. The thing growled and tried to bite me, but I shoved with all my strength to haphazardly roll away.


    This was dangerous game. I was eyeing my combo meter. The first one was unlocked, but if I got a few more, the second attack would deal more damage.


    I was vastly underpowered against these Ice Embraced Gremlins. Every bit of damage dealt was necessary to win...


    Gritting my teeth, I shifted my weight to continue attacking. In front, one of the Gremlins looked like it was crouching. A frown spilled onto my forehead. Then, it jumped a full ten metres towards me, its club leading the way.


    Shocked, I fell back onto my rump. The soft snow cold underneath. Just the basest of reactions got me to roll to the side to hear a big thud and subsequently a spray of snow hit me.


    Close! Too close!


    I swung back with my sword, barely clipping the Gremlin¡¯s elbow. It bared it¡¯s fangs at me, which made me gulp. They looked frikken scary, with this crazy ice mist swirling around them.


    Scrambling backwards, the Gremlin advanced on me lifting its club again.


    ¡±Agh!¡± I grunted, frantically trying to think of something!


    I lifted my leg and kicked at its hands, just before it was able to swing down. The effort paid off as it lost its grip and had to fumble with the menacing weapon, not wasting the moment, I swung again with my sword in a downward arc and immediately with a horizontal, scoring a bigger hit and smaller to follow it.


    That was six hits and the combo was still going.


    This was not one of the two Gremlins I had struck with a spear; its opaque health bar showed it, only having gone down about a third.


    I rolled back onto my feet and saw something I was afraid of seeing. The crippled Gremlin I had speared in the leg, was swirling its hands in a ball, snow crystals flying into the centre.


    That was the third left out part of the extra info. It wasn¡¯t a relief to know. I was at least fifteen metres away from it. On flat ground, I might be able to make run for it, but the snow threw that completely out of the window.


    I looked towards the closest tree, it might block whatever that attack was. Yet, it was a full five metres away...


    No way of knowing how much damage that ability would do, I could only try to fall flat in the snow and hope it missed. A very flawed idea in the least, and that was not to even mention the second Gremlin only two metres away. The crippled Gremlin was already busy finishing its scary ball of ice crystals.


    The snow it was. I prepared to dive, and then I spotted my combo ring still counting down. A new hope dawned.


    I changed my plans and jumped towards the Gremlin next to me. It had already started wading into the snow towards me. Luckily it didn¡¯t expect me to come jumping at it.


    My sword sliced into its shoulder. It growled as it dropped down to a knee. It was going to take a swing at me. But, I had other worries. I looked up and inside the combo ring, a second ring was flashing.


    I grinned broadly and as quick as I could, lifted my sword behind my back in the stance for Surge of the North, aiming towards the crippled Gremlin.


    A second passed, and my eye caught the Gremlin levelling its club at me. I gulped.


    Any time now...?


    Then just as it was swinging, my sword started feeling warm in my grip. The light it suddenly generated cast the Gremlin in an ice blue light. Then my body flung forward as extreme G-force took hold of me. The distance vanished in seconds between the crippled Gremlin and I. With all my power, I swung down at the creature.


    A gushing noise accompanied the sword propelling down in an arc. It struck true on its shoulder. The Gremlin just crumpled into the snow. A full two thirds of its health disappeared in a flash.


    I was just about to reverse my swing to strike again at the prone Gremlin, when I heard a keening sound from somewhere below...


    Confused, I looked and saw rapid airflow with snow rushing towards the Gremlin.


    My eyes popped open wide and I screamed as I dived as far as I could away from the thing.


    Boooooom!!!


    A loud explosion sent snow flying everywhere. Even with my dodge, the shockwave caught me and sent me tumbling to the side.


    -15 HP


    That was just the outside rim of the explosion! I held a hand to my chest. That was scary. Could I have dodged that if I hadn¡¯t gone for the Surge of North? I didn¡¯t know at all...


    Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.


    I looked up and it was clear, the Gremlin that caught the full brunt of it perished. I got up shaking a bit. I looked at the other Gremlin, and it looked at me. Then it did that crouching thing and I knew what was coming. The attack was tough to handle, especially with more than one of them moving on your position.


    I crouched immediately, and waited. In a second, it lunged at me from fifteen metres away, flying through the air. I swiftly brought my sword up and pointed it straight at where the Gremlin will be. I flicked my Deep Harrow Tree rune to on, to make use of its active ability. Extra critical hit damage for three seconds.


    Then as the Gremlin had nowhere to go but towards me, it howled as it realized its mistake.


    With a deep crunch, the sword skewered it.


    The force sent me skidding a couple of metres, but I received no damage. I removed my blade and wiped it in the snow. The Gremlin was dead. I looked up, breathing out at the intensity of the battle. Then I spotted the other Gremlin trying to chew threw the cord around its leg.


    I chuckled. Not such a smart idea.


    With my boot, I cleaned a small area of snow and threw a small sharp rock there before walking away. A quick moment presented itself, so I searched the body of the one closest to me. It had several precious gems in a tiny bag and a pouch with some strange herbs I didn¡¯t recognize. Still, even though I would normally have left something like that, in this situation anything could be useful to survive. So, I took the pouch.


    The one that took most of the explosion was harder to search, just giving up a bracelet. I pocketed it with a hope to check it out later.


    THUD!!


    I had expected it, but it still startled me a bit. I looked to see a groaning Gremlin in the snow. It had a quarter of its health left after the fall. With a few steps towards it, it tried to bite me before I ended its attempt with a swift downward plunge of Xianmou.


    It trying to bite me, reminded me of something. I wondered what it was with their teeth and the strange swirling effect. So, I took my skinning knife and took the time to pop out all of the Gremlin¡¯s fangs.


    Even outside of their mouths, that swirling effect didn¡¯t go away. Just before leaving, I spotted a worn parchment in the trousers of one of them. I took it and took off sprinting towards the direction Talia lured the last two Gremlins.


    Ping!


    I ignored the notifications for now.


    The snow crunched under my boots as I ran. I followed a clear trail from the starting point of our attack. The sound of something hard striking something metal sounded and I sprinted towards it. Though, it was more like hopping through the thick snow.


    It wasn¡¯t long before I could see streaks of green blood on the snow. I hoped I didn¡¯t take too long with my fight.


    Then, I saw a Gremlin lying in the snow with a Sabre Tooth fang sticking out of it. That was some good news, so it left one.


    I heard a woman scream and I immediately rushed forward through the trees. In a small clearing, I saw Talia grimacing as she struck down with a dagger at the prone Gremlin, clearly finishing it off. But, then I noticed the Gremlin¡¯s fangs buried in her leg.


    Talia was bleeding in several places. Yet, the one wound in her leg was already looking like ice was bleeding into her skin. Getting to her, I immediately removed the Gremlin¡¯s jaws from her leg and she stumbled and fell to the ground panting from her fight.


    She grimaced again and said through gritted teeth,


    ¡°Uhh...It hurts. I don¡¯t know what is happening...¡±


    I crouched down beside her.


    ¡°It¡¯s going to be okay. It is something specific to them, but the fight is over, so we have time to tend to it.¡±


    ¡°O..oh.¡±


    Her eyes looked uncertain, but I patted her arm before pulling out some of my cord. I wrapped it around her leg above the wound and tightened it. After that, I hurriedly ran to the closest tree, broke a few branches, got some bark and returned to Talia. Her breathing was getting heavier, which worried me. I had no clue what kind of health she had left, if that was what governed her well being.


    Shrugging the confusing question off, I started trying to make a fire. I still sucked at it. But, luckily after a few attempts with no success, Talia, reached back into her knapsack and pulled out what was some flint rocks. I smiled broadly and quickly got a spark going and the tinder.


    A nice little fire started and I quickly pulled on Talia¡¯s leg, to get it closer to the fire.


    ¡°Trust me, this will help.¡±


    She nodded, though still looked concerned.


    After about ten seconds, the frost on her leg seemed to ebb away, until it was completely gone.


    I sat back with a huff of relief. Talia looked much better. And her other wounds only looked like small scrapes. She had handled herself well in the fight. I completely understood that she was not used to choosing to fight, which meant rather sneaking around the predators of the land. But, still going toe to toe with a level fortyish Ice Embraced Gremlin made her a decent fighter.


    As we sat and got warmed up, I tapped my notifications.


    Defeated an Ice Embraced Gremlin. Level 42


    Defeated an Ice Embraced Gremlin. Level 41


    You have used a trap successfully to help defeat an enemy.


    Defeated an Ice Embraced Gremlin Level 39


    XP gained 60 000


    Level up! x12


    Upgraded


    Trap Maker III [Novice] (+2)


    Having made big strides in functional traps, you now have higher percentage damage when setting up an ambush and resetting your traps.


    + 6 % Surprise attack damage


    + 22 % Chance to quickly reset a sprung trap.


    Gained


    +1 Agility


    +1 Endurance


    +1 Luck


    I tsk¡¯d at the gain in luck. I felt most of my decisions in that battle fit nicely in the well thought out zone. Still, however you look at it, it was a good skill to gain. So, whatever.


    Skill Gained


    Fire Starter I [Novice]


    Having tried your hand at making fires with primitive means you eventually gained a better understanding to attempt at getting one started. Though you are still but a petty little flame in the world.


    +10% making a fire using what is at hand.


    Hahaha, funny game. That one irked me out even more.


    ¡°I wasn¡¯t that bad at starting fires.¡±


    ¡°Sorry to say, you were like a young one trying his hand at one.¡±


    I jumped at Talia¡¯s voice. Then frustration bubbled up in me and I grumbled under my breath vowing to beat the fire starting mechanic. I tapped my status screen icon.


    Leo Stormchild


    Race: Norskai


    Level: 17+


    ________ [Primary Class][Search for a main class tree in game.]


    ________ [Secondary Class][Explore and find your first sub class tree in the world]


    Health: 195


    Energy Bar: 190 [Tier 1 accessible]


    Armor Rating: 34


    >Equipped Weapons and Runes:


    Xianmou [Deep Harrow Tree- Epic Rune][Attack Speed III-Rune][-]


    Skinning Knife [-]


    >Equipped Armor and Runes:


    [Stout Shirt]


    [Frost Sabre Fur cloak]


    [Sabre Fur trousers]


    [Sabre Fur boots]


    Etched Silver Gauntlets [Swift Strike I- Rune][Stone body II-Rune]


    >Equiped Trinkets:


    Shadow Veil Ring [Stealth +10%]


    [...]


    [Attributes]


    Choose the Attributes you wish to increase. This will affect your character.


    [Points to allocate= 1+36]


    Strength 30


    Vitality  22


    Agility 17


    Willpower  17


    Intelligence 11


    Acrobatics 17


    Luck 16


    [Race Attributes]


    The Norskai are a hardy people from the cold north. They have survived through severe weather conditions their entire lives. Where others would have quickly perished, they remained and so they have gained firsthand knowledge how to endure and stand fast in times when storms would hit at a moment¡¯s notice.


    Endurance 3


    Survival 7


    And, then I tapped the plus sign to level up.


    Leo Stormchild


    Race: Norskai


    Level: 29


    ________ [...]


    Health: 195+120+30


    Energy Bar: 190+120+4 [Tier 2 accessible]


    Armor Rating: 34+12


    >Equipped Weapons and Runes:


    [...]


    [...]


    [...]


    [Attributes]


    Choose the Attributes you wish to increase. This will affect your character.


    [Points to allocate= 1]


    Strength 30


    Vitality  30


    Agility 25


    Willpower  19


    Intelligence 16


    Acrobatics 20


    Luck 16


    [Race Attributes]


    [...]


    Endurance 8


    Survival 12


    That was a nice big gain. I would have probably have just gained four levels for a single level fortyish Ice Embraced Gremlin then. It just made it clear some level 40 creatures were way more dangerous and so give way more experience, like that big scary Sabre-Tooth Tiger. I was about to sit back and relax when another ping popped up startling me some.


    Ping!


    I tapped and immediately realized what it was.


    You reached level 20! You qualify to pick a skill to unlock.


    Class skill= Not Qualified


    Sub-Class skill= Not Qualified


    Racial skill= Qualified > Available 5


    The whole ¡®not qualified¡¯ was getting on my nerves... I just swiped it into my unread notifications and dropped back. I had to find myself a Primary Class, or at the very least a Sub Class.


    ¡°You look angry, Leo Stormchild. What is wrong?¡± Talia asked from the side.


    I huffed and spoke without thinking,


    ¡°I am not suppose to be here. I never was. Ending up here in this frozen wasteland was an unlucky mistake.¡±


    Staring up into the darkening skies, it took a moment to realise Talia had gotten quiet. She too was staring up to the sky. But her face was full of emotion.


    I pressed up on my elbow and asked,


    ¡°Hey, are you okay?¡±


    She nodded, though I could see her lip quivering and a tear rolling down her cheek.


    Talia turned her head to me, her orange rimmed hazel eyes drew me in right then.


    ¡°But, I am truly glad you ended up here. You brought hope.¡±


    It sobered me up. Her plight was as real as anything I had to do in this world. They have been trapped in this frozen season for who knows how long. I had to help her.


    It helped that assisting her might give me a way out of this crazy zone. It definitely helped, but even with that in mind, I really did want to come to her aid.


    I hopped up and said,


    ¡°I¡¯m going to lay some traps around. So we can rest more easily.¡±


    She stayed silent as I wandered off to make the area a bit safer.


    Stumbling into this zone seemed almost life altering to me by now. Such a strange thing considering it was a digital realm.


    _

 Ch: 17 - What the ice took [ +Poll ]

    Chapter 17 - What the ice took


    It was a quiet night. A bit too quiet. Even Talia, who knew the place, remarked that something felt off. There were no chirps in the trees, no critters moving about. It was disconcerting to say the least, though, as much as we pondered the matter, no solution presented itself. I had my suspicions that the Ice Embraced Gremlins were part of the problem.


    But, what was that thing about them serving a master and coming topside for a mysterious reason? Obviously it screamed that there was something to find, if one went looking around. Yet, instead of the normal excitement that followed a mystery in the game, this one gave me the creeps.


    For that reason alone, I chose to just flatly ignore it for the time being, I wanted to stay alive long enough to escape this icy zone. Nevertheless, I was still committed to helping Talia.


    The dawn came without any trouble. As we ate some meat, I remembered the piece of paper the one Gremlin had. I plucked it out of my bag and unfurled it.


    On it, there was a rough drawn spike-like object and then a lot of gibberish written around it.


    I hadn¡¯t yet unlocked a skill to decipher strange languages. A sigh escaped me, but then Talia¡¯s voice startled me from right to the side of my head,


    ¡°Hmm, this seems to be instructions to find the object drawn on the parchment. Sadly, I can only make out some of it. I¡¯m rusty in the language.¡±


    A smile popped on my face, my curiosity would have driven me nuts wondering what was written on the letter.


    ¡°I wonder why they need it so bad. Maybe it is for their master.¡±


    ¡°If these are loyal to a master, then it does not bode well. They do not normally submit themselves to the rule of another.¡±


    The info I had gained from ¡®Identify¡¯ had given me some hidden insight. There was no reason to hide it from Talia, so I said,


    ¡°They are called Ice Embraced Gremlins. It seems to me an entity had corrupted them and now they are scouting to find something for their new master.¡±


    Talia looked taken aback, staring at me with a frown creasing her delicate features.


    ¡°Ice Embraced? I have not heard of such Gremlins before...no...maybe. It would explain the effect from the bite. I only thought the constant winter had changed their appearance some. This is indeed troubling. We need to go to my town and report this.¡±


    A town!!! I was just nodding enthusiastically. Ah! To get out of the frozen wilderness. I had believed her to only take us to a small outpost or something, a town was far better.


    ¡°Then lead the way.¡±


    Without saying anything, Talia was up and tightening the straps of her boots. She didn¡¯t wait for me as she started into the trees, only glancing back with a ¡®Hurry¡¯ look. I chuckled and followed her.


    Luckily, as she moved through the snowy forest, she still taught me about how to notice and spot tracks, and which types of creatures came past there. I drank in each word. If it meant I could avoid predators, I was all for it. It was an added bonus that Talia truly enjoyed teaching me about it. Her smile gave me such peace after the chaotic previous days.


    The fact that her people frowned on her skills in the wild was definitely sad. It was such a useful thing to have. About three hours in the tracks started to have the slightest of glow to them, I was surprised at first, but then a notification went off.


    Ping!


    I tapped it in the go and smiled. Yeah, definitely worth asking for someone¡¯s insight.


    Skill gained!


    Wilderness Skill III [Novice]


    Through careful study, your awareness of the natural compounds around you has increased. Sounds in the wild carry more meaning for you as you are able to better discern between a peaceful area and one that carries tension.


    With a bit of focus you can spot and use naturally occurring materials to survive, also to reinforce items.


    +4 Perception


    +2% Trap-making


    +1 Crafting


    25% Chance to reinforce a crudely made item.


    Skill Gained!


    Tracking II [Novice]


    Through keen observance of an expert at work, you have picked up the basics of tracking the various critters and animals through the snow. The tracks of predators are still indistinguishable from each other, though you know they carry risk.


    Focusing will start to make tracks stand out of the snow.


    Snow Tracking Unlocked


    On Focusing:


    55% chance to notice tracks of critters or animals


    30% chance to notice tracks of predators


    I was already thinking about how to use such a skill. Maybe if I studied up on how the predator tracks looked and asked Talia to tell me which one it is likely to be from then¡ª


    ¡°I see your face gain a faraway look sometimes. Is there someone special that so often grabs hold of your attention?¡±


    I stopped dead in my tracks and my face flushed full of heat, far more than would normally happen in real life, I was probably tomato red against this white setting. A moment of vexation bubbled up over it. If I ever get out, my fellow developers are going to get an earful.


    ¡°Ah-ha!¡± Talia exclaimed. ¡°So, I am right. Who is this woman that you carry such fancy for?¡±


    My head perked up and Talia had this playful smile while staring at me.


    ¡°What?¡±


    A slight frown furrowed her brow.


    ¡°Your face spoke volumes just now. I wish to hear your story.¡±


    My mind raced. A woman I held fancy for? The last year was more a blur than anything else. I chuckled ruefully.


    ¡°Nah, there is no one yet.¡±


    ¡°Certainly not! You went bright red!¡±


    Tsk! That mechanic.


    ¡°I am afraid it was for being startled out of my thoughts. I do not have girl I fancy... um yet, it was a bit chaotic the last while.¡±


    Talia pouted at that. Clearly she was all for hearing stories of romance. In a sense, I wished I could have told her something in that regard.


    ¡°I still don¡¯t think I believe you. Your face was redder than a freshly plucked tomato!¡±


    This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.


    But, instead of grilling me further, she spun around and started in another direction again, albeit with slightly more slumped shoulders.


    With a shrug and a smile, I followed.


    Every now and then, when she was involved in peering into the trees I would practice my new skill. It was such a good skill to have in this zone!


    The truth of the matter was I tried to keep my mind preoccupied, I had never even thought about the feelings of the women around me when I made the decision to come into the game.


    It was moot though, I had the most experience with the triplet AI. Still... was there someone who had tried to find my heart?


    Ha! Who was I kidding? I discriminate against the ¡®peaceful¡¯ bears of Hem Iree and tick off game engineers.


    I shook my head and focused on the tracks leading off somewhere into the woods. I realised pretty quickly it was that of an ermine. I cringed at my desperate standoff against those supposedly harmless critters.


    At least I now understood the text from the skill. I know from the tracks what critters or animals walked there, but I wouldn¡¯t know yet what kind of predator left the tracks. The need to level up to that certain skill wasn¡¯t lost on me.


    Every now and then Talia would glance back at me and I would hold my breath, afraid my face would again reveal my inner turmoil.


    Luckily, I was given a breathing chance when we crested another hill, one without trees. It was a bit jarring when a big expanse with no trees laid out before me. A cold icy wind hit me, and I shivered. I could see my exposure meter taking somewhat of a hit, nothing bad, but a reminder of the weather¡¯s new effects in the game.


    Besides, the sun was setting and that still brought exposure dangers. I was about to suggest to Talia, we would be better off finding shelter back in the trees. But, she was staring out over the snowy expanse.


    I blew out a breath as I saw the dazzling lights of an Aurora glitter into view.


    Nice!


    Then I stopped as another source of light caught my attention. Under the overhang of a cliff -an ice cliff?- was a town. Its location made it clear construction came from the necessity of facing away from the onslaught of severe blizzards.


    The icicles, that remained untouched by the people of the town, pointed sideways. This further explained the exact desperation that I had only briefly seen on Talia¡¯s face, that deep hope to escape from this continuous ice.


    From my side, Talia took a breath.


    ¡°Welcome to Frosgard. It doesn¡¯t look like much... but¡± Her eyes dropped a bit before picking back up, ¡°It has been home the last few years.¡±


    I had to keep my overwhelming excitement of finding a town at bay. Yet, upon seeing the complex emotions running across her face, I nodded sombrely.


    The move down the hill onto a snowy plane was a bit difficult, gusts of icy wind would come out of nowhere and make our balance falter. It came as bit of shock when


    Talia turned in the wind and loudly said,


    ¡°I¡¯m glad you could see Frosgard on a nice day! It is normally worse weather than this.¡±


    ¡°Yeah. me too...¡± I gulped somewhat. What was this zone? My fellow developers really had outdone themselves in encapsulation the struggle of this frost-ridden place. It made me think, I can¡¯t remember there being talked about this zone, ever. Well, it was probably from a different arm of the studio, but still... developers talk to each other right?


    Even with my general lack of details of the game in whole, this proved to be a problem... I didn¡¯t know what kind of events were waiting in this zone, ones clearly meant for parties instead of a solo and wildly under-levelled player like me. I certainly hoped I could find a way to unlock the bigger mission here so I could leave this icy prison.


    The shadow of the cliff enveloped us, and with a closer look, I was certain there was a lot of ice, but intermixed with rock. It gave an eerie scene an even stranger feel with the colours of the Aurora filtering through certain places of the permafrost.


    Talia was clearly steering us towards a certain set of buildings on the left. Her pace strangely increased above a comfortable yet brisk one. Even her shoulders looked more tensed up. All of this made me frown, why was she suddenly so anxious?


    ¡°Talia... Are you¡ª¡°


    ¡°Ice-puddle! Where have you been?!¡± An angry voice shouted from the side.


    Talia froze for a moment before moving even faster in the direction she had been going.


    ¡°HEY!! I¡¯m talking to you!¡±


    From the side a muscled man came trudging towards Talia. But, she ignored him and said,


    ¡°Leave me alone.¡±


    ¡°Now listen here, Uncle said I need to find you. We have so much work to do!¡±


    Talia¡¯s neck twitched and she spun around, red in the face.


    ¡°Work? Your work is doing nothing to help us reclaim our lost city! It carries no meaning to me.¡±


    The strange man gritted his teeth, and I could see veins popping up on his neck.


