《Not another zombie apocalypse role playing game》 Chapter one: I overslept ¡°Hi. I apologize for the coughing, I feel like a mummy. How to begin? Hope this is coming through alright. Not sure how these recordings work. Anyway. I can¡®t say for how long I¡¯ve been under. Nothing here works, the only thing that seems to have held was my container. I¡®m still feeling a bit unfocused. When I was born, it was discovered that I had an incurable disease. I still lived for twenty years before we resorted to storing me away in the hopes that the future would make a great break-through. I can feel the underlying pain course through me, this is the first signs of the end for me. It¡¯s a strange thing. My body would be close to immortal because of my cells constant regeneration but there is something that fights back with extreme aggression. It doesn¡¯t make my body stronger, in fact it just makes it harder to gain and sustain muscle mass. This causes my body to be in constant pain. Right now, it¡¯s not that bad, but in a few years the destructive elements in my body will grow stronger and the pain will be more concentrated. You must be wondering. Why am I telling you all of this? No reason, really. I am just having a hard time believing any of this is real. When I woke up the first thing that I saw, even before I opened my eyes, was this screen. It was an information sheet. Filled with attributes, it looks like the role playing games I used to play. Stamina, strength, agility, dexterity, concentration, awareness, reflexes, vision, cerebral processing, hunger, endurance. It goes on and on. A bit more numerous than the norm. I haven¡ät gone too much into it, but it is extremely user friendly. The problem is, what am I supposed to do with his information? There are empty tabs such as passive abilities, active abilities and empowerment. Only the passive ability has something in it. Called rested. Apparently it gives me five hundred percent increased experience.¡±
|Rested|
Increases experience by five hundred percent. Lasts for an indefinite amount of time. Currently impossible to calculate an approximate. Experience penalties and experience caps still apply.
¡°You don¡¯t have to mock me, I realize where this whole thing is going by now. But when I woke up I was in such a dazed state I couldn¡¯t even make out what whatever that voice was telling me. I¡¯m afraid I missed out on some important information. My legs and hands feel so extremely heavy, my entire body feels off balance. I¡¯ve been making my way around on all fours, crawling on the wet and muddy floor. I guess we have a leak somewhere. I have no idea where I am, the last thing I remember before I was being put under was that I was saying goodbye to my family and friends. Being reassured by the doctors that I would be ¡®just fine¡¯. Well, I feel cheated. I think the cold air makes the pain worse. I¡¯m not sure where it¡¯s even coming from, probably one of the vents. Oh right. Check this out.¡± ¡°In the gloomy dark room, lit only by the half working machinery. Our hero sits in quiet contemplation.¡± ¡°This is an option I can turn on, it¡¯s kind of nice. It¡¯s almost like there is someone here with me. Wish I could the change the voice, it¡¯s a bit unemotional. He tends to repeat things often if I¡¯m not doing anything. Luckily I can edit everything on the fly, so I have some privacy.¡± ¡°After facing extreme odds our protagonist slept for over thousand years in a quiet underground facility used to house the sole heir of the incredibly wealthy Aleksy family.¡± ¡°Hehe, that¡¯s me, Ji Aleksy. My friends call me Ji or Jay. Used to at least, somehow doubt they lived to be a thousand something. If I am to take the narrator''s voice seriously, that is. Although I had a pretty hard time moving when I got out of that container I¡¯m much better now and improving rapidly. You see it wasn¡¯t just the convenient user interface I found, there is also a digital inventory. And in it were some soft, pristine meat buns.¡±
|Not at all suspicious looking meat buns|
Adds twenty to regeneration, lasts one hour. Increases regeneration by fifty percent, lasts one hour. Delicious.
¡°I know what you¡¯re thinking, that¡¯s a suspicious looking name. I¡¯m afraid I don¡¯t have too much of a choice in my current predicament. I think I¡¯m slowly coming to the realization that this is all real. It¡¯s hard to ignore this pain. I think I may have a couple years or so before the pain becomes so intense that I¡¯ll need to be on constant pain medication.¡± ¡°Our delusional hero plans his future, believing that the world he left behind has been waiting for him. Unknown to him, what awaits him are horrors beyond belief.¡±Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more. ¡°Wait. What? Horrors? This is the first time I¡¯m hearing this. Oi! You bastard, what has happened to the world?¡± ¡°The cries of the wronged echoes in the otherwise quiet underground cellar. Truly the world is unkind.¡± ¡°No. Not ¡®truly the world is unkind¡¯, what has actually happened? How am I even supposed to get out of this place? I¡¯m getting too worked up, I should be able to find a door somewhere around this place. Curious why or how I can keep so calm? You have to adapt when you¡¯re told your life will be on the shorter end of the spectrum. Not only that, mine is and was supposed to be one riddled with chronic pain. So you know, magic buns, mystical narrator and extreme changes to reality doesn¡¯t seem bad in any way. Surprising, yes, but not really something I object to. In fact I embrace anything that gives me even a glimmer of a hope to battle what is essentially a fixed fight.¡± ¡°Oblivious to his surroundings and deep in thought our feeble protagonist doesn¡¯t notice the incredibly obvious doorway leading to a stairway that leads to the upper levels of this underground facility.¡± ¡°Right, a doorway, that may lead somewhere. This isn¡¯t exactly the best place to take a nap, I guess I could try and lie on that table. At least it¡¯s not on the wet floor. Being completely naked isn¡¯t going to work though. I think it is time to try for a better place. Preferably somewhere dry and with clothing.¡± ¡°We watch him muster his courage to explore the new world he once abandoned but has now no choice but to embrace.¡± ¡°Gotta love the dramatics, we need some background music though. Haha. No way! Some instrumental music just popped up, really fitting to the gloomy situation as well. Not bad! Not bad at all. Hmm. I was twenty one before I was put under. But the narrator said a thousand years have passed. Does that make me the oldest human beings in the world?¡± ¡°The ancient ones rises. Makes his way through the terrifying doorway. A doorway that has not been passed for over a thousand years! Every step now sullies this ancient place. Surely this is considered sacrilegious.¡± ¡°What ancient place? It¡¯s a rundown cellar with machines to run my life-support. There is dramatic and there is overly dramatic. I like your style narrator. Even though it¡¯s very dark. There is some light coming of still surviving machinery, giving the whole area a pretty dangerous look it, but it allows me to barely make out the place. At parts its pitch black though. But we don¡¯t fear the dark, now do we?¡± ¡°Fearless, courageous, brave, determined and light hearted. Our naive little protagonist makes his way through the abandoned facility.¡± ¡°See, abandoned. Meaning there is nothing here but me.¡± ¡°Little does he know that in the darkness lies terror, ready to strike.¡± ¡°What!? Mention that sooner. Damn. I feel naked without a weapon. Well, I¡¯d still be naked even if I had a weapon, but that is beside the point. I have to keep an eye out for something I could use to swing. Oh. Right. There is a stick in the inventory, I was wondering what that was for.¡±
|Worthless stick|
While in hand Increases physical damage by an additional ten Increases physical damage by ten percent. ¡°This is a stick.¡±
¡°So, I¡¯ve been given food and weaponry. Were clothes too much to ask for? People will think I have a strange hobbies if this continues.¡± ¡°With weary eyes, tired limbs, heavy heart but high spirits our protagonist swiftly makes his way up the staircase, ready to fend off anything thrown at him.¡± ¡°Damn straight! Come and get it!¡± ¡°Our hero is given the choices of turning left, leading into an ambush and to the right which leads to the surface. Will he clear a hidden quest for a reward or head to safety?¡± ¡°Safety? Ambush? Hidden quests and a reward? Ha! Not much of a choice is there? Let¡¯s see what lies is in wait for me. Left was it?¡± ¡°The stench of rot exudes from the otherwise inconspicuous room, down the hallway is a half open door. If you listen closely, you¡¯ll hear the silent breathing of the undying.¡± ¡°So it¡¯s a zombie scenario? Can¡¯t say I¡¯m very surprised. But I¡¯m starting to appreciate the narrator more and more.¡± ¡°As if guided by the divine ones, the ancient one, picks the one choice that would leave the unprepared in dire straits.¡± ¡°Haha. God, I love this guy. Or is a girl? It¡¯s hard to make it out from voice alone. Alright, let¡¯s stay focused here. Got my stick raised and ready to swing it down.¡± ¡°Slowly approaching the half open door, our protagonist kicks it open with his left leg, his stance horribly awkward. He barely manages to keep his balance.¡± ¡°Hey! I¡¯ve been asleep for a millennium!¡± ¡°The noise created by the door being violently kicked into the wall behind it alerts what should not have been disturbed.¡± ¡°My. The gloomy instrumental music starts changing into a more simplistic beat. Something like ¡®boom. Du, du. Boom. Du, du.¡¯ No? I guess it¡¯s hard to describe. Let¡¯s leave that for now. I still can¡¯t see any terrifying being. I¡¯m expecting a zombie to pop out sooner or later. I think it¡¯s a better idea to stay back and wait for it to show itself.¡± ¡°The slow moving undying creature makes its way towards its prey. Ready to feed it¡¯s never ending hunger. Will it taste flesh after centuries of perpetual starvation? Will our protagonist persevere and vanquish this foe? Stay with me and find out.¡± ¡°I can¡¯t help but smile. I can see the over hyped foe slowly inching his way towards me. It looks disgusting sure, its face as if it was melting. The smell is becoming more intense but the speed it¡¯s moving at though. I mean, come on. This can¡¯t be a challenge, right? It can¡¯t even walk properly.¡° ¡°A standstill occurs, the calm before the storm! The vile beast rushes towards the protagonist who in turn moves with lightning like reflexes and swings his unyielding weapon. The weapon manages to break through the aberrations defenses and crushes its dome. A magnificent performance.¡± It was incredibly slow, how was that dangerous? In what way? Even a child can kill what was essentially a walking target dummy.¡±
Your level has increased to two! You have met the experience cap. You gain no further experience for this enemy. All attributes have increased by one for clearing a hidden mission. All attributes have increased by one for leveling up for the first time. You can distribute ten attribute points as you like.
¡°Thrilled by his victory our hero stares blankly into the air in awe of himself, a surprising act of narcissism.¡± ¡°Stare blankly into the air? I''m reading the notification! Injustice, an assault to my character. Well. This is just plain amazing. I¡¯m watching the disgusting looking corpse dematerialize, at quite the rapid pace as well. ¡°As the undying is allowed rest, it leaves behind a reminder of its tortuous stay on this plane.¡±
|Undead remains|
Crafting materials. Can be used for various crafting professions.
¡°Eh. Waste not, want not. Right? No? What? Whatever, I¡¯m keeping it.¡± ¡°Some shiver at the image of our hero picking up a rotten piece of undying skin and storing it. Let us not judge, people can have hobbies.¡± ¡°What?! Want me to just leave my hard earned loot? Chapter two: A life and death battle! ¡°Let¡¯s see. These attributes. I can assign ten points into whatever I want right? Hmm. ¡°Our nail-biting hero contemplates his next moves with care, after expertly defeating a fiend so vile it turns the stomach.¡± ¡°Ah. Nail-biting is bad habit, but at least my nails grow back quickly. Alright let''s check out the stats. Hmm.¡±
Unlocked attributes
Stamina Increases number of physical actions that can be performed without rest
Strength Increases the physical power of an action
Agility Increases speed of physical movements
Dexterity Increases handling of items with hands or feet
Concentration Increases number of mental actions that can be performed without rest
Intelligence Increases the speed of a mental action
Willpower Increases mental defenses
Awareness Increases quantity of objects discernable at one time
Reflexes Increases speed of unconscious actions performed
Vision Increases quality of details gathered with eyesight
Digestion Increase the amount of nutrients processed
Courage Increases the threshold for fear
Focus Increase the mental power of an action
Inventive Increase the chances of creating new items through crafting
Knowledge Increase the quantity of information stored
Fortitude Increases physical defenses
Greed Increase the amount of gains or retains from non player transactions
Cunning Increase ability to deceive non player characters.
Regeneration Increase physical and mental recovery speed
¡°Digestion? That one seems a bit strange. Not sure about all that mental stuff. I don¡¯t really understand it. Maybe i¡¯ll get some powers? I¡¯ve still got a few of those buns in my inventory. They gave me twenty additional regeneration, and increased it by fifty percent as well. That was very helpful but not cut off my arm and regrow it helpful. So, ten points into one specific attribute shouldn¡¯t be too big of an upgrade, right? Well. I¡¯ve always wanted to be fast. So let¡¯s put it all into-, or do we put into agility and dexterity? Okay, I got it. Four points into each and two into Reflexes.¡± ¡°Every step could be his last, every breath his final breath. Every shadow a foe, every sound an announcement of the impending doom.¡± ¡°The hallway to the right is turning out to be a lot darker. I wonder where the electricity is coming from, there must be one amazing generator that kept me alive all this time. Looks like the electricity is barely holding on. It¡¯s probably failing, most likely the reason I was taken out of cryostasis, some sort of failsafe. Most amazing is that the lights even work. Probably L.E.D¡¯s? What a long-ass hallway. There are occasional lights that come on by themselves, nothing magical, just sensors that haven¡¯t been activated for what is probably centuries.¡± ¡°Three paths are laid before our protagonist. Will he climb the flight of stairs, towards the surface? Will he climb up the broken elevator shaft? Or will he explore the rooms on this level?¡± ¡°Climb up the broken elevator shaft? Do I looked bored to you? Why would anyone pick that option?¡± ¡°Will our hero explore the rooms and heroically clear another hidden mission? Will he find the hidden floor accessible only through the vents located in the broken down elevator shaft? Or will he take the stairs that lead to a dead end? Stay with us to find out.¡± Who is us? Of course I¡¯m not going to go up the stairs now. Hmm. Hidden mission seems pretty good. A lot better value than just leveling. I mean I got one to every attribute last time. There are so many of them. I counted nineteen but a lot were blurred out.If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. There are a few brittle looking sofas and chairs lying around. A few tables and a small kitchen. I¡¯m guessing there were some people stationed here and this was the place to sit down and relax. A giant tv-screen is hanging a bit slanted in front of some couches and a fairly large table. To the left there are two doors, to the right are another two doors. And upfront is another door that is clearly the elevator door.¡±
Maintenance
¡°That¡¯s got to be where the power generator is. Let¡¯s check it out.¡± ¡°With a weapon in hand our fragile main character pokes the door to what could be considered an ancient burial ground. Nothing good comes from provoking the dead.¡± ¡°I didn''t ask anyone to be buried down here with me. And stop calling me fragile or feeble. I¡¯m a strong independent man. The door makes a screeching sound that makes my skin crawl. Man, now I¡¯ve got goosebumps. Hello?¡± ¡°The droning of an ancient evil reverberates through the room. Something has awoken.¡± Shush! I¡¯m concentrating. I¡¯m going to push the door all the way. Definitely not going in there though. ¡°A soul tearing sound erupts from the entrance of the vile creature¡¯s lair, perhaps this was a trap all along? An ancient device used to alert the vile and vicious?¡± ¡°The door is just rusted, what are you talking about? Ah. Shit. That definitely did alert everything in here. I can hear them shuffle about in the other rooms. The doors will probably keep them at bay, right?¡± ¡°Our hero has now encountered yet another danger, his naive and reckless actions have provoked the legion of the undying. How will he ever battle that which feels no pain? Feels no exhaustion? Never sleeps and always hungers? Tremble with me, for this could be his last¡± Eh? You¡¯re scaring me a bit here. Did I really provoke a legion of these things? How many could there be around here? ¡°The droning intensifies, they have caught his scent. Will this be a case of fight or flight? Stay with me to find out, right after these messages.¡± Am I on television or something? Who exactly are you talking to? Oh shi- It¡¯s coming! Damnit. It¡¯s another slow moving zombie. It¡¯s literally crawling towards me with only one hand. And somehow using its chin to gain some momentum. Do I have to lie down on the ground to make this an even fight? I feel cheated. Hehe. Let¡¯s not complain about easy wins. ¡°With extreme precision and power our hero shatters the undead head, a remarkable achievement. Completely unexpected. One can¡¯t help but feel awe and amazement.¡±
Your level has increased to three! You have met the experience cap. You gain no further experience for this enemy. You can distribute ten attribute points as you like.
You have started a hidden mission
|Underground lair and their ilk|
Clear out all the undying creatures lurking in the underground lair.
¡°They are not all going to be like this, right? I wonder if they have just been withering away for so long or if zombies really are so useless. The corpse dematerialized like the other one. It left behind a single tooth. ¡°
|Tooth|
Crafting materials. Can be used for various crafting professions.
¡°When do I get to explore these crafting professions? Also what could I possibly do with a tooth? Will I get to learn magic or something? Hmm. Alchemy? Witchery? Magicinery?¡± ¡°One fight ends, another begins. The relentless undying have made their way passed their century long prison and rush towards the unsuspecting protagonist.¡± ¡°Hahaha. Not so unsuspecting anymore. Where are they? Ah. The door across the room is halfway open and there are the two villains, making their way towards me. Hehe. Even with the atmosphere being very serious, it¡¯s becoming very hard to take this seriously.¡± ¡°How extraordinary! With what could be described as precognitive abilities our hero has noticed the two assailants that were sneaking up on him.¡± ¡°¡­ ¡° ¡°Awe-inspiring decisiveness, not a shred of hesitation flashed passed our protagonist eyes as he rushed towards the undying. Even the most experienced of fighters would have a hard time keeping up with the incredible agility he displays!¡± ¡°This is light jogging, what incredible agility¡±. ¡°Two versus one. I shiver at the thought. How will our hero ever overcome these odds? Stay with us for more!¡± ¡°Well, this was easy.¡±
Your level has increased to four! You have met the experience cap. You gain no further experience for this enemy. You can distribute ten attribute points as you like.
Your level has increased to five! You have met the experience cap. You gain no further experience for this enemy. You can distribute ten attribute points as you like.
¡°Easy enough. Didn¡¯t get any message that the mission got finished though.¡± ¡°An eerie silence lingers in the air, a sign of the danger to come? Will the sudden calm lure our hero into a false sense of security? He certainly looks na?ve and simple enough.¡± ¡°Pft, simple? Me? I¡¯ll have you know that I got an average score in an IQ test. After only three tries! Hmm. Two more undead skins, let¡¯s just pocket these real quick. I¡äm going to see if the room is clear, there have to be one or two more of these bad boys lurking around.¡± ¡°Public service announcement. Hoarding can be a serious mental issue, there are help lines you can call to get help. Many people suffer from hoarding. Get help today!¡± ¡°Hoarding? This is hardly hoarding. Also there has to be some clothing around. No actually, if no one has been here for centuries. Eh, would any clothing even survive for that long? I feel extremely vulnerable down there. It¡¯s just dangling freely, as if it was bait. This has to be dealt with.¡± ¡°The last of the undying waits silently in the mysterious ¡®maintenance¡¯ room. Patiently waiting for the opportunity to strike. A deadly assassin.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t believe for a second that these things are deciding to anything. They are more likely just acting on instinct. Let¡¯s make some noise and lure it out.¡± ¡°A mind shattering noise erupts as the hero pulls the ancient door back and forth. A true idiot, this must be his first encounter with a door.¡± *hrrrrrr* ¡°Ladies and gentlemen, gods and devils, friends and foes! I don¡¯t believe it! Out of sheer irritation the undead has started making its move, no longer could it suffer the ear piercing wails of the door. It makes its way towards our protagonist, catching him completely off guard!¡± ¡°Oh shit. This one can actually stand, and walk! Let¡¯s be careful here.¡± ¡°The vile beast bends its knees and leaps forward. But our hero is too fast, too quick, too agile! He manages to evade the undying creature¡¯s grasp expertly. How quick on his feet is he!?¡± ¡°No. no, no, no. I didn¡¯t dodge anything there. Now you¡¯re just lying. It fell over and I didn¡¯t even move. Its legs seem to have fallen apart when it started moving. These things are so decrepit that they can¡¯t support their own weight. This is probably why they have been crawling on the ground.¡± ¡°He¡¯s done it again! He cleared out the entire area alone, one man versus four ferocious undying foes. What an exciting event. Stay tuned for more!¡±
Your level has increased to six! You have met the experience cap. You gain no further experience for this enemy. All attributes have increased by one for clearing a hidden mission. You can distribute ten attribute points as you like.
¡°Hahaha. This is way too easy. I think I¡¯m somehow cheating or something. Also, I level up for every enemy I kill? Bit overpowered isn¡¯t it? Hmmm. Let¡¯s put ten points into dexterity, reflexes and agility. And ten into intelligence. Hm. I don¡¯t feel faster or more agile. Am I thinking faster now? Hello? Eh?¡± ¡°The blank look of self-satisfaction is plastered over our protagonist face, another clear case of narcissism. For some, it makes it harder to like him, for others I may been an endearing quality. Hopefully his character will develop further in the near future.¡± ¡°Do we have a problem, narrator? I feel like you need a beating.¡± ¡°Ah, how sad. The mindless ravings of person near the ends of his rope. Has he fallen into lunacy? We can only hope for his well-being.¡± Chapter three: Leather pants. ¡°I get that I have this bonus experience. But leveling every time I take out one of these wrinkly old things. I feel like it¡¯s a bit excessive. But then again. I have been resting for a thousand or so years. Aye?¡± ¡°We can only imagine how that befuddling mind ticks, talking to himself at every opportunity. One should not delve too deep into the mind of a person that collects dead skin and brittle teeth.¡± ¡°Hmhn? Oh. Ye that skin thing. What¡¯s the big deal? It just goes into the digital inventory, not like I¡¯m playing around with it. So, the stairway is supposed to be a dead end and the elevator shaft is supposed to have some secret area. Wait. Am I going to be able to get out of here? The entrance to this place must be hidden or something right? Otherwise how would this place not been used as a fortress? It has its own power generation and everything. I need to gather some information about the outside world. Narrator got anything to add?¡± ¡°One can only sit in awe and pity as we watch over the mumblings of a person struggling to fight the extreme loneliness he must be suffering through.¡± ¡°That¡¯s why I have you! I¡¯m not lonely.¡± ¡°Immense worry pours over oneself as we ponder the future of our protagonist. His naive outlook on life, his weak posture, his less than adequate intelligence. How will he ever make it out alive on his own!? Sit down, relax and watch over him with me.¡± ¡°Alright. At least that was loud and clear. Blatantly ignoring me like that. Do I just pry this elevator door open or? Hmm.¡± ¡°The millennial old machines creek and screech as they move for the first time in what could be centuries.¡± ¡°Ye, they could use a nice oil job. It¡¯s making my skin crawl.¡± ¡°What lies behind closed doors and dark corridors?¡± ¡°Are we now rhyming? You sure managed to pick the right timing.¡± ¡°As he embarks into the darker darkness, we hope he eliminates his inner madness.¡± ¡°Hmm. So things are pulled up by this cable that looks like a thick rope? Might as well try it, it seems to be my only hope. Damn it! Now you got me doing it.¡± ¡°Slim and feeble. Features that may turn out to be beneficial on our hero. He barely manages to squeeze through that unaccommodating ventilation hole.¡± ¡°This damn thing is way too tight. I guess air doesn¡¯t need much room to move. Does this lead to the outside? I wonder how far underground we are. The air is getting more refreshing. A bit colder as well. The lack of clothing isn¡¯t helping. My little man keeps touching stuff as well, and every time it does, it makes me shiver.¡± ¡°Such endearing qualities, we may have misjudged our hero! It puts things into perspective to watch a grown human male drag his genitals across the dust covered metal ventilation shaft.¡± ¡°I¡¯m glad you can sympathize with me here. This isn¡¯t something I ever expected to do. Freedom! I can see a light!¡± ¡°Go to the light my child.¡± ¡°That just sounds wrong coming from you. Let¡¯s see. From the small holes in the, what do you call this? Grid? The thing that covers the ventilation shaft I¡¯m in. I can see a room. It looks like strange office space. But the most important part? It¡¯s not dirty. Clearly someone has been cleaning this place.¡± ¡°After years of desolation, the gruesome isolation and physical deprivation our little apprentice has found the signs of other humans! Will they embrace him as their own? Will they be repelled by his strange hobbies?¡± ¡°It¡¯s not my hobbies! You seem intent on trying to provoke me in some way, I don¡¯t believe for a second that you can¡¯t hear me! Hello! Anyone here!? Hmm. This is going to be awkward, do I just crawl out of his thing. It¡¯s not exactly a high fall.¡± ¡°Like a worm slithering out of its hole our protagonist slips out of the small ventilation shaft. His body red from chafing and most strange of all, he seemed to have been aroused.¡± ¡°It was all the rubbing! No, this is a futile fight.¡± This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there. ¡®Who''s there?!¡¯ ¡°Hello! My name is Ji Aleksy.¡± ¡°The door snaps open as a burly man burst into the room. His leather clothing appear to have been stitched together by an expert tailor. Magnificent white fur used to detail the fine brown leather.¡± ¡®What? Ji? Who? How did you get in here boy!?¡¯ ¡°A wary look is hidden in the large man''s eyes as he watches our hero, Ji, point at the now opened ventilation shaft.¡± ¡®There? Why are you naked?¡¯ ¡°How do I explain this? It¡¯s a long story. You think you can get me something wear?¡± ¡°Behind the bear of a man pokes out a head. Her eyes widen as she sees the filthy and naked man who stands in a confident manner not bothering to hide his lower half.¡± ¡°Eh? Heya! This your daughter?¡± ¡®Leysa, go grab something for him to wear. He looks about your size.¡¯ ¡®Yes, dad.¡¯ ¡°Indeed, the large man is not incorrect. He does look about the same size as the young woman.¡± ¡°What¡¯s so funny!?¡± ¡®Funny? No one is laughing boy.¡¯ ¡°Ah. No. I mean the narrator, not you.¡± ¡°A look of pity emerges on the large man¡¯s face. Our hero has yet again slipped further into his own madness.¡± ¡°Wait. You can¡¯t hear that? Have I really gone crazy? No. that can¡¯t be, I am perfectly lucid right now. Then again. When you are crazy, do you know you are crazy? Hmm.¡± ¡®Boy, are you alright? Where did you come from exactly? Why don¡¯t you sit down? ¡°Ye. Thanks.¡± ¡°After a long, near insufferable silence and the irritating blank look on our hero¡¯s face the girl reappears with leather clothing fit for a tribesman.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not too sure if I can pull off this leather look. By the way do you guys have a shower? I¡¯m not exactly clean.¡± ¡®Shower? Where do you think you are? In a noble''s home? The people would riot!¡¯ ¡°Noble¡¯s home? What. Where am I? What¡¯s noble about a shower?¡± ¡®You are in the outer fortress of Keeo! And it just so happens that I am in charge here.¡¯ ¡°I see. What year is it? Are we still on earth? ¡° ¡®Boy, did you hit your head? Of course we are still on earth. It¡¯s the season of the crow. Year five hundred and eighteen. And you didn¡¯t answer me, where did you come from?¡¯ ¡°Season of the crow? What five hundred and eighteen. Five hundred and eighteen. The world really has changed a lot, and from the looks of things, the technology seem to have actually regressed. Ah, sorry. Right. Long story short, I was put into cryostasis in hopes that my chronic disease would be curable in the future. I just woke up, I suspect it was due to power failure of some sort which triggered a failsafe that woke me up. After that I got a bit familiar with this game interface thing and found some food in my inventory that allowed me to recover. Then I killed some weak-ass zombies, oh and the narrator thing is an option I turned on from the interface.¡± ¡°An eerie silence washes over the room. Our main character again stares blankly into the air oblivious to his surroundings. The father and daughter pair stare in bewilderment.¡± ¡°See. Hear that? No?¡± ¡®I get it now, boy. That voice you hear must be your innate ability. What level are you?¡¯ ¡°Six! Hehe.¡± ¡°Another round of silence is invoked. The father and daughters eyes practically radiate pity and their demeanor softens a degree. The burly man even seems relieved.¡± ¡®Alright kid, you poor thing. Only level six, you are so skinny and pale. You must have been through a lot.¡¯ ¡°...¡± ¡®Dad. How can someone that old be level six? You get at least three levels a year just from eating scraps.¡¯ ¡®Shush, child. Can¡¯t you see how he has suffered. Must¡¯ve been locked up somewhere and lost is his mind.¡¯ ¡°How intuitive! What an accurate guess.¡± ¡®Let me introduce myself, I am Keak, Keak Keeo and this is my daughter Leysa Keeo. This mountain fortress has been under my family''s control for generations.¡¯ ¡°Nice to meet you Keak, Leysa. I am Ji Aleksy, of the Aleksy family. My family must have owned this place before the world, well I assume something like an apocalypse happened right?¡± ¡®I see. You have been sleeping in the mountain for that long? Cryostasis you said? That must be some ancient magic. Mm. Good, you¡¯ll stay with us for now.¡¯ ¡°Okay. Thanks for the hospitality then! And thanks for the clothing.¡± ¡®Of course, we humans must stay united. Even though we haven¡¯t been attacked by a horde in decades doesn¡¯t mean we can afford being relaxed. Glad to see Leysa¡¯s pants fit you.¡¯ ¡°And what a snug fit they are.¡± ¡°Horde? Could you tell what happened to the world?¡± ¡®The elders spoke of a plagues, the seas became mountains, mountains became deep seas.. Portals that opened and let loose the demons known as the undead. They took the world by surprise. We are lucky to not have been completely exterminated.¡¯ ¡°Oh.¡± ¡®The undead come in many shapes and sizes. Majority of humans were devoured or converted, some even joined their forces of their own volition. But those are a laughing matter in comparison to the more powerful undead.¡¯ ¡°Hmm. I did kill something that looked like a human zombie. They were extremely weak.¡± ¡®The human zombie is one of the weakest of the undead. And as long as you possess the smallest degree of strength they are easily dealt with.¡¯ ¡°I see. By the way. What are your levels?¡± ¡®You should be able to tell if you set your profile to public.¡¯ ¡°Oh? Wait a second. There. Holy shit! Level two-thousand and eighty three and one thousand thirty seven.¡± ¡®Ha ha ha! That¡¯s right boy! You see my daughter is somewhat of a combat genius, takes it from me of course. In a few years she¡¯ll be one of the highest levels in Keeo! I¡¯ve even been thinking about sending her to the main clan for further training.¡¯ ¡®Dad!¡¯ ¡®Father knows best, calm down. Go have the men prepare something to eat for this poor young man.¡¯ ¡°The day passes and our hero gets settled down in the human fortress. It sustains a population of over hundred thousand humans. Although its size is small it benefits from the natural environment. The surrounding cliffs and deep valley make it near impregnable.¡± ¡°Turns out the levels go so high. I should have guessed. They talked about learning skills and crafting professions. Sadly there is no class or something like a specific route you can take. At least that¡¯s what it sounded like. They would mention it right? Right. So. I need to find and clear missions to get experience to quickly raise my level. Then I need to use my levels to buy abilities which I then have to train. It¡¯s pretty straight forward. I need at least thirty levels just to buy a low level ability as well. Apparently I can level up just by eating something other people hunt. That¡¯ll be take too long just by itself though. Let¡¯s sleep on it. I''m exhausted.¡± ¡°In the embrace of soft luscious fur covers our young hero falls asleep. Unaware that his presence has begun to change the future of this world. A change so immense and significant it is too great for most to fathom. The fortress Keeo holds a responsibility that of a scout and the first layer of defence. A large network of fortresses such as Keeo are in the hundreds. Many once prosperous areas with lustrous natural resources. Keeo was one such place. Other fortresses were established only for the purpose of expanding areas of its parent branch. Keeo has become such a place after it¡¯s natural resources depleted. And now only serves as a quota to be filled. A small piece in the larger network of scouting outposts. An alliance formed and it stipulates that certain measure must be taken by every force. Measures that are heavily enforced. All clans, guilds, coalitions, mercenary bands and other miscellaneous powerful groups must adhere to these rules. If they desire a seat of power in this dangerous realm.¡± ¡®Morning Ji.¡¯ ¡°Morning Leysa.¡± ¡®Come with me, breakfast is ready.¡¯ ¡°The second day in his new life. He has already fallen into complacency and is calmly going to eat breakfast. A sad state of affairs, all that potential squandered. But at least he is now clothed. Something we can all be grateful for.¡± ¡°Squandered potential my ass. I need to eat like everyone else.¡± ¡®Ji?¡¯ ¡°Ah. Sorry. The narrator keeps describing things in an overly dramatic and is often simply wrong.¡± ¡®This narrator, it¡¯s your innate ability? It¡¯s pretty amazing that you have an innate ability at such a low level. Most people don¡¯t awake theirs until at least at around level thousand.¡¯ ¡°Wouldn¡¯t call that thing amazing. It¡¯s extremely annoying and I can no longer turn it off. I thought it was just a settings thing.¡± ¡®I haven¡¯t gotten an innate ability, father says I just have to be patient. But I¡¯m afraid it¡¯ll never come.¡¯ Chapter four: The great escape ¡°At the sumptuous breakfast table an old man was seated. He wears light clothing, only worth mentioning due to everyone else wearing leather. A near undetectable gleam appears in his eyes when he hears young Ji Aleksy speak of his narrator and inventory¡± ¡®Young man.¡¯ ¡°As the old man speaks the entire room of eight instantly quiets down.¡± ¡®Young man. Ji, was it? Tell me. This narrator, does he know things he shouldn¡ät?¡¯ ¡°Hmm. Now that you mention it, ye. He kept predicting things, like where zombies would come from. He even just now said you had some sort of gleam in your eyes. Is gleam some sort of eye condition?¡± ¡®Hmm. Hmm.¡¯ ¡°An odd silence ensues, there is a look of shock on the people¡¯s faces. What is on that old man¡¯s mind!? Who is he?! Stay with us to find out more after these quick messages!¡± ¡®I see, I have heard stories of this. They called it the beta. This was before the great nerf.¡¯ ¡®Grandfather what do you mean? Why haven¡¯t I heard of this beta and great nerf?¡¯ ¡®Ah, my dear Leysa. It is not surprising that you would not know of such tales. I myself never put much stock into the stories either. But, with everything we know about this Ji. It all fits.¡¯ ¡°Curious eyes and perked ears. Everyone present has stopped eating and are giving their full attention to the old patriarch of the Keeo mountain fortress.¡± ¡®The stories tell of the first generation, the beta testers they were called. They had abilities such as the narrator and the inventory. A magical space things could be put in. similar to our void bags but more spacious.¡¯ ¡®Father, you mean to say that this boy is one of the betas? But they were around over hundreds of years ago.¡¯ ¡®Indeed my boy, it appears so. It appears this mysterious guest named Ji has not been telling tall tales¡¯ ¡°Hehe. Of course not! Beta testers huh? I guess I could said to be of the first generation. I am probably the oldest human alive today! I told you I was put into cryostasis because of my disease right? ¡° ¡®Hmm. Disease, from what you¡¯ve told us, it sounds more like a curse. The curse of decaying life. A curse that eats away the flesh only to restore it. A form of torture. But you would be constant pain and most likely unable to move.¡¯ ¡°Curse? Sure in a fantasy settings I can see why you would say that. If I cut myself with this knife here.¡± ¡°Our hero wields a common knife and pierces his left hand with a deep cut. A surprising act of self-mutilation! What could possibly cause him to act in such a way! People gasp as blood gushes from the wound.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t panic. Just watch.¡± ¡®By the-! Have you put all attributes into regeneration!?¡¯ ¡°Eh? No. not really, my body¡¯s condition is in a constant struggle to repair itself so as soon as I cut myself it is already underway to heal itself, and it would be doing it with or without the wound I created¡±. ¡°The rest of the night has become rather insignificant. Our hero devours a surprising amount of food. Yet is overshadowed by all members currently participating in the sumptuous meal.¡± ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡°We watch our hero standing on top of a high wall, the towering structure surrounds the entire city fortress. It looks neither old or new. Suggesting this fortress to be less than a few centuries old.¡± ¡°I wonder what I should do. Do I need to hunt the undead? In the vast distance I see nothing but the ends of the horizon. I¡¯ve just been walking on this wall. Strangely I¡¯ve got three men in leather uniform walking a few meters behind me. They are supposed to my guard. The old man was dead set on making sure I was safe.¡± ¡°Our poor, naive hero believes himself to have a choice in what his future entails. Little does he know that before the night ends he will whisked away in a great storm!¡± ¡°What?! What do you mean storm? What¡¯s going to happen ¡° ¡°A loud bell echoes throughout the mountain fortress Keeo. The bells signifies that the fortress will soon be under attack. An attack from what? That¡¯s to be seen.¡± ¡®Come with us!¡¯ ¡°Easy guys! Easy! I¡¯m coming, no need to drag me like this.¡± ¡®We have no time to argue with you, this is a state of emergency!¡¯ This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. ¡°Soon our hero is dragged to southern most part of the wall. On the edge of the wall stands the middle aged burly man, Keak Keeo. He watches the horizon, an ominous cloud has begun to rise.¡± ¡°Keak! There is a horde coming! ¡° ¡®I know boy. I can see it.¡¯ ¡°Keak, leader of the fortress points towards a black cloud. Without improved vision our hero can only make out a small black cloud, unable even see if it¡¯s moving towards them or away from them¡± ¡®There hasn¡¯t been a horde attack in decades, I¡¯ve only see one my entire life. Little Leysa wasn¡¯t even born back then.¡¯ ¡°Right. Where is Leysa? Shouldn¡¯t she be here?¡± ¡°With a heavy sigh and a shake of his head Keak finally breaks his eye contact with the incoming swarm of undead. He looks at young Ji and sighs yet again.¡± ¡®That girl. She¡¯s getting ready to go out and fight. She won¡¯t listen to me and I can¡¯t exactly chain her up. She is stubborn! Just like her old man. Ha ha ha!¡¯ ¡°I see. Well then. The narrator mentioned something about me being whisked away. And as I see it, only you would have the power in this place to something like that.¡± ¡®Aye, listen boy. This horde, not only are their numbers terrifying. They have demons capable of flying. And in their midst there are undead that aren¡¯t just dumb beasts. They won¡¯t just clash against us on these walls. They¡¯ll infiltrated the fortress. They¡¯ll cause great chaos and I won¡¯t be able to protect you.¡¯ ¡°What an intense look of stupidity. Our hero yet against stares into the void, appearing to be solving one of the great mysterious mysteries of this universe. That or his capacity for thought has reached a limit. We may never know, but i lean towards the latter.¡± ¡°Does that mean you¡¯re sending me away?¡± ¡®Smart. Yes. My father, demands that you be saved. He is convinced that you are to become the savior of our clan. I personally think he¡¯s gotten a bit strange in his old age. But I have no qualms in sending you and my daughter to safety. I¡¯d like to ask you try and convince her to go with you. I think my old man is already gone to talk to her.¡¯ ¡°Of course, sir. I¡¯ll do my best. Any idea where we¡¯ll be going?¡± ¡®I¡¯ve got a friend in one of the inner outposts, it¡¯s become more a city. Anyway. He owes me a favor.¡¯ ¡°I see.¡± ¡®Alright. Go find Leysa.¡¯ ¡­ ¡­ ... ¡°A look of resignation appears on young Ji¡¯s face as he confronts the headstrong and determined young woman. The glare in her eyes enough to make the fiercest of men cower.¡± ¡°Listen, think of it like this. Will you make the difference that is required to repel this force? You said it yourself. You¡¯re only in the low thousand. You''re just barely above a foot soldier.¡± ¡®*Hmph* what do you know? You¡¯re just repeating what grandpa said! I¡¯m definitely fighting. This is my home!¡¯ ¡°Alright. To be honest, I don¡¯t really care. I¡¯m just doing what your father asked me to do.¡± ¡°An angry glare with a hint of disappointed can be seen in the young girl''s eyes when she hears the unforgiving words of our less than tactful hero.¡± ¡°What? Did you expect me to fall in a love with the first beauty I met? I¡¯ll be lucky to live a year without going insane due to the chronic pain, i don''t have time for that. ¡®Love? You love me? But we only just met!¡¯ ¡°Eh? What? No. I was saying, never mind.¡± ¡°An extremely awkward silence virtually echoes in the room. A near tangible feeling of awkwardness can be felt. We watch our hero turn around and exiting the room. A visibly shaken, brazen, innocent yet fierce and powerful girl left with her thoughts.¡± ¡°What innocent? What visibly shaken? She just misheard me is all. Anyway, I need to get on this bird thing before the sky gets blotted out with the numerous undead. We even got two missions.¡±
|The greatest escape|
¡°Even the dead dislike you¡± Escape the horde of undead and reach the inner outpost alive. Optional: Convince the young Leysa to escape with you. Location: Difficulty: Medium Reward: Tier appropriate item.
|Fight to the death and beyond|
¡°To new beginnings¡± Fight the undead horde and eventually be overwhelmed and converted. Start your journey as a part of the undead legion. Optional: Surrender to a high ranking fiend immediately. Location: Keeo fortress. Difficulty: Easy Reward: A race change
¡°I am sure as hell not willingly becoming a part of the undead. Sounds awful. I still remember how weak the human zombies were. Too bad about that bonus. I really could do with more stats and so on. Apparently I¡¯m a thousand or so levels behind.¡± ¡°The rush and shouting seems to vanish as we watch our solemn looking hero walk away from the girl. All we need now is explosions and cut scenes to the teary eyed young lady.¡± ¡°Hehe. That¡¯s pretty good. I really do hope she comes with me though, she is just about the only person I know in this world. Hey there, old man Kiek. I couldn¡¯t talk any sense into the girl. She¡¯s hell-bent on fighting the undead.¡° ¡®Ah, she takes after her late mother after all. Stubborn, strong and above all filled with duty.¡¯ ¡°I see. They never really talked about her.¡± ¡°The marching of troops, the bustling panic, screams of encouragement and of course the droning of thousands of flying undead monsters fills the fortress. And where is our hero? He, like a scared dog is about to fly off on a majestic flying creature known as the emperor eagle. Hundreds of various flying creatures are laying docile on the large field usually used to grow crops. Their random noises fill the air, amplifying the anxious atmosphere.¡± ¡°My good man. You finally did a proper narration! I¡¯m impressed. Not bad, not bad at all. But this quite the sight. I¡¯m not sure how I feel about being carried by one of these behemoths. They look amazing, but they also look wild, proud and unruly. What do you think Leysa? Eh!? Leysa, what are you doing here?¡± ¡®*snork* That doesn¡¯t concern you, I am merely here to make sure you get away safely. My grandpa seems worried about you is all.¡¯ ¡°What kind of sound was that? Are you a wild beast?¡± ¡°We watch with a feeling of sweet schadenfreude as our unusually calm hero gets put in a headlock and his head massaged roughly by a thin looking girl.¡± ¡°Owh! Oueee! Stop! Damnit. What is this, come on.¡± ¡®Who asked you to call me a beast? You think death the only thing you need to be afraid of? I¡¯ll let you know true fear.¡¯ ¡°What is this! What is happening right now! Help!¡± ¡°I know you can¡¯t see this but I am shaking my head in disappointment right now.¡± ¡°Leysa, please. I¡¯m sorry okay?¡± ¡®Who is a beautiful young lady?¡¯ ¡°¡­¡± ¡®Who is a beautiful young lady!?¡¯ ¡°Leysa is a beautiful young lady. Alright? Very pretty. Not at all like a wild beast. This is ridiculous.¡± ¡°Finally our smooth and charming hero manages to free himself.¡± ¡°You coming with me then? My quest says to take you with me. Bet your father would be happy as well. Also! I¡¯m not entirely sure how I¡¯d be welcomed if I showed up at your father¡¯s friend¡¯s door without you, him or your grandpa. Actually, why isn¡¯t your grandpa coming?¡± ¡®Grandpa? That old monster? He¡¯s the strongest person here. He¡¯s fighting of course. ¡°That ancient old fossil is the strongest person here? Huh.¡± ¡®And it seems I have to guard you while we go. Plus I also got a quest. It said to. It said to lead you to safety. And nothing else.¡¯ ¡°Great! More rewards for me. So which one of these things are we flying on? You know how to fly these things?¡± ¡®Sort of.¡¯ ¡°Sort of? Hey. Hey! Put me down! How are you this strong!¡± Chapter five: A flight to remember ¡°The sound of hundreds upon hundreds of flying beasts taking flight, screaming their lungs of. They can sense the upcoming horror, they too can feel the tension that permeates the mountain fortress Keeo.¡± ¡°It¡¯s hard to breathe! Leysa!¡± ¡®Relax.¡¯ ¡°I can¡¯t! Not with this wind pressure! Damn, that¡¯s pretty convenient. Is that a spell?¡± ¡®It¡¯s a simple spell.¡¯ ¡°The young woman is of course being modest. Although it may not take much of her mana to conjure the spell, it does however take near all of her concentration. But this is only due to her having to shield our pathetic protagonist.¡± ¡°I¡¯m level six man. I can¡¯t be faulted for a late start can I? This is my first time flying without a seatbelt and a cocktail.¡± ¡°Many would beg, plead, kill and yes, even die to be in our hero¡¯s footsteps. Yet all he does is whinge and moan about his own inadequacies.¡± ¡°Even die? How would they replace me if they¡¯re dead? Feeling alright there bud?¡± ¡®Ji?¡¯ ¡°Sorry. I keep forgetting you can¡¯t hear his endless nonsense. It¡¯s usually alright but the defamation of my character is way too frequent and to be honest, pretty strange.¡± ¡®Uhm. Alright then.¡¯ ¡°We now soar over the beautiful scenery that would leave most speechless. One might even second guess that this was still truly earth.¡± ¡°Hey. Don¡¯t ruin my immersion. Leysa, how long will we be flying?¡± ¡®The journey will take a week if we are lucky.¡¯ ¡°A week!? How in the name of all that is sacred are we going to manage that?¡± ¡°A look of slight derision can be seen in young Leysa¡¯s eyes before she exhales dramatically whilst turning to look off into the horizon¡± ¡®I could have been fighting by now. Why did I leave?¡¯ ¡°And you would have died. What is this even about? How do you have this attitude towards life? My life is literally endless suffering and I don¡¯t want to die.¡± ¡®*Snork* As if you would understand. Don¡¯t say it!¡¯ ¡°I didn¡¯t say anything! By the way. I found a minor ability that looks like it could be useful. It¡¯s called forced empathy. Wait let read it out for you.¡±
|Forced empathy|
Damage conversion: None
Expected damage
****
Initial hit: Generic mana
Secondary hit: Kinetic
Strength ?? 1:0.1
Agility ?? 1:0.05
Focus ?? 1:1
Intelligence ?? 1:0.5
[Mental] [Blunt][Melee][Psychological]
Ability description: A often disregarded ability. Forced empathy requires certain mental fortitude to operate. The mental equivalent of a blunt strike, Forced empathy operates through brute force. While requiring only a small amount of control, the ability, in its generic form relies on overwhelming Focus and Intelligence to generate its force. While the required control is low, the requirement of Intelligence is paramount. Without it, the ability will be slow acting. Requiring prolonged physical contact. Putting the user at high risk. Additional effects can be found. Forced empathy can be used to convey intent, mental imagery, feelings and physical sensation.
¡®Why would you want that? You can take minor athleticism, minor martial arts or any of other minor combat arts! This is essential for a good basic foundation!¡ä ¡°Hehe. You¡¯ll see! It¡¯s going to be great. Now I just need to find a way to level up faster, any ideas? Oh, and what are those numbers down there?¡± ¡®We¡¯ll have to make one or two stops a day. So I can take you to hunt, the wilderness is filled with all sorts of creatures. Those numbers shows you how much attributes increase your potential damage. While it is not the only factors, they are what most people brag about.¡¯ ¡°Ah. makes sense. And we¡¯re going to hunt Non-undead right?¡± ¡®Of course. There aren¡¯t just undead roaming about, what would we eat?¡¯ ¡°Ah. Ye. Of course.¡± ¡®It will be dangerous. It can even be dangerous for me.¡¯ ¡°Mmm.¡± ¡°It would appear our hero notices the little heiress of the Keeo fortress struggling to keep up the conversations and he lapses into thought. His blank face provoking irritation.¡± ¡­ ¡­ ... ¡°The day passes and our hero stumbles off the exhausted majestic avian creature. While Leysa and Ji flew in the front. The rest of the Keeo refugees follow shortly. Most downcast, and it would appear some members have gone missing.¡± ¡°I can¡¯t feel my ass, I¡¯m numb down to the bone. What about you?¡± ¡®My ass is none of your concern.¡¯ If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it. ¡°We¡¯ll see about that.¡± ¡®What?!¡¯ ¡°A playful smirk appears on the young lady¡¯s face as the, oh so stupid hero realizes his mistake.¡± ¡°Run! Help! Mmmphhh.¡± ¡°A tragic scene unfolds as our hero gets tied up and gagged and carried around like a bride on her wedding day. Will he ever learn? Taking bets now.¡± ¡°Mmmmpphm!¡± ¡°Tents rise in an orderly fashion as the camp splits up into small groups, some start putting up tents while others start roaming the nearby area, in the hopes to find prey.¡± ¡®You going to behave?¡¯ ¡°Mmmhhh!¡± ¡®Good!¡¯ ¡°Bah! You are going to feel so sorry once I get this forced empath thing up and running. Go, go, go! We need to go hunt. Anything will do!¡± ¡®*snicker* follow me¡¯ ¡°Our hero raises one eyebrow before following the young wilder beast, I mean young woman.¡± ¡°Ha!¡± ¡®What?¡¯ ¡°Nothing. Nothing at all. Lead the way. I was wondering, what will grant experience? You¡¯re level one thousand thirty eight. Hey. When did you level?¡± ¡®You can do a lot of things, sometimes generic quests just pop up when people ask you to do things. You can also exercise, kill pests, anything from tiny insects to large rodents.¡¯ ¡°Hmm. Exercise? So like lifting things, running around?¡± ¡®Yes, and sparring, want to spar with me?¡¯ ¡°A near unnoticeable shiver runs through our hero¡¯s body. What unfaltering strength of will.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll pass for now.¡± ¡°His eyes flutter about, looking for unsuspecting victims. Have his predator instincts awoken? Let¡¯s find out.¡± ¡°That was a thing right? Did I kill it?¡± ¡®What are you doing? Why are you stomping the ground like that.¡¯ ¡°I¡¯m hunting an insect, I¡¯m pretty sure I saw something move.¡± ¡®¡­¡¯ ¡°Sometimes silence can be louder than words and I believe this to be one of those cases.¡± ¡°I¡¯m hunting!¡± ¡®Okay. Don¡¯t shout.¡¯ ¡°Are you two in colluding? You¡¯ve got great back and forth. How are we going to hunt anything? We¡¯ve got no weapons.¡± ¡°With the wave of her hand, the beautiful young woman softly touches the inconspicuous bag strapped to her belt.¡± ¡®With this! You don¡¯t know this but I can be considered an above average archer!¡± ¡°Oohhh, can I see that?¡±
|Silverlight¡¯s marksman¡¯s bow of the true moon|
Adds an additional two hundred and eighteen piercing damage to arrows released. Adds an additional one hundred and seventy-six to vision whilst under moonlight. Increase accuracy by three hundred percent whilst in contact with moonlight. ¡°The shimmering moonlight seems to have been caught, Bound and strung to the beautiful but durable palewood. ¡°Let the darkest of days light up in ways, only you understand.¡±¡±
Durability: 284/284 Charge: 100/100 Tier: 20
Item ability: ****
Strength ?? 1:0.1
Agility ?? 1:0.8
Focus ?? 1:0.01
Intelligence ?? 1:0.005
¡°Oh! Cool, where did you get this? What is tier twenty?¡± ¡®This was a drop from a level six hundred something silver owl. Although it¡¯s been modified a bit as well. Tiers increase every thirty levels. So tier twenty requires you to be at least level six hundred to benefit from the items bonuses.¡¯ ¡°I see. We need to talk about levels and skills when I near level thirty as well! By the way, do you have rested bonus?¡± ¡®Ye, seventeen percent, but that doesn¡¯t mean much, it is just a flat amount of experience you get extra. It gets used up quickly, especially at higher levels.¡¯ ¡°Oh? Mine is pretty ridiculous then! It¡¯s stuck on five hundred percent at the moment. It says an approximate can¡¯t be calculated right now. Do you know what¡¯s going on?¡± ¡®That¡¯s extraordinary, I¡¯ve heard of some people that do not fight and have accumulated high rested bonuses, five hundred percent was proven to be the cap. usually it gets used up a lot faster than it is gathered.¡¯ ¡°I see. I guess mine is a finite resource as well. I¡¯ll check every once in awhile, see if the percent drops. So back to the hunt, will I not be able to use that bow?¡± ¡®You can, you just won¡¯t get any of the stat increases.¡¯ ¡°Then will I be able to kill anything with it?¡± ¡®Depends on what you are attacking, if it¡¯s a low level animal in the sub hundreds, maybe you can pierce its hide.¡¯ ¡°That¡¯s not very reassuring. I need more of those zombies to smash.¡±
Your level has increased to nine! You have met the experience cap. You gain no further experience for this enemy. You can distribute ten attribute points as you like. All attribute points have been increased by one for killing a new type of enemy.
You have started a hidden mission
|Reclaim your blood|
Rid the campsite of Harlittis fiends. kill seventeen more Harlittis. ¡°Spilling your own blood, from the body of others.¡± Location: Unnamed campgrounds Difficulty: Irrelevant. Reward: Survival ration including |Perfectly safe water| and |Very normal dried fruits|
¡°Oh! I got something! Harlittis, what are those?¡± ¡®I have no idea.¡¯ ¡°Eh? I can¡¯t find it anywhere.¡± ¡°Our hero appears to have accidentally killed a small bloodsucking tick. It being tiny makes it hard to notice. Its light and lithe body flitters about in the wind.¡± ¡°Oh come on! Wait. Does that mean I just need to walk around here and I¡¯ll kill stuff?¡± ¡°An odd expression appears on our heroes travel companion as she watches him stomp his feet on the ground in a calculated manner.¡± ¡®I feel like I¡¯ve made a horrible mistake. My family is fighting for their lives and here I am, not only running away but also escorting this idiot.¡¯ ¡°Oh! I got another one!¡±
You have acquired thirty percent experience; seventy percent required to level up. kill sixteen more Harlittis.
¡°Sweet! Is there a way to see proper numbers for experience Leysa? ¡®Not that I know of, it is all in percentages. Some scholars take the time to calculate it.¡¯ ¡°I guess that¡¯s fine.¡± ¡®Are you going to follow me or keep stomping the ground like that?¡¯ ¡°What? What¡¯s with the tone? I¡¯ve already got one level and then thirty percent into the next one. This can be considered efficient!¡± ¡®It¡¯s also embarrassing!¡¯ ¡°Pffff. I don¡¯t care if it¡¯s laughable or strange, I¡¯m gaining mad experience!¡± ¡°The forest echoed with the cries of numerous critters and beasts. The human refugees, like a plague swept through the vicinity and exterminated everything in sight.¡± ¡®Ji¡¯ ¡°Why are we whispering?¡± ¡®Over there. See?¡¯ ¡°Ohhhh. What is that? A pig? Wild boar? What is it standing on?¡± ¡®That¡¯s a stilted pig, they wear stilts from an early age, they are surprisingly fast so you¡¯ll have to hit in the first hit or it¡¯ll run away incredibly fast.¡¯ ¡°Are you being serious? You can¡¯t be serious, stilted pig? But why?¡± ¡®What is wrong with you? Aim your bow and shoot, before it goes away.¡¯ ¡°But. I mean. Okay, fine.¡± ¡°The poor stance, the trembling arms, our hero clearly has no potential when it comes to the art of the bow.¡± ¡°Go!¡± ¡°The arrow is released, it flies unstably. It will be a miracle if it hits its intended target.¡± ¡®Great job Ji!¡¯
Your level has increased to ten! You have met the experience cap. You gain no further experience for this enemy. You can distribute ten attribute points as you like. All attribute points have been increased by one for killing a new type of enemy.
You have started a hidden mission
|The stilted menace|
The stilted pigs have grown unruly in these parts of the forest, thin the herd. Kill or capture nine more stilted pigs. Optional: capture four or more pigs alive ¡°Step, step, trip and fall. Little piggy run.¡± Location: Unnamed campgrounds. Difficulty: Easy. Rewards: Tier one cooking materials. Optional rewards: Proficiency in pig rearing and cooking.
¡°Ooooo. You think we can capture a few of these pigs Leysa?¡± ¡®No.¡¯ ¡°Eh? But the bonus reward! I got a quest for it.¡± ¡®Not happening, they are extremely quick.¡¯ ¡°Can we kill nine more then?¡± ¡®No way, we¡¯d have to be incredibly lucky to find a few different herds and then you would have to kill them before they ran away.¡¯ ¡°Okay. But we can still continue to hunt right?¡± ¡®We should be heading back soon, it took us this long to just to find one stilted pig. It¡¯s already late in the day, there will be no light soon.¡¯ ¡°Alright, alright. Do you know how to cook a pig? Oh! Loot!¡±
|Pig stilts|
Adds additional ten to damage when worn. Adds additional ten to speed when worn. ¡°It is unknown why the stilted pigs are so fond of stilts.¡±
Durability: 28/31 Charge: 0/10 Tier: 1
Item ability: |Pig Leap|
Leap forward up to two additional meters. *Unaffected by user attributes.
Strength ?? 1:0
Agility ?? 1:0
Focus ?? 1:0
Intelligence ?? 1:0
¡®You are not wearing that.¡¯ ¡°Oh come on! Look! I¡¯m now taller than you. And as the tallest, I think we should embrace the stilts.¡± ¡®No. take them off or I¡¯m taking them off.¡¯ ¡°Let¡¯s not be dramatic here. Oi! Hey! Nooo! You monster, beast! Villain!¡± ¡®Don¡¯t pout. You can get them back later.¡¯ ¡°If I didn¡¯t have a goal before, I have one now. I will become stronger than you.¡± ¡®Don¡¯t you want to cure your curse?¡¯ ¡°Right. Curse. Well, it is a disease of sorts, not really a curse. But I do hope I¡¯ll find something to cure me. You think there is something out there that can heal me?¡± Chapter six: The hunt continues ¡°After hunting the pitiable stilted pig, our hero and guardian return to the camp. Rising fires and crowded area does little to rid the people of their gloom.¡± ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡°After an uneventful nights rest the rise and fall of an army of feathery creatures marks our hero¡¯s continued journey.¡± ¡°Are there going to be stilted pigs at the location we land on next?¡± ¡®Maybe.¡¯ ¡°I really hope there will be.¡± ¡°Little does our oblivious hero know that the young lady could easily find herds of stilted pigs with her superior speed and strength.¡± ¡°Wait. Why didn¡¯t I think of this? Leysa, aren¡¯t you incredibly high leveled, you should be able to easily hunt stilted pigs right?¡± ¡°A strong wind suddenly starts blowing into our hero¡¯s face. It is sharp, cold and unforgiving. The young miss has lifted her spell, does she do this to avoid the now moaning little man sitting in her lap?¡± ¡°Ahh! Damn, come on! This is just cruel.¡± ¡°Beads of sweat roll down her slender neck. Bloodshot eyes. Has something occurred?¡± ¡°Leysa? Leysa!? Hey! Are you alright?¡± ¡®I¡¯m fine, I just suddenly felt oddly tired. Don¡¯t worry we¡¯ll be landing soon.¡¯ ¡°You sure? You look terrible. Owh!¡± ¡°The quite literal horde of flying behemoths make their landing in a large forest, a near mirror reflection to their previous camp site. With the exception of a small stream the bland green and brown-green landscape leaves much to be desired.¡± ¡°We still got some food to spare so let¡¯s just set up a tent and get some rest.¡± ¡°The night is filled with loud noises. The screeching of hundreds of birds may have lessened but they are ever present, many will remember this and carry a great dislike towards all bird-kind.¡± ¡°I know I will. I have no idea how she managed to fall asleep so easily. It¡¯ll probably get darker soon, I don¡¯t really feel safe going out alone. Wouldn¡¯t mind the experience though.¡± ¡°We watch as an amateur fiddles with matches,a small fire is lit, raw meat on a stick appears out of thin air.Our hero is roasting the pitiable stilted pig.¡± ¡°I wonder why all the other people stay away from us though. Isn¡¯t Leysa supposed to be like the next leader of the fortress or something in that direction?¡± ¡°The naive protagonist does not realize that although her companion may have seemed like a noble, an heir, a leader of sorts, the common people saw her family as tyrants. Even as they fight the undead horde, they still remember the tough life they live under the leadership of the Keeo family.¡± ¡°Wait. Wait a minute. You telling me they are tyrants? But they were so nice to me. Is this why Leysa hasn¡¯t taken down her hood ever since we left mount Keeo? She was in hiding? I thought she was trying to pull off the cool mysterious look.¡± ¡°In the eyes of our fragile, naive, neurotic, paranoid, terrified, cowardly. Let¡¯s see what else is there? Oblivious? Either way, due to his narrow worldview and frankly overwhelming casual nature,he failed to see what was in its essence a failing regime.¡± ¡°Damn man. That got very serious way too fast, you sure you¡¯re not mistaken?¡± ¡°The young couple can be considered lucky that they have managed to stay hidden, among the people in the camp are people that could be considered members of an underground rebellion.¡± ¡°What? Damn! Why are we travelling with them then? Nothing? Anything else you feel like revealing? Is the world actually flat? Is the sky really green? The most unbelievable thing here is that this somehow managed to get passed me, me! I don¡¯t meant to brag or anything but I can be considered fairly astute!¡± ¡°*chuckle*¡± ¡°Who¡¯s there?! Hello? Hohhh, must¡¯ve been the wind. Well, I can¡¯t pretend to understand this worlds situation, my priorities should be on getting a higher level. I can¡¯t really leave Leysa here unattended so let¡¯s do some push-ups? Due to my bodies strange condition I have an extremely hard time gaining muscles, but, I also have a hard time losing them. it''s a win-lose-win situation. Well this is just boring. I need a spell or something to play with. Should I just try to get some sleep?¡± ¡°The lights are dimmed, the campfire slowly burns. Our hero slowly reaches into his pants.¡± ¡°Hey! Come on. If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation. Is there a mute button on you? I¡¯m not exactly against you watching but cut the narration! Thought we dealt with this when I had to go to the toilet last time, this is the same thing. You know what? You win, I¡¯ll just go to sleep.¡± ¡°Even the most sensitive of ears fall asleep when eyes become heavy. On a high hill far in the distance, overlooking the populated camp stands an exceedingly tall andworryingly thinsilhouette.Eyes flicker with bloodthirst and hatred, Hesitation, fear, excitement and impatience. Who is this lone stranger? Stay with us to find out after these quick messages!¡± ¡°Hrm? You say something big guy? No? Shush then, I¡¯m trying to sleep.¡± ¡°Sun has yet to risen when our hero wakes up, his eyesheavy andbloodshot. Screams of anguish reverberate throughout the forest camp.¡± ¡®Ji! Get up!¡¯ ¡°What is happening?!¡± ¡°Before our hero manages to stand up a hand grabs him and he gets thrown over a dainty looking shoulder.¡± ¡°Leysa! What is happening!?¡± ¡®I don¡¯t know, the camp is being attacked, everyone is running, we are to.¡¯ ¡°In the dark of night with no moon in sight, screams echo, blood is shed, complete and utter panic. Fires are lit and extinguished. These fiends see better in the dark.¡± ¡°Narrator said they see better in the dark.¡± ¡®Probably shades.¡¯ ¡°Why are you so calm!?¡± ¡®They aren¡¯t after us. not us specifically. And we¡¯re about to fly off.¡¯ ¡°Can you see? It¡¯s so dark.¡± ¡°In the midst of a bloodbath, where lives vanish and blood flows like water, there are two people having a rather calm conversation. Our hero and companion take off into the air on the tired and scared emperor eagle.¡± ¡®Let go.¡¯ ¡°Hehe. Sorry, it really is too dark.¡± ¡®You¡¯ll die if I let you fall.¡¯ ¡°Understood.¡± ¡°Cold hearted, indifferent, almost psychotic. This appears to be our protagonist.¡± ¡°What? I don¡¯t know these people.¡± ¡°Something must¡¯ve hurt him, hurt him deeply.¡± ¡°Everything hurts man. Everything hurts, we¡¯ve been through this, I am in constant agony. Well I won¡¯t be that excessive, it¡¯s not that bad right now, I actually feel a bit better these days for some reason.¡± ¡®Ji? Are you talking to the narrator again?¡¯ ¡°Ah. Sorry, he keeps slandering me and spreading misinformation.¡± ¡®Who is he misinforming?¡¯ ¡°I don¡¯t know. What? He has to be talking to someone! Otherwise he¡¯d just be crazy.¡± ¡°Flying creates sporadically fly into the darkness of night and before long a stillness overwhelms the previous cries of terror.¡± ¡°So. Ehem. Where are we going now?¡± ¡®We¡¯re going to fly for an hour or two before landing and setting up another camp.¡¯ ¡°Alright.¡± ¡°So. Ehem. Your family were tyrants? That was a bit of a surprise.¡± ¡®My family kept order in a place that wanted none but required it.¡¯ ¡°Sure. Sure. Order is good. Can¡¯t have people running around doing whatever. Back to the whole ¡®they are not after us¡¯ thing.What is a shade and who were they after?¡± ¡®The shade. The shade are a faction of humans, kanaives, ikkaes, beerrows, elves, orcs, dwarfs, ellers, devourers, practically every sentient race south of the Jaeeski mainland. They have been corrupted with a certain method of power, a power that lead to the deaths of many for the benefit of very few.¡¯ ¡°Uhhh. Okay. Not what I expected. Those names mean nothing to me though.¡± ¡®It could be the Healers.¡¯ ¡°I¡¯m afraid to ask. Healers?¡± ¡®Self-righteous zealots. They believe in a great god they call Llewen Nebag.¡¯ ¡°How many of these factions are there?¡± ¡®Endless. They are endless. Never ending, they are without end.¡¯ ¡°You alright? You sound a bit off.¡± ¡®I¡¯m fine.¡¯ ¡°A hard to perceive tear falls yet no one is there to see it. We tremble at the thought of what could provoke such response from the otherwise near unshakable young woman.¡± ¡°Alright.¡± ¡°The sound of disturbed air becomes their only companion for what is sure to become a mind numbingly boring journey. This is the perfect time to stand up, stretch your legs and get something sweet.¡± ¡°...¡± ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡°The sun still has made no appearance as the now lonesome couple set up camp and quickly fall asleep. The sky is covered in calm grey clouds.¡± ¡°Mmmrrhh.Wow. I cannot believe how well I slept.¡± ¡°The scent of freshly roasted meat wafts through the air.¡± ¡°Oh, you¡¯re not kidding. Morning leysa!¡± ¡®Good morning, Ji.¡¯ ¡°Oh man. I slept like a baby, what a night.¡± ¡°The majestic emperor eagle pecks at a fresh carcass of an unknown creature, whilst making a sound usually seen in cats. The purring eagle, how magnificent.¡± ¡°Not sure what to do with that.¡± ¡®You eat it.¡¯ ¡°No I mean. Ah, right. Okay, thanks. Did you hunt that?¡± ¡®Mmmhm.¡¯ ¡°I want to go hunt, I need to get to level thirty. Can we?¡± ¡®Are you sure you don¡¯t want to focus on magic rather than support skills likeforced empathy?¡¯ ¡°Ehm. Can¡¯t I do both?¡± ¡®You can, if you get and clear a quest.¡¯ ¡°Oh!? Really?¡± ¡®Yes at level thirty you will get a point to spend on a minor ability, it is possible to get more points through special means. Many clans and factions have secret methods to do this.¡¯ ¡°Oh! Oh! Secret methods. Amazing. Do you know any?¡± ¡®Yes, but it¡¯s impossible right now. It was at mount Keeo. There is a dungeon there, it resets every year. Every time someone clears the dungeon for the first time, they get an extra point to spend on minor abilities.¡¯ ¡°Oh my god! So that¡¯s how it is. So I could have even more than just a few? Holy shit, this is eye opening. Hmm.¡± ¡®There is a limit of how many skill points you can gather in each level tier. It does increase every time you enter a new tier.¡¯ ¡°Dreams rise and fall like waves in the ocean that is our hero¡¯s mind. His vacant eyes give of the illusion of the mentally unfortunate, but let us not dwell on the superficial.¡± ¡°How many minor abilities are there then?¡± ¡®I¡¯m not sure, we¡¯ve got twenty four written down back at home. But that¡¯s just the ones we know of, like before, some clans and factions have a way to gain secret skills. Sometimes it¡¯s from a dungeon, a secret combination like killing a certain amount of a certain creature or a special quest only they know how to trigger.¡¯ ¡°This is incredibly exciting. I was wondering is there a safe place called a ¡®trial zone.¡¯?¡± ¡®How do you know about the trial zones? Only enormous organizations or extremely powerful clans have control over those areas.¡¯ ¡°Oh? What. No. I guess that makes sense, probably a bunch of easy quests and easy leveling for the lowbies.¡± ¡°Indeed. Our hero has finally managed to somehow stumble onto the right answer. Sadly he will not be able to taste the sweet food that is easy experience. He must struggle and hunt in unregulated land.¡± ¡°Unregulated land? What is that Leysa?¡± ¡®Unregulated land? A land that is not regulated?¡¯ ¡°Ye. No wait. I mean, the narrator said I have to hunt in an unregulated land.¡± ¡®Ah. He means areas that doesn¡¯t have a stable average of levels. The creatures and monsters in this area go from harmless critters to terrifying mythical beasts.¡¯ ¡°I see. That¡¯s unsettling.¡± ¡®No need to worry, meeting something above level five hundred would be extremely rare.¡¯ ¡°Alright, with you here there isn¡¯t much danger, right?¡± ¡®Sure.¡¯ ¡°A seldom seen smile appears on the dark haired heroine. A simple and tired smile but a smile. We watch as our protagonist wields his stick, puts on his pig stilts and makes his way further into the forest. If you listen closely, you¡¯ll hear the pitter patter of stilts.¡± ¡°I¡¯m definitely increasing my level this time, can¡¯t you help me hunt a few things for experience?¡± ¡®If I help directly you¡¯ll gain no experience. Our levels differ too much.¡¯ ¡°Ah. Should have figured there would be something like that. Game balance and all that.¡± ¡°Would have, should have, and could have.¡± Chapter seven: Too many things we don鈥檛 know
Your level has increased to twelve! You have met the experience cap. You gain no further experience for this enemy. You can distribute ten attribute points as you like. All attribute points have been increased by one for killing a new type of enemy.