    ¡°Distilling Gremlin glands is important to the town!¡±


    ¡°Ha! You think making more alcohol for the people will bring an end to this accursed ice?! No brother, there are things that will help us far more.¡±


    I was actually impressed that Talia was keeping her anger under control in the situation. Not like her brother that was bursting with rage by now. The she continued,


    ¡°Now, if you would excuse me, I have found us hope and I intend to let father know.¡±


    With that, she tipped her head slightly and turned back towards the cluster of buildings she had been heading.


    I shrugged and started to follow¡ª


    A hand shot out and grabbed her arm. Her brother was standing there breathing like a train.


    ¡°You will come with me.¡± He said in a menacing tone.


    Oi!


    That was too far, I stepped forward, and with a simple grabbing motion I gripped the man¡¯s thumb twisting it slightly, this was always a weak point for people not expecting it. I didn¡¯t finish the manoeuvre, but I kept ready.


    ¡°I would suggest you show respect to your sister. Or I will teach it to you painfully.¡± I said.


    He actually growled at me. I raised an eyebrow at this, what was he trying to prove in making animal sounds. It made me want to laugh in his face, but I kept it in.


    ¡°Go away, little man!¡± He finally barked, ¡°And let go of my thumb before you get hurt. My business with my sister has absolutely nothing to do with you.¡±


    ¡°Maybe, but it doesn¡¯t mean you can treat her like that. So I will ask one more time for you to let her go.¡±


    ¡°Tamry, he is serious. I would suggest you listen to him.¡±


    Her brother, Tamry as I¡¯ve just heard, just growled again and swung his fist at me. I dropped to my knee unexpectedly, and kept hold of his thumb with all my strength as I lurched forward under Talia¡¯s arm. Immediately, this caused him to lose his grip on his sister as his arm buckled under the pain I was so completely familiar with in this kind of move. My own sister had more than once proved how painfully effective her kind of ¡®thumb wrestling¡¯ can be.


    As Tamry grunted heavily, I swept back up onto my feet with his arm coming up behind his back in a lock that was surely hurting.


    ¡°Now, tell your sister sorry for treating her with such disrespect and I will let you go back to your oh so important work of keeping people drunk.¡±


    He was grunting and groaning as he tried desperately to get out of my arm lock by himself.


    ¡°You little twerp...aghhh... I will get... ahhhgh... for this... agghh. Alright, alright! I¡¯m sorry!¡±


    ¡°You think he meant it Talia?¡± I asked while holding the struggling muscled man in the arm lock.


    Talia was clearly having a hard time holding back her own laughter as she could only manage to shake her head with her mouth clamped shut. Tamry clearly got nervous at his sister not thinking he meant it, as he redoubled his efforts.


    ¡°L-Look, I¡¯m sorry! Please tell him to let me go.¡±


    After a moment of pausing to think, Talia relented and said,


    ¡°Apology accepted. Let him go. I hope you learned something from this Tamry.¡±


    ¡°I did! I did! Just please.¡±


    I pushed up a little harder before I let go. The man stumbled forward out of breath. He was throwing me a death glare, but he controlled his features when Talia looked at him.


    ¡°I¡¯m going with my friend here to report to father now.¡±


    He nodded and she left. As I turned to follow, Tamry said,


    ¡°You better watch your back, little man.¡±


    I just smirked at his unoriginal threat and trotted to catch up with Talia.


    It was quiet the first while. She was clearly deep in thought as she walked, but after a minute she took a deep breath and said,


    ¡°Thank you, Leo... I mean it. What you did for me back there... I am so grateful.¡±


    I nodded, glad I could have been there.


    ¡°You are more than welcome. I am not one for standing idly by watching that kind of abuse.¡±


    Talia smiled at me with a warmth that almost took my breath away. I started stuttering and said,


    ¡°Well... ugm, your brother is a piece of work.¡±


    She scoffed at that and said,


    ¡°Yeah, he has this mean streak to him. He is not bad... really. He just don¡¯t understand that we need to strive for being freed from this unnatural lasting winter. My people need it more than he understands...¡±


    ¡°I sure hope he can learn to respect your will to give a better future for your people, I do.¡±


    ¡°I know you do. That is why you have brought new hope to the town of Frosgard.¡±


    ¡°Whoa there! No use in putting all your hopes in me.¡±


    ¡°I know what you mean. But, it doesn¡¯t take away that which you represent, what you will represent is that we must not give up in breaking free of this.¡±


    Her eyes pointed towards all the snow and I understood then what she meant. It wasn¡¯t that she believed I alone was the only one that could free them, but that I represented the start of what they needed to work towards.


    Still... waaaaay too much pressure. I chuckled nervously.


    Just then we reached a tower under the overhang, lights were casting it in a warm glow. I walked in trying not to let it become obvious I was sweating a little as Talia ran forward and embraced an older gentleman.


    ¡°Dad! It is so good to see you! I have so much to tell you... Oh, let me introduce you to Leo.¡±


    Ah, it never got easier to meet the parents of a girl, not even in a game...


    _

 Ch 18: A star of a quest

    Chapter 18 A star of a quest


    </a> I gripped the hand of the man while I shook like a slinky. Nervousness slapped me to and fro! And my free hand... it had a life of its own, wobbling about on my side.


    But, I was saved having to say something as the man looked at the two of us and said,


    ¡°Good, good. The name is Gregor,¡± He looked distracted then, ¡°This changes things... if one could...hmm-hmm, you know, if you two would not mind following me up to the Far Seeing Eye, I would appreciate it. We can talk more there.¡±


    Gregor spun on his heels and grab hold of a fixed wall lantern, rotating it swiftly, and within seconds, a cupboard swung open revealing a walkway disappearing in the wall.


    Talia just shrugged her shoulders and pointed me to follow with a tilt of her head. He grabbed a lantern and briskly walked down the corridor. All the way, I could hear him muttering under his breath. It was not crazy per se, more calculations I could not wrap my mind around.


    Probably the same reason why there were so many secrets to this game for me, I sometimes found it hard to figure out babbling of other people. My sister is right, my head likes to fly.


    Still, I was now in a situation where each piece of information could be the key to getting out of this biome alive.


    After a minute, the walls suddenly stopped and an icy staircase led upwards. The ice looked rock solid, but had that ever present glimpse into its deeper recesses. A deepness that almost seemed like it wanted to compel me into its dark abyss.


    Still, even with that creepy little moment, it was beautiful in a deep way. One thing bothered me, though. It didn¡¯t seem as if the ice were melted at all anywhere, not on the walls, nor on the ground.


    So I asked quietly back to Talia, ¡°Is there a reason this ice looks like it has never even begun to melt?¡±


    She looked at as if only realizing it then, but just acted as if it wasn¡¯t that big a deal.


    ¡°As you may have felt, it is very cold in these parts. What is more, the change of seasons has all but stopped. It is what it is; the ice is permanent as is.¡±


    Her reaction really drove home how entrenched they were in this winter that didn¡¯t go away.


    Up ahead, Gregor stepped onto a swirling old stone staircase, which caught me somewhat off guard. Although, as I looked closer it seemed to disappear into the ice, it seemed to me an old tower¡¯s staircase before the ice took over. And as if answering my question, we stepped into a room that was without a doubt an old tower¡¯s top room, and in its centre, a big telescope like object stood proud.


    ¡°Fascinating, I didn¡¯t expect this at all.¡±


    Talia giggled and said,


    ¡°Your reaction is amusing,¡± She paused, ¡°This had been our watch the last several years, always holding to the chance of spotting something that could come to our aid.¡±


    I nodded and she wandered towards Gregor. Looking around then, the amount of scribbled notes scattered all about was quite remarkable and then there were charts... charts of the stars and the lands. This caught my attention more than anything else did. I stooped down and observed more carefully what was on them.


    As I looked at the first map, there were several points of interests marked. I recognized one or two on it from my journey. Without expecting it, I heard a ping.


    I just hovered my finger over the icon to see what it was about.


    Map updated


    That was a plus. I need to remember that. I was sometimes more of the type ¡®complete the map by exploring it¡¯. However, I much appreciated this.


    Looking back down, I saw a big-circled area maybe half a day¡¯s walk from Frosgar. A massive rock in the middle of nowhere lay in its midst.


    I had a large suspicion that this harboured the reason of the icy grip of the zone. Again I wondered if it was even remotely possible to complete on my own...


    I shook the doubt from my head.


    On the map, south of that big circle, a city was marked clear as day. This was probably what Talia had talked about, their city abandoned after the frost drove them from there. What a nightmare that must have been...


    I turned to the west of the city and a few things were marked as points of interests, but I had no reference for them.


    Well, it might hold value to ask what is out there.


    One thing, I took keen interest in then was the several areas where a small monster drawing was dotted down, and seeing as the Sabre Tooth tigers had one of its own around the area where I had been... well I was going to make sure to ask about those other areas.


    Then, it dawned on me. These people didn¡¯t sound like the type to explore the icy wastes apart from finding good fishing grounds and ways to make hard liquor. I wondered if Talia was the one to make the map...


    ¡°I see you found my map.¡± Talia said from over my shoulder. It startled me, I¡¯ll admit that. The girl was stealthy.


    ¡°Ah, uhum. Yeah, it is quite useful. I have been going over things to take note of.¡± I paused, ¡°Talia... what is that city¡¯s name? The one you came from.¡±


    Her smile dropped just the smallest of margins, but she had a thoughtful look on her face.


    </a> ¡°It is called, Shaura. I hope you can see it as I have one day; it is a beautiful city. But, these days, the blizzards make it almost impossible to stay there for more than a day or two.¡±


    I could see the frown on her face deepen, so I quickly said,


    ¡°Well, I look forward to seeing it without the ice. By the way, what is with these star maps? I can¡¯t rightly say I can really recall seeing their like in the realms... well ever. They are quite remarkable.¡±


    Her frown disappeared within the span of a second and her eyes lit up.


    ¡°Oh! You took interest in them? I created them because I found a fascinating connection between the constellations and several ancient stones dotting the lands. For three days exactly each time, a stone would light up with a constellation that is in the night sky. I have been following them, trying to discover their secrets.¡±


    As she talked, her hands gestured wildly between the star chart and the map, and it became clear what that certain icon dotted across the map meant. What was more, they were dotted almost exclusively in a circle around that big stone.


    Just when the realization hit me, a small light orb drifted from Talia¡¯s hand.


    My breath caught a bit. I glanced at her, but she didn¡¯t seem to see it. I reached out and the moment I touched it, almost the same thing happened from back at the fire when she asked if would share her quest.


    It was like knowing her fascination, seeing brief glimpses of the standing stones and their glowing marks.


    A small voice whispered to me,


    ¡°Follow her stars.¡±


    Shocked, I looked around. But there was no one near me except Talia, and she was busy happily discussing the different stones with their connecting constellations. I touched her arm, still looking around.


    ¡°Did you hear that?¡±


    She tilted her head,


    ¡°Hear what?¡±


    It bothered me that I was the only one to hear it, but it was a strange thing to mention so I just stood up.


    ¡°Never mind, I think I will speak to your father.¡±


    ¡°My step-father really, but you are welcome to.¡±


    This was a bit surprising.


    ¡°Oh? So Tamry is he... as well?¡±


    Talia nodded.There was mystery behind this woman. Though, at that moment I needed different answers.


    Upon approaching the Telescope, I dotted down another note next to Gregor.


    ¡°Sir, what are you looking at?¡±


    He turned to me with a twinkle in his eyes.


    ¡°Oh, I have been looking at the pass. I was actually expecting the storm to have settled a bit there. Alas, it seems it did not.¡±


    ¡°Why did you expect it to have settled?¡±


    ¡°Because, you are here.¡±


    That slapped me in the face a bit. I had a lot of questions then, but he beat me to it as he then said,


    ¡°No adventurer had set foot in these lands. Even the ones to try the pass has never come close.¡±


    Ah. That explained things.


    ¡°Can I see the pass?¡±


    ¡°Certainly lad! Just stand here and look through the eye piece.¡±


    I stepped up and looked through the telescope. What became clear immediately was that the pass looked insane. No person in their right mind would respawn over and over to try and get through that storm. The crazy geography that accompanied it showed the only way in or out of the zone.


    No wonder this place was such a secret... However, this begged the question, why on earth would the others have created this zone if it was this inaccessible? It didn¡¯t make sense, not one bit. It was another mystery I couldn¡¯t wrap my head around, at least not yet.


    Looking away, I asked,


    ¡°Sir, are you also convinced that the ice problem lies at the centre of that big rock?¡±


    ¡°Yes, indeed I am! Would you accept a quest to venture there and free us from this never-ending ice? There would be rewards, if you succeed. The town would finally be free.¡±


    I listened and frowned a bit while still looking to Talia, whose eyes were shining brightly with hope.


    ¡°I accept.¡±


    I fell on my butt as a big question mark popped up above his head and a quest ping rung in my head.


    Okay! So, Gregor was definitely a NPC(Non-player-character). But my word! That question mark took me by surprise. Having been with Talia had almost made me forget the way NPCs worked in the game.


    Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators!


    I froze momentarily. Then... why was Talia different? My brain did flops on a frying pan as I tried to force it to comprehend the moment.


    But, nothing came to the forefront.


    ¡°Are you okay?¡± Talia asked then from right in front of me, ¡°Your forehead looks scary.¡±


    As she said it, the tension let go with a flick and I took it off the frying pan.


    I sighed.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about me. I was just trying to figure something out. Um, which reminds me, are there any shops in Frosgar? I need to purchase some much needed supplies, and then I really want to find a bed. Any chance they have those too?¡±


    ¡°Of course there is, silly. Follow me.¡± Talia giggled again. That at least was good.


    I followed her out of the tower and the hall, but the more steps I took, the more it was on autopilot. Questions abounded, but answers? Well, they were in very short supply at the moment.


    ***


    ¡°These are good quality gems! No way they are worth that little.¡±


    The man behind the counter looked nervous as I tried to barter a better price for the gems I found on the Ice Embraced Gremlins.


    ¡°I see your point good sir, but how can I know the quality just by taking your word? I would gladly take them to study, and if it is of the quality you say, we can discuss a better price. It won¡¯t increase much, but we can talk.¡±


    I shrugged. I couldn¡¯t remember bartering in the game being this complicated. Then again, this zone was... weird.


    I was about to say yes, when Talia swooped in from the left and grabbed my arm saying to the man.


    ¡°Delin! A good day to be about. I am sorry for my friend here keeping you from enjoying a day without a blizzard. Excuse us.¡±


    ¡°What¡ª?¡± I asked, utterly confused.


    ¡°Wait¡ª!!¡± Delin hurriedly shouted.


    But, Talia had already dragged me away at a fast pace. Within seconds, we swept around a corner and Talia gave a big sigh of relief.


    ¡°What was that about?¡± I asked somewhat irked.


    Though, she just gave me a measured stare before she huffed.


    ¡°You know, I guess I should have expected it, but maybe you should have spent some time asking who is affiliated with whom in the town. As for that man, well, he is a regular around my stepbrother. And Tamry is definitely not on friendly terms with the either of us at the moment.


    I chuckled nervously. I did not think about that, at all. My previous assertion of ¡®Complicated¡¯ seemed to be an understatement. The prospect of being able to finally buy some much-needed supplies made me a tad single minded in approach.


    ¡°Thanks,¡± I said finally, ¡°If I may be so bold to ask, can you help me do what I need in the market, without running afoul of those who might have, um malicious intentions?¡±


    ¡°You want my help?¡± She asked with a smile tugging at the sides of her lips.


    ¡°Definitely. I feel, what is the word ... Out of my depth in this place.¡±


    She took the gems with a playful look and I watched as she popped into the market square.


    It wasn¡¯t five minutes before she came back with a sack full of coins. I stared at it in surprise. That other guy wanted to give me a fraction of that for it.


    She held it out for me.


    Ping!


    You received 475 gold pieces, 20 silver and 10 copper.


    ¡°Whoa,¡± I said aloud. ¡°You don¡¯t pull your punches, do you?¡±


    Her grin was shockingly wide. So, I couldn¡¯t help but wonder if there was a merchant or two who were rocking back and forth in a corner. Though, I didn¡¯t dare ask this strange wonderful creature with her big smile.


    So, I veered off a direction with Talia following almost at my side. As we walked, I would point to stuff I needed and Talia would quickly haggle a price and then looked to me for finishing the deal.


    As I held the first health potion I had in what like felt ages, I mewled with happiness. It really wasn¡¯t something to be caught without. Luckily I now had 4, and for the low price of 52 gold, I was indeed a smiling man.


    Regular Health Potion


    Restores 100 Health Points(HP)


    The single energy potion we found was at least something. It might help in dire straits.


    Regular Energy Potion


    Fills 70 Energy Points(EP)


    Then I turned and spotted something else... a shop with Mana Potions. I paused in thought. With my previous very sorely missed Swift Guardian class, I never even had a Mana bar unlocked... which was normal and as such, I was heavily invested on the martial side of battle tactics.


    Still, being able to use mana in the game brought huge other perks to the table.


    I wonder what my main class would end up being, a martial class again or a mage or a stealth ninja!!! I chuckled manically, until I spotted Talia just frowning worryingly at me. I stopped immediately. Turning bright red like before. Making Talia¡¯s frown even deeper, like she was deep in thought.


    With an awkward sigh, I turned around slowly away from her, trying to hide my embarrassment.


    As I did, it reminded me, that whatever my class, I still had to frikken find one and that is if I was ever to find one in this ice filled zone!!


    A frustrated grunt escaped me and the shopkeeper in front of me looked quite startled. I was about to walk on, when I sighed.


    ¡°Fine, I will take one of your Regular Mana Potions.¡±


    ¡°Ah, fine choice. That would be 30 gold.¡±


    I gave the gold, nodding. Then I almost choked! 30 gold for one frikken mana potion?


    What the heck?!


    The shopkeeper looked pleased, but my features were brooding.


    Yeah, yeah keep smiling.


    Though, I had already given the gold.


    Regular Mana Potion


    Restores 120 Mana Points(MP)


    A minute later, Talia skipped into view next to me holding a rather strange looking green potion. I didn¡¯t even notice she had left. That girl is stealthy! Then it hit me.


    Green?!


    She held it out to me and I accepted it with big questions hanging on my lips.


    ¡°What? Have you never seen a green one before?¡±


    I shook my head and she frowned.


    ¡°So, you only know the three basic ones?¡±


    ¡°I guess?¡±


    ¡°Oh, you are going to like this one! I have to admit I was quite surprised when I was collaborating with the herbalist, that we went on to figuring this type of potion out.¡± Talia said with a grin.


    I tapped it and the info popped up.


    Regular Crafting Potion.


    +10 focus while crafting.


    +15% chance of creating one tier higher item.


    Lasts 10 minutes.


    My mouth gaped. This was... This was great! In a zone like this where crafting was incredibly important to stay alive...


    I looked at Talia in wonder.


    ¡°I... Thanks... How much do I owe you for it?¡±


    She just shook her head and walked off, casting a face over her shoulder.


    ¡°It¡¯s a gift. A thank you for helping me.¡±


    A smile tugged my lips and I followed her.


    Still reeling a bit, I tried to focus on what was next on my list. It was a better vest for under my coat. My [Stout Shirt] was woefully inadequate for anything out here. It offered no protection and it gave zero exposure insulation.


    So, I walked through a clothing shop Talia had pointed out to me and as I browsed, I happened on a sturdy long sleeved shirt that clearly was made to take a hit. None of the others in the shop had that same feeling.


    I tapped it to see what it was about.


    {{[Shirt of the Lizardkind]


    This shirt was crafted by better than average means using the hide of a Spotted Cave Lizard. It is flexible and warm. It offers the wearer good protection against piercing melee attacks.


    +25 % Protection against Slashing and Piercing attacks.


    +1 Vitality


    -10% Exposure.}}


    Oh, it was nice! I needed something like it. With it in hand, I stepped up to the clerk.


    ¡°What is the price?¡±


    ¡°520 Gold.¡±


    I choked hard this time.


    ¡°What?! That is crazy.¡±


    The clerk, a burly man with a braided beard, looked at me.


    ¡°It is what it is. It is made from a cave lizards hide. It is very durable against slashes and gives good insulation against cold.¡±


    My head shook as I looked at it, I tried to haggle. But the man only went down to about 480 gold before he threw up his hands and said,


    ¡°I can¡¯t go any lower, the caves are dangerous and there aren¡¯t many crafters in Frosgard.¡±


    Finally, I just shrugged. It was above what I had. For now I would just have make do.


    As I walked to the side, I spotted a jewellery cabinet, with several amulets and rings in it.


    ¡°Is there any chance you have something for movement speed?¡±


    The man stared at me carefully for a second before he ventured over and pointed at a ring.


    ¡°This would give some. It is 275 gold. And don¡¯t you be wasting me time.¡±


    I just nodded. That was more a price I expected. So, I counted out the gold and gave it to him.


    The ring itself looked of quite a good quality.


    [Ring of the Mountain Goat]


    This was the ring of an old hermit that these people called the Mountain Goat.


    It gives a boost to reflexes and speed for those who wear it.


    + 2 Agility


    + 7% Movement Speed.


    This was a nice addition. Extra speed remained one of things where I could have desperately used some more of the last few days. I spared one last look at that shirt. Then left.


    A bit put down because of not being able to even find a decent shirt I could afford, I searched for Talia.


    It was time to find a place to sleep. Somewhere completely safe for the first time in days.


    The place I ended up, was an inn called The Comfy Icicle. I stared at the name for what felt like minutes.


    Then Talia tugged at my clothes, her brow already lifted in question.


    ¡°And now? Is this place not suitable?¡±


    I drew in a breath as I pulled a face.


    ¡°It is... but that name... I can¡¯t help but think how not comfy an icicle is.¡±


    Talia burst out laughing. She actually started pounding on the wall through the event before finally huffing out of breath,


    ¡°Ha! Good one! Hahaha. I have to remember that.¡±


    I chuckled, but strangely, it was also serious. It can¡¯t at all be comfy.


    Then Talia grabbed my arm and led me inside and well, I couldn¡¯t fault her. I did actually look like a comfy place.


    The room for the night cost 10 silver. Which was a real decent price. But, when the inn keeper asked me how long I would be staying, I hardly had an answer. As it went, the prospects looked slim of getting out of the zone soon.


    Before I entered my room, Talia said,


    ¡°Leo, I am glad I found you.¡±


    </a> ¡°Then I hope I can give the town more than some hope going forward. I have to find a way to leave this zone eventually.¡±


    All of a sudden her features tensed, and an uncertainty crept onto her face. One I couldn¡¯t place. But, before I could ask, she waved goodnight and moved down the hall.


    That was strange.


    All I could do was shrug and enter the room, before plopping down on a comfy bed! Ah, the joys!


    But, then I sat up.


    It reminded me. There had been a few entries into my Status Journal.


    I tapped on it. And there was the quest Talia¡¯s Father?... had given me. It didn¡¯t look like just a side quest, so that was good news. But I went on. There were a few passive side-quests that had popped up.


    One was for discovering what the ice-gremlins were up to. Though I guessed that one might have led me to Frosgard anyway, at least at first. It¡¯s name. [The Ice-Embraced Master]


    Interesting, there was a side-quest for exploring the caves and finding rare materials and crafting materials. Definitely worth checking out if I went that way. [Spelunking of the Ice caves.]


    Then there was riff raff, stuff telling me if I wanted to explore crafting, blah blah blah... and fire starting, a vein throbbed in my head at that one! There was also one, for better learning the signs of wildlife in nature. [Path of the Wild Sense]


    Probably Talia¡¯s input triggered that one.


    I was about to exit the list, when my eyes suddenly glued to one and I tapped on it.


    </a> [Star Cartographer.] You have seen the hint of something quite extraordinary. And have now set off on the journey to discover what secrets this world is hiding with the ancient knowledge of the stars. Where would this path lead you? Prerequisites: Met. Reward: ???


    What?


    ¡°I don¡¯t understand...?¡±


    Then I snapped upright. That voice? Didn¡¯t I imagine that? Nah... But still it was severely weird. What did it say again? I rolled on the bed plundering my brain for it. Then I remember. Follow her stars? Something like that. But that... and this. It couldn¡¯t possibly be connected, could it? It definitely got my attention though.


    I shook my head. So much stuff has happened. Then I exited from that screen.


    Ping!


    [Congratulations!] You are the first person to discover this incredibly hard to find quest!


    Calculating Rewards.


    +3 Patience


    +3 Insight


    +2 Perception


    +1 Charisma


    +7 Lore


    +10 Luck


    I fell of the bed, on my head and my knees dropped to the sides of my ears.


    ¡°Oooooffgmmgmf.¡±


    Then, I rolled over and grunted while rubbing my aching head. I glanced at the screen, no way I had seen right.


    Then I saw it again and my eyes went wide. Glad I was on the ground, because I was quite confident I would have fallen off again.


    Ten luck??!! Gaining one or two points in major attributes has been so weird since I fell in this zone, and I chalked it off to the much higher level creatures I had desperately tried to evade. But this? I rubbed my hand over my face. I needed answers all of a sudden.


    It was finally time.


    My body was as safe as can be, hopefully giving me time if I were to leave the game briefly. So, I tapped on the [log out] button to check if I can exit Realm Of Ancients.


    Nothing.


    I clicked again.


    And nothing happened.


    ¡°Ah, that complicates things.¡±


    _

 Ch: 19 The Waking Night of Change [Arc 2]

    Arc 2


    Chapter 19 - The Waking Night


    Hours passed, and not one second of rest found me. First that weird quest [Star Cartographer] and its incredible reward for finding it.


    Worryingly when I had finally felt safe to log out, also in desperate need of answers, the button didn¡¯t work.


    To say it was unnerving was the understatement of the decade.


    I was freaked.


    What followed was hours of pacing in my room trying to think what I should do. But all that it came to was back to square one, and that was get out of the zone and look for a city.


    Then I had tried my luck at sleeping... Nope. No.


    That was not going to work, my mind was all over the place. Finally, I threw up my hands and slipped out the window in the middle of the night.


    I slid down the roof and deftly jumped from the one beam to the next, before missing the final one and landing face first on the alley¡¯s hard floor. Ooomfffh!


    -10 HP


    I flew up, glancing around. So much for doing that gracefully. I had completely forgot my agility and acrobatics were criminally low since my level reset in the frost zone.


    Still, I glanced up and saw the ping.


    +1 Athletics


    I waited a moment to see if the game would throw some sarcasm my way. But for once it did not. Well, jumping around would help my acrobatics score, since athletics, swiftness and Blind awareness made up the Attribute.


    Okay, since I didn¡¯t have anything better to do, and sleep avoided me like the plague. Why not invest in an attribute or two? It made me think about Parkour runners. The way they could move with just real world support... Hmm, maybe training myself to jump good wasn¡¯t such a bad proposition at all!


    I ran forward and jumped from a box to the side of a wall, only to drop back down to the floor.


    Then I sprinted down the rest of the silent alleyway and continued trying to jump from things and landing them as best I could. It wasn¡¯t my most nimble time ever, that much was clear. But thinking of that end goal, made me push harder!


    An hour later, I huffed with the exertion. I had tried to sneak past the few people in a larger street as well to get my stealth a bit higher. But that went even worse than my acrobatics. Quite a few people spun around to me skulking around and I awkwardly sprung up and ran my hand through my hair.


    ¡°Be on your way stranger. It does no good to act suspiciously this time of night. Go before I call the guards.¡±


    Well that was enough motivation to be more careful. So, I went to back to my alleyway and went back to jumping.


    After another half an hour, I tapped my notifications.


    [Congratulations are in order. You have discovered how to do mindless things over and over for no real reason at all!]


    + 7 Athletics


    + 5 Swiftness


    + 3 Blind Awareness


    + 1 Stealth


    A vein in my forehead throbbed at the game¡¯s sarcasm. But I brushed it off and considered my gains. The first one was nice, I only needed two more points in Athletics to gain a point in Acrobatics, which would help loads in my ability to jump from roof to roof and stuff like that. I quite enjoyed the attribute.


    The stealth I needed to work on. I didn¡¯t know if it was the fact that my mind still flip flopped round and round. But, it definitely worked in my favour to figure it out then. Since, probably the only way to beat that primary quest was to sneak and jump like a pro.


    I had to find a way to get that to go up quicker. Then, I thought back to the last couple of days. Under heavy duress, I certainly gained a lot of stuff in my attributes. Normally, I wouldn¡¯t have gone to those extremes of staying alive. Since respawning had been straightforward. But since my little trip through the skies and losing all my levels and tricking the game to drop me in a different zone... well, no way I was just going to go silently to the Star Pools.


    I chuckled. It was actually so weird how my current situation had changed the way I played. I actually took more care, had to think outside the box so many times to stay alive, and not to mention paying far more attention to my surroundings; which had led me to find strange hidden things.


    It wasn¡¯t a bad thing at all. Still, I did miss knowing what the heck I was doing.


    But, it would not help thinking about that, now would it?


    I turned around, ready for another round when I spotted several shadows in my peripheral vision.


    I spoke up.


    ¡°Didn¡¯t your mothers ever tell you it is rude to sneak up on someone?¡±


    ping!


    I ignored the notification and turned my head to the shadows.


    ¡°Ah, so you noticed us? I¡¯m surprised. Won¡¯t help you none though.¡±


    Oh, that voice. I shook my head in frustration.


    ¡°Tamry, what would your sister say?¡±


    The man stepped out of the shadows.


    ¡°Talia is not here, so, nothing. And this time you won¡¯t catch me by surprise.¡±


    I wanted to facepalm. Didn¡¯t these sort ever think of not getting back at someone who showed you some big and fresh humble pie? No?


    I sighed and readied my stance.


    ¡°Well, if she hears about this, then she won¡¯t be happy.¡±


    ¡°If she hears about this, you mean.¡±


    Hey, now. That was quite the serious threat.


    ¡°You know, we don¡¯t need to do this,¡± I said hoping that it didn¡¯t lead to a fight, but clearly my charisma was waaay too low still.


    ¡°Nah, I think we do.¡±


    Then came a glint of metal in the night as a dagger stabbed towards me.


    I jumped to the side and frowned at the three of them holding knives.


    ¡°Your sister will be disappointed. Stabbing people at night.¡±


    No words came back, as they started spreading out to encircle me. I glanced at all three. Tamry was the most muscular. The one to his right looked far more balanced. He was going to be a threat. The left one seemed more skittish.


    I contemplated taking out my sword. But the alleyway didn¡¯t seem wide enough to go about swinging a big sword, so I flipped my skinning knife into my hand and immediately parried a stab from the skittish one.


    It was then that things turned a bit rough as Tamry and the other fellow stabbed at the same time. I could only swing my wrist down to block as the other sliced through the side of my abdomen.


    I grunted and stumbled back.


    -50 hp.


    Hmm, those weren¡¯t just cheap daggers. They had something extra behind them.


    I clutched my side as the three of them grinned.


    ¡°Not so tough without your tricks, are you?¡± Tamry chuckled with glee.


    My tricks, hey?


    Suddenly, I rushed the skittish one and kicked at his knee as I deflected his dagger to the right. He yelped in pain and dropped to his knee. I jumped over the man, and spun around. Not trapped between the three any more.


    That was when the well balanced guy rushed at me with several fast jabs. I parried one with my skinning knife and only barely stopped the second. The third, however, was aimed at my middle, and in the awkward angle, I could only stop it from disembowelling me. Another laceration sprung open across my ribs. Deeper this time.


    -75 hp


    In my distraction, he scored another across my chest.


    -55 hp


    I jumped back, out of reach. In the matter of twenty seconds I had lost 180 health of my 345, more than half. That was far too quick. Those daggers were incredibly dangerous. My wounds throbbed, but there wasn¡¯t as much blood as there would have been in real life.


    I walked back as they pursued me with measured steps. Even the skittish one was back on his feet.


    Something caught my eye. A little glitter or something, so I flicked my gaze down for a brief moment and saw a rock. I quickly made a fast slice at the more balanced fighter, he swung up to block. But it was a feint as I kicked the rock with all my strength.


    Luckily it struck him straight in the groin and he expelled all the air from his lungs as he dropped to his knees in clear pain.


    I didn¡¯t waste the chance as I ran and stepped on the man¡¯s muscled shoulder and did a hard kick at Tamry¡¯s face.


    The shock in his eyes lasted only a fraction of a second before my shin hit his jaw. He flipped around landing heavily on the cobbled street.


    I landed swiftly and grabbed his dagger,


    ¡°I¡¯ll be taking this for the trouble!¡± before I looked at the skittish guy, who just raised his dagger in a non-threatening way.


    ¡°D-Don¡¯t mind me, mister!¡±


    With that I stood up and made a bow and said,


    ¡°I¡¯ll be leaving now.¡±


    As I walked towards the alley way, I heard a scream.


    ¡°YOU COWARD!¡±


    That¡¯s rich. Coming from a guy who attacked me with two other thugs.


    I glanced back, seeing them running after me. I hurried down the street and slipped into the next alley way before taking the first right and the left.


    My breath came in puffs as I run as fast I could. The thought bubbled forth that I could take them with my sword, but... I thought of Talia. Reluctance of killing her step brother was high on my list. So, I chose to slip away.


    Shouts sounded close by.


    ¡°Drat...¡± I thought I had lost them.


    I scrambled into another small alleyway, but then realized it was a dead end. Oops. The shouts came closer and I did the only thing I could.


    I ran and jumped up to a window sill. My foot got grip and with all my strength, I launched myself up to the roof. Gripping the edge with just my finger tips. I heaved and swung my arm up to the elbow, before pressing myself up.


    The moment I turned my legs onto the roof, I heard below.


    ¡°This one is empty! We have to find him!¡±


    Moments passed as footsteps thudded in the street, before fading.


    For the first time in what felt like minutes, I let my breath out in a whoosh.


    ¡°That was undesirable...¡±


    After a while, I ran back across the roofs, only taking the easiest of jumps. I couldn¡¯t risk landing on the ground again. Not with my health below halfway.


    After about ten minutes, I reached my inn. I scrambled up the wall and into my room. Where I dropped to my bed.


    Finally, I checked my notifications.


    [You detected three hostiles trying to ambush you from the shadows!]


    +2 Perception (Intelligence upgraded. +1!)


    +1 Charisma


    [Your fight, though raw and untrained, taught you how to stand and fight while surrounded.]


    +2 Toughness


    +1 Muscle Memory


    +1 Hand to Hand


    +1 Swiftness


    [While in battle, you kept your wits about you and used the surroundings to your advantage in a tricky situation]


    +1 Insight


    +1 Blind Awareness


    Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.


    +1 Marksman


    [Through perseverance, you trained your body to think vertically, to use elevation to change the situation.]


    +3 Stealth


    + 2 Athletics (Acrobatics upgraded. +1)


    +1 Grip


    I smiled a stiff smile. Quite a haul... But it didn¡¯t excite me as much at the moment. Talia¡¯s stepbrother tried to kill me. This was going to muddle the pool. I sighed. It didn¡¯t help worrying. I would just have to see what happens.


    I got up and pressed the one chair in the room under the door handle, securing it a bit. Then, I tied some bark around the window lock.


    That, at least would give me time to respond if those guys showed up again. As I stared at the roof, I slowly drifted off to a troubled sleep...


    A loud pounding broke me from my sleep.


    ¡°Leo! Open up! Please!¡±


    I groggily stumbled to the door, as the frantic pounds kept reverberating through the room.


    I got to the chair and asked,


    ¡°Are you alone?¡±


    ¡°Yes. Why? Nevermind, just open the door.¡± Talia called through the wood.


    With a flick of my palm, I removed the chair and unlatched the door. Talia all but stormed into the room. Her eyes looking wild.


    I quickly closed the door, securing it again.


    ¡°What happened?¡± I asked with a measured voice.


    ¡°What happened? I was going to ask you that. There are almost thirty towns people marching here with weapons, Leo. I heard them talking about taking you by force. I don¡¯t know what is going on!¡± Her hands shook and I gently helped her to the side of the bed.


    ¡°Tamry and his goons attacked me with daggers last night.¡± I said, knowing full well that the guy was still out for blood.


    ¡°What? No, he wouldn¡¯t do that. He¡¯s a jerk, but he wouldn¡¯t...¡±


    I pulled out the dagger and Talia¡¯s eyes got big.


    ¡°W-where did you find that?¡±


    I huffed and said,


    ¡°Found it? No, I snatched it from Tamry after his friends had scored several hits on me.¡±


    She, just stared and I lifted my shirt. The scars were still there, I could make a balm to make them disappear, but plant life was hard to find in a frozen waste.


    Talia clapped a hand to her mouth, and tears started brimming her eyes as she shook her head wordlessly.


    I sat down next to her with a sigh. Yup. I was afraid this might happen. Still, I started rubbing her shoulder.


    ¡°It¡¯s going to be okay.¡±


    She continued shaking, as tears flowed down her cheeks.


    Finally her shoulders squared and she took in a deep shuddering breath.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Leo. I¡¯m so sorry... I will make this right with you, you have my word.¡±


    I glanced and saw an utter and complete resolve in her eyes that startled me. Only the slightest of nods came from me.


    I pulled a breath to maybe say something when, loud footfalls sounded in the hall.


    Jumping up, I grabbed Talia¡¯s hand and pulled her to the window, showing her to keep quiet with my index finger.


    ...¡°WHICH ROOM IS HE?¡± sounded from the hall.


    ...¡°That one. W-What are you going to do?¡±


    ...¡°Shut your trap and step aside.¡±


    They had found me! I hurriedly opened the window and pointed out and onto the roof.


    Just as we exited the window, the door started shaking hard as someone tried to open it. The chair would only hold them out for a moment. So, we hurried out and I shut the window softly.


    ¡°OPEN UP YOU COWARD!¡±


    There were cracking sounds as I closed the window and stared around, not knowing which way to go.


    That is, until Talia grabbed my hand and pulled me in a direction, going deeper under the ice covered mountain. That way surely led to a dead end, I tried to stop our momentum, but in a moment my gut felt at ease. Maybe something I didn¡¯t know lurked that way. I followed her.


    As silent as we could, we dashed across the rooftops.


    Shouts echoed in the distance.


    Finally, as we reached a bell tower close to where the back end of the ice walls came together, Talia stopped and pulled me close to the tower wall. Slightly out of breath, she looked to me and whispered,


    ¡°Down there is a passage that goes deeper into the mountain to a chamber. However, there are natural chimneys that go up all the way to the surface if one knows where to look.¡±


    I was about to ask a very dumb question, instead I shook my head wildly, making her tilt her head in question. I waved her off. Instead, I asked a more logical thing,


    ¡°So, I take it there is a reason we stopped here?¡±


    ¡°There is, the problem we face is, in the passage at the entrance there are several shall we say shops. And some of those shopkeepers are loyal to my brother.¡±


    Ah, a stealth mission... So not my strong suit...yet. So far it had been... well, luck.


    I turned to her and she said,


    ¡°Leo, I know you struggle with stealth still. But, we need to try, and I¡¯ll be there to guide you.¡±


    A sheepish nod, shrug, or whatever it was, became the only thing I could reply with.


    ¡°Good. Now, the moment we are on the ground, you move like I do and you look where you are stepping. Now, there are two routes into the area we want to be, the one to the left of the bell tower and the one the right. All the rooms between those two routes are my Uncle¡¯s distilleries. We have to avoid those at all costs. We are going to try the left route.¡±


    I nodded while Talia talked me through it. Apparently, there were quite a few walk ways in between the two tunnels, so we had to be absolutely vigilant in being aware of who was where.


    We dropped to the building to the left side of the bell tower and I lowered Talia to the road. It almost went wrong when my fingers slipped from the roofs edge on my way down. But I frantically grabbed at a window sill and huffed as I came to a stop.


    The last went smooth, so I stepped onto the road and stared across the walkway.


    As Talia said, there were two main entrances in the back wall. There were quite a few people for that early in the morning, which complicated matters.


    But Talia walked in front of me with quiet confidence. Indicating with her hand beside her hip to walk calmly.


    A few stares levelled our way, but none looked suspicious, thankfully.


    Finally reaching what seemed to be the main tunnel into the mountain, it was split in the middle with a small natural rock pillar covered in the permanent ice. We walked to the left of it, when Talia changed her motioning to slow down.


    Peeking around the corner, she swept a few locks of auburn hair away from her face and stared around the pillar to the right before motioning for me to come and look.


    I


    stepped in softly next to her, her close proximity had me gulp a bit, but then she pointed to a room carved into the rock. There were two people there, one carried an empty barrel into the room.


    Thinking about the barrel, I noticed there were many of them outside and inside of the room.


    Then Talia, pointed again and two people were busy inside the room. She quickly moved over next to the barrels stacked there in the middle of the tunnel. We waited and she whispered.


    ¡°Those are two of the workers who helps fill the barrels with alcohol for my Uncle.¡±


    As if that was enough information, she stopped speaking and glanced around the barrels showing me to wait.


    And wait.


    A minute later, she hurriedly stepped forward and I followed suit, all the while we kept the two workers in eyesight as they shifted and cranked stuff.


    We reached another natural rock structure in the tunnel and kept to the left of it. Then stepped past a room, but Talia showed no anxiousness there, so I followed. It was unoccupied for the moment.


    We walked slowly until she grabbed my hand all of a sudden and rushed to a next stack of barrels in the tunnel. We melded to the wood and the sounds of several pairs of boots sounded on the other side.


    The next thing I knew, Talia slipped around the corner of the barrel and I hurriedly followed suit. She gave me a pointed stare, that clearly meant. Keep up!


    As she stepped around the next barrel, I started towards her when,


    Ping!


    I slapped a hand to my chest at the sudden noise. If that had been out loud...!! I blew out a breath and moved quickly to the next position. I hazarded a quick glance over and realized we were keep the obstruction between us and the people.


    Talia, stopped and clearly taking a few deep intakes of air. Uh-oh.


    I moved close to her and barely breathed the words in her ear,


    ¡°Is something wrong?¡±


    She shook her head, but pointed around the barrel to a room with several people in it and then forward, motioning we had to get across a bigger gap without being spotted.


    Ah.


    Looking over the barrel again, I could maybe make out three or four people in the room.


    One held a ledger, pointing towards certain things and two of the others moved to meet the demands.


    Next thing, a loud scrape of wood sounded right next to my face. A barrel lifted away and I practically fell back against the wood. A strong grip on my arm alluded to Talia having caught me before I tumbled back harder. She looked anxious, but I nodded at her and she returned it.


    She motioned for me to stay down and quietly whispered.


    ¡°Be ready, okay?¡±


    With that, I coiled my right leg under me in a spring ready to leap forward.


    Then, with the flick of her wrist, we both sprung forward, dashing over the open tunnel towards the next natural pillar of rock.


    As we rushed, I glanced over, and one of the people stepped outside of the room in our direction.


    I gasped, but then I saw him looking down to his ledger.


    As he lifted his gaze, we slipped behind the pillar, breathing raggedly for no other reason than the intense situation.


    Talia, only tried to regain her breath before she hurried forward. Before we got around the pillar she turned and whispered.


    ¡°Ahead is a smaller tunnel that leads directly to the chamber with the chutes. But, I will have to go check if anyone that shouldn¡¯t see us is walking there right now. We have another option. But it takes us even closer to my Uncle¡¯s distilleries.¡±


    ¡°Okay, so what happens if there is someone we have to avoid?¡± I whispered back.


    ¡°Then, we have no choice. Let¡¯s go.¡±


    Talia motioned for me to wait, then she stepped towards the tunnel. A few seconds later she came scurrying back and motioned seriously for me to quickly go around the pillar.


    I didn¡¯t hesitate as I followed her towards a different tunnel.


    As I glanced back, I saw three men at the barrels where we had been only a short while ago. They were stamping some of the barrels and ledger guy marked it on, well, his ledger.


    We hurried past the room where those men had come from and when I glanced back towards the tunnel we had been hoping to go to. A group of men came walking out as we slipped into another tunnel through the ice and rock.


    As Talia led, she stepped into a left passage and just as I followed, she turned back, her eyes big as saucers as she hurriedly pushed me against the opposite wall with a hand.


    ¡°Run.¡± She mouthed. ¡°Go left and then left again!¡±


    I quickly scrambled around the corner just as I heard.


    ¡°Talia. Didn¡¯t expect you here. Have you considered my offer yet?¡± A deep voice sounded from across from Talia. She stood frozen as she frantically motioned for me to go behind her back.


    With a few steps backwards, Talia said,


    ¡°U-Uncle. How have you been?¡±


    The man¡¯s voice made a tsk sound.


    ¡°It¡¯s just like you to ignore my question. I won¡¯t ask it again.¡±


    ¡°I-I¡¯ve been thinking, Uncle. Do you really need any more hands here?¡±


    The man scoffed and said,


    ¡°Ha, and that¡¯s for you to decide?¡±


    I already highly disliked the guy. With quiet steps I moved further back and saw a bigger tunnel leading back to the town. Luckily it bent. And I checked to the other side, a smaller tunnel and moved there.


    Talia¡¯s response got lost with my sudden movement. But, as I moved quickly deeper into the smaller tunnel, I got to where it joined with one again. Looking left, I heard a shout from another man.


    ¡°UNCLE. WE HAVEN¡¯T FOUND HIM.¡± The rushing footfalls made it clear someone was running closer. Then they stopped. ¡°Oh, it¡¯s you. Why is Talia here?¡±


    From the sneer in his voice, I immediately recognized Tamry¡¯s voice.


    ¡°That is my business. And who are you talking about?¡± Talia said, her voice a bit strained.


    ¡°Your stranger friend, someone caught him saying to one of Uncle¡¯s rivals that he was planning to destroy our whole supply.¡±


    I could hear Talia¡¯s huff.


    ¡°And this stranger, the first in years, just happen to go straight to Uncle¡¯s rivals on arriving just a day before?¡±


    Oh, I could practically hear Tamry¡¯s fury boil. But, before he could burst out. His Uncle silenced them both.