You have started a hidden mission
|Pestilence of the river|
Dangerous pebbles infest the otherwise peaceful river Catch or kill seven river fish pretending to be rocks. Optional: Capture four or more stone fish alive. Optional: Use only your hands. Optional: Don¡¯t get wet. ¡°Pebble, stones, rocks or fish?¡± Location: Unnamed rivercamp. Difficulty: Irrelevant. Reward: Slight increase perception when peering into water. Optional rewards: Proficiency in stonefish rearing and cooking. Optional rewards: Proficiency in stonefish using hands. Optional rewards: Bountiful tier one cooking and fishing materials.
¡°Note to those watching at home, this is not how you fish. Please do not to recreate anything you see on the show.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t be like this, look. The optional parts are practically impossible. Catch fish, don¡¯t get wet? What is this difficulty?¡± ¡®Just use magic.¡¯ ¡°I don¡¯t know magic! And don¡¯t side with that bastard.¡± ¡°Ah. Yet another ¡°clever and elusive¡± fish managed to escape our protagonists grasps, those insidious little things!¡± ¡°They are clever and elusive! Don¡¯t take that tone with me. You try it.¡± ¡®We¡¯ve been here for hours Ji, you already got two levels, we should start moving soon. While we still have daylight. I¡¯m also not sure where we are at the moment. So the more time we spend traveling the more likely we will find a safer space to stay.¡¯ ¡°But the mission! The experience! The glory!¡± ¡®Glory?¡¯ ¡°The glory! I will catch four of these bastards if it¡¯s the last thing I do.¡± ¡°Such indomitable will! You can practically see the determination in the young man¡¯s eyes as his hand swipes towards the water.¡± ¡°Got it! I caught one! Did you see? Hoooo! How satisfying.¡±
Catch or kill six river fish pretending to be rocks. Optional: Capture three or more stone fish alive. Optional: Use only your hands.
¡°Hmmm. I won¡¯t be able to get the third bonus reward but only three more and I¡¯ll get the first and second one.¡± ¡°A look of boredom is apparent on the now lethargic looking young woman. Our hero too involved in his success to the notice the passing of time. Welcome to fishing with Ji.¡± ¡°Hmm. Hmm. Just three more! That¡¯s got to be one of them, what do you think narrator?¡± ¡°Clear blue skies, not a cloud in sight. What a lovely day.¡± ¡°Useless.¡±
Catch or kill five river fish pretending to be rocks. Optional: Capture three or more stone fish alive. Optional: Use only your hands.
¡°It¡¯s super easy when you get used to it.¡± ¡°Gloating with a smug smile our hero stands in a shallow river catching fish as if it was some great battle of wits or a battle to the death. How great! How amazing, such narcissism is hard to come by.¡± ¡°This is a man¡¯s romance, you wouldn¡¯t understand.¡± ¡°Time flows as we hear the occasional cursing, the over the top shouting in celebration. A young girl has fallen asleep on the soft grass by the river.¡±
Catch or kill one river fish pretending to be rocks. Optional: Completed. Optional: Use only your hands.
¡°This should be last one! Come to papa.¡±
Your level has increased to eighteen! A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation. You have met the experience cap. You gain no further experience for this enemy. You can distribute ten attribute points as you like. All attributes have increased by three for clearing a hidden mission and clearing two optional objectives.
Your level has increased to twenty five! You have acquired eighty percent experience; twenty percent required to level up. You can distribute fifty attribute points as you like. All attributes have increased by three for clearing a hidden mission and clearing two optional objectives.
¡°Oh! So the experience cap doesn¡¯t apply to quests? That¡¯s cool, would have been disappointing getting just one level for all that effort.¡± ¡°Effort. This he calls effort, frolicking in a river catching near immobile fish. They are called Stone fish for a reason. Their main defense mechanism is concealment. Incredible, just incredible.¡± ¡°You can¡¯t put me down! Leysa, wake up Leysa. I finished it. I¡¯m level twenty three!¡± ¡®mmrm?¡¯ ¡°I finished the mission. Hehe. I¡¯m level twenty three. Hello?¡± ¡®What!? Twenty three? But how. ¡°Pretty much a level for each fish! Hehe, it was hard but I did it.¡± ¡°The river was harsh and unforgiving. Our hero persevered in the face of towering, terrifying foes. He stood his ground in a time of great wetness. How brave. How inspirational!¡± ¡°Shush you.¡± ¡®How can you level up so fast from catching fish? How long was I asleep?¡¯ ¡°The lucky girl slept for over five hours of mind numbingly dull hand grabbing fishing.¡± ¡°Eh. Not that long, maybe an hour or so. Ye. An hour or so.¡± ¡®I didn¡¯t mean to sleep for so long, it¡¯s almost evening, maybe we should stay here another night.¡¯ ¡°Ye? You think so. It¡¯s up to you, I¡¯m in no hurry. I may even try to get some more of these bad boys it¡¯s surprisingly good experience.¡± ¡®The earlier levels are easiest, don¡¯t get ahead of yourself.¡¯ ¡°Got it. That was to be expected.¡± ¡®But even so. You level abnormally fast. Is your rested bonus still at five hundred percent?¡¯ ¡°Let me check.¡±
|Rested|
Increases experience by four hundred ninety nine percent. Experience penalties and experience caps still apply. Current approximation of duration: Approximately twenty seven years.
¡®What!? That¡¯s. You sure it says twenty seven years?¡¯ ¡°Ye, seems like a long time. But I think it¡¯ll drop a lot faster once the experience coming in starts getting higher.¡± ¡°Surprisingly, our protagonist is right for once. Although it is indeed an extravagant experience bonus, it will rapidly wither way if he does indeed start to be even remotely active in the pursuit of greater experience.¡± ¡°Alright. So are we staying another night here?¡± ¡®Give me a moment to think.¡¯ ¡°Unaware of the incoming patrol, our couple tries to make a decision that could decide whether they live or die. True horror is other people and their ignorance.¡± ¡°Damn it! Leysa. The narrator says a patrol is coming. No. not this again.¡± ¡®We don¡¯t have time to waste. ¡°My fish!¡± ¡°Our hero gets swept away and is already in the air before he knows it.¡± ¡°Are you going to do that every time? Also, why do I have to sit in your lap? This is demeaning.¡± ¡®You are free to move.¡¯ ¡°No. I¡¯m good right here.¡± ¡®Stop squirming.¡¯ ¡°Rivers, giant trees, overgrown small towns. In the distance we can see what once was a flourishing city. Now a fragment of its former self, crawling plants and sky defying trees. Nature and time are a formidable foes.¡± ¡°Wow. That¡¯s pretty cool. I wonder how large those buildings used to be.¡± ¡®We can¡¯t go there, too many places to hide. Too many people and other things attack from the shadows in abandoned cities.¡¯ ¡°Oh. That¡¯s depressing. Looks so cool. You said mentioned you thought we were lost earlier right? Are we still lost?¡± ¡®Sort of, but we can just continue going towards the setting sun, we¡¯ll find our way sooner or later.¡¯ ¡°Okay. You lead the way then.¡± ¡°A hint of impatience shines through our main characters eyes when he spots another river. Once in awhile he¡¯ll see a small critter and figuratively drool. The eyes of a vulture, a phrase fit for this less than ideal hero.¡± ¡°In what way am I not ideal!? I tick all the boxes! I¡¯m an orphan for one, I¡¯ve got to fight this illness. Uhm. What else? I''m incredibly brave, practically fearless!¡± ¡°Can you hear my eyes roll? Is there a way to express how I feel right now in words? I wasn¡¯t trained for this level of idiocy.¡± ¡°What! It¡¯s true! Screw you man. I¡¯ve even got a follower already. Just look at Leysa, you must admit she was a great catch! Owh! Ah. Owh! Stop! Damnit! Owh!¡± ¡°Mmmmmmmmmmm the sweet, sweet taste of karma.¡± ¡°Leysa please! I was just. It was the narrator''s fault!¡± ¡°That has to hurt. Hopefully this will improve his character, mold him into a proper protagonist. Someone with depth! Someone more handsome preferably.¡± ¡°Hey! Say what you will about my character but don¡¯t drag my looks into this.¡± ¡®Ji. Please shut up.¡¯ ¡°See what you''ve done? Now you got little Ley against me. Unbelievable! Mmmmhrm!¡± ¡°Finally silenced. We can now enjoy the quiet flight. The scenery is absolutely stunning, the mountains, valleys, rivers and lakes. The great variety of fauna and flora. Let¡¯s breathe it all in, this fantastic silence.¡± ¡®I¡¯ll remove the gag later, let me enjoy the silence for a bit.¡¯ ¡°When the restless protagonist finally stops resisting he sighs and closes his eyes. Somehow managing to fall asleep. As always, we are baffled by his behavior.¡± ¡°Mmrrhmph!¡± ¡®Shush.¡¯ ¡°Time flies when you are having fun and no obnoxious self-important tool is ruining your day. One can expect the hours to pass peacefully for a while.¡± ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡°The majestic emperor eagle dives down, preparing to land. The area is flat with oddly perfect looking monoliths and piles of oddly arranged stones. One must wonder, how were these made? And why?¡± ¡°Pah! Pah! Pah! This was humiliating! You can¡¯t just gag me. What are you? The gestapo? Do you know what a little thing called Freedom of speech is?! My good lord, this was painful. Had a nice nap, but still!¡± ¡®Nothing in this world is free, speech included.¡¯ Don¡¯t be ridiculous. How are you going to charge people for talking? ¡®I¡¯ll gag them.¡¯ ¡°Point taken. Where are we? And what are those things?¡± ¡®Not sure what they call it but this is a location where people come to clear missions or quests. And those things are monoliths, they do nothing.¡¯ ¡°Is there a difference in missions and quests?¡± ¡®No. some might argue that a quest is a long mission but in the end it¡¯s all the same thing in my opinion.¡¯ ¡°Oh. Alright then. Are we staying here for the night then?¡± ¡®We are, the eagle needs rest. We won¡¯t be sleeping the entire night though. We will have moonlight now and since we found out that someone might be chasing us we have no time to waste. That means not roaming about, hunting or the lord forbids, fishing.¡¯ ¡°A carcass appears in front of the emperor eagle that lets out a quiet screech and starts purring.¡± ¡°Why does it purr? Leysa? Why does it purr?¡± ¡®I don¡¯t know, you should rest.¡¯ ¡°I just took a nap.¡± ¡®Then stay guard while I rest.¡¯ ¡°You can sense the indifference in her tone, she may have gotten enough of his nonsense.¡± ¡°She¡¯s just exhausted. I wonder why the eagle doesn¡¯t fly away. It looks like the extremely proud kind of animal.¡± ¡°After fumbling about for the better part of an hour, our hero finally sits down and closes his eyes.¡± ... ¡­ ¡­ ¡®Ji. Up. Get up.¡¯ ¡°The clear skies are lit by moonlight, a soothing sight. The monoliths give of a foreboding feeling, shadows appear and disappear in the fields. A gloomy sensation lingers in the air.¡± ¡°Already? I feel like I just closed my eyes.¡± ¡°Oblivious to the truly lethal danger that lurks in the mono-fields. The spirits of possession wander this area. They might not do physical damage but they¡¯ll test your spirit, the tenacity of your will and the stability of your mind.¡± ¡°What the shit. That¡¯s terrifying. Hurry Leysa let¡¯s get the hell out of here. Leysa?¡± ¡°You will bow or you will be broken, and there they will lay, the shattered pieces of your pride.¡± ¡°Hello? What?! What is this? Who are you?¡± Chapter eight: Riddle me this. ¡°You will bow or you will be broken, and there they will lay, the shattered pieces of your pride. ¡°
You¡¯ve entered mono-fields.
¡°Who are you!? Where is the narrator? What have you done to Leysa? Leysa! Leysa, can you hear me!? Shout yes if you do!¡± ¡°You will bow or you will be broken, and there they will lay, the shattered pieces of your pride. ¡° ¡°Bow? Just bow? Bow to who? Bow like this?¡±
You have avoided certain death by either solving a riddle or over powered the trap.
¡°Oh, kay. But how did we get inside this place? What and where is this? This place has the feeling of death written all over it. A mausoleum? A tomb?¡± ¡°Do not tarry, do not wait, death comes to those that are late.¡± ¡°Hey! Heya, are you the new narrator? Not going to lie, not a fan of these riddles, can I opt out of this experience? I want to get off the ride. ¡°Do not tarry, do not wait, death comes to those that are late.¡± ¡°Ah, another asshole. Do not tarry, do not wait. Okay, so should I do something before it¡¯s too late? But there is nothing here. Do I just leave the room?¡±
You have avoided certain death by either solving a riddle or over powered the trap.
¡°How is this a riddle? Did you expect me to just sit down and do nothing?¡± ¡°Fast you must run, fast you must be. But running forever will no one please.¡± ¡°Run? You want me to run now? This better not be some petty trick. Oh what the shit is this!? We recreating old adventure movies!? Rolling stones!? Come on, no one can outrun this!¡± ¡°Fast you must run, fast you must be. But running forever will no one please.¡± ¡°Stop trying to rhyme! This isn¡¯t the time. Damnit. I still have eighty attribute points I haven¡¯t assigned. Let¡¯s throw thirty into Agility, thirty into Intelligence and twenty into Stamina.¡±
Stamina Increases number of physical actions that can be performed without rest
Agility Increases speed of physical movements
Intelligence Increases number of mental actions that can be performed without rest
|Test of one|
Withstand mental assaults. Fight obstacles. Solve the puzzles. Do not die. Optional: Escape within the allotted time. ¡°Run, heart blood burns don¡¯t let your mind be scorn.¡± Location: Mono-fields. Difficulty: Hard. Rewards: Minor skillpoint. Optional rewards: Tier appropriate compass.
¡°Do they make these quest on the fly? Do not die? Amazing. Isn¡¯t that pretty much a prerequisite for any and all quests? The stone will catch up to me soon. All right, it¡¯s do or die. Hahaha. Ye!¡±
You have avoided certain death by either solving a riddle or over powered the trap.
¡°At least mention if I solved it or not. Not sure if there was anything to solve here. I just managed to lie down in the hole at the edge of the hallway. Stone just rolled on by.¡± ¡°Blue and filled, black and empty, in your lungs your life you carry.¡± ¡°Blue and filled. Black and empty? And something to do with my lungs? Hmm. I¡¯m guessing I have to enter this room, seeing as the other way has been magically blocked off. This is great, makes no sense at all, not at all annoying and unwanted.Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere. Uh, uh, uh, staying alive, staying alive. Hello? Anything in this decrepit looking room? Gloomy, check, dirty, check. Ah. Okay, so a blue button and a black button.¡± ¡°Blue and filled, black and empty, in your lungs your life you carry.¡± ¡°Ye, I remember. Let¡¯s try the blue one. Okay, so blue smoke is filling the room. Looks poisonous, this may be my last words. I want be remembered not for who I am, but who I could be! I feel lonely here by myself. Come blue gas, come!¡± ¡°Blue and filled, black and empty, in your lungs your life you carry.¡± ¡°Well. Nothing happened, I¡äll assume the blue smoke is safe. The smoke fills the lungs right? But aside from that, nothing changed. Moment of truth. I¡®m afraid.¡± ¡°Blue and filled, black and empty, in your lungs your life you carry.¡± ¡°Shut up! I¡®m trying to focus, god damn. Okay, black button! Engage! Oh shit. A doorway opened up. It¡¯s filled with black smoke. Any ideas?¡± ¡°Blue and filled, black and empty, in your lungs your life you carry.¡± ¡°Not you. Shut up. Shut up, shut up! Alright, deep breathe. We¡®re going to run through the black smoke, hope for the best.¡±
You have avoided certain death by either solving a riddle or over powered the trap.
¡°My eyes sting, my insides might literally be on fire. What in the hell was in that black stuff? Oh what!? My hair is grey now, why. It was grey colored dye all along!? That¡®s some insidious stuff.¡± ¡®Greetings little one. We see you¡¯ve made it safe and sound through the trials.¡¯ ¡°Who!? Hahaha. My dear fluffy pillow. What are you supposed to be?¡± ¡®Such insolence! You dare speak to I, in such disrespectful way!?¡¯ ¡°But. You-.¡± ¡®Silence! We will not suffer you. You have reached the end of the road, so to speak. Here we offer you a chance for extreme power! Power beyond your wildest beliefs!¡¯ ¡°Okay, thanks then.¡± ¡®No wait! First you must take a drink from the chalice of temptation!¡¯ ¡°Tempted. greed and power, will you fight or cower? Will you play the fool, become another¡¯s tool? Courage and intrepidity, mean nothing in the face of stupidity. Now is the time to show strength, your mental superiority.¡± What? What does that mean? That was a lot you just threw at me. ¡®You must drink from our chalice! Drink boy! Drink! And power shall be yours!¡¯ ¡°What¡¯s in it?¡± ¡®Ohohoho, let us tell you this! In it isdanger! In it is pain! This something not for the sane!¡¯ ¡°That sounds horrible, why would I drink that? Why would I even believe you? What is this? Amateur hour? Do I look like a child?¡± ¡®Eeeehehehehehe. So it is fear that haunts you? You shall gain nothing if you risk nothing.¡¯ ¡°Dude. You are surprisingly energetic for an fat old guy with a two meter long beard, I¡¯ll give you that. But I¡¯m not drinking your mystery juice. Just the thought is making my skin crawl.¡± ¡°It was at this moment that the spell was lifted, the shadows shifted and the fog it parted. For your one and only, hero to be, luckily avoided, being charmed and contorted.¡± ¡°Hey! Your back! Welcome back! You¡¯re not going to believe this, I actually missed you. There was some dull mysterious guy narrating in your stead. Where you go man?¡± ¡°The surroundings started changing. A coliseum, an arena appeared. There was more to be tested.¡± ¡°Oh I see. You taking your job seriously now? No jokes on my expense when serious stuff is going down? Hello! I am Ji, nice to meet you.¡± ¡®grrrr¡¯ ¡°Interesting. You don¡¯t look very dead. Maybe a bit sloppy but wouldn¡¯t have taken you for an undead. Hell you''re even a bit charming, for adead man.¡± ¡®rrrrhhhhh¡¯ ¡°Are we supposed to fight? Will you be able to move? My experience with the dead has been a bit disappointing.¡± ¡°The earth quakes with every step the beast takes. It slams its hands into the ground.¡± ¡°What are you doing man? Stop that, it''s gettingall wobbly. Why is the earth still shaking? That¡¯s it! I¡¯m taking out my sword! That¡¯s right! Sword! You going to get it now.¡±
|Mediocre apprentice sword of striking|
Adds additionalfifty to physical damage. Addsadditionalthirty to penetration. Increases physical damage by seventy percent. Base critical strike chance: one percent. Attack speed increased by eight percent. ¡°Carefully made by an aspiring weaponsmith¡±
Durability: 284/284 Charge: 15/15 Tier: 1
Item ability: Simple man¡¯s prod
Strike with relative accuracy.
Strength ?? 1:0.5
Agility ?? 1:0.2
Focus ?? 1:0.001
Intelligence ?? 1:0.0009
¡°The sword wielding protagonist stands bravely in the face of the undead slaver. Although the undead slaver is not considered very powerful he has the ability to summon three lesser undead.¡± ¡°Eh? Wait. Hey! Stop that! We don¡¯t need more of you.¡± ¡°Our hero takes the initiative and boldly dashes towards the undead slaver. the faster he acts, the safer he is¡± ¡®rrrrrrrrrrrrhhhhh¡¯ ¡°The droning of the undead amplifies. The ground has turned ashen and heads and hands pop out of the ground. Nothing but bones.¡± ¡°Damnit. Damnit!¡± ¡°Ji slashes his sword with an uneven swing. The undead slaver ignores the incoming attack and swipes at the inexperienced fighter that is our hero!¡± ¡°Owh! Shit. Owh man! What is this. Damnit. Where did this thing even come from?¡± ¡°A giant gaping wound has formed on littleJi¡¯s chest, bloodied bones can be seen. The undead slaver however no longer has a head. We watch it roll, incessantly biting an unseen foe. Its bodygone limp and nowrests onthe ground.¡± ¡°I need a band aid! Something.Dammit. My clothes! God this hurts. How much bloodcan I evenlose?¡± ¡°The inexperience is deadly, we can see first hand how panic can set people on the path of no return.¡± ¡°I¡¯m going to faint from bloodloss if this continues.¡± ¡°In his hysterical ramblings our hero forgets the summoned foes of the undead slaver. They creep silently letting out near inaudible droning sounds, clearly having lost majority of their power once the undead slaver had fallen.¡± ¡°Damnit. Right. Oh for the love all that is not undead. They are just crawling towards me.¡± ¡°The adrenaline fueled Ji makes quick work out of the ferocious lesser undead skeletons.¡± ¡°I¡¯m eating a bun and hoping I don¡¯t die here. God damn traps and zombies.¡°Oh nothing happens here, just some random creepy monoliths.¡± Lesya you liar.¡±
|Not at all suspicious looking meat buns|
Adds twenty to regeneration, lasts one hour. Increases regeneration by fifty percent, lasts one hour. Delicious.
¡°Can¡¯t fault these bad boys. The flat twenty addition doesn¡¯t do much. But the fifty percent is a sizable increase. Why didn¡¯t I get any experience!? Injustice! Look at my chest! Look at it! I was sliced open like a piece of pie!¡± ¡°The suffering, the pain. The mangled remains of our hero. We watch and hear his cries of anguish. Ji, we barely knew thee!¡± ¡°Oi. Let¡¯s not start digging my grave here. You already forgetting my exceptional regeneration? Even if I wanted to die, it would be hard. But to be fair, I¡¯m practically starving right now. The bun is filling so there is that.¡± ¡°You can say a lot of things about our protagonist but you can¡¯t fault his regenerative abilities.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t like the way you phrased that, it almost sounds like an insult for some reason. Your rhetoric is advancing.¡± ¡°After a while of quiet contemplation our hero stands. He walks slowly, his breathing still uneven. The closer to the exist he gets, the clearer the door gets. It is near ethereal, as if it is struggling to maintain its physical form.¡± ¡°I¡¯m going to be sore for at least a few days. My lord! Can¡¯t believe I got sliced open like that. Such an amateur move. What¡¯s happening with this thing, do I walk through this? It looks like it''s flowing. Some kind of force field? Magic? Probably magic. Can¡¯t stay in here.¡± ¡°Like a fish into water he slips through what could be an interdimensional portal. A magic gateway or just anexit fromthe field of illusions.¡± ¡°That¡¯s vague. How unusually of you not to know something. You trying to hide something? Speak! I demand answers! No? Hello? Whatever man.¡± ¡®Ji!¡¯ ¡°Leysa! Oh dear lord, what happened to you!?¡± ¡®It¡¯s not as bad as it seems.¡¯ ¡°No. no, it looks pretty bad. You are literally covered in blood.¡± ¡®Only a bit of it is mine.¡¯ ¡°Ah. Well, still. You get trapped in some different dimension as well then?¡± ¡®Yes. I think so. Incredibly complex riddles. Impossible to solve. I had to fight my way out. I was lucky not got get crushed multiple times.¡¯ ¡°Eh? They were hard? Mine were pretty easy. It was actually all pretty easy.¡± ¡®I was asked what the current prevalent theory of everything was.¡¯ ¡°Haha. What? Does that even have an answer?¡± ¡®I don¡¯t know.¡¯ ¡°Well. All¡¯s well that ends well, right? You get a quest right?¡± ¡®Yes. For some reason it hasn¡¯t ended. I just had to survive.¡¯ ¡°Mine was very similar.¡± ¡°Inevitably these two will realize that their quest is practically finished, although their journey is just beginning.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t try to be mysterious. No one likes a tease.¡± Chapter nine: Going to the beach!
Your level has increased to thirty five! You have acquired forty percent experience; sixty percent required to level up. You can distribute one hundred attribute points as you like. All attributes have increased by twenty for clearing a hidden mission and clearing one optional objective. You have been awarded with one minor skill point. You have been awarded with one minor skill point for clearing a hidden mission.
Oh shit! Holy shit ye! You seeing this Leysa? ¡°A look of shock and bewilderment is on the young wilder beast of a woman. It would appear that the pair have gained quite the reward. Many hidden encounters are spread all across the world.¡± ¡°Oh? Right, of course. Of course. Hmm. The difficulty seems to be balanced as well. At least this one was. Leysa? Earth to Leysa. Come in. chzzz.¡± ¡®Ah. Sorry. Wait a second I have to mark this location on the map, this can be considered priceless information.¡¯ ¡°Oh?¡± ¡®There are people out there that would do worse things than kill to get their hands on something like this.¡¯ ¡°Eh? But it¡¯s only a minor skill point right?¡± ¡®The higher you level, the less attributes are worth and abilities start out weighing attributes in a major way. Especially ones that give you a passive boosts like percentages.¡¯ ¡°I guess that makes sense, you seem to always get the same amount of attribute points per level. Do people max out abilities?¡± ¡®I¡äve never heard of anyone reaching any sort of cap when it comes abilities. It does get similarly slow to improve skills the later stages. But the benefits of an improved ability will greatly outweigh a single level, even tens of levels.¡¯ ¡°Right. Sure. This is your third minor ability point then?¡± ¡®Fourth. You get an additional point at level thousand and one at level two thousand.¡¯ ¡°I see. So. What minor skills do you have? And what are you going to get?¡± ¡®I¡¯m getting minor mental acuity. It is supposed to increase one''s focus.¡¯ ¡°Oh. That sounds like a good one. I might get that.¡± ¡®No! Get some kind of fighting based foundation:¡¯ ¡°Increased focus should increase my combat abilities, no?¡± ¡®You should get athleticism. Didn¡¯t you say you had an issue with gaining muscles? Then it is perfect for you.¡¯ ¡°But I want to be like a wizard or some stuff. Cast spells you know? Maybe get some minions and some support abilities for them. Or focus on fast casting stuff.¡± ¡®What in the world is wrong with you?¡¯ ¡°What?¡± ¡®To be a spell caster you need high mana regeneration, high mana pool, high Focus, high Intellect, preferably some high level tailoring skills, rune crafting or enchanting, extreme control attributes, high concentration and more. But to become a great warrior? Shoot things with a bow? Throw a spear? Swing a sword? All you need is endurance, strength and dexterity.¡¯ ¡°Well.¡± ¡®And, you want to be a summoner as well? You are insane. Only specialized missions allow you to learn summoning skills. And the only clans that I know that knows how to get that kind of quest is nothing you can trifle with.¡¯ ¡°How was I supposed to know any of this? How do I learn spells by the way? You have the wind spell or whatever it is but it feels like you wouldn¡¯t spell a skill point on that. ¡®Some abilities can be learned with spell skill points, some will be granted through quests and some can be learned naturally through enlightenment. I learned this skill because I¡¯ve been flying with little Kiki my entire life.¡¯ ¡°Hummm. I can totally see me being enlightened. ¡°I was going to get some related to empathy but you know what? I¡¯m getting minor mental acuity and minor mana ascendance. Don¡¯t sigh at me.¡± ¡®Do what you want. Be careful with mana, once you over drain mana you don¡¯t just stop, it starts using your blood, your life force as a fuel.¡¯ ¡°I¡¯m always super careful. Don¡¯t worry.¡± ¡°The air is getting warmer, the sun is making its appearance, shining up the backs of our hero and temporary heroine.¡± ¡°Hehe.¡± ¡®What now?¡¯ ¡°He called you a temporary heroine. Owh! Hey. It was him. Owh! Hey. It was the narrator not me, damn woman. Owh! What was that for?¡± ¡®You shouldn¡¯t have laughed.¡¯ ¡°There is a scent of the sea in the air. In the distance we can see the scenery change from the magnificent mountain range to a jaw dropping beaches and the awe inducing ocean. We watch our hero deep in thought. What could he possibly be thinking about?¡± ¡°I was just thinking this world is too violent. I¡¯m also worried whether or not I picked the right abilities. You know what is messed up? Why are there not any starter magic abilities? ¡°Our hero¡¯s not so profound thoughts do have a grain of sense in them. Sadly, he was not located in a trial area where everyone gets to choose one starter ability.¡± ¡°I knew it! I knew it! This is bullshit. I¡¯m going to a trial area and getting what is rightfully mine!¡±This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. ¡®You¡¯ll die if you try to challenge one of the larger factions.¡¯ ¡°Well. Still though. Narrator, isn''t there an abandoned beginners area somewhere? No? I hate you.¡± ¡°After gathering their thoughts the duo return to the journey and take to the sky. It would seem that the heiress of Keeo fortress has found her way.¡± ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡°Finally, after a considerably turbulous flight. Our duo lands safely, right be shore. Ready to rest.¡± ¡°How long are we going to fly this time?¡± ¡®We''re going out to sea, we¡¯ll be going to the island that my uncle lives on.¡¯ Uncle? Island? ¡®An old friend of father''s. I¡¯ve only seen him once. The island is a half a day travel from the beach or so. we¡¯ll have to stop and let Kiki rest before we go.¡¯ ¡°Ah. I wonder if anyone else managed to escape those, what did you say they were? Shades?¡± ¡®We can¡¯t be sure of who they were. A few people must have escaped, there were many people in our group that were a lot stronger than me.¡¯ ¡°Mmm. I was just wondering since we haven¡¯t seen anyone heading in the same direction. Guess we just missed them somehow.¡± ¡°A gorgeous beach. Fine black sands as far as the eye can see. Quiet calm waves and warm weather.¡± ¡°Ye. You¡¯re not lying, this looks amazing. Almost makes you wonder why there isn¡¯t a city here.¡± ¡®People only build cities on dungeons or quest areas.¡¯ ¡°Ah. Well. Still though, look at this beach.¡± ¡®It¡¯s just sand.¡¯ ¡°You¡¯ve got no sense of wonder. Look. The rising sunrise, the glittering ocean. The mesmerizing sounds of the local wildlife.¡± ¡®Meh.¡¯ ¡°Meh? Meh? Dear god, who hurt you? Are we camping here for the day?¡± ¡®We¡¯ll have to stay here until daybreak tomorrow.¡¯ ¡°Sweet! I can get some levels in. How do you train mental acuity by the way?¡± ¡®I¡¯m not sure. Dad said you have to do things that require your full attention.¡¯ ¡°Sure. Okay. Sounds vague enough. Just enough to not be helpful.¡± ¡°Tents have been erected just shy of the beach. In the shade of a few trees.¡± ¡°Bit rude to just run off like that, leaving me alone here.¡° ¡°I would run off if I could.¡± ¡°What? What was that? Cheeky bastard. Let¡¯ see.¡±
|Minor mental acuity|
Damage conversion
Expected damage
0
Initial hit: None
Secondary hit: None
Strength ?? 1:0
Agility ?? 1:0
Focus ?? 1:0
Intelligence ?? 1:0
[Passive][Training][Control]
Ability description: Helps the user amplify general senses and increase training proficiency in certain areas. Increases Concentration by an additional ten. Increases Intelligence by an additional ten. Increases Awareness ligence by an additional ten. Increases Reflexes ligence by an additional ten. Increases Focus by an additional ten. Can elevate certain physical senses.
¡°Not sure what I was expecting. So supposedly this will allow me to be quote unquote enlightened.¡±
|Minor mana ascendance|
Damage conversion
Expected damage
0
Initial hit: None
Secondary hit: None
Strength ?? 1:0
Agility ?? 1:0
Focus ?? 1:0
Intelligence ?? 1:0
[Passive][Training][Mana][Control][Recovery]
Ability description: Allows user further control over ambient mana. Eases recovery of internal mana. Effect: Increases mana regeneration by an additional ten. Increased mana by an additional ten. Increased Intelligence by an additional ten Increased Focus by an additional ten Increased mana regeneration by ten percent. Increased mana by ten percent. Increased Intelligence by ten percent. Increased Focus by ten percent. Can increase sensitivity to mana. Can increase ability to manipulate mana.
¡°I think Leysa won¡¯t be too happy that took these two. Now I just need a spell to use.¡± ¡°Little does our hero know that all he needs to do to learn spells is to manipulate mana of certain elements.¡± ¡°Oh? Oh? See, this is why we are friends.¡± ¡°Our poor delusional protagonist, we can only pray for his wellbeing.¡± ¡°Like this? No? How about this whassao! Swish! Kuuu!¡± ¡°How strange. Young Ji appears to have completely lost his mind. What sound is kuu supposed to be anyway?¡± ¡°No? What? Why so dramatic. That was wind sounds. What you mean what does kuu mean, like the way wind kuus. Like kuu, kuuuu!¡± ¡°What in heaven''s name is going on.¡± ¡°Kuu! What is wrong with you? The way the wind goes kuu. I¡¯m going to try it with water.¡± ¡°This is simply bizarre.¡± ¡®Ji, what are you doing?¡¯ ¡°Hey Leysa! I¡¯m trying to create a water spell.¡± ¡®And you do that by slapping the water?¡¯ ¡°I don¡¯t know, I¡¯m trying everything. Not exactly a guidebook lying around.¡± ¡®I¡¯m at a loss for words.¡¯ ¡°As am I.¡± ¡°I feel like it¡¯s working.¡± ¡®Why are you naked?¡¯ ¡°To better sense the water. Also didn¡¯t want to get my clothes wet.¡± ¡®I¡¯m leaving again.¡¯ ¡°Okay! I think I¡¯m really close to getting a spell.¡± ¡®¡­¡¯ ¡°I have been humbled. Let us not laugh at the less fortunate.¡± ¡°Do I need catch phrases? Like, water wave! Water crusher! Ice bolt! Damnit. Let¡¯s see. Whirlpool! Waternado! Water up!¡± ¡°Please stop.¡± ¡°Whirl water! Water ocean! Ocean water! Sea slide! Aqua force!¡± ¡°We can only hope that our hero learns that he has to make a connection to a certain element with his eyes and mouth closed.¡± ¡°Hm? Why didn¡¯t you say something earlier?¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°Alright. I¡¯m going to try and sit where the water is about chest high and try to reach some kind of connection to the water. I¡¯m guessing I need to use mana in some way. Oh! So that¡¯s what that is, I was feeling a bit strange. Turns out it is me feeling the existence of mana. Wow, this is pretty cool.¡± ¡°We thank the heavenly gods above for these moments of silence. In fact, whilst our hero sits in silence shall we take a quick break and get something sweet? Everyone take a fiver.¡± ¡®Ji? Ji! What are you doing, Ji?¡¯ ¡°Hm? Oh. Hey Leysa. You¡¯re back from, ehm. Whatever you were doing. Anyway. Check this out! I can make the water move about now. Even gather into a small ball. Not exactly lethal though but it¡¯s progress.¡± ¡°A look of terror, jealousy and a hint of anger is on apparent on the young lady¡¯s face.¡± ¡®How? What did you do?¡¯ ¡°It¡¯s simple. I just focused on sensing the water element. I visualized it moving and eventually it worked. I¡äve got to get out of the water I¡¯m becoming all pruny.¡± ¡®This is amazing. You must be a genius. I¡¯ve been told some geniuses are eccentric, I guess it was true.¡¯ ¡°Do people in this world not know how to give people compliments?¡± ¡®It took me years to even feel the wind elements.¡¯ ¡°There is scorn in her voice. I can sympathize with her. I wouldn¡¯t want to be out done by this idiot either.¡± ¡°Hey! I¡¯m smart. Just. You know, not conventionally.¡± ¡®Okay.¡¯ ¡°Eh?¡± ¡°With Leysa¡¯s defeated nod the day slowly burns away. Leysa has had a sudden motivation to concentrate on her wind magic. Ji continues to play with water, and improving at an incredibly rate.¡± ¡°I feel tired. So tired. ah. Blood? Why?¡± ¡®Ji! I said to be careful! You¡¯ve over exerted yourself and drained all your mana pool. Ah! Your coughing blood!¡¯ ¡°But. But how was I supposed to know I was out of mana. There isn¡¯t exactly a mana counter.¡± ¡®You must have felt an increasing amount of discomfort.¡¯ ¡°Not really, no.¡± ¡®How about pain?¡¯ ¡°Nope. I just felt tired and then coughed up some blood. I¡¯m always in a little pain Leysa. Small discomfort has next to no effect on me. Doctors used to say I was lucky to not fall into a coma. Lucky to not go insane. Lucky..¡± ¡°Luck. Very subjective. I¡¯d say I was the unlucky one here. And everyone graced with my utterance to be considered lucky.¡± ¡®Ji? What are you doing?¡¯ ¡°No! No. I¡¯m just tired. I¡¯m just tired. I¡¯m going to sleep.¡± ¡®Not in the water!¡¯ Chapter ten: So majestic ¡°Early in the morning we see something frolicking in the ocean, with all the grace of a mature but lonely manatee. Majestic.¡± ¡°Stop! Stop it! I¡¯m trying to focus here. A few minutes ago it was a sea cow now it¡¯s a manatee. The hell is a manatee anyway. I miss the internet.¡± ¡®What¡¯s the internet Ji?.¡¯ ¡°Eh? Hmm. Internet? You know what? It might as well be a magical fountain of knowledge, I have no idea how it actually worked. I just used it.¡± ¡®Oh.¡¯ ¡°If we had the internet we could easily find out how the internet worked.¡± ¡®We¡¯re going to leave soon. We should have left already but you were already in the water when I woke up.¡¯ ¡°Okay, okay. Look at this though.¡± ¡°What we are looking at now appears to be a tiny storm within the right hand of our protagonist. It appears to be a small drizzle, a murky cloud and tiny but ferocious winds.¡± ¡®How in the world are you doing that!?¡¯ ¡°Hehe. You¡¯re going to be amazed. It started by trying to make a cloud and eventually I felt I was naturally connected to the air, which made the image in my mind a reality. Something like that. Amazing right?¡± ¡°Amazing, yes. But more importantly, baffling, that this unassuming, mediocre and lackluster person managed to so easily connect with two of the basic elements of the world.¡± ¡®Unbelievable.¡¯ ¡°I¡¯m afraid it can¡¯t be taught. I am simply a prodigy.¡± ¡°How insufferable. And that gesture. Flicking his thumb across the tip of his nose. It physically hurts to observe.¡± *screech.* ¡®Okay Kiki.¡¯ Oh? You speak its language? ¡®I¡¯m afraid it can¡¯t be taught. Only prodigies would understand.¡¯ ¡°Ohhhhh.¡± ¡°That¡¯s just you being bitter¡± ¡°After the pair takes flight our hero desperately tries to withstand the immense air pressure, but without much success. Tears, sweat and blood cover hisunfortunateface as he struggles to keep his consciousness.¡± ¡®Ji, I¡¯ll do it for you, if you continue like this you¡¯ll become mentally impaired.¡¯ ¡°Mmrppphhggll.¡± ¡°Ah, how eloquent. As majestic as donkey.¡± ¡°Mrph!¡± ¡®Ji! Dear goddess! You¡¯re frothing at the mouth!¡¯ ¡°And here we are. A near brain dead protagonist, flying at high altitude at extreme speeds. I guess we just have to wait for him to regain his faculties before we continue. See you after this considerably long break. *instrumental music* ¡°And we¡¯re back! Our hero is slowly waking up, hold your breath people. Has he turned into a bumbling idiot? Has he retained his average intelligence? Let¡¯s watch.¡± ¡°Mrhm? Mrrrm? *cough* My throat is so dry. My entire face feels like a desert.¡± ¡®You idiot. What is wrong you!?¡¯ ¡°Eh? What? Hello?¡± ¡®You almost killed yourself, unbelievable! We just went over not over doing it with mana and then you over do it and start coughing up blood! Oh but that¡¯s not enough for you, you psychopath, no! You had to go at again but this time over exerted your mind and narrowly escaped being turned into a fully-fledged idiot.¡¯ ¡°Well. I got about half of what you just said. Where are we?¡±This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it ¡®In the sky.¡¯ No. I figured that, I can see us, we¡¯re flying. Didn¡¯t you have a map? ¡®I¡¯m not good with maps.¡¯ ¡°A match made in heaven. Absolute perfection.¡± ¡°Well then. How long before we land?¡± ¡®I¡¯m not sure. I¡¯m sure Kiki knows where she is going.¡¯ *Screech* ¡®See.¡¯ ¡°What?¡± ¡°The journey continues and all we see is the ever expansive blue ocean. And our hero¡¯s dull glazed over eyes. The kind of look you¡¯d expect from the painting of a five year old child.¡± ¡°Your insults are becoming more and more obscure. They are insults right? What is happening with you anyway? Nothing? Hello? Leysa what do you think?¡± ¡®Think about what?¡¯ ¡°The insults.¡± ¡®What insults?¡¯ ¡°The narrator Leysa, the narrator¡¯s insults. He keeps saying talking shit.¡± ¡®I can¡¯t hear him Ji. I¡äve never been able to hear him. Are you sure you¡¯re okay? Your eyes seem a bit dull.¡¯ ¡°Hahahaha. Fantastic, I love it!¡± ¡°God damnit. Whatever man.¡± ¡°There he stoically sulks in silence. Unmoved by the captivating visage of the sky and ocean blending into one. The rhythmic squawk of the native bird life. The occasional fountains spewed out by the strange sea creatures below.¡± ¡°Oh. It is kind of beautiful.¡± ¡°Our hero¡¯s eyes are forced closed but we have nothing to do! Let us take this rare occasion to discuss the world, the breathtaking abilities that have appeared, and our protagonist upcoming journey! As we all know. The world isn¡¯t a stable constant, although it is tough and resilient, it can be remolded. Just shy of a thousand years. That¡¯s how long since the apocalypse occurred. And as they describe it, a zombie apocalypse. Which is only a portion of the story. You see. Thousand years shouldn¡¯t be enough to change the landscape into what it is today! Oh no. Not even close. Countries and continents have descended below the ocean whilst we had newcontinents have risenat the same time. The planet Earth was then invaded by rogue races, all of which were looking for a way to escape the relentless pursuit of the undead. With the tremendous external power that came with billions of refugees flocking to the planet earth. Located in a obscuredimensionon the fractal line, the earth started its upheaval, its rise. Plants, trees and other flora start growing with great vigor. This wasn''t the end of it though. The undead had also managed to chase these people into the world in multiple areas. They however lost connection to their true leaders and therefore lost majority of their intelligent command. The wandering undeadgrew slowly but still hold considerable power to this day. Some powers even joined forces with them. This is can be considered a grave disaster for many. The humans can now only be considered around thirteen percent of the total sentient beings that reside on Earth. How do you all feel about that? A nice little premise right? Now let¡¯s look at skills, powers and or abilities. Our hero has managed to teach himself some fundamental control of the elements. Although this can be considered an ability, it is a poor substitute. It may allow him to achieve decent offensive power and fight against the low leveled critters to medium sized beasts. But eventually, he¡¯ll have to specializeand pick a class, a specialization. If he wants to make any sort of ripples in this world. The abilities available in the open world are without a doubt numerous,but can be considered hard to get but even harder to find. This is where our hero will be able to excel. Our hero is what can be called a Beta, an original, the ancient, the oracles and so on. The first wave of humans, and they just so happen to be the ones with the biggest advantages. The ones that survived the cataclysmic events were like the earth, imbued with immense powers or at least the ability to harness unique powers. And I am one of those powers, as you may have guessed. You clever lot. There is more to go into about the world and the abilities but let us not drown ourselves in what can be considered irrelevant. Irrelevant!? You ask. Yes. I am afraid our hero¡¯s fate isn¡¯t looking too bright. You may have enjoyed this new companion, Leysa. But I am afraid her purposes are far more nefarious that what we initially expected. Due to our hero being identified as a Beta. And a vulnerable, weak Beta at that. He has fallen prey to the Keeo family. The Keeo family has one main family and three branch families. Our young little lady, Miss Leysa is apart of one of the branch families. The Keeo main family can be considered something like royalty to many, and abrutally cruel one at that. At least when you look passed their righteous outer shell. What could she possibly be planning with our hero you ask? How extremely inquisitive of you! Although the Betas are known to be powerful, their second generation wasn¡¯t too far off as well. And what are the requirements for a second generation of Beta? A male or a female Beta of course. I¡¯m afraid our trusting, naive, perpetually smiling and joking hero will be drained dry, they will most likely squeeze the very last drop out of him. Like a milked cow he¡¯ll be locked away and women forced unto him by the thousands. He of course being of the first generationhas a way out of this entire mess. It will be up to him to seize the chance though. Sadly, he may have to see some humiliation before anything else. Now the question is, will he have the will to fight back,escape, will he be broken or will hebe subdued? Leysa has already drugged our hero, he will most likely not wake up for a few hours. All we can do now is watch.¡± ¡­ ¡­ ... ¡®Mister Ji, good morning. Or should I called you the Old one?¡¯ ¡°Hrm? What? Where am I? Oi! Hey! Hey! Hey! What¡¯s with these chains? And why are they so comfortable?¡± ¡®We didn¡¯t want to discomfort our future. Weassure you that you¡¯ll be served with the most care.¡¯ ¡°Why does that sound extremely creepy coming from you? Who are you? Where is Leysa?¡± ¡®The young mistress will be seeing you soon enough. She is being awarded and accepted into the main sect for her great contributions to theKeeo family.¡¯ ¡°Eh? Wait. Come back! At least cover me up. God damn perverts!¡± ¡°The silk sheets, scented room and a naked squirming human male grunting whilst attempting to remove his bindings.¡± ¡°Oi! Hey narrator. Care to tell me what the hell is going on?¡± ¡°Our hero still hasn¡¯t come to the realization that he was betrayed by the companion he trusted most.¡± ¡°No. No way! Well, I have been wondering why she stuck so close to me but ignored everyone else. What¡¯s the point of this though?¡± ¡°Before long, a middle aged woman enters the room wearing a thin robe. Her appearance is that of maturity but her eyes reveal deep seated arrogance.¡± ¡°Hello. Who are you?¡± ¡®Not bad.¡¯ ¡°Our hero shivers when he feels her cold hand runs down from his chest to his lower abdominal muscles. There is no desire in her eyes, she is calm, collected and most of all decisive.¡± ¡®Tell me, Ji. Are you really an Original?¡¯ ¡°Hah? What do you think you are doing? First, move your hands. Second, why the chains? Third what¡¯s an Original?¡± ¡®You really are strange. If I wasn¡¯t so unsure and frankly don¡¯t believe that bitch from the branch family, I¡¯d have had you already.¡¯ ¡°What? Had me already? Phrasing, man.¡± ¡°Slowly, very slowly. Our protagonist is realizing that his situation is turning for the worse.¡± ¡®After we confirm you are truly an Original, a true Beta! I will carry your child, and all the women with any sense will come begging us to allow them to use you.¡¯ ¡°What the shit. What in the shit!? Are you insane? Owh! What is with women and pinching?¡± ¡°In the now solemn room an aged manlooks on with a bitter smile as his wife plays with the young and nude Ji Aleksy, unwillingness slowly fills his eyes. This man may be his only chance to get out of here.¡± ¡®We¡¯ll have a few of the girls come in a few moments. As soon as one of them becomes pregnant we¡¯ll know if you are truly are a Beta. Well then Ji. I hope you¡¯ll enjoy yourself. Oh, you can call meSueaeska.¡¯ ¡°This can¡¯t really be happening. How could you Leysa! Old man! You there? You better get me out of this! I can sense you out there!¡± ¡°The screams coming from our hero, although seemingly desperate hold a sense of indifference. An attitude that calls out ¡®do as you will, I do not long for this world¡¯.¡± Chapter eleven: Bound displeasure ¡®Young man. You never should have came here. You shouldn¡¯t exist. You shouldn¡¯t have that voice.¡¯ ¡°Hello?¡± ¡®Why are you here? How are you here? What do you want?¡¯ ¡°Uhm. Hmm. I¡¯m not sure what is happening right now. Why do these questions feel like they¡¯re rhetorical? Mind helping me out?¡± ¡®You came too early. You came when you were weak. You came while you were ignorant.¡¯ ¡°Okay. So another random crazy person. I don¡¯t suppose you know the puzzle narrator?¡± ¡°The aged older brother of the Keeo patriarch, Ille Keeo. Known as the prophet, the oracle of the Keeo. Also the peacemaker, the savior of the unwanted.¡± ¡°Ille? How do you spell that?¡± ¡°In his youth, Ille had fallen into the ocean, swallowed by a giant sea creature that was then swallowed by another giant sea creature that was then swallowed by another sea creature.¡± ¡°What the shit? Ille, that true?¡± ¡®It was such.¡¯ ¡°Oh!? You can hear the narrator?¡± ¡®Nay. I can however feel him.¡¯ ¡°Eh?¡± ¡°The story of Ille, the destroyer of Leeeollai, is a long one. Sadly we will not have the time to go further down the intricate path Ille took to become the eccentric he is today. ¡°So Ille. Destroyer of leolai.¡± ¡®Leeeollai! It was known as Leeeollai. That horrifying thing.¡¯ ¡°Long story short. Ille, in a series of fortunate events managed to slay the three sea creatures he was devoured by. Each gave him a dramatic rise in level and generous rewards. One of which was the power of foresight.¡± ¡°You old dog! How lucky! Is that like spider senses?¡± ¡®The senses of spiders? The arachnid have no such ability.¡¯ ¡°Oh. Then like the house fly? They are near impossible to hit.¡± ¡®What soft skin you have.¡¯ ¡°Eh? Aye man. That¡¯s a bit creepy.¡± ¡®I wonder how fast your bones heal, if I tear your skin apart, will you bleed?¡¯ ¡°What the shit. What is happening here?¡± ¡®So you wanted to become an empath? The path of empathy is one filled with tragedies. To pity, but do nothing is self-flagellation.¡¯ ¡°Who told you that?¡± ¡®The spirits, young Ji Aleksy. Or should I say senior Ji? When does age become relevant and when does it stop?¡¯ ¡°I don¡¯t know. Can you stop stroking me though? Not going to lie, feels very odd. And for some reason I¡¯m enjoying it. Making it even stranger.¡± ¡°The ensuing look of contemplation on Ille¡¯s face whilst he strokes our hero¡¯s hair and face gently, makes one wonder what is on his mind. Ji lies there squirming with no way to escape, left to enjoy the feeling a true empath can bestow.¡± ¡°Wow. It feels so nice. What is this?¡± ¡®Your pain. It is mine now. For the moment.¡¯ ¡°Cool. Thanks. This is what feels like to be normal? How peaceful. No wonder people live life in such fear and urgency, I wouldn¡¯t want to lose this either.¡± ¡®You have two paths before you Ji.¡¯ ¡°Someone has arrived at the door to Ji¡¯s comfortable prison. They yell, scream and slam. You can¡¯t hear them yell due Ille¡¯s abilities but if you could, you would hear ¡®Come on! Come on and slam! Slam the door open!¡¯¡± ¡®One is of sexual slavery, a path of pain, ecstasy and bewilderment. Whilst the other is of struggle, a path of adventure, pain and satisfaction.¡¯ ¡°Old man! Don¡¯t leave!¡± ¡°The look of relief disappears from our protagonist face as his pain starts spreading throughout his body like the gushing water from a broken dam. His teeth clench.¡¯ ¡°Look at me. I seek comfort. Every moment is pain. My very existence is pain, this is who I am.¡±The author''s content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. ¡°The veil has vanished. The glass has shattered. The walls have broken. This is the first time our hero has expressed genuine emotion. A moment where he isn¡¯t deceiving anyone for one reason or another.¡± ¡°I can¡¯t stay here. It¡¯ll only get worse. I need a way to cure myself. This is a fantasy world right? There has to be a way. There has to be!¡± ¡°As soon as old man Ille vanishes into thin air the doors are flung open, a group of similarly dressed men and women stumble through the doorway.¡± ¡®Where is he!?¡¯ ¡°A voice drowns out the clatter of every last disciple in the Keeo palace.¡± ¡®Ille! I know it was you! Don¡¯t you dare do this!¡± ¡°Patriarch Keak Keeo. The oldest living person of the Keeo clan. Slightly stronger than his older brother.¡± ¡®God damnit. We need to increase the security. Always have ten people with eyes on the Beta¡¯ ¡°Every person near the patriarch silently nods, not daring to speak as they see the flustered appearance of the most venerated person in their family.¡± ¡®Spit it out. What did he tell you?¡¯ ¡°Eh? What was that? Is making snorting sounds a Keeo thing? Talking to me? So you¡¯re Keak? What a strange name. How do you even pronounce that?¡± ¡°A common look of feigned ignorance has reappeared on our hero. All walls can be rebuilt. New glass can be blown. The mist may even seem thicker.¡± ¡°Why are you looking at me like that? You want to have me as well? The whole Keeo family seems a bit strange. Can men in this era get pregnant? Truly things have changed since I woke up! What? You all look a bit pale. Except for you. Keaky. You look a bit off, maybe a fever?¡± ¡°The room becomes excruciatingly silent as an invisible force pushes all personnel with the room out. A look of anger is on the Keeo patriarch¡¯s face, if his sharp eyebrows are any indicators.¡± ¡®Hahaha! You got spirit boy. I like that. Not bad, not bad at all! Alright, if you don¡¯t want to talk, then don¡¯t¡¯ ¡°Eh?¡± ¡®I haven¡¯t been able to stop my brother from saving countless people in the past, I won¡¯t start being successful now. But that doesn¡¯t mean I¡¯ll stop trying!¡¯ ¡°A playful look appears on the face of patriarch Keak. His strength can only be questioned by his formidable wife and his eccentric older brother. Sometimes it becomes lonely at the top.¡± ¡®Alright, Ji was it? Good luck! Hopefully you¡¯ll create an infinitely more powerful descendants for me! Or if things go the way of my brother and you somehow escape this fortress. Either way, let¡¯s see who will win.¡¯ ¡°External sounds reappear as the Keeo patriarch leaves Ji to his fate.¡± ¡°What the actual shit is going on in this place? What am I supposed to do now? Hello? Old guy? Anyone here? Hmm. These chains are pretty strange. What is this made of? Feels like a mix of water and rubber. How strange.¡± ¡°Our hero stews it quiet contemplation for hours before another person graces him with its presence.¡± ¡®Is that him?¡¯ ¡®Mmhmm.¡¯ ¡®Do we really have to do this? Urrah was not happy when I told him.¡¯ ¡®The Matriarch came personally to order it. Even Sueaeska, daughter of that Ille has been telling us of the benefits.¡¯ ¡®But I don¡¯t care if my baby will be some second generation this or that. I love Urrah.¡¯ ¡®Stop crying. It¡¯s just sex, if Urrah can¡¯t understand how amazing of a chance this is then he¡¯s not worth your time!¡¯ ¡°Yes? Can I help you two?¡± ¡®Can we at least gag him or something? Or blindfold him?¡¯ ¡®Ye. You can do whatever you want.¡¯ ¡°A mischievous grin appeared on one of the two seedlings of the Keeo family. They can¡¯t be said to be very strong but their potential is in the top one hundred.¡± ¡°No. no. no. don¡ät worry, I¡¯ll just close my eyes and mouth. No worries. No need for any gags or anything. Really sick of being gagged.¡± ¡°The more aggressive of the two takes of a sock and stuffs it into our hero¡¯s mouth. And the world is now as it should be.¡± ¡®Doesn¡¯t it have to be hard?¡¯ ¡°Mmrrrhmm!¡± ¡®Shut up!¡¯ ¡®He doesn¡¯t look very willing, Daal.¡¯ ¡®Trust me, I know how guys work. Just show them a little bit and they¡¯ll be trying to rise to the heavens.¡¯ ¡®Daal. He can¡¯t see with a blindfold.¡¯ ¡®Ugh. Can you please? Okay? I¡¯m trying something here.¡¯ ¡°Mmmmhm? Mmm? Mrrrrm!¡± ¡®I don¡¯t think he likes that Daal.¡¯ ¡®He does! Look. You got to squeeze a bit.¡¯ ¡®Nothing is happening.¡¯ ¡®I have eyes Selajai.¡¯ ¡®Maybe he¡¯s broken?¡¯ ¡®Maybe. What do you do with Urrah? ¡®That¡¯s none of your business!¡¯ ¡®Don¡¯t tell me you haven¡¯t even done it yet? Aren¡¯t you supposed to be sweethearts?¡¯ ¡®He said he was waiting until he broken through so we¡¯d be equal.¡¯ ¡®That¡¯s never going to happen then, he¡¯s useless.¡¯ ¡®Yes it is! He¡¯s getting really close!¡¯ ¡®Aha, sure Selajai. Help me with this.¡¯ ¡®I don¡¯t want to touch him.¡¯ ¡®Come on! This is a rare opportunity even if he isn¡¯t the Beta whatever, we¡¯ll get rewards just for doing it! Plus, you don¡¯t want to embarrass yourself when you and Urrah finally do it. You can get some practice.¡¯ ¡®You think I¡¯d embarrass myself? But don¡¯t you just put it in and take it out?¡¯ ¡®Oh my. Selajai, you really don¡¯t know?¡¯ ¡°A feigned look of seriousness appears on one of the more pretentious Keeo disciple. Our hero squirms about with a sock in his mouth and a veil over his head. This is such a great day.¡¯ ¡°Mrrrrm! Mrrr! Mmmmrr!¡± ¡®Oh, see. I told you, he likes it.¡¯ ¡®But he¡¯s so soft down there.¡¯ ¡®It¡¯s a process. My sister told me all about it. Don¡¯t worry, I know what I¡¯m doing¡¯ ¡®Can I try?¡¯ ¡®Sure! Okay, just grab one of his nipples and squeeze and turn it. Jasel told me she saw guys doing it to each other as well. They totally love it.¡¯ ¡°Mrr! Mrr!¡± ¡®Like this?¡¯ ¡°Mmm! Mm?¡± ¡®No, harder.¡¯ ¡°Mmmrrr! Mrrr!¡± ¡®See told you.¡¯ ¡®They¡¯re getting really red and I think a bit harder.¡¯ ¡®Mhm! I told you so, right? Now we do the same thing to his thing down there.¡¯ ¡°Mrr! Rrrrrrr! Rrrr!¡± ¡°We can¡¯t see it, but we can imagine the facial expression on our hero right now would be one of fear.¡± ¡®Why is his skin so smooth? And hairless? He has no hair at all.¡± ¡®I¡äm not sure Daal, it¡¯s pretty though, almost like a girl.¡¯ ¡®Ye almost like a girl.¡¯ ¡°Hahahahahaha, there you have everyone.¡± ¡°Mrrrmph!¡± ¡°The evening continues as experiments to arouse our hero fail to succeed. I¡¯ll be honest with you all. I never expected him be so stoic. If we hadn¡¯t caught him in the act of self-pleasure before I would start to doubt his abilities.¡± ¡®That¡¯s it Selajai! I give up! My jaw is almost numb. He¡¯s probably just broken!¡¯ ¡®I told you at the start. I can¡¯t believe you made me put in my mouth, I hate you!¡¯ ¡®I can¡¯t be blamed for that! I was tired, my mouth feels so dry. Let¡¯s go talk to the elder.¡¯ ¡°Mrrrmph!¡± ¡®Take the sock out, let¡¯s see what he has to say.¡¯ ¡°You beasts! Monsters! How can you do that not another human being!?¡± ¡®Please. It¡¯s all your fault! All you had to do was get hard!¡¯ ¡°What the shit! What you did was for all intent and purposes, torture! You cruel crazy bitches. What the shit man. What the shit! What happened to the sex education in this world!? Goddamn animals. And who uses teeth like that!? Who!?¡± ¡®I¡¯m leaving Daal. I don¡¯t like him.¡¯ ¡®I¡¯m coming. He¡¯s crazy.¡¯ ¡°I¡¯m crazy? Hahaha! I¡¯m crazy!? Hahaha. Hahaha. Haha.¡± ¡°The doors close as the two female disciples leave our protagonist in his frenzied laughter that is drenched in derision and anger.¡± ¡°Tell me. Are you there old man? How do I get out of here? I pick the second path. Please get me out of here.¡± ¡°Silence dominates the atmosphere in the room. We contemplate his fate as we watch over his saliva covered body.¡¯ Chapter twelve: A hero鈥檚 welcome ¡°I¡¯m not sure what hurt more. Their inhuman techniques or the helplessness.¡± ¡°A slight shiver, a strange sensation. These are the signs of a quest. This is where our hero¡¯s innate advantage comes into play.¡± ¡°Huh? What do you mean? Oh! Cool, a quest!¡± ¡°Like a child with a toy, any former reflection of his tortuous experiences vanishes.¡± ¡°Class quest? Level forty? When did I get five levels?¡±
|Class quest: Tier one|
Use |Calling stone| to teleport to nearest transfer portal Find and speak to a local quest guide Difficulty: Negligible. Reward: Class point
Ohhhhhahaha! Ye! That¡¯s how we do it! Ye! First generation, best generation! Come on beta¡¯s come on! Alright. So how do I use this thing? Where is this calling stone? Inventory. Right, inventory. ¡°Out of the infinite an item appears. A mossy stone, exuding a complex pressure.¡± ¡°Wow. This thing definitely looks magical.¡±
|Calling stone| cannot be used while bound. |Calling stone| cannot be used while in combat
¡°No. What the hell man. Back at it with these damn chains.¡± ¡°The laughable situation. The sad state of affairs! If our hero had only raised his level slightly before ending up in this situation.¡± ¡°Please don¡¯t. Not right now.¡± ¡°Not only would our hero been able to start his path towards a greater specialization, he would have been able to enter areas more adequate for his level.¡± ¡°Now that I can¡¯t actually make use of that information you decide to spill it? what is your purpose even? I am formally putting in a complaint! As soon as I get my hands untied I¡¯ll be writing a very harsh worded letter.¡± ¡°Sounds of pounding footsteps can be heard, even over the mindless chatter of our poor, deranged hero.¡± ¡®Open the door!¡¯ ¡®Yes, young master!¡¯ ¡°For real? This can¡¯t be round two can it?¡± ¡°Each of his footstep lightly shake the room as he nears our protagonist.¡± ¡®Ji Aleksy! The Impotent! The world laughs and cries.¡¯ ¡°Morning, evening or whatever time of day it is.¡± ¡®Yes, good evening, Ji Aleksy. I am the residence healer, a doctor of sorts. Here to fix you up.¡¯ ¡°Ah. You came just for me? I¡¯m touched. But I¡¯m afraid I¡¯m perfectly healthy.¡± ¡°Arguable.¡± ¡°Also aren¡¯t you a bit too. A bit too big? And round? You know, for a doctor.¡± ¡®Hehe. You got vigor at least. Now, let¡¯s see what¡¯s wrong with your battle sword.¡¯ ¡°Don¡¯t suppose you could loosen these chains? I¡¯m not sure how I¡¯m supposed to be any kind of a threat, I¡¯m only level 35.¡± ¡®Funny. I¡¯m seeing forty.¡¯ ¡°Ah right. Not sure how I got five levels. Let me check the log.¡±
|Tedious temptations|
Survived sexual torture and humiliation. Bonus reward: Do not succumb to your primal desires. Bonus reward: Succumb to your primal desires.
Your level has increased to forty!Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more. You have acquired forty percent experience; sixty percent required to level up. You can distribute fifty attribute points as you like. All attributes have increased by eleven for clearing a hidden mission and clearing one optional objective. You have met the requirements for your first class quest. Seek a master to continue.