    ¡°Enough! And Talia, it is not your business. And we are going talk about the offer, even if you want to ignore it. You have a duty to the town. And Tamry, did you make sure to post guards at the entrance to the town. We can¡¯t have him leave.¡±


    ¡°Yes, he can¡¯t get out.¡±


    ¡°Good. Now, Talia, if you can excuse us, we have business to attend. We will talk later.¡± His last words carried a threat in them.


    I touched, a hand to my chest. To think, I would have tried to leave out the front...


    Two sets of footsteps receded and I walked into the tunnel looking towards a worried Talia. Then she spotted me and relief washed over her features.


    Hurrying towards me, she said.


    ¡°It¡¯s worse than I thought. If Uncle is involved... We have to get out of here. It¡¯s not safe in Frosgard.¡±


    ¡°Tamry¡¯s explanation was... um interesting.¡± I said.


    Talia just rolled her eyes.


    ¡°Tell me about it.¡± She had some mirth in her eyes. But, then a small frown creased her brow. ¡°I do not believe Uncle would accept that reason either. If that is so, then his reason for taking you into custody must be... something else.¡±


    She was right. It worried me too.


    With a shake of her head, swinging her auburn locks bouncing around, she swept pass me, leading the way.


    Moments later we got to another fork. And as I looked left, I could see the pillar we had been hiding behind early down the tunnel. Talia, pointed forward and to the right as we stepped around another natural pillar. She then looked around and motioned for me to look as well.


    There, in another room in the rock, sat a guard. Dipping in and out of sleep.


    Talia turned to me and whispered.


    ¡°We have to step really really quiet in the next part. Also, make sure you don¡¯t kick a rock accidentally. The inner chamber is down that main tunnel. So, even though the guard is not affiliated with my Uncle, he will think it is highly suspicious that we are here. So be careful and place your feet where I do, okay?¡±


    I gulped a bit, but said,


    ¡°Okay.¡± It came out as a squeak and Talia glared at me for a moment, before I firmed my voice and repeated the word properly.


    Just like that, Talia started sneaking across the gap. Her footsteps were so graceful... like a leopard moving without making the slightest sound. Still, I had to do it as best I could. I watched intently every movement she made. And just as I was about to step forward.


    Another, ping! sounded.


    Those frikken pings were going to cause a panic attack if they kept coming at such inopportune moments. I ignored it again. There just wasn¡¯t time to check them.


    So, I moved forward and started placing my foot where Talia had placed hers. While my footfalls actually made a sound, it was thankfully not loud enough to bother the snoozing guard.


    Then, I placed my next.


    It was like a dance routine, I realized. Just much slower. The movements Talia were making flowed so naturally.


    I tried to imitate them as best I could. Sloppily was the term.


    We got closer to the small side tunnel Talia had been aiming for. But then I just had to go and get distracted by what was down the bigger tunnel.


    A big round chamber met my gaze and bright turquoise notes of light bubbles swirled around the centre in an upward spiral.


    My foot scraped and a small pebble rolled down the sloped floor.


    That caused my eyes to pop open as it went towards the guard.


    Immediately, I just left moving slowly for walking a brisk pace, grabbing Talia and pulling her into the small tunnel before.


    ¡°Uh, ha. Is anyone there?¡± The guard called into the passage.


    We stuck to the wall, trying to hide in the shadows. The guard walked up and stared into our tunnel before he disappeared out of sight.


    Talia stared at me in shock. But I just ignored her and moved deeper into the tunnel.


    We came to a somewhat round natural space with an ice stalagmite in the middle.


    Many small chutes dotted the walls and the roof of it.


    Talia strode forward and quietly said, ¡°Most of these are just a maze going into the mountain. I tested most of them, and barring the few that went deeper, I found one that went topside.¡±


    Now that was something.


    ¡°And how many people know of it?¡±


    Talia shrugged and said,


    ¡°Probably just me. It¡¯s not like the rest of the towns people have my thirst for exploration, in fact, I don¡¯t know of a single one apart from the herbalist and she is twice my age and normally the one who sends me to find rare plants in the forest. So, no I do not think someone else knows of it.¡±


    ¡°You are a women of many different facets.¡±


    She smiled cutely at me and then she said,


    ¡°As much as it is fun talking with you, we have to leave before anyone notices us.¡±


    I wholeheartedly agreed.


    She started clambering up the stalagmite and pushed of into a chute going in what I assumed to be the west?


    I followed her, and within seconds realized, I was broader shouldered than her and the chute was quite tiny. I squeezed into it, ignoring the fact that it was terrifying to be in such a small space.


    I crawled with my elbows pressed into my ribs and more than once my body screamed for me to get out of there. But, I gritted my teeth and pressed on.


    Somewhere, Talia disappeared and as I reached a dead end, I panicked.


    Claustrophobia tightened around me and I was about to hurriedly backtrack, when a chilly hand touched my cheek and I swung my head to the side to look up, and back.


    Above me sat Talia in a much broader section of the chute that led almost hundred and fifty degrees away from the current section. I sighed in relief and turned my body around to slither up to Talia.


    As I huffed and puffed next to her, she just giggled. Her grin was totally at my expense. My eyes narrowed at her and she giggled even more before moving forward.


    I was going to exchange quite a lot of words with my fellow developers about the weird side mechanics they placed in the game, just so, I felt a very big desire to exchange some pointed words with the little red head at that moment.


    But, I followed her nonetheless.


    About ten minutes later, the howling of wind started singing through the small tunnel.


    It was quite beautiful actually.


    Then we reached an area where quite a bit of snow had fallen in. Talia, didn¡¯t waste any time to go there and look up and nod.


    ¡°Okay, that is our way out. Just be aware, the wind up there is going be a lot harsher than on the valley floor. We can¡¯t dally there for long.¡±


    I nodded and pulled my sabre-tooth fur cloak around me tighter.


    With that, she started digging into the snow and I followed suit. Within minutes light started coming through, before the top finally gave way and fell between us. I popped my head outside and the rushing snow carrying wind met me.


    Suddenly, I chastised myself for not buying that better shirt!


    The freezing temperature combined with the wind didn¡¯t bode well for my exposure at all.


    Still, I didn¡¯t have another choice. So I climbed up and gave a hand down and helped Talia up into the cold wind.


    ¡°Looks like the winds are picking up. Our timing may be bad.¡±


    ¡°I agree,¡± I said looking out. ¡°We better hurry.¡±


    _

 Ch 20: A trail in the Freezing Wilds

    Chapter 20 - A trail in the Freezing Wilds


    We trudged through the thick snow. The wind bit into our meagre clothing.


    I checked again to make sure where my exposure protection was at. Between the Sabre fur cloak, trousers and boots, I had 49%. That covered a light breeze during the day. The current wind more than once gusted above that, chipping away at my exposure metre. Luckily, the gusts died down for long enough for it to recover a bit.


    Still, I was unsure how long I could hold out if the wind picked up in any consistency.


    I hoped Talia came more prepared as I watched her hug her arms around her middle. He fur hood hid her auburn hair and a lot of her face.


    The time started blurring around me, I looked up and couldn¡¯t see the location of the sun. The snow fall had picked up.


    Still we kept on going.


    What felt like an hour later, I got a bit anxious as I watched my exposure not going back to three quarters. A slither of it broke away every other minute. I just hoped the direction we were going had some sort of shelter from the wind. Talia had been mostly quiet as she strode just a bit in front of me.


    I tapped my map icon in the corner and it popped up in front of me. We were quite a ways away from Frosgard by then. The closest thing marked on the map were standing stones, but we were heading towards the big rock that Talia had mentioned. It would take us a few hours more to reach that, at least five or six.


    It worried me.


    I jumped through the snow towards Talia and grabbed her arm.


    As she spun around, I could see that her whole frame shivered quite heavily. So, I shouted over the gale like winds.


    ¡°TALIA, WE CAN¡¯T STAY ON OUR HEADING.¡±


    She just shook her head and shouted back.


    ¡°WE HAVE TO. WE NEED TO GET TO THE ICE FANG BEFORE NIGHTFALL.¡±


    I got it, but by the looks of both of us, we were in bad shape. I placed my hand on her shoulder.


    ¡°THE WINDS ARE GETTING WORSE. IT IS STILL SEVERAL HOURS TO THE FANG. WE CAN¡¯T RISK IT.¡±


    She looked away from the direction where we had been heading, there was a need on her face. But when she looked back, she nodded sombrely.


    ¡°WHERE DO WE GO?¡±


    ¡°THERE ARE STANDING STONES CLOSE BY.¡± I said.


    ¡°ARE YOU SURE? I THOUGHT WE WERE ALREADY PASS THEM?¡±


    I shook my head and pointed in the direction of it and said,


    ¡°NO, WE HAVEN¡¯T GOTTEN THAT FAR YET.¡±


    She looked at me askingly, but her eyes told of fatigue draining the fight out of her. So, I motioned and started in the direction, and as I glanced back, she followed.


    The gusts started getting stronger and stronger. Ten minutes passed before a ferocious one swept me of my feet and I tumbled over into the snow. Slogging back to my feet, I looked up and saw the standing stones in the distance.


    A smile sprung up on my face and I quickly glanced back to shout the good news to Talia.


    But, she wasn¡¯t there!


    Frantically, I ran back. Jumping in small hops over the deepest patches of snow. My heart beat raced as I called her name over and over.


    No sign of her presented itself, and terror wormed its way into my heart.


    I ran and ran. And fell over my feet several times.


    On one of those times, I hit something solid and fell face first into the snow.


    I spat out snow and heavily got up onto my one arm when I saw a boot.


    ¡°TALIA.¡±


    But no answer.


    I hurriedly scrambled to her side, the snow had already almost covered her completely. I scraped away the worst of it from her face. The barest of breaths puffed from between her lips. But, her eyes were closed. I shook her. But, it came to nothing.


    I had to get her out of the wind.


    Without hesitation. I picked her up and locked her arms over my shoulders before starting towards where I had last glimpsed the standing stones in the distance.


    I gritted my teeth at the dead weight on my shoulders, but I pressed on slowly, yet certain.


    The standing stones came into view and I watched my exposure bar hit a quarter of the way down. We both didn¡¯t have much time and I didn¡¯t know what kind of shape Talia was in.


    A hundred more metres, I could barely get another foot before the other. The snow just made it so much harder. Then we fell into snow.


    I rolled Talia off me and looked up. It was a full blown blizzard. If I hadn¡¯t seen the standing stones in front of us, I wouldn¡¯t have believed they were there at all now.


    I stood up heavily and grabbed Talia¡¯s arm and pulled her through the snow. My breath came in big gulps as the icy air burned my throat. Another tug, I dragged her another metre forward.


    My exposure bar hit zero then.


    I pulled again, another metre.


    I ignored my health warnings.


    Summoning my strength for another pull was all I could think about.


    And one more. I fell to my knees.


    I crawled, with one hand and dragged with the other. I glanced up. Everything was white. I could barely tell up from down then. All of sudden, I realized something.


    Had I missed the stones?


    Desperation took hold of me. If I missed them by a metre in this storm, I wouldn¡¯t find them at all again.


    Still, I dragged on Talia¡¯s arm.


    It had to be there.


    If not, we both would perish.


    I didn¡¯t fear for myself... but Talia... she...


    I growled and pulled hard.


    Then all of a sudden, the snow gave way and we fell down into darkness.


    Below, I popped out of the snow coughing. Health alerts blared in my ears. I looked and saw I was on 25 health left. Frantically I glanced up to my exposure bar. If I lost more health, I couldn¡¯t help Talia!


    But, as I did. It stood steady on a quarter filled.


    The breath whooshed out me. That at least was something. But I couldn¡¯t dwadle, and I quickly scurried around and found Talia out cold on a patch of snow. Her lips were blue and her skin... a color that didn¡¯t bode well.


    I leaned in and her breath touched my ear. I took a breath myself, thinking about what I could do.


    There was no wood and as I glanced around the... cold chamber? I didn¡¯t see anything burnable.


    Then I remembered something.


    I hurriedly pulled out one of my four healing potions and uncorked it, before touching it to Talia¡¯s lips. The potion disappeared a drop at a time, until her color turned a bit more normal and she started taking deeper draughts of the potion. Finally, her eyes popped open and she sat up, but then grabbed her midsection in pain.


    ¡°Ugh, ugh, what happened?¡±


    I smiled from ear to ear. She was alright.


    ¡°A blizzard caught us, and um I had to drag you for a while. Sorry.¡±


    Talia looked at me and her eyes teared up before she jumped forward and hugged me, saying into my chest.


    ¡°Thank you, Leo. You saved my life. How can I ever...¡±


    I cut her off and just said,


    ¡°Then we are even.¡±


    She glanced up at me in shock, but then I shook my head.


    ¡°Remember at the old ruins, you saved me.¡±


    She just pressed her forehead into my chest again.


    ¡°That was just me making a fire and you happened to be next to it. This is more.¡±


    Suddenly I laughed out of my belly.


    Soon, she joined me in chuckles as she asked,


    ¡°What?¡±


    I smiled down to her.


    ¡°You just happened to make a fire by me while I was knocked out by over exposure?¡±


    Talia looked away and shyly said,


    ¡°Well, yes.¡±


    Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.


    I just shook my head at the situation.


    ¡°We are even, my lady.¡±


    She gasped,


    ¡°My lady?¡±


    ¡°Just showing respect in a very strange situation. Besides, I can hardly breathe with you smothering me in the hug.¡±


    She realized her grip had been tight, and suddenly she blushed deep red and pulled away.


    I didn¡¯t say anything as I watched her look around the chamber. Well, I was curious too, so I joined her in examining the place.


    ¡°Where are we?¡± She asked wonderingly.


    ¡°The standing stones. Well, the ones closest to Frosgard.¡±


    A frown climbed onto her forehead.


    ¡°But I can¡¯t remember a chamber there. I¡¯ve been at the Eagle Stones many times and I never saw this place.¡±


    Strange.


    ¡°Regardless,¡± I said, ¡°This place being here saved both our lives.¡±


    She agreed with several nods.


    Standing up, I moved around the room. It was old, really old. But the storm outside blocked most of the light filtering in, so I couldn¡¯t make out much more than one place where a draft flitted by me. An entrance that led somewhere?


    I padded back to Talia and soon found a corner that was devoid of snow. I pulled out the last of the furs I had with me and laid them on the ground. Then I took Talia¡¯s hand and helped her to her feet, leading her to the furs. I pointed to them and said,


    ¡°Rest. You need it more than I do. We have to wait the storm out. I¡¯ll keep watch.¡±


    Talia stared at me for a long moment. I could hardly read the emotions that ran across her delicate features.


    Finally, she sat down on the furs and patted the spot next to her.


    I frowned. But she patted the spot more insistently and said,


    ¡°Sit down with me.¡±


    I stared at her like she had grown a tail.


    ¡°Why?¡±


    I could practically feel my brain slap me for that one.


    Then she huffed and said,


    ¡°Please? At least until I fall asleep, okay?¡±


    A grunt escaped my lips and I sat down next to the now smiling Talia.


    She scooted closer and rested her head against my side and I just froze. I didn¡¯t expect a pretty girl to do that, ever.


    But as I heard her breathing relax and she snuggled deeper, I relaxed and was sure my brain nodded. Well, my sister would have slapped me for acting so weird. I smiled at the sleepy Talia and threw my cloak over her body.


    It was then that I remembered. Quite a few pings had come and gone since Frosgard and I hadn¡¯t checked out even one. So I tapped the first one.


    [You started to dabble in moving more silently all while being close to possible hostiles.]


    + 2 Stealth


    Then the next one.


    [Watching carefully an expert at the craft move with such grace has inspired you!]


    +2 Insight


    +3 Stealth


    Skill gained!


    Dance of the Ninja Mouse II [Apprentice]


    Having observed the predator like grace of stealth, you know that your movement needs to be able to learn the evasive dance to stay alive, little mouse.


    +3 Muscle Memory [Passive]


    [Active:][Active for 3 minutes][10 minute cooldown.]


    +3 Blind Awareness


    + 5 Stealth


    + 5 Reflexes


    Upon Activating this skill, you attune yourself to your surroundings and your body. Being able to learn true stealth, one must embrace the dance.


    Somehow I felt slapped in the face. That wording. I truly wondered if the game had something against me. Still it was a very nice skill to have.


    [Congratulations! You are in the top 40 of players to ever discover this skill!]


    +2 Perception


    +2 Insight


    [Enduring a blizzard with your incomplete set of winter clothes proved you are made of tougher stuff. But the path before you is still fraught with danger. How far are you willing to push your endurance to find out?]


    +1 Survival


    +1 Endurance


    +1 Blind Awareness


    Hmm, a question meant a possible quest laid hidden there. It was worth knowing.


    [Congratulations! You had persevered against hostile weather with grim intent on snuffing out your light, yet still you found it in you to save another without thinking twice.]


    +2 Charisma


    +3 Patience


    +1 Mind


    +2 Potential


    +2 Toughness


    +1 Shielding


    Skill gained!


    Guardian¡¯s Heart III [Journeyman]


    Your heart carries a seed of hope. You inspire. You help and you stand against great odds to save others. Will you venture even further down this path?


    +3 Body [Passive]


    +3 Shielding [Active]


    Upon activating, you project your shield with sheer force of will over a single ally for ten seconds.


    [Congratulations, you are the very first to discover this ability. Many have aspired, but you were the first to be true.]


    +2 Potential


    +2 Insight


    +1 Luck


    + 12 000 XP


    Whoa. I slumped back against the wall. Regardless of all the gains, it had suddenly hit me, I had saved someone¡¯s life...


    That carried a weight I wasn¡¯t prepared for. If anyone ever said it was nothing, I would stare them down. It meant something and I finally realized how much it had meant that Talia helped me when I was in dire straits. She could say what she wanted about how she just happened to make the fire next to me. But, the truth hung in the air. She had saved me too.


    I laid my head back and caressed Talia¡¯s shoulder for a while as she mewled happily in her sleep. I stared into the chamber while my thoughts buzzed in my head.


    ~


    Two hours in and I was all too familiar with the rooms dark blue tint, only visible because of the barest of rays of sunlight that filtered through. The snow mount in the middle slowly grew bit by bit as snow tumbled down from the opening in the ceiling. Even that was worth watching rather than just staring at an empty room for hours on end.


    Then, somewhere in the dark, I saw a strange flicker of light. It was at the other end of the corridor... Did I actually see a strange light? My eyelids felt so heavy.


    They dipped close, and I felt like I heard a giggle. I shook my head to open my eyes, but there was nothing there. Must have been my imagination. My eyes drifted shut again... sleep was good...


    Somewhere in my dreaming state, there were cute little voices that giggled and talked. It was somewhat irritating, all I wanted to do was sleep.


    ¡°He came to us!¡±


    ¡°He sure did!¡±


    ¡°His light is so warm.¡±


    ¡°She was right to show him.¡±


    ¡°Yes, yes. I¡¯m glad she did!¡±


    ¡°Would he come and see?¡± There was a giggle.


    Out of my grogginess, I realized there might be someone, or more speaking. Those insistent giggling! Who just giggles as someone sleeps! I opened my eyes just to tell them to keep their giggling quiet.


    Then as I opened my eyes, there were wisps fluttering in front of me, no... Pixies?


    ¡°Please, pixies, be more quiet. We are trying to sleep.¡±


    Wait... PIXIES!


    I sat up, wide awake and watched the startled pixies flutter a bit away, before they resumed their giggling.


    ¡°He¡¯s awake.¡±


    What?


    ¡°He looks confused.¡±


    ¡°Yes, he does. Should we tell him that?¡±


    Huh?


    ¡°His face is all scrunched up! Scrunched up like the folds of a cat¡¯s fur!¡±


    ¡°We definitely should tell him that!¡±


    I regained some of my bearings and said,


    ¡°I don¡¯t understand.¡±


    The two pixies gasped in unison.


    ¡°He doesn¡¯t understand.¡±


    ¡°But what doesn¡¯t he understand? That he is awake or confused?¡±


    ¡°Or that his face is all scrunched up.¡±


    ¡°Yes, yes! I think he doesn¡¯t understand that.¡±


    They continued chirping in their discussion of my frown and finally I shook my head and lifted my hand.


    ¡°No, I don¡¯t mean I don¡¯t understand why my face is scrunched up like the folds of a cat¡¯s fur! I don¡¯t understand who or what you are, and where did you come from?¡±


    ¡°Oh, pooh! That¡¯s much less exciting than talking about your scrunched up face.¡±


    The other pixie nodded vigorously in agreement.


    But I just said,


    ¡°We can talk about it later if you would answer my questions.¡±


    The pixies smiled cute smiles and nodded.


    ¡°That is so much fun. I¡¯m glad you realized. So, what is your questions?¡±


    I paused,


    ¡°Um, what are you two exactly. And why are you here?¡±


    At the same time they chirped,


    ¡°We are Starlight Pixies! And we guard the way, we do.¡±


    ¡°What way?¡± I asked wonderingly.


    They looked at each other and then said,


    ¡°The way of stars, of course!¡±


    ¡°Oh! His face is scrunched up even more, how delightful! I wonder if he knows why.¡±


    Immediately I pulled the frown from my face and in effect, widened my eyes.


    ¡°How strange! His scrunched up face changed so suddenly. Now he looks utterly surprised!¡±


    ¡°I wonder why he is--¡±


    A groan came from my side.


    ¡°What is that racket and the giggling! I was sleeping so nicely.¡± Talia sat up, yawning as she rubbed her eyes. I leaned over to her, never taking my eyes off the pixies as I whispered.


    ¡°Don¡¯t freak out, but there are pixies here.¡±


    ¡°What do you mean?¡± She asked me with a big frown on her face. Uh-oh... here we go again.


    ¡°Wonderful! Now her face is scrunched up like a cat¡¯s fur too! Maybe that is how they communicate secretly!¡±


    ¡°Oh, secrets! We know many secrets, oh we do! I wonder what secrets they like to communicate with their scrunched up faces.¡±


    Talia spun her face and just stared, but before she could make a face. I hurriedly turned her face and told her in no uncertain terms.


    ¡°Whatever you do, don¡¯t make big faces of surprise or confusion. They won¡¯t stop talking about it. So, keep your face neutral. They are Starlight Pixies and they guard the way of stars.¡±


    ¡°Yes we are!¡±


    ¡°Yes we do!¡± They both chirped happily.


    Talia¡¯s eyes had so many questions in them, but she got my meaning and kept it off her features.


    ¡°Tell me, what way of stars?¡± She asked.


    ¡°The one you have been searching for. Isn¡¯t it exciting!¡±


    ¡°Yes, it is!¡±


    I could almost feel the effort Talia was going through to keep her face straight before she asked,


    ¡°The one I specifically have been searching for, how do you know?¡±


    ¡°Oh we have seen you around many frozen Sky Circles. So we know.¡±


    ¡°Yes we do. And you gave the light to such a fascinating person. We were so surprised.¡±


    ¡°Even our faces showed such surprise! But so glad too! You never showed anyone else your hope.¡±


    ¡°Very glad. It gave us hope too! His eyes are right.¡±


    ¡°So right! That hope someone would find us and the way.¡±


    Talia glanced at me briefly, but her eyes said everything. It was that glowing ball of light that she had shared with me. And the one she hadn¡¯t realized she had showed me up in the tower.