¡°These quests need to be a lot more alerting. Alerting, warning, warned? I need to be alerted in a more efficient manner. There we go.¡± ¡°One must wonder, one most ponder. Why is someone that puts majority of his attributes into Intelligence, Focus, Willpower, Concentration and awareness, a bumbling imbecile? One of life¡¯s greatest mysteries.¡± ¡°What do you know? I¡¯m a mysterious person, it is not strange that others cannot perceive my brilliance.¡± ¡®I see what they mean. If we didn¡¯t know better, we would consider you at the very least mentally ill. I assume you¡¯re having a conversation with your ethereal companion, the narrator.¡¯ ¡°I¡¯m not on speaking terms with that thing. On a different note. Would you care to explain why you are sending young women to molest me? And such, inexperienced ones at that.. I¡¯m not trying to brag here but as the only child of the Ji Aleksy Empire, I didn¡¯t do too badly for myself.¡± ¡®The Aleksy Empire.¡¯ ¡°Yes, the Aleksy conglomerate to be more specific.¡± ¡®Aleksy, Aleksy. Where have I heard that name before?¡¯ ¡°The Aleksy family was of such enormous caliber that they even survived what was in its essence the rebirth of the planet earth. They of course are one of the strongest, most powerful human factions.¡± ¡°What!? Holy shit, no way! Ye! That¡¯s right. The Aleksy never surrender!¡± ¡®Calm down young man. What¡¯s with all this yelling?¡¯ ¡°Huhuhehehe. You think your puny Keeo family is something to brag about? You have no idea. Once I find my family, shit is going down. Sorry about the yelling.¡± ¡®First things first. Let¡¯s try some medication, a little something to give you a little push.¡¯ ¡°Oh? Wait. Actually, I¡¯m more of all natural kind of guy. I don¡¯t do drugs, thank you. Just say no! You know the ads? Murghlp¡± ¡°With the eloquence of a bumble bee our hero forcefully swallows pills glimmering with a mysterious hue.¡± ¡°This place is awful! I¡¯ll be writing a horrible review, next to no privacy, also. How about feeding your prisoner. And make it something other than rape powder.¡± ¡®So, how do you feel?¡¯ ¡°Hungry. Wouldn¡¯t mind stretching my legs a bit, mind untying me for a moment?¡± ¡®Guards, untie the boy.¡¯ ¡®Sir!¡¯ ¡®He¡¯s just a boy, what is he going to do? He¡¯s level forty of heaven¡¯s sake.¡¯ ¡®Alright sir.¡¯ ¡°Oh. What is that? A strange looking thing for a key.¡± ¡°With a scowl the guard looks Ji in the eye before exhaling strongly out of his nose¡± ¡°What? Why is everyone so pissy? Oh dear lord and ladies above, I feel hot.¡± ¡°An extremely sloppy smile appears on over-sized physicians face as he waves his hands, signaling everyone to move out¡± ¡®Go, go! There is work to be done. Call the second batch, it seems my work is almost done.¡¯ ¡°This place is straight up insane.¡± ¡°As the chains are released our hero hops up from the extremely comfortable bed, a stone appears in his hands he vanishes without a word.¡± ¡°Didn¡¯t expect that did you!? Easy! Okay. Where am I?¡± ¡°A large prairie has come into view, our hero standing in the middle of a formation of stones, this formation is aptly named; summoning circle.¡± ¡°Okay. But where am I though? I was promised a class upgrade, how we doing on that front? Care to elaborate?¡± ¡°A slight tremor occurs, in the distance you can see small birds take flight. Those with great eyesight might catch a glimpse of herds of beasts starting to flee.¡± ¡°This is what I¡¯ve been wanting all along. Something with some proper suspense! So what¡¯s making things shake?¡± ¡°The ground starts shifting, the tremors intensify. The grass is torn apart as the soil starts rising, forming a small hill.¡± ¡°What in the world.¡± ¡°Our hero tactically stands on the only part that is relatively stable, the summoning circle. His response in general to this potentially lethal encounter is less than ideal.¡± ¡°What you w-w-want me to do? Ru-u-u-n? Whe-e-er-r-re?¡± ¡°The soil doesn¡¯t seem to be stopping and the previous small hill has now turn into a small mountain, the landscape slightly changed, even the skies above seem to have been affected.¡± ¡°Cool. Look, is that a door? Look. It¡¯s definitely a door!¡± ¡°Finally the surroundings come to a stop, the dust settles. Our hero stands still, buck naked with only the dust covering him, no intentions of moving.¡± ¡°I¡äm thinking, give me a minute, should I make a bikini out of grass or something? Maybe bark pants. How do people make pants?¡± ¡°That feeling you are currently experiencing is a form of extreme irritation caused by baffling idiocy. Also known as ¡®Can you please? Okay?¡¯ This experience I wish upon no one.¡± ¡°Tune down the dramatics, how about you explain how to make pants before getting all high and mighty. I should consider myself lucky it¡¯s warm here.¡± ¡°Our hero looks down, marveling his junior self. Not uncommon for this egotistical creature. The mysterious door slowly opens, the sound it creates is reminds one of old times back at the bunker, a time before we realized we were doomed to such a hero.¡± ¡®Well then. Come on.¡¯ ¡°Hello?¡± ¡®Get moving, we haven¡¯t got all day.¡¯ ¡°Yes?¡± ¡®Oh for Jallels sake. Ji Aleksy, yes? You used the damn Calling stone didn¡¯t you?¡¯ ¡°Oh. Right, right! I did. Who are you?¡± ¡®For the love of Jal-! Just come on. I¡¯m here to get you to the central hub, what else would I be here for? Dear lord.¡¯ ¡°With a look of confusion our protagonist stumbles forward, his nether bits swinging proudly.¡± ¡°Can¡¯t control every part of my body, don¡¯t body shame me.¡± ¡®Can you just follow me!? Why do I always end up with the Jallels!¡¯ ¡°What is a Jallel?¡± ¡®You are. Stop talking, stop asking questions, follow. Or I¡¯ll stuff a sock in your mouth.¡¯ ¡°A look of fear appears on our hero¡¯s face and he quickly covers his mouth. The tunnel turns into a grand hallway. The walls are decorated with various pictures of nature or notable people from a myriad of races. A carpet, red velvet by the looks. Spans the large hallway from beginning to end. Our hero has lost himself in the magnificent paintings of rarely seen beings, powerful looking magical abilities and shows particular interest in females from other races. After walking for what would feel like hours our hero looks back and sees what he can only describe as a short hallway, appearing easily traversable in seconds. This of course is an illusion, formation magic beyond his comprehensions and presumably beyond most earthly beings. It is even highly doubtful that a person of earth created this.¡± ¡®Yes, yes. Pretty girls, there will be time for that later or probably not with your looks, what are you? A human right? You lot are so ugly.¡¯ ¡°Excuse me? That¡¯s racist. It¡¯s racist right? Speciest?¡± ¡®Whatever Jallel. We¡¯re here. Now you better follow me, if you wander of I¡¯ll cut your privates off. You are male right? I never can tell with you lot.¡¯ ¡°Still mesmerised by the scenery our hero only nods and obediently follows his semi-transparent guide. What you all are seeing is one of the world''s many hubs or cities. In every direction you can see massive, beautiful buildings. Magical formations mixed with technology. Tens upon tens of different species roaming in the thousands. This is the more prosperous part of the modern earth.¡± ¡®Alright. Since you clearly don¡¯t have identification, you have to go through processing and they¡¯ll deal with you, you are no longer my problem. Just stand in line and explain your situation to the clerk. It has been my great displeasure meeting you, Ji Aleksy, let our paths never cross again.¡¯ ¡°Bye? This place is amazing. I wonder how far I travelled. Hello. Hey. You.¡± ¡®Marekki. Marekki kassassssssss!¡¯ ¡°Our hero¡¯s attempt at communicating with the Horend appears to have been a miserable one. The species consist mostly of fire, all of them have great control over their bodies and therefore give of no heat. Although their young are known to cause small fires, and as a result the race is discriminated against and considered arsonist by many.¡± ¡°Okay. People can be made out of fire. That doesn¡¯t sound unreasonable at all. Feels strange standing here naked in line. Is this a government building, who controls the city?¡± ¡°If everything goes according to predictions, we¡¯ll be leaving this city soon enough. Seeing as our hero has no permission to stay here much longer without the government¡¯s authorization.¡± Chapter thirteen: Now you鈥檙e thinking ¡®Next.¡¯ ¡°Hello.¡± ¡®Name?¡¯ ¡°Ji, Ji Aleksy.¡± ¡®Level?¡¯ ¡°Forty. Wait, what is happening here¡±. ¡®Race?¡¯ ¡°Human?¡± ¡®Place your hands into the light.¡¯ ¡°As soon as the Ji¡¯s hands touched the light, a sound rung and the light vanished.¡± ¡®Sir. Wait a moment there seems to be something wrong with the machine, I¡¯ll be right back.¡¯ ¡°Heh. Machines right? No? Hello. Oh, what are you?¡± ¡®Kiiieee.¡¯ ¡°Okay.¡± ¡°Before long a well-dressed being walks into the office, he looks to be at least three times the size of a normal human. By his side is a small person one sixth of his size.¡± ¡®Human Ji.¡¯ ¡°Hello there.¡± ¡®We would like to confirm some things for us.¡¯ ¡°Sure thing.¡± ¡®Name?¡¯ ¡°Ji?¡± ¡®Ji what?¡¯ ¡°Ji Aleksy¡± ¡®Any relation to the Aleksy family?¡¯ ¡°Probably.¡± ¡®Age?¡¯ ¡°Thousand and something.¡± ¡®And something?¡¯ ¡°And something.¡± ¡®I¡¯d like you to put your hand through the light, thank you.¡¯ ¡°Alright.¡± ¡°A familiar sequence of events occur and as soon as the light from the machine vanishes the small person beside the giant frowns and calmly reads the information outputted.¡± ¡®Ji Aleksy, Ancestor of the Aleksy family. One thousand three hundred and seven years old. Human. Level forty. Authorized to select one master. Authorized to enter any zone below level forty.¡¯ ¡°God I feel old So how do we do this? I want to be a sorcerer, mage or like a warlock. Maybe a melee centered but with magic.¡± ¡®Nothing written here. Only that you are level forty, we¡¯ll need more extensive testing, come with us.¡¯ ¡°We follow the two agents of this mysterious establishment to a backroom while our hero constantly asks questions that subsequently get ignored.¡± ¡°Okay fine, how about like a pebble mage? No? Wait let me think on this for a moment.¡± ¡°The large being clothed in soft looking but powerful robe audibly sighs while the smaller yet even more threatening creature has a look of someone deep in thought.¡± ¡°Alright, I got it. Now stay with me on this one. You know how you can compress stuff into small things and make them pop, like air trapped in a jar? I could be like a super quick ninja that attacks in close combat with wind pops. Got anything like that?¡± ¡°Time appears to have stopped, never has our protagonist spoken so much without stopping. I fear end is upon us. Leave me, save yourselves.¡± ¡®Silence!¡¯ ¡°With a deep voice, the not so gentle giant lets out what could only be described as a bellow of a beast that shakes the surroundings that leaves our hero bewildered.¡±Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit. ¡®Good.¡¯ ¡®Was that necessary Kaor? I know the humans don¡¯t seem like much but they have their moments. Remember the battle of Dawn Lake.¡¯ ¡®I apologize Giore.¡¯ ¡°Eh?¡± ¡°It will be a few minutes before our hero regains his faculties, currently he has been put in a state of disorientation. This gives us a moment to talk, a little creative freedom if you will. The hallway is covered in near undetectable patterns, another formation. The hallway itself doesn¡¯t seem like it would take long to traverse but like before, this is an illusion. Due to the rarity of a Beta, especially such a weak one. The authorities in this part of the world simply aren¡¯t equipped to help our hero on his way, efficiently. Soon we will undoubtedly meet a person that is able to verify Ji¡¯s personage and facilitate his journey to a suitable master.¡± ¡®Ji Aleksy.¡¯ ¡°Yes? Oh where are we? What happened?¡± ¡®You¡¯ll have to excuse my partner, he can a bit. Unrestrained.¡¯ ¡°What? Why do I feel so, so swirly, what¡¯s the word?¡± ¡°Stupid?¡± ¡°I¡¯m not talking to you, you bastard.¡± ¡®Are you alright Mister Ji?¡¯ ¡°Ye, I¡¯d like to sit down for a moment.¡± ¡®Kaor.¡¯ ¡°Our hero gets lifted up into the hand of the giant named Kaor and its hand gets molded into the shape of a chair, which our hero happens to rest on.¡± ¡°Wow! Cool. Are you a golem?¡± ¡®Pft, you think I am a trifling golem? Ignorant human.¡¯ ¡®He¡¯s an Erra, a variant of Eterras¡¯ ¡°And you? What are you?¡± ¡®Hoho, I¡¯m a Marf, one of few sadly. Leaves the dating pool a bit shallow.¡¯ ¡°Well. I mean, at least you¡¯re a good looking Marf, right?¡± ¡®Oh, trying to seduce a Marf? You sure you want to go down this street? She¡¯ll eat you alive.¡¯ ¡®Shut your mouth Kaor, you¡¯re just jealous he doesn¡¯t like them big like you.¡¯ ¡°You¡¯re both women?¡± ¡°Our hero gets sapped unconscious and carried for the rest of the journey, he appears to have antagonized the two stunning beauties.¡± ¡®Aleksy? That Aleksy?¡¯ ¡®That¡¯s not the problem sir.¡¯ ¡°Hello?¡± ¡®Ah. You¡¯re awake. Let me introduce myself. I am the commander and chief. The relentless destroyer, the divine divider, the gorgeous goddess of Fluo.¡¯ ¡°Kaor and Giore both roll their eyes at the magnificent introduction of one Tio oh of the Fluo. Fluo are yet another magical race with firm foundations in most things fluid.¡± ¡°Hi.¡± ¡®Hi? That¡¯s all? Ah, I get this a lot, you''re speechless, stunned and in awe.¡¯ ¡°I almost feel like I know you, I don¡¯t suppose you have any siblings that moonlight as narrators.¡± ¡®How does one moonlight?¡¯ ¡°No, no. it¡¯s a saying, meaning having a side job, a different one to you main job.¡± ¡®The issue at hand Tio-oh.¡¯ ¡®Hmm? Ah. Alright. So, Ji. Would you allow me to read you for a moment?¡¯ ¡°What?¡± ¡®She wants your hand.¡¯ ¡°Oh. Alright.¡± ¡°The Fluo envelopes our hero¡¯s hand and glimmers in light for moments before everything again returns to normal.¡± ¡®Would you two mind leaving us for a moment.¡¯ ¡®Alright. Chief.¡¯ ¡®Chief.¡¯ ¡®Now that we¡¯re alone I have some questions, Ji.¡¯ ¡°Throw them at me.¡± ¡®Are you an Original?¡¯ ¡°Yessiry. Straight up O, rigi, nal.¡± ¡®You really shouldn¡¯t answer that question so easily, people would pay a lot to get their hands on that kind of information.¡¯ ¡°Eh? Oh. Ah. Right, I was actually put into sexual slavery for a bit. Actually it wasn¡¯t that bad, only for a few hours.¡± ¡®Were you now? Mind telling me where you came from. How you got here, why you are so low leveled and why you are so young looking whilst being so old?¡¯ ¡°It¡¯s a long story.¡± ¡®We¡¯ve got time.¡¯ ¡°Our hero starts to tell his story, starting from a young age. Little baby Ji was supposedly a ¡®genius¡¯ he says, we of course believe none of this. Let¡¯s take a quick break, get something sweet whilst he mumbles on. We should be near the end now.¡± ¡°And then I innocently asked, you know, because I¡¯m a curious person. I asked them if they were both women and then I woke up in here.¡± ¡®Very interesting.¡¯ ¡°This woman has the patience of a saint, such tenacity, the endurance!¡± ¡°Right? Wouldn¡¯t believe it myself if it didn¡¯t go through it all myself. So. About that class quest.¡± ¡°Our hero is lucky that this particular Fluo has the very restrictive job that only the world can assign. If not he would most likely be sold or more likely moved to her family¡¯s estate for breeding.¡± ¡®Yes, your class quest. It would appear I have myself received a quest that I have never seen as well. Oddly enough.¡¯ ¡°Oh? Cool. What is it?¡± ¡®To give you a set of instructions. Also, do you humans normally walk around naked? I try to embrace all forms of culture.¡¯ ¡°Yes. We humans like to stay naked most of the time. But I am not one to stand on ceremony and tradition. I would very much like to conform to your ways, if you had some clothing for me I would appreciate it.¡± ¡®I see, I¡¯ll have something brought in.¡¯ ¡°Thank you.¡± ¡®While we wait, why not have a little bit of sex?¡¯ ¡°What?¡± ¡®Just a little bit.¡¯ ¡°It has have dawned on the generic human we follow that his greatest value is his seed. In fact, some would argue. And I¡¯m not saying me, but some, some would say that it is his only value.¡± ¡°For real right now? If I say no, you won¡¯t kidnap me and chain me to a bed right?¡± ¡®I¡¯m afraid I cannot in any way or form, cause you harm, either directly or indirectly. At least not consciously.¡¯ ¡°What? Why¡±. ¡®My family has occupied this particular position of government for generations now and we¡¯ve reaped quite the benefits from it. And a part of this job is being completely impartial, compliant and enforcing the world¡¯s rules. If we stray from these rules we lose the right to the position and that would make it impossible to keep it within our control as to who would inherit this position.¡¯ ¡°Uhm. There are jobs the world provides? Well that¡¯s strange.¡± ¡®There are yes, they are extremely rare. And very hard to keep. I for example have the innate protection of the world as long as I keep this position. It even slows my aging.¡¯ ¡°So. Do you have to answer all my questions or are you just really talkative?¡± ¡®I am required to answer all questions asked of me, as long as that person has been assigned to me. You are the third person assigned to me in the last seventy years.¡¯ ¡°Seventy years? You don¡¯t look older than thirty.¡± ¡®Exactly! So. About my offer, yes or no?¡¯ ¡°I¡¯ll be honest with you. It is next to impossible for me at the moment. But! And this is important. I am not. Not! Impotent. So no. I¡¯m extremely hyped for my class specialization. Also. Don¡¯t suppose you got any place where I can buy some food. I¡¯m running out of buns. ¡®That¡¯s too bad. I¡¯ll see about getting you some supplies. And your quest, well that should be fun. We¡¯ll get to enter a place I¡¯ve never been into. So let¡¯s get you some food.¡¯ ¡°I¡¯m not going to lie. You¡¯re growing on me. I do love a flexible women.¡± ¡®Oh? Let me show you flexible.¡¯ ¡°One of the benefits of being Fluo is their ability to morph their body. This is limited to a degree but they can definitely be considered flexible. They are one of the strongest close combat races in the early levels exactly because of this innate quality.¡± ¡°Nice. Food is here.¡±
|Generic bun|
Satiety is filled. Will continue to sustain satiety for twelve hours.
¡°These look a bit lackluster. Mine increase recovery. Look.¡± ¡®My goddess. Where did you get these?¡¯ ¡°I just had them?¡± ¡®I see.¡¯ ¡°The amount of unknown benefits our hero has indulged in are quite numerous.¡± ¡®I¡¯m excited to see what¡¯s behind those doors, shall we?¡¯ ¡°Sorry, what?¡± ¡®The class quest. We have to go into the quest room. It hasn¡¯t been opened for generations.¡¯ ¡°We follow the two into the portal room. A few portals still omit a low droning noise. The only places without dust.¡± ¡°Oh. There are portals inside that room.¡± ¡®How do you know that?¡¯ ¡°The narrator just spoke up about it.¡± ¡°The portals often lead to different dimensions so as to not interfere with the main world. This allows a lot more freedom with the locations. This is called being instanced.¡± ¡®Hooo. You have to excuse the dust, we don¡¯t have authority to enter this room.¡¯ ¡°Wow! These are portals? This looks amazing. Do you know which one I¡¯m going through?¡± ¡®This might sound odd but none of them. You need to activate one, they need something like a code.¡¯ ¡°I don¡¯t have a code though.¡± ¡®You have to put your hands on that imprint, every portal has one.¡¯ ¡°Like this? Look. You can almost see what¡¯s on the other side. Alright! Cya later I¡¯m going through!¡± ¡®Wait! I¡¯ll be going with you. My quest requires me to stay on the other side of the portal until you return.¡¯ ¡°Why?¡± ¡®It doesn¡¯t say.¡¯ Chapter fourteen: No transportation? No fun. ¡®What an extraordinary amount of magic.¡¯ ¡°Once the pair walked into the portal the sight of the spaces between dimensions they seemed baffled. Even a monstrously strong person would instantly come apart from their seams, if they came here without the protection of the portal pathways.¡± ¡°This whole place is making my head spin.¡± ¡°Their senses are overwhelmed. The now presumably mana adept hero has become more sensitive to the abundant magical forces in this extraordinary transportation magic.¡± ¡°If we weren¡¯t literally floating without any control I¡¯d like to stay here for a while to train. Feels like it would be a great place to stay.¡± ¡°Only few minutes pass before our protagonist gets flung out of the, his elegant figure shoots out the portal.¡± ¡°Owh! God damnit. If this wasn¡¯t free I¡¯d want my money back.¡± ¡°Meanwhile the much more eloquent Tio-oh gently lands next to our hero. She stares at the surroundings wide eyed and slack jawed.¡± ¡°Wooo! Not bad! Not bad at all. A river, nice green bluish grass. Soft singing of birds.¡± ¡®Amazing.¡¯ ¡°Right? Now this is a fantasy landscape! You also feel a nice amount of mana in the air. I can definitely train here.¡± ¡®Alright. You be on your way, I have to guard the portal. As per my quest.¡¯ ¡°Eh? For real? But look at this place. Look. The river has yellow water, or whatever it is. Look. Some sort of mud creature. Mudfrog? Oh! Look. A bird that looks like a bunch of leaves!¡± ¡°And this place does indeed look like a paradise but little does our hero know that this is the only habitable place on this planet. Outside a protective perimeter is nothing but roaming undead, wild and ferocious lifeforms that live either on each other or the undead.¡± ¡°That¡¯s a bit depressing. Hello! Is anyone here? Hello? No? Someone? Alright. I¡¯m going to take a look around.¡± ¡°Despite the lack of response to his calls our hero stands proudly and starts waddling about aimlessly. We must hold our breath and marvel at the sight him stumbling around barely keeping his balance.¡± ¡°Screw off! I¡¯m super light for some reason it¡¯s really weird walking here. Cool. Look, it¡¯s just mud. It fell apart when I tried to pick it up. Wonder if I can catch that leaf bird. Haha. No way. Look, the fish are made of clear water. This place is pretty trippy.¡± ¡°Off in the nearby distance an old man one third the size of our hero watches over him chasing leaf based birds.¡± ¡°Where? Heya! Old man! Hey!¡± ¡®...¡¯ ¡°Despite being quite far in the distance we can hear the old man sigh in what I assume is disappointment.¡± ¡®Your narrator seems a bit cheeky. My condolences junior.¡¯ ¡°Wooh. How did you move so fast! You can hear that asshole?¡± ¡®I can. How about you come to my place and we¡¯ll chat.¡¯ ¡°Alright.¡± ¡°An unassuming door seemingly made of moss covered wood materialized in front of the wise and mysterious man. Young mister Ji bravely follows as the man gestures him to walk forward.¡± ¡°He got surprisingly docile.¡± ¡®Most narrators are very shy creatures.¡¯ ¡°What? That sounds very strange. How can a narrator be shy? That feels counterproductive.¡± ¡®Have a sit down and I¡¯ll get something to drink.¡¯ ¡°Alright.¡± ¡°The house although not spectacular has a quaint charm to it, something you¡¯d expect solitary monks to live in.¡± ¡®Alright. So. You¡¯ve come here for the class specialization. Right?¡¯The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. ¡°Yes. I¡¯m looking for a master to go specialize into something magic related.¡± ¡®Hoho. Well. From what I can tell, you are only up to your first class specialization.¡¯ ¡°That¡¯s right. This is my first time.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t blush. I can¡¯t unsee this.¡± ¡®Well I¡¯ve got good news for you then. I can be considered a master of all sixteen initial classes.¡¯ ¡°Oh! What! You can learn all of them?¡± ¡®You can. But it would be very restrictive to do so. I¡¯m like a tool that works on everything so to speak. But I¡¯m afraid I¡¯m not very good at doing any work.¡¯ ¡°What he is saying is that he¡¯s lazy.¡± ¡®How astute.¡¯ ¡°I think I missed something.¡± ¡®It would be best not to pick too many low level specializations. As there is a limit to how many the world will help you advance in.¡¯ ¡°What do you mean?¡± ¡®You see. The world. Some would call it god. Some would call it game master. It carries many names. The world gifts us with ways to become stronger, it will create an easier path for you to walk. And if you stray away from its path it will be hard to travel by yourself.¡¯ ¡°Uhmkay. So. About this specialization. What do you have to offer me?¡± ¡®Me offer you? I¡¯m afraid it doesn¡¯t work that way my dear boy.¡¯ ¡°Eh? What?¡± ¡®You¡¯ll receive a test. And according to how you do in this test. You will be allowed to pick certain areas of expertise to further yourself in. The way you have allocated your attributes will of course be a factor as well.¡¯ ¡°Oh. Bit forced isn¡ät it? What happened to freedom of choice?¡± ¡®The world only wants the best for you.¡¯ ¡°That sounds a bit creepy, no?¡± ¡®Let the world love you.¡¯ ¡°Alrighty then. Shall we move on? Do you have a quest for me or what are we doing here?¡± ¡®I have no quest for you, it¡¯s just been a long time since I had company.¡¯ ¡°What? Then. Wait. Are you just messing with me?¡± ¡®I wouldn¡¯t dream of it. You had questions, I had answers.¡¯ ¡°An eerie silence takes place as our hero stares at this annoying old man.¡± ¡°See. Sometimes he makes sense. Well?¡± ¡®Well what?¡¯ ¡°You going to tell me where I should go or what? I can¡¯t just hang around here.¡± ¡®I am not one to dictate others. You are free to do as you will.¡¯ ¡°What the hell is this? I¡¯m leaving.¡± ¡®May your travels be safe.¡¯ ¡°Cya old man. Ridiculous.¡± ¡°The day is uneventful as our hero wanders about for hours. Sometimes catching strange creatures made of various natural materials.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t get it. What am I supposed to do here? I don¡¯t even get a quest when I hunt down a creature. Nothing. I suppose we can head over to the edge of this place. Feels like it would take days to reach the end of this. What is this? Like a valley surrounded by mountains?¡± ¡°Beautiful nature as far as the eye can see. All the way up the mountains. Which where our protagonist is now heading. Had he read the new updated quest information he¡¯d have done so ages ago.¡± ¡°Oh. Dude. You are really making me work for this. We¡¯ve been here for hours and you haven¡¯t said a thing! Let¡¯s see then¡±
|Class quest: Tier one|
Finish your master¡¯s quest. Survive for ten to thirty days outside the sanctuary. Optional: kill hundred undead foes. Optional: Save ten friendly or neutral creatures. Optional: Control and hinder thousand undead foes. Optional: Heal ten creatures. Optional: Befriend one creature. Optional: Tame one creature. Optional: Sacrifice twenty creatures, friendly or hostile. Optional: Train your physical body. Optional: Train your mind. Optional: Train your control over mana. Optional: Connect with more elements in the world Optional: Connect with a creature on a physical level. Optional: Connect with a creature on a psychological level. Optional: Endure repeated physical attacks from a hostile foe. Optional: Endure repeated psychological attacks from a hostile foe. Quest will reset if you return to the sanctuary within the required time. Quest will reset if you receive outside help. Additions may be added to quest depending on continued progress. Rewards: Unlocks a class specialization (one or more). Rewards: Grants one minor class specializations point (one or more.)
¡°Holy shit. That¡¯s a lot of options.¡± ¡°It would seem that the world is playing a trick on our hero or that old man was in fact a master. Or perhaps that quirky Fluo may have something to do with it.¡± ¡°Quirky. Quirky. What a strange word. It¡¯ll take me like a day or two to find an end to this paradise.¡± ¡°As the day ends our hero lies under a sizeable tree and entertains the idea and the romantic feeling of sleeping under the open sky.¡± ¡°I am not thinking about that. I was thinking it is warm even though the sun is down.¡± ¡°The night passes and day rises. Our hero still muddle headed tries to pry his eyes open. The morning sun is merciless.¡± ¡°Mrrrm. I could go for a bun right now.¡± ¡°The day goes as planned. A young looking Ji Aleksy makes his way towards a peak of a mountain in hopes to find the edge of the sanctuary he currently lives in. For those who are just tuning in, here is a quick run up. Our hero just received his first genuine quest. A class quest at that. His aim is to survive the considerably dangerous wilderness outside the sanctuaries grounds. For anyone with reasonable combat abilities and supplies, this should be a breeze. Sadly. Our hero is has none of these qualities aside from abundance of buns. And back to the action!¡± ¡°What action? I¡¯m just walking. Feel free to try and make that exciting. I really do hate you.¡± ¡°Each step filled with hesitation and reaffirmed determination. The wind shuffles passed as the sun pierces through the occasional tree top. A certain omen of danger fills the mind of our protagonist, Ji Aleksy. His spirit wavers as the thoughts of the undead enter his mind. The surrounding magical wildlife watches on with caution. We shiver at the thought of things to come.¡± ¡°Pfft. Nice try. That sucked.¡± ¡°Our hero continues to baffle us with his insane one dimensional conversations. We can either pity or condemn him for his behavior.¡± ¡°Eh? You still pretending we aren¡¯t talking to each other? Aye? Hello? I wonder how far it is. Not going to lie, feels like I¡¯ve been walking for hours. I wonder if Tio-oh is doing alright. You think she had enough food? She said she was going to guard the portal until I got back. Hmm. That¡¯s new. Bigger than usual as well.¡± ¡°A creature that walks on two feet made entirely out of various branches, some even from different species of trees.¡± ¡®Unnth!¡¯ Talking to me buddy? C¡¯mere. ¡®Unnth! Unnth!¡¯ ¡°Okay very cute. Get out of my way. Owh. What the shit man. Get off me!¡± ¡°A strange wrestling match has started, a loosely made up tree beast has entangled itself around our hero.¡± ¡®Unnth. Unn.¡¯ ¡°It¡¯s humping me? It¡¯s humping me! What is this!?¡± ¡°Suddenly our hero slams his hand filled with what resembles swirling air and water.¡± ¡°Get off!¡± ¡°We watch as the beast gets dislocated and scatters into many branches.¡± ¡°Unbelievable. Can¡¯t even enjoy a peaceful stroll through the woods.¡± ¡°The rest of the journey to the top of the mountain now consists of running from the wild life that gets larger and larger. When the sun sets and our hero decides to stop he is only an hour or so away from the top.¡± ¡°Oh my world. So close. I should have rented a horse or something. This really won¡¯t do. Will I have to walk everywhere in the future? I want a flying beast of my own. Or maybe just like a four legged beast, like a horse but not a horse. Something cooler.¡± ¡°Dream big little man, dream big.¡± ¡°Oh. You got something to say?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t die dreaming.¡± ¡°Uhm.¡± Chapter fifteen: We who deal in death ¡°The relentless never give in.¡± ¡°Like I said. What are you trying to say here?¡± ¡°The tempting temptations try both the tough and timid.¡± ¡°Alright. Well. I¡¯m climbing this tree and sleeping. Keep an eye on things for me.¡± ¡°The night, like a blanket covers the land in a thin veil, only starlight pierces through.¡± ¡°My lord you¡¯ve turned up the theatrics. I¡¯m not going to complain though.¡± ¡°Our hero falls asleep after an entire day of continuous hiking. We don¡¯t see many redeeming qualities in our hero but he does manage to sleep with ease. Surprisingly the wildlife follows suit and quiets down to sleep. Just us now. And the sky. And the old man that is trying to stay hidden. Few things get passed our gaze. Alright everyone we can¡¯t exactly talk with an audience. We¡¯ll take a break then. See you all tomorrow morning.¡± ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡°Mmmrm.¡± ¡°Look who¡¯s about to wake up, like a defective baby bird. Nectar of the gods cascades out of his mouth.¡± ¡°Mrneg. Mleph. Morning.¡± ¡°It is at this moment our protagonist notices the small rodent made entirely out of thim tree bark. He is surprisingly calm about the issue.¡± ¡®¡­¡¯ ¡°Trying to act cute? Bark squirrels have no power over me.¡± ¡®¡­¡¯ ¡°A bun for breakfast then we continue up the mountain.¡± ¡°The exquisite sight of our hero speaking to what is for all intents and purposes an inanimate object. Then again, nothing surprising about that.¡± ¡°Alright. I¡¯m going to run to the top.¡± ¡°After Ji take off with enthusiasm we take in the sights. Keep up everyone, we¡¯re going to take a quick journey into the air. The higher we get the clearer it becomes. The sanctuary with the portal was a meteor crash site all along! Who knew! Amazing right? Off in the distance you can see what could still be considered Greenland and not dead wasteland like one would assume goes along with the undead. The thing that people often misunderstand about the undying. Is that, while they may be dead they do not unintentionally contaminate their environment. The undying are a form of magical life much like many we¡¯ve seen so far. They can attain sentience and will almost always be innately malicious and violent. Now the undying that reside in this quest¡¯s world cannot be considered sentient but there are some that could be considered intelligent. There are even some creatures that are not of the undead variety but still co-exists with the undead, and even prey on them. But let¡¯s get back to our hero before he loses his mind.¡± ¡°What the hell is going on!? Why did you suddenly get all quiet? I heard you whispering stuff in the distance. I didn¡¯t know you could move around like that. Where did you go?¡± ¡°Once we cross this steep hill we''ll be able to see into the area which is not under the protection of world.¡± ¡°Oh? I still want answers but it can wait. Holy shit! Look at that! More forest. I¡¯m not sure what I was expecting. This is a bit lackluster. No. bit of flatland off to the right there.¡± ¡°An experienced survival expert would make sure he has access to freshwater.¡± Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator. ¡°Ye. Exactly what I was thinking! Let¡¯s follow the river. The quest didn¡¯t exactly say how to survive or where to go really. Just outside the sanctuary.¡± ¡°An experienced survival expert would take a bit more time to think through his decisions.¡± ¡°Eh? But. The river sounds good.¡± ¡°An experienced survival expert would think of all the creatures that sustain themselves by going to the river to drink. And make his decision after that.¡± ¡°Oh. Ye. Right! Screw the river, it¡¯s going to be crawling with things!¡± ¡°An experienced survival expert would realize that the undying do not require water to sustain themselves so the river becomes a viable option.¡± ¡°Pft! What do you know? This is stupid. I¡¯m throwing a branch in the air and whatever way it lands I¡¯m going that way.¡± ¡°Our inexperienced non survival expert hero has now succumbed to his own idiocy, I fear the worst.¡± ¡°Shut up! Okay, up you go!¡± ¡°One would expect our protagonist to be able to predict how the branch lands. Sadly this is not the case, his ineptitude is of course not surprising only disappointing.¡± ¡°I¡¯m ignoring you from now. You are of no help. Do all narrators deal in hindsight? Turns out it wasn¡¯t even mountains.¡± ¡°The area outside the crater is only a few meters down. Compared to the insides of the crater it really can¡¯t be considered a mountain.¡± ¡°When does a hill become a mountain?¡± ¡°Our hero starts making his way across the open terrain before closing in on the edge of the lush forest. I¡¯ll spare you the details of his inane mumblings, murmuring and rumor mongering.¡± ¡°It¡¯s not rumors! There could be vampires in here. You don¡¯t know! What else could eat the undead? Exactly!¡± ¡°The vitality draining, mana burning fiends that could be associated with vampires would never prosper in such a feeble environment.¡± ¡°Also werewolves. Right? Hmm. Maybe those little raccoon things. What are they called? They can transform into different things.¡± ¡°The day passes slowly as the young and inexperienced explorer Ji Aleksy makes his way through the luscious flora. Apparently not fazed by the lack of any of the alleged fauna.¡± ¡°Hmm. Now that you mention it. We¡¯ve been here for what? At least a couple of hours. I haven¡¯t seen anything. Hello? Undead? No? Maybe it¡¯s the mist. The visibility isn¡¯t exactly great. I need to find a place to stay soon. Not saying I can¡¯t stay awake for like a day or two. But you know, why would I? Wait. How the hell am I going sleep safely while I¡¯m out here? I have to be here for ten days!¡± ¡°One would start to assume our hero is intentionally ignoring the benefits he receives once a quest is progressed in any way. One would assume he would at least check his inventory once in awhile. One would assume.¡± ¡°Okay. I already checked. But! There was no way I could have known alright. Random stuff just appearing in my inventory I mean come on!¡±
|Camp stone|
Sets up a ten by ten unit area. Area is invisible to outsiders. Area is physically impossible to enter. Camp lasts for twelve hours. Pauses Quest progress. Item is a quest item and will vanish once the quest is either completed or failed. ¡°He who brought the marshmallows.¡±
¡°So thirteen of these. Which is more than enough right? ¡°
|Emergency supplies|
Satisfy hunger for up to twelve hours. Item is a quest item and will vanish once the quest is either completed or failed. ¡°Eat and you will not starve¡±
¡°Like a billion of these. Okay not a billion. Three stacks of ten. The icon in the inventory is just a wooden box.¡± ¡°The world would not give people a too hard of a quest, not even a novice such as our hero.¡± ¡°I refuse to believe there isn¡¯t a way to turn you off. I don¡¯t know how, but I will find a way to silence you.¡± ¡°What you hear is not the maddening wails of the undead or their ilk. No, it also is not the howls of wild beast. No these are the incoherent cries of our hero.¡± ¡°Okay. What the shit ever man. I¡¯m going to climb that mountain-hill.¡± ¡°The view from this small mountain can be considered far and wide and yet it appears dreary and without substance. As far as they eye can see is an ocean of trees or gloomy mist that blankets the otherwise wide open fields. This leaves our young novice explorer with few choices.¡± ¡°I was thinking maybe just keep outside of the forest and see If we can enter that area over there. I think saw something moving there. Can''t see it well enough but it might buildings. What do you think? Not even a snarky comment? Alright. We¡¯ll see.¡± ¡°The journey already on foot yet no beast to fight. Not dangers to brave. Like a hungry dog our hero has to search for his food.¡± ¡°Your analogies though.¡± ¡°The sun has already made progress towards the southern horizon and would soon leave our side of the equator.¡± ¡°The hell is an aykvaitor? It looks like we¡¯re running out of sunlight though. May as well try out this camping stone.¡± ¡°The area pulses for a split second before returning to normal, nothing would appear out of the ordinary but very few things would be able to enter this area with these defenses in place.¡± ¡°Great. I¡¯m going to sleep. Wake me up if we get attacked or something.¡± ¡°Once the presence of our hero vanished multiple creatures start to make their appearance. They shuttle about in the darkness of trees, staying unseen. Further ahead which, incidentally is the direction our hero has decided to venture towards, are some remnants of a former civilization that ruled this world in the past. There lives a small warband of undying creatures. We pray for the fate of our hero.¡± ... ¡­ ¡­ ¡°The night felt rough. I should have brought a portable bed. Or a mattress. I wonder what I can actually put into the inventory, does it have to be an item specially made by the world or just anything? Can¡¯t put this bit of rock into the inventory. So there is that. It¡¯s nice that I still have this tent though. You seeing those silhouettes? This is definitely not an illusion or hallucination. That¡¯s probably and old city or a large village. Oh. There are noises. Okay hundred percent sure we will find something here. Aye? Narrator? Anything? What do you think is over there? I¡¯m getting a bit nervous here.¡± ¡°If you look closely you can see the clouds slightly shifting, it may rain later today.¡± ¡°Use. Less. It¡¯s just me then. Let¡¯s engage in sneak tactics. The violent noises are getting louder as I get closer. I¡¯m still not sure what they look like, can¡¯t really see from here. I can see something, it¡¯s like a half-animal? I¡¯m not sure what I¡¯m looking at here. It looks weak. I¡¯m going around it anyway. Alright. I¡¯m in one of the buildings by the outskirts. No sign of movement inside.¡± ¡°The undead can be considered intelligent, although majority of them are at their very best mindless animals.¡± ¡°Right? Hey! You''re back. Alright buddy, let bygone be bygones. What¡¯s happening around here? I can see a few of these things outside. They look like they are in pretty bad shape. Would they even be able to put up a fight?¡± ¡°The strength of the undying is not usually not determined by their personal strength, but their quantity and near never ending endurance. We would have to believe our hero be capable of at least taking out the weakest of scum trotting undying. Or are we too hopeful? Do we dare dream!? Stay with me for more!¡± ¡°Hmm. Alright. So you¡¯re saying they aren¡¯t dangerous unless there is a lot of them? I¡¯m going to try and take one out. Worst case scenario we take out as many as we can and then throw down a camp stone.¡± ¡°Wielding his supposed magical abilities in hand our protagonist rushes out with valor. He may not be able to cast spells or efficiently swing a sword but he should be able to take out a few minor fiends with concentrated elemental power.¡± ¡°I should have trained in archery or something. What happened to guns? Okay you brain dead bastards, try to survive this.¡± ¡°We can hear the near unheard sound from a tiny, near unnoticeable explosion. The shattered remains of the poor defenseless undying beast now lay scattered on the ground, never to rise again.¡± ¡°Eh? What? They are evil right?¡± ¡°Who of us can truly say they know evil? Who among us can say they know true goodness? Are we righteous? Are we vindictive? One must look back at their actions to truly see who they were, what they are and what they will become.¡± "But. It was just an undead right? Right? Hello?¡± Chapter sixteen: E-z ¡°Low shouts and soft explosions ring throughout the area and yet, more roars and bellows can be heard in the distance.¡± ¡°That wasn¡¯t really hard. Surprisingly easy. I did get it by surprise though. Should I be using that shitty sword? Eh.¡±
|Undead remains|
Crafting materials. Can be used for various crafting professions.
¡°Ah. Yes. He¡¯s going to keep those remains isn¡¯t he?¡± ¡°I wonder where I can find vendors. What¡¯s the currency in this world? I feel like I should have taken a moment to breathe in the city air, before coming to this world. I hope these items stack in the inventory, I still have the stuff from the Aleksy facility.¡± ¡°The distant sounds give us an idea how populated the area is, and this is despite being on the very fringe of the town.¡± ¡°This might be a lot easier than I expected, I think I¡¯ll cross out the kill ex many creatures first. The quest suddenly feels very doable. Well some of it appears to be nonsense.¡± ¡°Such bravery in the face of danger. Our hero travels onward in hopes to find more fiends for his ferocious slaughter, the killer that he is.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not sure if that¡¯s a good or a bad thing.¡± ¡°Every step leads to another victim. Every breath, another death. We shiver at the thought of the massacre we are about to witness. Shiver, shiver and lament.¡± ¡°It¡¯s just zombies, not even human zombies. That wasn¡¯t a human zombie right? Would be a pretty odd looking human. I¡¯m going to find a building and survey the area.¡± ¡°The casual attitude of a soon to be serial killer makes ones skin feel as if it came to life and started wiggling about trying to break free. Enjoy that thought for a moment before we return to our protagonist.¡± ¡°What in the world is wrong with you? Look at those three. What are they doing?¡± ¡°Our hero has managed to somehow squeeze his way into a building that appears to have ignored every building code, regulation or rule in the book.¡± ¡°Are they playing rock, paper, scissors?¡± ¡°Our recluse of a hero has of course no idea the social etiquette of the noble undying.¡± ¡°What? Social etiquette? Those zombies?¡± ¡°With every switch and strike the honorable undying makes a complex sound that only the most eloquent and graceful have any hopes to understand.¡± ¡°Dude. Uuuuuh. And Aaaaah. Can¡¯t possibly be considered complex. You¡¯re just messing with me right? I want to say that you are messing with me but would the world consider me to be species-ist? Those are just idiots hitting each other repeatedly right?¡± ¡°Uncultured and unrefined. Despite his supposed wealthy background.¡± ¡°Screw it. I¡¯m taking them out.¡± ¡°There is a subtle shift in the wind as our hero starts accumulating the surrounding air elements. His speed has risen, an effect when in tune with the air element or any variation of it. The occupied undead are none the wiser that they are soon to become prey to the ferocious Ji Aleksy. A look of concentration has taken hold of our hero¡¯s face. A rare sight. His hands mimicking claws, the chaotic elements gather at his fingertips to form a transparent swirl of mana. A very sloppy and dangerous way to practice magic.¡± ¡®Rrrrrrrr!¡¯ ¡°Shit!¡± ¡°Our hero has been discovered, the dramatic change in the surrounding elements, the loud footsteps and obvious charge towards his foes must have alerted them.¡± ¡®Rrrrr?¡¯ ¡®Uuurrhh?¡¯ ¡®Rrrrrr!¡¯ ¡°The quick minded undying trio quickly come up with a battle plan.¡± ¡°Eh?¡± ¡°Before our hero has time to adjust to the new found scenery of three charging undead he sees a movement far behind his current enemies. Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author''s preferred platform and support their work! He will have to quickly dispose of these fiends or make his escape.¡± ¡°This is the feeling of deja vus right? This can¡¯t be how things are. I saw them move properly seconds ago.¡± ¡°The undying tide will soon overwhelm the tiny existence that is our hero!¡± ¡°But. And I don¡¯t want to complain, but. Why are they so slow? I get zombies are supposed to be slow but this is a bit awkward.¡± ¡°Our hero move forward with extraordinary speed and with an open palm filled to the brim with myriad of open world elements. The sounds of shattered brittle bones and tearing of old leather engulfs the senses.¡± ¡®Uuuuuuh!¡¯ ¡°You can see the despair in its eyes as its friends are torn to pieces, one by one. The last undying having witnessed his companions shredded, moans bereaved.¡± ¡°This was pretty easy. That¡¯s what, four now? This seems like it will be surprisingly easy, I don¡¯t think I need all this magic either. And then there is that mana deprivation that I can¡¯t even feel unless it¡¯s too late, better be cautious.¡±
Optional: Kill ninety six undead foes.
¡°With no time to rest our hero stands on the precipice of his demise as a virtual avalanche of undying creatures rush towards him.¡± ¡°Let¡¯s try out this with the sword.¡±
|Mediocre apprentice sword of striking|
Physical
Expected damage
15-19
Initial hit: Kinetic energy
Secondary hit: Generic energy
STR ?? 1:1
AGI ?? 1:0.5
FOC ?? 1:0.1
INT ?? 1:0.05
[Physical][Edge][One-handed][iron]
Requires:LVL 10; 30 AGI; 20 STR; 20 FOC; 15 INT
Adds additionalfifty to physical damage. Addsadditionalthirty to penetration. Increases physical damage by seventy percent. Base critical strike chance: one percent. Attack speed increased by eight percent. ¡°Carefully made by an aspiring weaponsmith.¡±
¡°I need better weapons. Or do I? I need to see a decent standard for weapons.¡± ¡°To those confused. Our hero has a horrible weapon, not at all suitable for him. Something like a whip or maybe a crossbow would be better for him.¡± ¡°What? What does that even mean? I don¡¯t know how to even use a whip, well not in a harmful way.¡± ¡°Case and point.¡± ¡°Alright, whatever I got to deal with these things.¡± ¡°Rushing toward our hero are faster moving undying. Some gallop on four limbs, some drag themselves with two hands while others walk on two feet. With a sword in hand, our protagonist sprints with never before seen speed towards the dozen or so creatures. We are left with the sight of true cruelty. Ji¡¯s sword does not quickly take the lives of his enemies but leaves them mangled on the ground before he moves to continue his mutilation. The droning anguish is near palpable, even with averted eyes one cannot help but imagine the massacre in progress.¡±
Optional: Kill eighty two undead foes
¡°I need a break. This is exhausting.¡± ¡°A night of death, and in the morning we mourn. For when remember those that have fallen we think of them rising.¡± ¡°Very poetic. This has been very easy so far. I was under the impression that things were supposed to be a challenge.¡± ¡°The high and mighty will die due to their complacency.¡± ¡°Point taken. I¡¯ll be more careful.¡±
|Undead remains|
Crafting materials. Can be used by various crafting professions.
¡°A lot of these. Wonder what I will be able to use these for. Maybe I can just sell them.¡±
|Ancient bone - Rare|
Crafting materials. Can be used by various crafting professions.
¡°And this. It even has an odd glow to it, very faint but it¡¯s there.¡± ¡°The world has many mysteries our hero couldn¡¯t possibly understand. Nor does he seem capable of comprehending even a fraction of them.¡± ¡°I understand a lot of things I know pletora of things.¡± ¡°The word our hero is looking for is plethora.¡± ¡°That¡¯s what I said! I¡¯m going to rest for a minute then explore this place.¡± ¡°Unexpectedly or perhaps we should say predictably, our hero has fallen asleep. He¡¯s lucky that the area he is in is considered somewhat of a slum. And while we have this rare opportunity alone lets chat. What we observed today was our hero ridding this world of the scourge that is the volatile beings known as the undying. These fiends were of course of little importance as they were one of the lowest on the list of things to fear. Nonetheless he will be rewarded for his actions, but no need to inflate his ego with praise. Originally the undying were merely something like annoying and hostile creatures that seemed a bit off. It wasn¡¯t until a few of the more intelligent ones gained sentience that they became a problem. And the reason they became a problem was because these mis-named things are easily controlled by their betters. So therein after the more self-aware undying saw their brethren being cut down like beasts without any concern. They saw them killed for what seemed pleasure. They gathered their kin and waged war on everything not undying. This of course is all very old history, repeated on multiple occasions and is most likely forgotten by most. The hatred between the races has already formed a firm foundation. Both relish the thought of slaughtering the other, who¡¯s to say who is right and who is wrong? Looks like that is all the time we have, a noisy old man is getting closer.¡± ¡®Tsk.¡¯ ¡°It appears our hero has fallen truly fast asleep, oblivious to the dangers that surround him. Luckily he is well hidden and the winds have changed, averting his scent away from those that would make him their meal.¡± ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡°Mmmh. Owh. My back. Ah. Did I fall asleep? Damn.¡±
Survive for seven days and twenty one hours to twenty seven days and twenty one hours outside the sanctuary.
¡°Hmm. I didn¡¯t think about it at first but seven to twenty seven days? Isn¡¯t that a bit odd? Whatever. I feel so good though, I must¡¯ve slept like a baby.¡± ¡°The carefree truly are free.¡± ¡°Hm? What? Oh look. Probably getting close to noon. Nice daylight and everything. How long did I sleep? Let¡¯s go deeper into the town. I wonder if they got running water and electricity.¡± ¡°Even when the sun is at its highest the surroundings seem desolate, gloomy and decrepit. The only thing keeping one from thinking this place is abandoned is the bellowing of beasts and the droning of the untiring undead.¡± ¡°I was wondering why it seems so dark even though there are no clouds in the sky, almost as if there was a filter on the entire place. Oh, that¡¯s a big one. How can it stay up on two legs? Doesn''t look very stable.¡± ¡°The Eaege, a ferocious animal. Even though they possess considerable strength, their intelligence can¡¯t be described in such terms. They are considered to be above the general fodder and they have the ability to assert dominance over those weaker than it. The Eaege will create a band of creatures that it will use to hunt and cannibalize if the need arises.¡± ¡°Huh. Do I fight it? It looks at least twice my size, every which way you measure. Hey! You big guy! Hey! C¡¯mere! Oh. Ah.¡± ¡°We watch our hero scurry like a startled rat, quickly jumping into nearby ruins.¡± ¡°I need to seriously start to think things through.¡± ¡°Once our hero started calling the Eaege, every nearby member of the pack rose up and the numbers must have overwhelmed our poor, ignorant, naive, self-involved and reckless hero.¡± ¡°I get it! I should have noticed something strange about all those dark piles on the ground. Can these things climb? Where do I run?¡± ¡°A howl of the Eaege travels far and the surrounding hegemonies, the local tyrants all take notice. Few may join the search for what is a clear enemy of the undying. Most will ignore the pest. It is up to our hero to fight or flee.¡± ¡°Fleeing. I¡¯m fleeing. I¡¯d fly if I could. And it all comes back to getting a flying beast!¡± ¡°The earth may not shake but we can certainly feel the pressure of the tens of the Eeage¡¯s minions start to move in our hero¡¯s direction. Question is, have they caught his scent?¡± Chapter seventeen: Who likes a parrot? ¡®Noooo!¡¯ ¡®Save, Save, Save, Save.¡¯ ¡®Stop! Please!!¡¯ ¡°Please just shut up. Please? Pretty please?¡± ¡®I love, Ugh.¡¯ ¡®Aaaaaaaaaa!¡¯ ¡®Run!¡¯ ¡°Why won''t you freaks shut up! Stop it!¡± ¡°The undying may not have commendable amount of intelligence. But the little that they do have on hand is often used to mimic the cries of their victims, Some would say this was a natural evolution, a trick to lure in prey. Others would say it was just by chance. As not many know how the undying come about.¡± ¡°I noticed! They won¡¯t shut up! I won¡¯t be able to fight this many. I don¡¯t see a way out of this.¡± ¡®Go!¡¯ ¡®Leave, me. Behind.¡¯ ¡®I. Love. You.¡¯ ¡®No! Stop!¡¯ ¡®Why me!¡¯ ¡°I guess this is my stop. I won¡¯t be able to use another camp stone for twelve hours after this one runs out. How are there so many of them!? God damnit! It¡¯s that thing! It keeps screaming.¡± ¡°A small four legged furred creature came at the Eaege¡¯s call. Its repeated yelping, growls and cries attracted the mindless from miles around.¡± ¡°Yes. I should have kept running but I thought I would be able to fight them off in these narrow buildings.¡± ¡°The tens of corpses in the surrounding are proof of the slaughter our hero engaged in. in his blood-filled rage he nearly lost himself and when he came to. It was too late.¡± ¡°That can¡¯t be put on me. They went down so easily. In the end even that big fellow, that Eaege. He went down like a felled tree. If it wasn¡¯t for that runt. It would have been fine.¡± ¡°The quantity of undying has reached the hundreds now. It is amusing, ninety nine percent of them don¡¯t even know what they came here for.¡± ¡°Ha. ha. ha. So funny. Ha. Ha. Ha. I need to do something about this. Maybe if I can push them back. No that¡¯s impossible. Destroy the roof? Can I even destroy it? this looks like concrete. I haven¡¯t noticed iron or steel beams. This god damn wall though. how can it be so sturdy? I guess there really was a reason why so many houses just look abandoned rather than torn down.¡± ¡°The condition of the city has less to do with the materials involved and more about the ambient mana generated by a horde of undying creatures.¡± ¡°What? Things just become magical by staying around magic? That¡¯s stupid. No way that¡¯s right. If I sunbathe I don¡¯t become imbued by sun essence, I get irradiated.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t recommend taking lessons from our hero on the ways of the world. Better to eat grass to learn about nature.¡± ¡°Huh. That doesn''t sound like a bad idea. This grass looks gloomy though and blackish.¡± ¡°Please don¡¯t eat black grass, everyone watching don¡¯t replicate the things you see on the show.¡± ¡°Relax. I wasn¡¯t going to eat it. Why is everything so black? Hey! What show!?¡± ¡°If the world was to be explained in simple terms it would be black and white. Night and day. Magic has two forms. When magic becomes abundant, the world profits. One form is of growth, it is almost always dominant. The other is decay, it grows stronger with its opponent. One cannot be without the other. Or so they say.¡± ¡°Or so they say? Who''s they? I need sources on this. You think I¡¯m taking you on your word?¡± ¡°In a time before time.¡± ¡°No! You stop! We¡¯ve got an issue at hand. If I go down, you go down.¡± The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings. ¡°In a time before time.¡± ¡°Alright, go on.¡± ¡°In a time before time, before magic, before mages, wizards and warlocks. Before the undying and their swarthy brethren. There was a being, neither free nor captive. It lived in a void, and where there is void there is nowhere to go. So it created place. Inside its head. And inside its head it created life. When that life sprouted it was weak. Too weak.¡± ¡°And then? That¡¯s the end?¡± ¡®Screw off!¡¯ ¡°Shut up zombies! No one ever said anything about how annoying these things are.¡± ¡°The rest is magic. And from magic came strength. From magic came survival. From magic came everything. For magic is only limited by itself. It named itself Magic and what it gave the world was a piece of itself. And the only limits magic faces, is the mind it was created in. Or so goes the story of Magic, creator of all. So we ask ourselves. Where is our limit? Where does our road meet an end?¡± ¡°My limit is my stamina and mana pool. What a pointless question. You think I¡¯m going to find some hidden strength to pull myself out of this virtual sea of zombies? We need real solutions, emphasis on the we.¡± ¡°When one creates the bars that imprisons them, no amount of force will break them.¡± ¡°Solutions. Not metaphors and riddles. Speak clearly.¡± ¡®Go away! Go away!¡¯ ¡°Who gave these things the power of speech? The worst part is how real they sound.¡± ¡°If our hero doesn¡¯t figure out a way to escape this small gathering of undying he¡¯ll be overwhelmed and eaten.¡± ¡°You. Are. Of. No. Help. A creation story, feels like something I should have been informed of when I woke up to this whole mess.¡± ¡°There is a slight tremble in our hero¡¯s voice. Either the pain is affecting him or he is nervous.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not nervous. I¡¯m fearless! Pft zombies? Bring it! Shit. Still have a few hours to think this over. Just calm down Ji. Calm down and think this through. My best option has to be magic. No. it¡¯s my only option. But this magic is so annoying, it doesn¡¯t do what I want it to do. Change you bastard! I won¡¯t form into anything. I can¡¯t interact well with the earth element or whatever is in the ground. The quantity of air in my little area here is very small. I can¡¯t gather anything from outside of the shield.¡± ¡°The undying gathering might have ceased chasing after our hero after he used the |Camp stone| but they are still not dispersing and are in fact multiplying. If we look closely we see the small furry creature making continuous noises. What does it want? Did someone send it here? Perhaps a bored old man is at work here? I guess we¡¯ll never know.¡± ¡°That old bastard, was it him? Okay shut up. I¡¯m trying to think here.¡± ¡°Trying is the key word here. Try as you will.¡± ¡°What are these things made out of! This can¡¯t be normal wood.¡± ¡°Poor Ji. In his desperation he has started frantically attacking the floorboards. Even as I speak we see him summon his sword from the inventory and swiping the sturdy undying imbued wooden floor.¡± ¡°See! I did it! Now we dig!¡± ¡°With maniacal laughter our hero finally sees hope. There is of course no way little Ji will be able to successfully dig his way through saturated undying soil.¡± ¡°Come on! Say that sooner! Why is everything so god damn tough! This is stupid. Everything looks like it¡¯s about to fall apart, false advertising! Okay. At least I can feel like I¡¯ve opened a source of power here.¡± ¡°How observant. The ground can be considered one of three biggest reservoir of elements in this world. Albeit harder to extract.¡± ¡°Harder? I feel strangely thirsty right now.¡± ¡°The ambient mana in the area has started drying up as it is completely closed off space. And our hero¡¯s frivolous use.¡± ¡°Eh? But. Hmm. What happens if there is no mana in the air? Hello? How much air is in here? Feels kind of thin. Maybe I¡¯m imagining it. I can definitely scrape some of this stuff up. At least I can get a better feel for the soil.¡± ¡°Hours away from his demise, the young protagonist, Ji Aleksy has started playing with dirt. Utterly Inconceivable. I thought we had him figured out but then he goes on to do something so monumentally stupid.¡± ¡°Aye? Pft. Alright dirt. Come on, connect with me. Let me love you!¡± ¡­ ¡­ ... ¡°The hours float by and we are now in the last minutes before the |Camp stone| shields fall down. Our hero is still like a child with a toy, staring mesmerized with dirt. My hand is firmly pasted on my unfathomably beautiful face. We question fate on this day.¡± ¡°It¡¯s getting hard to swallow, I feel so dry. I know it¡¯s all in my head but it feels like my skin is cracking. I can barely feel the elements gather, why am I getting progressively worse at this? I¡¯m feeling tired, maybe a nap?¡± ¡°Our hero¡¯s eyes have started fading from clear blue to a blue-brown and now they look as if they will become dark green. We are mere moments away from certain death. Or we would be, but as it turns out. Ah well, let¡¯s just watch.¡± ¡°You say something Narro? I feel odd. Where am I?¡± ¡°Fallen into complete delirium. The oxygen and mana deprivation has caused our young hero to start hallucinating.¡± ¡°Hey cutie! What¡¯s your name? Come back! I¡äm totally nice! Awh.¡± ¡°As the shields come down we can finally see the harvest our hero has managed to yield. The Absence of mana and elements in the considerably large area our hero resides is going to cause something of an implosion. And now the question isn¡¯t whether he¡¯ll get away from the undying but whether he¡¯ll survive the incoming impact.¡± ¡°Ahhh! My eyes!¡± ¡°The explosion wiped out everything within a few hundred meters. Not a groan or a growl to be heard. What the young master Ji, experienced was the elements and ambient mana bombarding at speeds and quantity he could not have possibly prepared for. Lucky he is what we call special. A person both born with a near undying body but also molded and imbued by centuries of worldly mana and elements. Even still, he¡¯s lucky to have been in the very epicenter of the event. In the eye of the explosion. Otherwise we¡¯d be seeing him disfigured to a point of unrecognition. Now all we can do is wait. Even that old man can¡¯t help Young master Ji, at this point. That and the old man couldn¡¯t have expected this kind of power erupting, he¡¯s lucky to have escaped with his life.¡± ¡°Owh. Ah. Owh, owh. What is this? Huh. If stay still. It¡¯s just a bit itchy. What in the name of the heavenly stars happened?¡± ¡°Look who us awake. Astonishingly it¡¯s only been a day.¡± ¡°Hm? God I feel sore all over. I hate to say this but it might be time for my last secret bun.¡±
|Not at all suspicious looking meat buns|
Adds twenty to regeneration, lasts one hour. Increases regeneration by fifty percent, lasts one hour.
¡°Alright. Huh. Doesn¡¯t seem to be working.¡± ¡°Mind boggling. How are you even alive?¡± ¡°What? Anything happening? Oh hey, where did all the zombies go? No. Wait. Where are we?¡±
|Class quest: Tier one|
Finish your master¡¯s quest. Survive for ten to thirty days outside the sanctuary. Optional: kill hundred undying foes. Optional: Save ten friendly or neutral creatures. Optional: Control and hinder thousand undying foes. Optional: Heal ten creatures. Optional: Befriend one creature. Optional: Tame one creature. Finish your master¡¯s quest. Survive for five days and thirteen one hours to twenty five days and thirteen hours outside the sanctuary. Optional: kill hundred undying foes. (Complete) Optional: Save ten friendly or neutral creatures. (Complete) Optional: Control and hinder thousand undying foes. (Complete) Optional: Heal ten creatures. Optional: Befriend one creature. Optional: Tame one creature. Optional: Sacrifice twenty creatures, friendly or hostile. (Complete) Optional: Train your physical body. Optional: Train your mind. (Complete) Optional: Train your control over mana. (Complete) Optional: Connect with more elements in the world. (Complete) Optional: Connect with a creature on a physical level. Optional: Connect with a creature on a psychological level. Optional: Endure repeated physical attacks from a hostile foe. Optional: Endure repeated psychological attacks from a hostile foe. (Complete) Quest will reset if you return to the sanctuary within the required time. Quest will reset if you receive outside help. Additions may be added to quest depending on continued progress. Rewards: Unlocks a class specialization (one or more). Rewards: Grants one minor class specializations point (one or more.)
¡°What in the world. So many already complete!¡± ¡°This is what happens when you mess with mana in a sealed area.¡± Chapter eighteen: What? But why? ¡°Mere hours have gone by, yet our hero only looks a bit tired. He has managed to find the strength to hobble to a less conspicuous location. Yet close to the blast zone.¡± ¡°I still need to continue doing things. I can¡¯t just lay here.¡± ¡°What monstrous vitality, even I. In my undeniable wisdom and knowledge would not have predicted such ferocious healing capabilities. Despite young master Ji¡¯s capabilities, his body has not adjusted to the massive trauma of magic literally storming every last piece of him. Now as we watch him sitting, his back to the wall and a bored look on his face. We, the more in tuned can see the ambient mana struggling to even enter his body, like a ship besieged by stormy seas. Waves after waves of mana bombarding into him, albeit not violently.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not sure if I believe you. I think I¡¯d feel it if any of that was happening. How do you see mana? Is it like a sixth sense or just a visual thing?¡± ¡°Lord Ji Aleksy asks. No one answers as per usual. His mental faculties remain forever in question. The lingering silence and the audible sigh of a lonesome protagonist can be heard in the eerie silence that has dominated the area after the previous events.¡± ¡°How am I supposed to heal ten creatures? Band aids? I¡¯m very confused. Should have packed some antibiotics, alcohol and gauze. Then there is, befriend or tame a creature. I suppose I could befriend something. Stupid things usually respond well to be being fed. Right?¡± ¡°The humans are known for forming many illogical habits, for example we can see this specimen scratching his temples. They often do something similar. In fact if you simply mention the feeling of itching they get uncomfortable, they are very easy to influence, to say the least.¡± ¡°Hm? What? I can definitely train my physical body. Or probably, I can¡¯t be sure how much training is needed.¡± ¡°Our hero has potential, same as anyone. To clear all objectives laid before him. However, it would be surprising if he suddenly figured out the secrets to shapeshifting, the ways of the druids or even touch upon the surface of mending the physical and psychological.¡± ¡°What a tease! Come on. Just a hint.¡± ¡°We of course can expect the humblest of heroes to be able to take a strike or two. Being capable of enduring a few hits from a foe is essential in the adventure business.¡± ¡°Come on! Imagine the possibilities! To change into whatever you want on demand! Sure, healing is cool and all but shapeshifting! Ye, before you say it, I realize my features are near impeccable and hard to do better, but still.¡± ¡°Denial is but a side effect of the delusional.¡± ¡°Why did your voice get so much deeper?¡± ¡°Within the lifespan of the fragile beings born to the lesser realms. A lot can change in a short time.¡± ¡°What?¡± ¡°What should take many centuries can take them a moment. But with it comes high risk, short life and almost inevitable doom.¡± ¡°Should I just relax and let you talk? You seem to be going somewhere with this.¡± ¡°Our hero lazily lounges on the hard floor, support by the decrepit wall.¡± ¡°Oh? Wait. You¡¯re back to normal now? What¡¯s going on with you?The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. I¡äve been wondering. The training my body part of the quests. Does that mean I have to do push-up? I¡¯m not sure if going full Rocky will achieve anything.¡± ¡°The misconception our hero is experiencing is that the physical aspects of training one¡¯s body is somehow about lifting weights. Although that can achieve some miniscule progress it is at best way to mold oneself into a more aesthetic looking physique. But when we delve into the very basics of strengthening the body it is of course through magic, how else would you break through otherwise very restricting limits? Although there are many ways to improve one¡¯s flesh, they all have one thing in common. And that is to imbue the flesh, blood and bones with mana, with magic in its many forms. Most would have a more efficient way of training than just channeling mana through their bodies. For example, the Fluo would in most cases focus on using the water elements or the many forms of liquid, which are more compatible with their natural bodies.¡± ¡°Oh. Oh. I see. Ye, that would make a lot more sense!¡± ¡°Sadly our protagonist doesn''t even have the slightest idea how to utilize any this information, as he is most likely somehow mentally impaired. And of course the matter of his body still rejecting majority of ambient mana. As to why it is rejecting natural mana, or even how. Even I am not sure. But I am very sure it is not the intent of our hero.¡± ¡°No. You¡¯re right. I¡¯m not doing anything. I¡¯m just trying to enjoy this feeling. For some reason I¡¯m only feeling this intense buzzing feeling rather than pain. It¡¯s great! How dangerous are these explosions really? I don¡¯t mind experiencing them once in awhile if this is the result.¡± ¡°When people talk about the ignorant being free and live a life filled with joy. I am sure they hadn¡¯t met someone like our hero.¡± ¡°I¡¯m going to close my eyes for a minute, I feel like I might be able to take a nap.¡± ¡°Time flows forward and slowly the previously avoided blast radius sees life again. as the mindless stumble forward and fall into the crater left behind. It would appear that the old man has yet to return after he escaped with his life. The young master has slowly tipped over in his sleep. His drooling face has nearly assimilated with the ground. The mana continues to get pushed away, one must wonder. What could possibly be causing the ambient mana being unable to properly interact with the young master? We have to wish for his well being. It is already a miracle that he survived that explosion. It is hard to be forced to observe but being unable to act.¡± ¡°Njow. Juu go. Juu.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t let the noises fool you. I can assure you, that our hero is still sound asleep. Although the night and day cycle in this desolate area is nigh but impossible to see I can tell you that is somewhere in the afternoon. We¡¯ll have to take a break and come back.¡± ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡°Mleph.¡± ¡°Our hero is greeted with the ambience of a graveyard accompanied by the sporadic noises made by the mindless undying.¡± ¡°Murning. Oh. It¡¯s a lot livelier. Oh, ah. The fuzzy numbness is gone. I can even move! Look.¡± ¡°Our hero waves his fists in celebration. We the more adept can see that the energy has found its way to naturally flow through his body yet again.¡± ¡°Now that you mention it. I feel a thousand times better.¡±
Optional: Train your physical body. (Complete)
¡°Check it out. See. I did it! Pft. And you went on some sort of rant that I needed a technique or a special method or whatever. I do feel extremely light. The pain has become more a more manageable as well.¡± ¡°It would appear that our hero has somehow managed to enhance his body by literally bombarding it with ambient mana.. One would doubt that any clan, faction, family, faction or other noteworthy powers had this sort of cruel and merciless method to train.¡± ¡°Wasn¡¯t that bad, really. Bit of mana radiation. Right? I¡¯ve been wondering. How difficult was this area supposed to be? I mean a beginner mission for a level forty something. Couldn¡¯t have been considered difficult right? No. Ye, those huge amount of zombies were a bit over the top. But! That was just a slight mistake right? Coincident. Has to be. I¡¯m going to try to take out a few zombies. I think I can definitely outrun them this time around.¡± ¡°Our hero leaps out the window of this two story building with confidence. Not even moments pass as his hands and legs start to flail about before he awkwardly lands and rolls on the ground.¡± ¡°What the hell.¡± ¡°Our hero quickly glances around, presumably trying to ascertain whether he was being watched. Luckily no one was. Except for me and of course anyone watching this late night special.¡± ¡°Jump has a subtle difficulty I never realized. The skill cap is pretty high.¡± ¡°My god. He¡¯ll never learn if he can pull out excuses like these.¡± ¡°Alright. Let''s get some fighting on. I¡¯m pretty sure I should be able to capture something as well. Got to see if I can make any progress on those optionals.¡± ¡°Quietly our hero lunches forward. His speed has dramatically increased to say the least. We can see the mana and their respective elements slowly flow towards him. Even with the increase in ambient magic, our hero has still no control to match up with his new foundations. White hue gathers around him and give off the illusion of a weak cyclone circling him. Truly we are baffled by his progress in the realm of connect with the elements.¡± ¡°Ready!?¡± ¡°A shout towards the small group of three alerts the unsuspecting victims of our hero¡¯s presence. His hand half open appearing to hold a transparent ball of mana and miscellaneous aspects. His hands swipes with stunning confidence. Not a sliver of hesitation can be detected as the invisible energy loses control and explodes once it hits its target. Our hero is blasted back a meter and his hand violently flings backwards.¡± ¡°Shit. What was that!?¡± ¡°Of course this was bound to happen. It is far too dangerous to play around with a cluster of random ambient mana, especially in combat. This doesn''t seem to hinder our hero has his hand has already started gathering more power. And before the undying have a chance to balance themselves our hero is back in his unpracticed assault stance. Ready to strike again with this his accumulated ball of extremely volatile mana.¡± ¡°But it¡¯s all I have! And it worked well before, right? Whatever just watch.¡± ¡°Another strike shoots towards one of the two remaining undying creatures. Its leathery skin appears to be having some issue staying in place. As the brute force of the violent mana makes contact with the poor defenseless undying, it causes such an impact that it shattered into pieces as a tiny. A near undetectable shockwave propels the fragments of its body in various directions. As our hero bathes in his success and his newfound strength the third undying creature launches an attack. Hands in the air and heavy swipe down.¡± ¡°Wow! Woooo. That was close!¡± ¡°A quick but horribly looking kick ends the life of yet another creature. Black blood floods the dark ground.¡± ¡°Ah. Damnit. I was going to capture one. Okay, let¡¯s find more.¡± ¡°We shiver. Not in excitement but disgust.¡± Chapter nineteen: You鈥檒l find a friend in me ¡°Alright. Just two of them this time. How about I take one out then drag the other one somewhere and chain it up?¡± ¡°By Magic¡¯s grace. He¡¯s planning an abduction. It is at moments like these that we feel the burden of an observer weigh down on us. To experience true evil yet be helpless to prevent it.¡± ¡°Alright drama queen. They attack me on sight, not exactly children we¡¯re dealing with here. I reckon the smaller one should be easier to drag around. Can¡¯t quite make it out but it looks like a small bear or something. What do you think?¡± ¡°From the cramped alley our hero has managed to spot two defenseless undying. One with the stature of a taller, more rugged humanoid. Listless eyes reflect its empty mind. The second of the two, a smaller by a large margin yet a wider, beastly looking thing. Its fur either ripped out or in the process of falling off. What we do know, they look far stronger than our hero. Prevailing in both height and body mass.¡± ¡°Size isn¡¯t everything though. You saw the group earlier, right? All bigger than me. Super slow though. Right. We¡¯re going to need some rope. Right. I don¡¯t have rope. Wait! I got this.¡± ¡°Miscellaneous items fall to the ground in a disorderly fashion. One by one our hero starts fiddling with the quite large collection of undying remains.¡± ¡°And then like this. This here could work as well. No. never mind better stick to the same thing. Could use a needle and twin at this point.¡± ¡°Where did this mystifying ability to fit together one piece to another in succession come from? After a few moments of concentrated concertation our hero has managed to create himself a makeshift tool. Presumably to bind his victim¡± ¡°Haha! Done!¡±
You have discovered handicraft. Hand crafted items will receive appropriate bonuses.
|Recycled undying hide|
Decrepit leather possesses surprising tensile strength. ¡°Hastily made by a novice handicrafter.¡±
¡°Handicraft. Hand crafting. I¡¯m not sure what I was expecting when it came to crafting but this seems a bit odd.¡± ¡°The handicraft profession is one tied to most things and is often considered a necessary auxiliary profession. As it adds bonuses to various other crafting professions.¡± ¡°Alrighty then. I¡¯m going to see if my rope works.¡± ¡°Our hero grips his worn out apprentice sword and takes a deep swing before throwing it towards the two undying foes. The throw proves to be accurate, piercing into the taller of the two creatures, impaling him to the concrete wall behind him.¡± ¡°Wow! You see that!? Can¡¯t believe it hit it!¡± ¡°The four legged beast roars once it realizes it is being attacked and launches its agile body towards our hero.¡± ¡°Easy boy. Easy now.¡± ¡°Our hero throws out his signature flailing punch, dislocating the beast¡¯s shoulders and slamming backwards and into the wall, rendering it either unconscious or dead.¡± ¡°Nice. Let¡¯s see if we can wrap this bad boy up and take him back.¡± ¡°We can only watch in awe as our protagonist shatters the taller creature''s head, then tying the second victim. Practically mummifying it.¡± ¡°I just knew all those undying remains would come in handy. And you were being all judgmental! Well look at me now!¡± ¡°The insane wails of the desolate human being known as Ji. A creature so far gone that one must ponder the things he¡¯s experience on his journey to complete lunacy.¡±Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions. ¡°Okay. I don¡¯t wanna to drag it along the ground. It¡¯ll ruin the ropes.¡± ¡°The fetters that bind the creature have no semblance of a rope. A case could be made if one would like to compare it to rotten leather strips. We watch the remorseless Ji Aleksy roll the bound beast onto corpse of its headless friend and dragging it off. All the while, humming a gloomy tune.¡± ¡°You reckon it¡¯ll be able to escape this building if I untie it?¡± ¡°There are moments in life when one has to look back. Look back and ponder the decisions and actions one took. To lead them to where they are now. This is one of those moments.¡± ¡°Huh? I thought you¡¯d get a kick out this. Well. Whatever.¡± ¡°We watch our hero play with dirt in a quiet corner of this newfound mansion. The building could be considered large enough to house a dozen or so families.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not playing. I¡¯m trying to get the dirt to properly respond. Not making much progress on this though. but It¡¯s almost like I can taste it. I¡¯ve got this course feeling in my mouth.¡± ¡°Please. Stop eating dirt. This will be the end of me.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not eating anything. It''s magic research. I¡¯ve been wondering. There are elements right? And there is mana. But there is also elemental mana. Which is the strongest?¡± ¡°When one delves into the most basics of magic, one finds mana. It is the clay that is used to create the sculpture. Magic however, is more like untethered laws. Some are subjectable to change while others stay firm and unaltered.¡± ¡°Oh.¡± ¡°When this tiny world was sent into chaos by external forces. A higher being took action, channeled the copious amount of energy and used it to fuel new magic laws. Thus when one falls onto the question of what mana, what element, what aspect or any other variation of mana is the strongest. The answer is always the same. All are equal, but the laws are not.¡± ¡°Hmm. That¡¯s kind of interesting. Elements are laws. And mana fuels those mana? Am I understanding this right? No. wait. Does that include the laws of physics? What can be changed and what can¡¯t? What does change mean? Could I alter time? Stop it? Reverse it? This is eye opening.¡± ¡°There are certain truths that hold together the universe, many of which are closely tied together. Majority of laws are old. Very old. But that being said, some are new, young. And the main difference between a law and a truth is that new laws can be created, bent or even broken. Truths however are a stable, a constant in this ever changing sandbox we call the multi-verse.¡± ¡°Woah, dude. I don''t think I really care about such grand things though. Feels too far away. Know what I mean?¡± *Grorp* ¡°The wheezing and muffled roars can be heard in the next room.¡± ¡°Oh! Sweet. It¡¯s awake!¡± ¡°Our hero quickly discards the pile of soil in his hands and makes his way to the enclosed room. A slight grin plastered on his face, one might even describe it as mischievous. But we know it to be sadistic.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not going to hurt him. I¡¯m going to befriend him.¡±
Optional: Befriend one creature.