    I turned to the pixies and asked,


    ¡°The Sky Circles, you mean the standing stones above us?¡± They nodded and I continued, ¡°How many of the Sky Circles are there?¡±


    ¡°Across the world many many Sky Circles, much more than the frozen ones dotted around here on the plains.¡±


    ¡°So many indeed. But, we have been disappointed for such a long time.¡±


    ¡°So disappointed. No one ever sought the way of stars.¡±


    ¡°Not one, but she started seeing the start of the way and then she gave her hope to you and we were so excited!¡±


    ¡°Yes, indeed. So will you come and see?¡±


    I looked to Talia and nodded. We stood up and I gathered the furs, stepping after them.


    The two tiny pixies fluttered away, giggling excitedly as they headed towards the draft. Their light immediately illuminated the room, and where ever they flew glowing glyphs lit up on the walls.


    I could only stare in complete surprise. Then, I hurriedly made my face neutral. No way I wanted to get them down that road again!


    We stepped down the passage and suddenly entered into a bigger chamber with five circular stone structures with different color glyphs on each.


    ¡°Yes, he sees! I¡¯m so happy.¡± The one pixie buzzed.


    ¡°Me too, me too.¡±


    I just followed with Talia to my side, her eyes sparkled with curiosity and I couldn¡¯t blame her at all. It stoked in me as well.


    Then, the walls of the chamber converged to a single point. At first glance it looked just like a wall, but the pixies hovered there and pointed happily.


    On closer inspection the wall seemed to have many lines and grooves. There was something to it.


    ¡°What is this?¡±


    The pixies then both flourished their hands and said,


    ¡°The entrance to the way!¡±


    ¡°Indeed it is! A door.¡±


    ¡°A very special door. Ancient!¡±


    ¡°Oh so special! You are the first ever to come here!¡±


    ¡°The very first after the Ancients closed it.¡±


    Just as I was about to interrupt the two,


    Ping!


    Startled, I tapped the notification as the pixies happily chatted about how exceedingly special that door was.


    [Your path had led you here, whether by luck or chance? Or were you meant to come here.]


    +2 Insight


    Updated Quest, [Star Cartographer]


    I blinked before I tapped my quest log.


    [Star Cartographer.] You have seen the hint of something quite extraordinary and set off on the journey to discover what secrets this world is hiding with the ancient knowledge of the stars. Where would this path lead you? Prerequisites: Met. Reward: ???


    Part 2. Upon discovering a hidden chamber below the Sky Circle, you discovered the path you had started on was leading you towards a door. A mysterious door. Now, you have to discover its secret.


    It was just too strange. I looked to the pixies and the door again before I turned to Talia, and she just lifted her shoulders at a loss too.


    What did it all mean?


    _

 Ch: 21 The Path left Forgotten

    Chapter 21 - The Way left Forgotten


    I stood there glancing at the unassuming wall that was suppose to be a door. Though, the pixies quickly bored of my intent staring and decided to fly around the room with chatter about anything and everything that drew their attention.


    Finally, I turned to Talia.


    ¡°So, I guess your search for why the stars had connections to the Sky Circles got some answers, huh?¡±


    Truthfully, I was trying to make small talk as I tried to figure out how to go forward.


    Talia on the other hand was completely engrossed with the mystery of it all as she only said,


    ¡°I did! Now, each of these represent a different constellation in the sky. It means, that if we look to each corresponding pedestal we might find, well, something.¡±


    I glanced to the five circles and as the pixies drifted by one, different glyphs than without their light sprung up.


    Quickly I ran across to the pixies and kept my face straight as I asked,


    ¡°Why is it that there are glyphs lighting up as you fly by.¡±


    The tiny pixies turned to me.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know if we should tell you.¡±


    ¡°You are suppose to find it.¡±


    ¡°Yes. He is! He can see. So, he can find it.¡±


    ¡°Indeed, he shares her light.¡±


    I sighed. So there were things that either meant I had to have higher charisma to glean more information, or it was suppose to be discovered by trial and error.


    Purposefully, I turned away from them as I racked my brain for a way to get some useful hints.


    ¡°I bet he is scrunching his face again!¡±


    ¡°That would be so fascinating! Indeed.¡±


    I spun around, normal absolutely boring face and asked,


    ¡°So, do I need anything outside this room to open that door?¡±


    The pixies regarded me, and I could see their faces get little frowns of their owns. Finally they said at the exact same time.


    ¡°No!¡± ¡±Yes!¡±


    About to slap my forehead in a facepalm. I, thankfully stopped short. That would have been a no-no in front of them. So, I calmly asked.


    ¡°Which is it, it can¡¯t be no and yes at the same time. You are contradicting yourselves. It wouldn¡¯t do if you want me to find the way, now would it?¡±


    Both the pixies suddenly looked anxious, as they quickly conversed with each other in low tones. Then, they turned, clearly happy about something as they said,


    ¡°You are right!¡±


    ¡°We are sorry!¡±


    ¡°So, we thought we would clarify it a bit.¡±


    ¡°Yes, we did. It is definitely a no. But, since there is something that needs to happen that is outside, it does have a yes.¡±


    ¡°But you don¡¯t have to strictly speaking leave the room for it to happen. But a quick walk from this chamber is very advised. You need to see.¡±


    ¡°So, no but a small yes.¡± The other pixie finally said.


    Hmm, definitely useful.


    ¡°Can I open that door today?¡± I asked thoughtfully.


    The pixies looked at each other and happily nodded.


    ¡°Thank you,¡± I said, ¡°Sorry to have bothered you two.¡±


    ¡°Oh, that is fine.¡±


    ¡°Very very fine. We enjoy this a lot.¡±


    ¡°Indeed. Riddles. Puzzles!¡±


    ¡°Yes, many secrets, but all can be found.¡±


    With that, I left the two and walked back to Talia, who busied herself studying one of the five circular structures. The one with the red glyphs to be specific.


    ¡°Talia, I think I got some information out of those two.¡± I said.


    She turned to me.


    ¡°Good. This puzzle is very intricate. It¡¯s hard to make up or down.¡±


    ¡°So,¡± I said and nodded, ¡°We know the Pixies reveal different types of glyphs in the room when they go by. And I found out now, that everything we need to solve it is either within here or at the very least a quick walking distance from here, except for one thing, but we don¡¯t need to leave the room for that other thing to happen.¡±


    Talia sat back tapped her bottom lip in thought. Then she said,


    ¡°That is useful information. But, what do you think needs to happen outside? That can be a lot of different things, and the timing could make that so much more.¡±


    She was right. That is why the next part was necessary.


    ¡°Thing is,¡± I said, ¡°I asked them if I could open the door today and they nodded yes. But did advise me to take a quick walk to see something. Whatever that means.¡±


    Talia¡¯s eyes lit up and she happily said,


    ¡°Smart! That narrows it down by big margins.¡± Then her eyes dropped in concentration. ¡°It still doesn¡¯t give us much to work on. The different set of glyphs, combined with each of these circular things, makes me sure it is definitely something to do with a star constellation. Though, I can¡¯t make up or down to how it fits. But... the pixies information definitely helps.¡±


    I looked around, and she was right there were five star constellations represented. Okay, so there were natural glyph carvings, then there were a few glyphs that lighted up as the pixies flew by. But the big kicker here was, every place that had a glyph alongside it a stone circle accompanied it. So, they needed to turn...


    But there were so many of them. It didn¡¯t help at all to know they could be turned. It was like having a vault tumbler have several hundred strong combinations and only one complete set in the sequence opened it. Insane! That was what it was.


    What was worse, as I tried turning a few to start seeing if I could maybe do it by process of elimination, the dials reset to their first default placings after I made five turns.


    Talia checked my experiment and as it reset, she threw her hands up in frustration and blurted,


    ¡°That makes this so much worse! How are we suppose to find the right combination if they reset with so few mistakes. Ugh! This is crazy.¡±


    With that she stomped off and started fiddling on her own.


    She was absolutely right. I couldn¡¯t fault her for showing the same frustration I felt.


    ~


    Three hours later...


    ¡°Let¡¯s see if we have to start at a certain constellation first. Maybe that would work.¡± Talia called from the other side of the room.


    ¡°Could work. We haven¡¯t made any progress yet, so we might as well try.¡± I said.


    We started with the closest to the door and turned its dials. But again after five turns, it reset. All five did the same. So, nothing.


    It didn¡¯t help that the pixies were over the moon each time one of us got so frustrated that we shouted into the room and pulled a very weird face. In fact, I screamed just then,


    ¡°AAAAAGH! This is useless.¡±


    ¡°Oh joy! He¡¯s making a new face! I wonder what it means.¡±


    ¡°It is a scary face!¡±


    ¡°Oh, yes it is! Should we tell him that.¡±


    I glared at the pixies, on the verge to go throttle them.


    But then Talia, stood up next to me and said,


    ¡°We haven¡¯t gone to check the standing stones, I mean the Sky Circle yet. Maybe that will hold a clue. I just remembered there were constellation markings on them.¡±


    I immediately clapped my hands smiling broadly.


    ¡°That¡¯s brilliant.¡± I beamed. ¡°The other room had nothing in it, but a quick walk could mean the Sky Circle. Well done!¡±


    Talia smiled back and with that we rushed to the mount of snow that laid just below the opening. We scrambled up and I lifted Talia by her hips onto the stone circle that ringed the opening. She hefted herself up and gave me a hand.


    You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.


    It was a bit tricky. But I got up.


    The blizzard had lessened, but the gusts were still strong enough that my exposure metre maybe had twenty minutes in it before I had to go inside again.


    We trudged through the thick snow towards the Sky Circle.


    Almost immediately, I noted there were five stone rocks pointing towards each other.


    Of course the puzzle in the room below had something to do with the Standing Stones!


    Why didn¡¯t we think of it earlier...


    Anyway, I shook my head.


    The wind between the stones weren¡¯t so bad, so at least the markings were clear. And like Talia said, each one had a constellation on it! This was it.


    I walked up close to one of the rocks and the star constellations had nothing of note about them. So I fiddled around before my eyes locked on a small square in the middle of the rock. I pushed on it and within seconds, I watched as small glyphs slid into the gaps of the constellations.


    ¡°Talia!¡± I called, ¡°Come look. I found something.¡±


    She hurried over and said,


    ¡°Yes! We needed something like that. However, not all the gaps are filled for some reason...¡±


    I nodded in agreement and said,


    ¡°Still, it does give us something to work from.¡±


    The next ten minutes we each memorized a set of glyphs and we slipped back down into the chambers before the exposure starting getting too bad.


    Both of us sat in front a constellation below. Tentatively, I started turning my dials into place.


    As I hit seven without it resetting I jumped up and did an air pump.


    Then the giggling exploded from behind and I slumped my shoulders. Those pixies...!


    But then I saw Talia giggling as well and I smiled.


    Alright, back to work. I encouraged myself and started filling in the rest of the glyphs.


    It took about half an hour to get all five constellations set up like they were above, taking that we had to go back each time we forgot a glyph or two.


    But then the last one clicked in place, and both of us jumped and looked at the door with expectation.


    It stayed unmoving.


    Can¡¯t say disappointment didn¡¯t bubble up in me then. But, I sighed and said,


    ¡°I expected as much with the several gaps we still have. There is a hidden layer and I¡¯m betting it has to do with those pixies. Ready for it?¡±


    Talia glanced at me, her features tight.


    ¡°I guess we have no choice.¡±


    I shook my head sadly.


    As cute and bubbly as those little pixies were, they simply never stopped talking once something caught their attention. So, we both breathed in deeply and I called, barely managing to keep myself from squeaking like with the bear.


    ¡°Oi. There is something we need to ask.¡±


    Immediately the pixies came fluttering by.


    ¡°Yes?¡±


    ¡°Of course!¡±


    ¡°Do you think they want to ask us about their faces?¡±


    ¡°I do think you are so right!¡±


    Both Talia and I put our heads in our hands before we looked to the new set of glyphs glowing on the closest constellation.


    ¡°But there are like fifteen for each empty one!¡± Talia exclaimed.


    ¡°Indeed there are!¡± One pixie said.


    ¡°We counted!¡±


    ¡°Okay, let¡¯s see if we can do it by trial and error like before.¡± I said and started to try turning the dial to try one of the glyphs. But it immediately reset even after my first try. So, I tried all fifteen, yet each time it went back to its default setting.


    I looked to Talia, and clearly realized it too.


    ¡°But, how then?¡± I asked utterly confused. I didn¡¯t even worry about the pixies seeing my face like that.


    However, they didn¡¯t talk about my face then.


    ¡°He doesn¡¯t know!¡±


    ¡°They both so don¡¯t know!¡±


    ¡°I wonder if they will know!¡±


    ¡°What a puzzle!¡±


    ¡°Indeed!¡±


    </a> I threw my hands up in exasperation. And stared at them.


    ¡°What don¡¯t we know?¡± I asked.


    The pixies gasped in unison.


    ¡°He doesn¡¯t know what he needs to know, so he asks what he doesn¡¯t know!¡±


    ¡°How scary!¡± The other pixie chirped.


    And without thinking, I slapped my forehead.


    ¡°Look! It¡¯s so scary, he is even hitting himself!¡± The closest pixie stared with big eyes.


    ¡°Fascinating!¡± The other one almost shouted.


    Finally, Talia, stepped between the pixies and I before she said,


    ¡°That is not what he asked. You said we don¡¯t know something, so we wanted to ask you what it is that you thought we didn¡¯t know.¡±


    ¡°Ohhhh!¡± The pixies drew out the word. ¡°That is a secret.¡±


    ¡°A big secret.¡±


    ¡°One we can¡¯t say.¡±


    ¡°Oh, no we can¡¯t. It would spoil the fun.¡±


    Talia turned to me and sat down against the one circular structure.


    ¡°Well, it seems we have to figure out what we don¡¯t know, then.¡± She said to me in a lower tone.


    I just sat with her and replied,


    ¡°It looks like it.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m getting hungry,¡± Talia said, touching her midsection.


    ¡°Yeah me too. If we had wood, then I¡¯d make us some of the last Sabre-Tooth Steaks.¡±


    ¡°That would have been lovely,¡± Talia said with longing.


    Then I heard a whisper in my ear.


    ¡°There is a fire through that door.¡±


    ¡°Yes there is. It is nice and hot.¡± Another whisper in my other ear and I practically leapt forward at the suddenness of the whispers from the pixies.


    I stood up, a vein throbbed in my head as I growled.


    ¡°That¡¯s just great! Now we know there is a fire on the other side of the door, but we can¡¯t get through the door.¡±


    ¡°Not yet.¡± A pixie chirped.


    ¡°But maybe soon. Once you see!¡±


    ¡°Oh, yes, maybe then!¡±


    I just stomped off and started trying to figure the puzzle out again. Talia joined me.


    ~


    Another three hours later...


    ¡°That¡¯s it!!! I can¡¯t take this any more! There has to be something we are missing!¡± I shouted into the room that didn¡¯t want to give up its secrets.


    Talia sat against a wall, just not saying anything.


    I sighed and got out my furs and plopped them down next to her.


    ¡°It¡¯s just about nightfall. So, we might as well get some rest.¡±


    She nodded and said,


    ¡°I really hoped we could figure it out today. But you are right. Maybe the sleep would give us new inspiration.¡±


    I certainly hoped so!


    With that, I sat back on the one side of the furs and swiftly fell asleep.


    Somewhere in the night I woke up. There was a humming sound. It felt musical in nature.


    I got up. Talia was still sleeping soundly.


    Glancing around, I didn¡¯t see anything different. But the humming was there. It wasn¡¯t irritating at all. It had a soothing effect. I looked over and saw the two pixies, silently kicking their legs. But, they just looked at me and smiled without saying anything. I almost got a huge frown on my face at that, but immediately caught myself and walked past the pixies.


    Touching my index finger to my lips, I motioned for them to be quiet and they actually nodded! I was floored!


    That was weird...


    As if to kinda gather my thoughts after that, I walked to the other room. The humming changed to a sound of a rain instrument, just less set in its uniformity and more with a change in flow and pitch.


    I got up on the snow mound and jumped to grab the stone opening up above.


    Grunting and groaning as with effort I got up, I got a ping.


    I quickly tapped it and saw,


    +1 Grip


    +1 Muscle Memory


    That¡¯s cool at least. The more the better.


    Up top, I quickly realized that the blizzard had mostly passed and parts of the night sky had opened up and only a small breeze stirred the air. Good. Even if we couldn¡¯t figure out that infuriating puzzle, it meant we could move towards our other goal. About to hop back in, my gaze crossed the standing stones...


    Wait! What?


    I ran towards and there were lights drifting from each one with a trail of spark like essence following each. It looked like paint being pulled through the air, just without it falling and also that it glowed.


    Stepping into the circle finally revealed something that I almost fell to my knees to sob.


    The empty slots on the constellations were filled with glowing glyphs!


    Ping!


    I ignored the ping and ran towards the hole in the ground, not even stopping in time, falling with a huff into the snow and tumbling down to the bottom. With a loud grunt, I collided with the floor.


    I disregarded the -10 health and scrambled to my feet. As I entered the other room, I frantically glanced around and saw Talia.


    I ran past the pixies who said,


    ¡°He realized!¡±


    ¡°He saw.¡±


    And nothing more.


    Getting to Talia, still sleeping soundly. I didn¡¯t even wait and softly shook her awake.


    She groaned and swatted at me. But I was insistent.


    Finally she sat up rubbing at her eyes and said,


    ¡°What!? And I was having such a good dream too.¡±


    I looked at her confused. However, in that moment I just shook my head and said,


    ¡°I found the clue!¡±


    Talia got more alert.


    ¡°You found it?!¡±


    I nodded and said,


    ¡°No wonder we couldn¡¯t do it before. It¡¯s the way of stars! You need night for stars to show!¡±


    Talia slapped her hand to her forehead.


    ¡°Of course! Why didn¡¯t we think of that! By the way, ouch, why on earth do you slap your forehead so often?¡±


    Laughing, I pulled Talia up and glancing towards the door, it actually had a tiny bit of glow to it.


    I ran to the closest constellation and motioned the pixies over, saying.


    ¡°Please just give us a little light. It¡¯s still night, so keep it down a bit if you can.¡±


    Then they said together, though softer than normal.


    ¡°Of course.¡±


    And then kept quiet.


    Talia, bless her heart, looked like her eyes were going to pop out of her head as she stared at the pixies. Her chest lifted with the intake of breath to say something when I gave her a pointed stare.


    She quickly closed her mouth and nodded. Enjoying the moment rather than maybe change it.


    I turned the first dial with the glowing set of glyphs, and finally it clicked into place and stayed.


    It worked! Both Talia and I beamed. I quickly continued with the ones I could remember, but after about five more, we had to go back topside to memorize the rest.


    Within fifteen minutes, Talia and I dialled in the last two glowing glyphs, and with a breathless pause we waited.


    Then, something shifted inside the floor. The sound travelled to the door, which by now glowed with intricate details. A beautiful masterpiece!


    I huffed at my earlier thought of the most boring door I ever saw. I was wrong.


    There, in the middle between two imposing heads etched into the door facing away from each other, a small hole with a square in it opened. I touched it and it sunk in and with a loud tik, the door started opening.


    Talia and I both put our hands to a doors and pushed.


    ¡°The way of Stars is open.¡± The one pixie said quietly but with clear happiness.


    ¡°We have hoped. Thank you, so much.¡± The other pixie said shyly.


    Ping!


    We stepped into the hallway lit with glowing turquoise lights. At the end of the bright and colorful wall, a fire burned brightly.


    </a>Both Talia and I smiled at each other and ran towards it.


    _

 Ch 22: The Way of Stars

    Chapter 22 - The Way of Stars


    Ah, what glorious thing a fire is. Especially when you had been freezing your ass off. I held my hands over its warmth and just basked in the lovely feeling. Talia on the other hand had asked me for the meat I had, and well, now the wonderful smell of Sabre-Tooth grilled meat filled the air.


    We had barely looked around in those first short moments, so I glanced to and fro.


    The room, if you could call it that, had a few wall lights around its curved shape. But, the wall ended in a half moon, the floor however completed the moon and two pedestals stood there in the middle, facing what looked clearly like a big chasm.


    The pixies sat on the pedestals swinging their feet as they stared out over the drop off. Saying little.


    Well... that¡¯s a thing apparently, but I didn¡¯t worry about that then.


    I tapped my previously unchecked notifications.


    [You are one of keen awareness, even sleep doesn¡¯t keep your attention obscured! You notice things that are hard to find.]


    +2 Insight


    +2 Perception


    Skill gained!


    Whispers Edge II [Journeyman]


    Your senses are comparative to a blade that cuts through the obscuring mists of the forgotten secrets from this world. You have honed those senses to a fine edge and gained the ability to focus intensely and see what is hidden around you.


    +5 Perception [Passive]


    +5 Insight [Passive]


    [Active] Upon activating Whispers Edge, you greatly focus to glean the secrets in your vicinity.


    </a> +30 % Chance to see the things hidden from view and perception. [9 hour cool down.]


    [Congratulations! You found and met the prerequisites to unlock a skill only gained by four other people! Now who said you were blind as a bat?]


    +3 Insight


    +2 Perception


    +1 Luck


    Whoa! Unexpected! But so incredibly useful! Then I looked again and that 9 hour cool-down slapped me right in the face. What the...


    Still, I welcomed the addition even if that cool down was downright crazy. And that last sentence! Oi, I was never as blind as a bat! Shaking my head, I glanced at the last notification.


    Quest Updated, Star Cartographer


    I tapped it.


    [Star Cartographer.] You have seen the hint of something quite extraordinary and set off on the journey to discover what secrets this world is hiding with the ancient knowledge of the stars. Where would this path lead you? Prerequisites: Met. Reward: ???


    Part 2. Upon discovering a hidden chamber below the Sky Circle, you discovered the path you had started on was leading you towards a door. A mysterious door. Now, you have to discover its secret.


    Part 3. You are on the verge of discovering something long forgotten. Stay strong and alert because the stars might give a grand show.


    Great. It felt like the quest aimed towards being resolved, and I can¡¯t say how incredibly curious I had been all this time. Especially with it being that vague. I wonder if...


    Just then a juicy piece of steak drifted in front of me and I completely forgot about the notifications.


    I licked my lips and heard Talia giggle, with it I grabbed the steak nodding my head to Talia in great appreciation, who just smiled and bit into her own. I didn¡¯t need any more encouragement as I nommed on the incredibly juicy, wonderful piece of prime meat.


    ¡°Oh, that is good!¡± I hummed with delight.


    ¡°I know right!¡± She said, sounding exceedingly happy herself.


    When we were done eating, Talia and I studied each other, and like it was synchronized, we breathed deeply while standing up.


    It barely took a second to reach the pedestals and the pixies happily fluttered about staring at what we were doing.


    It was just a plain stone slab, with nothing extraordinary about it, so I touched the one closest to me and nothing happened.


    I glanced over to the other one and walked to it and touched it.


    Nothing.


    ¡°Great... Another puzzle.¡± Talia groaned from the side.