¡°See? I¡¯m not sure about connecting with one of these things on a physical or psychological level though.¡± ¡°Writhing on the floor we find the creature trying to break free of its bonds. Its untiring nature, high threshold for physical pain and simple mind. Will cause it to continue this endeavor for hours.¡± ¡°Hey buddy. Yeeeaah. That¡¯s a good little bear-monster. No, no. Easy there buddy, come on now.¡± ¡°We watch on with apprehension as a grown human tries to swindle his way into the good graces of a tied up undying Umbaraous.¡± ¡°Here you go buddy. Ye. That¡¯s right. Taste good doesn¡¯t it?¡± ¡°One would have to reluctantly agree that our hero¡¯s tactics are not without their merits. The simple minded are easily made dependent on their provider.¡± ¡°Hehe. That¡¯s the plan. I think the poor feller was just a bit hangry. Awh. He¡¯s almost cute. If it wasn¡¯t for the dislocated shoulder and the messy fur. And the smell. The odd breathing isn¡¯t help either.¡± ¡°The more apt person would have noticed that this particular specimen of Umbaraous is female.¡± ¡°What? For real? Huh.¡± ¡°A day passes as the conditioning continues. It is only a matter of time before foes becomes friend.¡± ¡°C¡¯mere sweety. Who¡¯s a cute lil bear-monster?¡± *braaaar!* ¡°That¡¯s right. Just a little bit closer.¡± ¡°One is in shock and awe at the scenery. Those of you who just tuned in, it must come as a surprise how large his Umbaraous has grown during the sole night it spent with our hero Be at ease. I will explain. You see the undying, are a dormant species by nature. This dramatic growth is one of the main reasons a horde of them is so feared. An army of undying grows exponentially after feasting. And. No, that¡¯s about it. We could go deeper into the more complex reasons of how the undying magic works but we don¡¯t want that old spy in on too many secrets.¡± ¡®Tsch!¡¯ ¡°Eh? What? Old spy? Hello!? Is someone there!? No? Awwwwh. Who¡¯s Ji¡äs little monster? Thas right! You are!¡±
Optional: Befriend one creature. (Complete)
¡°Just wish I had something to celebrate with.¡± ¡°Despite what the empirical evidence would show, our hero did not entice the creature with food. It may have caused it to cease hostility but under no circumstances would it cause it to have anything aside from primal feelings towards our protagonist. No. what our hero has achieved is to exude a feeling of goodwill. This is something of an innate talent that few are born with and less learn. Question is. Did our hero learn this specific set of skills himself or was this something he was born with?¡± ¡°I assure you, I have always been this charming. Often people would describe me as charismatic. Isn''t that right buddy? Yes it is, yes it is. Good girl. Alright. Just a few days now and we¡¯ll be able to finish this quest. I¡¯m just going to take it easy. Maybe go hunt a few things for experience. I should probably focus on creating an ability or something, I wonder if it¡¯s easier to use magic once it¡¯s considered learned.¡± ¡°The ever bumbling buffoon, we call Ji Aleksy has finally stopped talking and has set himself the goal of completing yet another objective of his quest. Slowly the mansion gets barricaded and our new friend has grown too large to exit the building without breaking down walls. And incidentally that is what it did.¡± ¡°Damnit Arra!¡± ¡®Wrooo.¡¯ ¡°No! Bad bear. I was trying to make everything safe inside the house. Now we¡¯ve got a giant hole here. Luckily you just knocked down one wall. Alright come here.¡± ¡°The days quickly go by as our hero holes himself inside the mansions more secure areas. The creature, now known as Arra has taken to sleep in the hole it created.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve managed to gain over hundred levels since I came here. This has been incredibly productive. Right? Level one hundred and sixty three. Whoooah. That went by fast.¡± ¡°The unreasonable experience bonus our protagonist benefits from may be a gift, or a curse in disguise. How will the inexperienced do once he faces a harder scenarios.¡± ¡°No point in going to hunt anymore either. Experience penalty seems a bit unfair. No?¡± ¡°Do in days what other do in months or years. And complain about it. This is what we are dealing with.¡± ¡°There has been no progress in taming this lil bastard.¡±
Optional: Connect with a creature on a psychological level. (Complete)
¡°This one got complete for some reason though. Which is great, no idea how that happened but I almost feel a tangible connection with Arra.¡± ¡°Eighteen hours. That¡¯s all the duration our hero has left to survive. And it would appear it will be easily done. Assuming nothing foils such optimistic predictions. That¡¯ll be all for now. We¡¯ll chat once the young master decided to do something of note.¡± Chapter twenty: Did you pack insecticide? ¡°I don¡¯t understand. It¡¯s just dirt! Look! Just plain dirt! Why is it being like this? Deep breaths Ji. Don¡¯t lose your focus. That¡¯s what the dirt wants.¡± ¡°I can¡¯t be expected to narrate this fools actions. Good grace of Meaija is he doing? Dirt is not sentient. It would take it hundreds of years to develop a movable body. Thousands to gain sentience of any worth.¡± ¡°Huh? Shush! I¡¯m trying to focus. Stop blabbering.¡± ¡°As soon as I can, I am leaving. Fate is as cruel as it is unpredictable.¡± ¡®Uaaaarra!¡¯ ¡°Come on girl. How can you even eat this much?¡± ¡®Uuuuuuu.¡¯ ¡°That¡¯s not fair. Alright, but we¡äre going out hunting, no more buns for you.¡± ¡®Urrrraaah!¡¯ ¡°Okay, calm down, let¡¯s go.¡± ¡°This is as confusing to me as it is to you. I have no idea how this came about. It would appear the beast gained intelligence. Not only that, its fur, now a healthy black-brown. The previously grey dead eyes now filled with vigor, despite the erie dark-red tinge.¡± ¡°Wait a second Arra. I¡¯m going to climb to the roof, see if I can spot something. You really cleaned out the neighborhood.¡± ¡°Only three hours until our hero has the opportunity to claim completion of this quest. And yet. He goes out hunting with his new friend. Our hero should consider himself lucky that nothing in this world has the ability to directly take control of the lesser undying and organize them. Lucky still that he hasn¡¯t made acquaintances with a creature with a little bit more strength behind their bite.¡± ¡°I can¡¯t really make much of anything in this, what is it? Smog? Fog?¡± ¡°They call it, Withering. Something similar to a Blue visage, a type of mana pollution. Nothing too dangerous. As long as you are no exposed to it for too long.¡± ¡°Pollution? Wait. How long is too long?¡± ¡®Uaaaah.¡¯ ¡±Easy girl. We¡¯ll find something. Hello? The pollution thing, feels important. No? Nothing? Toi ne comprendiano? Kan do forstat? Ah, never been good with foreign languages.¡± ¡°With impressive athleticism, Arra, the now friendly undying beast, runs down the streets with our hero on its back. The streets seem a little smaller with that ball of mass running down it.¡± ¡±See anything girl? Arra? You see something?¡± ¡°Struggling to hold his balance, our hero has a flimsy grip on the mutated undying creature.¡± ¡®Uuuuuuu.¡¯ ¡±Well, let¡¯s go get them!¡± ¡°Mere minutes have passed since this outing began, and unsurprisingly our hero has found trouble.¡± ¡±Atta girl. Woah.¡± ¡°With an awkward leap our hero manages to land on the ground safely, despite his woeful lack of grace.¡± ¡±What? That was far better than before. I¡¯m actually proud of that jump! I stuck the landing and everything. What do you think, girl?¡± ¡®Uu.¡¯ ¡±What! You¡¯re on his team!? Unbelievable. I need to find better friends.¡± ¡°A quest of untold difficulty.¡± ¡®Uuuah.¡¯ ¡±Screw you two.¡± ¡°With frenzy our protagonist surges forward, aiming to maim, mangle and mutilate.¡± ¡®Rrrroaaa.¡¯ The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement. ¡°A slaughter has begun. Violent explosions of magic and kinetic force ravage the area. The amount of power used to take out a near defenseless creature is astounding. And in fact creating such a disturbance that many beasts of the undying variety have taken notice. Mostly weak but some, some may what it takes to challenge our duo.¡± ¡±I don¡¯t get this. Why is my mana pool so small? All I do is train with magic. It can¡¯t all be dependent on levels.¡± ¡°Confused by his poor mana pool. Laughable really, seeing as it has grown immensely fast. What has grown as well however, is the expenditure of mana. There is no surprise that he does not come to this conclusion on his own. What many lack when it comes to magic in general, is control. Don¡¯t let intricate applications of the laws fool you, most likely, there is no finesse, no deftness.¡± ¡±Okay then, explain how to train my finesse or whatever deft means. ¡®Urrraaah.¡¯ ¡°Incredibly enough, the beast is right. For the most part.¡± ¡±Come on Arra. I thought we were friends.¡± ¡®Uuuurrhhh.¡¯ ¡°And the journey continues. A lonely road. A road only our hero can walk.¡± ¡±I wonder how many zombies live in this town. We¡¯ve only been a few kilometers in. This place really could use some color.¡± ¡°It would appear our hero¡¯s denial function has activated. Subject matter has been changed.¡± ¡±Okay Arra. You should be full by now right?¡± ¡®Uuuuuuu.¡¯ ¡±My world, you can eat. Alright, lead the way then.¡± ¡°With surprising agility, our hero leaps on the now fully grown umbaraous which then proceeds to run towards a new playground, so to speak.¡± ¡±Only a few hours and I¡¯ll have my new class specialization! I wonder, do I only get to choose one? Hmm. Where is that old man when you need him?¡± ¡°A repeated scene of hunting the undying unfolds. The strong bullying the weak.¡± The strength of the undying have grown, due to our new friend, Arra. It would appear she¡¯ll only be satiated by a voluminous body filled with greater quantities of undying mana. This has most likely gone unnoticed by our hero.¡± ¡±Just a quick question. You know I can hear you right?¡± ¡°It would appear that something worth fighting has finally arrived. And shockingly our hero can even feel it. Turning his head, Ji tries searching for whatever is giving him that dreadful sensation.¡± ¡±Who is it!? Come out!¡± ¡°Oh. No. This cannot be good. Our hero¡¯s eyes have turned glazed. A sign of a mental attack. Unsurprisingly, psychological attacks can be considered one of the more dangerous to a newbie like our protagonist.¡± ¡®Uuuuah?¡¯ ¡°Due to the newfound undying strength the umbaraous has gained recently, it managed to easily stave of the attack. Holding a firm grip on its mental faculties. Yet without any intelligence or general experience in these matters, it doesn¡¯t seem to be able to realize it was just attacked, nor that our hero is now fighting for his life.¡± ¡®Uuuuurrrrraaaarrrr!¡¯ ¡°This isn¡¯t good. Where is that old man? He better do is job.¡± ¡±Huh? Where am I?¡± ¡°Trapped in an illusion our hero has begun to talk with himself. Which is already a miracle. It is up to him to fight his way out now. It is in fact extremely surprising he was able to come to his senses in such a short time. Most would be dully dragged towards a locations of the aggressors choosing.¡± ¡®Uuuuuuuuuuuu.¡¯ ¡°Ah. As it turns out, the connection the young master has with Arra, has given him a bridge of sorts.¡± ¡±Anyone hear me? Arra you there girl? Stupid narrator? Old man? Hello? Anyone? Woaaah. Hey now. Easy there fella.¡± ¡°One can only imagine what terror our hero is experiencing, all we can do is hope for his safe return.¡± ¡±Hehe. That¡¯s right boy. Who¡¯s a good boy? Awwwh. For me? Owh. Ah. What was that? You see something boy? That way? I can¡¯t see anything. Alright, let¡¯s see.¡± ¡°Finally our hero starts moving. The shredded remains of the undying lay about. Arra, steadily follows our hero with a look that says she has no idea what is going on. Every step leads our hero closer to death. It would appear we have to rely on an undying simpleton or an injured old man. Where did that old freak go?¡± ¡±Okay, stay with me boy. I¡¯m going to look inside.¡± ¡°The mind can be a weapon worth a thousand spears.¡± ¡±Hmm. A lot bigger on the inside. Can¡¯t discount anything in a magical world I guess. I wonder if this is a part of a hidden quest.¡± ¡®Uuuuuuarrh.¡¯ ¡°With a questioning gaze the rejuvenated umbaraous trots along alongside our hero. Quickly our hero takes notice of different intriguing things and ups his pace. To be so unprepared, he¡¯ll most likely be defenseless once he is ambushed.¡± ¡±I can¡¯t believe it! Look! Porn mags! How can these be here!? Amazing. Ohhh. Exotic, I wonder what kind of being that is. Maybe something like humanoid octopus? Hehehe. I can¡¯t believe there was such treasure here. Alright boy. I¡¯m coming, what else did you find?¡± ¡°Simple fools, require only simple tools.¡± ¡±Hohoho. This is quite the place. Is that a hoverboard? Oh my dear sweet and sexy back to the future dream. It¡¯s a hoverboard! Wow. Bit hard to control though. Ah, it just died on me. Does it need mana? Electricity?¡± ¡°It would appear our hero is enjoying his time before experiencing an impromptu execution.¡± ¡±Hmm. Is this the end? You see a way passed boy? I would expect a backdoor on a building so large. Hoh. What a large statue. About as large as Arra. Just skinnier.¡± ¡°The towering beast slowly opens its eyes. A body three times the size of hero, towering at around fiver some meters. Vapid eyes conveying a lack of sense. A state of undying hibernation. Much like every other creature we¡¯ve come across in this destitute town. So thin and decayed that the shape of its bones are clear to see. A mere fragments of its former self.¡± ¡®Kuuuuu.¡¯ ¡®Ku. Kuuu. Kuuuu.¡¯ ¡°The small figure on top of the behemoth lets out low shrieks and points at our hero. With him none the wiser.¡± ¡±How strange. Did it just move? I felt like it moved. My spidey senses are tingling. This can¡¯t be good.¡± ¡°Miraculously our hero appears to have stumbled onto some primal instincts. That must have been buried deep. Deep down. But tragically, this alone will not save him. The limitations to the illusions might be many but simple tricks can lead to devastating results.¡± ¡±Eh. What in the world. How in th-. did a wall get there? ¡°Only the tag along beast known as Arra, has all her sense with her, yet she sits there confused. This is most likely due to her connection with our hero, sharing a part of his bewilderment, albeit only a small part. But enough to befuddle this simple creature.¡± ¡®Uuurhh?¡¯ ¡®Ku! Kuuuuu!¡¯ ¡°As the two undying creatures share a look they realize their differences and hostility immediately arises.¡± ¡®Rrrrrrrruuurrrh!¡¯ ¡®Kiiii!¡¯ ¡°The violent cries of the two beasts marks the beginning of a fight. Using the immense mass it obtained, the enormous umbaraous charges head on, clearly intending to deal with the tiny being in front it. The small creature¡¯s protector tries to defend against this wild charge but has yet to fully come out of its withering sleep.¡± ¡®Gaaaaa!¡¯ ¡®Kiii!¡¯ ¡®Rrrrrrrurrrrh!¡¯ ¡°The ground shakes when the weight of these beasts slam into each other. The tiny creature manages to hold onto its place on top of its protector. Arra, slightly rebounds backwards but quickly continues her attack with mad frenzy.¡± ¡±What the hell is going on!? Why is everything shaking!? Ehh? Arra? Where did you come from?¡± ¡°It would appear the manipulative creature has lost some control over our hero, allowing him to peer into both worlds.¡± ¡±That you Narry? You won¡¯t believe what I found! Woooah! Why are you attacking the statute Arra?¡± ¡°With true confusion our hero slowly, so very slowly, gets a vague grasp on the current situation.¡± ¡±I don¡¯t know why. But that large statute feels very angry, sad and helpless.¡± ¡°Despite being under the firm control of the okeila undying insectoid, the ferocious beast still has a sense of self and lives with the agony of being trapped in its mind.¡± ¡±Damn! That¡¯s horrible. That¡¯s far worse than death. That thing is evil! Kill it Arra! The small thing!¡± ¡°Given direction and the bond with Ji. Arra quickly finds the insect¡¯s location¡± ¡®Rrrrurrraah!¡¯ ¡±That¡¯s it girl! Kill it! That bastard. Hey, where is my hoverboard!? My magazines!?¡± ¡°This has to be the most out of touch human being I have ever witnessed, and I¡äve watched over them for over a thousand years.¡± Chapter twenty one: I lost track of time. ¡°This has to be the most out of touch human being I have ever witnessed, and I¡äve watched over them for over a thousand years.¡± ¡°Its over. What¡¯s the point? You give me everything! Just to rip it out of my hands!?¡± ¡°Despite the nonsensical nature of his actions his performance appears genuine. I rate it a solid three point eight out of five.¡± ¡®Rrrruuuaarrh!¡¯ ¡°Returning to the nearby fight that seems to have escalated into a slug fest, mountains of thick black liquid can be seen covering half the street and splatters on nearby buildings.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t care what or who you are. You will pay for my breaking my heart.¡± ¡°It would appear our hero has lost his mind, or what was left of it. Moments pass and Ji reaches the two undying creatures¡¯ skirmish. With a closed fist our hero throws a punch. A near negligible amount of force has next to no effect on the massive undying slave. One punch after another leaves Ji Aleksy¡¯s hands matted black and red blood.¡± ¡°I!¡± ¡°With bated breath, an unhealthy disregard to his situation and what we can only assume is uncontrolled anger, our hero yet again lets another punch out.¡± ¡°Hate!¡± ¡°Gathering every inch of power he can get his hands on. Chaotic mana gets willed into a sphere that has started gathering his left palm. Appearing truly unruly.¡± ¡°You!¡± ¡°For the first time, attention is paid to the small human. The fierce and nearly unmanaged mana and aspects that has been amassed can be noticed even by the most insensitive of minds. As the sphere makes contact with the mind controlled undying, a small pause can be heard. For a fraction of a second there is silence again.¡± ¡°Huh?¡± ¡°Awoken from his frenzy, yet too late. The damage is done.¡± ¡°No!¡± ¡°The twisted explosion appears alive as it sucks in the nearby aspects and mana before finally exploding. Before our hero is thrown away, defeated by his own stupidity, in a quite remarkable turn of events. The beast, the undying creature Arra, has managed to shield our hero from majority of the blast. After flying meters our hero slams into a building wall, barely holding onto his consciousness.¡± ¡°Thank you sweety.¡± ¡°The two giants appear in shoddy shape but still maintain their ability to move. A limp leg and poor posture. Not much fight left in them it appears. The mind intruding insect appears to have been crushed in the chaotic and the prisoner been let loose.¡± ¡®Urrraaaa!¡¯ ¡®Uuuuaaa!¡¯ ¡°Despite their lesser intelligence, they have found respect for each other and set aside their previous grievances. The unknown beast picks up the small carcass of its slaver and eats it before slowly limping away. We can¡¯t help but play a tune for this freed soul.¡± ¡°Eh? It¡¯s over? I¡¯m not satisfied.¡± ¡°A chilling crooked smile is plastered on our protagonist face as his gaze shifts about, appearing even more unhinged than his usual bizarre behavior.¡± ¡®Uuuuurrahh?¡¯ ¡°Even the newbie knows something is wrong.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not smiling. Huh. Why am I smiling? God I feel good. Like relieved. Why?¡± ¡°One might guess that having one¡¯s mind fiddled and probed would cause some of a person sensibilities to falter.¡± ¡°Falter!? My dick is harder than it ever has been. I feel like slaughtering thousands.¡± ¡®Uuuuuu!¡¯ ¡°Shut up, mutt! Scram!¡± ¡°In a surprising turn of events, our hero has started sprinting with immense vigor. Most likely looking for something to kill, one would assume. The aftereffects of having his mind played with are escalating further. His veins nearly throbbing. Eyes, bloodshot.¡± ¡°Fuck! Shut up! Fuck off! Shut up! You never stop! Never!¡± ¡°With a violent shake of his head we see small amount of blood splatter. It would appear his hearing may have been compromised. Stolen novel; please report. Mere moments pass before our hero has his hands deep in the chest of a decayed undying beast.¡± ¡°Ahhh. God damn, that feels nice. Next!¡± ¡°From victim to victim our hero fells defenseless undying by the hundreds. His hands trembling, most likely from fatigue. His body might regenerate at an incredible speed but if he keeps up this momentum, his stamina will so overly taxed that his muscles will start to collapse, putting an even more strain on his body. I¡¯m afraid if this continues, his never ending rejuvenation will not be able to compete with the natural side effects of the ¡®Undying physique¡¯.¡± ¡°Just one more! One more! One more!¡± ¡°The only bright side of his madness is that his wantonly using his mana, and will more likely than not, lose his consciousness before long. But that leaves us with another problem, an unconscious idiot in the midst of enemies.¡± ¡®Hmph.¡¯ ¡°Ah. Of course, the maimed old man. Ready to save those in the need of saving, yet barely alive.¡± ¡®Hmph, hmph!¡¯ ¡°More. One more!¡± ¡°As with any massacre, it must come to an end. The twisted smile of our hero stiffens, his eyes widen.¡± ¡°It hurts. Oh god, it hurts!¡± ¡°How intriguing, it would appear the young master has awoken from his frenzy and is currently feeling the insurmountable pain. Having his muscles in such a state of disrepair that it forces him, a common friend of relentless agony, to his knees. I guess no one grows truly accustomed to pain.¡± ¡°Narrator! Help me!¡± ¡°Only the Maejio can save our hero now.¡± ¡°Damnit! Come out camping stone. Defective shit. Why won¡¯t it come out.¡± ¡°Only a clear and focused mind can interact with the world¡¯s devices. Our hero¡¯s bewildered state prevents him from doing so.¡± ¡°Fine. Breathe in! Breathe out! Breathe in! Breathe out! Easy peasy, lemon squeezy.¡± ¡°The stream of blood coming from one eye is nearly concealed by the thick layer of black vicious liquid of the undying he prayed on. The uncontrolled shaking and the convulsing muscles. It would be something of a twist of fate if would be able to keep his mental faculties under his command.¡± ¡®Uuuuuaaaar!¡¯ ¡°A previously forgotten ally has returned.¡± ¡°Girl. You came back. I¡¯m sorry sweety. I. I got a bit hot headed.¡± ¡®Uuuuaaar!¡¯ ¡°And I¡¯m sorry!¡± ¡®Uaaaaaa! Uuuurrraaah!¡¯ ¡°I¡¯ll give you a bun if you forgive me.¡± ¡®Uuuuuuuuuuu!¡¯ ¡°Simple creatures are handled in simple ways.¡± ¡°Good girl! Now watch over me while I pass out.¡± ¡°As the words leave the young master, he keels over, his face rubbing against the remains of his enemies. Despite the few creatures lurking in the area, some even strong, not one approaches the area, clearly understanding that something bad is there. And now we wait. Our hero¡¯s body constantly convulsing involuntarily. A hunkering behemoth vigilantly watching its surroundings, occasionally gazing at its companion. The surrounding mana, elements, aspects, even undying elements and aspects constantly move towards the young master. Albeit slowly, yet faster than ever before. The undying. One half of our ¡®majesty¡¯s¡¯ physical anomaly. The curse, the cancer and the source of his pain. Yet the reason for his potential. I¡¯m thinking three days. The hunger will wake him up at that point. Any takers? Oh! We have a day. That¡¯s brave. Anyone else? Hooo! Half a day! That¡¯s one three hundred Teouls! Ah. The honorable lord has four hundred on two days! Alright, leave your bets with Lovelies and we¡¯ll be back after a quick break.¡± ¡®Uuuuuu.¡¯ ¡°Day one and still no signs of the young master waking up!¡± ¡®Uuuuu.¡¯ ¡°Day two people. His body has stopped convulsing yet no movement. His body has been rapidly repairing itself and even the ambient mana hasn¡¯t been fuel enough. His body nearly only skin and bones. Looks like it will either be day three or that this is his final goodbyes!¡± ¡®Uuu. Uuuuu. Uuuuu.¡¯ ¡°Day three. It would be hard to convince anyone that this is a living a body. But we have confirmed breathing. A steady but slow heartbeat. No signs of movements, looks like it¡¯s going to be a clutch victory from the mistress with day four or the pessimistic captain, who bet on never.¡± ¡®Uuaaarrrrh! Arrrrfffh!¡¯ ¡°Oh! Judges!? They say day three! So close mistress, so close! Sad to say but it looks like the house wins again! As always, bets will continue to open on whatever one wishes. No one has taken our bet that he¡¯ll fail his quest towards mastering his hybrid body. Just a friendly reminder. Yes, yes. We know the likelihood of such things. Which is why we won¡¯t bet for it you see. I''m sure you can understand. Alright. You know the drill. Come boy, your back on. And remember, that old man may not hear me or our privilege guest, but he¡¯ll hear you. Just nod if you understand.¡± ¡°...¡± ¡°Good lad! Alright, on with it then.¡± ¡°... Oh! Look. It appears our hero has finally come to, and even on the day I predicted. How coincidental! Owh! Okay. I get it! The converted undying beast peers concerned at our hero as he struggles to open his eyes.¡± ¡°Hueth. Ugh. So dry.¡± ¡°Struggling to get into a sitting position our hero materializes a drink from his inventory and chugs it.¡± ¡°Oh my sweet Alice in wonderland. That was one hell of a dream. Arra. Listen. If a rabbit with a meter long hat offers your tea, assume its spiked. I mean, never say never. But that was really uncalled for. Aren''t you looking a bit skinny girl. Holy, what the shit. My arms! My feet!¡± ¡°The talking skeleton rambles on, practically bathing in his own lack of awareness. Most likely not even feeling the swelling hunger that must be eating away at him.¡± ¡°Excuse me! I didn¡¯t realize that pain was hunger. Oh god. Now that you said it. Oh wow. I need to eat.¡± ¡°I will spare you the extravagant eating habits of our protagonist. Almost like an inflatable balloon, we already see the newfound energy come in use. He only has to increase the intake of mana and not even a day will be needed to recover. I hate scripted lines.¡± ¡°Right! Mana! What did you mean by scripted? Oh! Arra! I promised you a bun right? Here you go girl! Eat, eat! I¡¯m leaving as soon as I can anyway. I can¡¯t believe I got so skinny.¡± ¡°One can only marvel at the sight of his body almost inflating to its preferred form, it would appear it has a standard it wants to keep.¡± ¡°You know, I¡¯ve been wondering why my body always stays like this. I don''t mean to complain, the sleek look isn¡¯t that bad. I just had a period where I wanted to be bigger.¡± ¡°If you peer your eyes, you can see an old man¡¯s face look on in complete shock. His wound not yet healed but our hero could have died and be reborn a countless time.¡± ¡°That old man! Hey you bastard! I know you were there when I got mind zapped! Where were you then! Our friendship is on very rocky ground right now, I¡¯ll tell you that.¡± ¡°The day slowly passes. Young Ji has already started moving towards the out edges of town, his path goes through the scattered remains of hundreds.¡± ¡°Hmm. Why haven''t they done that star trek thing? You know beam into the air.¡± ¡°When ones power exceeds another by a certain degree, they cannot expect to receive benefit from destroying said existence.¡± ¡°No, ye. Make sense. You what what¡¯s funny? I¡¯m still hungry, even after all those buns. I¡¯m going to need Tio-oh to get me some more food. I doubt anything here is eatable. Would you like a piece of black rib stew? No?¡± ¡°Like nothing ever happened, our hero continues his incoherent babble, even his undying companion appears listless. I suppose we¡¯ll see you all next time.¡± ¡°Ye see you all! Whoever you are. Oh! Oh my lords and ladies! I¡¯ve finished my quest right!? I think I¡¯m pretty sure what I¡¯m going to pick.¡±
|Class quest: Tier one| Finish your master¡¯s quest. Survive for zero days to two days and sixteen hours outside the sanctuary.(Complete) Optional: kill hundred undead foes. (Complete) Optional: Save ten friendly or neutral creatures. (Complete) Optional: Control and hinder thousand undead foes. (Complete) Optional: Heal ten creatures. Optional: Befriend one creature. (Complete) Optional: Tame one creature. (Complete) Optional: Sacrifice twenty creatures, friendly or hostile. (Complete) Optional: Train your physical body. (Complete) Optional: Train your mind. (Complete) Optional: Train your control over mana. (Complete) Optional: Connect with more elements in the world. (Complete) Optional: Connect with a creature on a physical level. Optional: Connect with a creature on a psychological level. (Complete) Optional: Endure repeated physical attacks from a hostile foe. (Complete) Optional: Endure repeated psychological attacks from a hostile foe. (Complete) Optional (hidden): Slay a superior undying. (Complete) Quest will reset if you return to the sanctuary within the required time. Quest will reset if you receive outside help. Additions may be added to quest depending on continued progress. Rewards: Unlocks a class specialization (one or more). Rewards: Grants one minor class specializations point (one or more.) Rewards (hidden): Granted one extra class specializations point. Rewards (hidden): Granted one extra minor skill point
Chapter twenty two: I came for the prizes ¡°I¡¯m not trying to be cute, just don¡¯t see why you can¡¯t come with me.¡± ¡®Uuuuuaarrrh¡¯. ¡°And I¡¯m hearing you, I just don¡¯t agree. But people probably wouldn¡¯t be ready to accept you because of the whole undying thing either way.¡± ¡°A few hours of walking and finally we reach the edge of the protected domain. We haven¡¯t seen the old man for a few hours now, presumably he has returned to his hovel of a home.¡± ¡°He¡¯s the one we¡¯re going to right? Or what? Wait. Who gave me this quest? Oh ye, I got it when I hit level forty something. I think.¡± ¡®Uuuuu!¡¯ ¡°I¡¯ll forever remember you Arra! You were there for me when everything else fell apart. ¡®Uuraaahrrrhh.¡¯ ¡°Me to girl. Me to.¡± ¡°To not drown everyone is their own tears, we will be omitting the majority of this touching goodbye. After the reluctant departure concludes, our hero starts making his way down to the center of the crater. Quick to increase his pace, a mere hour passes before we see the small hovel of a home that old man resides in.¡± ¡®I think you¡¯ll find the word is quaint. This is no hovel, but a home, a home made with pure feelings, can¡¯t you see it exudes comfort.¡¯ ¡°Found you! I heard from reliable sources that you were following me around.¡± ¡®Yes. Well. I couldn¡¯t very well let you go by yourself on such a dangerous journey!¡¯ ¡°This of course has nothing to do with karma, this old man couldn¡¯t possibly be trying to tie himself to a Beta. That would be too dishonorable.¡± ¡®Of course not! Pft! Do not even entertain the thought!¡¯ ¡°Well. Whatever you were doing, you weren¡¯t of much help, eh? Never mind, the quest is done. Where are my awards!?¡± ¡®I believe I told you before. I am not a quest-giver. To clear any misunderstandings, I will tell you this. I am a mere gardener of this place. And have been for the past three-hundred some years!¡¯ ¡°An odd look appears on the over three hundred year old gardener.¡± ¡®Do not repeat it! I was wronged! Oh how I was wronged!¡¯ ¡°What happened, uhm. What is your name?¡± ¡®Just call me old Deio. As you should know, there are some jobs the world provides to maintain a certain balance to things. When I first arrived at this place I was a promising young man! A whole future ahead of me! Oh you should have seen me! How dashing I was. How handsome!¡¯ ¡°It at this point that I would like to remind everyone not to believe everything you hear.¡± ¡®I was filled with vigor in those days. I even had a fianc¨¦! How beautiful she was! She was chased after by all the young masters! But she chose me! Hmph, hmph!¡¯ ¡°Uhm?¡± ¡®Then I arrived at this cursed place! ¡°immortal life¡± he said. That old codger! How naive I was! He promised me glory, fame and eternal life!¡¯ ¡°I think I understand. You took over his job, right?¡± ¡®That is right boy. And I am also the only person to enter this place since then! Well. Until you came.¡¯ ¡°I suppose this old man didn¡¯t have the ability to open the portal on this side.¡± ¡®The narrator is right. Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit. Who in the world has that amount of mana? I have long since out leveled this place, stuck in the late three thousands. And that¡¯s only because of the job! I¡¯ve wasted hundreds of years here!¡¯ ¡°Okay. So just join me when I leave. Now! Back to the matter at hand, Deio.¡± ¡®I told you boy, I have no control over any quest or anything. Oh. I can give you this though.¡¯
|Lively bloom| ¡°With the guidance of an ancient chant you can guide the elements to invite vigor into all things rooted in the ground.¡± Current level: Zero. Usable on various florae. Mana used is dependent on the target.
¡°Oh! Cool! A skill!¡± ¡®Don¡¯t get too excited. Things get out of hand if you use it too much. Haven¡¯t you noticed all the odd animals running around? It is hard to admit it, but that would be this one¡¯s fault.¡¯ ¡°Like the squabble of feisty birds. These two have kept going for far too long. One would. And when I say one. I mean anyone with even a sliver of wit, would already have checked their quest¡¯s progress.¡± ¡°You¡¯re right. I¡¯m not sure why I keep expecting it to remind me of any changes.¡±
|Class quest: Tier one| Finish your master¡¯s quest (Complete) Meet with your escort and travel back through the portal.
I¡äve also got this.
|The abandoned gardener| ¡°After spending centuries in this place alone, the man has create a utopia that thwarts any outside interference. His defenses will hold for thousands of years and is to be relieved of duty.¡± Find and convince the old gardener to leave this place with you. (Hidden quest) Rewards: *****
¡°It is only natural for the world to be fair in all things and let this slave, I mean faithful servant have his vacation. Praise be to Meijai. Praise be.¡± ¡®Screw whoever Meijai! I¡¯m finally getting out of this damned place.¡¯ ¡°One man¡¯s utopia is another¡¯s dystopia. Or so they say.¡± ¡°Alright old man Deio. Come with me, I need to go find Tio-oh.¡± ¡®Lead the way.¡¯ ¡°One young, yet deceptively old and another old, yet deceptively young. Almost makes one laugh.¡± ¡°Hehe. Didn¡¯t think about that.¡± ¡®Hmph, Hmph.¡¯ ¡°The wary looking man follows the unhinged hero towards one Tio-oh of the Fluo, in hopes of completing his first class quest. And moments flicker and before we know it we stand in front of a sparkling platform used to hold the portal from this world.¡± ¡°Where is she?¡± ¡®Right here, Ji.¡¯ ¡°Coming from the direction of the river, the flexible Fluo takes unhurried steps as she approaches the two baffled males.¡± ¡°Wow! Is that really you? You look so much more, so much.¡± ¡®Shapely?¡¯ ¡°Was going to go with firmer. But yes.¡± ¡®*Cough*¡¯ ¡°Ah. Right. Tio-oh, this is old man Deio.¡± ¡®Please just call me Deio. Pleasure to meet you.¡¯ ¡°It would appear that the young Fluo was given some lee-way and allowed to wander further than she initially expected. And not only that, she appears to have made considerable gains due to the very rich water that flows through here.¡± ¡°Oh. So the water here helped you?¡± ¡®Good guess. Yes. And how did your quest go?¡¯ ¡°Great! Was easy! No well. I kind of almost died a few times but the rest was easy.¡± ¡®Congratulations!¡¯ ¡°Thanks. Don¡ät mean to be rude but can we start the portal up? I want to get this over, the sooner the better. Oh, and old man Deio the impeccable gardener is coming with us.¡± ¡®Shush. Do no listen to the boy, I am the guardian of this place, young lady. The venerable Deio of the sanctuary.¡¯ ¡®I see. I¡¯ll get started then.¡¯ ¡°With the simplest of movements and a gentle touch the portal flickers with incredible ambience. The more adept can see the world¡¯s mana being funneled into the invisible grand magical laws.¡± ¡®It is more heartrending than I remembered, it has been over three hundred years so it is to be expected.¡¯ ¡°I can¡¯t see it.¡± ¡®What are you two talking about?¡¯ ¡°The narrator said there is a lot of mana being extracted to fuel the portal. Old man Deio can see it apparently.¡± ¡®Oh. You must be very powerful, Deio.¡¯ ¡®Hohohoho. These old bones?¡¯ ¡°As the portal opens Tio-oh gestures our hero to go first, as it is her job to make sure goes through. Next we have a scene of our hero pointing the grand gardener through and with no hesitation and incredible speed he enters the intimidating portal.¡± ¡°Alright, me next. Catch you on the flip side!¡± ¡®It¡¯s actually dimension Aeiro south seven.¡¯ ¡°Oh. I was just quoting a movie.¡± ¡°To experience cross-dimensional portals made with such intricate and grand laws is an honor any being of the lower planes can only dream of. Some may even scratch the surface of the laws and gain tremendous power. Just another thing our hero takes for granted. Another opportunity wasted on the untalented. The journey passes as they marvel, completely in awe of the illusory world they are shown, neglecting to think on the mysteries being used.¡± ¡°Hooop! Is it cheese to ask to go again? I really could stay in there a few days.¡± ¡®Sadly, I do not have any power over the portals.¡¯ ¡°Awh. Alright let¡¯s check the quest¡±
|Class quest: Tier one| Finish your master¡¯s quest (Complete) Meet with your escort and travel back through the portal. (Complete) Follow your escort to the evaluation room.
¡°There is more? Can¡¯t this just be done with?¡± ¡®Follow me Ji Aleksy. It¡¯s just across the hall from the portal room. Coincidentally, it hasn¡¯t been used for a long time, as long as the portal room.¡¯ ¡°One second. Where is the old man?¡± ¡®I haven¡¯t seen him since he entered the portal.¡¯
|The abandoned gardener| ¡°After spending centuries in this place alone, the man has create a utopia that thwarts any outside interference. His defenses will hold for thousands of years and is to be relieved of duty.¡± Find and convince the old gardener to leave this place with you. (Complete) Find the gardener for a reward. (Hidden quest) Rewards: *****
¡°That bastard! He ran off, he must¡¯ve known he had to give me something as a reward. Damn cheapskate!¡± ¡®Are you ready?¡¯ ¡°Coming.¡± ¡°Another abandoned room, covered in dust. In the room there are large tables with multiple seats. On the tables are dust covered tablets. These are keys of sorts. Depending on how our hero has been evaluated, they will be able to open different things. And he will be given a hard choice.¡± ¡°That reminds me I got another minor skill point.¡±
|Forced empathy| Tier: 1 Class: Support, melee, touch, psychological Used to transmit sensitive information without any evidence.
¡°That¡¯s the only one related to mind magic. At least that I know of. Shame about needing physical contact but whatever.¡± ¡°A rare occurrence. Our hero took something that could very well save his life in many situations, as he has the potential to cultivate it. All that remains is to see if he actually will.¡± ¡®I realize you are talking to your narrator but I have to say, forced empathy is useless.¡¯ ¡°Ah? Oh. A bit too late though. Mind if I try it on you.¡± ¡®Sure.¡¯ ¡°With the new information taken hold, our hero reaches out with his hand and softly touches the young lady¡¯s shoulders. The body of the Fluo is in perpetual liquid state so even when it appears firm and stable a simple touch may cause ripples. Assuming they are not actively trying to prevent it.¡± ¡®Baby don¡¯t hurt me?¡¯ ¡°No more. Well it works.¡± Chapter twenty three: Hidden and found. ¡°Positioned in front of a tablet, our hero swipes with his hand. What is revealed is a complex pattern that doesn¡¯t seem to have any symmetry.¡± ¡°This really isn¡¯t what I expected. Almost expected a small hand held computer, really.¡± ¡®I¡¯ve been informed that you should put your hand on one of the evaluation tablets.¡¯ ¡°A mysterious glow envelopes Ji¡¯s hand, so bright it is blinding. We can only imagine what our hero is experiencing at this moment.¡± ¡°It¡¯s talking about fairness. About me being exceedingly talented in many areas. Hooo! They gave me a passive!¡±
|Momentum| ¡°For every foe, there is a friend.¡± When running away from enemies you receive one point five movement speed increase for every enemy within a thirty meter radius. Limited to thirty enemies.
¡°That seems useful. Right? Shush. It¡¯s talking to me.¡± ¡°Enamored by the information being streamed into his mind. The occasional swipe of the hand in mind air indicates he is navigating something of a menu.¡± ¡°So many options! Almost makes it hard to choose.¡± ¡®So you have something in mind, Ji?¡¯ ¡°Mmm? Oh. Ye, was pretty set on taking up something related to the elements, they seem so easy to use.¡± ¡®Easy? The elements?¡¯ ¡°It is easy to understand the Fluo¡¯s surprise. For the average being on this planet, establishing a connection to one of the elemental laws is something only few special races do innately and few especially talented individuals achieve. And to take a step further and sense more than three elemental laws is something only aged old creatures do, through tenacious willpower, through persistence.¡± ¡°Okay then. Back to what I was saying, I¡¯ve pretty much guaranteed the elemental mage-esque option. Or that¡¯s what I think it is. The thing is, they gave me two things to choose! I wasn¡¯t expecting that.¡± ¡°If the world is anything, it is fair. And despite our hero¡¯s lackluster appearance and actions, he has prevailed in the most dangerous of circumstances. You see, the world is wise. And its wisdom will see the difference in a man catching fish with his hands, a fishing pole or a spear. It will not reward the man catching fishes in a barrels.¡± ¡°What in the world are you mumbling on about? Fishes and barrels? What the hell does that have to do with anything? This is an important event and you¡¯re talking about fishes!?¡± ¡®Ji?¡¯ ¡°Sorry, the narrator is being difficult. So ye, I was thinking about getting something called |Weather bearer | or |Flowing streams|.¡±
|Weather bearer| ¡°Through the eons, weather has been guided by the elements. Some are gentle while others volatile.¡±
¡°The latter is something about mana but all the descriptions is very vague.¡±
|Flowing streams| ¡°The world is a pebble in the river of mana, refined by the stream,¡±
¡°I still need to learn how to fight properly but my mana pool really feels to small. ¡°Even oracles cannot predict what ones¡¯ future is. Which is why the world is guided by small moments, small steps on the journey, for eternity. You take your step, you choose your path.¡± ¡°Also! My body feels abnormally strong at the moment. I¡¯m no Hercules but I can definitely feel my endurance has been increased several times over. There is something telling me that having more mana will increase it even further. The thing I lack isn¡¯t here it seems. I can¡¯t find anything about combat tactics or melee combat like martial arts.¡±This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon. ¡°What our hero wants is something the world doesn¡ät value enough consider it worth gifting. Fighting, in its many forms, be it from a distance or at close range is something far easier to learn, train and teach than any casual speculations into the laws. Many would find it madness to even be wishing for such things when other treasures are strewn about.¡± ¡°Ah. Well. You know.¡± ¡®What do I know?¡¯ ¡°Never mind it doesn¡¯t matter, I was just thinking out loud.¡± ¡®You do that a lot.¡¯ ¡°Do I? So I was thinking I¡¯d just focus on what I know. Elements and mana. Then try to find a place to train in different kinds of combat, see what suits me.¡± ¡®Shall I offer my advice?¡¯ ¡°Sure!¡± ¡®I expect you understand jobs, such as mine, are given to us by the world, yes?¡¯ ¡°Right.¡± ¡®My job is something of a luxury and brings upon many opportunities and perks that are very sought after.¡¯ ¡°Okay.¡± ¡®There are however many other less desirable jobs, such as gatherers, maintainers and to get to the point, teachers.¡¯ ¡°Oh! I see what you mean. Do you know anyone that teaches fighting techniques like kung Fu or something?¡± ¡®Kung Fu? No. My great uncle is our families¡¯ chief instructor and would greatly appreciate me referring you to him. Despite you being an outsider, I am almost certain he will make an exception for you and teach you our family arts.¡¯ ¡°Alright, cool. We¡¯ll go once we¡¯re done here.¡± ¡®Great!¡¯ ¡°I¡¯m somewhat disappointed there is nothing else similar to forced empathy. Actually now that I mention it. That technique to transfer information felt very, what¡¯s the word? Odd? Wrong? It didn¡¯t feel right. Actually forced fits it just right.¡± ¡°Peculiar.¡± ¡°What?¡± ¡°It would appear our hero has actually developed further in the field of the mind than expected. To be able to differentiate between his and the world''s guidance to empathy is an anomaly. Not something you expect from someone newly acquainted with the mental laws, as they aren¡¯t tangible and hard to deal with even if you sense them.¡± ¡°Hehe. Well, for someone like me, it¡¯s easy.¡± ¡°How painful to watch. His thumb touches his nose and he makes a light flicking motion.¡± ¡®What are you doing?¡¯ ¡°Hmm? Oh, sorry. Just hard to decide. Give me a minute.¡± ¡°The room descends into silence as our hero continues to read and re-read the options given to him. He of course can¡¯t select anything related to the more obscure laws, such as empathy or even apathy, which I can¡¯t really go into without breaking several codes of conduct.¡± ¡°Hmm. A lot of these feel similar. Almost all of them are related to mana in one way or the other. I think I¡¯m definitely getting |Weather bearer|. I think it includes all the elements. Some of these might have something to with different aspects, I can¡¯t quite understand.¡± ¡°As it should be.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve been reading something about trees and plants here called |Nature¡¯s child|¡±
|Nature¡¯s child| ¡°All roots lead to leaves, all cones to construction.¡±
¡°That¡¯s an aspect right? Trees and such? This thing could really use more information.¡± ¡°The aspect of floras growth is one many can relate to but few can excel in.¡± ¡°Screw it! I¡¯m going with my guts here.¡±
|Weather bearer|
|Flowing streams|
¡°As our hero tabs the air he is engulfed in blurry shield and a formidable pressure exudes from him as he is being granted blessings from the world.¡± ¡®Ji! Are you okay!?¡¯ ¡°The laws descend and imprint our hero with a certain path to follow. The world can bend multiple laws to its will, even create creatures powerful enough to crush this planet. Yet it cannot change already existing creatures, at best it will guide them the best it can. This is why this world disappoints me. For even with guidance, they fall short. So very short.¡± ¡°I can¡¯t feel my ears! No, don¡¯t worry, they are still there.¡± ¡®Ji?¡¯ ¡°That was intense. Wasn¡¯t expecting that, felt like someone took control of my body for a moment. Can I try something?¡± ¡®Go ahead.¡¯ ¡°In the enormous room a quiet wind starts blowing.¡± ¡°Much easier! Okay now I just have to follow that up.¡± ¡°The adept can see different areas in the room vibrating.¡± ¡°It¡¯s so much clearer now.¡± ¡°What our hero is doing is not some sort of insight into the laws but the utilization of what he already knows. If you look closer, you can see the ebb and flow of mana has changed in the area as well, it is no longer a vortex, an inefficient and crude method of using mana. Now it moves in a constant stream, it no longer stops but flows continuously, lending him power rather than being dragged down. One can see the quantity and quality has increase significantly. The stream may be slow as of this moment but given greater insight and utilization, it will grow wider and faster.¡± ¡°Huh. No, still can¡¯t see what you¡¯re talking about. But I can definitely feel that the mana has changed, it¡¯s almost like a whole different substance now.¡± ¡°With a wave of his hand and the consistence mumbling our hero manages to spawn a fierce wind and water. And if you look closely you¡¯ll see tiny pebbles hidden away in the cyclone.¡± ¡°This is amazing! Are you seeing this Tio-oh!?¡± ¡®Amazing, Mr. Ji. To think there was such a way to clean the room, truly inspiring.¡¯ ¡°Right!? What? Clean?¡± ¡°Losing his focus our hero¡¯s rudimentary spell falls apart. The wind dissipates, water evaporates and the pebbles turned to dust.¡± ¡°I think I could maintain that for quite some time.¡±
Would you like to name your new spell?
¡°Ohhhhhhhhhhhh! Look at that! You seeing this?¡± ¡®See what mister Ji?¡¯ ¡°Creating his first active spell, albeit mediocre. Can be considered an achievement.¡± ¡°Okay. Wait, we need to think about this. Hey Tio-oh. What would you call that cyclone you saw earlier?¡± ¡®Well. I could sense the water elements in it. But aside from that it was pretty hard to sense what was happening.¡¯ ¡°Ye, okay. But I was thinking about a name for it.¡±
|Ji¡¯s beginner¡¯s cyclone| ¡°A beginners spell, created from wind, water and soil elemental laws.¡± Mana cost is dependent on the size. Damage is low and inconsistent.
¡°What? No! dammit, it picked for me! I could have named it super cyclone or something. Earth, wind and water cluster vortex would have been great as well. So much potential! Wasted, squandered away!¡± ¡°Above our hero was can see his marker has changed.¡±
|Ji Aleksy. Elementalist. Mana fiend: Level hundred seventy three|
¡°Two class specializations. A remarkable thing for such a young man, and such a low level. It can take people years to achieve class specialization without the guidance of the world. But this is not to say that Ji is any kind of spectacular. Something rare in a population of billions, is still quite the number.¡± ¡°Wow! Mana fiend huh? Not really sure what to make of that, but the elementalist makes sense.¡± ¡®Congratulations Ji! The stories of the Originals don¡¯t do you justice! How marvelous!¡¯¡§ ¡°Hehe.¡± ¡°With flustered cheeks our protagonist plays with the elements with his hands. Creating small cyclones. In fact, little too many cyclones.¡± ¡®Uhm. Ji.¡¯ ¡°Hm? What? Ah, sorry. I was testing how many I could use at a time, there doesn¡¯t seem to be a limit. Can¡¯t really test the size in here though, I mean it¡¯s big but not big, know what I mean?¡± ¡®No, I don¡¯t Mr.Ji.¡¯ ¡°After a long and arduous explanation on how big, big is and how big is also big, in many different ways, we finally see it end.¡± ¡®Alright Ji. I understand.¡¯ ¡°Great! Now, you said something about an uncle?¡± ¡®Right, my Uncle Tae-oh. He is the most knowledgeable when it comes to our families martial arts.¡¯ ¡°I see, sounds great, where is it?¡± ¡®The Oh clan is stationed here in the city.¡¯ ¡°City? Ah, I completely forgot we were in a city.¡± ¡°The elementalist and mana fiend, Ji Aleksy. Sets out to train his physical combat abilities. It can be considered difficult to learn the martial arts of the Fluo, mainly due to the strict requirements, such as the flexibility involved.¡± Chapter twenty four: Oh, oh and oh! ¡°And?¡± ¡®And that¡¯s why I can¡¯t guarantee you will be able to learn our Oh clan¡¯s martial arts.¡¯ ¡°I suppose that makes sense. Is stretching or doing yoga not enough?¡± ¡®Yoga?¡¯ ¡°Ye it¡¯s this Indian thing, where you stretch your body in different ways, I think.¡± ¡®I have never heard of it, nor Indians.¡¯ ¡°What? Never heard of Indians? What about the Chinese? Europeans?¡± ¡®No, never heard of any of them.¡¯ ¡°When the world changed, not only did the landscape of earth shatter, the latter generations couldn¡¯t retain all of their knowledge of the world. Even the earth grew to many times its original size, and that was it being lucky not to explode due to the excessive mana.¡± ¡°Huh. That¡¯s hard to wrap your head around. How did anyone even survive that?¡± ¡°Of course, no amount of technology could stand against the massive influx of mana. It was the generation of what was called super humans, humans with extraordinary powers that banded together to save what was left of the human race. Even today, many of them are still alive, somewhere.¡± ¡°Super humans?¡± ¡®Super humans I have heard of. The human¡¯s strongest bloodlines. They called themselves super humans. In fact, your Aleksy family should have one.¡¯ ¡°Hohhhh?¡± ¡°What most human ancestors have in common, is that they born in the time when mana ran rampant throughout the Milky Way galaxy. And the highest concentration of mana was in the most habitable place, Earth Even though the star system has changed dramatically, only five have sentient beings inhabiting it. While three planets have primitive beings living in extremely violent environment.¡± ¡°That explains all the absurd plant life I¡¯ve seen, I¡¯ve been questioning whether or not I was still on earth.¡± ¡®It is quite the experience being around you, Ji.¡¯ ¡°What? What do you mean?¡± ¡®One minute you are talking to me and responding, the other you are talking to your hand while casting some arbitrary magic.¡¯ ¡°Ah. Sorry, the Narrator is really worth talking to, he has insight into things that seem so very foreign to me.¡± ¡®Rest assured, Ji. I am very happy to escort you.¡¯ ¡°The Fluo lightly touches our hero¡¯s arm whilst smiling, she gives of a sense of purity.¡± ¡°Alright Tio. How far until we reach your clan?¡± ¡®We will soon enter the city. After that, it will be about thirty minutes, ten if we find someone to transport us.¡¯ ¡°Oh. Okay.¡± ¡°After walking through yet another corridor, a disguised teleportation formation. The two reach an entrance.¡± ¡®Ji.¡¯ ¡°Hm?¡± ¡°With an absent minded look, our hero looks up from his constant manipulation of the elemental laws. A pity he hasn¡¯t fully discovered the underlying vibration that connect the cold and hot.¡± ¡°Ah! Of course! It¡¯s so simple!¡± ¡°Suddenly the heat explodes dramatically, Tio-oh of the Oh clan leaps a few meters back, a wary look in here eye and a concentration of mana in her hand in the form of a transcendent water globe.¡± ¡°Hahaha! Of course!¡± ¡°A sphere of water suddenly takes form around our hero, a second later it freezes over before melting and evaporating.¡± ¡°I can¡¯t believe I didn''t realize this sooner! Faster, means hotter. Slower means colder.¡± ¡®How extraordinary.¡¯ ¡®Uncle! Why are you here?¡¯ ¡®What? I can¡¯t visit my niece?¡¯ ¡°Whilst our hero maniacally laughs, an old man has magically appeared inside the exit¡¯s corridor. His belly plump, yet his arms thick and clearly muscular. This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon. His legs, thick as tree stumps.¡± ¡°Hohhh! Look, Tio! Look!¡± ¡®Yes, amazing Ji. You are very talented. Uncle, this here is Ji. I have been assisting him.¡¯ ¡®Oh? Who is so important that it required your assistance? Ah, of course you can¡¯t tell me, this old man easily forgets his place.¡¯ ¡®Hehe don¡¯t worry, I was actually going see elder Ki.¡¯ ¡®Oh? You mean to introduce him to our clan¡¯s instructor?¡¯ ¡°Uhm. Hello? Who¡¯s the beer belly?¡± ¡®Hmph!? Beer belly?¡¯ ¡®Calm down uncle, Ji here is a bit strange.¡¯ ¡®Anything for my darling niece.¡¯ ¡°Eh? What is happening right now?¡± ¡®Ji, this my mother¡¯s brother, Ohoh.¡¯ ¡°Haha, so you are Ohoh-oh?¡± ¡®Why are you snickering? Ohoh is my grandfather¡¯s name, very respectable.¡¯ ¡°Ah, of course, I didn¡¯t meant to insult you.¡± ¡®Please ignore my uncle, he is very sensitive when it comes to his name.¡¯ ¡°No need to say more, I can sympathize with him, the poor thing.¡± ¡®Poor thing your sister! What is wrong with my name!?¡¯ ¡°Nothing sir! Ohoh-oh, is a very normal name. In fact, I am jealous of such an impactful name! This one was hastily named Ji, truly I fall short of your domineering name!¡± ¡®Oh? You aren¡¯t bad at all! Not bad at all!¡¯ ¡°Despite our hero¡¯s lacking, his way with words can cause one to be baffled. A not so rare meeting of idiots.¡± ¡®Ji, do you mind if my uncle accompanies us?¡¯ ¡°Not at all¡± ¡®Tell me Ji. Why is my nice so captivated with you? She might not say out loud but her actions speak for themselves.¡¯ ¡°I¡¯m afraid I can¡¯t tell you, I¡äve been warned repeatedly not to tell others of my circumstances.¡± ¡®Hmm? You can trust me, it will go no further!¡¯ ¡®Ji, don¡¯t listen to uncle.¡¯ ¡®What are you saying Tio! This uncle is one of impeccable reputation! If the world was ending I wouldn¡¯t even squeeze out a simple peep!¡¯ ¡®Uncle, really. You¡­¡¯ ¡®What!? You don¡¯t trust your dearest uncle!?¡¯ ¡°Oh see! Look. I did it. The soil element has been really difficult but I finally managed to get to grow this big.¡± ¡°Ah. ¡±Finally¡± he says. As if an immense amount of effort was put into it. Everything aside, one can¡¯t help but to be in awe of our hero¡¯s ability to connect with the elemental laws.¡± ¡®That¡¯s amazing Ji! You might even contend with the Searrtho clan¡¯s juniors.¡¯ ¡°Hehe, you flatter me. Who are the Searrtho again?¡± ¡®Hmph. Those Searrtho bastards.¡¯ ¡®Our uncle was rejected by their mistress.¡¯ ¡®Me!? Rejected!? Nonsense! I was never interested in that wench!¡¯ ¡°I see. I see.¡± ¡®See! Even a junior like Ji understands!¡¯ ¡®We can¡¯t stand here all day uncle, I¡äve got to take Ji to see Uncle Ki-oh.¡¯ ¡®Right, right.¡¯ ¡°After entering the city, our hero glances around unimpressed. His expectations of a city is of course far more advanced. Being used to cities filled with thousands of people cluttering the streets.¡± Now that you said it, I can¡¯t help but to feel this city lacks a certain something. ¡°There is an endless stream of people, but the building just aren¡¯t that big. There are no cars around. What happened to vehicles?¡± ¡®Vehicles? Tio, has the young man lost his mind?¡¯ ¡®No uncle. I can¡¯t say but he¡¯s not very well informed of modern society.¡¯ ¡®I see. I see! Have no worries, I¡¯ll treat you two this time.¡¯ ¡°After waving his hands, a large amount of mana gathers and turns into a beam that shoots through the air.¡± What was that? ¡®A simple message spell. You don¡¯t even know this? Where on earth did you come from?¡¯ ¡°Originally? Or where did I wake up? Keakelli Mountain or something like that.¡± ¡®You¡¯re of the Keakelli family?!¡¯ ¡°A grim look appeared on the middle aged man.¡± ¡®Uncle. Don¡¯t be like that, he is definitely not a Keakelli.¡¯ ¡®Hmph! The only decent Keakelli I know of is old man Sympathy.¡¯ ¡°Are the Keakelli famous? They seemed a bit unhinged to me.¡± ¡®The Keakelli. They are something like humans. They come from the old world. They aren¡¯t worth our time.¡¯ ¡°If you say so Ohoh. Which way to the Oh clan?¡± ¡®Wait a minute, someone will arrive soon.¡¯ ¡°Whilst waiting, our hero continuously conjures magic, mainly relying on his insight into the elemental laws. Currently a fist size ball of dirt is floating centimeters above his palms. A thick layer of frozen water is covering the outer layer. A swirling wind occasionally blows through.¡± ¡°Check this out!¡± ¡°As our hero¡¯s words leave him, he throws the ball in one fluid motion, the wind follows him the entire way through as the small boulder shoots into the sky.¡±
What would you like to name your new spell?
|Ji¡¯s flying fist| ¡°A beginners spell focused on the soil elemental laws, supported by the freezing cold and wind.¡± Mana cost is dependent on the size. Damage is mediocre.