    ¡°I guess so.¡± I said, also not very enthused about doing another one that soon. ¡°Look around, maybe there are instructions.¡±


    As we searched, I literally just saw the two pedestals and the fire. The glowing lanterns on the wall. It made no difference as they didn¡¯t come off the wall.


    There just wasn¡¯t anything to go by except the fire and the two stone slabs.


    Hmmm. Confusing.


    After a while, I just shrugged and walked to the pixies.


    ¡°What do we need to proceed?¡±


    I expected a barrage of giggles and many vague answers, but the pixies just peered at me and said,


    ¡°He forgot.¡±


    ¡°Indeed he did forget. Now, how did your journey towards the way of stars begin?¡±


    Huh?


    That didn¡¯t help. I clearly forgot something I couldn¡¯t remember.


    ¡°Up in the Farseeing Eye?¡±


    Nods.


    Then Talia came from the side.


    ¡°Was that where it began for you?¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± I said, rubbing my temples. ¡°But, I don¡¯t know what it is that I forgot there.¡±


    Talia moved to ask something, but the pixies interrupted.


    ¡°Oh no. You can¡¯t forget! Were you alone when you started seeing the way?¡±


    ¡°True, true, were you?¡± The other one asked.


    ¡°Well, no.¡± I said and something hit me. ¡°The light came from Talia. She shared something with me in the tower... Then my question is this, can the way of stars be found alone?¡±


    The pixies both bubbled in joy and flew in ecstatic patterns as they sung,


    ¡°No!¡± ¡°No!¡± ¡°The way of stars can never be found alone!¡±


    If there were Sky Circles across all the realms, I wonder if the duo thing stopped anybody else from finding the quest? Adventurers tend to go at it solo when they want the best rewards. Well, apart from Spire Sieges and Raids. Even with parties its normally never an ¡®us¡¯ thing.


    So, I grabbed Talia¡¯s hand and pulled her to the one pedestal, before I ran to the other.


    I slapped my hand to mine and motioned for Talia to do the same. She did and ancient letters started to glow on top of each. I couldn¡¯t make out any meaning to them. But the pixies each came to a pedestal and read the words one by one, before Talia and I repeated it at the same time.


    ¡°We seek the way of Stars.¡±


    ¡°We seek the way of Stars.¡±


    Something big started shifting and the ground shook as two giant stone hands swept down from above and slipped in against each other, before another set of hands came from the dark and did the same a bit further away.


    A female voice flowed through the cavern like the wind. It didn¡¯t help in keeping my nerves in check.


    ¡°You may enter. You may choose. You may take the trials.¡±


    We tentatively walked across the bridge to an octagon shaded pillar that made a platform after the bridge of hands.


    On the platform there was a tree engraved in the stone with five branches.


    The voice flowed into the chamber.


    ¡°Two you may each seek to choose. Choose well the twin stars you would each carry forward. Will you seek the stars of the Tempest, welcoming its rushing winds that carves open many paths which once laid dormant. Will you seek the stars of the Monsoon that brings forth great change where it goes. Will you seek the stars of the Radiant that thunders as it brings new light to the dark places of the world. Will you seek the stars of the Blizzard that obscures many as it shields the lands. Will you seek the stars of the Lahar who comes swiftly and yet proves impossibly hard to halt. Will you seek the stars of the Sandstorm that wildly shapes the lands it so fully embrace. Will you seek the stars of the Great Waters that brings new life for some, or true currents of chaos for those that underestimate them. Choose between the maps of stars young Cartographers.¡±


    As the voice mentioned each choice, a glyph in one of the trees¡¯ arms lit up, with a color that more closely matched the theme of it.


    Silence then followed the voice.


    Well, apart from the pixies buzzing about being happy to hear big sis again.


    Both Talia and I stared at the trees on the ground.


    What a choice. Each one had something that could help us going forward. Even the Blizzard one drew me, I could practically feel that it revolved around stealth. The Lahar probably went the direction of a more agile tank like character. Where the Sandstorm could mean an earth mage or the sort. The...


    I gasped out loud asTalia swept forward and touched the stars of the Monsoon and the Great Waters.


    Rain and streams of water swirled around her hands as both Trees lit up. With it, a stone slab descended, opening a path in the rock. One of the pixies giggled and happily fluttered into the pathway casting a light, waiting for her to follow.


    My focus, however, was on Talia as she looked at me, her eyes were filled with tears, yet... they held a spark of light that encouraged me greatly. Then she breathed deeply and said,


    ¡°Good luck, Leo Stormchild.¡±


    With that she stepped onto her path, before it closed between us. The last thing I saw was her smile.


    Oh, man. Something was in my eye as I rubbed at the wetness.


    I shook it off and stared at my own conundrum.


    Which would it be. The Tempest, the Monsoon, the Radiant, the Blizzard, the Lahar, the Sandstorm or the Great Waters.


    To be fair, I was definitely going for the Tempest as my first. But the second... definitely a harder choice.


    So, I tapped the Stars of the Tempest and winds swirled around my right hand. But to my utter surprise, a ping rang loudly, and before I could even tap the notification, a message flowed before me.


    [Warning! If you choose to continue, you will lock in your Primary class. This is a once off decision. Once locked in, it can¡¯t be reversed. This is not something to fear, but embraced. A Primary class opens many aspects of Realms of Ancients. Do not, however wait too long to choose a Primary class, the world is far more dangerous than you can imagine, it will eat you up and spit you back out without one. So, if you are sure, then proceed with confidence.


    Note: There are many Primary classes in the world. Though each one delivers an entire skill tree that can be pursued and remapped, there are Primary Classes out there that brings a more unique experience if you are brave to stand against the fierce onslaught long enough to find them.]


    My eyes almost popped. I read it again, just to be sure. A PRIMARY CLASS! HECK YEAH!!! I fist pumped in the air, yet I still looked around sheepishly. But, oh was I happy!


    So, without waiting I scoured the rest of the paths and made my choice.


    I took a breath and tapped on the stars of the Radiant and a small lightning sparked and touched my left hand where it proceeded to make the veins in my hand briefly pulse with light.


    A different but same shaped stone slapped and thudded onto the platform, showing another path.


    With that, I stepped towards the path. Somewhat of interest, I realized while walking towards the gap in the rock, there were many paths. It became clear there was a unique way for each twin combination you went with. That thought only got reinforced deeper into the tunnel.


    Wind started gushing by me, and thunder sparked across the hallway. At least ten minutes went by and still the tunnel continued on. Another ten passed by before the light became brighter hinting at a chamber up ahead.


    I approached the end of the tunnel and a great rushing wind guarded the way. I touched it with my left and was almost flung from my feet as I stumbled against the wall.


    Then, I looked to my hands to see if anything happened. But, then I saw the winds around my right hand swirling around it in a circular pattern. Without thinking about it, I brought my right hand that time to the rushing force of wind.


    This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    Immediately, a pocket of still air formed around it, like it was redirecting the flow.


    Then I gasped as the pixie that had led me in flew into that pocket of air, coming out on the other side, motioning me to follow.


    Okay?


    I held my hand there and contorted my body through that quiet hole in the severe gusts. Just beyond it, I fell and stumbled out on the other side, landing on my back. It took a moment for my eyes to adjust. But, I quickly found out the cavern around me made a show of force that sent chills down my spine.


    The walls of a massive swirling storm. And I happened to be in its eye.


    The mass of clouds swirling around the cavern seemed slow at first glance, but on closer inspection it just revealed the sheer velocity at which the winds moved.


    For one, it became clear I never wanted to be in a Typhoon or whatever other names they gave those storms around the world. Terrifying seemed a fitting word too.


    With a grunt, I got back on my feet and stared at the centre of the eye. A pedestal of pure lighting stood there. Shaped in the form of a hand. It held an orb of crystal.


    Almost dazedly I found that I have walked all the way to it. I brought my right hand to it first, and sure enough the lighting started sparking more chaotically. So, I brought my left hand to the orb and the hand of lightning stayed intact.


    As I touched the orb with my left, my right hand automatically swung to it and latched onto the other side.


    Winds and sparks ran up both my arms. Gasps popped out of me at the severity of it.


    Without warning, my health started dropping at thirty a second. Frantically, I tried to dislodge my hands. But they stayed firm.


    My health dipped below half and I redoubled my efforts, pouring all my strength into getting my hands to come off. Still they stayed.


    Quarter of my health left.


    I screamed as I pulled even harder, veins throbbing on my temples. My fingers started coming loose and I grunted with the effort.


    Ten health left.


    It suddenly stopped. I panted out of breath as the sparks entered into my arm as did the swirling gusts around the other.


    Finally, my hands slipped off the orb and this glow flowed out of it. My health, critically low as it was, all of a sudden surged back up to full.


    I fell back on the moss and huffed liked I had run a marathon.


    ¡°That was crazy.¡± I breathed into the air.


    Next thing I knew the pixie was next to me.


    ¡°WOW! That was... It was like... Then you were like... And the orb was going pew pew pew! SO WORTH THE LONG WAIT!¡±


    This time, irritation didn¡¯t bubble up at the pixie. I actually smiled at her happy explosions of excitement. So, I touch my finger to the pixie¡¯s hair and ruffled it.


    She made shy noises, but didn¡¯t fly away.


    With that I just sat back and realized through all of that I didn¡¯t even hear the ping. I touched the notification.


    [CONGRATULATIONS! You have chosen your Primary Class! This is a momentous day. One¡¯s Primary Class ensures you have the means to grow towards taking on the great and hidden dangers of the world. Though not an easy path, the skill trees unlocked to you gives you the choice of how to walk the path. If, however, you wish to change the skill tree¡¯s path, you only need to find the Trees of Avol¨¦t around the realms. Though there are not many of them, they have stood the test of time. They require you to pass a trial, each unique to its area. Now, start this path you have opened up and venture further into the Realm of Ancients.]


    [Primary Class: Star Cartographer: The Storm Blade of Radiance][Level Class 77][Unique]


    [Congratulations! You are in the top hundred to find a Primary class level 15 or higher]


    [Congratulations! You are the fourth to find a Primary class level 20 or higher]


    [Congratulations! You are the first to find a Primary class level 30 or higher]


    [Congratulations! You are the first to find a Primary class level 40 or higher]


    [Congratulations! You are the first to find a Primary class level 50 or higher]


    [Congratulations! You are the first to find a Primary class level 60 or higher]


    [Congratulations! You are the first to find a Primary class level 70 or higher]


    Calculating Rewards:


    +15 to All Major Attributes.


    Whispers Edge II [Journeyman] to Whispers Edge I [Expert]


    +200 000 XP


    Level up!


    All of sudden my heads up display completely changed. To say I swiped at my face for no good reason, would be hitting it right on the spot. It took a few seconds to calm down and as I stared at my new HUD(Heads Up Display)... I realized just what a find the Primary class had been. A unique one to boot.


    Not once in the past had my HUD so completely changed. Fine you could gain a mana bar and certain icons could change, like with my Swift Guardian class; it had several class specific icons. But this... it¡¯s just a completely new overhaul. Where a few vines had carried the previous HUD, this one had the faces of two creatures, one on the left and one on the right.


    Wind swirled around the teeth of the right one, it had huge teeth, and I could hardly imagine facing off against something that scary.


    On the left, however, the creature had more of a fox like face, yet it held such mystery in its glowing eyes. What was more, there were wings covered in stars next to it, carrying the icons I would often use. Just then, looking over to the left side again I noticed a Mana bar.


    Huh? I unlocked mana? That could only mean... Whoa! A game changer for sure to have access to Mana based abilities. Though, did it mean it was a mana based class? I wasn¡¯t entirely sure.


    I pondered it a bit before I finally tapped on my Class Trees Icon.


    [Star Cartographer: The Storm Blade of Radiance][Level Class 77][Unique]


    You have sought after the Way of Stars and what you discovered, opened up a vast galaxy of paths to pursue. To your right the winds blew you towards the Tempest where a call greeted you. Then to your left the sparks of the Radiant gave you a new promise. From there you will have to discover the quests that will grow the map in the stars.


    Call of the Winds I [Novice][Tree]


    You have answered the call that echoed in the Tempest and you have seen many things in its mighty walls. Now, the way lay before you. What will you choose?


    Dance of the Storms I [Novice][Tree]


    Having felt the gentle winds, and witnessed its raw power. You started to see the steps in its chaotic splendour. Where will your steps take you?


    Promise of the Runes I [Novice][Tree]


    There is a light, the one you saw was Radiant. It carves a new way, and its light reveals what has been cloaked in the darkness. What does it reveal?


    Voice of Thunder I [Novice][Tree]


    With the touch of your hand you have grabbed hold of a voice in the thunder. What will your new voice say?


    I sat back on a stump. I had four skill trees in my Primary class... The most I ever heard about was two. There was no chance I was going to complain! It meant I had four major skills added that had their own trees to complete. Sure, it complicated matters a tad, with the certainty that each tree would have its own deep quests to progress up from novice. But it remained a major find.


    Okay, so if I remember right, then I have levels that make up a Novice tree, after that I will have to discover how to progress them up to Apprentice trees. That will probably still be a ways away. So, I need to focus on learning my core abilities as best I can, Primary class abilities always had extra oomf to them than normal ones, especially later.


    That was a major reason it was so important to get a Primary class soon in one''s play-through. Not to mention the sheer difficulty of progressing them, so the sooner one can start, the quicker one can take advantage of the extra abilities.


    My eyes flipped to the way I entered the chamber. First I needed to find Talia. After that I can take a little bit of time to check out my stats and everything else. With a quick jog I reached the place where I entered through the wall of winds. The rushing gale force of it still held everything at bay.


    Then I perked up.


    It was surprisingly quiet. Even with the rushing sounds from the storm.


    The pixie hadn¡¯t followed me. I glanced around and saw her small form sitting happily on the pedestal. So, I called out.


    ¡°Hey, are you going to follow me out?¡±


    Surprisingly she shook her head.


    ¡°No, no no. I am content. You have discovered this lost secret. Now, I have to leave by a different way. But fear not, you will see me again if you are a good seeker. My sister and I will be waiting.¡±


    That was interesting. Even though the pixies could be rather annoying, it would still be sad to see them go.


    ¡°What are your names then, if I am going to see you again.¡±


    A cute grin popped on her face and her wings fluttered.


    ¡°Ayio and my sister¡¯s name is Riyio. It would be fun if you find our next secret Mr. Stormchild.¡±


    I chuckled.


    ¡°Agreed. And it is good to have met you, Ayio.¡±


    She just giggled and waved before pressing both hands to the pedestal and disappearing.


    What a fascinating time, quite the adventure if you asked me.


    With that, I pressed my right hand in the swirling wall where I had come in. And was immediately met with a problem. A circular rock slab had blocked off the only exit I knew of.


    Um... Now what?


    ~


    Ten minutes later, I sat on a nice comfy patch of grass and wondered what to do. I had gone right around the edge of the storm, pressing my right hand into the chaotic winds to make a calm circle. Still, there was no exit.


    I looked up and the big storm¡¯s wall reached all the way to the roof. Besides, there was just no way I could get up there anyway.


    This was definitely a big problem.


    I tapped my chin in thought.


    There was a certain length of rope in my inventory, but that would only get me so far. Not to mention that it wouldn¡¯t be like that. That there was a place where you enter normally and would get stuck if you just happened to forgot to bring a long enough rope.


    Unless by some weird chance this whole zone is not finished yet... And they happened to leave the unfinished thing in just because and I just happened to find it because I stabbed the bear while flying through the sky at breakneck speed... No, no, I find it hard to believe.


    A chuckle bubbled up in me. Ha! To think the whole part of stabbing a bear way up in the sky is less weird for me than having an unfinished zone in the game. What happened to me.


    I shook my head.


    Well, since I¡¯m stuck, I might as well tackle the more than substantial effort in figuring out where to place all the points I had received in that one fell swoop.


    Leo Stormchild


    Race: Norskai


    Level: 29+


    Star Cartographer: The Storm Blade of Radiance[Class Level 77][Unique][Primary Class] [...]


    ________ [Secondary Class][Explore and find your first sub class tree in the world]


    Health: 345 (+422)


    Energy Bar: 314 (+420) [Tier 2 accessible+]


    Mana: 5 030 [UNLOCKED]


    Armor Rating: 46 (+65)


    >Equipped Weapons and Runes:


    Xianmou [Deep Harrow Tree- Epic Rune][Attack Speed III-Rune][-]


    Skinning Knife [-]


    >Equipped Armor and Runes:


    [Stout Shirt]


    [Frost Sabre Fur cloak]


    [Sabre Fur trousers]


    [Sabre Fur boots]


    Etched Silver Gauntlets [Swift Strike I- Rune][Stone body II-Rune]


    >Equiped Trinkets:


    Shadow Veil Ring [Stealth +10%]


    [Attributes]


    Choose the Attributes you wish to increase. This will affect your character.


    [Points to allocate= 1+72]


    Strength 30 +15


    Vitality  30 +15


    Agility 25 +15


    Willpower  21 +15


    Intelligence 18 +15


    Acrobatics 21 +15


    Luck 28 +15


    [Race Attributes]


    The Norskai are a hardy people from the cold north. They have survived through severe weather conditions their entire lives. Where others would have quickly perished, they remained and so they have gained first hand knowledge how to endure and stand fast in times when storms would hit at a moment¡¯s notice.


    Endurance 9 +15


    Survival 13 +15


    I was still completely and utterly flabbergasted at that +15 to all attributes... Even with me taking on a much higher level zone had given me several rare major attribute increases. And I say rare because, the RoA only ever awarded some points in your major attributes when something quite out of the ordinary happened. But 15 points to all?


    Unheard of.


    It quite literally meant, that attributes I loved but couldn¡¯t add too many points in suddenly gained a windfall. Definitely nice.


    With a big grin I started to allocate the other points I had gained with all those level ups. Crazy to think, something that took me months and months to achieve like reaching level 50, happened in less than a week. Okay, now 72 points...


    Leo Stormchild


    Race: Norskai


    Level: 53


    Star Cartographer: The Storm Blade of Radiance[Class Level 77][Unique][Primary Class] [...]


    __[...]


    Health: 767 +100


    Energy Bar: 734 +100 [Tier 5 accessible]


    </a> Mana: 5 030 +100


    Armor Rating: 111


    >Equipped Weapons and Runes:


    Xianmou [Deep Harrow Tree- Epic Rune][Attack Speed III-Rune][-]


    Skinning Knife [-]


    >Equipped Armor and Runes: [...]


    >Equiped Trinkets: [...]


    [Attributes]


    Choose the Attributes you wish to increase. This will affect your character.


    [Points to allocate= 1]


    Strength 45 +5


    Vitality  45 +10


    Agility 40 +10


    Willpower  36 +5


    Intelligence 33 +5


    Acrobatics 36 +15


    Luck 43 +15


    [Race Attributes]


    [...]


    Endurance 24 +3


    Survival 28 +4


    Finally, that took a bit. It wasn¡¯t easy to add that many points without constantly reminding yourself of thinking ahead, what might be needed. Especially in my current predicament of being in a higher level zone. Still, good thing was, my level was now a little bit closer to what was average in the zone.


    Average.


    A shiver ran down my spine.


    That still meant the mini bosses, possible level scaled creatures and the actual zone bosses would woop my butt from one side to the other...


    Hghhh


    Still, I had no choice but to go forward and see if I can open a way out of the zone.


    Scratch that!


    I had to get out of this cavern first!


    My attributes and levels meant something, but not what I needed. Finally I tapped my Primary class again and opened each tree.


    Call of the Winds I [Novice][Tree][..]


    ~


    Wall of Gales


    The tempest roars and while it moves it is a wall of force.


    Creates a wall of rushing wind on your arm or at a location of your choosing that can redirect or even deflect projectiles


    +20% chance to redirect projectiles.


    +10% chance to deflect projectiles.


    Cooldown: 1 minute


    Dance of the Storms I [Novice][Tree][...]


    ~


    Wind Step


    Looking in the storm, a path of steps is revealed to you.


    Creates steps in the air under your feet.


    20 Steps


    1 second cooldown between steps.


    Final Cooldown: 1 minute


    Promise of the Runes I [Novice][Tree][...]


    ~


    Rune Seeker


    A whisper in the fog reveals old secrets.


    Upon the whisper, reveals Runes for 20 seconds.


    100% chance to reveal Novice Runes


    60% chance to reveal Apprentice Runes


    50% chance to reveal Journeyman Runes


    10% chance to reveal Expert Runes


    5% chance to reveal Master Runes


    0.5% chance to reveal Ancient Runes


    Active: 1500 Mana per usage.


    Passive: Sense if there are runes nearby (Range: Tiny.)


    Voice of Thunder I [Novice][Tree][...]


    ~


    Word of Sparks


    A cry of thunder starts with the smallest of sparks.


    Upon your command, a spark of lightning leaps from your hand.


    Active Burst Damage: 200 (5 charges before cooldown) 100 Mana


    Active Channel: 200 per second for 10 seconds. (300 mana per second)


    Active Cooldown: 1 minute


    Well, there¡¯s the answer. I probably have to use my new abilities to find a way out.


    </a> And hopefully not in the attempt get swept away by the frikken typhoon. I should have asked the Pixie where to go!


    _

 Ch 23: Hidden

    Chapter 23 ¨C Hidden in the wind


    In the middle of the storm, the ground covered island was rough under me, though some patches of grass made it a little more comfortable as I sat staring ahead.


    I had immediately tried wind step, but only having 20 steps and a huge storm wall to test out, brought that idea to a quick halt.


    Sure, I could test with my right hand in the storm wall to see if there were any other openings, but that would take hours and that was being generous. Not to mention the whole 1 minute cool down between rounds of 20 steps.


    No, there had to be a path to follow.


    I walked to the centre and looked at the now inactive pedestal. Might as well give it a try.


    I used word of sparks, and on my left hand an erratic orb of static and sparks formed.


    I could shoot it out, but for now I touched it to the pedestal. A crack sounded followed by a pop. Yet nothing happened.


    Fun way to waste a lot of mana. Whoop Dee Doo.


    Still, I had loads of mana. The cooldown though, revealed a bigger problem. I could keep channelling the thing for a short while, but after that I needed a full minute before I could use it again.


    While that was fine for now, what if I had to hit more than one target in less than the span of a minute to get out. Then, I would have to time my usage to perfection.


    I ruffled my hair. Not that any of that mattered.


    Nothing seemed an obvious target yet.


    I tried Wall of Gales next. A three metre by three metre wall of rushing wind appeared where I pointed and as I pushed my palm forward, the wall moved through the pedestal.


    Still nothing. Though it was a good experiment. Knowing the wall could be moved might be useful.


    Lastly, I tried Rune Seeker.


    Next thing I knew, my eyes shifted and the whole cavern took on a different light.


    Everything looked a bit more, vibrant? Well, whatever the effect, it looked quite cool. Movement caught my eye and I spun around only to see butterflies made out of pure light flutter by. Their cyan colouration sure was beautiful, enough so that I almost forgot to look around for runes before the 20 seconds ran out. Luckily, just as my sight returned to normal, I saw another glow of cyan etched into a stone.


    Jogging to it, I saw nothing with my normal sight. But I knew it was there, so lifted my left hand and whispered to bring forth the orb of static from before. I touched it to the stone.


    This time the sound of crackling echoed through the cavern as the rune became visible in normal light.


    Grinning, I placed my left palm on it.


    The effect was immediate as around the stone circling the pedestal, three new sparkling runes appeared. Almost immediately two of the three runes disappeared, though the biggest one remained. What was that about?


    Never mind, I ran to the remaining one and touched it; where all of a sudden in a spiral around the cavern there were orbs of lights scattering about. Twenty to be exact. Like it couldn¡¯t be more obvious.


    I stood up and was about to cast my Wind Steps to get up to where the last orb hung close to the storm. But something in me hesitated. Not of fear mind you.


    It just felt like there were more to be gained here...


    I flicked through my skills and came to the one that might work in the situation.


    It had ranked up through this whole thing of gaining a Primary class. It did tickle my fancy, though. Why would a skill rank up, not just level up, especially only after gaining it shortly before. It made me think everything about this Star Cartographer class was stooped in mystery.


    Whispers Edge I [Expert]


    Your senses are comparative to an ancient blade that cuts through the obscuring mists of the forgotten secrets from this world. You have honed those senses to a fine edge, a second nature that grants a serene focus to see what is hidden around you.


    +10 Perception [Passive]


    +10 Insight [Passive]


    [Active] Upon activating Whispers Edge, you greatly focus to glean the secrets in your vicinity. (1 minute)


    +50 % Chance to see the things hidden from view and perception. [7 hour cool down.]


    Great! Extra chance and the cooldown was down by 2 hours. Still... that 7 hour cooldown was like an itch between the wings on your back. No easy way to get around it.


    So, I had to be sure.


    I closed my eyes and took a deep breath before activating the ability. Even with my closed eyes I could feel the cavern, could feel the wind rushing around the outside, dancing over the stone. Then to my left I felt the two runes that had disappeared before and suddenly felt a dance of wind tugging at me to follow as it swirled up and into the middle of the storm¡¯s wall. Quite far from where the twenty orbs led to.


    I opened my eyes and looked in the direction. Marking it out as something of note.


    I closed my eyes again and sent my senses in different directions, but there wasn¡¯t anything else at the moment.


    If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    So, I moved to where the two hidden runes had been. The feeling I felt made it clear they were connected.


    Still, they disappeared within only five seconds at most. So, even running to one proved itself out of the question and that wasn¡¯t even to mention the 1 minute cooldown for either Rune Seeker and Sparks.


    But, I had an idea.


    I quickly went to where the first sparkling rune had been. I used Word of Sparks, lighting it up and then touched the rune with my palm while still channelling the small arcs of lightning.


    The other two runes lit up and I immediately turned my hand toward the one and fired a bolt of sparks, then again to the other one. Unlike before the two runes lingered.


    So I had the chance to run to them. Like with the previous rune, I touched my left palm to it and clearly felt something shift in the connection between the runes.


    Satisfied, I hurried to the other and plopped my left hand on it. But this time it did nothing. Confused, I started to worry.


    I only had about fifteen seconds left on my Whispers Edge effect. Then I wouldn¡¯t be able to feel if something changed in the connection to the runes and could only feel it again seven hours later...


    Frantically, I tried turning my hand to better align with it.


    Nothing.


    Man!


    ¡°Um... Um!¡±


    I flung my right hand onto it and activated Wall of Gales. Not, that I think that would have helped really.


    But good thing, I felt the shift right before my ability faded away and started its uber long cooldown.


    I looked back to the direction where I had felt the secret lie. There were no orbs showing the way.


    That settled it. It was just much more certain now, no way you would have found it without Whispers Edge. What did it mean?


    I had no choice but to file that little conundrum away for later deliberation. Next moment, I flung up my first Wind Step and started bouncing up towards the side of the storm.


    I stuck my right hand into the typhoon, and like before a small hole calmed around my hand. I slipped through it into a small room with two lit up spheres of light hovering next to a stone lid with two halves. Each inscribed with a rune. The two from below.


    Like those two, I touched them with the correct hand and what would you know. The lock clicked open.


    I lifted the lids and inside there was an amulet.


    In the middle a gem hung between two hands holding it. The one had a more raw strength look and the other a more graceful touch cradling the emerald gem.


    I picked it up and whispered, Identify.


    Amulet of the Emerald Twins


    Though long forgotten, be sure this one has an old tale intertwined. It flows in the great winds and glide across the thunders. Let it be a close companion in your grand dance with the storms.


    +20 Stealth & Reflexes in the presence of strong winds or lightning.


    [Secret]


    Mysterious indeed. I grinned. A nice find. Though, it struck me as odd that my current insight wasn¡¯t high enough to unveil the secret. Still, it would open up in time. Quickly I flung it around my neck and reopened the hole before jumping down.


    Barely a minute later, my Wind Step led the way up to what was certainly the exit of the chamber.


    The unexpected part came from when I stepped on the swirling winds of the steps. For a brief moment I would feel the Amulet kick in and my steps were more sure.


    That would definitely come in useful in a battle situation.


    As I reached the top and stuck my right hand in the storm, the way out became clear. The tunnel was narrow but relatively straight and before long I saw the place where I had picked my two ways for my Primary class.


    Further on, I saw Talia sitting at the fire shivering like crazy.


    No doubt that her trials had lots of water.


    I threw a few more wind steps and bounced down to the middle circle before lightly jogging to Talia, her wet clothes clinging to her lithe form.


    I was about to ask Talia about what her trial entailed, but she spun and shot a glare at me.


    ¡°Don¡¯t ask! I do not want to talk about it now.¡± She hissed.


    A chuckle bubbled out of me as I said,


    ¡°Sure. Though I am curious¨D¡±


    ¡°No.¡± She grunted with narrowed eyes.


    ¡°Fine, fine,¡± I said, looking at her neck where an Opal amulet hung. ¡°But, aside from that, it was a little unpleasant. I see you also found the hidden amulet in your trial.¡±


    Upon me saying it, Talia gained a small tug of a smile on her mouth as she said,


    ¡°Somewhere in my... ordeal, I suddenly felt a pull deeper into the waves. When I dived down, there was this beautiful clam that shone like a rainbow. When I touched it, the amulet was revealed. It was quite pretty.¡±


    I smiled.


    ¡°Well, it sure looks extra pretty on you.¡±


    Talia giggled and again lifted her hands to the fire to dry up.


    ¡°Not that I¡¯m going to be talking about my experience any time soon, but how did your trial go?¡±


    I wanted to make a joke about it, but then I remembered the shocking pedestal and the pain from it reminded me with utmost clarity how quite horrifying those few minutes were.


    Still...


    ¡°While it had its lows... The rest of was actually quite extraordinary. This huge storm circled a wide cavern.¡± I said explaining with my hands.


    Talia nodded enthusiastically the whole time and finally chimed,


    ¡°I completely understand, actually. My trial was so beautiful besides what I... um went through.¡±


    I offered my hand to Talia, who took it as I helped her up. With that, I gave her small throw away rags I still had and she dried what she could. She moved closer to the fire where she mewled happily at the warmth of the heat.


    ¡°We better get you dry.¡± I said as she nodded. ¡°We can¡¯t go outside like this. So just relax a bit.¡±


    ~


    Time passed in as silence filled the chamber. Well apart from Talia¡¯s audible shivering.


    Though, her breathing slowly but surely eased and she finally took a deep breath next to me.


    ¡°So, what happens next?¡±


    ¡°I guess we go to the dungeon. The one that holds these lands under its wintry grip.¡±


    A slight pause followed.


    ¡°Do you think we are ready?¡±


    I sighed. To be honest, I didn¡¯t think we had what it takes to go into that dungeon at all. However...


    ¡°I don¡¯t... No, we don¡¯t really have a choice. I have a huge obligation, one I cannot afford to delay. So I have to go in there. Secondly, your people can¡¯t go on like this.¡±


    Talia nodded, but stayed silent.


    No argument presented itself. We had to go into that dungeon. Ready or not¡­


    We spent the night around the fire. We couldn¡¯t risk going out onto snowy plains at night.


    As Talia slept gently to my side, I went ahead and cooked all the raw meat I had and salted them.


    It took a while, but after a few hours, I fell asleep.


    ~


    A soft feeling moving against me woke me. I opened my heavy eyelids and blinked a few times.


    I realized, through the night Talia had leaned against me. Her cheek pressed into my shoulder, and the soft swell of her chest against my arm made me sit up blushing.


    My sudden movement made her wake up.


    ¡°Mmm... is it morning yet?¡±


    Well I didn¡¯t know, so I tapped one of the buttons on my UI (User Interface) and a small little sunshine emblem popped up.


    ¡°Yeah.¡±


    It¡¯s then that she realized she had been sleeping against me. Her cheeks flushed and she got up, stretching like a cat.


    She got up and set off towards the exit and I followed her. It took some effort in clambering out of the underground tunnels, but within a few minutes, we stood outside.


    A gentle breeze blew against us, with the sun shining for the first time in what felt like days. The slight warmth it brought was welcome.


    We both took a deep breath at the same time, before going forward.


    We marched in the direction of the cave that would lead us to solve the mystery of the winter¡¯s grip.


    _

 Chapter 24 - Tears of the Mourning King

    Chapter 24 - Tears of the Mourning King


    As we hiked over the snowy hills, I realized with renewed worry how close we came to kicking the bucket last time.


    There was nothing else besides the Sky Circle for kilometres. In the storm, I could hardly get Talia inside that strange cave...


    I could just shake my head. An area like this required your utmost focus, that much became abundantly clear.


    No wonder that unique primary class was such a high level, hidden all the way out in a blizzard country.


    The place was deadly!


    At the very least the blizzard had passed the night before, otherwise... No, get yourself together Leo!


    Its been a few hours since we left the Sky Circle and even though the weather played along for once... I had a bad feeling slithering up my spine. And it only got worse the more we headed in that direction.


    I had to shake of the feeling as we crested a hill and Talia pointed.


    There, quite a bit below, there were great frozen lakes that stretched for a long way in each direction with a small ice junction where they joined. Just beyond it, a massive claw like rock stuck out of the snow.


    A giant face adorned its side with frozen waterfalls dropping from its eyes, clearly marking the tears of the Mourning King.


    Once at the bottom of the hill, my feet touched the ice of the one frozen lake. I paused.


    ¡°Um, I¡¯m not too sure I trust the integrity of the ice. Maybe go around?¡±


    Talia looked at me like I was an alien.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong with you man, that would take hours. Buck up and let¡¯s go,¡± she said slapping my back.


    A groan escaped my lips, she was certainly lively. Though I had a bad experience with icy water, I couldn¡¯t find fault in her logic. Besides, it was in blizzard country, the ice would surely be thick enough, right?


    I tentatively strode forward, only to see Talia march with determination across the ice.


    Finally I sighed and moved closer to her pace.


    She spent a lot of time in this icy zone.


    Though, the sounds of creaking ice below us wore on my nerves.


    Crunch


    Creeeak


    As we got closer to the middle of the junction section between the two lakes. The sounds multiplied. Sounding more pronounced.


    Creaaaak, Twaaaang,


    Creeeek


    Just like that, that sweating mechanic started kicking in again. I felt droplets tumbling down my forehead and a pure groan of frustration puffed out of my lips.


    Strangely enough, my irritation at the completely unnecessary mechanic kept my nervousness from boiling over.


    Then, without warning. My feet stepped into snow.


    I looked down in surprise and realized we had gone all the way across. I cheerfully walked towards Talia.


    That is until I saw her very concerned face.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±


    ¡°The entrance... it is open.¡± She said in a daze, her eyes wide as saucers.


    Sure enough, there was a pathway that led deeper into the rock face and it was completely unobstructed. As I stepped closer, I saw a symbol on the side of the doorway between the two frozen waterfalls.


    It was of a spear with a unique head being thrust into the door.


    Ah¡­


    That explains why the gremlins had been looking for the spear. It was the key. But... what were they after?


    ¡°Come, at least we can enter.¡± I said to a visibly shaken Talia.


    Like coming out of a trance, she shook her head and followed me as we started down the walkway down into what clearly was a dungeon. Down the rocky pathway, multitudes of claw marks and trace reminded us that we were most probably not alone.


    Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site.


    I was thinking about using gale sense. But, the moment I did, I realized that wind needed to be present for it to work. Right then, there was nothing, not even a tiny breeze.


    The ruins around us seemed old. But something struck me as we continued in the downward spiral through the doors.


    Each door were reinforced from only one side. Like the whole place was built to keep something in, rather than out.


    That slithering feeling up my spine? Well it was working overtime.


    As we went down our third set of spiralling staircases, we entered into a hall. It had murals on the wall. The paint cracked at some places and some had collapsed over time.


    But something tugged at me to study them.


    The first was of a city, the markets all peaceful and merry.


    The second changed that. There was a group of explorers seeking riches. They went into a swampy ruin, not caring what they did. Something must have happened as their bodies lay on the floor, only one escaped.


    A chain laid broken. But following that, a large creature rose up out of a lake and with an army of what looked like gremlins. Thus the invasion of the city started in full. The utter chaos of the pictures gripped me. But I couldn¡¯t stop looking...


    The next showed a group of warriors leading the monster away from the city.


    A few murals were too broken to make out. But the next showed a figure embracing a crystal of cold and it enveloped all the lands in ice.


    The lakes froze and blizzards swept the plains. The city, once beautiful with its tall trees and many gardens, were consumed by ice storms.


    I picked up a fallen chunk of the mural. On it, the monster was chained and frozen.


    Then I heard sobs.


    I looked towards Talia, tears were running down her face.


    ¡°They...we caused this. We awakened the beast and its army. And the only way to stop its rampage was this crystal... What does it mean, Leo? Are we cursed to stay in this frozen wasteland for the rest of our lives?!!¡±


    Her voice cracked but a fierceness tinted each word. Tears flowing freely down her face.


    I grabbed her and held her in a hug as she sobbed.


    It remained true. Her plight was my plight. And it reminded me of how utterly different she was from all other NPCs. Yet... I still couldn¡¯t place her as an Adventurer, like me. There was something different about her.


    After several minutes, she pushed away and wiped at her tears.


    ¡°Forgive me... I...¡± She said sombrely.


    ¡°Don¡¯t be sorry. I can fully understand why you think that... But, nothing about this is set in stone. One thing you have to remember, there is always a way.¡± I said gripping my sword.


    ¡°You are right.¡± She said with a big sigh. ¡°There is no use in giving up.¡±


    ¡°Now, that is the Talia I know.¡±


    A small smile splayed her cherry lips.


    With that I held out my hand and she shook it.


    ¡°Let¡¯s get going then. We have a monster to fight.¡± I said.


    Saying it was one thing, but going through this icy prison was causing nothing but anxious tension.


    As we got to the end of the massive hallway, a huge door stood ajar. But nothing moved anywhere... and that was partly of what was creeping me out. Sure, we had killed the ice embraced gremlins before, however, they were busy releasing a boss level monster.


    I gulped as images of me respawning over and over previously to tackle high level bosses. But now... I didn¡¯t know what kicking the bucket meant with everything going on outside.


    Talia looked at me and I just shook my head. No need to make her even more nervous.


    Then the rough tunnel lead to a stone hallway that circled in two opposite directions. It was not ideal to have a split in the road. But, I saw a blue glow coming from both sides, so it probably led to the same place, probably.


    As I started to the left, Talia called.


    I turned and saw her motion into a room I had almost missed.


    Inside, there was several tables with cups and plates scattered about. An open door to the left revealed a long row of beds covered in frost and cobwebs. It made my thoughts a reality.


    This had been a barracks, the whole complex seemed to be a fortress of some sort. Long forgotten, sure, but, it was a place for warriors.


    As Talia was poking about in the cupboards, I walked into the barracks. There were locked chests all over the place, and before I would have stopped to check if I can pick a lot of them. But, we were both on a timer.


    Talia, because the gremlins were trying to release a giant monster into her world.


    And me, well... it was already 5 days in game since I landed in that snow patch. I desperately needed to get to a city, to at least check in with the other two.


    It crawled in me to just leave those chests untouched...


    Yet... I took a deep breath and rather stepped to the room behind bars.


    As I looked inside, there were a small sword, a dagger and two shields. From what I could see.


    An Armory!


    Well, that warranted a quick detour.


    ¡°Hey, Talia! Come help me here.¡± I called back into the other room.


    She quickly came in towards me.


    ¡°What did you find?¡±


    ¡°An Armory. There are bound to be some weapons we might be able to use. Help me remove the hinges.¡±


    They were old, and as we pushed. A loud Creeeeak sounded, and the first one gave out. And as I hit the last one with my sword¡¯s hilt, I gave the bars a small kick and the barred door swung free.


    I was just about to walk in-


    Ping!


    Curious, I tapped the icon.


    [Congrats! You started walking down the path of the great door kicker!]


    +3 Grip


    +3 Muscle memory


    A vein throbbed in my neck. That frikken...


    I shrugged as Talia looked at me with a frown.


    Just let it go, Leo... just let it go.


    I took a breath and stepped inside.


    The armory didn¡¯t have much to it, but I picked up the shields and gave one to Talia. I already had a sword that was much better than the one on the shelf, but it would do for Talia.


    She gave it a few swirls. ¡°It¡¯s a good weapon, the balance is a bit on the back, but it is better than anything they sell in Frosgard.¡±


    ¡°Good to know, we will definitely need all the help we can get.¡± I said, equipping the shield and sliding the dagger into its sheath and locking it in place on my belt.


    Identify.


    [Gravel Edge Shield][Uncommon]


    A shield that once belonged to the captain of the River Guard. It¡¯s sides are filled with polished river stone gravel. This technique is unique to the River Guard, and carries its own secrets.


    Rune Slot[...]


    Blocks 70 damage when held up


    +10 Toughness


    +10 Resistance


    Durability 850/850


    [???]


    [Swamp Dagger][Uncommon]


    A dagger from the swamp forts of Sturm Tsadar. It is a very old blade, yet the edge is still very sharp.


    Rune slots[...][...]


    +5% Attack Damage


    +1% To cause bleeding.


    </a> Sturm Tsadar... where have I heard that name before? I tried and tried, but nothing came to mind--


    A raw guttural roar sounded. Reverberating through the hallways.


    ¡°It has woken...¡± Talia said gravely.


    -

 Chapter 25 – What Slumbers Beneath

    Chapter 25 ¨C What Slumbers Beneath


    I steadily walked down the hallway, the muscles in my legs tensed at every little sound, making me want to slap them in nervous frustration. As we edged around the corner, light beams were visible through old stone gaps. It reminded me we were in an old fort.


    As I leaned in to look down, there was an expansive circular chamber, with remnants of what must have once been an awe-inspiring training arena. Now, it lay in disrepair, chunks of stone pillars enveloped in ice, a real battle scape.


    The once-grand viewing balconies now sagging under the weight of snow, and some completely broken. The icy grasp of winter had left its mark on the architecture, creating a haunting atmosphere, and many swords of fallen soldiers frozen in time.


    There was four massive chandeliers suspended high above the center of the chamber. A remnant of the grandeur that this place once possessed, adorned with frozen crystals and intricate metalwork.


    Crrrnch... Clank-Clank


    The sound of chains startled us both. Underneath the balconies large chains ground over iron joints as they moved, a piece of large ice broke open, revealing where it encircled the middle of a hulking giant monster. The creature was unlike anything I had ever seen in this frozen realm. It looked out of place, as if it had been transplanted from the depths of a swampy, untamed jungle. The only difference was, it was an icy blue.


    The monster was a formidable sight, its massive frame exuding power and menace, a large scaled tail swung back and forth. Its skin was covered in frozen vines and river sand, and its eyes glowed a bright green with an otherworldly malice. And as the chains held it captive, the creature thrashed and roared. It had massive arms as thick as tree trunks with large hands that ended in claws of blackened ice.


    Talia and I exchanged wide-eyed glances as the gravity of the situation sunk in. That was no ordinary opponent.


    It was a raid boss.


    There at the base of it¡¯s imposing size was five ice embraced gremlins. They didn¡¯t pose nearly as much a threat to us any more, not after gaining a primary class. But caution had brought me this far and I wasn¡¯t going to take any chances.


    ¡°Identify,¡± I whispered under my breath at the main Gremlin.


    Ice Embraced Gremlin Chief


    [Monster]


    Level 45


    These strange Gremlins are not common and even more dangerous than their normal brethren. It is said they have been altered by an ancient ice consumed evil that lurks below the frozen lakes. Only rumours exist of what that encounter did to them. But, one thing is clear. They mention their master, and they do its bidding coming to search the topside lands for some mysterious reason.


    [Extra info] Their bite can cause tissue to freeze over. If not warmed by fire or a suitable heating source, it will spread.


    [Clawed Leap] They are known to jump several metres to catch their prey off guard


    [Ice Sphere] A slow casting spell of pure ice. Dangerous.


    [Call of the Ice] In reach of their master, they gain a slowing aura.


    [Dangerous][Avoid taking on more than one.]


    That one was the highest of the 5, and a chief to boot. The Ice Sphere info unlocked, a nasty ability sure, but... I stared at another newly revealed part that was previously hidden. A slowing aura...


    ¡°Talia, listen to me. We have to hurry and stop them before they finish releasing that monster. But, you should know, they have a slowing aura now, so be careful when in close proximity to them.¡±


    ¡°Right. I don¡¯t plan on getting bitten again this time.¡± Talia said, brandishing her new shield and short sword.


    ¡°Okay, so let¡¯s work on the plan...¡±


    The snow crunched softly under my fur armor as I slid on my belly over one of the balconies towards the closest ice embraced gremlin. As I reached the edge, I peaked over and saw two of the creatures standing right below me, about twice my length down. As much as I wanted to make sure I got it perfect, I looked at the chief gremlin swirling its staff close to the raid boss.


    By the minute the ice encasing the monster became less and less, and I had a sinking feeling, once it disappeared, the monster would eat the artifact of ice that for so long imprisoned it and become so much more deadly.


    We were fortunate enough that it hadn¡¯t reached its full strength yet... However, I had no desire to fight that thing once it was free. We didn¡¯t have the numbers at all!


    So, with a slow movement I drew Xianmou out with my left hand. I needed my right for this to work effectively. I focused on the mana in my right arm and felt the air start crackling with electricity. Time to put my primary class to work.


    One look at Talia on an opposite balcony who nodded, I jumped down.


    In an instant Xianmou sliced through the one gremlin.


    Critical strike!


    It fell to the side, the combo circle started spinning and I spun my right hand towards the other gremlin. The leather taut under my tightening fingers as I shouted,


    ¡°Re! Va!¡±


    Lightning twirled around my forearm before instantly bursting out as a bolt of lightning as it slammed against the gremlin with a flash of color.


    Two.


    Talia slammed into another with her shield, sending it stumbling towards me. And with a rush I stabbed the sword forward, piercing it through.


    Three.


    I didn¡¯t want to risk going for more hits to get higher tier unlocks just yet. Not with the risk of missing.