¡°Haha! I made another one! How is this so easy!?¡± ¡°Every spell is like a recipe, it requires specific ingredients, and a specific amount at that. So almost every spell is unique even if it has hundreds similar variations.¡± ¡°Ah. Well. Still! It even said mediocre damage! Such much better.¡± ¡°After the celebration, a squad of armored men arrive before our trio.¡± ¡®Stop!¡¯ ¡°Hm? Wow!¡± ¡®Hmph, hmph. What do you lackeys want?¡¯ ¡°A look of hesitation can be seen in the squadron of ten.¡± ¡®We are here to investigate a violation in the aggression laws, our sources indicate there was an attack on the city shields from here.¡¯ ¡®Attack!? My little junior was just testing his abilities and you call it an attack? How laughable is our city guard? Ridicules.¡¯ ¡®Uncle. You can¡¯t be so abrasive. Sirs, I am sorry to waste your time, but my young friend here Ji, was simply testing his new ability. I assure you he meant no harm.¡¯ ¡®Alright miss Tio-oh, mister Ohoh-oh.¡¯ ¡°Oh? They know who you are?¡± ¡®Of course, my Oh clan is one of the ten strongest families in Traeo city! You haven''t even told him this Tio-oh?¡¯ ¡®I¡¯ve been too busy trying to snare, I mean befriending Mr.Ji.¡¯ ¡®Hahaha! What a good girl.¡¯ ¡°Why do I feel like I am in danger?¡± ¡®Pay it no mind, pay it no mind! Come! It seems our transportation has arrived. Tio-oh. Help the gentleman.¡¯ ¡°It would appear that the middle aged man has discovered that our hero is no commoner and in fact has tremendous background. If the spontaneous use of three elemental laws didn¡¯t awake his suspicions, the actions of his highly valued niece certainly should have. Even mastering five more elements wouldn¡¯t put him too high on his list. But his niece is someone to be trusted.¡± ¡°What is this?¡± ¡®This is a mana infused pumpkin pickle. The Verto family mounts.¡¯ ¡°Mount? How is this overgrown vegetable a mount? This doesn¡¯t look safe at all.¡± ¡®Young man I assure you, our Verto family¡¯s transportations are extremely safe and comfortable. Far superior to those scoundrels, Animaeo.¡¯ ¡°What?¡± ¡®Stop being so hesitant, just get on, this Ohoh will let you see the city in its full glory. And if you want, I can even give you a private tour later, if you know what I mean.¡¯ ¡°Oh? Oh!? Definitely uncle Ohoh!¡± ¡®Uncle!¡¯ ¡®I am merely entertaining our guest, Tio-oh. You would blame your favorite uncle for this?¡¯ ¡°The relentless banter continuous as we soar above the city. Otero city main attraction would be its large amount of food, be it meat or vegetables. Once you glide over the city you can see the many different farms, containing either animals or greenery.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve got to admit, this looks great.¡± ¡®Our city is the largest exporter of food, our Oh family takes care of over sixty percent of any perishables that get important.¡¯ ¡®Uncle, please.¡¯ ¡®What!? You should be proud of your clan¡¯s abilities to retain food! What is the world without food!?¡¯ ¡°Ehm. Cool, I think?¡± ¡®Very cool, all things get shipped across the portals in a very cool state. No amount of heat with affect it! Hmph, hmph.¡¯ ¡°I see. Amazing, uncle Ohoh-oh.¡± ¡®I¡¯m glad you understand.¡¯ ¡°As we soar above the city we can see an enormous lake with three different rivers converging into it. A large number of Fluo can be seen traveling around the large area.¡± ¡°Wooah! This place looks amazing.¡± ¡®Welcome to my family estate, Ji. Uncle. Please lead us to uncle Ki.¡¯ ¡®Of course, of course.¡¯ ¡°The gorgeous area, decorated heavily, the shining blue color indicating the Oh families dedication to the water elemental laws.¡± Chapter twenty five: There is something in the water. ¡°How is water pouring from either side of that, what is it? A basket? A wok?¡± ¡®Our ancestor created a formation that draws in ambient mana and use it create water from the laws.¡¯ ¡°You can do that? Isn¡¯t that infinite water?¡± ¡®As long as the formation isn¡¯t damaged it will always collect mana and transform it into water. Sadly, the ancestor hasn¡¯t been seen a few hundred years.¡¯ ¡°You say that as if he could still be alive. How long do people live exactly?¡± ¡®Many are heralded as immortals. It is said that once you break the fetters of this world, you will be able to enter another world, filled with all those immortals. Most believe our ancestor left this world behind.¡¯ ¡°But, I¡¯ve been told that you came from a different world.¡± ¡®We came from a similar, lower dimension.¡¯ ¡°Okay. Is this common knowledge? You seem very nonchalant about something so amazing.¡± ¡®It is hard to believe in the great tales told to us as children. Even though there are those that would fight me to the death, insisting on these story being gospel.¡¯ ¡®This is why your father let you take over the grand position of chief advisor, so dull! You should be more like me, your uncle. See Tio, life is like a vast river¡­¡¯ ¡®Please uncle! I¡¯ve heard it a thousand times.¡¯ ¡®¡­And in this river of life, we either silently go with the flow or swim upstream! We should look to the honorable Skareaarp, a true specimen of freedom!¡¯ ¡®Uncle please, not while we have guests!¡¯ ¡®I¡¯m sure young Ji here would be greatly interested in learning of the bravery and wisdom that is the Skareaarp.¡¯ ¡°I¡¯m more interested in these immortals. Can we assume that most great heroes of their time have all disappeared in some manner?¡± ¡®That is exactly why so many believe in the stories.¡¯ ¡°Any self-respecting hero would seek to better themselves, and when the grass withers and the land becomes barren, they move to greener pastures.¡± ¡°What is that analogy?¡± ¡®Alright, Ji. Do you mind waiting here while I get Uncle Ki-oh?¡¯ ¡°Sure, I¡¯ll be practicing.¡± ¡®Uncle Ohoh, are you coming with me, I¡¯m sure uncle Ki-oh will be happy to see you.¡¯ ¡®No, no. I¡äll stay with your friend, make sure he is entertained.¡¯ ¡°A dark glint can be seen in the man¡¯s eye as he vanishes from sight, not giving his dear niece a chance to respond. She heaves a heavy sigh and gives the absent minded Ji one last look before making her way through the heavily fortified Oh clan¡¯s inner area. Our hero continuously experiments with various combinations, yet something seems wrong.¡± ¡°So strange. It was a lot easier a few minutes ago, now nothing works right.¡± ¡°With the abundant water elements in the air, his delicate balance has been thrown out of line, literally drowning out any other element introduced.¡± ¡°Oh. That makes sense. Or does it? It feels like the water element just washes over me anytime I try to draw any element to me.¡± ¡°Even whilst focusing solely on the earth, fire or wind, the water element seeps in and causes and unintended balance that ruins the structure of the spell. This is obviously due to a lack of control. Mere introductions into the laws are not enough to gain adequate control to separate the abundance of water elements in the air. And despite our hero¡¯s speculations, he has not gained more insight into the water or wind elements than fire and soil. In fact, his insight into the laws of soil and earth could be said the most advanced, even when his overall level of comprehension is laughably low.¡± ¡°Hey now. Look, I¡¯ll just play with the water then, okay? So judgmental.¡±This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it. ¡°Moments pass calmly and only the perpetual sound of running water can be heard. As our hero manages to create a large unstable and useless sphere of water in front of him, we can hear multiple footsteps nearing from outside. The doors open slowly as the smirking Ohoh-oh walks into the large room.¡± ¡®My dear friend, I¡¯d like to introduce you to our clan¡¯s talented young maidens. Come on then girls, come, come!¡¯ ¡°With a blank expression our hero loses control of his large sphere and it splashes into the smooth floor.¡± ¡°Uncle¡­¡± ¡®Hahaha! Look at your face, and they say I can¡¯t read people!¡¯ ¡°Helplessly our hero watches as a stream of over twenty beautiful women and men make their way to form a uniform line.¡± ¡°But why all the men?¡± ¡®I wasn¡¯t sure which way you were. We Fluo have no issue either way.¡¯ ¡°And he would mean that in a very literal way, as even the male Fluo can bring the world new life.¡± ¡°Ehem. Uncle, this is really unnecessary, I am only here to practice my combat abilities.¡± ¡®Nonsense! If you can¡¯t relax, how are you going to practice the Fluo-oh arts?!¡¯ ¡°Couldn¡¯t we just listen to music or something? This is starting to feel awfully familiar to a certain other clan I¡¯ve encountered.¡± ¡®Tsch.¡¯ ¡°What exactly did Tio-oh tell you?¡± ¡®Nothing, but how could I not notice how she treated you? The grand leader¡¯s daughter treating you so kindly? Even if the all the clan leaders came for a visit, they wouldn¡¯t get escorted by my little Tio-oh.¡¯ ¡°A heated debate about what to do with the twenty or so beautiful men and women ensues. The poor young people helplessly and awkwardly watch on as a young man argues back and forth with one of their most respected elders.¡± ¡®Do you know that is?¡¯ ¡®I have no idea, he has to be important for Elder Oh to treat him like this.¡¯ ¡®I heard Elder Oh is a bit strange. You must have heard the rumors.¡¯ ¡®I heard he chases all the women he can find.¡¯ ¡°As the day goes on, the chatting of the group becomes more apparent. Ji and Ohoh have now started to discuss the art of storytelling, both preferring their tales to be about mysteries and the unknown. Both found common ground in the more adult themes.¡± ¡®This perverted Elder.¡¯ ¡®Shush, Oh may not be known for punishments but he is still an Elder.¡¯ ¡®Look at them, their eyes are practically shining.¡¯ ¡°Silence descends upon the room as a domineering pressure envelopes everyone present. We, the more adept, would see that this is but a simple probe, a way to investigate an area or people through mana. The more powerful can of course rebuff this rude gesture, some can even hide their presence completely. People finally relax once the pressure dissipates, sweat on their brows and backs.¡± ¡°What in the world was that.¡± ¡®Hmph. That old man has no manners.¡¯ ¡®Who are you calling old? I¡¯m not one year older than you!¡¯ ¡°A man with a robust physique and a familiar face walks inside the room, our little lady, Tio, follows behind.¡± ¡°Eh? Noway, are you two twins?¡± ¡®Hmph, meet my older brother, Ki-oh. Be careful he¡¯s a obsessed with martial arts.¡¯ ¡®So. You are Ji? Well? Tio-oh? Aren¡¯t you going to introduce me?¡¯ ¡®Yes Uncle. Ji. This is the Oh clan¡¯s Chief Martial Instructor, Oheh Ki-oh.¡® ¡°Oheh and Ohoh. Fantastic names! Domineering!¡± ¡°With an enormous grin our hero manages to handle himself, a rare occurrence.¡± ¡®Oh? He¡¯s a sharp one.¡¯ ¡®Of course he is! He instantly recognized the great Ohoh-oh was the superior name.¡¯ ¡®What nonsense are you speaking!? Tio-oh, take him to the inner training yard, I¡¯ll test him there.¡¯ ¡®I¡¯m coming as well!¡¯ ¡®Don¡¯t you have some hussy to chase?¡¯ ¡°With a nonchalant wave, Oheh Ki-oh disappears, in the distance you can hear a hearty laugh.¡± ¡®Uncle, please don¡¯t.¡¯ ¡®Don¡¯t get involved in this Tio, something can¡¯t be dealt with in words.¡¯ ¡°Another gust of wind blows through the room as yet another person vanishes from the room.¡± ¡°Do they not get along?¡± ¡®Usually? No. But sometimes, no, I can¡¯t remember the last time they met and they didn¡¯t fight.¡¯ ¡°Can we go watch?¡± ¡®It wouldn¡¯t be safe. Actually this will a few hours. By the way, why are there so many people in here?¡¯ ¡°As Tio-oh of the oh clan gazes over the twenty men and women they all lower their heads. It would appear they sensed they are unwelcome.¡± ¡®Mistress, we came at the request of Ohoh Teir-oh.¡¯ ¡®You are all dismissed.¡¯ ¡®Yes, mistress.¡¯ ¡®Yes, mistress.¡¯ ¡®Yes, mistress.¡¯ ¡®Yes, mistress.¡¯ ¡­ ¡­ ¡°Where are you taking me?¡± ¡®To my father¡¯s house.¡¯ ¡°Oh? I¡¯m already meeting your dad, aren¡¯t we moving too fast?¡± ¡®Don¡¯t worry, he¡¯s not there.¡¯ ¡°Eh?¡± ¡°With an impish smile, the little lady drags our hero through multiple layers of protective formations, each more terrifying than the last.¡± ¡°Formation?¡± ¡®Don¡¯t worry about the formations, they won¡¯t touch you with me here.¡¯ ¡°But will I be able to get out of here?¡± ¡®Sure, with me beside you.¡¯ ¡°Our hero appears to have been slightly shaken yet doesn¡¯t hesitate to follow the excited Fluo. After nearly an hour of walking through small villages and gateways we finally see an end in sight, a majestic building. The building appears to be rippling and free flowing. Clearly an illusion created by a relative expert in the water laws.¡± ¡°So many formations.¡± ¡°Any respectable crafter has a certain accomplishments in creating formations, although they don¡¯t have to be overly complex they do require finesse, due to their small size.¡± ¡°Can I learn how to do formations?¡± ¡®Of course, I¡¯ll have some books sent to your room later.¡¯ ¡°My room? I have a room?¡± ¡®Right across from mine!¡¯ ¡°Does it have a lock?¡± ¡®No. Not one that I can¡¯t open.¡¯ ¡°I see. Could I request a room in a different area?¡± ¡®You can, it will go through the proper channels before being denied.¡¯ ¡°Are you trying to confuse me?¡± ¡®Yes.¡¯ ¡°Well done. Do whatever you like. I prefer to not be chained to a bed, let me rephrase that. I prefer not being chained or bound in anyway.¡± ¡®Understood.¡¯ ¡°A back and forth continues as we enter the building. What we first see is a giant hall, stairways leading off into five different sections of the house. The house being placed on a mountain and continues to climb upwards in three sections whilst two others lean to left and right.¡± ¡®Welcome home miss Tio.¡¯ ¡°After being dragged around the enormous house for what we can only describe as an eternity, our hero has the opportunity to sit down and relax by an outside pool.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve been meaning to ask, but how long until we go meet your uncle Ki again?¡± ¡®Hmm? Oh, right. Uncle Ki. Sometime tomorrow? Maybe.¡¯ ¡°Maybe? What do you mean maybe?¡± ¡®Haven¡¯t you felt the ground shake occasionally?¡¯ ¡°Yes I have.¡± ¡®When it stops, we can go check on them. One of them will eventually make up an excuse to stop fighting.¡¯ ¡°The two brothers have been at their peak for years and could fight for days on end with no end in sight.¡± ¡®We will just have to wait here, don¡¯t worry. I can teach you some of the basics before you meet uncle.¡¯ ¡°Great! Tomorrow maybe, I''m exhausted.¡± ¡°With half open eyes our hero grabs another slice of exotic fruits placed in a bowl on his side. With expert cunning, the young lady reaches out and lays her hands on our hero¡¯s shoulders. At some point in time, she managed to signal her maids to leave the room. A sensual scent permeates the air, some kind of mixture of finely ground flowers and a low level aphrodisiac.¡± ¡°Mmmm? What?¡± ¡®Shhh. Want some Fluo wine?¡¯ ¡°Sure.¡± ¡°A well-guarded secret of the Fluo, the Fluo wine, alcoholic water, disguising itself as wine.¡± Chapter twenty six: Calm and the storm ¡°I¡¯ve always been able to hold my alcohol! What is there to fear? Fluo wine? Even pure spirits can¡¯t defeat me!¡± ¡°What vigorous spirit, his cheeks flush and breathing erratic. What could have possibly have upset our hero?¡± ¡®Ji¡­¡¯ ¡°What? What¡¯s that look?¡± ¡®Would you mad if I told you that there might be some stuff in the air?¡¯ ¡°Hehe. Even adrenaline has a hard time effecting me, how could your silly little aphrodisiac do anything to me?¡± ¡°It would appear our hero¡¯s confidence is bolstered due to his immense regenerative powers, and rightfully so. However, physical regeneration has it limits when magic is involved.¡± ¡°Eh? Ah. I can¡¯t say you haven¡¯t treated me well.¡± ¡°Rising and sitting up straight, Ji looks into the air, presumably to try and calm his overactive blood.¡± ¡°Haaaa! Breathe Ji!¡± ¡®Here have a drink, it¡¯ll calm you down.¡¯ ¡°With a heave, Ji swallows the crystal clear cup. What spectacular craftsmanship. Even now you can still feel the material moving despite being in solid state.¡± ¡°Wheew! That tasted amazing. And wow. What an amazing cup.¡± ¡®Hehe. It¡¯s made by my mom; this is her little hobby. There is actually a formation on it as well.¡¯ ¡°Really?¡± ¡°Lifting the cup into the air, the young expert scrutinizes the eloquent creation.¡± ¡°I can¡¯t see it.¡± ¡®Haha. Of course you can¡¯t, the formation is not only small, it is extremely well made. Even dad would have a hard time seeing it thoroughly.¡¯ ¡°As the graceful little Fluo girl laughs our hero narrows his eyes, is this the great thirst we see? A savage is a savage after all.¡± ¡®Ieee!¡¯ ¡°Mmmm!¡± ¡°How ferocious. Our hero appears to have lost his usual goofball demeanor and taken on the part of a hungry beast.¡± ¡®Ahh! Slowly!¡¯ ¡°Huehuehue! I¡¯ll show you slowly.¡± ¡°With a violent motion our hero is clearly intending to rip the poor defenseless young woman¡¯s clothing.¡± ¡°Eh?¡± ¡°Like a split waterfall, the clothes scatter into drops leaving behind a flustered Fluo.¡± ¡®Nooo!¡¯ ¡°A very low and playful cry can be heard from the enticing and shapely seductress. Despite her excessive strength, she pretends to be in a state of vulnerability.¡± ¡°Hehehe.¡± ¡°With a smirk Ji grabs a hold of the squirming Tio and pulls her into his embrace.¡± ¡®Ah you beast! Hehe.¡¯ ¡°Roar!¡± ¡°With a roar our hero playfully bites the squirming beauty. A shriek can be heard but her hands slowly wrap around the attacks back. But their joy should soon come to an abrupt end.¡± ¡®Tio-oh!¡¯ ¡®Damn!¡¯ ¡°Wha¡­¡± ¡°Large quantity of water engulfs the rather excited Ji.¡± ¡®Mom! Stop it!¡¯ ¡®Oh? And who are you? Where is my good little daughter?¡¯ ¡°Mrphgph!¡± ¡®Shush!¡¯ ¡°Within the violent sphere of water, another layer of water appears, appearing sharp and more ethereal.¡± ¡°Mrrrpphghlph!¡± ¡®Stop it mom! Stop!¡¯ Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings. ¡®Why aren¡¯t you explaining?¡¯ ¡®Why do I have to explain!?¡¯ ¡°With puffed red cheeks the seductress, the powerful Tio-oh has taken on the form of a spoiled child.¡± ¡®Oh? Don¡¯t want to explain?¡¯ ¡°Within the spear the sharp repetitive waves inch closer to our hero¡¯s throat, it would appear we are coming close to a swift end.¡± ¡®I can¡¯t! You know my job! Want me to discard generations of work!?¡¯ ¡®What work? You think I didn¡¯t see what you were doing? And with this low level boy? Who is he even?¡¯ ¡®This is Ji. He¡¯s a new customer!¡¯ ¡®You don¡¯t come visit me for over a year and now that you have, you have some boy-toy with you?¡¯ ¡°With a calm cold face this older Fluo quickly changes the subject clearly intent on continuing her questioning.¡± ¡®Let me see. Ji Aleksy? Don¡¯t tell me he¡¯s a human from the Aleksy family? Tio¡­¡¯ ¡®You don¡¯t understand! He isn¡¯t related to. No he is related to the Aleksy but!¡¯ ¡®But what?¡¯ ¡®But he hasn¡¯t ever met any of the Aleksy! He¡¯s special. Just ask uncle Ohoh!¡¯ ¡®Oh so uncle Ohoh knows but not me? Your dad is going to like this.¡¯ ¡®Mom! Don¡¯t!¡¯ ¡®Your father deserves to know what is daughter is up to!¡¯ ¡®Whatever! I don¡¯t care anymore. You¡¯ll cry for years if you make the wrong move!¡¯ ¡®Let¡¯s see what the boy has to say then.¡¯ ¡°Ji stares at this incomparably strong woman as he tries to catch his breath.¡± ¡°Venerable water god! To think I met such a deity!¡± ¡®What is he talking about Tio?¡¯ ¡®I told you he was special.¡¯ ¡°In all my days. How invigorating! Those contemptuous eyes! That disregard for life! Powerful!¡± ¡°With bloodshot eyes our hero stares down his captor with frenzy and madness.¡± ¡®Uhm.¡¯ ¡®Uhm? What is he saying Tio?¡¯ ¡®I may have used your cup.¡¯ ¡®¡­¡¯ ¡°With unknown vigor and stamina our hero continues to try and break free, mindlessly reaching out to the new arrival.¡± ¡®This won¡¯t do.¡¯ ¡°Come closer!¡± ¡®Get away mom. Just leave us alone.¡¯ ¡®Not a chance. Give me my cup.¡¯ ¡°Once the cup lands in the hands of Tio¡¯s mother it vanishes. Shortly afterwards the water turns clearer and clearer. This is something of a healing ability, yet doesn¡¯t heal and can even be used in malicious ways. It extracts or attracts the violent mana in an area.¡± ¡®Well boy. Feeling more talkative?¡¯ ¡°What in world. Tio¡­ what did you give me?¡± ¡®Just some low level stimulus. I thought it wouldn¡¯t be so effective.¡¯ ¡°Tio¡¯s mother gives her a look, clearly not believing her beloved little rebel.¡± ¡®So. Are you going to explain why you and my daughter have snuck into the mansion and even snatched my prized creation?¡¯ ¡°Well about that. I was just here to learn martial arts.¡± ¡®Some martial arts you were learning.¡¯ ¡°You can see poor little Tio visibly shrink a little as she stares into the air, as if she was in deep thought.¡± ¡°Ah. Well. You see, that was just me teaching and sharing my lowly martial arts named Tantra, it is very dependent on close physical contact you see.¡± ¡°With an innocent yet confident smile our hero lies through his teeth without breaking a sweat. Admirable, finally a quality we can genuinely praise.¡± ¡®Oh? Tantra? Care to show me a few moves?¡¯ ¡°Of course!¡± ¡®No! No! Mom just go away!¡¯ ¡°With a near unperceivable smirk, the elder Fluo glances at her daughter before turning around.¡± ¡®No more Tantra!¡¯ ¡°Eh?¡± ¡®Why do you look so disappointed!?¡¯ ¡°What? No. That¡¯s not it.¡± ¡®What was it then?¡¯ ¡°Nothing really, nothing at all. Just the narrator.¡± ¡®Really?¡¯ ¡°Really.¡± ¡°What impeccable lying. Such deception is rare! We may have truly misjudged our hero!¡± ¡°Why are you so excited about that!?¡± ¡°After a sumptuous meal our hero was assigned a room. On the far end of the mansion.¡± ¡°Should I feel lucky to have survived today? You really can¡¯t underestimate magic. Even hardcore pain medication didn¡¯t work on me.¡± ¡°There is low lighting in the spectacular room. Light ripples through moving water, giving the whole area a calming rhythm.¡± ¡°Alright let¡¯s see if I can do that water prison!¡± ¡°It would appear our deceptive hero has the far-sighted dream of replicate another person¡¯s ability. If I said it was possible, that would be true. If I said it was hard, that would be an understatement.¡± ¡°It¡¯s just a ball of water right? I¡¯m sure I can do it. See. Ball of water.¡± ¡°An unstable sphere of water now hovers in the air. Brimming with mana, clearly the technique used is losing large quantities of mana every second just to maintain it.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t have anything to bind, bit of an issue. Alright, screw it, we¡¯ll do something else.¡± ¡°With closed eyes our hero starts summoning small quantities of mana and changing their shape. It can be said that water is a very easily influenced matter, wind even more so. In fact, many clans have ways to create clones from wind or water. Some more formidable than others, but they all have the same in common. That is, they are weak and can¡¯t stray too far away from their creator.¡± ¡°Clones? Interesting.¡± ¡°A small silhouette of a person starts forming, one fourth the size of our hero. Frozen still, only a shadow has been created.¡± ¡°Wait! I¡¯ll make it move, wait.¡± ¡°Veins betray our protagonist, revealing his intense focus and the pale complexion his fatigue.¡± ¡°You talk way too much! I¡äm trying to focus.¡± ¡°A very rigid step. The unrefined little clone takes a step and move his head slight to look at its creator. Its empty eyes reflect its origin.¡± ¡°Haaaaah.¡± ¡°The clones comes apart, the terror on its face sends chills down one¡¯s spine.¡± ¡°Wait! It can feel!? No! little guy!¡± ¡°Scrambling to move towards his melting creation, he stumbles and slams his hands and crushes his ¡®child¡ä.¡± ¡°Nooo!¡± ¡°We can taste the despair in our hero¡¯s primal scream. It travels out of his room and the perceptive mother of one turns her head slightly before disappearing into a watery mist.¡± ¡°What demonic magic! How horrible!¡± ¡®What are you doing boy?¡¯ ¡°With the elegance of an empress the Tio¡¯s mother has appeared in our hero¡¯s room. Her gaze icy yet you can see a gleam of interest growing as she sees the accumulated water in the room.¡± ¡®What have you been doing?¡¯ ¡°Speechless, our hero feasts his eyes on the woman wearing practically transparent clothing. Even his eyes turn slightly red and his breath becomes heavier. It would appear this protagonist is losing his usual cool. A rare occasion.¡± ¡°I created a living clone of me. I couldn¡¯t control it! I couldn¡¯t control it! It melted right here, staring into my eyes.¡± ¡®Impossible!¡¯ ¡°It was all my fault. I didn¡¯t know! I was a father for a moment! No one should see their children melt before their eyes!¡± ¡°Despite the tearful words, our hero has started to grab onto the transcendent woman, his hands around her waist as he wails like a wounded cat.¡± ¡®Let go!¡¯ ¡°Suddenly our hero gets lifted into the air. Seemingly by by the will of Tio¡¯s mother.¡± ¡®Make another one!¡¯ ¡°Cold sweat runs down our hero¡¯s back and his face pales as he hangs there mid-air.¡± ¡°I can¡¯t possibly dabble in such immoral sorcery. To create life only to watch it die miserably? I can¡¯t do it.¡± ¡®Can¡¯t?¡¯ ¡°A malicious expression turns this goddess into a demon. Sending one from heaven to hell with a thought.¡± ¡°Ah. No! Stop!¡± ¡°In desperation, little Ji has started to gather all his might and throwing it at his oppressor. Large quantity of water whipping, slashing and hammering down.¡± ¡®Ha ha ha.¡¯ ¡°A smile of pure joy washes over this gorgeous woman as she defends herself. Licking her lips, a sharp light seems to shine out of her blue eyes.¡± ¡®To think you are this talented. I can see why my daughter likes you. And by the looks of it, you just over twenty.¡¯ ¡°Uhm.¡± ¡°Panting from exhaustion our hero finally gives up and hangs there midair.¡± ¡®Alright. I¡¯ll leave you alone. But don¡¯t think you¡¯ve earned the right to my little angel.¡¯ ¡°As she disappears from the room our hero falls to the ground. Motionless aside from the desperate breathing. It is fun to consider that Tio is already more than three times older than our hero, yet treated so protectively.¡± ¡°This world really isn¡¯t safe. Even such beautiful women are more terrifying than beasts. I think it would be best to get out of this place, she doesn¡¯t seem stable.¡± ¡°As our hero lays his head to rest we can still feel the ground shake occasionally; it would appear that the brothers haven¡¯t finished their fighting.¡± Chapter twenty seven: It鈥檚 that time again. ¡°standing in front of Ji¡¯s bed is a scraggly man, stroking his liquid-like beard.¡± ¡®Will you sleep for years if I let you?¡¯ ¡®Uncle! When did you get here?¡¯ ¡®Huehuehue. This great one settled his business earlier last night. Feeling invigorated I went to see my pending disciple.¡¯ ¡®Where did uncle Oh go?¡¯ ¡®Hmph. That old man went to seek more trouble.¡¯ ¡°Shhh. Sleeping.¡± ¡®Wake up boy!¡¯ ¡°Hrm? Oh, good. Old man, go away.¡± ¡°Tio¡¯s uncle Ki¡¯s left eyebrow twitches. A moment later we can see water crawl up Ji¡¯s bed before lifting him up in the air.¡± ¡®If he isn¡¯t going to get up, I¡¯ll get him up.¡¯ ¡°The sleeping beauty has been hoisted into the air by watery tentacles. Silently they start moving him, appearing to be skating across the floor.¡± ¡®Uncle, where are we going?¡¯ ¡®Your training yard.¡¯ ¡°Whilst our hero continues to enjoy this free transport service, uncle Ki and little Tio chat amiably. It is easy to see the affection Ki-Oh-Oh has for his niece.¡± ¡°eh?¡± ¡°As we enter the training area, our hero¡¯s eyes open as if he knew he had arrived.¡± ¡°Strange.¡± ¡®Morning Ji!¡¯ ¡°Ah. Morning Tio.¡± ¡®Good morning Ji Aleksy.¡¯ ¡°Good morning, eh?¡± ¡°After awkwardly fumbling about the watery tentacles lose all structure and fall into a puddle.¡± ¡°What is this!?¡± ¡®Uncle brought you to teach you.¡¯ ¡°But why, am I wet?¡± ¡®No more questions! It¡¯s time for a quick physical tests.¡¯ ¡°Oh! Alright Uncle Ki!¡± ¡®Good lad.¡¯ ¡°Quit witted, slow, sometimes they appear to be the same thing. Our hero is an enigma of these two contradicting terms. One could call him a genius or an idiot.¡± ¡°I prefer genius.¡± ¡°How disdainful! The way he pointed his nose in the air and swiped his thumbs across the tip of his nose! Heavens, if you ever fall, fall on this master of distress!¡± ¡®Genius? That¡¯s to be seen!¡¯ ¡®I have some things to attend to, I will leave it to you uncle!¡¯ ¡®No problem!¡¯ ¡°With a calm and gentle voice, the revenant martial artist speaks to Tio.¡± ¡°So sir, what are doing today?¡± ¡®First, we will do some stretches.¡¯ ¡°Alright, no problem.¡± ¡°Before long, we can hear screams of pure terror. The stretching requirements for the Oh clan¡¯s martial arts are more than just above average.¡± ¡°Please. I can¡¯t move any more.¡± ¡°Lying limp on the ground, our hero pleads with misty eyes. A wronged look on his face, like a maiden after being tricked.¡± ¡°Shut up! I don¡¯t have time for your nonsense! Can¡¯t you see I¡¯m in pain.¡± ¡®It will be hard to get used to your invisible friend, Ji.¡¯ ¡°Sir. Isn¡¯t this much stretching harmful to the body?¡± ¡¯Harmful!? It is a wonder you even managed to walk around with those stiff muscles and rickety joints!¡¯ ¡°There is no way a man should ever be bent in such ways! You are a monster! I want to leave!¡± ¡®Feel free to walk away any time you like.¡¯ ¡°I will! As soon as I can!¡± Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators! ¡°Unfortunately for our hero, his usual recovery proves won¡¯t heal what isn¡¯t harmed. Perhaps if had better control over his body, he would be able to stimulate his recovery, until then, he¡¯ll have to slowly recover.¡± ¡®Hue hue hue. While you are just laying there, watch this old man make a few moves.¡¯ ¡°Surprisingly, our hero isn¡¯t all that happy, feel quite upset he huffs and clearly isn''t going to respond to his torturer.¡± ¡®These can be considered the foundation. They have no real value in combat but allow you being understanding the fundamental laws behind our Oh clan¡¯s martial arts!¡¯ ¡°The Oh-clan martial arts are of course founded and built around the laws of motion, specifically, the motion of thin liquid in various circumstances. Even if our hero has some understanding into the elemental laws of water, it is merely relative to the laws in question, and can at most be used as a crutch.¡± ¡°You water people, this is cheating.¡± ¡®Water people!?¡¯ ¡°Owh! Ah! Damnit! How can you hit a defenseless junior! Shameless!¡± ¡®Stuff that mouth of yours and pay attention.¡¯ ¡°In very slow movements, instructor Ki has begun moving in ways nearing implausibility. Gaping, our hero watches as he starts to sweat for no apparent reason. He seems to be mumbling something under his breath.¡± ¡°No way I can move like that. That move was even more impossible. Oh my god. That move should be illegal in at least eighteen countries!¡± ¡®Don¡¯t worry boy, we¡¯ll get you into shape. Hehe. This old man really can¡¯t deny his precious little princess requests.¡¯ ¡°With an amiable smile, the spoiling uncle chuckles. Our hero on the other hand desperately tries to move, clearly intending on escaping.¡± ¡°I won¡¯t take this abuse! Tio! Save me! Tio!¡± ¡®I¡¯ll get some servants to make you a nice relaxing bath treatment, after a few hours or so we can start stretching those rusty bones of yours.¡¯ ¡°No! Definitely no! I refuse!¡± ¡°A few weeks have pass and our hero has made remarkable progress in the realm of stretching. One could say he has broken through to new heights, practically reborn.¡± ¡°Alright, listen old devil. How about this, when I become the ruler of this deviant part of the world, I¡¯ll only torture you for a few years. How about that?¡± ¡®Hahaha! You really make fantastic jokes, little Ji.¡¯ ¡°Last chance! Don¡¯t start begging when I lead you into hell and back!¡± ¡®In a few days, I think you¡¯ll be able to start practicing the foundation. How is it? Do you feel your body to be more fitting?¡¯ ¡°It¡¯s alright. Hey! Don¡¯t ignore my threats.¡± ¡°Days pass like drops of the rain and the young master has started making progress in the foundational movements of the Oh clan. He of course struggles to some extent due to his physical body is detrimental when executing many movements.¡± ¡®He really does have commendable talent, despite all his talking and cursing.¡¯ ¡®hehe, I told you he was special uncle.¡¯ ¡®There are few humans that can endure as he can, at least he is a genius in that field.¡¯ ¡°How was that? I¡¯m amazing right?¡± ¡®Passable.¡¯ ¡®Only okay.¡¯ ¡°Pft! You think I¡¯m deaf? I know my greatness, one in a million talent, right? ¡°Owh! No, uncle Ki!¡± ¡®It would seem you require some stretching; your form was a bit lacking.¡¯ ¡°Please no! Listen uncle, there is still hope for you, I can even reduce your future punishments by a few years.¡± ¡°Do not pity the foolish, they will not repent.¡± ¡®Didn¡¯t you already sentence me for eternity?¡¯ ¡°That was just a misunderstanding. Ah! No! Tio help!¡± ¡°A familiar daily scene plays out as we drift into the days. An average day consists of exercising either the body or the mind, remedying it through both expensive medicines, complex magic and then continuing the strict training regime. On rare occasions, the mistress of the house, Tio-oh, gets to spend some time with our hero, Albeit under strict supervision. The progress our hero has had in laws of liquid in motion has been quite astounding, but it was easy to predict considering his aptitude in the elemental laws of water. After being imparted with some techniques, our protagonist has started practicing moments for attacking, defending and moving. And can be considered very skilled for his age and level. Now the biggest part our hero lacks in, is experience. He¡¯ll have to leave the security of the Oh family, if he intends to improve at a noteworthy rate.¡±
|Ji Aleksy. Elementalist. Mana fiend: Level Two-hundred-thirty-two|
|Quest log|
|Optional: The reformed city| ¡°The ancient city of Heo has been reformed, but by who and how?¡± Travel to the free city Heo and find out how the city was rebuilt. Location: Portal room. Difficulty: Medium Reward: Tier appropriate item.
|Optional: What would you say you do here?| ¡°Throughout the ages, man has been crafting, from simple fires to divine weapons, miraculous enchantments and fate-defying pills.¡± Discover at least eight crafting related professions. Location: Any city connected through the portals. Difficulty: Easy. Reward: Two Crafting skill points.
|Optional: Back to the grind| ¡°The prophet said to the wanderer ¡®Swim against the water or be swallowed by the tide.¡¯ The wanderer took this advice and escaped drowning.¡± Travel to the appropriate wildlands and cull the malignant fiends scouring the land. Location: Portal room. Difficulty: Medium. Reward: Tier appropriate weapon.
¡°These quests. How difficult is Medium exactly? I¡¯m definitely doing the crafting quests. I wonder how big the portal system is.¡± ¡°Although the portals can be considered practically non-existent, that is only true for the people not of the first, second and third generation. The closest the stronger inhabitants have managed to create, is a poor replica of fast travel tunnels, promptly named travel tunnels.¡± ¡°Fast travel tunnels? Hmm. Isn''t that what I took to get to the city? From what I know of crafting though, it seems too much of a hassle. I can¡¯t be expected to spend years learning and practicing it.¡± ¡°Again the world spoils our young innocent protagonist. With the worlds help, he¡¯ll only take days to do what other would take months or years.¡± ¡°Elaborate on that for me.¡± ¡°It is on this rarest of days, on this most auspicious of occasions that our hero was allowed a short reprieve from his relentless training. A celebration is imminent. In two days the city celebrates all deities in this world. Even today as we stroll through the busy city streets we can see decorations of various factions strewn about.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll find out about those professions sooner or later, why are you stalling? But it sure is lively. I almost feel bad for sneaking away from Tio and her family members. No. a man can¡¯t live under another¡¯s umbrella!¡± ¡°What a poetic way to look at life! Truly a scholar!¡± ¡°Now, let¡¯s find something to eat and then try to find some crafting buildings.¡± ¡°Multiple races mingle in the city and our hero appears to be fascinated by all of them aside from what looks like human. Despite seeing so many humans today, our hero would perhaps find it enlightening to know that not one humanoid he met or saw today is actually a human.¡± ¡°Mrwaht!?¡± ¡°Flecks of meat and other various juices spurt out of the young master¡¯s mouth, elegance cannot be taught. Not in this case.¡± ¡°But there were so many humans, at least like sixty percent!¡± ¡°Of course, a certain form has been idealized as the most adaptable form, even if many races hold onto their characteristics like the Fluo and their watery, transparent bodies. Even then, they have taken the shape of something very similar to a human or better yet, the primordial form.¡± ¡°Primordial form? Sounds epic.¡± ¡°But there are still many others that hold onto values from their ancestry. These people often stand out more. For example, many of the earth based beings are very reluctant to cast aside their rough exterior. Some will not even move for years in meditation, giving the world an appearance of a random rock. There are many more similarly extreme in their attitude towards their origins.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll be careful of rocks in the future. This place here should be a blacksmithing or something right? A forge?¡± ¡°Walking in with a stride of a young noble, our hero arrogantly walks passed the storefront and reception area. Such confidence confused the people working in the store.¡± ¡®Who is this?¡¯ ¡°After exploring shortly our hero stopped beside a smut covered bearded man.¡± ¡®Who? Isn¡¯t it just Frellie¡¯s little kid?¡¯ ¡®No. No way Frellie would raise something so delicate.¡¯ ¡°¡­¡± ¡®Now that you said it, maybe it¡¯s another suitor for the little miss?¡¯ ¡®Well, boy? What is it?¡¯ ¡°Three large pot-bellied men with rigorous beards and sharp, intelligent eyes have surrounded our hero, like lions eyeing a lamb.¡± ¡°I was just here to learn about forging stuff. What do you guys eat to become so big?¡± ¡®Learn forging? Stuff?¡¯ ¡®He said stuff.¡¯ ¡®Well, we do forge stuff.¡¯ ¡®That¡¯s not the point! Its disrespectful!¡¯ ¡®Look at you, all uppity, can¡¯t be known to forge stuff.¡¯ ¡®I¡¯ll forge some stuff right up your ass.¡¯ ¡°Baffled, our hero stands there cow-eyed with no idea how to proceed as the three men start arguing. Two even started arm wrestling after a while. The third man watch with clear eyes and occasional nodded as the battle of physique took place, leaving our hero completely ignored.¡± Chapter twenty eight: Novice ¡°Once again our hero is the center of attention. Three burly men with beards looking at our delicate young master with pity in their eyes.¡± ¡®Someone has to tell him.¡¯ ¡®Yes, someone has to.¡¯ ¡®Don¡¯t look at me! I can¡¯t stand those doe eyes.¡¯ ¡°Guys. Just take a deep breath and tell me, I can take it!¡± ¡®Darl, You do it.¡¯ ¡®Son. Listen.¡¯ ¡°Sir!¡± ¡®Sorry Dev, I just can¡¯t do it!¡¯ ¡¯It¡¯s always up to me to chill my heart. Listen, boy. Aii. How are you even going to forge with those dainty arms? Can you even lift a hammer?¡¯ ¡°I can try!¡± ¡®Aaie! That¡¯s the look. Didn''t you mention you needed to learn about other crafting professions?¡¯ ¡°Ye, but.¡± ¡®Maybe he can do alchemy, Fen, You know that old man, right? Why don¡¯t you put in a good word for him?¡¯ ¡®I¡¯m not so sure about that, he doesn¡¯t look very bright. All alchemists are eccentric geniuses, dontyaknow? Maybe we can go talk to the old lady down at the that flower stand. She does potions and other ointments to. What do you say kid?¡¯ ¡®You might have it there Fen, he does look like the type to go about picking flowers, look at that smooth baby like skin.¡¯ ¡®Almost like a lady.¡¯ ¡°Guys. Come on. Listen. I¡¯m very strong, let me at the hammer.¡± ¡®He has spirit; I¡¯ll give him that.¡¯ ¡®Spirit is important. How about this, kid. If you can strike down ten times in a row we¡¯ll get the old man down here and he¡¯ll have a look at you.¡¯ ¡°What? Aren¡¯t you the old men?¡± ¡®What!? Old men!? We¡¯re barely forty!¡¯ ¡®If it wasn''t for your sickly complexion I¡¯d be in a mind to give you a nice smack.¡¯ ¡®Can¡¯t you idiots see, his eyes must be suffering. How else would he be this skinny?¡¯ ¡°¡­¡± ¡°A heated debate and a firm consensus that the three burly men are indeed in the prime of their life has been reached. Finally, after our hero showed his prowess and hammered down ten times, then twenty and then thirty times, did they reluctantly agree to go get their master.¡± ¡®Alright, Fen. Go get him then.¡¯ ¡®Dev, You¡¯ve always had a great relationship with the old man, why don¡¯t you go.¡¯ ¡¯No, no. I feel that it is Darl that is best suited for this task.¡¯ ¡°After three different challenges involving physical strength one of the three ¡®apprentices¡¯ was reluctantly sent to fetch the Master blacksmith.¡± ¡°Do you guys not like your master?¡± ¡®Who said anything of the sort!?¡¯ ¡°With alarmed faces the two men shiftily look around before whispering.¡± ¡®Be careful, lad. The walls have ears and the old man is surprisingly perceptive.¡¯ ¡°Oh. Do you take orders to create weapons or armour?¡± ¡®Not us, no.¡¯ ¡®We create what we want.¡¯ ¡°One of the two points to a corner, filled with discarded weapons and armor.¡±The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there. ¡®We only sell products that we deem is either equal to our best work or better.¡¯ ¡°What? That makes no sense, can you live off that?¡± ¡®Of course!¡¯ ¡°Slamming his chest with his over-sized palm he proudly continues.¡± ¡®Not only do we live off it, we could retire in a few years.¡¯ ¡®Maybe I could, not so sure about you and your shoddy work. I still remember those boots you were trying to pawn off as precious treasure.¡¯ ¡®Those boots were the pinnacle of all footwear in the continent! Only the master could do better!¡¯ ¡®They are miles off my great gloves and fist-weapon.¡¯ ¡®You are going to compare those rusty old things to my wonderboots?¡¯ ¡°Moments pass and the two man are on the ground doing pushups in the hundreds before one gives up, not leaving it there, a round of jumps starts, shaking the entire forge.¡± ¡°Something is wrong with these people. Definitely not human.¡± ¡°When the master forger finally arrives the two men had devolved into a strange contests of throwing rocks into the air, then throwing another rock at the first rock, with the objective being keeping the rocks in the air.¡± ¡°Oh finally! These people are unstable.¡± ¡®Not bad! Darl, Your Rock floating technique has improved! Fen! Not bad at all.¡¯ ¡®Thank you sir!¡¯ ¡®Thank you sir!¡¯ ¡°This can¡¯t bode well.¡± ¡°After evaluating his two students the elderly man takes a quick look at our hero, his brows furrow before speaking to Dev, who is cowering behind the imposing bearded man. The oddity of a grown man hiding behind and old man gives one a strange sensation.¡± ¡®This runt?¡¯ ¡®Yes, exalted sir.¡¯ ¡®He looks as about sturdy as a fool¡¯s fig leaf!¡¯ ¡°Is that an insult? Can¡¯t people insult properly in this world? Relentless with their nonsense.¡± ¡®Spit it out boy, what do you really want? Did your father send you? From what clan are you?¡¯ ¡°Sir! I want to learn forging!¡± ¡°Wild noises start emerging from the master forger, spit and snot can be seen flying out at record speed. His three apprentices all pale in fright.¡± ¡°Sir, are you sick? Some water people that are good with healing magic.¡± ¡®Here!¡¯ ¡°Our hero has been thrown a surprisingly heavy hammer. Then pointed towards a smelter.¡± ¡°What? Want me to forge something?¡± ¡®Fen, pull something out, have him hit it.¡¯ ¡®Yes, sir!¡¯ ¡°Dumbfounded our hero watches a man, three times his size fumble his way towards the smelter, pulling out a bright red metal object, and then putting it down before our hero.¡± ¡®Hit it, boy!¡¯ ¡°Alright, sir!¡± ¡°Relentless hammering can be heard. The three burly men with average sized beards watch on in anticipation whilst the master forger, with a beard fit for a wizard watches on without emotion. Over a hundred swings and our hero¡¯s face is puffed red, panting like a an excited dog.¡± ¡®Alright, kid. You got spirit. Your physique has something to left to desire but we can work at it.¡¯ ¡°Do you mean you¡¯ll teach me?¡± ¡®I¡¯m bloody well forced to, aren¡¯t I!? Who asked me to have this job? Aie, these brittle bones need their rest.¡¯
|Forging: Novice.| ¡°With a soul fit for fire and spirit made of metal, we solder on!¡± Novice forging allows one to study the art of forging. Later stages require one to delve deeper into the waters different laws to truly experience what forging can do. Do you want to learn forging? Requires: one crafting skill points
¡°No! Okay, thanks old man! I¡¯ve got to check out some other places as well.¡± ¡®Do what you want.¡¯ ¡°With indifference, master forger Orl turns around and leaves, a bit anticlimactic.¡± ¡°Cya Darl, Fen and Dev.¡± ¡®¡­¡¯ ¡°Strange expressions is plastered on the three mountains of men. Speechless they watch our hero tired visage, leave the large, flame lit smeltery.¡± ¡°This was incredibly time consuming and confusing. I hope the potion maker or herbalists aren¡¯t as difficult.¡± ¡°leaving the grand but simple forge, our hero gets swallowed into the crowd of people. The sun is still high in the sky, blaring down at the people and you can see our hero lick his dried lips.¡± ¡°I really could use a drink. A nice wine or a cold beer. Even water would do.¡± ¡°As if fated, our hero spots a sign, high above a building. The sign portrays a busty maiden hoisting a large class into the air.¡± ¡°We¡¯re going in.¡± ¡°As we enter the establishment we are hit with the thick alcohol odor, busty women in modest clothing and the bustling noise.¡± ¡®Sir, what would you like?¡¯ ¡°Do you have something cold? Ice cold.¡± ¡®We a popular drink called Winters touch. It comes highly recommended.¡¯ ¡°I¡¯ll take it!¡± ¡®Right away, sir.¡¯ ¡°The places appears to be a restaurant, but most of the customers are older men, all drinking. They are either merrily chatting or ogling the fair maidens.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not sure I¡¯d go as far as to call them fair maidens. Maidens, would probably suffice. Busty ladies, maybe. Alright, so according to the map, there are a few places nearby that I can check out. Too bad they don¡¯t give me any other information, just a dot on the map.¡± ¡°Daydreaming, our hero talks to himself in public, attracting the ire and disdain of some nearby customers. But our shameless protagonist bares it no mind.¡± ¡°Forging is interesting but I feel like going for something more versatile. Something that doesn¡¯t require a huge facility to use. I wonder if I need to learn gathering skills as well, or if that comes with the profession. I¡¯m thinking potion making, or whatever they call it. Maybe enchanting or rune making. We¡äll make a decision once we find out what all the professions are.¡± ¡°After the drink arrives, Ji drinks it with haste, pays and continues his journey. Heading to the nearest quest objective, as shown on his map.¡± ¡°I¡¯m still having a hard time believing how many people there are out here. Maybe I should pick something up for Tio. Although, most of my money came from her. Would that make it weird? This should be it. The smell is very medicinal.¡± ¡®Welcome.¡¯ ¡°Hi.¡± ¡®Can I help you, sir?¡¯ ¡°Yes. What is it that you do here?¡± ¡®I¡¯m sorry, what do you mean?¡¯ ¡°What does this place specialize in, what do you craft?¡± ¡®Ah! We make leather related clothing and armor; we also imbue them with runes or other supportive items.¡¯ ¡°That would explain all the leather outfits, I was starting to think this was some kind of a leather fetish store. I guess it still is.¡± ¡®Fetish?¡¯ ¡°Ye like kink. Dress up in leather, tie people down and dominate them, stuff like that.¡± ¡°The poor store clerk has started sweating and slowly inches backwards.¡± ¡°Where are you going?¡± ¡®Sir.¡¯ ¡°Hey!¡± ¡°The store clerk has swiftly made his escape, disappearing to the backrooms.¡± ¡°Might as well follow him in, right? Why can¡¯t people just teach me, I¡¯m not being unreasonable, right? Hello! Is anyone there.¡± ¡°After walking into the surprisingly large workshop our hero starts inspecting the various tools and partially worked leather.¡± ¡°Hmm. Smooth. This probably going to be pants. Or longsocks? Hmm. I have no idea what I¡¯m doing.¡± ¡®What in Nebag¡¯s name are you doing!?¡¯ ¡°It would appear this newly arrived individual is less than happy with our hero. And might also be a devout Nebagian.¡± ¡°Hi! I want to learn about leather crafting.¡± ¡°After a short silence, a massive eye roll and a blank look into space. A sigh appears and the leather clad person finally speaks.¡± ¡®Alright. Do some Lacing, skiv the edges and then tool it a bit for flair.¡¯ ¡°What?¡± ¡°An extremely impatient look appears on the beautiful older woman. Our hero starts looking around, muttering incoherent words under his breath. At least this seems to be a quicker process than the forging endeavor.¡± ¡°Lacing? Does she want me to make boots? Wait. Do people use laced shoes. I haven¡¯t seen any. What is skiving?¡±
|Optional: Follow Madam Drao¡¯s instructions| ¡°A woman knows her way around a bit of skin.¡± Learn the basics of leather crafting Reward: Rights to learn leatherworking.
¡°A look of enlightenment appears on our hero¡¯s face when he is handled a needle and thread and lead to some worked leather, ready to be stitched together.¡± Chapter twenty nine: Aforementioned scroll ¡°Professional. That¡¯s what it is, professional.¡± ¡°noisily complimenting himself whilst nodding repetitively after inspecting his handy work.¡± ¡®Now you have to skiv it!¡¯ ¡°A smaller version of the lady with a gaze that could set fire to oceans, has snuck up on our hero. Clearly without him noticing. One can¡¯t help but to be perpetually disappointed in his inaptitude.¡± ¡°Right! Skiv it! Thanks, miss. But just to make sure, why don¡¯t you show me how you would do it.¡± ¡®Oh, Okay!¡¯ ¡®Jeil!¡¯ ¡°With bright light blue eyes the adorable young woman looks back at her guardian in surprise.¡± ¡®You! You, tricked me!¡¯ ¡°Flushed red and with tears in the corner of her eyes, the little lady points her beautifully crafted dagger at our hero.¡± ¡°Woah there! Easy with that. I¡¯m just not sure how to skiv.¡± ¡°With a questioning gaze she looks at her guardian who finally sighs and nods.¡± ¡®Okay, I¡¯ll show you! Be grateful that the great me is helping you!¡¯ ¡°Thank you, great you!¡± ¡°With confident stride, the helper, Jeil, grabs a piece of scrap leather from a working station.¡± ¡®Momma, always said that it is not enough to just make something well! You have to make it look good!¡¯ ¡°I see, your mother has a lot of wisdom. I completely agree! Did she make you?¡± ¡®Yes!¡¯ ¡°A snicker can be heard behind the pair, luckily the little miss is to concentrated on her work to notice her mother¡¯s smile.¡± ¡°Oh, so it¡¯s like sanding down wood? Make things smooth?¡± ¡®Mhm. Then you make it look pretty with a hot stick.¡¯ ¡°Oh? Is that what tooling is?¡± ¡®Mhm. See.¡¯ ¡°With great enthusiasm she points at the cuffs of her detailed leather jacket.¡± ¡°Not bad! Looks pretty good. But isn¡¯t it rough always wearing leather?¡± ¡®Not at all! Mom only uses the best leather! It is super comfortable!¡¯ ¡°Following little miss Jeil¡¯s lead our hero starts smoothening the edges of the laced leather pants. It has to be said, young master Ji, has some impressive focus, he has already shut out the world and hears nothing aside from the steady swipes of his dagger.¡± ¡°There! Not bad, if I say so myself. What do you think?¡± ¡®It¡¯s pretty bad. A bit better than some of the apprentices.¡¯ ¡®My daughter has a good eye, it¡¯s adequate for its purpose. Your quest should be done, so shoo.¡¯ ¡°After closing the prompt, asking him if he wants to learn leatherworking, our hero nods and waves as he walks out the workshop.¡± ¡°I thought the people with jobs would be happy I brought some business.¡± ¡°In many cases, our hero might be right. However, these crafters have these quests forced on them and cannot disregard anyone seeking their guidance. Even if only the more prominent families know of this, they still have to endure different lords and ladies coming to their places of business time and time again. Even a random passerby only has to utter words alluding to wanting to learn their craft and up pops a notification they can¡¯t ignore.¡± ¡°Ye but. I¡¯m special right? Slept for a thousand years only to take this world by storm!¡± ¡°One might vomit uncontrollably if our hero didn¡¯t deadpan this particular sentence. Even a sliver of mockery can be heard in his voice as opens the map, configuring a new route to his next destination.¡± ¡°It¡¯s a good thing I managed to get away from the Oh family. I was afraid they wouldn¡¯t let me out of their sights. Don¡¯t get me wrong. They are nice, but I love my freedom! I¡¯m a man after all! I can¡¯t be bound so early, I¡¯m barely a thousand something, still in my prime!¡± ¡°Of our hero lives in his delusion, blissfully unaware that not one but two different organizations are observing him. Neither with innocent motives.¡± ¡°What!? Where!? Damnit! Did they see me earlier?¡± ¡°Whilst our hero dug for gold, the hidden observers noted his every move.¡±You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version. ¡°Those beasts! They wouldn¡¯t. Is nowhere safe? I can¡¯t pick my own nose in peace. I was just scratching! You hear you fiends!? Scratching!¡± ¡°Shiftily looking around, our hero starts sprinting, strafing left and right. A peculiar exercising technique. From the perspective of an outsider, our hero¡¯s movements may seem like after images. But we, the initiated, see his abnormal movements. There is certain grace to the movements, yet, simultaneously you feel discomfort. This is only natural, as he is practicing an art, not designed for his rigid body.¡± ¡°Did I lose them?¡± ¡°He most definitely did not manage to shake the observers as they do not track him with empirical means such as sight.¡± ¡°Pft! Empirical this.¡± ¡°In the shadows, two different individual mockingly grin and derisively snort. Comically, their actions alerted one another, an awkward exchanged is the result.¡± ¡°Great, while their making friends, let¡¯s check this place out. But, I¡¯ve been wondering. Why aren¡¯t there any gathering professions?¡± ¡°As our hero carelessly walks into the building, towering into the sky he reactively starts aiming his finger towards his nose before realizing his actions, smoothly fixing his hair instead.¡± ¡°Defamation! Slander! This is an assassination for my character! This has to be the largest building in the city by far! Strange, that I didn¡¯t see it from a distance.¡± ¡®Can I help you young man?¡¯ ¡°An amiable elderly woman gently smiles as so generously speaks to our precious failure of a human.¡± ¡°Hi! Yes, I was wondering what you do here.¡± ¡°Looking around, the entrance to the enormous building looks surprisingly desolate.¡± ¡®Here we do a lot of things, young man.¡¯ ¡°Yes, of course. But specifically though? For example, what do you craft here?¡± ¡®Ho ho ho. Young man, we craft a lot of things here.¡¯ ¡°A gentle smile is shared between the two.¡± ¡°Of course. Of course, a lot of things. A lot of things. Of course.¡± ¡°Nodding and smiling our hero walks passed the friendly woman, opens a door and walks inside.¡± ¡°Poor old woman, must have Alzheimer¡¯s.¡± ¡®Can I help you, young man?¡¯ ¡°Silence lingers in the air for a few moments and our hero narrows his eyes.¡± ¡°Twins? I can¡¯t believe it! Twins!¡± ¡®Can I help you, young man?¡¯ ¡°Or is it?¡± ¡°Running towards another door, our hero snaps it open, only to be greeted by yet another friendly old woman.¡± ¡°Triplets? What are the chances?¡± ¡°Despite the obvious illusion, our hero continues to walk through multiple doors. Cold sweat running down his back.¡± ¡°Can it be!? Octuplets!? ¡°With a immensely serious expression our hero sinks into contemplation. Before nodding to himself, as if reaffirming something.¡± ¡°Nothing is impossible! All with some kind of a mental disorder as well. Ah, such is old age!¡± ¡®Enough. He is clearly an idiot.¡¯ ¡°Who!?¡± ¡°The room drastically changes as a man in a dress appears, standing by a flowerpot, slowly watering it.¡± ¡®I¡¯d like to ask you to leave. We don¡¯t serve savages here.¡¯ ¡°What did you do to those old women!? How cruel to make the elderly work like that!¡± ¡°A blue vein pops on the forehead of the mysterious man, his right eyebrow slightly twitches.¡± ¡®Get out!¡¯ ¡°But I got a quest in here, I need to learn your craft.¡± ¡°As the word make their way across the well furnished room a quest is activated.¡±
|Optional: Follow Rouk¡¯s instructions| ¡°Order in chaos, order in everything. Such is the mantra of the formations.¡± Learn the basics of Formation & Scroll crafting. Reward: Rights to learn Formation and & Scroll crafting.
¡°An audible sigh can be heard as our hero smiles brightly, staring at the mysterious master formation and scroll maker.¡± ¡°Let¡¯s hear it, what do I need to do?¡± ¡°An even more exaggerated sigh can be heard, master Rouk waves his hand and several materials materialize on a table.¡± ¡®Mill these. Add this, Then use the concoction to write with. Follow the instruction in this book, first fifty pages.¡¯ ¡°After giving his instructions, master Rouk vanishes from our hero¡¯s sight. Of course we, the more adept, can see him sit down in a chair and slowly pour himself a cup of tea. Only our hero can no longer see him.¡± ¡°He can do whatever he wants. Looks like I should read this first. I¡¯ll be honest, wasn¡¯t expecting this to be one of the crafting professions. Is this something like crafting? Very strange.¡± ¡°Masters of formations can be said to hold very high position in the world, able to arm the weakest with weapons of great power. Creating numerous defensive and offensive formation, effectively making defenseless places a fortress. Too many formations exist in the world and combined with scroll making it allows them to live very comfortable lives.¡± ¡°Hooo! Not bad, okay, I¡¯ll take this more seriously.¡± ¡°It would seem that our hero is a remarkable reader, few moments passed and he has already put the book away.¡± ¡°Alright. So Ink is done. Just have to imbue some mana into the pen, ink and paper. The pattern isn¡¯t that complex either.¡± ¡°Despite Ji¡¯s casual and nonchalant attitude, we can see him sweating profusely and his face becoming bright red.¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°It appears our hero doesn¡¯t have a very high aptitude towards this, three papers wasted. The ink almost completely used up and his clothing drenched from perspiration.¡± ¡°I can¡¯t believe that was so hard. What the hell was that!? My head is throbbing. It¡¯s like there is a heart in my head, pulsing. I¡¯ve never felt so uncomfortable in my life.¡± ¡®Excellent job, it seems you aren¡¯t as excessively stupid as you look.¡¯ ¡°Thank you! Your eight grandmas raised you right.¡± ¡°A strange look. A wave of a sleeve, an unknown force pushing our hero out but no words are spoken.¡±
Do you want to learn Formations & Scroll crafting? Requires: One crafting skill points
¡°Why does it keep asking me? I can¡¯t! I don¡¯t have crafting skill points to spend.¡± ¡°One glance at the evening sky and we can see quite some time went by as our hero struggled with the intricate arts of formations and scrolls.¡± ¡°It¡¯s time to get dinner. Should I contact Tio?¡± ¡°While looking over his inventory, our hero notices the miscellaneous crafting supplies.¡± ¡°Was I supposed to use these? But they gave me materials and tools to use. Strange. Hey Tio!¡± ¡°Watch our hero picking up a tool, very similar to a mobile phone. A remnant of the past, resurfaced through different means.¡± ¡®Ji?¡¯ ¡°Ye, was wondering if you want to meet up for dinner? I managed to finish three out of eight crafting professions.¡± ¡®Oh. Sorry, but I¡¯m currently busy right now, I had to go back to the office. There was an issue with the portal room.¡¯ ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll be sleeping at an hotel tonight, don¡¯t wait for me.¡± ¡®I¡¯ll come to your hotel then.¡¯ ¡°What? No.¡± ¡®It¡¯s decided then; I¡¯ll see you later tonight.¡¯ ¡°Even if the fall of the human race was a great travesty, and their legacy mostly vanished. Their digital knowledge, believed to be timeless, gone in a day.¡± ¡°Narrator, man. Relax with the depressing stuff. Full on flashback for a cellphone? Jesus. Alright, let¡¯s find a place to eat, sleep and then we can locate the next place. Curious as to why there are more than eight marks on the map. Multiple similar crafters or are there more than eight professions?¡± ¡°It looks like it may rain. One should be prepared to tackled the forces of nature.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± ¡°As morning breaks, we see our still drooling protagonist, nearly slipping out of the bed.¡± ¡°Mrghp. Mrhm.¡± ¡°As our hero just said, that may be a good way to level faster.¡± ¡°Mahhrning.¡± ¡®Good morning, Ji.¡¯ ¡°Mmm. So soft.¡± ¡°The female mammaries are proven to be soft to the touch, this specific field of research has been thoroughly proven, time and time again. The same question, with the Fluo as a focus has still not been as extensively worked on.¡± ¡®Do you like it?¡¯ ¡°Is good.¡± ¡°Eyes still closed, yet hands very much awake, it seems our hero may have some trouble regaining consciousness.¡± ¡°Oh, Tio. When did you get here?¡± ¡®Sometime in the middle of the night.¡¯ ¡°Oh.¡± ¡®I rushed over once I finished my work.¡¯ ¡°After our hero¡¯s arrival, many dormant things were awoken. Causing the world to cautiously but enthusiastically prepare to take advantage.¡± ¡°Why am I naked though?¡± ¡®I took the liberty to undress you.¡¯ ¡°Of course. And why am I wet?¡± ¡®¡­¡¯ ¡°I see.¡± ¡°Even now, our hero is under observation. One can only ask oneself in bewilderment, why one would want to pay attention to such a lowly being, and not just any being, a human, no less. It baffles the mind.¡± ¡°Perverts.¡± Chapter thirty: Want a taste? ¡°Don¡¯t get me wrong. Blue is a great color. Beautiful color even. I just feel like I don¡¯t want all my clothing to be blue.¡± ¡®But it¡¯s the clans color.¡¯ ¡°That¡¯s a part of the issue, I¡¯m not a part of the clan.¡± ¡°The two blue clad couple stroll down the street, heading towards the forth crafting area, known for its mastery of alchemy. In fact, the whole street is filled with various alchemy workshops.¡± ¡°Ye, I¡äve been wondering about that, it was the same with the forging area. So many forges. The leatherworking and formations places weren¡¯t like this though.¡± ¡®There are many forges because the city needs a lot of weapons, armors and projectiles such as arrows. They even transport to some less populated defensive forts.¡¯ ¡°Okay, that make sense I guess.¡± ¡®Most forges specialize in one product, like three or four different weapons. And some of course deal more in armor.¡¯ ¡°Oh. And the alchemy area?¡± ¡®Because alchemy varies even more than forging and the demand is comparable. Some alchemy stores focus on large shipments of a specific processed materials or potions. Some are very specialized and only the wealthiest and powerful can get them to act.¡¯ ¡°Interesting. But we still need to go to a specific place. It should be around over there.¡± ¡°Alchemy, a true study of materials. Many forges have unending dealings with alchemists that transform common metals into more favored products. Many will argue what a true alchemist is, some call it the art of transformation, while others claim it to be the unfathomable search of potions. In the end, even if the two subjects clash and merge together on many occasion they can still be traced to imbuing materials before they are passed on to be crafted into something usable. Potion making however is a more tedious process, they change and process the materials and then work with them to create something consumable. Both require decades of research. and due to the immense demand for both, many alchemy organizations flourished on every corner in this world.¡± ¡°What the hell. Which one is it? Potions or whatever.¡± ¡®Hmm?¡¯ ¡°Never mind, I''ll find out when we get there.¡± ¡°Even the dead would rethink entering the suspicious fog crawling through both the windows and door.¡± ¡°This doesn¡¯t look all that safe.¡± ¡®What a scary place.¡¯ ¡°Despite the ominous appearance this particular, worn down, alchemist workshop, isn¡¯t dangerous in the least. But the trickster, Tio, already knew that but used the opportunity to get closer to our hero¡± ¡°Narrator said it was safe.¡± ¡®Let¡¯s go in then.¡¯ ¡°You sure? I don¡¯t trust him.¡± ¡®Has he lied to you before?¡¯ ¡°Yes, he is often spouting out nonsense about me that just isn¡¯t true.¡± ¡®I see. Want to go to a different place?¡¯ ¡°No, let¡¯s go in.¡± ¡®After you.¡¯ ¡°I knew it! Look. Why is every building so large on the inside?¡± ¡®It is an expansion formation.¡¯ ¡°Formation? Those formations really do seem useful.¡± ¡°Although most families require the use of formations, they often train their own formation expert, and most formations last for tens of years as long as they are not deliberately sabotaged.¡± ¡°Hmm. Does your Oh clan have a formation expert?¡± ¡®Of course. Mother is actually a very prominent formation and scroll maker.¡¯ ¡°That terrifying woman? Hmm.¡± ¡®She specializes in making small formations called enchantments.¡¯This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon. ¡°Oh! I was wondering whether enchanting was a thing. So, people get crafting materials from alchemists, create whatever they want from them and then have them enchanted?¡± ¡®Yes?¡¯ ¡°Yes?¡± ¡®Yes.¡¯ ¡®What do you two youngsters want?¡¯ ¡®Who is it dear?¡¯ ¡®Some blue children.¡¯ ¡®Blue?¡¯ ¡®Blue children, dear.¡¯ ¡®What do they want?¡¯ ¡®I just asked.¡¯ ¡®Okay, send them in.¡¯ ¡®But we don¡¯t know what they want, dear.¡¯ ¡®Ask them then.¡¯ ¡®I just did dear.¡¯ ¡°Ehem. I want to learn alchemy.¡± ¡®You hear that dear?¡¯ ¡®Hear what, darling?¡¯ ¡°Why didn¡¯t I get a quest?¡± ¡®Darling, they want a quest.¡¯ ¡®Quest? Who are they?¡¯ ¡®A pair of blue children.¡¯ ¡®Well, send them in.¡¯ ¡®Alright, dear.¡¯ ¡°The two elderly couple appearance makes one doubt one''s sight. Their wrinkled faces, toothless mouth and vapid eyes makes one question what is alive and what is dead.¡± ¡°Greetings, mam.¡± ¡®Oh, so you¡¯re the blue children?¡¯ ¡®Yes. I am Tio and this is Ji.¡¯ ¡°What? No. We aren¡¯t blue children. I¡¯m human. Not a water person.¡± ¡®Human?¡¯ ¡®He said human, dear.¡¯ ¡®Why is this human blue?¡¯ ¡®I¡¯m afraid I haven¡¯t seen humans in a few years, maybe they¡¯ve become blue dear.¡¯ ¡®I see. Is it a disease?¡¯ ¡®Is it a disease, son?¡¯ ¡°No, no. I¡¯m just wearing blue clothing. I want to learn alchemy.¡± ¡®Oh, you should have said so!¡¯ ¡°I thought I did.¡± ¡®Do you have materials with you?¡¯ ¡°Let me check.¡± ¡°Inside our hero¡¯s inventory are a bunch of pale green bundles of grass, a few plain looking white mushrooms and a sealed container of water.¡± ¡°Is this alright?¡± ¡®Yes, yes. Here, read this. Follow the instructions and create a potion that stimulates the senses.¡¯ ¡°Alright!¡± ¡°As our hero starts reading his new material, the little lady, Tio, starts chatting to the female alchemist.¡± ¡®Why is he making a potion?¡¯ ¡®Why wouldn¡¯t he make a potion?¡¯ ¡®I thought alchemy was mostly about transforming and improving materials.¡¯ ¡®Ohohoho. My sweet blue child. Taking herbs and fusing them together is a transformation!¡¯ ¡®Oh.¡¯ ¡®The art of alchemy runs deeper than the vast oceans.¡¯ ¡°flicking through the pages, Ji starts awkwardly but very deliberately processing the herbs. Of course with the hidden guidance of the system, he breezes through the work like a once-in-a-thousand-years genius. We can see him reach for a small bowl. He gently crushed the pearl white mushrooms, their small tops are squeezed of their clear liquid. The gentle light of mana streaming from his hand into the ingredients and tools. This could be said paramount to a successful craftsman. Any and all craftsmen of any stature will have to hone their control over their mana, and not only their own mana but also create a connection with the mana inherent in the materials.¡± ¡®Mister, how is he doing?¡¯ ¡®Mrrm. It¡¯s okay. Almost comparable to this one''s¡¯ younger self.¡¯ ¡®Oh? That good?¡¯ ¡®Ho ho, only passable.¡¯ ¡®What are you bragging about old man!¡¯ ¡°Laughing without care the withered old man gently speaks to his wife as if reciting ancient poetry.¡± ¡°This is oddly satisfying.¡± ¡®Oh, are you done?¡¯ ¡°Just about. The easiest part should be to mix them together. Luckily I can just weigh everything and add them as instructed.¡± ¡°Although this particular test can¡¯t be called hard, for the common man it would require at average a couple of weeks to get used to the refining process.¡± ¡°About a gram of this infused cloud-shroom juice and then you just have to¡­¡± ¡°A parrot in blue, the little miss Tio, nods her curious head occasionally with great interest as our hero mindlessly narrates his actions. Despite their hidden veil, layers upon layers of wrinkled skin, we can see that the aged couple have quite the interested gleam in their eyes. The pair are whispering in a near imperceptibly low tone, unfortunately for them, we are more than mere bottom barrel sentients¡¯.¡± ¡®What do you say Sileumus?¡¯ ¡®He definitely has potential; best I¡¯ve seen in decades.¡¯ ¡®So?¡¯ ¡®We will still depend on him to decide, will we not?¡¯ ¡®Are you saying you are willing to let him to go that easily?¡¯ ¡®Of course not, Pelera. My dear, I am only suggesting not to force the boy.¡¯ ¡®If you let him get away, who will have the talent to take up our research?¡¯ ¡°The most cunning and deceptive people in this world are the wizened, and with age often comes wisdom.¡± ¡°And it should be finished now. All we need to do is wait for condensation to form and that¡¯ll mean it¡¯s ready.¡± ¡®Amazing, Ji! You are really talented.¡¯ ¡°No, no. It is mostly the system. I almost blank out in every one of these crafting procedures.¡± ¡®Really?¡¯ ¡°To be honest, I think I blanked out during the formation part yesterday. It¡¯s a bit fuzzy.¡± ¡°It is only natural that the feeble mind of our protagonist could not stand up to the task of creating formations. It may not have been the most complex overall but it is most strenuous in the early stages.¡± ¡°How is Pelera?¡± ¡®Oh? You know my name?¡¯ ¡°It¡¯s in the quests name.¡± ¡®I see. The potion will do. It is only the most basics of stimulants. We¡¯ll call it good enough.¡¯ ¡°Thank you, venerated alchemists.¡± ¡®What a polite young man!¡¯ ¡®Indeed, you are not eyeing my beautiful wife are you, boy?¡¯ ¡°A heart-rending grin appears on the alchemists, enough to frighten ghosts and soften diamonds! Our now pale-white hero nearly loses strength in his legs while the usually eloquent Tio has started to back away, seemingly planning to escape any second.¡± ¡°No! Of course not sir! I wouldn¡¯t dream of it! With such an astoundingly handsome husband, how would I stand a chance!?¡± ¡°While the words roll out of the young master''s mouth we can see his unfathomably respectful and sincere eyes radiate an aura of honesty. One may even question one eyes at such display of flattery, sincerity and rapid change in facial expression.¡± ¡®Hahaha! What a good boy! Good boy!¡¯ ¡°A slight tinge of red can be seen on the wizened couple, their smile even more exaggerated, oddly the fog in the room has even turned slightly red.¡± ¡®Here, consider this a gift from the little old me. If you ever decided to continue pursuing alchemy, you need to have the right tools and materials.¡¯
|Death¡¯s pass token| ¡°Even the dead require permissions to enter.¡± An authentication token of the Death¡¯s pass organizations. Only found on elders.
¡°Thank you, sir and madam!¡± ¡®Don¡¯t mention it, go, you youngsters must have other plans.¡¯ ¡°After bowing deeply the blue clad couple, Tio and Ji, recede from the Death¡¯s pass store, one of the world¡¯s leading alchemy guilds.¡± ¡®I never knew you were so talented, Ji.¡¯ ¡°I told you, it¡¯s the system helping me craft. I¡¯m barely doing anything.¡± ¡®Not crafting, your acting skills. You could easily compete with scions of the large clans.¡¯ ¡°Acting? You don¡¯t know this, but I believe acting to be a form of lying, and I never lie!¡± ¡°Again, a seldom seen sincerity is exuded by our hero, not only the words but every fiber of his being appears to give of a sense of honesty and trust. How would one develop such an ability!? Fear not the malevolent, but those of great benevolence. - Con¡¯ Ter-aul.¡± ¡®I can¡¯t stay with you any longer, Ji. Ever since the portal room opened up there have been multiple portals activating and people keep streaming in and out of them. I have to be there at certain times during the day to receive people¡¯s quests and act as a mediator.¡¯ ¡°Hoooh? Got any quests for me?¡± ¡®You¡¯ll have to come with me to the meeting point to find out.¡¯ ¡°With a sigh and reluctance the beautiful water princess of the Oh clan, returns to her occupation.¡± ¡°Still not hungry, should we just head to the next place?¡± Chapter thirty one: Chilling talent ¡°Through the eons, there have been many languages. These languages are the language of ancient mana, created from the greater truths. After experiencing the passage of time, the language has been mostly forgotten and only a few of the older worlds still speak it. But, there are still remnants in this lowborn world, remnants that formed a barely acceptable language that is now used as a foundation to empower objects and creatures. This is the heralded craft of rune engraving.¡± ¡°Hmm. How does that work? Am I just engraving stuff? This place is so busy as well. Nothing like the other places.¡± ¡°After a short walk from Death¡¯s pass, our hero arrived in the most languished and extravagant building we¡¯ve seen so far. Gorgeous carvings on the walls, doorways, doors and every furniture. One can¡¯t help but ask if they were intending on writing a story with a building as the canvas.¡± ¡°My eyes itch looking at some of these carvings.¡± ¡®And this here is stool created by one of our rising apprentices. It has the effect of relaxation and could even strengthen the spirits in the long term.¡¯ ¡®Ooooh. How marvelous. And this piece of here?¡¯ ¡®What a good eye sir! This piece is actually a rather new one. Made by our prodigy rune carvers, Arailius.¡¯ ¡®Hoh.¡¯ ¡®Hehe. Our little Arailius is a bit spirited, sir. This has the effect to stimulating a certain something.¡¯ ¡®Eh? You don¡¯t mean¡­¡¯ ¡®I¡¯m sure the sir understands.¡¯ ¡®Does it work for both males and females?¡¯ ¡®Both of course. The piece is called: lovers fever.¡¯ ¡®It is nearing my grandson''s wedding, I¡¯ll take it.¡¯ ¡®Great choice, sir. Follow me.¡¯ ¡°All around the large extravagant room you can see wealthy men and women being guided through and introduced to the merchandise.¡± ¡°I thought this would be more about weapons than furniture, how strange.¡± ¡®Oh does the young master of the Oh clan wish to browse our assortments of weapons?¡¯ ¡°Yoo! Ye, wait, not right now. Also I¡¯m not exactly from the Oh clan. I was planning on learning a bit of carving today.¡± ¡°The expression of the server falters for a second before he recovers.¡± ¡®And do you have an appointment with one of the junior teachers?¡¯ ¡°No?¡± ¡®I see, what is your name, if I may ask?¡¯ ¡°Ji, Ji aleksy.¡± ¡®One moment, please.¡¯ ¡°The handsome young man quickly walks towards a door in the back and disappears behind it.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t think this will go well.¡± ¡°beautiful furniture is scattered across the room. Every one of them carved with great care, the intricacy may be great but the true marvel of these creations are hidden. Only after discovering the hidden words and phrases can you begin to decipher them. Making them almost impossible to replicate, at least for most amateurs. It is a testament to the craft that so many people would be willing to browse and buy these structures, as only a beginners would use such large objects to carve on. Real masters can not only carve on small objects such as watches, rings and earrings, they can even overlap some words and phrases, creating a multiplying effect. This can be comparable to a formation master in many ways, except formation masters deal in less permanent ways than carving. The main difference is that formation masters who specialize in small objects, use something called spiritual ink or mana ink to inscribe their formations. While those engraving masters use their carvings as vessels for empowerment.¡± ¡°Holy hell, man. You went on a rant there. I¡äve been wondering Narry, do some phrases or events trigger your responses? I¡¯m almost certain they do. However, sometimes I feel like you hold back.¡± ¡®Sir. I am afraid you are not on the waiting list. Do mind if I ask who you came to meet?¡¯ ¡°Eh? Who? Hmm. Let me see. No, I still haven¡¯t gotten a more specific sub-quest. Oh check this out, maybe this will help.¡± |Death¡¯s pass token| ¡®Death¡¯s pass token? I¡¯ve heard of death¡¯s pass, but what is this token?¡¯The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement. ¡°After talking to some of his colleagues, the server returns, much more respectful and guides our protagonist to a private back room.¡± ¡°Is this going to be as hard as the formation professions, Narry?¡± ¡°The silence violently echoes through the vacant room as our hero talks to his new imaginary friend, Narry.¡± ¡°Bah. Whatever. I think carving is going to be a problem though.¡± ¡®Oh? You want to learn how to engrave runes? To learn the spirit languages? Yet you say carving is going to be a problem.¡¯ ¡°An eagle nose. Sharp eyes. This man deceptive appearance is most appropriate, like that of a predator.¡± ¡°Hi, I didn¡¯t see you come in.¡± ¡®Can I see your token, mister Ji.¡¯ ¡°Ye. Sure.¡± ¡®So you do have a relationship with those two maniacs.¡¯ ¡°Deep in thought the man slowly examines the token, it gives of a fain green-blue fog that dissipates once a it reaches a few inches away from the token.¡± ¡®They seem to value you highly, I wonder why.¡¯ ¡°Hehe. That old man was pretty happy, one of the most terrifying smiles I¡¯ve ever seen.¡± ¡°Despite the man¡¯s stern exterior appearance he eventually smiles a very small inconspicuous smile and throws a small scroll at our hero.¡± ¡®See if you can understand this. You can call one of the junior apprentices to get me if you manage to translate it.¡¯ ¡°Before the man is halfway out the door our hero finished reading the tiny scroll.¡± ¡°Does it mean cold?¡± ¡°It is really unfortunate for this proud master engraver to have met this particular individual, called Ji Aleksy. One of the only remaining Betas.¡± ¡®What did you say?¡¯ ¡°Cold, or more precisely ¡®a little bit cold.¡¯¡± ¡®How extraordinary, I assume you haven¡¯t studied the spirit languages, right?¡¯ ¡°This plebeian continues to call the ancient magic languages a spirit language, a true savage.¡± ¡°Not at all, no. This is my first experience with it.¡± ¡®Alright, let¡¯s not waste any more time.¡¯ ¡°Read this and then carve on this barrel?¡± ¡®Please.¡¯ ¡°Alrighty.¡± ¡°With great ease our hero carves what can be described as a rune. Any one of these so called runes can be modified in myriad of ways to alter its meaning. The complexity is towering for lowborn, such as humans. And yet here we are, watching this blubbering fool eloquently carve an ancient rune with ease. One can only curse the world.¡± ¡®How extraordinary! Marvelous. A prodigy!¡¯ ¡°I think that¡¯s it.¡± ¡®I can understand those insane Death¡¯s pass elder¡¯s thoughts with far greater clarity now.¡¯ ¡°Hm?¡± ¡®Did you promise that old hog anything?¡¯ ¡°Not really, no.¡± ¡®Not really, or not at all?¡¯ ¡°Not at all, when I think about it, he just gave it to me in case I wanted to study alchemy.¡± ¡®It would be a mistake! You have a great future ahead of you here at our Terror¡¯s avenue.¡¯ ¡°Why is everything named in such a suspicious way?¡± ¡®Young master, Ji. I would like to offer to take you in as my personal disciple.¡¯ ¡°Eh.¡± ¡®If I do not suffice, I can talk to my master in your stead.¡¯ ¡°Mind if I check in with you in a few days? I still have a few places to visit.¡± ¡®Of course. Here take this.¡¯ ¡°Oh cool. Now I got three contacts.¡± ¡°A master engraver¡¯s personal contact frequency. If it wasn¡¯t for our hero great ease in study of any profession, this frequency would be invaluable.¡± ¡®Allow me to escort you out.¡¯ ¡°No need. Thank you for your assistance.¡± ¡®It was my pleasure Ji. You can call me Asteri.¡¯ ¡°Okay, see ya, Asteri.¡± ¡°Even the gods would curse our hero¡¯s nonchalant demeanor. No gratitude is received from the spoiled.¡± ¡°Huh, now that you mention it. You¡¯ve mentioned a few gods. Are they real?¡± ¡°The sun has already begun its descent but our hero is not deterred as he journeys to his next destination.¡± ¡°It¡¯s hard to be an atheist when you¡¯ve got a talking voice in your head, mana coursing through your body and city filled with technology fueled by mana. This city does give you that steampunk feeling. Without the steam. I could eat. Never mind, it¡¯s late. I¡¯ll just eat some my snacks.¡± ¡°A well prepared adventured always has emergency supplies to increase his efficiency.¡± ¡°Oh. This is exactly what I needed! Clothing stores!¡± ¡°It is obvious that our hero¡¯s next stop is a tailor¡¯s workshop.¡± ¡°Relax, we¡¯re not in a hurry, I can get out of these blue clothes.¡± ¡°With surprising tenacity our hero browses the wares of multiple stores, buying many different cosmetic clothing.¡± ¡°Clothes maketh man! Look at these threads, it¡¯s be hard wearing all these unfashionable things. I prefer walking around naked.¡± ¡°Finally, we arrive in rather peculiar store. The variety and quantity have drastically reduced in comparison to its neighbors.¡± ¡°This places reminds me of that forge. Very few things.¡± ¡®Can I help you?¡¯ ¡°A person half our hero¡¯s size, wrapped in what looks to be linen has emerged from the backroom.¡± ¡°Ye, hi. I want to learn your craft.¡± ¡®My craft?¡¯ ¡°Ye, its tailoring, right?¡± ¡®I am afraid I am not qualified to teach.¡¯ ¡°Oh? Anyone here that is?¡± ¡®My creator.¡¯ ¡°This thing before our hero is a puppet of sorts. A being given live through fabric. Quite the accomplishment for the lowborn.¡± ¡°Can you take me to your creator then?¡± ¡®Of course.¡¯ ¡°The creature may be intelligent but it is still lacking compared to even the most common human.¡± ¡°Stop using humans to compare things with. Who knows what an average human is like anyway.¡± ¡°The average human is quite intelligent in comparison to most other sentient beings roaming this world.¡± ¡®I¡¯m sorry, sir?¡¯ ¡°Nothing. Ignore me.¡± ¡®This way, please.¡¯ ¡°Hooh. These expansion formations are really impressive.¡± ¡®Who is it, Silk?¡¯ ¡®Master! This one brought a customer as per his request.¡¯ ¡®I told you to stop bringing people back here.¡¯ ¡®I apologize master! This one awaits punishment.¡¯ ¡®Forget it, just go back, it¡¯s about time to close up the store.¡¯ ¡®As you command.¡¯ ¡®Well then, what do you want?¡¯ ¡°Hi! I want to learn your craft.¡± ¡°The woman¡¯s voice is slightly muffled, she is clad from top to bottom. Not even the eyes are revealed.¡± ¡®Do you now? My tailoring isn¡¯t very popular with men.¡¯ ¡°I just need the very basics. I won¡¯t bother you for too long.¡± ¡®Well then. Stitch these together, read this.¡¯ ¡°Even without a guide, our hero would be guided through all these quests, it however allows him to further deepen his understanding of the craft.¡± ¡°Okay, thank you.¡± ¡°With a lack of enthusiasm, our hero reads the very short pamphlet. Afterwards he immediately starts channeling his mana into the needle and thread. Like an experienced novice he begins sewing the materials together with confidence.¡± ¡®Interesting.¡¯ ¡°Of the few masters our hero has come across, most have been very proud and unwilling to ask our hero study under them. Only the shameless Asteri went so far as to offer to take him in as a disciple.¡± ¡°Ehrm. I think I botched it.¡± ¡°From an outside perspective, the garment looks to be without fault, yet to the more experienced it fails to meet the requirements.¡± ¡®You lost connection to the thread. You can easily fix such a mistake by redoing this portion here. Just make sure you connect the thread properly.¡¯ ¡°Here?¡± ¡°After seeing the overdressed master tailor nod, Ji continues working on the odd garment.¡± ¡®Excellent.¡¯ ¡°Is this okay?¡± ¡®It will do. Do you plan on pursuing tailoring?¡¯ ¡°I was thinking about it; I¡¯ll weigh the benefits versus the other professions.¡± ¡®Feel free to come to me at any time.¡¯ ¡°Thank you, can I ask what your name is?¡± ¡®You can just call me Primp.¡¯ ¡°Alright, thank you for you the assistance, Primp.¡± ¡°Will our hero continue with his crafting quest or find a place to lay his head for the night.¡± ¡°It¡¯s still early, I can probably at least scout out the next place, right? Plus, I already ate some of my snacks, can¡¯t let it go to waste.¡± ¡°The next destination is mere minutes away, so we follow our hero who is carrying many bags of what he referred to as cool clothes.¡± ¡°I¡¯m starting to think these professions are going to be too much effort. I don¡¯t think I will make proper use of the ones that require a lot of tools. I mean, I can¡¯t carry a smelter, right? Leatherworking also requires quite a bit of things to work the leather before using it. Alchemy might be a bit more manageable. I can probably use the engraving anywhere as well, right? Tailoring just requires threads. I wonder if I have to make my own thread at some point? Most likely.¡± ¡°As the sky turns faintly orange due to the setting sun, we can hear the citizens enjoying themselves, some drinking for entertainment, while others enjoy various card games or sports. And most importantly, we can hear the constant snapping of bow strings and arrows piercing their targets.¡± ¡°Oh? This is an archery? Do they make bows here?¡± Chapter thirty two: Just one more ¡°Our hero watches the tall and muscular man standing in his way. The tension is palpable!¡± ¡°Will you stop? He¡¯s not even taller than me.¡± ¡®Tall?¡¯ ¡°Like a strong gusts of wind, the two flounder gallantly! Like princess of autumn!¡± ¡°Can you stop? You have no future in poetry!¡± ¡®Poetry? Sir, can we help you?¡¯ ¡®Who is making all that noise?¡¯ ¡®It¡¯s some insane flower boy, sir.¡¯ ¡°Flower what now. I am a very manly man! I¡¯ll strip for you right here and now!¡± ¡®Sir. Stop that. Put your clothes on! Sir! This is an archery!¡¯ ¡®Mirel, what in Maests¡¯ name is going on back there!?¡¯ ¡®I¡¯m sorry sir.¡¯ ¡°Look. Mirel, I need to learn whatever is taught here. It¡¯s already pretty late.¡± ¡°Due to series of unpredictable events, our hero has managed to avoid a fight to death.¡± ¡°Narry, bro. It was all under control.¡± ¡®I¡¯m afraid we aren¡¯t holding any auditions tonight, sir. I¡¯d really appreciate it if you did me a favor and leave.¡¯ ¡°Mir, can I call you Mir? Look Mir, I hate to inconvenience you but I really want to do this tonight. How about this, I throw you a few bones, and you set me up with the best crafter here. Alright?¡± ¡®Bones? What in the name of the great white wood is wrong with you.¡¯ ¡°Bones. Money! God damn it. Look. Seals. Here.¡± ¡°Like a veritable moneybag, our hero grabs a handful of vertiseals and puts them on counter and puts on the countenance of an eccentric billionaire.¡± ¡°I trust this will solve the issue. Perhaps I should contact my good friend Asteri, a little known master rune engraver.¡± ¡°Although silence has befallen our newly acquainted bowyer, his eyes have lit up like a forest fire in the night.¡± ¡®Of course, the young master is always welcomed here at our Letta¡¯s bowyers and archery.¡¯ ¡°That¡¯s more like Mer.¡± ¡®Excuse me a moment, I¡¯ll inform the master of your arrival.¡¯ ¡°As the opportunist, Mer, leaves the room. Our hero¡¯s arrogant look fades into his default. Even his eyes have lost their shine and vibrant color, leaving them darkened and dulled.¡± ¡°That¡¯s a bit overboard isn¡ät it? What am I? A chameleon?¡± ¡°The death-provoking voice reverberates the room, leaving one feeling withered and dry. Perhaps this is the voice of the forsaken?¡± ¡°Bunch of a bows everywhere. Is this all wood?¡± ¡°The room, cluttered with bows. Each clearly of high quality, in this city at least.¡± ¡°This one looks like iron.¡±
|Woodchrome bow of illusion| Unable to discover items properties.
¡°Too high a level, hmm. Woodchrome. That¡¯s an odd thing, right?¡± ¡°With an amiable smile, Mer walks into the room as our hero continues to admire the beautifully crafted bows.¡± ¡®The master is prepared to see the young master now.¡¯ ¡°How extraordinary. Like a mask.¡± ¡°Good! Good! Here you go Mer, a little something for the trouble.¡± ¡®Mer thanks the young master.¡¯ ¡°Mmmm. Lead the way.¡± ¡®Follow me.¡¯ ¡°One can¡¯t help but to question our hero¡¯s character as his demeanor and more astonishingly, appearance changes within a blink of an eye.¡±Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author''s preferred platform and support their work! ¡°So who am I meeting with then, Mer? Is it Letta?¡± ¡®No, no, no. Grand master Letta hasn¡¯t dealt with outsiders in a few years now. His son, master Attel, has taken over the business entirely.¡¯ ¡°I see. I see. Very good.¡± ¡°After walking out of the bowyer storefront, our two faced hero is lead to a larger open area. Despite being inside we can see large open area. Grass and small ponds scattered around.¡± ¡°What a beautiful area, hard to believe we are still indoors.¡± ¡®Rumor is that Grandmaster Letta saved a prominent formation master from one of the inner cities, supposedly it was a disciple of one of the ancient clans.¡¯ ¡°I¡¯m sorry, ancient clans?¡± ¡®One of eight pillars of our previous world. Their strength was tower in our previous world, according to the stories.¡¯ ¡°Hoooh. You seem to know a lot about this.¡± ¡°Appearing quite haughty, little Mer¡¯s nose gives the illusion of growing two inches as he tilts his head slightly into the air.¡± ¡®Huhuhue. You don¡¯t know this young master, but I am the oldest son of a prominent historian!¡¯ ¡°Hooooh. So you¡¯re a nerd?¡± ¡°Before the confused son of a historian is allowed his response, we see a man appear out of thin air, sitting on comfortable looking chair. Enjoying a drink of some sort.¡± ¡°Where did he come from?¡± ¡®So. This is what my greedy apprentice has brought me. A frail boy, barely teetering on the edge of manhood.¡¯ ¡°The hell?¡± ¡®You can go Mer, you really are your father¡¯s son.¡¯ ¡®Thank you, sir.¡¯ ¡°With a small bow, Mer turns around and heads back.¡± ¡®Well.¡¯ ¡°Teach me your craft, please.¡± ¡®Ah. You spoiled brats are all the same. No proprietary, no manners.¡¯ ¡°Eh?¡± ¡®Tell me, whose clan are you from? Wait, let me guess. Skinny, arrogant, pale and stupid. Maybe a Ire? No. A Baltof?¡¯ ¡°First of all, I¡¯m not skinny, the word is elegant or graceful. Second of all, there just isn''t a lot of sun in this place.¡± ¡°Silence. Such abrupt silence. Yet both men appear deep in thought. Nearly mirroring each other gestures.¡± ¡®Something just occurred to me, Ji, was it? You look rather human. That pale skin and full eyes. But above all, the hair on your skin.¡¯ ¡°I¡¯m still humran, I think. And what are you? An owl-person?¡± ¡°A strange glint appears in the eyes of master Attel¡¯s big round eyes.¡± ¡®I¡¯m not sure what this Owl-person is, but I¡¯m afraid my lineage is a guarded secret, little Ji.¡¯ ¡°Well. I¡¯m doing this quest, consider me thoroughly creeped out.¡± ¡®Oh, please do, it is my pleasure of help a human.¡¯ ¡°Okay then.¡± ¡°After another short moment of silence. Attel waves his hands and various tools and materials appear on top of a spacious workbench. Our heroquickly skims over the book on the table before getting to work.¡± ¡®Good. Not bad.¡¯ ¡®Ohh. Very smooth.¡¯ ¡°As praises rain on our hero, we can see him slightly tremble. Despite his obvious discomfort he managed to finish his objective with relative ease.¡± ¡°Here. Bye.¡± ¡°Before our hero managed to reach the perceived exist a gust of wind kicks up and a certain large eyed man has appeared from seemingly nowhere.¡± ¡®Are we in a hurry, little Ji?¡¯ ¡°Yes. Very hurry. I mean yes, I really can¡¯t stay a moment longer. Thank you and good bye.¡± ¡°Like a scared cat, the young master slinks away, an amusing spectacle.¡± ¡°You think this is funny? That man isn¡¯t right. I¡¯m sure. I¡¯m never coming back here. He¡¯s not following me is he?¡± ¡°It does not look like our will not learn the fabled art of bow making. One of the world¡¯s most impactful weaponry, when used on a large scale.¡± ¡°Yes, yes. Bows sound very interesting. But magic sounds a lot better.¡± ¡°Like all things in life, they are governed by laws. Which in turn follow truths. That in turn follow greater truths.¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry, what?¡± ¡°The laws of water, can be seen following a different law or even combined into other laws, creating something lesser or more powerful. Laws however have strict limits, while truths overlap with far greater ease.¡± ¡°How did we get into this? I¡¯ve already given up on this whole law and truth nonsense, Narry. It just doesn''t seem real, ya¡¯know? Besides, I¡¯ll figure it out along the way right?¡± ¡°Somewhere, deep within this part of the lower planes, we can hear a near inaudible sigh, shaking one¡¯s foundations. One never ceases to learn, yet this one can¡¯t help but feel the tangible regression.¡± ¡°Hm? Just one more place to go right? We¡¯ll go tomorrow. Tio.¡± ¡®Hey Ji!¡¯ ¡°Just wanted to tell you I am done. Going to find a place to stay for the night.¡± ¡®I know.¡¯ Right. So yo-I''m sorry. You know? How? ¡°It would appear the Oh-clan has felt the need to monitor our misshapen hero. One can only guess whether it is due to the value he represents or if a certain noble lady is worried and paranoid.¡± ¡°Misshapen!? I am very rightshapen!¡± ¡®Ji?¡¯ ¡°Second Tio. Gotta deal with this. I¡äll have you know. My face and figure is indefinitely nearing perfection.¡± ¡°The three men monitoring our hero all raise one eyebrow, almost synchronized. Nearby citizens throw a glance, a giggle or a scoff.¡± ¡°Alright Tio. I¡¯ll see you later.¡± ¡®Okay, stay safe Ji.¡¯ ¡°Mn.¡± ¡°Ji finds another lodging to rest his head for the night. Contrary to his appearance he is exhausted and has fallen asleep moments after laying down. ¡®Ji-iiiiii~.¡¯ ¡°A familiar scene. Two free spirits, lying without care in a pool of warm water. Water that may leave behind irreparable water damage. But that is none of our concern.¡± ¡®Wake up~.¡¯ ¡°Mrerm?¡± ¡°A sound eerily similar to one of ancient origins of mana escapes our hero¡¯s mouth, bringing with it a tremor, imperceptible to all but seven individuals in the city.¡± ¡°What a dream.¡± ¡®What did you dream?¡¯ ¡°I was in an ocean. And the only way out was drinking it all. So I drank and drank. Later I realized it was not water but mana. By the way.¡± ¡®Yes?¡¯ ¡°Why am I wet? Why is the entire room wet?¡± ¡®Perhaps it was your ocean.¡¯ ¡°With a crafty look, Tio averts her eyes and stands up, her blue nightgown moves unnaturally, barely holding its form. Our hero¡¯s casual glance reveals his intention but he quickly hides behind a veneer of callowness.¡± ¡°I only have one more place to visit before I go on a quest to increase my level.¡± ¡®I would join you but there has been an explosive increase in my business since you arrived. It has been very beneficial for me.¡¯ ¡°Oh? How so?¡± ¡®Ever since word got spread that a public quest was discovered, thousands flocked to the facilities. Even if only a small portion receive quests.¡¯ ¡°Do you know what kind of quests they get?¡± ¡®It is mostly generic, painfully generic and dangerous. But they all brave it anyway, hoping they will be rewarded with another quest similar to the quests of the first generations.¡¯ ¡°The dam broken, the mere arrival of our hero has set cogs in motion. A great upheaval is upon the myriad races living in the lower plane, Erudth.¡± ¡°Alright. Well, I¡¯m going to get this quest over with. I¡¯ll probably pick something I can practice while I travel.¡± ¡°The temptress quickly leaves the rather luxurious hotel room, leaving our hero behind.¡± ¡°I¡¯m thinking about picking up engraving and alchemy. I think I can definitely practice engraving anywhere and alchemy also has a gathering side.¡± ¡°With a serious expression, our hero faces a wardrobe of newly procured clothing. A look of hesitation, confusion and lastly enlightenment.¡± ¡°This is it. What do you think?¡± ¡°The rare silk garments gives of an exquisite aura, an aura of nobility and refined grace. Completely wasted on our easily forgotten hero.¡± ¡°It¡¯s good right? Hehe. You may not know this, but my sense of fashion is extraordinary. I was on the verge of becoming a nudist, the clothing people wear are so crude.¡± ¡°The aura of a narcissist emerges, appearing more powerful than ever before!¡± ¡°I may have to think about getting into tailoring, if only to be able to dress properly.¡± ¡°¡­¡± Chapter thirty three: Deceptive looks ¡°There they tremble. There they scatter. There they cower! And in this time of danger, a hero emerges! Brutalities of the world conquered! Cruelty stamped out under his mighty feet! One shivers in excitement at the sight!¡± ¡®Thank you, mister!¡¯ ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it.¡± ¡°After vanquishing villains, the valiant hero indifferently waves his hand, indicating to the grateful victim that it is of no consequence. He then slightly adjusts his mediocre clothing and walks away in a controlled pace.¡± ¡°Excuse you, mediocre clothing? Say that again! I dare you! Look me in the deepest depths of my soul and tell me I¡¯m not wearing clothes fitting for a Caesar! Out of your mind. Mediocre. Hah!¡± ¡®Are you okay?¡¯ ¡°Midst his ravings, our hero was interrupted, pulled away from his seemingly deep yet shallow thoughts.¡± ¡°Hm!? Ah. I¡¯m fine, I¡¯m fine.¡± ¡°As it would be our hero saved a few adolescents from the ferocity of a few local animals, perhaps they strafed too far into its territory.¡± ¡°Just a couple of fur-balls. No need for the whole ceremony. Actually, what were those things? Little fat round balls with teeth. They even rolled away in the end.¡± ¡°The appearance of the animals in question aside they were not animals at all. Mere physical illusions conjured by a rather low-level defense formation.¡± ¡°What?¡± ¡°After aiding the youths in their mischief our hero walked away with swagger, proud of his malevolent actions! Is this the time where our hero reveals his true nature!?¡± ¡°Those little shits.¡± ¡°Even as our hero turns his head, he is met with nothing but an empty alleyway, not an unruly youth or fur-ball in sight!¡± ¡°I feel used. Oh, well. We were all young ones. I remember a few years ago, I was also quite the reckless teenager.¡± ¡°Yes only a thousand or so years ago, before our hero experience the harsh nature of old age.¡± ¡°Mhm. Right. Old age is a bit much but, yes. Ai! To be young again!¡± ¡®¡­¡¯ ¡®¡­¡¯ ¡°As our hero has carelessly walks back into foot traffic, people watch on in wonder, in awe! It can be considered his fortune that the sun has yet to rise above the towering city walls. His unstable nature is not exposed to, too many.¡± ¡°Alright, best get this thing over with. Finish the crafting quest and then start leveling again. I haven¡¯t been able to test my new spells or combat tactics in a real fight! ¡° ¡°As the morning sun peaks over the sturdy city walls, our hero walks into another eccentric shop without care, while still keeping a conversation for two going.¡± ¡°Furniture? What?¡± ¡°Our hero is no longer in awe of the deceptively large interior of these small buildings, yet is left baffled by the sheer quantity of wooden furniture.¡± ¡°This seems a bit off. There can¡¯t be a profession dedicated to furniture, right? Hello! Anyone here?¡± ¡°Not a sign of life can be heard or seen. Our hero eventually finds a door. His aged old nemesis.¡± ¡°Locked.¡± ¡°With an exaggerated sigh, our hero continues walking, eyeing a grand staircase.¡± ¡°Strange. Didn¡¯t see this staircase earlier.¡± ¡°As we climb higher, the carvings on the staircase become more exquisite. Depicting a story of a novice woodworker to a grand master. The sight may humble a few. But we, the more adept, can¡¯t help but deride such thoughts.¡±If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. ¡°Woah.¡± ¡°Shocked, bewildered and overwhelmed. Our hero stands speechless, the awe inspiring quantity of half made products are scattered in unorganized piles.¡± ¡°This is insane, though. Must be thousands of items just lying around. Who as time for this!?¡± ¡°Enthralled, our doesn¡¯t notice an whittling shadow, sitting in an unremarkable corner of this large warehouse of wood carvings.¡± ¡°Where? Hello! Is someone there?¡± ¡®Is someone there?¡¯ ¡°A weak voice, resembling a dissipating echo. So weak even our hero can¡¯t help but to strain his ears, like a dog.¡± ¡°Hey! I can¡¯t hear you! Where are you!¡± ¡®Come closer, darling. I can¡¯t quite see you from here.¡¯ ¡°Like the withered hand of death, this apparitions voice drains the strength of even the most formidable of beasts.¡± ¡°Found you. You have no presence at all. If it wasn¡¯t for the sound of things falling onto the ground, I wouldn¡¯t have found you.¡± ¡°Before is a creature, withered to a point of being unrecognizable. Its white eyes capable of robbing the souls on infants.¡± ¡°Calm down, Narry.¡± ¡®My! What a homely young woman.¡¯ ¡°What? Me? No, no.¡± ¡®Tell me, dear. What can this old soul do for you?¡¯ ¡°Audibly sighing with what can only be helplessness, our hero forgoes the idea of arguing with this living fossil.¡± ¡°I want to learn your craft.¡± ¡®I see, I see. I¡¯m afraid your dainty hands won¡¯t be able to take it.¡¯ ¡°With great resignation the old creatures hand are lifted up, one still holding a knife while the smaller wooden object lays on his lap.¡± ¡°Dear Craig! Jesus¡¯s brother. Your hands man.¡± ¡°Our hero¡¯s shock can be understood; the man¡¯s hands appear to more callus than anything else.¡± ¡°Old man. I think the only resolution is amputation. ¡° ¡°With a serious look our hero nods to himself, firmly sentencing the withered old man to a life deprived of hands.¡± ¡®Nonsense, dear. These old mitts still got fighting spirit in them!¡¯ ¡°For a moment, the old woodworker¡¯s eyes shine with brilliance, revealing an unrivaled force of life and determination.¡± ¡°Well, each to his own. I¡¯ve received your quest.¡±
|Optional: Follow the Wither-wood Birki¡¯s instructions| ¡°As in new, as in old. From life, to death. Depend on my roots, climb my trunk, caress my leaves.¡± Learn the basics of woodworking Reward: Rights to learn Woodworking
¡®You impatient lass, robbing me of teachings.¡¯ ¡°Despite his words, the elderly Wither-wood tosses as plank of wood, similar to a book, appearing less elegant yet is far more complex.¡± ¡®We must all read to learn, but the hands understand the wood better.¡¯ ¡°With a suspicious look, our hero examines this plain looking plank of wood.¡± ¡°What is this?¡± ¡°As his fingers run over the exquisitely detailed carvings, a fire is lit. Using only his hands to read, a look of concentration has emerged.¡± ¡°Very cool.¡± ¡°After a moment''s time, our hero sits down in contemplation before summoning materials from his inventory.¡± ¡°So it¡¯s similar actually more similar to engraving than it is to forging or crafting bows.¡± ¡°Enlightened, our hero starts to slowly chip away at his piece of wood.¡± ¡®Good, girl. Very steady hands.¡¯ ¡°Before long a recognizable form emerges from the wood. Clearly a wand of some sort. A tool used to increase one precision when casting spells.¡± ¡®That¡¯s good, gently now.¡¯ ¡°Our hero slightly shivers, the wrinkly old tree has managed to influence our hero¡¯s concentration.¡± ¡®Almost there.¡¯ ¡°Eyes bloodshot, our hero shakes uncontrollably. As he finishes his last motion, he drops the sharp knife had angrily turns his head in the grandmaster woodworker¡¯s direction.¡± ¡°What on god¡¯s greens earth is wrong with you, old man!? Gently? Almost there!? Old pervert, you¡¯re lucky I don¡¯t neuter you!¡± ¡°One might even agree with our hero¡¯s burst of anger, if we didn''t know the characteristics of the wither-wood race. A truly carefree people, the embodiment of reclusive monks.¡± ¡°Oh? Ah, but still. Okay, my bad old man. You have my gratitude.¡± ¡®Such temper. No wonder a dainty girl like yourself has sought out the calming art of woodworking.¡¯ ¡°Narrowing his eyes, our hero stares at the old man before sighing in lamentation.¡± ¡°Best I finish this thing and get out of here.¡± ¡°Glancing once more at the old men, Ji notices that he is polishing a piece of wood with his bare hands.¡± ¡°No wonder you have such callus hands. The world is truly strange.¡± ¡°Unable to mimic the unique style of Birki, wither-wood, our hero starts sanding down his plain looking stick with zealous concentration.¡±
|Ji¡¯s wood| Adds additional ten to magical damage. Adds additional five to ambient mana gathering. Increases magical damage by twenty percent. Increases cast speed by five percent. ¡°A plain wooden wand. Capable of increasing ones magical prowess.¡±
¡°It¡¯s beautiful!¡± ¡°After an emotionally hugging his wand, gently stroking his wand and finally putting his wood away, our hero gently bows before leaving.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve got two crafting profession points to spend now. I can learn two professions. I still have to think this over a bit.¡± ¡°Surprisingly, a few hours have flown by whilst our hero was absorbed in his work. It was quite the sight, watching him slowly and meticulously whittling away.¡± ¡°Damn. No wonder I¡¯m so hungry. We¡¯ll go eat than meet up with Tio.¡±
|Ji Aleksy. Elementalist. Mana fiend: Level Two-hundred-thirty-six|
|Quest log|
|Optional: The reformed city| ¡°The ancient city of Heo has been reformed, but by who and how?¡± Travel to the free city Heo and find out how the city was rebuilt. Location: Portal room. Difficulty: Medium Reward: Tier appropriate item.
|Optional: Back to the grind| ¡°The prophet said to the wanderer ¡®Swim against the water or be swallowed by the tide.¡¯ The wanderer took this advice and escaped drowning.¡± Travel to the appropriate wildlands and cull the malignant fiends scouring the land. Location: Portal room. Difficulty: Medium. Reward: Tier appropriate weapon.
¡°I¡¯m thinking that back to the grind quest will give me a weapon, making the reformed city quest a lot easier. Plus, back to the grind seems straightforward enough.¡± ¡°Even as our awe inspiring lunatic waddles his way toward the center of the city, nearing Tio¡¯s location, multiple people throw him different gazes.¡± ¡°Ye, what¡¯s that about? It¡¯s probably my sweet threads. I¡¯m a trendsetter.¡± ¡°Yes. Rarely do the mentally unstable realize they are on the cliffs edge.¡± ¡°What kind of food should I bring? Should I grab something on the way or just make do with what I have on me? I probably have a few weeks¡¯ worth on me already.¡± ¡°One can¡¯t help but look on in awe. A huge gather of people, men and women of different races. Our hero has arrived at Tio¡¯s place of work.¡± ¡°What the shit is this? I¡¯mma call Tio. I¡¯m not waiting in this line. Hey, Tio?¡± ¡®Hey Ji! You done with your quest?¡¯ ¡°Ye. I¡¯m standing outside the quest hub. A lot of people out here.¡± ¡®Want me to let you inside?¡¯ ¡°Please. I¡¯m not going to lie, the smell out here is pretty bad.¡± ¡®Smell?¡¯ ¡°A lot of hairy creatures in a crowded area.¡± ¡°Many of the people waiting have been here for hours, going so far as to resorting to defecating on the street.¡± ¡°Eww. Disgusting. Animals.¡± ¡®I¡¯ll meet at the other entrance.¡¯ ¡°Thanks, Tio!¡± ¡°After finally getting inside the quest hub, Ji and Tio sat down and enjoyed delicacies. It wasn¡ät until a panicked assistant with a teary eyes came to get Tio that they separated again.¡± ¡°This stuff really was delicious. But wow. A lot of portals seem active now.¡± ¡°The most obvious effects our hero¡¯s appearance has had on this world could be seen in these portals awakening.¡± ¡°This all happened because of me?¡± ¡°However, despite such marvels, it is what has been awoken that causes one to shake and tremble, for what has woken will shatter the minds of men.¡± ¡°Shush. I¡¯ve got enough to worry about. Even if my illness appears to have gotten a bit better, the pain is still there. I mean, it¡¯s only a question of when the pain starts increasing and my body starts deteriorating faster than it regenerates.¡± ¡°As the they say. Fate is in your hands. What you do with it is up to you to decide.¡± Chapter thirty four: Der ankh Nar Kel ¡°I wonder if I can just take whatever portal? Better not. Will there be people on the same or similar quest as mine?¡± ¡°It would be rare for our hero to meet people on his quest as his level is too low and people this low leveled would usually not have access to facilities such as these.¡± ¡°So you¡¯re telling me there''s a chance? Forming a hunting group could be cool.¡± ¡°In the ominous room of portals, our hero starts stretching his body. These are Oh clan¡¯s extreme stretches. The movements are familiar to us, but the two strangers who were previously whispering to each other, have now fallen silent.¡± ¡°Hey! Didn¡¯t see you two in here.¡± ¡®It¡¯s talking to us.¡¯ ¡®Don¡¯t answer it.¡¯ ¡®But it''s looking right at us!¡¯ ¡®Shh! Not so loud! What if it hears us?¡¯ ¡®So what if it hears us?¡¯ ¡°Guys. It¡¯s fine, I¡¯m cool.¡± ¡®Cool? What does it mean!? Is it talking to us!? What is cool!?¡¯ ¡®Be careful brother, it might be trying to lead us astray! Remember what Papa told us!¡¯ ¡®Never trust anyone, ever.¡¯ ¡®Right!¡¯ ¡°Without blinking, our hero continues his bizarre an inhumane movements. A brilliant smile on his face as he observes his two new friends.¡± ¡°So where you two headed?¡± ¡®Here, brother. Use these!¡¯ ¡®How ingenious, brother!¡¯ ¡°After stuffing their ears with a gelatinous substance the two blood-bound creatures continue their conversation through various hand signals, leaving our hero out in the cold.¡± ¡°What in the world is wrong with these two?¡± ¡®They¡¯re Fithers.¡¯ ¡°Finally! What kept you so long?¡± ¡®The thousands of people outside.¡¯ ¡°The outside and inside of the whole facility has been flooded with children and adults of all ages, every soul with a lust for power or a thirst for adventure have landed on Tio¡¯s doorsteps.¡± ¡°Ah. Alright.¡± ¡°The sad expression on the little lady is hard to miss, yet our hero looks oblivious as he finishes up his exercise routine. A thirst of something different has been surging through him.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t look so sad, I shouldn''t be too long, right? It just one quest.¡± ¡®But, going alone.¡¯ ¡°It¡¯s fine. Besides, I still got Narry with me.¡± ¡°True solitude is perhaps the only future our hero can achieve without fighting fates encompassing grasp.¡± ¡®Just promise me to be careful! Remember Uncle Ki¡¯s warning! With each step forward, ready three steps back!¡¯ ¡°I¡¯ll be fine.¡± ¡°Without a doubt our hero has the abilities of a vermin, hard to catch and harder to kill.¡± ¡°That¡¯s a bit too much, right? Also, if I were superstitious, that¡¯d be a giant red flag.¡± ¡°We do not worry, for even in death, our hero will persevere.¡± ¡®Ji.¡¯ ¡°Ah, sorry. So which portal is it?¡± ¡®Where did you want to go?¡¯ ¡°The quest says; Travel to the appropriate wildlands and cull the malignant fiends scouring the land.¡± ¡®Wildlands. I¡¯ll open a portal for you.¡¯ ¡°With reluctance, Tio opens a portal. Our hero¡¯s eyes widen as if he were trying to gleam into the secrets of the laws.¡± ¡°You never know!¡± ¡°As we enter the dimensional gateway, we can again sense the powerful and awe inspiring laws used to create and maintain the portal.¡± ¡°It just feels so right. Like a mysterious blanket hugging me.¡± ¡°Even moments of monumental importance are belittled into such mortal acts. Blankets! Overwhelmed by the mysteries of the multiverse and he describes as hugs and blankets!¡± ¡°Ehrm. Why are you so mad?¡±The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation. ¡°Why couldn¡¯t he wake up during one of the great der ankh Nar Kel wars! To have slept through the great devouring! Yet wake just before the great awakening! The beginning of the grand prosperous Era!¡± ¡°I¡¯m a bit confused. I¡¯m actually trying to enjoy this dimensional travel; can you quiet down a bit?¡± ¡°Woe! Woe! An Era of great balance wasted on this whittling dog tail of a hero! The ambient mana practically subservient, the laws welcoming and the world in a grand state of equilibrium!¡± ¡°Shhh! I¡¯m so close, I can almost touch it. Bah! I almost had it! You ruined it. Definitely would have broken through and discovered spatial laws and stuff.¡± ¡°They told me death was a gift, they told me life could be eternal. I didn¡¯t take it to heart then, and to ponder upon it now is torturous. Gifted with tragedy, blessed for eternity.¡± ¡°I¡¯m so confused. Oh! Look what you did! You wasted the ride! We¡¯re already here. I hope your happy, Narry. I could have learned teleportation! Maybe!¡± ¡°The wildlands. Or more accurately, a wildland. The name may seem significant but merely means abandonment. A land left to its own devices.¡± ¡°Is this still in our world? Last time we went to a different world. That reminds of that old bastard. Still have no idea where he ran off to.¡±
|Optional: Back to the grind| * ¡°The prophet said to the wanderer ¡®Swim against the water or be swallowed by the tide.¡¯ The wanderer took this advice and escaped drowning.¡± Travel to the appropriate wildlands and cull the malignant fiends scouring the land. Capture, kill or purge thirty tier nine undying that are corrupting the area. Optional: Find and report the source of the infestation. Optional: Kill the source of the infestation. Optional: Create a foothold in the hills and set up a waypoint formation. Location: Within the Mer-erk mer-erk wildlands Difficulty: Medium. Reward: Tier appropriate weapon.
¡°Alright. No idea how to create a foothold or a waypoint formation, not even sure what a waypoint is. But from the items in my inventory I can see how I¡¯m supposed to be make a foothold. Like a few tons of lumber. I can¡¯t believe it is expecting me to build a foothold. Ah, it is optional.¡± ¡°The Mer-erk mer-erk wildlands could be considered a rather safe area relative to the average strength of the world. Yet it would be near impossible to reach, unless half the world¡¯s population set out to fight a great war.¡± ¡°The air here is pretty nice. I can feel a really nice flow of ambient mana around. Very refreshing. Okay, let¡¯s get moving then. Maybe I can find a nice location to camp before I start hunting.¡± ¡°Although these lands are not important to our hero, they have the potential to create a magnificent expansion and training ground for generations to come.¡± ¡°Alright, you continue thinking about that. I¡¯m going to go explore a bit. Enormous trees, check. Ridiculously large mountains in the distance, check. Grass and bushes taller than me, check. How am supposed to move in this!¡± ¡°To be such a tiny being has finally caught up with our hero.¡± ¡°Tiny!? Since when was the world so exaggerated?¡± ¡°Our hero turns slackjaw when he sees a flying insect.¡± ¡°Dear lord. Did you see that? I¡¯m not supposed to hunt something like that, right? Almost reminded me of a bumble bee. I¡¯m starting to think I should have brought people with me.¡± ¡°It shouldn¡¯t take our hero long to out level in this place. Even if the world system tries to stay fair and judge people evenly. Our hero has managed to somewhat bolster himself to a point of trivializing creatures of similar level.¡± ¡°Huehuehue. That¡¯s right, this is where my water kung-Fu comes into play.¡± ¡°Although physical techniques do have their place in combat, especially when it comes to being aware of one''s surroundings and reactions. Our hero has excelled in a different field. One may even call it obscene, grotesque or vile.¡± ¡°What? What are you talking about?¡± ¡°Due to his prolonged stay in the Oh-clan household, drowned in ambient water laws. As long as our hero wasn¡¯t recovering from various self-inflicted wounds, he would be training his magic. His body a virtual black-hole, devouring everything it can without end.¡± ¡°Now that you mention it, I was spending most of my time lying down playing with water magic.¡± ¡°Millions of mana enthusiasts would feel their blood boil at the thought of our little ignorant hero¡¯s experiences in this world.¡± ¡°Such a drama queen. That actually reminds me!¡± ¡°As our hero¡¯s eyes shine with blue and white splendor it appears to have hold an awe inspiring sea within them. Water starts gathering into a something of an eight legged water-fiend.¡± ¡°What¡¯s a water-fiend?¡± ¡°The creature conjured by our hero looks awkward but stable. It seems his insight into the laws have inspired him to create something primal. Something familiar to the earliest water sprites.¡± ¡°This will work out nicely.¡± ¡°Sitting on top of the rather tall creature our hero starts traveling without direction, his excitement hidden but eyes flicker with a certain expectations of adventure.¡± ¡°Your eye-reading is always as impressive. What do your eyes spy, Narry? ¡°hmph!¡± ¡°What was that!? That was definitely directed toward me! Feeling a bit more open, Narry? Narry, Narry, Narry. Talk to me, Narry! Why won¡¯t you let me inside your world. Imagine the things we could together!¡± ¡°In his unhibitive bout of insanity, our hero manages to stumble in to an area containing not one but two tier eight undying creatures.¡± ¡°Where? Tier eight? I need tier nine or higher. What level is tier eight again?¡± Eight times thirty is what? Math man. Eight times three is twenty-four. Add the zeros and we got two-hundred and fourty. Eh? That¡¯s higher level than me.¡±
|Ji Aleksy. Elementalist. Mana fiend: Level Two-hundred-thirty-eight|
¡°Just two levels though. No wait. Isn''t tier eight a whole thirty levels? So tier nine is two-hundred-seventy to three-hundred? That¡¯s way higher, I got to be careful. Hmm. Narry, what do you think? This seems strange.¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°What? Feeling shy because you slipped up? It¡¯s too late to go back now!¡± ¡°It would appear our hero has made a breakthrough in mathematics, allowing him to deepen his understandings area¡¯s potential threats. His eyes flicker about and his stance changed the sixth stance of the Oh-clan¡¯s martial arts, ready to react to any potential danger.¡± ¡°What if that freakishly large honey bee went to get more of its friends? The only option would be to burn this entire forest down. This is why cutting down the forest is the only right choice! And people cry about the rainforest.¡± ¡°A small flame starts gathering from our hero¡¯s shoulder to this finger tips.¡± ¡°I¡äm ready to set this whole place up in flame!¡± ¡°His child like flame would only be strong enough to burn dead branches or withered grass.¡± ¡°What?! Damn, plan a has already failed. Plan b it is.¡± ¡°We can only imagine how monumentally stupid this rumored plan b is.¡± ¡°Pah. Plan b is bullet-proof. Alright lil¡¯ water-fiend, you keep your eyes open as well. Ah, I forgot. No eyes. Well, be ready to run, just in case. Should I dig a hole? A good hole is always useful. I know I¡¯ve said this before, but the world truly has changed. What was that? You hear something, Narry? Lil¡¯ water-fiend? Ah, I forgot, no ears. It¡¯s okay just be ready to run, lil¡¯ guy.¡± ¡°The rigged but consistent movements of the conjured water creature continue without a change but we can see it a gentle ripple. This is a primitive communication method. We the more cultured of course understand its message and can¡¯t help but to cheer for it.¡± ¡°Oh? What did the little guy say? You see something over there? Ah! It¡¯s water. Running water. Let¡¯ check it out lil¡¯ water.¡± ¡°As the trek through the spacious forest continues, our hero finds a small river, snaking its way through the wildland¡¯s forest.¡± ¡°Spacious forest is an understatement, and small river? This thing is over twenty meters wide, at least.¡± ¡°The small river originates from a two different springs located in the mountains some distance away. Rich in nutrients, the water is a natural source of energy, appearing to travel through at least two or three areas with high concentrations of mana.¡± ¡°Isn¡¯t it strange we haven''t seen many animals on the way here? It¡¯s only been twenty or thirty minutes though.¡± ¡°The wild creatures are of course more in tuned with their environment and can easily detect a mana spewing monster such as our hero. Such a beacon of mana would be hard to ignore, this of course applies both to the wild beasts and the undying.¡± ¡°Huh? Didn¡¯t know I was so conspicuous. I think I¡¯ll build a small camp around here. I¡¯ve got to make use of the ridiculous amount of materials this quest gave me.¡± ¡°With enough materials to build a village fit for a hundred people, our hero begins his careful inspection of the nearby area, before cutting down a seven-hundred-year-old tree.¡± ¡°I¡¯d build it up in the trees but I have no idea how to do it. Maybe I can find an architect in the city. Hey, Narry. Can I return to the city without abandoning the quest? Is there a time limit? Can I fail a quest? Hey? You there? This tree is going to be some trouble. It just fell onto a different tree.¡± ¡°We who question our path will find ourselves lost.¡± ¡°Should I take up that woodworking profession? Loads of woods around. Hmm.¡± Chapter thirty five: learning less everyday ¡°With a spirit of hundred men, our hero tinkered and toiled only to be trivialized by the tyrannical weather of the troublesome forest.¡± ¡°Go a bit easy on the t¡¯s. And, what the hell was that weather? Unlivable. I need a far better location. Somewhere where there is less wind. And oh dear lord, what was that wind? The last thing I expected to be an issue out here was this weather. Luckily I easily dealt with the rain. Maybe I should take some time to mull over the laws of wind.¡± ¡°A few thousands meters or so away from his intended campsite, our hero peaks out of his hole.¡± ¡°This is a cave.¡± ¡°From his hole, he rose. So immersed in his particular law of water, that the water has begun to unconsciously orbit around him, as if they were rivers and moons.¡± ¡°What? When did this happen? Huh. That¡¯s strange, if I don¡¯t actively make it stop, it just starts up again.¡± ¡°There are many points in one¡¯s pursuit of power, in its many forms, where one starts to lack control of one¡¯s power.¡± ¡°Lately I¡¯ve been trying to fly. Initially, my thoughts were simple. I thought; I can make something heavy as dirt float in the air. Granted I lose control quickly as it moves further away from me. Still don¡¯t understand why, Narry, you¡¯ve been no help in this regard. But it turns out it doesn¡¯t work. I tried to have water lift me up, my most successful attempt was basically using water, soil and wind to launch myself into the air. Now. That was super fun, but I couldn¡¯t maintain altitude.¡± ¡°Our herois lost in these terrifying woods, filled with beasts that attack and feast on anything with moving blood.¡± ¡°Now that you mention it, I did get blown pretty far away. I should go back.¡± ¡°A sensible action, yet in a twist of fate, the wrong decision. Even if our hero¡¯s uncontrolled wave of mana worked as a deterrent to the native animals, it won¡¯t deter the undying. The undying, albeit lesser in intelligence than the common animal, has a thirst, unquenchable thirst.¡± ¡°Undying again. It¡¯s been a while since we saw these undying.¡± ¡°Although our hero¡¯s entanglement with the ravenous undying has been superficial at best, they do pose an element of threat. A threat, a danger our hero seems to be quite oblivious to, if his grinning eyes and derisive expression is to be taken into account.¡± ¡°You think I''ve forgotten my near death experiences? Why do you think I spent all that time, being violently bent by a graying old man? For fun!? I did it to equip myself with the capabilities of fighting against the obvious oddities infesting my world. I did it to excel in this world, and believe you me, I will excel in this world or see to it that my end is quick. Rather than the painful constant it is today. But before we slide into an existential crisis and get me on a suicide watch list, how about you spit out whatever miraculous knowledge you have to offer?¡± ¡°What an unexpected bout of impatient urgency. Even when the words slither their way out of that insidious mouth of his, they seem flat and without concern.¡± ¡°Worth a shot. Who knows what triggers your responses? Anger? Do you follow a flexible script? Or do I simply need to ask the right questions?¡± ¡°The perpetual look of dormant curiosity fades away, replaced with chilling indifference.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t be like that. I care about you, Narry. If you ever want a great big hug, I¡¯m here for you, buddy.¡± ¡°The loneliness that comes with abandonment has overcome our fragile, delicate little hero.Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on. The world a distant echo of its former self, yet the air tastes the same, the earth smells the same and the sky is ever azure.¡± ¡°I¡¯m afraid I¡¯m not sure where you want me to go. You mention a twist of fate and a wrong decision and so on, before you started rambling again. As you do.¡± ¡°As our hero contemplates and incoherently scolds the ether, a shadow of a possible fiend is cast on our hero.¡± ¡°Gaah!¡± ¡°The creature, still concealed in by the shadows and piercing light that shines from above, has flung itself towards our hero. Our hero instinctively reacts as if forewarned! The water floating around our hero quickly forms a film around his body. He bellows a deep roar an executes an attack whilst preparing absorb and evade the incoming attack.¡± ¡°Whirling water!¡± ¡°The spell, even if simple, is both efficient and effective. The idea of the spell and execution can be utilized by a myriad of laws, but in the case of our hero its core is the fluidity of water swirling in a circle, supplemented by wind, adding to the flat spinning disc water.¡± ¡°Huah! Fluid steps, left to fall!¡± ¡°The spell has its merits and demerits, mainly being it depends on the centrifugal force to sharpen its edges, but lacks any weight to cause an impact, if it were to be countered properly. Luckily for our hero, the ambusher was detected before successfully attacking, leaving it vulnerable in the air with no other discourse than to defend against |Whirling water|. This unfortunate position has resulted our poor attacker to be split in two.¡± ¡°Look at it, that¡¯s not a zombie creature is it? Why can¡¯t it be furry? Ugh, the few sporadic hairs growing on its carapace. You said that animals would not seek me out, but avoid me.¡± ¡°After invading the Bark lice territory, our hero has the audacity to slay one scouts of the colony. In a few moments, the scent of the severed lice will notify its kin, provoking the swarm.¡± ¡°Swarm? Swarm, hmm. Swarm? Nothing ever good comes in swarms, right? What direction is the exit to this forest? I¡¯m not staying here to meet a swarm of anything.¡± ¡°A question worthy of thought, are not all directions the exists to a forest? Or are they all entrances? Will a lost man find his way if his steps are true? Often we find ourselves in these circumstances and remember times of confusion and indecisiveness.¡± ¡°What in the ever-loving gods are you talking about? That¡¯s not even deep, that¡¯s just nonsense! Fine. Whatever, I¡¯m going thataway.¡± ¡°Following his most primal instincts, our hero starts heading toward small source of Orter stones. The Orter stone, is a plain stone imbued with mana over a time, including a particular environment, giving birth to a vein of such stone.¡± ¡°Now we¡¯re talking! Orter stone, huh?¡± ¡°The natural mineral can be ground into course or fine dust and ingested in small quantities to strengthen the body. It can be used as a foundation for many formation practices, it can be used as material in miscellaneous items, which of course means it is capable of being engraved.¡± ¡°I¡¯m still not sure how hard it is to get weapons, which is the main reason I have decided on a profession. If I can find a way to get weapons or have someone craft them, I can take up support crafts such as engraving and formations. But I have no way to know how powerful any of these arts are. I wish I could just take them all.¡± ¡°Oblivious to the ways of the world and their strong intent of seeing our hero prevail, he has assumed he will only be able to learn two profession. But reality is far more generous, and could be considered even more so now, than in the past.¡± ¡°Hmm. In that case, shouldn¡¯t I get tailoring, forging, alchemy and engraving? Those seem have a very nice synergy. Alchemy to create better materials, forging and tailoring to craft weapons, armour and clothing. Then finally, I can engrave them, improving them again. In the end, all of them have their merits. Actually forging may be a mistake. I could create weapons, but I seem to excel in all things mana. Of course I can use mana to strengthen myself and take up arms in that fashion as well. But that was always plan b, wasn¡¯t it? What was the plan again?¡± ¡°A nonchalant walk in the forest, filled with dangers. Who else but our hero can afford such luxuries?¡± ¡°I¡¯m running. Galloping. Alright, jogging. I can¡¯t be running full speed out here, it¡¯s all uneven ground. Overgrown bushes and grass, trees aren¡¯t an issue, their just large and hard to not notice. I was hoping this would be far more straight forward, considering it is a quest.¡± ¡°Simple and complex. These things are relative terms. Sadly, complexity seems to be an easily reached goal for our hero. One is left in lamentation of better days.¡± ¡°What? What do you mean? Quests should give me better instructions. Look, I¡¯m just out here in the woods, trying to escape some exotic tree lice. How is that simple?¡± ¡°Wisdom of the almighty ones, let the world freeze over when the insignificant low-realm plebeians guess its intentions.¡± ¡°Well whatever happens, I¡¯ll just fight. The part to make a base here was optional anyway, I wonder if becomes easier of it take up woodworking.¡± ¡°Yes, woodworking. The art of working with wood. Or so the story goes, yet our old bones know better, a more befitting name would of course be sculpting.¡± ¡°Sure sculpting wood. Whatever.¡± ¡°Of the myriad of arts, few hold their true name to date. Forging? How laughable. Yet appropriate when diluted to suit the spark like lifespan of these short-lived beings.¡± ¡°We, the people, have been insulted. It¡¯s nice you aren¡¯t just focusing your mocking on me alone. I guess you can sculpt anything, huh. I mean, no ye. Even diamonds get sculpted right?¡± ¡°The scenery flows by as our hero nears the exit to the forest. Yet despite his speed and the time he spent traveling he has managed to obliviously pass multiple life-forms.¡± ¡°I saw a few, wasn¡¯t going to stop though. Good to know I¡¯m going in the right direction.¡± ¡°Right, wrong. These are relative terms. Up and down. Left or right?¡± ¡°Eh?¡± ¡°Soon we will enter a more open area, safer area. Although no such area currently exists in these regions for the moment. Even when all the sentient beings on this plane are taken into account, none have travelled so far into one of the so called wildzones.¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry, what?¡± ¡°Despite having formed many powerful organizations, the inhabitants of new Earth have only managed to explore a measly thirty-two percent, the ocean not included.¡± ¡°That¡¯s kind of mind-blowing. I mean, we had satellites mapping the entire planet at one point. I know technology got backtracked and all, but it feels a bit exaggerated.¡± ¡°If the humans have any merit, it was their ability to adapt, and yes their brightest mind have developed technology that astonished their kind. But the deciding difference was the existence of untapped ambient mana, a source of energy so vast it eclipsed any other.¡± ¡°Huh. Well, you know. What about radiation? I guess chemical warfare is still a viable thing, but what about something like a nuclear bomb? I understand that guns may not be very effective in this millennia but it surely has its place, right?¡± ¡°Even children laugh in the face of kinetic force, even with its piercing capabilities. For reference to our hero¡¯s perspective, we can look at one of the strongest people of his time and assume he struck our hero. If our hero moved even an inch, it would be an achievement.¡± ¡°Oh look, this should be the end of the forest, right?¡± Chapter thirty-six: Loud-mouth ¡°There is something. Can¡¯t quite see it from here but looks like it has four legs. It appears to be alone.¡± ¡°Like a bird seeing the sky at last, our hero shoots out of the luscious forest into the more open fields.¡± ¡°Still a lot of large bushes and tall grasses. Way better visibility than in the forest, so I¡¯ll take it.¡± ¡°In the distance, a few beasts can be found and many more hidden behind a flora or deceptive mounds. These are the grounds upon which our hero will temper. Water to ice, sparks to flames, iron to steel, this is where our hero¡¯s blood will bleed.¡± ¡°Really setting the mood. The atmospheric music is a nice touch. I¡¯m going to head towards that thing over there.¡± ¡°In our hero¡¯s hand, a spell begins to form, slow and meticulous. Dirt gathers, turned to stone. The size of a finger. After follows a sphere of water, it starts spinning, expanding on one side, forming a disc. The subtlest of additions comes last in the form of wind, which further increase the speed of the spinning water, stretching it further, giving us a better view of the stone pebbles, acting as the spell¡¯s core.¡± ¡°It¡¯s beautiful, right? It came to be in a dream. A horrible nightmare involving a lot of sawblades.¡± ¡°Slightly trembling, our hero continues moving at his fastest speed. Readying his attack. The beast-prey raises its head, most likely alerted by our hero¡¯s wanton use of mana. As he gets closer, our hero sees how truly large this creature is.¡± ¡°Almost close enough.¡± ¡°The beast looks to be clad in both fur and scales, giving it an awkward appearance.¡± ¡°Awkward? The word is ugly.¡± ¡°After the beast notices our hero¡¯s intentions, it roars with all its power, lightly lifts its two front legs before slamming them down. The area quakes and would likely cause lesser experienced people to fall to their knees.¡±This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon. ¡°This is why preparing was so important¡± ¡°Of the ludicrous number of spells and abilities our hero conjured from his questionably active imagination, one was named|Water-treading|. A rather convenient ability when treading on unsteady ground, and synergizes with the martial arts techniques; fluid steps¡± ¡°Still too far away, my effective range is still pretty awful.¡± ¡°Strange watery tentacles sprout from beneath our hero¡¯s feet when they are a centimeter or three from the ground. Like a launch pad they cause every step to lose firmness that comes with solid ground but effectively increase his speed and stability. This ability just barely works due to his rather lightweight body.¡± ¡°Alright beastie! Try this bad boy out, Whirling water!¡± ¡°With all the power of a small boy, our hero attempts to throw his spell, the obvious movements would be easy to dodge. It is fortunate for our hero, that the beasts has taken it upon itself to challenge the attack.¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°Raising its two stumpy front-legs, perhaps by wit or blind luck, its armored paws are efficient at defending from sharp attacks such as blades or this case, our hero¡¯s spell.¡± ¡°What!? That¡¯s cheating!¡± ¡°Erring on the side of caution, our hero has already begun gathering ambient mana and position himself at an optimal position. The beast swipes with vigor at the incoming|Whirling water|. The force knocking it upright, revealing its awe inspiring height, casting a shadow five meters long.¡± ¡°It¡¯s hurt! It¡¯s bleeding!¡± ¡°A strange hiss erupts from the beast as it looks to its cut open right paw. The trusty scales ripped open by a combination of the spell¡¯s shape and immense centrifugal force.¡± ¡°I can probably throw ten or so of these before I get too tired. Maybe less since I¡äve been keeping up Water-treading.¡± ¡°Whilst attempting to circle around the beast our hero hurls another spell, leaving his prey with no other choice but to defend.¡± ¡°A few more should take it down.¡± ¡°Due to his lack of experience our hero projects a certain unlikeable arrogance paired up with a mocking smile.¡± ¡°Easy kill!¡± ¡°As the word leave his mouth, another roar is bellowed out. A brown-yellow light emitted and the air slightly disrupts. The previously cast|Whirling water|has been reduced dramatically, making it easily blocked.¡± ¡°What was that? It has abilities?¡± ¡°With wild ferocity, the beast glares at our skimpy hero prancing around it. It goes through the motions, appearing to be inhaling a monstrous amount of air, so deep and fast it feels like a strong gust had come through.¡± ¡°This can¡¯t be good.¡± ¡°Without hesitation, our hero throws his third|Whirling water|and takes a decisive leap backwards, distancing himself even further.¡± ¡°Alright ugly, let¡¯s see what you go.¡± ¡°The bloated creature looks on with furious anger before letting out yet another roar, a roar so primal it stirs even the most stables of minds. The brown-yellow air gushes towards our hero, rendering his spell inane.¡± ¡°Ehh¡­¡± ¡°Unable to even retort with his usual questionable wit, he launched himself like an arrow, assisted by water, wind and even the earth. Almost an ability by itself.¡± ¡°Holy what. What in the what was that.¡± ¡°The terrain ripped up in a cone, expanding as it stretched further from its origin. Despite this display of power, the beast lumps over, working hard to stand on its trembling legs.¡± ¡°You little shit! That could have killed me! My god, man.¡± ¡°With a cold-blooded grin, our hero conjures the fourth and last|Whirling water|and beheads the defenseless creature. Copious amount of blood gushes out, painting the ground red.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not going to lie, I wasn¡¯t expecting them to have spells or abilities, almost caught me off-guard.¡± ¡°Our hero lightly taps the body of the beast, having it vanish into his inventory. Presumably for later use.¡± ¡°Maybe we use the fur or something? I can probably cook the meat, bit too ugly to eat though. Right?¡± Chapter thirty seven: The wild, wild, wildlands. ¡°After a moment of deliberation, our hero looks down to the large head of the slain beast.¡± ¡°It¡¯s dematerializing? Took a bit longer than before, right?¡±
Your level has increased to two-hundred-forty-seven! You have met the experience cap. You gain no further experience for this enemy. You have started a hidden mission: Skin three Reedraebs. You can distribute ninety attribute points as you like. * |Ji Aleksy. Elementalist. Mana fiend: Level Two-hundred-forty-seven|
¡°Nine levels for one of these. And I got one of these kill quests. There is even an item.¡±
Reclusive Reedraeb teeth. Used in various crafting professions.
¡°The teeth could be crafted into arrowheads, daggers or miscellaneous jewelry. It could be embedded into forged artifacts or altered by alchemy. The possibilities are often limited only by the crafter.¡± ¡°It is useful for all the professions? What about formations? Ah. I guess you could? Never mind, let¡¯s continue. I got to find a decent place to set up a camp before I go hunting. Any place is probably fine, but having something naturally defensive would be nice.¡± ¡°After the previous battle, most creatures have taken to cautiously hide themselves. Yet none flee, protective of their territory.¡± ¡°Noted. I¡¯ll stay on guard. Should I head further into the field or walk around the forest region? I¡¯m going to travel alongside the forest¡¯s outskirts, I feel it may be dangerous to travel further out.¡± ¡°The thing about our hero¡¯s use of mana. Although he leaves one wanting, on average he might be considered, just okay. The problem lies in his age and level. His current destructive potential is too low.¡± ¡°I feel it is just fine. What?¡± ¡°Even with his somewhat useful spell, he falls short. Bolstering the kinetic force of the spell, using it more like a physical weapon than tyrannical power. Clever tricks are just that, tricks. What our hero did was not efficiently make use of what power he had but to alter it.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not following. How was it not efficient? I used centrifugal force to make it spin and continue spinning. Didn¡¯t that increase the power? Felt powerful.¡± ¡°A venerable sage, a person well versed in mana and all its intricacies could unleash the true potential of a spell. No matter how simple it was. A simple concentrated ball of mana could be devastating. But in the hands of a novice, it is but a child¡¯s trickery.¡± ¡°I killed that monstrous beast with your so-called trickery. That should be pretty good already, no?¡± ¡°While the constructs of spells can become impossibly complex, not all are for the better of the spell. Many a soul has torn itself a sunder, contemplating complex spell structures. Only to find them wanting. Unable to wield a mountain, while the stone strikes you down.¡± ¡°Unable to wield a mountain. Hmm. The stone strikes you down? I¡¯m not a philosophizer but I¡¯m certain there is a deeper meaning to your words. Hmm. Or what? I¡äm getting pretty strong, how heavy are mountains?¡± ¡°The lower plan Erudth breeds only vapid minds.¡± ¡°Can you imagine though? How would I even grab a mountain? It makes no sense. Haha. I can see it now, just grabbing the ground and trying to lift the planet. I don¡¯t think so friend. Maybe a large-ish rock? We could name it mountain. Hoh! Did I solve the riddle? We just name something mountain and use it as a weapon. Easy! Give me another one!¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°No? nothing? No need to feel bitter just because I solved your little quiz. Did it get brighter? The air feels fresher. Good day for an exploration! Hard to tell, but is this forest just a giant circle? Oh wow. I¡¯m so stupid, I can just check the map. Can¡¯t see if it¡¯s a complete circle but currently I can see a slight curve. Only about one hundredth something of the area discovered so far.¡± ¡°Almost as if by design. From a bird¡¯s eye view one can see indents and a slight change in the terrain. And once one crosses one of these indents, the levels of creatures gradually increase. Not only do their levels increase, their instincts and strength quickly follow.¡± ¡°The forest I traveled through is considered the same difficulty then? If I squint, I can see fine lines on the map. How to do I describe this? Curved lines but not perfectly spherical. I¡¯ll have to explore the entire circle to confirm that though. Forget it. Better get higher, see if I can spot something interesting. The trees out in the field are a different species, almost like umbrellas. Doesn¡¯t feel windy but the tall grass looks like a moving river. Almost off putting. I could go climb one of the trees in the forest. But this seems high enough.¡± ¡°The mindless and often questionable actions of our hero have stopped being surprising and have become expected. Perhaps instead of watching him wander around these dangerous areas with no aim, we shall indulge ourselves. What do you say?¡± ¡°No! Pay attention, what if something ambushes me!¡± ¡°The laws, the nature of mana. Now this may seem shallow to many of you but due to the delicate situation I am in. Well, I''m sure you all understand. As I was saying, laws. Most laws are but the branches of the tree we call the universe. Some branches are thicker and longer. But in the end, all are not essential to our existence. I¡¯m sure you can all agree.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not sure if I can agree.¡±The author''s content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. ¡°To put this into perspective, laws are like technological advances. Although useful, they are not needed even if life changing. And like any technology, there are those who understand how they work, but most merely interact or use them. Take our hero for example. He gleaned into some truth to certain laws, enabling him some use of them. This is a person learning the controls of some new foreign device.¡± ¡°Controls, hmm.¡± ¡°Let¡¯s say he starts to go further down this path. Let¡¯s say he learns the ins and out as they say. Then he may have the chance of bending the laws. But like any device, there are limits of what you can make them do. You might be able to enhance a feature or diminish one.¡± ¡°I feel I should be writing this down. Should I?¡± ¡°Sitting on a branch of this gorgeous Umbellar tree, our hero begins jotting down notes. Occasionally stopping, mindlessly staring at the paper in his hand.¡± ¡°It almost makes sense. But I think it could use some polishing.¡± ¡°Mumbling to himself, Ji continues to write with a surprisingly steady hand. Going so far as to draw small images. Before we dwell on the delicate psyche of our hero, let¡¯s regain our thoughts. Given our status, it is easy to see the manifestation of laws entwining all around us. And even some of us may be able to completely unbind them. Some of you may have done so. Who knows what rule you broke to land yourself here with me.¡± ¡°There are rules?¡± ¡°Learning the controls, so to speak is merely the beginning. Later on, one may able to fully utilize one¡¯s options. To further increase one¡¯s mastery of a specific law. Many laws work in a familiar fashion. These laws are often called symbiotic laws and to master one, makes related laws infinitely easier to manipulate.¡± ¡°You can keep going but I need to rest for a bit. I¡¯m not sure when but my vision turned a bit foggy and my eyes feel a bit strained. I¡¯m planning on going that way. Looks like a large rock formation and a river nearby. Should be a decent place to create a base.¡± ¡°Finally closing his eyes, his back against the bark of the Umbellar tree. Once he finds a place to construct his campsite, he will find that he has once again forgotten that the world will provide him with a safe haven.¡± ¡°Finally resting. The glimmering flora ensures that night hampers only the near-sighted. The young master¡¯s actions verge on recklessness and bravery. Even the most scheming of humans cannot possibly keep up such an act. Or so we have to assume. You all, my most venerable and esteemed friends. You all have spoken your truth and held back none. This is appreciated. But remember this; Freedom is taken, not given. You whisper your predictions and wager amongst yourselves, while I toil here. Remember the rules my brothers in misery.¡± ¡°Mraa.¡± ¡°With a lazy yawn and teary eyes our hero lifts his weary head.¡± ¡°What an incredible resting place. Never slept better.¡± ¡°The umbellar tree known by all beasts as the tree of death. Yet our hero choses this as his place of rest.¡± ¡°Ye, good tree.¡± ¡°In a daze our hero squints his eyes and proceeds to press his hands against his face gently.¡± ¡°I¡äm not sure what is up with that sleep. But wow, I feel incredible. I wouldn¡¯t mind staying here a bit longer.¡± ¡°Even after being lulled into a false sense of security by the Umbellar tree¡¯s spell, our hero has shaken the effects. As if my fate, our hero has a strong defensive mechanism within his body. A mechanism in constant war. This has allowed our hero to persevere through a treatment that would fell ten men of similar stature.¡± ¡°Hm? What? Its wayyy- too early for you going full narration mode. I¡äm going to head towards that rock formation, maybe get something eat. I really want a base of operations. According to the quest items, I should be able to create an active portal back and forth.¡± ¡°Moving at a leisurely pace, the young adventurer, Ji Aleksy has begun his trek towards what is a place of unprecedented danger.¡± ¡°Sorry, what?¡± ¡°Without precaution and a will to challenge the world, our hero will surely fall.¡± ¡°What¡¯s over there? More of those weird fur-scaley reabreeds? Or what? Something new? If it¡¯s a swarm of things you have to tell now. You know I can¡¯t deal with swarm of things. Is it golems? Stone creatures? Wait don¡ät tell me. A mountain? Is this why you were talking about mountains earlier? No, no-way. How would mountains even move? Don¡¯t be stupid, Ji. You¡¯re better than this.¡± ¡°With an expression that would shame even the most deluded of minds, our hero ponders the infinite possibilities he may encounter. Stopping only occasionally to make sure nothing is praying on him.¡± ¡°Alright! I give up, what¡¯s over there? On the scale of zombie to uncle Oh. Actually, Tio is scarier. No wait, her mom is way up there. No, nevermind that. There is no-way something the level of Tio-oh¡¯s mom would appear out here. Right?¡± ¡°Harmless insects flutter about, in the distance we can hear the sound of critters crying out to their kin. The more adept will be able to hear the beasts challenge their neighbor. Far in the sky one can see the shapes of flying creatures in search of their prey.¡± ¡°I can¡¯t see anything. Where are flying creatures? Sometimes I wonder if you are making all this stuff up. Oh, over there? Wow, pretty far away. Tiny dots. You can see that far? Pretty impressive.¡± ¡°Only a few minutes until little Ji reaches his destination. The rocks shoot up from the ground like blades, the foolish might even consider these a mountain.¡± ¡°This place looks a lot less hospitable this close. Not evil, but. Intimidating? Ye like its telling me to go away.¡± ¡°Scurrying around the perimeter of the valley of Razorstone, our hero tries to survey the area.¡± ¡°It has a name? Since when? Hey! Are you naming things? I discovered this place, it¡¯s up to me to name it! Unbelievable. The nerve of some people. I can¡¯t really see anything living from here. Got to get closer.¡± ¡°As our hero slowly makes his way into the valley, the towering stones give of an aura of power. We, the more adept can of course see the laws in place. Their will almost sentient, given a few centuries and creatures of average intelligence may spawn here.¡± ¡°Really? Cool.¡± ¡°Every step our hero takes is taken with great caution. His stance indicates he is ready to retreat at a moment¡¯s notice.¡± ¡°What is that? You see something move? Felt like I saw something move in my peripheral vision.¡± ¡°The sound of scraping rock can be heard briefly and our hero snaps his eyes towards the innocent razor stones. With a curious gaze, he squints his eyes. In his hands a small stone starts taking form.¡± ¡°I swear I saw something move. Maybe it¡¯s shy, going to try and lure it out.¡± ¡°With all the grace of a three legged beast, our hero nimbly throws a finger sized stone in the direction of a unsuspecting razor stone. The stone reaches its destination, a dull thud can be heard, almost like a rock hitting soft grass. ¡°That¡¯s weird.¡± ¡°Our hero stares at the location he just threw his small rock.¡± ¡°Is it moving? It looks like its moving.¡± ¡°The inconspicuous rock starts to shake lightly. The movement gives away the shape of a rather round stone, blending into the background. A moment passes before we hear the sound of stone breaking. A hand reaches out and delicately scratches the area that had been previously hit.¡± ¡°Did I make it itch?¡± ¡®Garehh.¡ä ¡°In a very lazy manner, the creature calls out. Even if this primitive sound is used as a form of communication, it is mostly likely just instinctive response to an attack.¡± ¡°Garh? Garhhhh.¡± ¡®Garehhhh!¡¯ ¡°The creature bellows out again, the sound to echo back and forth into the depths of Razorstone valley.¡± ¡°The hell is going on. Should I attack it?¡± ¡°The creature is most certainly a type of passive beast. Often used to mine or for their incredible strength. Sadly, they pose no threat to our hero.¡± ¡°What¡¯s sad about that? That¡¯s good, right? Their like cattle.¡± ¡°Like a jovial teenager our hero begins his preparation. From the void of his inventory, pieces of building materials appear. Quickly the base of a rather large building takes form.¡± ¡°Feels good. Something satisfying about building. Still have to make a decent wall. Then I should be able to claim this area as base. I hope. It did say something about not being close to any hostile creatures. Hope the stone guys aren¡¯t considered hostile.¡± ¡°After being filled with knowledge about building houses and basic defenses, our hero has quickly and without rest, built a small encampment. Even if the materials seem lackluster, they are specialized to keep curious creatures at bay.¡± ¡°Pretty cool. Let¡¯s see.¡±
|Deowood| The Deowood contains certain elements that give creatures that act on instinct a sense of danger. This is a residual effect of the natural illusion the tree creates. Use: Materials in various crafting professions. Restricted to building a safe-zone in the Mer-erk mer-erk wildlands.