    So, I immediately activated my Watcher¡¯s Strike Combo. My sword lifted above me and gleamed with light as with a flurry of steps, I swept forward and aimed for the Chief, holding the artifact.


    SHOOSH!


    The cold radiating object flew from its hands and was sent clattering across the arena. And with a quick reverse swing, I aimed to finish the Chief Gremlin.


    But, then as I slashed forward, suddenly everything felt sluggish, and instead of finishing the creature, I just wounded it.


    I should have known.


    The slowing buff would affect normal strikes far more than combo strikes.


    But no matter. I walked towards the gremlin trying to form an ice sphere. It finished faster than I thought.


    And in a last second, I quickly grabbed my shield from my back and the ice crashed over it, making my feet slide back a bit with the force.


    Phew!


    That was close. Too close. I quickly lunged forward and my sword ended the chief gremlin. I looked over to Talia who finished her opponent with a deft strike.


    I smiled.


    Wooosh!


    Then a colossal force slammed into me and sent me cartwheeling across the arena, as I flew hand over feet, I crashed with a loud impact into ice shattering it in a thousand pieces.


    Everything hurt. My head pounded.


    The ice crunched under my trembling arms as I tried pushing my torso up. With a deep shuddering breath, I looked up. The raid boss from between its mossy bangs had a malicious smile on its face. Most of it¡¯s body was freed, apart from one large chain remaining firmly on one of its arms, still bolted deep into the stone.


    ¡°Identify¡± I finally panted, pushing up against the hard surface.


    Taravog, the Giant Ice Embraced Mire Tyrant


    [Raid Boss] Level 60


    What lurks in the deep swamps of Sturm Tsadar. This monstrous beast is not to be trifled with. Are you prepared to team up and face the sheer terror of taking on the monster that once made a nation tremble?


    [Extra Info] ??


    [Ground Slam] The massive fists of this monster has crushed many a foe.


    [??]


    [??]


    [??]


    [??]


    [Extremely dangerous] Do not attempt this boss without a party of at least 4.


    This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.


    That¡¯s just great...


    I got up, my legs shaking a bit. With a quick tap, I checked my health.


    Health: 717/867


    Energy Bar: 100/834 [Tier 5 accessible]


    </a> Mana: 4830/5130


    Armor Rating: 111


    150! What the heck! That was just a side swipe. I licked my lips as that infuriating sweating mechanic started up. But, I was shocked enough by the developments that it hardly even registered.


    Ping!


    I looked to Talia standing behind a stone pillar with no place to really run.


    We had trouble.


    ~


    As I popped one of my four healing potions to bring my health up by a hundred. I checked my latest notification. Congratulations for finding a secret boss in Southern Arctic Region.


    + 1 Intelligence


    Congratulations for finding one of the secret raid bosses of Sturm Tsadar!


    + 2 Willpower


    More major attributes. I kind of expected the one from the Southern Arctic. But that second one was intriguing... and it giving me +2 in Willpower finally cleared up something for me. This was a challenge zone. Luckily not an elite zone. But challenge zones held lots of secrets but the difficulty put off most of your average players.


    Wait! Southern Arctic! Sturm Tsadar was in the Southern Arctic! I had read the name in a tome in one of the villages near the Frozen Spine. We always thought it was the edge of the world, though there still tales from the other side to fill in the story.


    Finally I knew relatively where I was in the world. But that little tidbit had to wait.


    I looked toward the arena below. To be honest, even in its chained compromised state of the raid boss, I didn¡¯t know if we could greatly wound the thing, much less beat it. Even if we tried.


    All I knew was, if it somehow gets hold of that old ice artifact, there would be no place to run. There might be a blizzard blowing up outside for all we knew!


    No, we needed to do something and do it fast.


    I was comforted slightly as I felt Battle Observer kick in. That at least would count in our favor.


    As I glanced around, I saw age old gears still with frost covering them, but I couldn¡¯t see how I would use their existence in the battle.


    I shook my head and motioned for Talia to stay behind the pillar. I needed to see what we were truly up against. With a deep breath, I activated Dance of the Ninja Mouse. The 3 minutes it would run for would help... I think.


    [Active]


    +3 Blind Awareness


    + 5 Stealth


    + 5 Reflexes


    With that, I ran towards the boss monster and drew my sword Xianmou.


    The stealth wouldn¡¯t be of real help with it seeing me, but I hoped that if it lost sight of me that it would be a challenge to find me again.


    Almost immediately the creature perked up and lifted his huge free claw with its black ice talons and swiped down at me.


    I jumped forward and the claw crashed into the stone floor.


    CRAAAAAASH!!


    The earth quaked beneath me and I sprinted towards its legs as a cloud of dust rushed past me. The momentary concealment didn¡¯t comfort me as I came up to its huge foot.


    It¡¯s large toe was bigger than me! It¡¯s toe!


    So, I stabbed it.


    ROOOOOOAAAAAR!!!!


    As the blade came free, I booked it in the other direction as Taravog stomped down on the place I had just been. Briefly still in concealment, I rolled behind a rock and looked up at its health bar. The damage I just did was a sliver of a sliver.


    Uh oh...


    I needed to up the ante. At this rate, I couldn¡¯t imagine us hurting the thing. And even if we did, what about the next stages of the fight?


    I pulled out one of the fangs from the ice-embraced gremlins. ¡°Worth a try...¡±


    I checked my first tier combos list. If I could use a large vertical swing move, I might be able to hammer the fang into its foot.


    Fang in hand, I ran back to the raid boss and luckily the stealth and the barely lingering dust cloud helped me come close without being noticed.


    I needed five hits within short intervals from each other. How hard could it be on something that large?


    Xianmou swung and sliced into the giant¡¯s foot once more, and I spun it around and sliced again. The creature roared again, but this time I ignored it and I swung for the third time.


    But just as I swung for the fourth hit in the combo, the foot came down with a bang.


    CRAAAAASSSHH!!


    I barely jumped out of the way of ice stalagmites that popped through the floor in time. Even then, the shock wave of the stomp still sent me flying over a fallen pillar. Groaning, I got up and rushed forward over the distance I got flung, but just before I could close the gap and land the fourth hit in the combo, the timer ran out and the combo reset.


    I swung nonetheless and started it again at one. But within getting a third strike, another shock wave of a stomp sent me stumbling.


    Darn!


    As I got up, I ran towards where Talia was standing behind the pillar. I briefly looked back at where Taravog stood, expecting it to be staring at me. But the moment I left it¡¯s perimeter, it turned its attention to the massive chain still keeping it in that area. It started slamming into it.


    CLANG!


    CLANG!


    Not ideal at all! If it managed to break that chain, we would be in big doo doo.


    ¡°Talia, I quickly need your help. We need to do some damage to that thing that would distract it. We need to see if there are any writings in this area that would give us a clue to previous accounts of fighting this monster. Okay?¡±


    ¡°Okay, but I don¡¯t think we can beat this monster Leo-¡±


    CLANG!


    CLANG!


    ¡°If we don¡¯t try, and it breaks free... it would rampage across this land again.¡±


    Talia straightened her shoulders. Her eyes fierce in that moment. ¡°How do I help?¡±


    I laid out my plan and Talia drew her sword as I grabbed some stones lying around.


    Then I walked into middle of the large chamber and looked at the raid boss striking at the chain.


    ¡°Oi! You there. Don¡¯t you dare forget about me.¡±


    Taravog turned and glared down at me, it¡¯s teeth flashed underneath slimy tendrils of swamp grunge, and I couldn¡¯t help but gulp. I do not want to be gnawed on by that thing. It wasn¡¯t clean at all!


    Just then the raid boss¡¯ eyes flashed in pain and it looked down. Talia looked downright miniscule against the giant monster¡¯s foot. She quickly withdrew her sword and ran.


    And just as the monster lifted his foot up in the air to stomp, I ran forward, and planted the fang in a crack in the floor and jumped away.


    CRAAAASH!!!


    Again spiked stalagmites broke through the floor with the stomp and I barely tumbled across the floor from being so close to it. Even lost ten health for my efforts.


    But it had worked, at the top of the Taravog¡¯s health bar, a small blue debuff appeared. Though I had no idea how much the gremlin¡¯s fang would affect a Raid Boss.


    What at least helped was the fact, The boss looked agitated and for a moment not focussed on the chain keeping it in place. Man! Without that chain, I wouldn¡¯t even have tried fighting that thing.


    As Talia threw sharp objects at the creature from a safe distance, I slowed my breathing and closed my eyes for a moment. I couldn¡¯t waste my next ability, I needed to be in control of my body.


    I activated Whispers Edge I [Expert]


    [Active] Upon activating Whispers Edge, you greatly focus to glean the secrets in your vicinity. (1 minute)


    +50 % Chance to see the things hidden from view and perception. [7 hour cool down.]


    Immediately, I opened my eyes and looked around. There was dots of light on several places around the room, but there was no way I could check out all of them in 1 minute. And that 7 hour cooldown loomed over me. So, I tried to see if there was a place with concentrated points of interest.


    Quickly, quickly...


    With 25 seconds to go, my eyes fell on a book that glowed brightly on top of one of the broken balconies. I ran forward and activated Wind Step


    20 Steps


    1 second cooldown between steps.


    Final Cooldown: 1 minute


    I used ten of the wind steps to get up to the balcony and I grabbed the book and hurriedly flipped through it until I hit the page that was glowing so brightly. As I looked at the page as the last few seconds ticked off, a part of an old drawing from the Mire Tyrant glowed high on its back, before my ability wore off.


    Looking at the book, it was clear it was written by one of the knights that managed to lead the monster into this massive chamber before the frost consumed the land in the party¡¯s sacrifice.


    There was faded text below, ¡°... a ballista shot a harpoon into the back of the beast, and for the first time since our siege on the abomination begun, we started weakening it...¡±


    Fascinating.


    Oi! Level designers! How on earth should players normally ever have found that?!!I shook my head and looked down at the creature trying to swat at the quick moving Talia. An idea started forming in my mind. Obviously my fellow devs liked to brag about how they sometimes added more than one way how their in-game bosses could be taken down. So, it got me thinking about the Arena we were in. I looked at the one skew Chandelier a part of it frozen in ice on the one side.


    Sure, if it was just players with a full party they might think of using a full on mage with explosions or team mate that had a class around bombs and the like to destroy the chain on the chandelier. But...


    We had none of that.


    Tsk.


    I gnawed on the knuckle of my finger. How can I get that chandelier drop on this creature without explosions?


    With a leap, I jumped down. I had to think. It had an ice debuff to it now with fang in its foot. But that didn¡¯t help me with getting how on earth to break that ice on the chandelier. For now, I gritted my teeth and ran into the fray. Chopping at it¡¯s giant big toe to get my combo up. I sliced under the large nail, scoring the first strike and my second. Talia leapt onto its knee from a broken pillar and ran up to it¡¯s old sandy belt. The monster boss focussed on her and swiped.


    This opened a window for me and I scored my third, fourth and fifth strike on it¡¯s foot. My first combo meter opened up. And I... no two more! I rushed forward as it lifted it¡¯s foot for a massive stomp.


    It was risky. But I had to try something. I flashed forward and swung underneath it¡¯s foot as I let my blade slice three more times and activated my most vertical combo slicing into it¡¯s foot.


    I jumped forward after to get out of the way.


    It was too late.


    The giant foot came down, and my eyes opened wide. Just a second more and I would have gone out from under it.


    I heard water sounds, but I couldn¡¯t begin to look. I braced my arms.


    Next thing I knew, the giant raid boss¡¯ foot swung to the side and as I glanced over. It¡¯s entire form lost it¡¯s balance and tumbled into the froze ice wall.


    CRRAAAAAASSSH! SHICK! SHICK!


    Ice shattered and the first frozen chandelier swung free.


    ¡°What the...¡±


    I stared flabbergasted at the scene with the Mire Tyrant on its back. A tenth of its health gone. What just happened?


    My eyes slid over to Talia standing with her arms out frozen streaks of water in spikes on the floor. She breathed heavily but smiled at me.


    ¡°I thought if I cast water under it¡¯s foot, it would freeze and make him slip.¡±


    ¡°Whoa. That is... so cool! Wait, how can you cast water?¡± I asked in utter confusion.


    Talia giggled, and I couldn¡¯t help but smile.


    ¡°¡¯We seek the way of Stars.¡¯ Remember?¡± Talia said and our dual unlock of the path of stars popped into my head.


    ¡°You are a Star Cartographer too! Of course.¡± I said, and I was about to go on about it when we heard the arena tremble.


    We turned and stared at the hulking form of the giant monster and knew the fight was far from over.


    Immediately I shouted, ¡°You go to the left, distract him somehow. I will bring the first chandelier down!¡±


    Talia nodded and we both scrambled in opposite directions. I activated Dance of the Ninja mouse again just as I ran behind broken pillars. And the stealth worked as the boss turned towards Talia.


    My Battle Observer also kicked in again.


    +10 Perception while in battle.


    +5 Insight while in battle.


    +30% chance to reveal objects that can be used in a fight.


    Again thankful of unlocking that thing! Even if it was under heavy duress. I scanned and located the slight glow of the ancient gears under the chandelier¡¯s chain. I ran towards it and stopped. I was there alright.


    Um... how do I activate it...


    I hadn¡¯t the foggiest idea.

 Chapter 26 – A Tyrant’s Sunder

    Chapter 26 ¨C A Tyrant¡¯s Sunder


    I roared as I jumped from high swinging down with Xianmou at the gears. And again it was met with failure as the gears stayed unmoving.


    ¡°LEO! I am running out of room here! Hurry!¡± Talia shouted in panic from the other side, her arm up. A water shield the only thing that kept her from taking the full force of the Giant Ice Embraced Mire Tyrant¡¯s arm swings.


    Again the monster swept it¡¯s massive claws and Talia¡¯s water shield broke and the claws connected with her iron one, sending her skidding into a corner.


    Think. Think.


    I looked at the large gears holding the chains of the dangling chandelier. Clearly the Boss fight designer of this arena had this as one of the many secret ways to do extra damage to the boss. But how to activate it! I didn¡¯t have the time to go look through all the books to find it!


    With a team of more players this would have been a simple matter, have multiple tanks and the like keep the boss busy while someone search for one of the ways to defeat it.


    I was alone, and Talia was losing ground fast.


    My eyes darted to and fro, before I hurriedly opened my skills tab. Monster hunter was a no go against that thing. Fire starter in its current form was only useful in using things available to create a fire. And I couldn¡¯t dare burning the books, the books that might hold a clue to beating the thing. Not to mention it was an icy arena.


    So no help there.


    ¡°Whispers Edge I [Expert]¡± would have been perfect. But it was its crazy cool-down. Six and a half hours to go. They¡¯d be dead long before then. Maybe... no. I am no coward.


    Extreme mountaineer, no. Trap making, no. Herbalism, heck no.


    Just then Talia screamed, I looked up and saw her on the ground, the water shield dissipating, only the iron shield raised as the Tyrant¡¯s arm came falling dawn.


    I scrambled forward, but knew I would never make it in time.


    At the last moment, I remembered another skill.


    ¡°Guardian¡¯s Heart!¡± I shouted at the top of my lungs, my hand shot out.


    A silver barrier formed over Talia as the Mire Tyrant¡¯s claws came slamming down.


    CRAAAAAASH!!!


    Sparks flew and ice gave way below Talia.


    As the claws lifted, Talia was there wild eyed. She scrambled away behind some pillars and nodded gravely at me.


    Too close.


    We didn¡¯t have the luxury of time to figure out this boss fight in the normal way.


    Just then in the corner of my eye, I saw the icon of my Primary Class trees.


    Wait... Rune Seeker!!


    ¡°Talia, I might have an idea. Just keep that things focus for twenty more seconds!¡±


    ¡°Fine! But hurry!¡± She shouted back, but I could hear the panic in her voice. So, I wasted no time in bringing up the skill.


    Rune Seeker


    A whisper in the fog reveals old secrets.


    Upon the whisper, reveals Runes for 20 seconds.


    -


    100% chance to reveal Novice Runes


    60% chance to reveal Apprentice Runes


    50% chance to reveal Journeyman Runes


    10% chance to reveal Expert Runes


    5% chance to reveal Master Runes


    ¡°


    If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.


    ¡°


    ¡°


    ¡°


    ¡°


    ¡°


    ¡°Let¡¯s do this.¡± I said with a grin. Talia putting her trust in me had stirred something deep in me.


    ¡°Yes. Leo Stormchild. Let¡¯s finish this.¡± Talia said, a small quirky smile tugging at her ruby lips, the first time since I woke up next to the fire that saved me.


    I pointed to the side and Talia ran that way. I went to the right.


    This time as I activated Dance of the Ninja Mouse, I held Rune Seeker ready as well.


    Having observed the predator like grace of stealth, you know that your movement needs to be able to learn the evasive dance to stay alive.


    +3 Muscle Memory [Passive]


    +3 Blind Awareness [Active]


    + 5 Stealth [Active]


    + 5 Reflexes [Active]


    Upon Activating this skill, you attune yourself to your surroundings and your body. Being able to learn to true stealth, one must embrace the dance.(3 minutes)(1 minute cool down.)


    As Talia got in place to it¡¯s side, I was first to rush towards it.


    Immediately the raid boss giant body lowered, it¡¯s feet set as it lifted both black ice claws this time out wide. The large chain still attached to its one arm rattled.


    CLING! CLING!


    Then a large grin formed on its face, as its dagger like fangs spread its maw.


    I was right. This was a completely different move set. Who knows how dangerous it was. With practice I ran towards it like I had before to go cut at its foot.


    But I was shocked a moment later as it spun with new dexterity and its huge paws clashed together right in front of me.


    BAAAAANG!


    If I hadn¡¯t expected something strange, I wouldn¡¯t have made the leap back. However, the attack had a thunder clap. And the shock wave sent me flying back at break neck speed.


    Oooof... aghk....thrrrrr...


    I grunted as I rolled heavily on the floor, until I skid to a stop. A little icon popped up.


    Dazed! (20 seconds)


    My ears rung and I checked my health.


    Health: 470/867


    Energy Bar: 100/834 [Tier 5 accessible]


    </a> Mana: 3200/5130


    Armor Rating: 111


    247 Health lost with that one attack... fudge!


    My head still spun, but the monster turned towards Talia, and I closed my eyes and shouted the best I can.


    ¡°Talia! The clap has a shock wave!!! Dodge now!¡±


    I heard the thunderous sound once more.


    BAAAANG!


    Luckily as I opened my eyes, Talia had cleverly used a pillar to hide from the shock wave.


    A few seconds later my debuff ebbed away and my vision cleared. As much as I wanted to hide then, I knew if Talia did the same, the Mire Tyrant might finally break his chain and get to the ice artifact. And then we would be utterly and totally screwed.


    So, I jumped up and ran towards the Mire Tyrant, as I was still looking at Talia, I had a moment to study it. It had a number of glowing pustules on it. Clearly meant to signify some sort of weak points. But which ones would do more damage, or was there an order to stabbing the three pustules.


    If I learned anything in my frantic survival in this challenge zone. There was always a hidden trick to it. I glanced again at the bookshelves at the edge of the arena. They had to have clues. But I shook my head. It would take too long.


    This time I activated Rune Seeker without hesitation. Immediately, the three pustules took on different colors. The Novice on it¡¯s knee. The Expert one it¡¯s chest. The Master one on it¡¯s forehead. But then, before I could start planning my next move, I saw with the monster¡¯s movement a flicker of soft light on the back of it¡¯s head. Huh?


    ¡°Talia! Fire water at it¡¯s feet and then run back in hiding!¡± I shouted.


    Next thing I saw, Talia¡¯s hands took on an intricate dance before water materialized in the air, firing towards the boss monster. I wasted now time in activating Wind step.


    Creates steps in the air under your feet.


    20 Steps


    1 second cooldown between steps.


    Final Cooldown: 1 minute


    I made 5 steps up to the lowest of the hanging balconies. Upon looking over the boss from the higher vantage point. I saw a tiny rune on the back of it¡¯s head, where its broad next started. An Ancient Rune. Just then my Rune Seeker flickered off and started it¡¯s cool down. But I could see a small dark green insignia on that place.


    I shook my head. How? No. I wasn¡¯t going to try and imagine what was going through my fellow employees heads when they developed the seed for this boss. I was in this world now, stuck there, and glad they added so many hidden ways to progress in it.


    That mark was the highest damage dealing point and I was going to stab it. But how to get close...


    I looked at it¡¯s stance aimed towards Talia at that moment. And then my eyes fell on the chain.


    That¡¯s how.


    I grinned and jumped down into the arena again, running towards the boss at a different angle. I paused and ran the numbers through my brain. It might just be enough. I just had to time it right.


    ¡°Talia, I¡¯m going to do a really risky move.¡± I shouted. ¡°But it might end the fight for us. Shoot the water shards at the big chain when I give the signal.¡±


    I heard an affirmative, before I steadied myself and held up Xianmou and waited for its Master¡¯s Edge to activate. The blade started gleaming and I burst forward. I immediately activated ten more steps on Wind step. Putting it at 5 left before cool down. I ran up them towards the Mire Tyrant¡¯s back.


    Almost immediately, the raid boss spun towards me and readied its dangerous thunder clap attack. I had to act fast. I made a 16<sup>th</sup> step to the left and jumped towards it.


    ¡°Now!¡± I shouted, but couldn¡¯t look what Talia was doing.


    Then the monstrous boss slammed its giant hands towards each other. I was too close to dodge the most dangerous part of the attack...


    I cringed, hoping my theory panned out.


    Moments later I heard.


    CHIIIIIIIIIIIING! CLAANG! Crack!


    I had a moment to look, and I saw it¡¯s one hand stop short of the other, halted by the massive chain, now frozen stiff.


    It worked?


    ¡°It worked!¡± I shouted in joy and then had to jump to a 17<sup>th</sup> step as the boss took a random swipe at me with it¡¯s free arm. The black ice claws missing me barely.


    Pheeew!


    I had no time dawdle, so I made my last three steps and ran forward leaping on the monster¡¯s large back. A small icon flickered next to the boss¡¯ health bar, but I ignored it. What I did not count on was how wild the monster would go when I was on it¡¯s back.


    I saw Talia get smacked by it¡¯s tail and get flung to the side of the arena, looking hurt.


    But I couldn¡¯t go to help her. It continued to wildly thrash and roared, and I almost fell off. But at the last moment, I saw the mark and swung my sword into the now light-less rune. A huge flash of light momentarily blinded me.


    I got flung from the boss, not able to see, I crashed hard into rocks. Tumbling to a stop, sweat dripping from my features. I took a lot more damage that time... I could feel it. The edges of my vision was flashing red as alert to my low health.


    A few moments passed and my eyes cleared. But instead of seeing the boss fall and die, I looked up in horror as its giant grinning was no more that a meter away from me. The large chain that had been the only thing that saved as from a very short fight and a terrible death was broken, a small remnant of it hanging from its dark wrist. I stared helpless at its otherworldly grin and glowing eyes as it pulled its hands back for its sundering clap.


    I had no tricks left. Nowhere to go.