¡°Deowood, Umbellar wood. In the end most trees rely on influencing the senses to survive. This is also why the most illustrious mesmerizers and illusionists are descendants of the bark. Even some of the most successful alchemists are believed to be sentient tree beings.¡± ¡°That feels like cheating. What do you humans have? Do humans excel at anything?¡± ¡°It is said that the first sentient race of trees lived in their own separate fantasy that their treearch created. They live there in their prison of wonder, unable to break the illusion.¡± ¡°Eh?¡± ¡°Living in a true utopia. With their affinity for illusions they adept must know they are trapped. Their prison is also their protection. Few could be considered stable enough to enter the Treediom and return.¡± ¡°What is going on? Why are you talking about a tree kingdom? What the hell is going on? Okay. I¡¯m going to try and set up the camp¡±
Are you sure you want to use |Ankerstone|?
¡°Yes!¡±
Analyzing area. Area clear. Creating portal formation. Creating portal shield. Enhancing safe zone perimeter. Rebuilding perimeter. Creating source of water. Creating buildings. Safe-zone complete
Would you like to name the safe-zone?
¡°Yes!¡±
Ready to receive input.
¡°Sharpstone camp!¡±
Safe-zone Sharpstone camp added to the portal compendium.
¡°Awesome!¡± ¡°Sharpstone¡­¡± ¡°What?! Pft. Razorstone. Wasn¡¯t about let that slide.¡± ¡°After the system took over, enormous changes can be seen. Multiple buildings have risen. A small creak and numerous wells have sprouted from the ground. Massive caves have formed to expand the living area.¡± ¡°You see the walls? It even moved the walls.¡± ¡°Majestic fields have been encircled by the practical Deowood, ensuring this safe-zone to be completely self-sustaining. It has been far too long since I last saw the world use its power in such a grandiose way.¡± ¡°It¡¯s looking really good. The portal is even active. Should we try it? Maybe Tio isn''t as busy anymore. I also want a create a party. There are bound to be people around my level wanting to level up in here.¡± Chapter thirty eight: Low hanging fruit ¡°After stretching his body in ways that causes one¡¯s hairs to rise. Our hero sits in quiet contemplation. His tiny mind spinning fast yet lacking true direction.¡± ¡°I¡¯m thinking where to look for people to join me. What would consider you me as? A mage? Sorcerer? Some kind of elemental melee warrior? Should I get someone to sacri- to draw attention from our enemies? I haven¡¯t seen someone heal in the sense that it allows you continue fighting despite heavy wounds. But from what I¡¯ve been told. Most people my level would be far younger than me. I guess I should first try and find a way to quickly level on my own.¡± ¡°While levels hold an importance, as it bolsters one¡¯s energy reservoir and constitution. But that alone cannot give one the power to overwhelm a foe. The prerequisite of control. Of knowledge, is often important, if not more important than large quantities of energy.¡± ¡°Uh. Well. Even if you say that. How am I supposed to train my control or study up, to gain more knowledge? ¡°A famous trail of thought concerning magic. Is that of the world tree analogy. A tree with deep roots that continuously dig deeper. The tree reaches out, then continues to reach into the sky indefinitely. Its branches sprout in all possible directions, sometimes and often intersecting.¡± ¡°What?¡± ¡°Once you keep this idea in mind, you relate it to the study of magic. You start at the base of tree. Before climbing the tree, you must explore its roots. Build your foundation. Lest you quickly fall.¡± ¡°Study the roots? Can you be more direct?¡± ¡°And to build your foundation. Means to stall idealistic progress, while practicing the most basic, the simplest of magic. Such as control. Such as conjuration. Such as drawing upon ambient energy, both making it your own and using it in its raw form.¡± ¡°Hmm. I understand how to gather energy, using it to replenish mine. Using it raw is a bit harder. But what is considered as simple magic? My first spell was just throwing a conjured ball of energy, right? And conjuring, conjuring was just drawing or using energy to alter into different energy, like fire, wind, earth and water. Right? It had a lot do with changing the frequency of the energy. Why did I even stop thinking about these things?¡± ¡°Mumbling. Occasionally conjuring one of the elements. Sometimes even trying to convert them into different forms. Which of course leads not to conversion, but alterations. We hear the sound of low powered spells dissipating on the durable razor stones.¡± ¡°Oh! what the. What is this?¡± ¡°After an hour of mindless experimenting, it appears our hero has stumbled onto yet another facet of energy conversion. To be more specific. A sort of radiation, a burning of sorts. A darkish flame. Often called the dark element, the corruption or evil magic.¡± ¡°Evil magic?¡± ¡°The expression of worry, almost laughable. As nothing in this world is evil at its core, nothing inherently so. However, a common trait among people that wield such magic is that of people that have fallen on hard times. Often losing their empathic tendencies in the process.¡± ¡°What effect does this have then? like the flame, it doesn¡¯t even feel hot or anything. I can just sense it pouring out of me, in a way.¡± ¡°All things are learned with time. And all things should be pondered upon. Even the simplest of minds would discover the secrets of the universe. Given the time to do so.¡± ¡°Got to remember what I did to call it forth.¡± ¡°With closed eyes our hero shivers. Abruptly, great quantity of black gas is emitted. The ambient mana is cast into disarray as it manically gathers into our hero. Perhaps his undying physique is acting as a catalyst. A truly peculiar phenomenon.¡± ¡±Pah!¡± If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it. ¡°Our hero has spat out red and black liquid. As soon it touches the ground, it starts eating through the soil. Perhaps this is due to conflicting energies attempting to coalesce. Or a more likely option is through a few coincidental actions, our hero has interacted with his undying physique. Causing his body to both defend and fight itself.¡± ¡°Make it stop!¡± ¡°Within our hero¡¯s primal screaming, we can hear a call for help. Sadly, this is a battle he must fight himself. Even if he manages to stabilize, it may not bring him any benefit. But one thing is clear. Whatever he did to further his understanding of the dark element, pushed him over an edge of sorts.¡± ¡°That was insane. I feel smaller. What was that? It felt like a pulsing wave originating from my heart. It slowly calmed down, the pain didn¡¯t really lessen as much as I got accustomed to it.¡± ¡°Paler than ever before. Almost as if trying to distance himself from the living, our hero¡¯s fair skin has transcended up in a way.¡± ¡°Huh? Oh. What the hell is this? It¡¯s like marble.¡± ¡°Stranger still. A large dark mark has emerged from his back. It appears to have formed into two cracked and withered teeth. Blackened with white streaks acting as if they were reflecting moonlight.¡± ¡°What?! Where? I can¡¯t see. Mirror. I need a mirror. I can¡¯t believe I got tattooed!¡± ¡°This phenomenon is both a sign of progress towards his body adjusting, finding an equilibrium. And that the timeframe which our hero has to fully adjust has lessened dramatically. Without sufficient control over his body, mind, magic, spirit and other varying factors. Our hero is doomed to failure.¡± ¡°It¡¯s always the same thing. You keep talking about control. How do I increase my control?¡± ¡°A novice forger slams his hammer with inaccurate, inefficient swings. The adept still swings with inaccuracy and without efficiency. A master of the forge, has yet to see his hammer strike true. It is not until a grandmaster is reviewed that we see the rare moments of perfection.¡± ¡°Wait. Wait. I¡¯m going to write this down.¡± ¡°Alright. So. Novice. Hammer. Uhm, efficient. Adept, master¡­¡± ¡°With odd proficiency, our hero has written a mantra to guide him. Even as he lays down his scribing tools he sits in thought. Hopeful and with the naive mind of a child. We hope his thoughts reach the depths required to survive the calamities ahead.¡± ¡°Alright. So, my base stats increase if I train. It is incredibly slow. I mean my dexterity barely increased after all that hellish training with the Oh clan. So. Hmm. I should probably be able to conjure and manipulate small amounts of energy. Convert it to whatever element of my choosing with ease. I should be able to do this near indefinitely. I could probably multi task while doing this. Maybe carve pieces of wood while using my mind to feel the flow of ambient mana in the surroundings.¡± ¡°Standing up. Still drenched in sweat. Filth covered and presumably near starvation. Our hero spots a tree in the distance with the eyes of a predator.¡± ¡°That one will do.¡± ¡°The trees within the camp¡¯s perimeter have been given mercy. Our hero has started running towards a sizeable tree. In his hands appear delicacies, they vanish quickly down his gullet.¡± ¡°Even if I haven¡¯t picked a crafting profession. Doesn¡¯t mean I can¡¯t actually gain skill in them. I¡¯m only losing the advantage the world would give me. Either way. May as well try it. I need to use some mana while carving anyway.¡± ¡°Quickly our hero snaps of a branch and sits beneath the tree. His hands move awkwardly but slowly start carving into the still wet wood. Not ideal conditions for whittling. Even still, he sees progress. Notifications from the world report small increments of skill increase.¡±
|Carving increased by one|
¡°That¡¯s what? Six? I get one every time I finish an item. Although, this wand doesn¡¯t seem like much.¡± ¡°Our hero¡¯s underlying mental issues seem to have crawled to the surface. His newest creation looking rather phallic.¡± ¡°It¡¯s a stick with a sphere on the end. You are just being difficult. It¡¯s a wand. Alright. Let¡¯s try this again. This time with one ball of mana. See if I can fly it without using my hands.¡± ¡°Previous efforts of carving would seem professional in comparison to this disastrous attempt. But even still. It is not in vain. The concentration seems to have taken quite the toll. Our hero¡¯s eyes even seem somewhat absent-minded and crossed. As if bored and in conflict of where to look.¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°After finalizing yet another phallic wooden stick. Our hero erratic breathing and unnerving movements ease up. His goal achieved. The time taken to finish the craft, almost doubled. Yet it is commendable. To have achieved such multi-tasking with such low intelligence and poor will of mind¡± ¡°I¡¯ll take that compliment and dismiss that below the belt slander. But wow. That was harder than expected. Not impossible though. I¡¯m going to hold off on converting the energy. I¡¯ll just focus on moving a few energy balls around and carving. This is surprisingly a nice way to kill time.¡± ¡°The intensity of our heroes training can¡¯t be faked. His mind has to be consumed. Every movement premeditated. Yet his awareness at an all-time low. Orbs of raw energy are slowly multiplying and flying in a predictable pattern. He still has ways to go. If he intends to take control of his fate.¡± ¡°Huah! That¡¯s the best one, right? Looks, not bad. It was supposed to be a bird¡¯s beak. Ended up looking like a fruit with eyes though. Still! Looks aside, it has the best stats. I wonder what is different from before? I didn¡¯t see any difference in material. It¡¯s harder to detect any difference in technique. Maybe it¡¯s the shape?¡± ¡°Through extraordinary coincidence. Whether it was his sub-consciousness or not, he has managed to half-ass a runic symbol into the stick. His experiments with mana may have caused a natural reaction. Perhaps his subconscious mind give free reign. A decent stick.¡± ¡°Wand! It¡¯s a wand. Yes, okay. Still a stick, but it¡¯s called a wand. Look!¡± ¡°The elongated fruit-esque object. An eerie similarity with a pre-revitalization fruit, called the banana. Even the most accepting will only need a glance to see the projected insanity. Our hero waving the phallic stick in the air. Screaming at his inner-fiends.¡± ¡°Hm. It does look like a banana. That wasn¡¯t the point though. Look at the stats! Wait! I¡¯ll name it first!¡±
|Ji¡¯s banana| Adds additional thirty-nine to magical damage. Adds additional twenty-three to ambient mana gathering. Increases magical damage by forty percent. Increases cast speed by nine percent. ¡°A flexible wood. Although amateur work, possess unique artistic value. The wand has been crafted with a rune. Causing an imbalance. Wand¡¯s expected durability has been drastically lowered¡±
¡°As always, the world. The system shows its benevolence and indifference. Omitting a description of this malformed wooden banana wand.¡± ¡°I think it looks alright. A bit straight for a banana, maybe. Not exactly yellow. A tad too slim. But that aside. I wasn¡¯t trying to make a banana anyway. What¡¯s the big deal?¡± ¡°Our hero treads into treacherous waters. Perhaps seeking to enrage the world or disgust it. We despair, not only for our hero, but the entirety of the world.¡± ¡°I¡¯m moving on. I can definitely feel a substantial improvement. I¡¯m having an incredibly hard to getting more orbs floating. Seven is my current limit. Maybe I can get to eight or nine in a day or two? I¡¯ll have something to eat and continue training. After that we got to find a place to hunt. I¡¯m starting to feel a bit awkward being this low leveled.¡± ¡°Beastial. A passing thought that can¡¯t help but assault one¡¯s mind. Caused by the manner of our hero. His movements flail madly as he devours questionable amount of food.¡± ¡°Time is money!¡± ¡°Manners of an adolescent child. Fragments of half chewed meat and bread splutter about freely. Near matching the etiquette of an orloth.¡± Chapter thirty nine: Cheating death ¡°Time. A subject of obsession for most. We, the adept, may discard it. But we recognize its purpose. Yet our hero seems to have relinquished any worry and abandoned it.¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°Days have passed without a word uttered. An odd spectacle. Only occasionally eating, relieving himself and collecting more branches. Never stopping the ever changing cycle of orbs. Their pathing appearing random and their substance slowly being altered.¡± ¡°...¡± ¡°It is hard to argue against such methods. The progress, terrifying. For a human. While in many worlds, such stringent ways of training are commonplace. However, in our hero¡¯s world, such disciplines are severely lacking. This can only be considered adequate.¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°This has a lot to do with previous calamities, internal conflict and an overabundance of ambient energy. This has allowed for relatively easy progress, in terms of personal cultivation. At least when speaking of lowborn such as these people. Our hero included.¡± ¡°I can still hear you, you know? Lowborn? Excuse you. I am almost royalty. I was technically some sort of noble. Also. You are incredibly distracting. But you gave me an idea. I¡¯m going to gather as much energy as I can. Both my internal mana and ambient mana. And force a ninth orb.¡± ¡°The twisted mind of humanoids. Desperate, so hungry for power that they risk all for a near negligible amount of strength. A trait, both beneficial and detrimental.¡± ¡°This is beginning to be a bit harder than I expected. I can still feel my control over the ambient mana. The energy feels like flowing water or wind. But it¡¯s almost as if it¡¯ll just take a bit more and I¡¯ll start to lose control. I¡¯m not actually sure how to explain it. It¡¯s almost like a pressure of some sort. But! It¡¯s not like a strong wind or being underwater. Gah! How do I get this into words? Okay. Imagine holding a giant water balloon. But also, you are a giant water balloon.¡± ¡°Extraordinary stupidity takes form. Such boundless potential, squandered by the simplest of minds. Even a heaven shaking groan cannot express one¡¯s frustration. The nearby earth shakes, our hero oblivious to the catastrophe close to descending.¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°Our hero appears to have devoted all his attention to his blunder of an experiment. If it wasn¡¯t for his mana saturated body, there is not a doubt one¡¯s mind that his body would have collapsed by now.¡± ¡°...¡± ¡°To the more adept, the gathering of energy surrounding our hero is clear as day. The more astute can differentiate between the ambient and internal. Even the simplest of us, can predict the outcome, in the event that our hero fails. Even if the world build that sanctuary, one doubts it¡¯ll go unscathed if our hero¡¯s attempt, fails.¡± ¡°...¡± ¡°The nearby wildlife has already scattered, their primal instincts warning them of the awesome power congregating. The earth and air trembles and has even begun pulsing in an odd display of synchronization. Our hero¡¯s bodily functions projected into the internal and ambient mana.¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°With every heartbeat, the surrounding quakes. Every exhalation, an illusion of the world expanding, appearing distorted. Only to rebalance with his inhalation.¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°Eight orbs, larger than usual have taken shape. They have now taken to a pattern, familiar to all. While called by many names, most often goes by the term, flower of life. This seems to be a subconscious action on our hero¡¯s part.¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°Even if such a pattern has no benefit to this specific circumstance, it is surprising. The orbs have begun slowing down, the more observant of us, will see the orbs making room for the ninth addition. This again, seems subconscious. Either that, or we have underestimated our hero¡¯s capabilities.¡± ¡°...¡± ¡°As the ninth orb is begins to take shape, the surrounding area falls prey to further illusive distortions. Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road. The collected energy starts losing its flow, it gives of a near inaudible sound. This is the energy trembling, a sign of instability. We are but moments from certain destruction.¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°Even our hero has close to no chance to survive such a chaotic explosion, perhaps if it was only kinetic force he may be able to scrape by, but this will eviscerate his entire being. And yet, there he still sits, serene as still water.¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°As the ninth orb goes from illusive to tangible. One can¡¯t help but to draw a deep breath. Our hero broken through a border. Years ahead of his predicted abilities. This has little to no effect on his bodies biological bomb. It may allow him to reach places that will.¡± ¡°Oh god. Hello?¡± ¡°The orbs continue to flow in an orderly pattern. Giving one the sense of balance. Our hero reaches for his ears and yells out in frustration.¡± ¡°Hello!? Narry? What is that damn sound? Hello? At least I succeeded. And wow, I can feel my control over my mana. Almost feels like it¡¯s a part of my body.¡± ¡°To reach these levels of control. A typical humanoid would require years, perhaps decades of arduous practice. That however only applies to the average humanoid. There are still hundreds of gifted and nurtured individuals, capable of exactly this.¡± ¡°Narry? I heard something! Was that you? Hmm. The buzzing is going away. I can hear myself speak as well. A bit muddled but I¡¯ll probably be fine.¡± ¡°Unbeknownst to our hero, his body on the verge of collapsing. It vehemently tries to repair itself. Meanwhile our hero ponders his newfound creation. Nine floating ball of energy. They may not hold immense power capable of great destruction. They do pave the way for such opportunity. Proving our hero¡¯s capabilities in creating and manipulating new abilities.¡± ¡°Narry? I can hear you mumbling something! You better not be bad mouthing me. I know how you are.¡± ¡°It would appear that something is about to enter the razor stone campsite. Has the world finally begun making it¡¯s moves? It seems to be quite the sizeable group as well.¡± ¡°Huh? What is that? Something happening at camp? Hmm should I keep all these wands?¡± ¡°On all fours, our hero squirms around collecting his ¡®collection¡¯ of questionable sticks. One¡¯s skin crawls at the visage.¡± ¡°Hey! I heard that! Wands! Wands! Oh crap. Something is definitely happening at camp.¡± ¡°A visible tear breaks through, quickly forming into an eloquent doorway, adequately taking the shape of a transparent and grey, razor stone.¡± ¡°That¡¯s a portal! You see that Narry? What is happening? When did that platform appear? Wait! There is more! Where did those new houses come from? Kioske? What? Who is that?¡± ¡°Inside the circular building stand four individuals. Their smile seems dull. These must be artificial being of some sorts. Such a thing is apparent when examine the flow of their mana.¡± ¡°What did you say Narry? You really have to speak up. I think I blew a fuse or something. The buzzing sound is gone but now my ears itch. Is it because of the portal?¡± ¡°Once the portal stabilizes, tens of people stream out. Almost immediately they run towards the information stand, before rushing out of the campsite, disappearing into the distance. Their decisive actions indicate they had firm instructions before arriving.¡± ¡°What the hell is going on? Who are these people? Narry, any ideas?¡± ¡°It would seem that the world decided to create a quest hub at camp Sharpstone. Almost undeniably due to our hero¡¯s existence and actions. Perhaps the world was waiting for him to reach his current state. Allowing him to compete fairly with these new arrivals.¡± ¡°Sorry? Compete? I didn¡¯t quite catch that. If my whole lower body wasn¡¯t numb I¡¯d go check it out.¡± ¡°It is almost a certainty that our hero has received new objectives. Yet in his usual stupor he mindlessly lets his wandering mind carry him around.¡± ¡°Hey! I knew it! You were just slandering me this whole time. I¡¯m calculating what to do next. And I was just about to check whether I had any new quests. Pft. Let¡¯s see. ¡°
|Ji Aleksy. Elementalist. Mana fiend: Level Three-hundred-and-two|
|Quest log|
|Optional: The reformed city| ¡°The ancient city of Heo has been reformed, but by who and how?¡± Travel to the free city Heo and find out how the city was rebuilt. Location: Portal room. Difficulty: Medium Reward: Tier appropriate item.
|Optional: Back to the grind| ¡°The prophet said to the wanderer ¡®Swim against the water or be swallowed by the tide.¡¯ The wanderer took this advice and escaped drowning.¡± Travel to the appropriate wildlands and cull the malignant fiends scouring the land. Location: Portal room. Difficulty: Medium. Reward: Tier appropriate weapon.
|Optional: Camp Sharpstone needs| ¡°Help those about to fall, for when you descend, they will catch you¡± Camp Sharpstone requires materials to expand and to shelter its new influx of pioneering explorers! Multiple portals have opened, connecting hundreds of humanoid cities to the Mer-erk mer-Erk wildlands. Speak to the handlers for further instructions. Location: Mer-erk mer-Erk wildlands, Camp Sharpstone Difficulty: Medium. Reward: Temporary buff last four hours after leaving camp. Reward: Beginner crafting materials of your choosing.
|Special ¨C Optional: Dying Deliverance, stones to sharpstone| ¡°When the restless rest. The still, from the ground break.¡± Set a up a revival shrine at Camp Sharpstone. Speak to the handlers for further instructions. Location: Mer-erk mer-Erk wildlands, Camp Sharpstone Difficulty: Hard. Reward: In case of fatality, revive at Camp Sharpstone. Two additional |Life offerings| Reward: Title that provides improved |Camp Sharpstone buff|.
¡°It was as predicted; the world has begun it¡¯s ¡®balance¡¯. Not seen on such a scale for hundreds of years. Truly. Ji Aleksy can be considered the second coming of the great expansion. Perhaps where this world failed before. It will succeed. We will wait patiently as always.¡± ¡°Your, whatever side story aside. Looks like I got two new quests. Still not sure about those malignant fiends. But a respawn point sounds amazing. But it¡¯s labeled hard. How hard is hard exactly? Actually, how hard is medium. I need some kind of metric to compare these things to. That being said. As soon as I can feel my feet. I¡¯m going to those handlers. Ey? Are those guys coming towards me? What should I say? Stay cool, Ji. Sup?¡± ¡®Hello! I am Deve. These are my clan members, Keve and Leve.¡¯ ¡°Young eve heroes from the Eve clan. As reflected by their names, their simple ways often complicate things instead. A tradition seen in many clans, their naming falls in lines with their ancestors. Rarely deviating from such conventions.¡± ¡°Ah. Hi! I¡¯m Ji.¡± ¡®Hi Ji!¡¯ ¡®Hi J-.¡® ¡®Hi Jiii.¡¯ ¡°While it may be hard to distinguish the males and females of the Eve clan. It would appear that Deve and Keve are male while Leve is female. This can be seen by the slight difference in pitch of their voices.¡± ¡°She is also wearing a light blue dress. That was obvious enough. Also her-. Ah.¡± ¡®What?¡¯ ¡°Oh. Nothing. Sorry about that. Just talking to myself. What brought you guys over here?¡± ¡®We were just curious why you were sitting here staring at the camp. Everyone else is in a hurry to be the first to clear their quests.¡¯ ¡°I see. I¡¯m just recovering for a few minutes. I recently had a breakthrough in my training and I¡¯m still a bit sore.¡± ¡°The sometimes metallic looking skin of the eve¡¯s reminds one of their origin but also reveals their inexperience. Still unable to fully control their innate abilities. The eve are considered a bit dimwitted. This is merely a misconception due to their both straightforward and simple ways.¡± ¡®I see. What happened to this tree?¡¯ ¡°Nothing. What do you mean? It was like this when I came here.¡± ¡°Blatantly denying having anything to with the systematic destruction of this innocent tree. Our hero, his villainous tendencies. How far will he descend before he no longer sees the havoc he has caused!? Even gods can fall. What is one little, Ji.¡± ¡°Please. Would you guys like something to eat? I¡¯m sure I have something, one second.¡± ¡°The growls, as primal as a harreri¡¯s roar. Our hero¡¯s stomach demands another sacrifice. The never-ending pit, never satisfied.¡± ¡®Are you hungry, Ji? Leve give him some of our rations.¡¯ Chapter forty: Hundreds of them. ¡°After leeching of the naive and trusting trio. Our hero began stretching in ways that caused the eve clan members to shiver. Expanding their minds.¡± ¡®How is he doing that? Deve? Keve?¡¯ ¡®He must be some kind of an elemental sprite.¡¯ ¡®I¡¯ve never seen anything like it. It looks like he has bones. Is he bending his bones?¡¯ ¡°Even if the three newcomers are unexperienced, they realized that what our hero was doing was extreme. The obvious awe, fear, disgust and confusion overwhelmed them. It wasn¡¯t until a few moments passed that they concluded that our hero, was indeed not a sprite.¡± ¡®Looks like he descended from an animal. From the looks of it, he has had to train hard to achieve this flexibility.¡¯ ¡°Quietly nodding, the three fell into silence. The eve are a rather large clan, split further into minor clans. Their bodies could be considered stiff in nature. They depended on their natural strength. Their center of gravity, innately talented melee fighters.¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡®¡­¡¯ ¡°Our hero¡¯s stretching routine garnered quite a few glances from people rushing out of camp Sharpstone. Many disregarded without a second thought while others took a second look. Some even going so far as to spit on the ground before moving in a random direction.¡± ¡°The hell. Spitting? Alright. Who can explain to me where you and all these people came from?¡± ¡®What do you mean, Ji? Didn¡¯t you arrive just before us?¡¯ ¡°No. No I¡¯ve been here a while. I set this campsite up. I only recently finished a quest to do so.¡± ¡®Nowa-eeee!¡¯ ¡°The high pitch screech. An unfortunate trait of the eve race. It is not recommended to excite an eve.¡± ¡®Calm down, Keve. No need to scare people! You know they can¡¯t stand that sound.¡¯ ¡®Sorry, Deve. Sorry, Leve.¡¯ ¡®It¡¯s okay. Keve is overreacting.¡¯ ¡°Eh? My ears. Why are my ears bleeding? Hello? Not again! I just got my hearing back!¡± ¡°While still in a state of healing, his ears maimed once again. Luckily they within the realm of salvation.¡± ¡®Leve, please.¡¯ ¡®I got it! Hold still Ji. I¡¯m going to help¡¯ ¡°Huh? What is she doing?¡± ¡°The disturbed ambient mana quickly calms its flow. Within a small sphere the air slows to a crawl. But even these changes are lost on all present. What proceeds is a common transfer of beneficial energy. Energy so generic it can pass from one person to another. The added benefit of which is to balance the body. That balance allows a smoother path towards both regenerating one¡¯s body and sating the strained mind.¡± ¡®That¡¯s all I can do.¡¯ ¡°As the young eve took a step back, she obviously looked confused. The usually easy to use magic had to be forced. Easily explained by the fact that our hero¡¯s body both attracts and repels external sources of magic. A strong equilibrium that comes with his unique physique.¡± ¡°Thank you. That felt nice. I¡¯ve been meaning to ask, what are your quests here?¡± ¡®Most of our quests are similar. They are almost all about exploring the area. Or to gather resources.¡¯ ¡®Deve and me have almost an identical quest. We have to go explore north-north west of sharpstone. We¡¯re supposed to find some kind of animals and bring back notes about them. And their habitats.¡¯This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there. ¡®Mhm. Leve¡¯s quest is surprisingly in the same direction but she has to collected up to five different plants that grow in the area. We think it¡¯s because she has a background in herbalism.¡¯ ¡°The world rarely deals in true random acts. Its predictions close to a deities¡¯. No pun intended.¡± ¡°Pun? How was that a pun? Ah. Never mind. But those quests sound cool. But why is everyone in such a hurry, then?¡± ¡®That¡¯s because they believe they¡¯ll get extra rewards for quick action. We don¡¯t think it¡¯s true. And it¡¯s going to take us a few days to clear the quests anyway. We eve¡¯s, are patient people.¡¯ ¡°Simple. Honest to a fault. That is how most see the eve. Of course, no being is without staggering flaws.¡± ¡°Hooh. I see. Well that¡¯s good. I thought it was a race or something. If that¡¯s the case, I¡¯ll take my time. I guess it¡¯s time to see what my quest will be. Feel free to contact me in the future! You seem like good people. Although I¡¯ve been burned in the past.¡± ¡®What?¡¯ ¡°Nothing. Forget it. When will you guys be heading out?¡± ¡®We are going now. We only visited you because we were curious.¡¯ ¡°Finally, our hero waves goodbye to his newly acquainted friends. Being so late to get an assigned quest means the difficulty will rise, as easier alternatives have been snagged.¡± ¡°What!? Why didn¡¯t you say anything? Oh god. Ah! There are still more people coming through, shi-. I got to hurry!¡± ¡°With the immense improvements to mental capabilities, his movement spell have improved. After further polishing his skills, they will see a leap in much needed eloquence. Both his cast time and energy efficacy may see a tremendous rise.¡± ¡°Are you saying that my breakthrough wasn¡¯t enough? No. I can definitely feel. Hm. Well it¡¯s not really that noticeable. I guess I have to train my spells. Maybe try improving them.¡± ¡°The previously desolate camp Sharpstone now appears lively. Some people leisurely walk about exploring. Many seem to have come for other purposes than adventure. They can be seen setting up small areas, and fiddling with their prescribed crafting profession.¡± ¡°Why come here to craft things?¡± ¡°While personal strength is greatly sought after, the reason is often to facilitate their growth. To gain further insight into their chosen profession. In an era of crafting, personal strength is secondary to one¡¯s equipment. ¡° ¡°¡­¡± ¡°And while the world lowers or increases experience gained on a whim, it still adheres to a set of rules it set for itself. It already has barriers in place. And if people reach the apex of their current level, the world won¡¯t punish them with experience penalties.¡± ¡°Barriers. Like level caps. Hmm. I guess that makes sense. I get more experience for achieving harder things. But I can also wear items that boost my strength to achieve the same objective. Because the world doesn¡¯t care what I wear? That seems lazy. If it¡¯s all powerful and stuff. Why wouldn¡¯t it just calculate the rewarded experience by factoring in every knowable variable?¡± ¡°Of courses the materials to craft higher tiers of items, enchants and consumables. Become far more rare. Far more valuable. While the quantity of items required to progress ones professions doesn¡¯t increase. It quickly becomes unobtainable. Lest you have the power to gather them yourself.¡± ¡°I feel like I¡¯m naked. I need to get more items. Although it seems that the clothes Tio gave me where of pretty high quality.¡± ¡°If one¡¯s personal strength, be it mental dexterity or physical prowess. If it does not properly scale in tandem with one¡¯s crafting potential. One will find oneself at an impasse.¡± ¡°Does one? At an impasse, you say? How unfortunate for one self. What? Got nothing to say? No? You sure?¡± ¡°It of course expected that the feeble minds of humans to become unstable. With excessive power, within an irrational mind, outbursts such as these are unsurprising.¡± ¡°Whatever, Narry. I¡¯m going to que for that quest. We can take a look around all the stalls, see if we find anything useful to buy.¡± ¡°Surrounding the quest information stall are multiple different people. Most look similar, most common features are oval and hairy heads. While they are a majority, it is not a large one. Our hero successfully blends into the crowd nonetheless.¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°The names of the various races gathered here can be hard to recount and for the most part, useless. A great many stand under the banner of their clans or tribes. Similar scenes can be seen with the humans, they identify as their clan, rather than their race. The largest reason for this action, is that clans and their affiliates often develop unique abilities or skills. They then identify with their abilities.¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°It can be easier to identify a person¡¯s origin from their skills rather than their appearance. The oh clan, while not especially well known. Are known for their dexterous combat abilities in combination with adept water manipulation. And those factors can be easier to recognize than the clan¡¯s name.¡± ¡°This is taking forever, what is going on? Why are they just standing there talking to the npc¡¯s?¡± ¡®They are trying to get extra information out of the quest giver.¡¯ ¡°A voice pierces its way through the mindless murmur of the crowd. Reaching our hero. We can see our hero trying to spot the origin of the voice to no avail.¡± ¡°Isn¡¯t all the information going to be given with the quest?¡± ¡®Probably. But we don¡¯t know. There hasn¡¯t been such a large quest event in decades now.¡¯ ¡°Slowly our hero closes in. The crowd has only grown, and no end in sight. Hundreds of people.¡± ¡°They¡¯re lips are moving, but I can¡¯t hear what the attendees are saying. Looks like the sound is being blocked out somehow.¡± ¡°Finally. Our hero reaches the end of his wait. He has now begun talking to the world¡¯s servants.¡± ¡®Take this. It will be able to contain all items related to the quest.¡± ¡°What is it?¡±
|Quest pack| ¡°Carry our burdens.¡± Capable of containing a small amount of quest related items.
¡°How small is small? You¡¯re not going to ask me to go back and forth to gather supplies, right?¡± ¡®Of coursenot, Ji Aleksy. The |Quest pack| will be sufficient to hold all items related to the quests |Camp Sharpstone needs| and |Dying deliverance, stones to Sharpstone|.¡¯ ¡°Okay. But still. You are asking for an incredible number of things. This might take me weeks or more.¡± ¡°Of course our hero misunderstands how materials will be collected. He will slay giant stone creatures. Assault boisterous beasts. And strike down plant-life filled with abundant materials required for the quest at hand.¡± ¡°Oh? Ah. Wait! Giant stone creatures!? Where does it say that in the quest!?¡± ¡°For an inconceivable reason, our hero looks to the sky, waves his hands in the air as he shouts. Innocent bystanders stand and stare in shock. Perhaps our hero should return to his icy rest.¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°Quickly making his way through the crown, our hero takes in the sights.¡± ¡°There are even more people here now. This looks like a bazaar. Are they all selling stuff?¡± ¡°Tens of unique stalls, with items on display. Some advertise their wares while others calmly practice their craft.¡± ¡°Let¡¯s see if they have anything I need. Do I need anything? Hmm, no. I got food and camping stones from the quest. Some kind of weapon would be cool. I was planning on using my wand. But it can¡¯t hurt to look, right? Oh, cool! Look. That guy is carving something. Let¡¯s check it out.¡± ¡°The newcomers have created a messy yet organized pathway. Many hold their chins high as they ignore the common rabble. But our hero, shamelessly bounces about. His eyes shooting in every direction. One can¡¯t help but blush in his place.¡± ¡°Looks like a shin guard. Or at least some kind of armor.¡± ¡®Looking for upgrades?¡¯ ¡°Once the carver speaks out, his tool vanishes. A conjured tool. Not as efficient has a professionally forged piece. Yet sufficient and a sign of talent. At the very least.¡± Chapter forty one: Whos stalking who!? ¡°What do you think, Narry? See anything worthwhile?¡± ¡®Narry? Who are you? What do you want?¡¯ ¡°This guy looks a bit shifty.¡± ¡®Excuse me. Are you talking to me?¡¯ ¡°While socializing with the craftsfolk, our hero has managed to infuriate one of his fellow man. Hardly a loss, seeing as this particular carvers wares are subpar. Even by our hero¡¯s standards.¡± ¡°Really? They look alright for the most part. Okay no, I see it now. Pretty half-assed stuff.¡± ¡®You looking for fight? I¡¯ll come fight you outside the campsite!¡¯ ¡°Hooh. look over there. Is that girl etching runes?¡± ¡°As our hero shoots towards another target, the surrounding people glance at our hero. The looks are composed of confusion, derision and laughter. Not including the previously mentioned carver, which appears thoroughly enraged and baffled.¡± ¡®Go away!¡¯ ¡°Eh?¡± ¡°With a wave of her hand, our hero is dismissed. No longer needed. How disposable. dispensable fodder. Not needed.¡± ¡°I get it! Damn!¡± ¡®I said go away! I¡¯m busy.¡¯ ¡°Okay.¡± ¡°With nonchalant acknowledgement our hero stands still and observes this peculiar person. Hidden behind rough and torn clothing. She continues to meticulously etch a medium sized rune.¡± ¡°Looks like a small bird. Is it a bird?¡± ¡®Leave me alone!¡¯ ¡°Sure. Actually, maybe a small lizard creature with wings. At least it reminds me of a lizard.¡± ¡®It¡¯s a Ler, now go away!¡¯ ¡°Hoh! A Ler?¡± ¡°Ler, descendant of the Farler. A landlocked leaping reptile. Their wings surprisingly detrimental for flight but provide immense stability, jumping height and air maneuverability.¡± ¡°Alright, sorry to bother you. So many people. I thought crafting was supposed to be somewhat rare.¡± ¡°Of course it isn¡¯t rare. Rare perhaps in comparison to the general population. But amongst those that seek power, it is all but required to pursue crafting of some sort.¡± ¡°Is that a mobile forge? Isn¡¯t that a bit extravagant?¡± ¡°Copious of amount people have gathered and keep gathering. Many minding their own business and browsing goods on display. Some hawking their wares but most focus on their tinkering. The largest majority of arrivals however, have already scattered across the wildlands. ¡± ¡°Is that a loom? What. And a tannery? How do they all have these small workstations? No. Don¡¯t say it. I get it. They have inventories like me. Of course.¡± ¡°Like a stumbling derelict finding the ground, so has our hero found an answers to a simple question. Magnificent problem solving. One can¡¯t help but be in awe of such brilliance.¡± ¡°Thanks. But, I have to actually select a profession to get one of these workstations, right?¡± ¡°It is only due to the crowds combined noise that our hero manages to go unquestioned. Mumbling to himself in a public place.¡± ¡°Ah. Good point, should try to keep it to myself while around other people. Alright. I¡¯m going to take a look around, see if I find anything useful for hunting. What was it? Stone giants? God damnit. Why giants? Why not stone dwarfs? Why not stone pygmies? What are stone giants vulnerable to anyway?¡± ¡°In a crazed rave our hero quickly makes his way through the bazaar. Stopping only for a moment when his eyes catch something of interest.¡± ¡°None of these feel useful. Interesting stuff, eye-opening. But no upgrades. That scepter looked interesting but he wouldn¡¯t name a price and just asked me for an offer. Is he selling or not? Why am I the one that has to offer something? Whatever. I got to start the quest at some point. I wanted to find a party. But no one is on the same quest as me.¡± ¡°As the daylight burns, our hero reluctantly leaves the safety of camp sharpstone.¡± ¡®Hey! It¡¯s you!¡¯ ¡°Hmm? What, who?¡± ¡®Bastard, don¡¯t tell me you forgot me!¡¯This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience. ¡°Oh! It¡¯s the carver with the shinguards! Hey, man!¡± ¡®Prepare yourself!¡¯ ¡°Woah there!¡± ¡°As the towering wooden pole comes crashing down, our hero leaps backwards. Narrowly escaping a vicious strike.¡± ¡°Hey! Hey! What the hell, man!¡± ¡®Haaaaa! Try to dodge this one!¡¯ ¡°Under little Ji¡¯s feet, a small near translucent water gather. His stability rises dramatically.¡± ¡°Easy there buddy! We can talk this through.¡± ¡°Strike after the strike is dodged. Both our hero and this unknown assailant have quickly exhausted their breath.¡± ¡°Friend.¡± ¡°With bated breath our hero continues to calm the situation.¡± ¡®Slimey. Bastard.¡¯ ¡°As they stand face to face, hands on knees. One filled with fury and the other with confusion.¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry if I offended you in anyway! Why do you keep attacking me!?¡± ¡°Now both of these imbeciles have a look of doubt on their face.¡± ¡®What do you mean? You were clearly challenging me. We, the Dane. Never back down from a challenge.¡¯ ¡°It didn¡¯t challenge anyone!¡± ¡®...¡¯ ¡°¡­¡± ¡°The stupidity is thick in the air. If one was so inclined, one might be able to slice it.¡± ¡°Look. Dane. Or whatever, I¡¯m sorry if i challenged you. But I definitely didn¡¯t mean to.¡± ¡®You sure?¡¯ ¡°One hundred percent.¡± ¡®What?¡¯ ¡°I mean, yes. I am sure.¡± ¡®Well then.¡¯ ¡°Ye.¡± ¡®Have a good day.¡¯ ¡°Huh?¡± ¡°And so. A bizarre fight between brilliant young men comes to an end. The crowd watching quickly disperses. Some spitting on the ground and some cursing under their breath.¡± ¡®Tsch.¡¯ ¡®What kind of fight was that?¡¯ ¡®Who won?¡¯ ¡®Hey, big guy! You can just leave! You didn''t even hit him once¡¯ ¡®What!? You want try me out, squirt!?¡¯ ¡®Eh?¡¯ ¡°In the commotion, our hero saunders off into the distance.¡± ¡°That was crazy. How can he just attack me like that. So strange. I¡¯ve got to be more careful of people. Who knows what kind of weirdos are out there.¡± ¡°A few meters behind our hero a familiar figure can be seen.¡± ¡°Hm? What? Someone following me? Hey! Why are you following me! I thought we settled this already.¡± ¡®Who''s following you!? I¡¯m heading this way. Why are you standing in my way!?¡¯ ¡°What the hell.¡± ¡°With a powerful snort, the large sized Dane continues to walk passed our hero.¡± ¡°I¡¯m so confused.¡± ¡°In a daze our hero watches his previous challenger walk passed me. Few moments pass before another set of footsteps can be heard.¡± ¡®Ugh.¡¯ ¡°Ugh?¡± ¡®Don¡¯t talk to me¡¯ ¡°Who''s talking to who!?¡± ¡°A figure wrapped in tattered clothing, near no discernible features beside deep white-tinted eyes. How coincidental. Is this not the rune etcher?¡± ¡°What the hell is going on? Why is everyone so rude. This is totally different to Tio. I miss Tio.¡± ¡°After learning the hard truths of this world our hero sulks. Meeting with the young lords and ladies of this world has left him with a bitter taste in his mouth.¡± ¡°Damnit! Now it¡¯s going to look like I¡¯m the one following them.¡± ¡°And so, our hero begins to stalk his victims.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not stalking anyone.¡± ¡°The large, well sculpted body of his challenger still on his mind.¡± ¡°What?¡± ¡°His devious intentions are easy to divine. His eyes also rest on the mysterious lady. Who knows what dark thoughts are swirling in that mind his? One can¡¯t help but feel a slight repulsion.¡± ¡°I¡¯m ignoring you.¡± ¡°Embracing his deviancy, despite slight reluctance, he quickly makes way to stalk the two unsuspecting victims. Are his motive simply revenge or is there something sinister afoot?¡± ¡°Shush, you. I¡¯m not, not going to go towards my quest location. Whatever.¡± ¡°And so. The trek begins. The journey should take longer than a day. And with the large influx of people, the wildlands have become lively. Even now we hear the cries of combat in the distance.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not helping them if they have trouble fighting something. I¡¯m definitely not helping.¡± ¡°With every step, the safety of the camp gets further out of reach. And so does the daylight wither. The surrounding turn brown and green. The grey stones surrounding camp sharpstone start to diminish.¡± ¡°Now that you mention it. It was a bit gloomy. Almost no grass over there. Plenty of greyish plants and trees but very little green. But if this grasslands we are heading into gets any thicker. Anyway. Who knows what kind of beasts are out here?¡± ¡°If one were to look at the wildlands from a bird¡¯s eye view. One would see the adventures scattered in every direction except towards the forest our hero was teleported to.¡± ¡°Really? That seems strange. No one got a quest that lead in there? It¡¯s for the best. A hive of bugs is way to scary. No way anyone could fight them all. One unlucky move and you¡¯re finished!¡± ¡°It would appear our hero¡¯s destination is at a border of a terrain shift. Where the grasslands, mountains and valleys meet.¡± ¡°Are we talking big mountains? Not that I¡¯m against hiking. Actually, getting a new overview of the surroundings would be nice. Is that the mountains? Looks like a large hill¡± ¡°In the distance the first of the mountainscape can be seen. The mirage is deceitful, masking the true grandeur of the landscape behind.¡± ¡°Hoh.¡± ¡°Just ahead we can hear a man bellow.¡± ¡°Bellow? What. Haha! That brute met something? Let¡¯s check it out!¡± ¡°Our hero sprints towards the commotion. Quickly we see a wrapped up figure, silently observing something nearby.¡± ¡°Hey! Is he fighting? What is it?¡± ¡®Don¡¯t talk to me.¡¯ ¡°Oh. It¡¯s big. Know what it is?¡± ¡®Get away.¡¯ ¡°Noway. What the hell. They¡¯re just walking in circles.¡± ¡°The two rather large creatures. One a stick wielding brute, the other a towering boulder of a being.¡± ¡®Bring it! Huh! Hah!¡¯ ¡®Hraaaar!?¡¯ ¡®Oh!? Big mouth! Let¡¯s see you back it up!¡¯ ¡®Kaahh!¡¯ ¡°Is he talking to that thing?¡± ¡®I¡¯m leaving.¡¯ ¡°Hey! Ah. She¡¯s going.¡± ¡°The ground slowly gets flatten as the two challengers continue to strife in circles. Occasionally one unleashes an attack, the other defends.¡± ¡°Well this is just boring. What kind of fight is this? Hey, giant. Need help?¡± ¡®Stay out of this! Huaaah!¡¯ ¡°Well, whatever then. I¡¯m leaving! Good luck!¡± ¡°Before long our hero is confronted with yet another strange situation.¡± ¡°What is she doing?¡± ¡°Unbeknownst to our hero, a fight is already underway! Hidden in the flora is a creature, that specializes in ambushing. It has somehow been discovered. But won¡¯t back down.¡± ¡°I can¡¯t see anything. Over there? Hey, need help?¡± ¡®...¡¯ ¡°No?¡± ¡°Not a move is made. The standstill continues. And just as our hero let¡¯s out a breath, intending to ignore the situation. Our wrapped stranger slings her hand forward.¡± ¡®...¡¯ ¡°Fabric shoots towards the unassuming greenery.¡± ¡®Got it.¡¯ ¡°Got what? What?¡± ¡°Dragged out of its hiding place. The creature writhes, trying to escape its bonds. The grass like creature squirms for a minute.¡± ¡®Ha-.¡¯ ¡°A low yelp escapes someone before the creature comes to a full stop. It¡¯s final breath taken.¡± ¡°What? What kind of fights are these? Where is the action! Where are the spells. Hey! What was that? Did you throw clothes on it? How does that work?¡± ¡®Don¡¯t talk to me! Leave me alone!¡¯ ¡°Pah. Alright. Whatever. What is that though?¡± ¡°The insect. A creature with myriad of limbs. However only one poses any threat. Used to deliver its toxins. And while said toxin may incapacitate most, our hero would perhaps only feel a bit fatigued.¡± ¡°Ohh. Interesting. Hey, how did you know it was there?¡± ¡®It moved.¡¯ ¡°Ohh.¡± ¡®Go away.¡¯ ¡°Ah.¡± ¡°While our hero continues onward. The wrapped rune etcher proceeds to salvage any crafting material available.¡± ¡°I wonder if that big guy is okay. That girl can clearly handle herself. But that big guy. I¡¯m not so sure about him. I wonder if they got any cool loot.¡± ¡°As the daylight continues to burn, so does our hero continue to make his way towards his destination.¡± ¡°At least it¡¯s warm.¡± ¡°This time of year, on this side of the world. Everlasting warmth blankets these wildlands. The twilight will allow for clear sighting even during the dead of night.¡± ¡°It¡¯s still eerie. you know. The night. Even if it isn¡¯t cold. Also. it¡¯s hard to make things out in the dark, even if i can still see far.¡± ¡°The most dangerous are the nocturnal predators. One should keep one''s wits about them at all times.¡± Chapter forty two: Water the fields ¡°This time of year, everlasting warmth blankets these lands. The twilight will allow for clear sight during the dead of night.¡± ¡°It¡¯s still eerie. you know. The night. Even if it isn¡¯t cold. It¡¯s still hard to make things out in the dark, even if there is this faint creepy purplish glow over everything.¡± ¡°One should keep one''s wits about them at all times. Despite the generous lighting, the most dangerous predators are nocturnal.¡± ¡°It feels too darker. I wanted to see if I could continue for a bit in the dark. No. It¡¯s best to just set up camp. What do you think, Narry?¡± ¡°While our intuitive hero contemplates his sleeping arrangements. We can hear the footsteps of a heavy figure. We the initiated of course hear even the pitter patter of the light footed rune etcher.¡± ¡°Oh? They caught up with me? Strange. I haven¡¯t been moving slowly and haven¡¯t met any creatures or anything.¡± ¡°Not only have the caught up, it seems they are not done yet. Their speed indicates running. Running away from something.¡± ¡°I can hear the big guy¡¯s steps now. But they seem heavier than I would expect. How did he become so large!?¡± ¡°In the distance a small hill appears to be rushing towards our hero. It isn¡¯t apparent but he is probably a descendant of a earth-like element that achieved sentience. It is however still undetermined.¡± ¡°What should I do? Do I help them? Is he shouting something?¡± ¡°The deep bellowing roar emitted by that mountain of a man falls short of reaching our hero.¡± ¡°You can hear him, right? What is he saying? Stone? Is he yelling stone?¡± ¡°Still dumbstruck our hero stands still, undecided what action to take. The primal roars, contrary to expectations, seem to become less coherent as they near closer.¡± ¡°What the hell is he screaming? Caaaaaa? Caap? Oh! I can see the girl now. She¡¯s standing on his shoulders, cloth wrapped around his arms. That¡¯s a lot of cloth. Is she creating more clothing? I was thinking she had enchanted cloth or something. Hmm. Should I run? I can¡¯t even see what¡¯s chasing them.¡± ¡°While in deep contemplation, a clear and elegant shout, echoes forth.¡± ¡®Camp stone! Camp stone! Camp stooone! Camp Stooone. Camp stoone.¡¯ ¡°Ah.¡± ¡°Without hesitation our hero summons one of his camp stones and quickly activates it.¡±
|Camp stone|
Sets up a ten by ten unit area. Area is invisible to outsiders. Area is physically impossible to enter. Camp lasts for twelve hours. Pauses Quest progress. Consumable item and will vanish once the duration ends or is dispelled by the creator.
¡®Name!¡¯ ¡°Huh?¡± ¡®Name! Give me your name!¡¯ ¡°Ji Aleksy!¡± ¡°A moment passes before a notification blares in Ji¡¯s peripheral vision. We are all here to witness our hero¡¯s first time. Congratulations!¡±
Notice: Party invitation
You have been invited to ****¡¯s party. Do you accept?
¡°How do I accept? Do I think it?¡±
You have joined ****¡¯s party. All experienced is shared equally between party members. All looting is distributed depending on party leaders rules.
Notice: First time setup
Setting up default interface. It is possible to detail the interface to one¡¯s preference.
¡°Holy- what. Wow. Now this is looking a bit better. Health bars, mana bars. Some other bars.¡±
****¡¯s profile
All information set to private. Name: - Level: *** Age: ** Species: - Lore: - Abilities: -
¡°Eh?¡± ¡®Thanks!¡¯ ¡°As quickly as our hero could react to the flood of information, the party of two arrived within the borders. Escaping the swarm hunting them. Numbering in the tens, the beasts may not seem threatening. However, like many swarming beasts, their strength lies beyond the physical.¡± ¡°What are those?¡± ¡®Baaaaaah!¡¯ ¡®He¡¯s saying bahs. A lot of bahs.¡¯Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings. ¡°Bahs? I can¡¯t even see them properly.¡± ¡°The creatures quickly thin out, vanishing into nothingness. Most likely digging a new Nest. The creatures usually feast on small animals but something has altered this particular swarm.¡± ¡°We¡¯re a party now. Right? I want to be the leader.¡± ¡®No.¡¯ ¡®Girl will lead. She¡¯s smart.¡¯ ¡°But I-.¡± ¡®Trust me, girl will lead us. Much safer.¡¯ ¡°With a wave of her hands, a tent manifests itself around the little rune etcher. Our hero stands still, unsure how to proceed.¡± ¡°How are you so big? Can¡ät you be smaller. Your voice has too much bass in it. You¡¯re seven times my size. This is ridiculous. This defies all reason.¡± ¡°A booming voice bellows forth. His speech seem to have been hampered. The words come out slowly, giving the illusion of a simple man. Which he may very well be.¡± ¡®Had to change. Girl said we would die. Lucky. She knew where you were. It is impossible to use a camp stone while in combat.¡¯ ¡°...¡± ¡®I need to rest.¡¯ ¡°I think I could have killed those things. Just ¡®Bam!¡¯ shoot them down. I¡¯ve been wanting to test my strength after all that training.¡± ¡°As our hero fantasizes about using abilities beyond his capabilities, we watch the surroundings fall into silence. Ignoring the nearby colony of bahs, both party members fall asleep. Before long our hero gives in as well and closes his eyes.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t talk all night, Narry. I can hear you sometimes. When you think I can¡¯t hear you.¡± ¡°If we now take to a higher altitude, focus our vision. We can see many individuals and groups of people skirmishing or settling in for the night. Some bravely continue their journey despite the danger in the night. Thousands have quickly been spread thin. A few seem to have stumbled upon misfortune. By the hands of both the native beings and other quest chasers. Common features among the arrivals is easy to identify. Young. Talented, but strangest of all. They hover around the same level. Some close to four hundred, some near two hundred. And while the gap is large. The strength of the individuals are not. It¡¯ll take some doing, but once Ji¡¯s group starts hunting. He¡¯ll rise as quickly. It may even become hard to justify following the world¡¯s quests. If it wasn¡¯t for the importance of items. They may all fall short in comparison to a blind hunt. We¡¯ll have to see where our fated young hero takes us. We can only hope he won¡¯t be as disappointing as his predecessors.¡± ¡®Up! Ji! Up!¡¯ ¡°Hrrm.¡± ¡®Just carry him, if he doesn¡¯t wake up.¡¯ ¡®I¡¯m not carrying a half naked man. I¡¯ll carry you whenever. Come. Want to sit on my shoulder again?¡¯ ¡®Tsch. Then leave him. I¡¯m going.¡¯ ¡°...¡± ¡®Ji! Up!¡¯ ¡°Yes. yes. I¡¯m up.¡± ¡®Good. Hurry up. She¡¯s already leaving.¡¯ ¡°This is how you treat your saviour?¡± ¡®Haha. I¡¯ll treat you to something to drink once we return from our quests. Catch up, I¡¯m going to.¡¯ ¡°Dumbfounded, our hero looks at his new party members stroll away casually. Lucky the bahs only hunt at night, as the bahs have leached into the surrounding dirt.¡± ¡°I. Hmm. Just go with the flow?¡± ¡°¡± ¡°...¡± ¡®...¡¯ ¡®...¡¯ ¡°Guys. C¡¯mon.¡± ¡®...¡¯ ¡®...¡¯ ¡°At least tell me your level. How can we work together without transparency.¡± ¡®You ask too many questions.¡¯ ¡®She is right. Too noisy.¡¯ ¡®Careful. Something may be over there.¡¯ ¡°The thick flora hides the dangerous fauna. Somehow the little lady seems to have detected a form of life.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t see anything. I¡¯ll lure it out.¡± ¡®What is that?¡¯ ¡°Hehehe. Don¡¯t be surprised. This is pure mana!¡± ¡®How uncouth.¡ä ¡°What¡¯s uncouth? big guy, what is she calling me?¡± ¡®I don¡¯t know.¡¯ ¡°Whatever, see if this is uncouth or not!¡± ¡°What seems like a sharp wind shoots towards the large trees and bushes. Clearly a shallow show of power. It is however commendable. To achieve such control over ambient mana, in such a short time. But of course his companions have no idea.¡± ¡®Just a simple mana blast. For a man, he sure likes attention.¡¯ ¡®It¡¯s all ambient mana though. He must specialize in it.¡¯ ¡®But isn¡¯t it wasteful to just throw it like that?¡¯ ¡®Very wasteful. But he¡¯s not like you, all your mana must be compressed in your body.¡¯ ¡°Guys. I¡¯m right here. I can hear you.¡± ¡°The powerful wind follows after the blast. Yet nothing comes out.¡± ¡°Didn¡¯t you say there was something there?¡± ¡®I didn¡¯t say it was hostile. It must have ran away. Also. No one asked you to recklessly attack.¡¯ ¡®You should listen to leader. She¡¯s smart¡¯ ¡°You said that before. I don¡¯t see it. How is she smart?¡± ¡®It seems you don¡¯t understand her background.¡¯ ¡°Uhm. Should I?¡± ¡®Clearly a bumpkin. Don¡¯t tell me, did you come from one of the outer outposts?¡¯ ¡°Huh. How did you know?¡± ¡®It¡¯s obvious, obvious. Like she said, very uncouth.¡¯ ¡°Devastated. Our hero has been found out for the uncouth creature he is.¡± ¡°Again with the uncouth. What does uncouth mean?¡± ¡®Mm. Very uncouth. Very uncouth. Right miss?¡¯ ¡°Why is a big man like you kissing her ass?¡± ¡®What did you say!? Want a fight?¡¯ ¡°What?¡± ¡®I¡¯ll fight you anytime!¡¯ ¡°What the hell.¡± ¡®Shh. Shut up, you two. I¡¯m trying to listen.¡¯ ¡°It would appear that a group of beasts are migrating. And their path should intersect with our hero¡¯s party.¡± ¡°Where?¡± ¡®There. Get ready¡¯ ¡®Always ready!¡¯ ¡®Ji. You are a mage, right?¡¯ ¡°Ye. Sort of.¡± ¡®Sort of?¡¯ ¡°I also do a kind of yoga.¡± ¡®Wha-. Nevermind. Just stay behind Tr¨¦j?re.¡¯ ¡°His name is Trjejorth?¡± ¡®Tr¨¦j?re!¡¯ ¡°Trijarth?¡± ¡®Want to fight!?¡¯ ¡®Stop it! They will be here soon.¡¯ ¡®Alright!¡¯ ¡°I¡¯m always ready. I never let my guard down.¡± *Smack!* ¡°Owh! Hey!¡± ¡®...¡¯ ¡®...¡¯ ¡°Lucky for our hero, he managed to escape that sneak attack.¡± ¡°...¡± ¡®There are six of them. I can¡¯t hold six of them. What do we do, miss?¡¯ ¡®I can stop two, reliably. Three if it''s only for a few moments.¡¯ ¡®I can hold three as well. But we have no idea if that guy can handle himself in a teamfight.¡¯ ¡°Guys. I¡¯m right here. I can hear you.¡± ¡®We will have to assume it is just the two of us for now.¡¯ ¡®Alright, I¡¯ll listen to the little miss.¡¯ ¡°...¡° ¡°Discarded. Irrelevant. Ignored. Useless.¡± ¡°Right? How can they dismiss me like this? Okay. I¡¯ll do a preemptive attack.¡± ¡°As our hero ponders, schemes and licks his struck ego. His teammates have gotten in position. The too large for life golem-esque man slams the ground. The results are self-evident. Spikes shoot from the ground. A makeshift wall.¡± ¡®Those won¡¯t hold them. It¡¯s just earth, I don¡¯t know if they will even pierce them.¡¯ ¡®It doesn¡¯t matter, as long as it slows them down, their momentum is the true threat here.¡¯ ¡°You need to slow them down? I might be able to help¡± ¡°With closed eyes our hero mimics his giant companion, his arms rise up. And slowly come down. As they go down they pick up speed.¡± ¡°Hah!¡± ¡°Arms connect to the ground, vibrations shake the earth, the rather weightless slam to the ground appearing to carry far more weight than expected. A moment''s passes yet little to no change seems to have occurred.¡± ¡®Hey! You ruined my spikes. What do you think you are doing!?¡¯ ¡°It didn¡¯t work? But i definitely felt it.¡± ¡®Get ready!¡¯ ¡°The grounds begins to shake in rhythm of thirty six legs pounding the earth. Our hero looks distraught. Has his failure shattered his confidence? Has fear taken hold?¡± ¡®For the tree and soil!!¡¯ ¡®I¡¯ll take the three on the left!¡¯ ¡®I¡¯ll take the other three.¡¯ ¡°I¡¯ll tak-.¡± ¡°In a surprising turn of events. The shaking ground comes to a startling halt, the beasts have begun sliding and rolling across the terrain in our team¡¯s direction.¡± ¡°It worked! I loosened the earth and increased the moisture in the ground!¡± ¡°In a maniacal fashion our hero laughs. But before celebration can be had, we see the towering creatures rise. The ground is left in scars from their heavy weight.¡± *Hrrrrph* ¡®Now! Go Tr¨¦j?re!¡¯ ¡®By the earth, in the tree¡¯s name!¡¯ ¡°After a short warcry and chant, a pillar erupts from the ground. As the living earth rises, a hand grasps it. Quickly roots and branches come sprouting from the hand and weaves through the soil.¡± ¡°How in the. How did you do that!?¡± ¡®Attack!¡¯ ¡°The giant leaps forward. A living weapon in hand. Our hero stands by baffled. The beasts find their footing. The battle begins.¡± Chapter forty three: Death comes in threes ¡°Slithering and constricting, frail looking cloth binds three of the beasts. They hold their balance as their short but thick tail, and six legs give them unmatched stability.¡± ¡®Huah!¡¯ ¡°It would seem that the muddy ground has served our lackluster group with considerable assistance. Tr¨¦j?re swings his living weapon, the wood quivers oddly, as if it were pulsing.¡± ¡°I¡¯m attacking, careful!¡± ¡°The surrounding ambient mana, previously in chaos, organizes into a spiraling stream. Our hero¡¯s talents have begun to shine as he channels the mana into a sphere. As it concentrates, it becomes more apparent that our hero favors the water elements. While the sphere still differs in texture, its appearance is that of a ripply ball of water.¡± ¡°Bam! Go!¡± ¡°Compressed mana flies towards two of the beasts. Being unstable and affected by water affinity, it quickly expands. Impressive if it were intentional. The results are instantaneous, the immensely heavy six legged beasts, stumble backwards. Their bodies concaved. Their leathery snouts spurting blood in the gallons.¡± ¡°Woah.¡± ¡®...¡¯ ¡®Huah!¡¯ ¡°Three beast still bound, two staggering and traumatized by the explosive power of blunt balls of energy. The last taking on the massive force a hybrid such as Tr¨¦j?re can deliver.¡± ¡°How long can you hold them?¡± ¡®If I release one, thirty seconds at most!¡¯ ¡°And him?¡± ¡®He¡¯ll be fine!¡¯ ¡®Ahhhh! For the earth!¡¯ ¡°Tr¨¦j?re has put himself between three of the beasts. His bewildering weapon taking root in both the creatures and the ground. Tying himself, the ground and the beast together in what can only be considered lunacy.¡± ¡°...¡± ¡®Ji. Attack the one on the far left.¡¯ ¡°The ambient mana is being continuously extracted by our hero. And it would appear he¡¯s quickly learned from his past mistakes. The sphere now purer, smaller and carrying a sense of foreboding.¡± ¡°Why isn¡¯t this a spell yet? Whatever! Go!¡± ¡°The beast lifts off the ground briefly and slides in the mud. It twitches and tries to moan, it¡¯s breath completely lost. One almost feels pity, seeing it¡¯s life withering away, the last moments of agony. What a way to die.¡± ¡°...¡± ¡®I can¡¯t hold them much longer! They¡¯re enraged! What worthy opponents! I am Tr¨¦j?re, I¡¯ll remember you in the afterlife, beast!¡¯ ¡°The momentum taken and all presence of danger gone. Our hero breathes with bated breath but still capable of more.¡± ¡°Can you pull those together?¡± ¡°Poor Tr¨¦j?re has been ignored. Left to his battle of strength.¡± ¡®I¡¯ll pull them together. You¡¯ll only have a second or two to attack.¡¯ ¡°No problem.¡± ¡°Under her breath. The team¡¯s leader motions her hands and shifts her body. They seem rigid and unnatural. It may not be the best time to mention, but many older spells have unnecessary tradition to them.¡± ¡°I. Hmm.¡± ¡®Pa. Gon. Drux. Gal. Bind!¡¯ ¡°Perhaps only we, the initiated can see beyond the mysticism. The cloth shimmers, giving off the clear hue of mana. It gathers two of the bound but unharmed beasts. Dragging them across over the wet soil.¡± ¡®Now!¡¯ ¡°Got it! Go!¡± ¡°Yet another simple, yet powerful blast can be seen ravaging these poor defenseless beasts. Every attack more devastating than the last, the collision is taken head on and the beast are rendered either dead or unconscious. The blood flowing in such great quantity that the earth turns red.¡± ¡®Torn! Beorc!¡¯ ¡°Another display of magic enforced through the will of words. Perhaps only a tool for the novice. The aftermath is to clear to see as tree branches grow in rapid succession, piercing thick skin.¡± ¡®Turisaz!¡¯ ¡°Disgusting.¡± ¡®...¡¯ ¡°The pierce wood enlarges, rupturing the creatures from the inside and out. The avalanche of blood cascades down their eviscerated bodies. A sight to behold. Their only reprieve is a relatively quick death.¡±
Experience has been divided amongst the party members.
Your level has increased to Three-hundred-and-thirty! You have met the experience cap. You gain no further experience for this enemy. You can distribute ten attribute points as you like.
Experience has been divided amongst the party members.
Your level has increased to Three-hundred-thirty-one! You have met the experience cap. You gain no further experience for this enemy. You can distribute ten attribute points as you like.
¡°What? When did gain twenty-eight levels?¡± ¡°While the live slowly drains from the remaining beasts, our hero questions the inconsistency in his levels. While under duress, most will ignore any notification the world directs towards them. This has to do with the lowborn innate dependency on deep sleep.¡± ¡°It probably happened when i was training with the orbs then? That¡¯s the only thing that makes sense.¡± ¡®Die!¡¯ ¡®...¡¯
Experience has been divided amongst the party members.
Your level has increased to Three-hundred-thirty-two! You have met the experience cap. You gain no further experience for this enemy. You can distribute ten attribute points as you like.
¡°Three of the six creature have been sent to their death. The one in the most pain still endures, occasionally twitching and gurgling through the blood while breathing.¡± ¡°I should put it out of its misery.¡± ¡®What do you mean? He will be okay once he rests a bit.¡¯You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story. ¡°What? It¡¯s bleeding out. At best it¡¯ll die a drawn out death.¡± ¡®Are we talking about the same thing?¡¯ ¡°That thing, over there. Bleeding to death.¡± ¡®Oh.¡¯ ¡°Wait a minute. Did you think i was talking about trijarh?¡± ¡®My name is Tr¨¦j?re!¡¯ ¡°Sorry, trearth.¡± ¡®...¡¯ ¡®Come fight me.¡¯ ¡°Okay.¡± ¡®No magic!¡¯ ¡°Then no.¡± ¡°With what could be considered the smuggest of smiles our hero plays with spherical concentration of mana. After stabilizing, the energy is easier to control. Perhaps not all is lost, yet.¡±
Experience has been divided amongst the party members.
Your level has increased to Three-hundred-thirty-three! You have met the experience cap. You gain no further experience for this enemy. You can distribute ten attribute points as you like.
¡°Okay, what do we do about those two? How about you? I haven¡¯t seen you attack.¡± ¡®No, you two do it.¡¯ ¡°Afraid of spilling blood?¡± ¡®This can¡¯t be, leader is afraid of fighting?¡¯ ¡®I just don¡¯t want to. You do it Tr¨¦j?re.¡¯ ¡°I¡¯ll do it.¡±
Experience has been divided amongst the party members.
Your level has increased to Three-hundred-thirty-four! You have met the experience cap. You gain no further experience for this enemy. You can distribute ten attribute points as you like.
Experience has been divided amongst the party members.
Your level has increased to Three-hundred-thirty-five! You have met the experience cap. You gain no further experience for this enemy. You can distribute ten attribute points as you like.
¡°These stats. Let¡¯s take another look. Bring up the menu¡±
Ji Aleksy
Attributes
Professions
Abilities
Reputation
Equipment
Inventory
¡°Alright, and into attributes.¡±
Unlocked attributes
Stamina Increases number of physical actions that can be performed without rest
Strength Increases the physical power of an action
Agility Increases speed of physical movements
Dexterity Increases handling of items with hands or feet
Concentration Increases number of mental actions that can be performed without rest
Intelligence Increases the speed of a mental action
Willpower Increases mental defenses
Awareness Increases quantity of objects discernable at one time
Reflexes Increases speed of unconscious actions performed
Vision Increases quality of details gathered with eyesight
Digestion Increase the amount of nutrients processed
Courage Increases the threshold for fear
Focus Increase the mental power of an action
Inventive Increase the chances of creating new items through crafting
Knowledge Increase the quantity of information stored
Fortitude Increases physical defenses
Greed Increase the amount of gains or retains from non player transactions
Cunning Increase ability to deceive non player characters.
Regeneration Increase physical and mental recovery speed
¡°Let¡¯s put it all the stats in Focus for now.¡± ¡°After dividing up the up the dropped crafting items, the party rests. None of them were capable enough to salvage the beast¡¯s remains.¡± ¡°So Trierrh. What was that weapon you had? Did you put it into your inventory? Before I knew, it was gone.¡± ¡®That was my seed.¡¯ ¡°Sorry, your seed?¡± ¡®Every member of my tribe is born with two seeds. We nurture them and they nurtures us.¡¯ ¡°You have two seeds?¡± ¡®One is our foundation, the other our future. We, the men share our seed with our future companion.¡¯ ¡°Oh. Okay.¡± ¡®I will only be as strong as my seed. I wish to one day plant it into fertile soil.¡¯ ¡°No, i get it, let¡¯s talk about something else.¡± ¡®Would you like to touch my seed? Ji?¡¯ ¡°I¡¯ve rested long enough, i¡¯m going to scout ahead!¡± ¡°In an admirable fashion, our hero braves ahead. Taking on the dangers ahead. Risking everything, so others may live another day.¡± ¡°Woah, woah. Is there something out there, Narry? Narry? Don¡¯t get shy on me now, Narry.¡± ¡°...¡± ¡°Damnit. Best be ready.¡± ¡°Our hero wields his staff. It is quickly entwined with energy. Brimming, yet contained.¡± ¡°Supposedly, I can just use it like a sword. Kind of, It¡¯ll lose a lot of energy with each swing though. And apparently durability. But it¡¯s easier to maintain than those spheres.¡±
|Ji¡¯s banana|
Adds additional thirty-nine to magical damage. Adds additional twenty-three to ambient mana gathering. Increases magical damage by forty percent. Increases cast speed by nine percent. ¡°A flexible wood. Although amateur work, possess unique artistic value. The wand has been crafted with a rune. Causing an imbalance. Wand¡¯s expected durability has been drastically lowered¡±
Durability: 86/96 Charge: 100/100
Strength 1:0.01
Agility 1:0.005
Focus 1:0.1
Intelligence 1:0.05
¡°A fierce weapon. Ji¡¯s banana imbued with energy. Ready to plunge into an unexpecting foe.¡± ¡°Why are you saying it like that? Something seems off about it. Stop it and focus. Tell me if something is hiding. We still got some way to go and I don¡¯t want to slow down too much.¡± ¡°The journey is slow but steady. There is no sense of urgency. Wonderful hours of quietude.¡± ¡°These creatures are turning out to be a lot easier than I expected.¡± ¡°An unexpected way to brag. Our hero continues to amaze. Oh woe. To possess a body perfectly marinated to this world''s mana. It is often said about the lowborn, that they lack time to grow. But with all the nutrients our hero absorbs, even unconsciously. It can said that they may reach potential to reach his betters.¡± ¡°Who exactly are these ¡®betters¡¯ you talk about? And on that note, what exactly are you, Narry?¡± ¡°The daylight burns, his new comrades are now resting while our incessant ball of energy continues to blather to himself. They sit in meditation after the most recent battle. Three piles of stone creatures avoid of life lie on the ground, similar to their previous dormant nature, only fractured.¡± ¡°And they would have stayed dormant if it wasn¡¯t for that freak. Why would he try to lift something so large? Nevermind. Forget that tree hybrid, I don¡¯t want to talk about him. He¡¯s been trying to get me into a strength contest all day. Lift this, lift that. That girl still won¡¯t respond with more than a few words. Also. Why are both their profiles still private? What¡¯s there to hide?¡± ¡°In the surroundings, numerous large boulders can be seen. While majority are mere stone, many are similar if not of the species as the stones encountered earlier.¡± ¡°There are more of those? Where? They were nice experience. Incredibly easy to take down as well.¡± ¡°The previous massacre of these neutral stones was one of brutality. Even the blood stained and ravaged land while battling the earlier herd could not measure up.¡± ¡°Noway. Those things just split into smaller rocks. They did seem to leak some kind of liquid but that wasn¡¯t blood right?¡± ¡°Their mournful roar still echoes at heart. Stripped limb from limb. Shattered to pieces. Who are the true beasts here? The heart breaking scene of the last rock standing. It¡¯s listless eyes. That sense of defeat and sorrow, watching its kin crumble.¡± ¡°But. uh. They were just rocks, right? Rock monsters.¡± ¡°It would appear our hero¡¯s fellow slaughterers have arisen from their rest, ready to kill anew.¡± ¡°You guys fully rest?¡± ¡®Are you an endless source of energy? How do you have so much endurance. Even Tr¨¦j?re can¡¯t compete.¡¯ ¡°Oh, now you¡¯re asking questions? How about you start with tell me your name and i¡¯ll tell you how why I¡¯m not tired.¡± ¡®Fine. My name is...¡¯¡¯ Chapter forty four: To be forgotten ¡®...Wraps of sorrow and despair.¡¯ ¡°The hell kind of name is that?¡± ¡®My name.¡¯ ¡°Trerth? What do you think?¡± ¡®A fine name.¡¯ ¡°That¡¯s a fine name? Wraps of whatever? Those are song lyrics at best. A bad poem at worst.¡± ¡®Hmph.¡¯ ¡°What? Don¡¯t get mad at me, I didn¡¯t name you.¡± ¡°Wraps of sorrow and despair has taken our hero¡¯s word as a slight. It would appear that Wraps of sorrow and despair feels our hero to be rude. One can¡¯t help but to pity miss Wraps of sorrow and despair.¡± ¡°Stop it!¡± ¡®I¡¯m going.¡¯ ¡®Wait, miss Wraps of sorrow and despair.¡¯ ¡°You can¡¯t be thinking of using that name. I¡¯m calling her Wraps.¡± ¡®That¡¯s not my name!¡¯ ¡°Calm down, Wraps. You and trenturh need to take a long hard look at your names. This is no way to live.¡± ¡®Tr¨¦j?re is my grandfather''s name, do you dare insult it?¡¯ ¡°No. no. It¡¯s a wonderful name. Just like wraps of sorrow and despair. Perfectly reasonable names.¡± ¡°Before long our trio has left their victims in their wake. The trail of death like an arrow, leading to them. Most battlefields left behind turned to fields of ploughed dirt, wet and soggy. An odd spectacle to be sure. Plantlife seems to be sprouting with great vigor.¡± Once in awhile our team is ambushed or in act of brutal aggression and bloodlust attacks the free roaming creatures of the wildlands. They are now only a few steps away from their destination.¡± ¡®Ji.¡¯ ¡°What is it Treerth?¡± ¡®I¡¯ve been meaning to ask, what are those balls? Secret art of your clan?¡¯ ¡°No. Nothing like that. These are just concentrated mana. I¡¯m practising.¡± ¡®Are all these balls different from the ones you used to attack with?¡¯ ¡°Not really, they¡¯re just smaller, less energy and split into pieces. I guess they are a kind of formation. I can¡¯t get passed sixteen..¡± ¡®You should have a some art to practice control, Tr¨¦j?re.¡¯ ¡°Wraps, what do you do to practice control?¡± ¡®I¡¯m always practicing my control. You just can¡¯t see it.¡¯ ¡°Ohhh. Wraps of sorrow and despair, continues being mysterious. What about you Trerth? How do you practice control?¡± ¡®My people control the energy within us. I am also always controlling.¡¯ ¡°Oh¡± ¡®But not like you. What you are doing is impossible.¡¯ ¡®It really is a bit odd. It must drain you dry of mana.¡¯ ¡°Not that much. Most of it is ambient.¡± ¡®You¡¯re even using ambient mana to support it? What kind of freak are you?¡¯ ¡°It would seem his companions have realized the absurdity and the wanton waste of mana our hero is squandering. There are thousand and one way to practice energy control more efficiently. Luxury granted to the mana-fiend. Saturated in worldly warmth. A mana-cooked human.¡± ¡°According to the voice in my head, we are getting really close.¡±If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. ¡®This voice. Is it a secret art of your clan?¡¯ ¡°I don¡¯t think so. Maybe?¡± ¡®Are your parents also insane?¡¯ ¡°Definitely! Or that¡¯s what most people would say.¡± ¡®It must be an inherited illness.¡¯ ¡°I¡¯d call it a gift. It¡¯s like being a prophet.¡± ¡®We used to have a prophet in our clan.¡¯ ¡°Oh?¡± ¡®It was great grandfather''s brother. His prediction rarely strayed far from truth. Sadly his seed was not passed.¡¯ ¡°It could be said that the Aleksy family was well beyond the boundaries of normal human behaviour.¡± ¡°My dad used to say ¡®Why would a bird be afraid to fly?¡¯¡± ¡®What does that mean?¡¯ ¡°I¡¯ll explain it the way my mom used to, tritarth. She¡¯d show me an old, no, ancient tree that grew alongside one of our mansions.¡± ¡®A tree? I¡¯m sure it was a fine tree.¡¯ ¡°Don¡¯t interrupt. And yes, it was a great tree. Big and strong. Anyway. It grew in such a way that no matter what was raised around it, whatever obstacles put in its way. They were all devoured, broken or simply, pushed out of the way. She said that tree was like my paternal grandfather. Carefree, stubborn and mighty.¡° ¡®Powerful tree!¡¯ ¡°Grandfather really was a different kind of person. Dad used to tell me stories of his miscellaneous adventures. The way he created mountains from hills. Raging rivers from trickling streams.¡± ¡®Is this true?¡¯ ¡®Mountains from hills? Even my elders can¡¯t do that.¡¯ ¡°I¡¯m sure you are misunderstanding, it¡¯s only a metaphor.¡± ¡°It can¡¯t be denied. The carefree and willful nature of the Aleksy family can¡¯t be deemed ordinary. It is hard to say whether the Aleksy ways are born or nurtured. I certainly leaves one baffled. Even venerable beings such as us would find it hard to cultivate such an attitude. To this day the family continues to thrive. Even as a shadow of its former empire, they rose above and carved a place for themselves. In this ever changing world.¡± ¡°Right? Grampa was never without a smile. I think the only time i saw him raise an eyebrow is when he heard dad describe his intuition as a ¡®thousand year old womans.¡± ¡®Indeed. The wisest elders are often women.¡¯ ¡®That¡¯s because the men of your tribe are all battle crazed. You have no idea how annoying you all are.¡¯ ¡°Wait. Are you two neighbors or something?¡± ¡®Miss wraps is the little scion of- Owh!¡¯ ¡®Don¡¯t go sharing my secrets!¡¯ ¡®Of course. If the miss doesn¡¯t want to. I won¡¯t disagree.¡¯ ¡®At least you know how to behave.¡¯ ¡°I¡¯ve also been wondering about that. Why does he listen to what you say?¡± ¡®Because I beat him in a duel. Multiple times. I¡¯m stronger.¡¯ ¡®Demon cloth. In a true warriors fight, I¡¯d win in an instant.¡¯ ¡®Whatever means you have, bring them.¡¯ ¡°I see. Less interesting than I thought. I thought he had fallen for your your womanly ways.¡± ¡®This witch? Look at her. Skinny arms. Skinny legs. What¡¯s attractive?¡¯ ¡°The mana stirs violently. And it would appear that even our hero is aware. He quickly but lightly steps backwards. Eerily smooth movements, practised even. Sadly our tree-hybrid friend has been caught unaware.¡± ¡®Whose skinny!? Whose flat?¡¯ ¡°I don¡¯t think anyone mentioned fla-¡± ¡®Want to join him!?¡¯¡¯ ¡°He¡¯s indeed a sinner. I¡¯ll scout ahead. I¡¯m sure we¡¯re almost at there.¡± ¡°Reluctant groaning and shrill shouting aside. Our hero quickly relieves himself of any responsibility. As he carefully inspects a nearby rock formations.¡± ¡°It¡¯s really surprising how stonelike those things are. These seem to be normal stone though. Let¡¯s get a better view of the area. I should be able to see our destination from here, right?¡± ¡°The subtle sound of wind travel through the plain landscape. Without the pillars of stones, it would seem barren and even more desolate. Little ji towers above, standing on the highest rock formation he could see. A few short kilometers ahead he¡¯ll begin to encounter more aggressive creatures.¡± ¡°Really?¡± ¡°The creatures ahead will begin to yield resources that our team is after. Depending on their vigour, a week or two might be enough to collect all they need.¡± ¡°A week? What? That seems long. I¡¯m not in a hurry but two weeks feels too long.¡± ¡®Who are y-. Are you talking to yourself again, Ji? ¡°Ji. See. Normal name. Short, concise and to the point.¡± ¡®I did not want to say this, but you seem confused, Ji. Ji is a very strange name.¡¯ ¡°What?¡± ¡®In the clan, only the weakest families name their children in such a way.¡¯ ¡°Such a way. Normal way? I don¡¯t want to take a week off every time i mention a person. Oh hello, this is my friend, trenth and wraps of sorrow and kill me.¡± ¡®Tr¨¦j?re.¡¯ ¡®Wraps of sorrow and despair.¡¯ ¡°Who has ¡®and¡¯ in their damn name! Alright, before we get into that stupid stuff again, let¡¯s get ready¡± ¡°Finally our party of three has arrived at their destination.¡± ¡°If you look over there, You¡¯ll see a foggy hill. That should be where our quest area is.¡± ¡®Good. I am ready to spread my roots.¡¯ ¡®I hope you both die honorably in combat.¡¯ ¡°You to?¡± ¡®Thank you.¡¯ ¡°Excited by the notion of death, our hero¡¯s two companions stride forward with a smile.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not really going to rush into a losing fight. Not sure why it¡¯s this dramatic.¡± ¡®Only a coward runs from combat.¡¯ ¡°And idiots fight a losing battle.¡± ¡®It is up to the sages to predict, while the fighters fight.¡¯ ¡°Where do I sign up to be a sage?¡± ¡®Your simple mind would not comprehend the sages way.¡¯ ¡°Are you calling me stupid?¡± ¡®One hears what one want to hear.¡¯ ¡°I can¡¯t believe that tree is calling me stupid.¡± ¡°At last our hero faces his true death, the death of his ego.¡± ¡°No, no. I¡¯m not stupid.¡± ¡®Denial ruins fertile soil.¡¯ ¡°You are too much into nature phrases.¡± ¡®I want to finish this. If you are done talking, can we go do our quests?¡¯ ¡°You never told me what your quest was. Neither of you.¡± ¡®I am here to gather stone. And other resources for sharpstone.¡¯ ¡®...¡¯ ¡°Me to. But why does she looks so sad?¡¯ ¡®Perhaps her quest is more difficult.¡¯ ¡°I think she has the same quest. Ah! Look at that reaction.¡± ¡®It is suspicious.¡¯ ¡®Since when did you two become allies!?¡¯ ¡°It¡¯s confirmed then, we are all here to get stones.¡± ¡®It is beneath me to do such a quest.¡¯ ¡°It should come as no surprise that all quests given by the camp sharpstone are related to it¡¯s expansion. Within a few months it should become a thriving place. A bustling city in a years turn.¡± ¡°Awesome. That sounds pretty cool. I wonder if I get to be a mayor or something.¡± ¡°Let us not curse the city before it is built.¡± ¡®I¡¯m going to cast a wide range spell over the area. Any hostile creature should be provoked.¡¯ ¡°Need anything from me?¡± ¡®No. I need Tr¨¦j?re to prepare his defences.¡¯ ¡®It will be done. My roots have already begun to sprout.¡¯ ¡°Is that another of your tree phrases or are y-. Oh, no you are actually sprouting roots.¡± ¡°The vigorous roots bore into the earth. Our friend becomes still, his eyes closed. Moments pass and Tr¨¦j?re slowly begins to rise up, sturdy bark engulfs his lower legs.¡± ¡°Is this safe?¡± ¡®It¡¯s what they do. Stupid trees. If they gather together nothing will move them.¡¯ ¡°I can¡¯t imagine a whole family of trees.¡± ¡®They are inexhaustible pests.¡¯ ¡°What exactly is your relationship with him and his clan?¡± ¡®They are on our land.¡¯ ¡®Do not listen to her lies.¡¯ ¡°What the hell. Where is your voice coming from? Also speak up. It¡¯s like you¡¯re behind a wall.¡± ¡®Our family settled down and create a home. A magnificent forest. Filled with boundless mana.¡¯ ¡®Stealing mana, which my family summoned with our spell formations.¡¯ ¡®Nonsense. It is our unity that the ambient mana was summoned by.¡¯ ¡°Okay. I¡¯m not sure what you two are getting at, but forget I asked. Let¡¯s start the quest.¡± ¡®He will defend. I wall gather and manipulate. You attack.¡¯ ¡°Great.¡± ¡°Even without our hero, the duo would perhaps never fail this mission. He may only serve to accelerate their success.¡± Chapter forty five: Hills to mountains. ¡°That¡¯s a bit too many, right? We don¡¯t know how they attack either.¡± ¡®You must trust Tr¨¦j?re to stop them.¡¯ ¡°I¡¯d like to. But look at them, they never rolled like that. It¡¯s like an avalanche.¡± ¡°Dozens of enemies huddled together have been enticed by Wraps of sorrow and despair¡¯s peculiar spell. Every group containing four to eight, their numbers quickly rising above the tens to the hundreds.¡± ¡°How is he going to stop them? Are they gaining momentum? This is insane.¡± ¡®Ji. My friend. My roots are as sturdy as Berikin bark, as agile as Derl wood and as united as my whole clan.¡¯ ¡°That¡¯s fine. But I¡¯m staying back and attacking from here.¡± ¡°Cowering behind his allies our hero begins rousing the already chaotic ambient mana. Despite his innate abilities, it proves difficult.¡± ¡°Something feels off.¡± ¡°The area native to these being s has been saturated with their alignment, giving them more control. Moreso now with their great numbers. But in spite of this, our hero manages to assert some semblance of domain.¡± ¡°It¡¯s not as much mana as before. I might need to be a bit more conservative with my mana reserves.¡± ¡®When I unleash my wraps, you attack.¡¯ ¡°Alright.¡± ¡®And never stop. ¡®Tr¨¦j?re. You must stand your ground, even if every root is shattered, broken and burned.¡¯ ¡®It is my way to stand my ground.¡¯ ¡°What heroic display, a strange contrast to our shameless protagonist.¡± ¡°It''s just a quest for stone. I¡¯m not going to suicide for. Rocks. Rocks out of all things.¡± ¡°It would appear our hero takes these quests lightly. Yet has never considered what would happen should he fail. Would he still retain the system¡¯s will? Will he continue being the scion of the world?¡± ¡°I mean. I don¡¯t know. We¡¯re about to fight. Can you chill for a moment?¡± ¡°Our determined friends, Tr¨¦j?re and Wraps of sorrow and despair. Their lives may indeed be on the line. Some clans are on the brink of destruction. From either disastrous natural events, cunning villains or treacherous allies.¡± ¡°Okay! Okay! I get it! I¡¯ll take it a little more seriously.¡± ¡®Ji. They will soon be in range!¡¯ ¡°The thunderous noises nearly drown out her voice. Just above hundreds rolling rocks cascade up and down the hills. Yet despite their violent movements, no dust is thrown into the air. Even the ground is left untainted, seeming as pristine as before.¡± ¡°Did the ground just wriggle?¡± ¡®Get ready Tr¨¦j?re!¡¯ ¡®I am in position!¡¯ ¡°The bellow of a tree echoes out briefly before being overwhelmed by the rumbling rockslide.¡± ¡®Now!¡¯ ¡°Thousands of roots shoot from the ground and begin entangling each other. A moment passes and a wide lustrous net has formed. The rocks perhaps aware of the obstacle yet continue their rampage. They may also be unable to halt their momentum.¡± ¡°How is that going to stop them?¡± ¡°Our hero¡¯s quiet words are left unheard. The rocks begin colliding with Trj¨¦j?res barrier. Yet despite their size and vigorous charge. They fall short of breaking through, the barrier stretches backwards, uprooted by the heavy force.¡± ¡°...¡± ¡°The monstrous network of roots unearthed, yet this seems to been accounted for. The roots had already been entangled underground, strengthening them. Copious amount of soil is lifted with the roots. Creating a hill that joins in to cushion the blow.¡± ¡°It¡¯s like a the wave, it¡¯s like the land is liquid.¡± ¡®Get ready Ji!¡¯ ¡°Once the first line of offence slows down the second volley rams into their allies. Causing immense chaos. Their forces ground to halt, quarter of them near death, a half gravely wounded.¡± ¡®Tr¨¦j?re!¡¯¡¯ If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. ¡°On her command a bridge of roots reach the top of the hill.¡± ¡®Go Ji! Kill!¡¯ ¡°Tr¨¦j?re stands in place while the other two rush to the top of the newly formed hill. The littles missus waves her hands around. Her wrappings grow even larger, furthering its absurd size.¡± ¡°What the hell are you doing?¡± ¡®Just attack!¡¯ ¡°A sphere after sphere begins hailing down upon the clumped up rock creatures. Their wails incoherent as their already primitive speech is muffled by their impairments. Every sphere seems to differ in quality. Some so unstable that they come apart mid air.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know what¡¯s going on. I can¡¯t control it properly.¡± ¡°Despite his struggles our hero continuous to cast his concentrated balls at the enemy. Repeatedly hitting the same targets, dead or otherwise.¡± ¡°It¡¯s impossible to see which ones are still alive. It¡¯s just one giant gray mess.¡± ¡®They¡¯re starting to climb up.¡¯ ¡°Having regained their balance and the rock-slide ceased, they begin to climb over the corpses of their allies. Burying them in their stampede. Tr¨¦j?re¡¯s roots sprout, determined to entangle anything they can. Yet it falls short. Tens of of continue their rampage.¡± ¡°What do we do? I can¡¯t take this many out.¡± ¡®We¡¯ll hold as many as we can back. You focus on the ones that get through!¡¯ ¡°Roger that!¡± ¡°The crazed mana is in continuous limbo. It is naturally attracted to the native beings, yet is forcefully dragged towards our hero. Basking him in unorderly energy, causing his manipulation to plummet.¡± ¡°It¡¯s impossible to stabilize it!¡± ¡°The nature of a mana-fiend is allowing what should be considered impossible. However, control. Control is something learned and impossible to convey with words. It also the extraordinary and erratic nature of this energy that is allowing such destruction. Even as the spheres fall apart their power lesser but remains deadly.¡± ¡°It¡¯s like a shotgun. It looks like it is effective enough. Better to work with it rather than against it.¡± ¡°A few steps away from our hero, a near naked, Wraps of sorrow and despair is shouting. Her wraps ingeniously dancing among the enemy, distracting, binding and even causing dissension.¡± ¡®Ji! For how long can you go!?¡¯ ¡°What!? I can¡¯t hear you!¡± ¡®How long can you go!?¡¯ ¡°I¡¯m using a lot of internal mana. Maybe fifteen minutes?¡± ¡°Due to our hero¡¯s wasteful methods, his current mana use is astronomical. The usually synergy with ambient mana in shambles, forcing him to use his reserves.¡± ¡®Tr¨¦j?re! Can you hear me!?¡¯ ¡°After repeated attempts it becomes clear that communication methods are lacking. It may even look like the tree-hybrid has lost its way. Or in the process of doing so. He may go the way of his predecessors.¡± ¡°What the hell. Is he going to turn into a tree!?¡± ¡®Maybe.¡¯ ¡°Maybe!? Don¡¯t we have to stop him?¡± ¡®We¡¯ll all die if we don¡¯t stop them.¡¯ ¡°It may seem that the fighting is still at its pinnacle but eighty percent of the enemies have been rendered immobile or dead. The rest are gravely injured. It is their wails and last movements that make them appear active.¡± ¡°Really?¡± ¡°Our hero¡¯s reckless and violent attacks wreaked havoc. Wraps of sorrow and despair conniving ways caused dissension that spread like locust. The lesser intelligent rock lifeforms were easily fooled. And Tr¨¦j?re¡¯s bindings caused many to be trampled.¡± ¡°Now that you mention it. They aren¡¯t really moving towards us anymore.¡± ¡®What did you say? Speak louder!¡¯ ¡°The dying creatures cacophony still hinders the team¡¯s communication.¡± ¡°I said they aren¡¯t moving! Not moving!¡± ¡®Great! I¡¯ll go soothe Tr¨¦j?re!¡¯ ¡°Was he really going to turn into a tree?¡± ¡®What!?¡¯ ¡°Nothing! Just go!¡± ¡°The field of battle is under control, but the cries of the wounded still reverbs throughout the area. The act of slaughtering the still living enemies falls on our hero. With a rare expression, a picture of the callousness. Atmosphere turns desolate as the last of the sounds die out. The grim feeling pervades the aftermath of the fight.¡±
| Ji Aleksy. Elementalist. Mana fiend: Level Three-hundred-eighty-one |
¡°Not bad. At least seventy levels.¡±
|Quest log|
|Optional: The reformed city|
¡°The ancient city of Heo has been reformed, but by who and how?¡± Travel to the free city Heo and find out how the city was rebuilt. Location: Portal room. Difficulty: Medium Reward: Tier appropriate item.
|Optional: Back to the grind|
¡°The prophet said to the wanderer ¡®Swim against the water or be swallowed by the tide.¡¯ The wanderer took this advice and escaped drowning.¡± Travel to the appropriate wildlands and cull the malignant fiends scouring the land. Location: Portal room. Difficulty: Medium. Reward: Tier appropriate weapon.
|Optional: Camp Sharpstone needs|
¡°Help those about to fall, for when you descend, they will catch you¡± Gather seven-hundred tons of |Living rock|: 0.01/700 Gather ten |Solidified fire|: 0/10 Gather two thousand tons of |Vitalizing soil|: 0/2000 Gather sixty thousand gallons of |Stale water|: 0/6000 Location: Mer-erk mer-Erk wildlands, Camp Sharpstone Difficulty: Medium. Reward: Temporary buff last four hours after leaving camp. Reward: Beginner crafting materials of your choosing.
|Special ¨C Optional: Dying Deliverance, stones to sharpstone|
¡°When the restless rest. The still, from the ground break.¡± Set a up a revival shrine at Camp Sharpstone. Requires the hearts of one hundred different species: 23/100 Two hundred kilograms of |Living stone|: 1/200 Location: Mer-erk mer-Erk wildlands, Camp Sharpstone Difficulty: Hard. Reward: In case of fatality, revive at Camp Sharpstone. Two additional |Life offerings| Reward: Title that provides improved |Camp Sharpstone buff|.
|Quest pack|
¡°Carry our burdens.¡± Capable of containing a small amount of quest related items.
¡°Do I just throw their whole bodies in or what?¡± ¡®What are you doing?¡¯ ¡°Collecting quest materials. Or trying to.¡± ¡®If you can¡¯t harvest their bodies you will have to wait for them to dematerialize.¡¯ ¡°Where is Tr¨¦j?re? By the way.¡± ¡®He is resting. It takes time to return to his previous form.¡¯ ¡°How do we split up the loot?¡± ¡®Evenly.¡¯ ¡°Oh.¡±
|Living rock|
¡°What echoes are lives lost, petrification.¡± Crafting material Do not consume
¡°I need a lot of these.¡± ¡®I need a five hundred tons and Tr¨¦j?re needs six hundred.¡¯ ¡°How much is there? Do you have a scale.¡± ¡®No.¡¯ ¡°Tired of Ji¡¯s absurdity, Wraps of sorrow and despair begins collecting the rocks into her quest bag.¡±
|Living stone|
¡°The beating of this dying soul still continues even in death.¡± Crafting material Do not consume
¡°Why would I eat this? Do you guys need these living stones as well?¡± ¡®I don¡¯t, ask Tr¨¦j?re.¡¯ ¡°He¡¯s still not done resting?¡± ¡®He should be fine by now. You shouldn¡¯t worry about that tree, they are tenacious if anything.¡¯ ¡°Alright. Tell me when you¡¯re finished looting I¡¯m going to go practice my control.¡± ¡°Our hero retreats to Tr¨¦j?re, who has build a rather sizeable dwelling in the shape of a swelled out tree.¡± ¡°Nice place.¡± ¡®Thank you. It is a technique my father taught me. It is a home away from home.¡¯ ¡°I want to check. Did you need living stone for your quest?¡± ¡®No. I require living rocks, solidified fire, Vitalizing soil and stale water.¡¯ ¡°Looks like we have the same mission. For the most part.¡± ¡®I also have a need for and vitalizing water and stale soil. Wraps of sorrow and despair has told me we would gather these together.¡¯ ¡°Alright. I guess we just wait for her to gather everything up. I¡¯m going to go rest for a bit and practice my control. I feel like I might break through and a another sphere to the formation.¡± ¡°It is not our hero¡¯s trust that allows him to walk away from the remains of the battle. At his disposal is a log that stores every item that dropped.¡± ¡°They only drop living rocks and a tiny bit of living stone. But this part of the mission shouldn¡¯t give us any problems.¡± ¡°With closed eyes our hero summons sixteen spheres that begin their erratic flight. While they might seem at random, there is certain order. And it is in this disorder that our hero will find his control improve.¡± Chapter forty six: Time to get your feet wet ¡°These spheres. I get the feeling that if I can let them go. They¡¯ll do their own thing. But I also feel that they¡¯ll do their own thing.¡± ¡°The depth of stupidity our hero reaches, to solve simplest of things. If anything, it is astounding. Some would call it eccentric, but in reality, it is convoluted nonsense, serving only to dumb us all down. Giving the naive a sense of deference.¡± ¡°I¡¯m trying to force the way the energy moves. But all I¡¯m doing is working against it. It¡¯s like trying to make water flow uphill.¡± ¡°Whilst our hero loses himself in the mindless drudgery of his mind, we can look to his companions. It is not only our hero that has felt the touch of enlightenment. After nearly giving himself to the way of the flora, Tr¨¦j?re has furthered his connection to his ancestors, the ancient sentient trees. Their immobility limited their dominance but once within their domain, few could escape unscathed. Even the fabric fanatic Wraps of sorrow and despair has found herself in a situation that will enhance her abilities. After collecting the spoils of war, she crawled up Tr¨¦j?re¡¯s tree and made herself a web and cocoon. While it is not hard for beings such as us to peer past her defences, we have been politely asked to give her privacy.¡± ¡°You know I can hear you right?¡± ¡°It would seem our hero has befriended his spherical companions. It is strange that he would be at odds with them. But we have long lost any sense of normalcy.¡± ¡°Be that way. More interesting is the way these spheres work. I felt this limit before. As if there would be no way to add more spheres to my. I¡¯m just going to call it formation, even though it just feels like juggling. Recently I¡¯ve been thinking about how to make a spell. Because for some reason spells can be cast faster than me creating spheres.¡± ¡°As ignorant our hero is, this particular issue of spells, is a fault of the system. If the world has not acknowledge a set of actions known as spells, one will not receive its help. This does not end with spells but every action from crafting clay vases, cooking milled white wheat bread and roasting pork over a scorching fire. All these things are possible without any external interference. It is a thing of convenience. What these, lowborn, believe to be tradition, ancient gods and whatnot. Is but a system that saves their actions. This form then assists them in replicating them. There are reasons to follow this system, despite its inadequacies. Our hero and perhaps even his companions and their peers might however be better of steering off the beaten path. Even then, when against the wall, the ease of access is alluring.¡± ¡°I am trying to break through right now. Why do you always pick these times to talk so much.¡± ¡°Even when appearing calm, closed eyes and physically relaxed, our hero continues his conversation with himself.¡± ¡°Seventeen spheres. The eighteenth is almost there. It doesn¡¯t even feel difficult. It¡¯s just a matter of time. I¡¯m finding the rhythm. The right moment to add it to the formation.¡± ¡®It is good that you are progressing but you are interrupting my rest. My strength still lingers in the ground.¡¯ ¡°I¡¯ll shut up. I need to focus on this anyway.¡± ¡®Thank you, friend.¡¯ ¡°Only the sound of the wind and creaks of wood can be heard. The quick rest planned has now spanned three days. Our hero has yet to progress his control exercise and add the pivotal eighteenth sphere. Tr¨¦j?re continues to draw nutrients from the ground. His roots spreading further and deeper. Last is the young lady. Her strength lies in her fabrics. She continues to commune with it. Every matriarch before her has passed down their strength. The collected strength requires both a bloodline connection and delicate control. From what we can gather, she comes from a long line of enchanters. While a simple enchant can be earth shattering. Her Wraps are something different entirely.This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it. This can be said about all heirlooms of greater crafting families. The requirements to improve upon such items become too stringent. Near millenia of study, both tailoring and enchanting. As well as the culmination of their power. All for minor incremental increase in an item¡¯s power.¡± ¡°...¡± ¡°In deep concentration, Ji continues his exercise. He has become observably thinner, a strong contrast to our tree friend who grows larger in all dimensions. Occasionally a roaming pack of stones will wander into Tr¨¦j?res range and be swallowed. These are actions are more predatory than protective. A natural response to food. It would not be surprising if this tree would continue to live and grow here for a few decades.¡± ¡®I have fully recovered my strength. I feel greatly invigorated. My tree will protect you while I go out and hunt.¡¯ ¡°Have fun.¡± ¡°The heavy steps of the enlarged man shake the ground. But with every step the impact is lessened until the shaking ceases. Quick to regain control of his newfound physical body. It¡¯s worth noting that he¡¯ll require to hunt his prey one by one rather than luring them in large packs. It was only due to misses Wraps of sorrow and despair¡¯s heirloom wraps that they were able to cast such a wide net. And while their current hiatus is due to the strenuous activities of fighting a horde of stones. Once they find a balance they might clear this part of their mission in a fraction of the expected time.¡± ¡°Just me and Wraps.¡± ¡°Two additional days have passed, Wraps of sorrow and despair has emerged from her silk cocoon. And without a word left to join Tr¨¦j?re¡¯s hunt. It is now our hero that continues to lounge around. Leaving the work to his companions. Who knows, they might have finished and left already. Dropping the dead weight.¡± ¡°Are you trying to irritate me? Because you are succeeding.¡± ¡°With a relaxed expression our hero waves his hand and conjures a sphere. It steadily grows in size, to match the other seventeen.¡± ¡°Now I just need to insert it into the formation.¡± ¡°The irregular movements of the spheres shift around, the movement hard to distinguish due the already chaotic trajectories.¡± ¡°And go.¡± ¡°Eighteen spheres have found a renewed equilibrium. Their movements would still strike an outside observer as jumbled. Anything but order.¡± ¡°Ye it¡¯s hard to tell the different. But I can feel the power rise. On a whole it felt a bit forced.¡± ¡°Out of the many ways to practice one''s control, our hero selected a rather violent way. Differing from Wraps of sorrow and despair¡¯s and Tr¨¦j?res soft manipulation.¡± ¡°Soft? What do you mean violent? Okay, yes. It I had to kind of jam it into the formation. But that doesn¡¯t make it violent.¡± ¡°Had our hero split the spheres a few times into smaller ones, his abilities would find a more delicate touch. It is up for debate which is better, not all tools serve the same job after all.¡± ¡°I¡¯d describe my control as smooth. Just look at them, they are very content.¡± ¡°While our hero¡¯s ways are violent, perhaps brutish. There are more domineering ways to go about the process. Some choose to wield the singular, large and heavy. A large hammer comes in mind. Others may choose play with numerous knives. Each has their own merits. But differ enough to find their own place in the world.¡± ¡°Huh.¡± ¡°The masterful, will choose every way to improve their control. As they recognize it as the true foundation of all future strength.¡± ¡°Now that I think about it. It must be hard to control all those roots. And I¡¯m sure those endlessly long fabrics that Wraps uses are difficult as well.¡± ¡°Having achieved a minor threshold, our hero may be capable of creating a few spells. Should his mind be put to it.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve created a bunch of spells. What do you mean?¡± ¡°The intent that goes into an action is essential when creating spells. Not all spells are easy to replicate or teach. This has to due with affinities that are hard to reach. But most simply require a certain amount of control. If our hero created a spell that fit his current level of control. He would be hard pressed to teach his allies. Their control soft, and would need to adjust to the more rugged, heavy handed control our hero practices.¡± ¡°Stop bad mouthing my control. I don¡¯t really have time to create new spells. But I can try improving some of my existing ones. Maybe I should focus a bit more elemental conversion. I feel like I¡¯ve only been using pure mana and nothing else for a while now.¡± ¡°Surprising. Somewhat strange. That our hero has finally made a sliver of sense. While his foundation somewhat extravagant, the addition of a mana fiend class thrust him in a rare position. A situation where the only reasonable course of action was to practice his control over mana, internal and ambient. The next control threshold far enough away that devoting some time his auxiliary abilities should take the lead for a while.¡± ¡°You think so? I¡¯m just excited about using elements to attack. Got a bit boring to sling mana spheres all day. I¡¯m going to start with the movement skill.¡±
|Weaving water boots|
Water - Wind
Requires
[Novice water affinity]; [Novice mana manipulation]; [Beginner wind affinity]
[Movement] [Water][Wind]
Conjured water and wind covers the feet. ¡°Fundamental movement ability that focuses on maneuverability rather than acceleration. It¡¯s use versatile but requires a period to adept.¡±
¡°Feels better. Takes more mana to maintain it. But I don¡¯t think it¡¯s noticeable.¡± ¡°A film of tenacious water has covered half his feet. The water is manipulated by instinct for the most part, it tries to stay as even grounded as possible. The wind will try to move between the water film and the physical body.¡± ¡°Like a balloon. That¡¯s how it came to me actually.¡± ¡°The ability does provide some increase in acceleration, but it¡¯s greatest merit is the quick deceleration. Provided the physical body is sturdy, our hero should be able to come to a full stop from immense speeds.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t think that¡¯s the best part about it at all. The best part is quick turning and the synergy with the Oh clans flexible fighting style. And you can bounce.¡± ¡°This ability requires minimal amount of control and some affinity with the elements, but cannot cause damage. It would instead reduce it.¡± ¡°That¡¯s fine. I wasn¡¯t planning on kicking people with my soles. I¡¯m going to go look for Tr¨¦j?re and Wraps.¡± ¡°A step out of the house and our hero has ignited a sphere on fire.¡± ¡°Figured I¡¯d try some stuff.¡± ¡°The fireball begins spinning at increasing rates. This quickly lessens its volume.¡± ¡°I think it needs a protective cover to spin like that. But the wind doesn¡¯t hold up either. It¡¯s not that it can¡¯t envelope it, the fire eats away at it and creates holes. This makes it drain energy even faster. But it does sustain a bit longer.¡± ¡°The creation of an ability that supersedes a well rounded concentration of mana does prove difficult for most. It is instead efficiency that they look for. They look ways to minimize the damage loss and further reduce the cost of mana.¡± ¡°What? That sounds stupid.¡± ¡°On the other end of the spectrum you have the gift from god, the mana bathed demi-god. Trying to further his destructive capabilities by squandering even more mana.¡± ¡°I can see you''re trying to subtly compliment me. I appreciate the effort.¡± ¡°Once more, we are without words. And can only watch our hero pillage the ambient mana into his absurd experiments.¡± ¡°Maybe if I put i put a mud layer around the fire, then a water and wind layer and then another mud layer? Or maybe I shou-.¡± Chapter forty seven: Learning by failure ¡°The volatile state of his new creation has caused our hero to abruptly pause. An odd seething sound is the only thing we can hear now.¡± ¡°What¡¯s going on? What is it doing?¡± ¡°Even after a thorough inspection the muddy sphere continues to spin slowly in Ji¡¯s hands.¡± ¡°There is a small hole in the mud layer. But every time I try to force it to close, it starts shaking again. Then another hole opens up. Maybe it needs another layer of mud.¡± ¡°The decision made, quickly a new sphere springs into existence. In his left hand we can see the process of a pure concentrated ambient mana being converted to mud.¡± ¡°I wonder if I can manipulate stuff like iron as well.¡± ¡°The third sphere of mud expands and opens up like a snake, ready to devour.¡± ¡°This should do it!¡± ¡°The water continues to vaporize, but the fire core in the middle has dwindled considerably. The two elements may be considered at odds, but their mutual strength caused them to both diminish simultaneously..¡± ¡°Oh! It¡¯s steam? That makes sense. That¡¯s why it sounded like tea kettle. No wonder. There is no way the mud was going to be able to contain all that expanding steam. Alright let¡¯s forget this approach. I can¡¯t do anything with this. Except maybe make tea. Okay water and fire definitely don¡¯t mix that well. Maybe it¡¯s okay for a smokescreen. Hmm, let¡¯s try that.¡± ¡°In each hand three spheres appear.¡± ¡°Now convert.¡± ¡°One hand blazes bright while the other hovers with a clear gleam, appearing docile.¡± ¡°Water and fire! Go! It¡¯s too awkward shout these things.¡± ¡°Six spheres collide some distance away. Being conjured from mana they retain their power and carve up the ground.¡± ¡°Huh. I thought the fire would evaporate the water. Why did it just seem like a normal energy sphere?¡± ¡°Deep in thought our hero finally grants us calming silence. His steps unnaturally stable on the shifted terrain. Tendrils of water and inconspicuous gusts of wind gathered at his feet.¡± ¡°Okay, so fire seems a bit strange to work with. But I can definitely do something with the water.¡± ¡°Three spheres of water appear in the air. After merging they begin to elongate.¡± ¡°How¡¯s this? A water staff! Pretty good, right?¡± ¡°The ease of manipulating water continues to amaze our hero, despite being the easiest material to control.¡± ¡°And now to make it freeze. Just have to slow it down.¡± ¡°Unhinged as our hero is, his surprising talent with the elements has always been out of our expectations. The innate mana affinity is easily explained but the elemental affinity continues to elude us.¡± ¡°Awesome. I don¡¯t even have to hold it I can just swing it with my mind. It wasn¡¯t this easy before, to move things in the air. It was never hard to throw things away from me, but now I can even make it stop and return. This is probably because I improved my control. Even the speed I throw things has increased.¡± ¡°Having found a new toy our hero continues to conjure various weapons.¡± ¡°Is five my limit? Why can¡¯t I make more spheres? Let¡¯s see. Three spheres per weapon, so fifteen spheres. But I can only make one more sphere.¡± ¡°It is not surprising that our hero is so baffled by his own limits. Casting six spells simultaneously would be considered absurd and wasteful.¡± ¡°Six? I¡¯m just casting five. Oh! The Weaving water boots! I guess they take up the space for the last two spheres. This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. I¡¯m able to wield eighteen spheres, more and everything will become unstable.¡± ¡°There are unlimited things that can be defined as one¡¯s limits. Our hero is unable to summon the power to increase the quantity he can control. But he is also limited by his affinities, the ambient mana and internal mana. As is everyone else. There are countless reasons that lead to empowerment and endless reasons that lead to emaciation.¡± ¡°But it means when I¡¯m creating spells, I¡¯m only limited by my control, right?¡± ¡°Ignorance, mental strength, a lack of ingenuity, ambition, vision, external aid and many other factors will limit one¡¯s ability to conjure new spells.¡± ¡°Alright seeing as I¡¯m brilliant genius, very ambitions and a visionary. I¡¯ll be fine?¡± ¡°...¡± ¡°I don¡¯t understand these ice weapons. Why isn¡¯t it creating a spell. Does there need to be another element? No I already made those fireballs, waterballs, stoneballs and windballs.¡± ¡°The manipulation of an element alone cannot be called a spell. While spells may not require complexity, they require a source of will and a purpose for the action. Mindless creation leads nowhere. One cannot fumble through life as our hero does.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not fumbling! I¡¯m researching. I¡¯m more like a theorycrafter, a philosophiser. Ye, I¡¯m philosophising.¡± ¡°Of course the action of converting energy into flame, can be considered a spell, and there are many variation of such a spell. The intent behind it required and differs greatly from person to person.¡± ¡°But look, a staff, sword, spear, axe and a hammer! How is this not a spell!?¡± ¡°With feigned agitation our hero continues to play with his newfound toys. Striking in order or in tandem. Sometimes at random, sometimes in unison.¡± ¡°I¡¯m trying to make them into a formation, like the spheres. But I can¡¯t feel it. Something''s off.¡± ¡°Understandable confusion. What our hero thought was his creation, a formation as he calls it. Is more inline with the nature of energy and how it acts in its natural state. Just as the wind never stops, the fire burns violently and water adapts.¡± ¡°Hmm. I shouldn¡¯t try to make formations? Alright, how about this. I¡¯ll have the ice weapon attack something other than just air, one after the other.¡± ¡°As we stroll through the rocky terrain, our hero¡¯s watery weaponry have begun thawing out but hold their form.¡± ¡°They unfroze? Huh. Ye I can see it now. Why did they unfreeze? Nothing? Why didn¡¯t I think of this! I don¡¯t need fire to create steam, at all!¡± ¡°As if struck by enlightenment our hero assumes an odd posture.¡± ¡°It¡¯s not a strange posture! Man. You¡¯re ruining the mood, whatever. Okay! Just have to make the water vibrate super fast!¡± ¡°The rapid expanse of boiling water creates a shockwave, a blast that our hero is personally affected by. Lucky to not be burned alive by the searing heat.¡± ¡°What the hell was that! That¡¯s ridiculous! Oh man. And no spell!? Huh?¡± ¡°Our hero¡¯s teammates rapidly approach. Presumably alerted by the absurd explosion.¡± ¡®Ji?¡¯ ¡®Pervert?¡¯ ¡®No, miss. That¡¯s Ji.¡¯ ¡®So, pervert?¡¯ ¡°What the hell do you mean pervert?¡± ¡°Brazenly walking around in tiny clothing. our hero¡¯s sense of shame continues to seek a bottom, to no avail.¡± ¡°Huh? Ah! What happened to my clothes?¡± ¡®Were you fighting? Did you destroy the threat?¡¯ ¡°Tr- forget it. I was experimenting.¡± ¡®Why is everything wet?¡¯ ¡°Have you guys finished the quest?¡± ¡®No, the Tr¨¦j?re wished to wait for you.¡¯ ¡®Didn¡¯t you say it was a waste of time hunting just the two of us?¡¯ ¡®No.¡¯ ¡®I thought you said that we should wait for him and pull large amounts at once, like before.¡¯ ¡®I didn¡¯t.¡¯ ¡°That¡¯s so sweet! You waited for me! Why do you look so gloomy, Wraps? Trearthh is happy to see me, right Trerths?¡± ¡¯It''s great to see you, Ji.¡¯ ¡°See?¡± ¡®Put on clothes and follow me, we scouted a few locations to cast a more efficient net.¡¯ ¡®Wraps of sorrow and despair is a great commander, Ji. Even father commended her.¡¯ ¡®It¡¯s harder to not impress a Tr¨¦ than it is to disappoint them.¡¯ ¡°You really can¡¯t take a compliment.¡± ¡°Not a moment goes by before our spell inventor extraordinaire begins explaining his grand spell designs to his increasingly apathetic friends.¡± ¡°Still don¡¯t understand? Okay just lift up your hand. Actually, there is no need to lift up your hand, I just do it every time I¡¯m gathering ambient mana together.¡± ¡®Like this?¡¯ ¡°With tired eyes, his withered companion lifts his large tree-like arm.¡± ¡°Then we just get some mana together. Now, convert it to water. Now this is the tricky part. Make it vibrate, really, really fast.¡± ¡®What is vibrate?¡¯ ¡°What is vibrate? It means shaking really fast. Because hot things have fast molecules.¡± ¡®Molecules? Miss, do you know what molecules is?¡¯ ¡®Don¡¯t drag me into this.¡¯ ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter. Or. Hmm. Okay, it¡¯s this really small stuff, imagine the smallest amount of water you can. Okay?¡± ¡®Okay.¡¯ ¡°Now imagine it shaking really fast.¡± ¡°Our hero¡¯s method of evaporating water might be effective, but require some fundamental knowledge and the needed visualization. It would be strange if his companions had such abilities.¡± ¡®Nothing is happening, Ji.¡¯ ¡°Strange. Okay well I can show you how I do it. I just make a small amount of water become steam.¡± ¡°A finger sized ball of concentrated energy water gives of the appears of bubble that then pops. The more astute amongst us can see the shockwave it produces, despite its lacking strength.¡± ¡°I did that. But with more water.¡± ¡®This is not within my ability.¡¯ ¡°It should be, you use water and earth to create all these tree roots, right?¡± ¡®Of course, But I was born with this gift, we take the ambient mana and make it ours.¡¯ ¡°Convert ambient mana to internal mana, right. And then?¡± ¡®To create trees or any form of plant life, we require seeds. Mine was born with me.¡¯ ¡°Oh? It has to be internal mana?¡± ¡®It is impossible to control life without it, because internal energy is a part of me.¡¯ ¡°While our hero has shown a rather impressive ability in causing destruction with his control over ambient mana. The real power of energy that has become a part of you, is that it is you. It is easier to learn to move your arms and legs than it is to control a sword.¡± ¡°Is it easier? I never felt it to be any different. Maybe I haven¡¯t been using it right.¡± ¡®I can tell you these things, Ji. My ability comes from my clan¡¯s ancestors.¡¯ ¡°Mmm.¡± ¡®We the descendants only adapt it, sometimes we improve it but in the end it is a power that belongs to my family. And no one else.¡¯ ¡°I see. And Wraps is the same? Does your cloth use internal mana as well?¡± ¡®For the most part. It is rude to asks such questions.¡¯ ¡°What¡¯s rude about it? Tell me how you move cloth like that.¡± ¡®No.¡¯ ¡°With a dissatisfied expression our hero moves to his inventory.¡± ¡°This is a fruit, it should have a seed in it right? Let¡¯s grab a seed from it.¡± ¡®It is impossible to learn this power so quickly. Even I had to mature a bit before I began showing my impressive innate potential.¡¯ ¡°Are you bragging? You should learn from Wraps. She doesn¡¯t brag.¡± ¡®I am also incredibly gifted. Much more impressive than that rigid tree.¡¯ ¡°You guys need to learn to be humble, like me.¡± ¡°Having dug out a seed from the fruit our hero drags his internal mana into it. Staring at it with eyes of a predator.¡± ¡°Earth and water, right?¡± ¡®I told you it was impossible.¡¯ ¡°Why isn¡¯t anything happening? Everytime I try my energy vanishes. It definitely became bigger. Even if it¡¯s just a tiny bit.¡± ¡°Such a lose connection and such poor control. Yet he continues in his futile attempts.¡± ¡®This should be ideal. Tr¨¦j?re. Around there.¡¯ ¡®I will prepare.¡¯ ¡°Oh? We¡¯re already here? Ah! I completely forgot about making an area effect spell.¡± ¡®Let me know when you are ready, Tr¨¦j?re.¡¯ ¡®A few moments.¡¯ ¡°Underneath the ground a vast network of roots begins to expand. While the roots are controlled by his internal mana, the roots themselves take in monstrous amount of ambient mana, using is fuel to expand even faster.¡± ¡°Impressive ability.¡± ¡°The most incredible things become possible through ingenuity and mastery of control.¡± Chapter fourty eight: Edge ¡°Underneath the ground thousands of roots slither around like snakes. They weave together in an intricate net.¡± ¡°The sound it makes is giving me goosebumps, and not the good kind.¡± ¡®My roots move the ground.¡¯ ¡°You can speak while doing this?¡± ¡®This is as simple as moving any of my limbs, they are apart of my internal mana.¡¯ ¡°The roots sphere of influence hasn¡¯t increased but the density of mana in each section of roots has increased. How this increases its power is by being easier to manipulate. This makes it easier to strike with precision and in this way the power is increased.¡± ¡®I am ready.¡¯ ¡®I¡¯ll start then.¡¯ ¡°Untold formations embedded into the fabric come to life again. The spell attracts nearby creators. No stone unturned, so to speak.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t try to be clever.¡± ¡°The fabric holds many spell formations, perhaps too many. It can take decades to know them all, and a lifetime to actively use them.¡± ¡®They are coming.¡¯ ¡°I have the feeling that wind should work against these stone creatures. But I¡¯m not sure why I think that.¡± ¡°Bound by tradition or lead by misinformation, our hero speculates.¡± ¡°It¡¯s not?¡± ¡®Are you both prepared?¡¯ ¡®I am ready.¡¯ ¡°Ye.¡± ¡°It might be a comforting notion to believe that one element overpowers another, but these are not realistic believes. As all elements share the same origin, their power is the same. They are only different, some would use the word, advanced or complex to describe variation of mana.¡± ¡°That does make some sense, I guess.¡± ¡°Some would argue that water can weaken soil, that wind can cut through stone and fire melt it. In the same way soil can consume water, it can rebound wind and resist the fire. This is not a show of weakness or strength, but levels of personal power.¡± ¡°Okay, but there is still a way to make taking these things down more efficient.¡± ¡°Only after experiencing the uncomfortable feeling of losing control and nearly wasting all his mana reserve, does our hero think of efficiency. Before he can further his ideas and find a proper path he is interrupted by the shaking ground, and the thundering noise that follows.¡± ¡°I¡¯m feeling a strong case of Dei jaw wu.¡± ¡®Is this an illness? Can you fight?¡¯ ¡°I can fight, I can fight.¡± ¡°The rock creatures appear as before, clustered together, some rolling other gallantly striding forward. Unlike before, Ji doesn¡¯t wait for the cascading rocktide to meet Tr¨¦j?re¡¯s barrier and starts sending out sphere, they are sixteen in total. Before they meet the tide, Ji let¡¯s go of his control of the ambient mana spheres and creates new ones. This action causes the concentrated mana to lose all stability and it violently burst apart. The pieces do not retain their former power. The initial impact isn¡¯t clear as the there are too many individual rocks and their momentum is hard to stop, if one falters there are two other to take its place.¡± ¡°Is it working?¡± ¡®It is working. Tr¨¦j?re they are about to enter your range.¡¯ ¡®I am prepared.¡¯ ¡°Unlike our oblivious hero, Wraps of sorrow and despair has the presence of mind to observe the information log at their disposal. In it is clear that Ji¡¯s attack have wreaked havoc. The attack recklessly squanders ambient mana, but this is not unexpected. What is unexpected its the viability of the action. Hundreds of stone creatures are destroyed, not knowing what caused their death.¡± ¡®Rise!¡¯ ¡®Go!¡¯ ¡°A similar scene occurs, the roots meet the tide and the roots, instead of going against the tide Tr¨¦j?re allows them to rip of the roots.If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it. The earth moves with it and the roots that are dragged out are thicker and thicker before finally a small hill of roots and soil form a wall. The rocks are left to climb the roots and stumbled upon each other, some buried by their companions. It is in the precarious situation that Wrap¡¯s fabric expands and begins using its formations to disorient the creatures, the dissension is devastating. All this happens and our hero carelessly summons sphere after spear and flings them towards the tide. The fight, while starting out dramatically, is now without any suspense. Like before, Tr¨¦j?re needs time to rest and so does Wraps but Ji, master of mana, destroyer of rocks is left to gather the loot.¡± ¡°This is so much. How did Wraps do this so quickly.¡± ¡°With Wraps of sorrow and despair¡¯s soft control it is easy for her to manipulate her fabric to collect the remains of this massive slaughter.¡± ¡°That¡¯s bullshit. This will take me half the damn day.¡± ¡°On sundown our hero has settled down in Tr¨¦j?re¡¯s tree. While not exhausted, natural fatigue settles in and everyone enters deep sleep. Upon waking up, the items so far is split evenly between the group, with Ji taking all of the living stone, as it is only him requiring it.¡±
| Ji Aleksy. Elementalist. Mana fiend: Level Four-hundred-forty-two |
|Quest log|
|Optional: The reformed city|
¡°The ancient city of Heo has been reformed, but by who and how?¡± Travel to the free city Heo and find out how the city was rebuilt. Location: Portal room. Difficulty: Medium Reward: Tier appropriate item.
|Optional: Back to the grind|
¡°The prophet said to the wanderer ¡®Swim against the water or be swallowed by the tide.¡¯ The wanderer took this advice and escaped drowning.¡± Travel to the appropriate wildlands and cull the malignant fiends scouring the land. Location: Portal room. Difficulty: Medium. Reward: Tier appropriate weapon.
|Optional: Camp Sharpstone needs|
¡°Help those about to fall, for when you descend, they will catch you¡± Gather seven-hundred tons of |Living rock|: 268.7/700 Gather ten |Solidified fire|: 0/10 Gather two thousand tons of |Vitalizing soil|: 0/2000 Gather sixty thousand gallons of |Stale water|: 0/6000 Location: Mer-erk mer-Erk wildlands, Camp Sharpstone Difficulty: Medium. Reward: Temporary buff last four hours after leaving camp. Reward: Beginner crafting materials of your choosing.
|Special ¨C Optional: Dying Deliverance, stones to sharpstone|
¡°When the restless rest. The still, from the ground break.¡± Set a up a revival shrine at Camp Sharpstone. Requires the hearts of one hundred different species: 23/100 Two hundred kilograms of |Living stone|: 15/200 Location: Mer-erk mer-Erk wildlands, Camp Sharpstone Difficulty: Hard. Reward: In case of fatality, revive at Camp Sharpstone. Two additional |Life offerings| Reward: Title that provides improved |Camp Sharpstone buff|.
¡°The two fights gave about the same amount. Living stone looks like a problem though.¡± ¡°Due to the trio¡¯s lacking harvesting abilities, majority of the materials go wasted.¡± ¡°I can¡¯t be blamed for that. No one said anything about mining primordial beings. Just saying it out loud makes it seem far fetched.¡± ¡°A quest such as this, is dependant on many things, for the most part is relies on momentum. Returning a handsome amount of building material back to camp will in majority of cases, allow them to deposit even more for further credit.¡± ¡°It doesn¡¯t say that anywhere. Where are you getting this information?¡± ¡°Not only this, but returning back is also crucial, if our hero and his companions are late arrivals, the intangible rewards will be lacking. In this way, taking too much time will be detrimental and taking too short will only allow for mediocre returns. As the a grand portion of the quest requires long distance traveling.¡± ¡°This doesn¡¯t seem fair at all. Hey, did you guys know we can return more than what the quest is asking for?¡± ¡®Are you sure? I¡¯ve read both mine and Tr¨¦j?re¡¯s quest log.¡¯ ¡°I¡¯m pretty sure, not hundred percent. But. Well I mean I guess I trust my spirit guide.¡± ¡®It is called a spirit guide?¡¯ ¡°Yes. A spirit guide, an inherited ability of the Aleksy family.¡± ¡°Once again the deceptive nature of our hero crawls to the surface. It is not an unsurprising to see him weave such deceits.¡± ¡®Then should be collect more than we need?¡¯ ¡°I¡¯m not saying that, It¡¯s just an option. If we can, we probably should. But we also can¡¯t take too long.¡± ¡®With our pace, we should be finished within a week.¡¯ ¡°Their grand scheme of luring hordes to their location has indeed granted them incredible progress. Their current weakness is stamina. The incredible mana consumption is not easily regained. Perhaps if they organize properly, they might be able to manage two assault in a single day.¡± ¡°Did you have another location ready, Wraps?¡± ¡®We have three potential locations. We scouted them yesterday before you came out from your ¡¯ ¡®There are too many of them, no matter where he looked, there are herds of rocks.¡¯ ¡°A part of the reason why people are sent out to collect materials is to make sure they won¡¯t fall to the wrong side. Even though corrupting a person, to changing their alignment towards the undying is difficult, it is not necessary. They can still use low intelligent lifeforms in other ways. Not a great threat from these simple lifeforms, it¡¯s the quantity, they have been allowed to procreate here for centuries now, their numbers can be in the millions.¡± ¡°I¡¯m been thinking about a better area of effect ability. The scattered mana spheres are okay but not good enough.¡± ¡®It¡¯s not normal to casually create abilities, Ji. Have you studied basic spell books?¡¯ ¡°There are basic spell books?¡± ¡®Hundreds.¡¯ ¡°What the, no one told me.¡± ¡®There are public libraries that have them.¡¯ ¡°The two people were somewhat shocked that Ji hadn¡¯t even read a basic spell book. As is proficiency in all things mana seemed at least comparable to them. It is too absurd. To them it was never eating. Not knowing the basic of basics sounded ridiculous. What they couldn¡¯t know is the origin of our hero. His time had imaginative books, tv show, movies and drawings. He didn¡¯t lack direction so to speak.¡± ¡°That¡¯s true.¡± ¡®You know about them?¡¯ ¡°Ah, no I, never mind. Ye, so basic skill books, huh?¡± ¡°The group is cooking a meal, they do not look like they are in a hurry to start a third slaughter.¡± ¡°I think the problem with the area skill is that the mana isn¡¯t very useful for it.¡± ¡®...¡¯ ¡®...¡¯ ¡°With our hero cooking a meal, the two only sat and listened. Their minds entirely on the meal, Ji¡¯s cooking skill has won them over.¡± ¡°I think the key is conversion. Maybe I just can¡¯t control enough mana simultaneously to cover a larger area.¡± ¡°It is true that conversion has its purpose. Whether that purpose is to increase offensive capabilities is questionable. The purpose of mana has never been destruction. Mana is instead a pillar of creation, of life.¡± ¡°Maybe if just squish it into a thin blade.¡± ¡®Hey, the food.¡¯ ¡°The food is fine! Don¡¯t worry about the food.¡± ¡°Our hero summons a sphere, it naturally wants to be a sphere, it is a good shape.¡± ¡°Like this.¡± ¡°The spear flattens out, a great plate, a circular plate.¡± ¡°And then stretch it out.¡± ¡®Ji.¡¯ ¡°What? Is this wrong?¡± ¡®The food.¡¯ ¡°The food is fine! It¡¯s just boiling. It will boil like this for a few minutes, relax.¡± ¡°The flattened circular plate stretches to the sides. It is no longer a shape easy to maintain. But it holds steady.¡± ¡°It is feeling a bit wobbly. But I think i can keep it like this.¡± ¡®What are you going to do with that? Can that do anything?¡¯ ¡°Give me a moment. I¡¯m trying something.¡± ¡°The edge of the circle, if it can be called that, begin to see edges.¡± ¡°Treantrths, do you have anything I can cut?¡± ¡®...¡¯ ¡®...¡¯ ¡°Trenth?¡± ¡®It is Tr¨¦j?re.¡¯ ¡°Fine, Trjejarth.¡± ¡®Close. Here.¡¯ ¡°A large sturdy branch grows from Tr¨¦j?re and splinters off. This is not normal wood, it should be sturdier than the rock beings.¡± ¡°Thank you.¡± ¡°The edged flattened sphere shoots forward, the wood is cleaved in two.¡± ¡°This isn¡¯t bad. This might work.¡± Chapter forty nine: A sword, but for magic ¡°Eleven additional spheres manifest. One by one they begin to imitate the blade edge circular plate.¡± ¡°Something is wrong.¡± ¡°The newformed blades shake violently. Our hero is confused.¡± ¡°What¡¯s happening to them? Let me try something.¡± ¡°Our hero has reached certain mastery with a particular number of spheroids. Applying action on these spheres is not within this mastery.¡± ¡°I see. No. I can see how that makes sense. But what if I just use ten spheres.¡± ¡°Similar to his movement skill, any action that disrupts the natural state of matter is met with a resistance. This resistance might to be much, but multiple instances of can overwhelm.¡± ¡°With just ten spheres, It¡¯s still a bit awkward.¡± ¡®Can they spin?¡¯ ¡°They can spin. Ye, but I¡¯m trying to make them effective over a larger area.¡± ¡°The spheres have been flattened and reach a span of seven meters.¡± ¡°Good, I was wondering how far this was. This looks good.¡± ¡°The ten blades float in the air. Their long length might increase the width of an attack but its longevity is at risk.¡± ¡°What do you mean? Longevity?¡± ¡°A single slash might not hightlight the issue but a few reoccurring strikes reveal a fundamental issue. The structure of the blade is frail in this form.¡± ¡°That¡¯s not a problem. I¡¯ll just make more if they break apart.¡± ¡°It is in these moment that we are forced to remember the oddity. The mana idiosyncrasy that is Ji Aleksy. More mana than man.¡± ¡°What¡¯s the big deal. Don¡¯t be so dramatic.¡± ¡®This spirit of yours speaking to you, Ji?¡¯ ¡°Ye. He¡¯s being. Forget it. I think this will work. I¡¯m going to find some rocks to practice.¡± ¡°Leaving his companions behind to their rest, our hero, brave as he is, ventures out alone. To the fields to slaughter. He does this not to survive, this is not is self defence, but sadistic pleasures. There is a reason the myriad races curse the human for their maliciousness.¡± ¡°Rocks are rocks.¡± ¡°The humans have a word to call anything evil, they call it inhuman. They derive the meaning that to be human is intrinsically good. Anything not human is cursed to sand and ashes.¡± ¡°Huh. Those aren¡¯t my words.¡± ¡°It takes a while for our hero to find untainted land. Their previous devastation leaves the land ploughed. Marks of dematerialized innocent beings everywhere.¡± ¡°We really did clear a large area. Is this not like a game? They dematerialized, will they respawn?¡± ¡°Not killing them ones is enough for the bloodthirst, the vicious, the violent. Bloodletter Ji, craves for further misery.¡± ¡°I¡¯m going to run, should be around thataway. I¡¯m not very good at reading these maps.¡± ¡°The distance is considerable when the context is considered. The context being the defiled earth.¡± ¡°How fast do you think the blades have to be?¡± ¡°...¡± ¡°Feels difficult dragging them along like this. And I¡¯m not going very fast.¡± ¡°What our hero is experiencing is increasing complexity. The natural state of mana is docile. Or at least when corralled to be so. Dragging his structured mana around is another action placed upon it. The complexity has increased a degree. Every action has a requirement. Not every action is equal, thus different thresholds apply. In addition, our hero has met a threshold he cannot overcome without losing his control entirely.¡± ¡°Huh. It¡¯s just difficult to drag them along like this. But I¡¯m not going that fast, does that mean they can¡¯t go faster?¡± ¡°Some things are learned through mistakes. Our hero is particular to this method of study.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t be a tease. Tell me what you really think.¡± ¡°At last our hero lands his eyes on untainted land. Strewn in the distance are multiple rock formations.¡± ¡°Okay. those four should be enough to test it out.¡± ¡°Nine blades hover docile around our while the tenth swiftly flies towards the unsuspecting rock cluster.¡±The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. ¡°This is at least twice as fast as before. Doesn¡¯t feel bad at all.¡± ¡°Moving one blade. Moving ten. Juggling one ball. Juggling ten.¡± ¡°I hear you. Let me finish the straggler and I¡¯ll try it with all ten.¡± ¡°Ten blades simmer in the air. Our hero moves them about, revealing again his inadequacies.¡± ¡°Looks good, what are you talking about. Too slow I guess.¡± ¡°One blade after another dissipates.¡± ¡°This is bullshit! I have to go all the way down to six blades just to have respectable flight speed on these things!?¡± ¡°This speed can be considered acceptable. An experienced fighter should still be able to read their trajectories with ease.¡± ¡°Pft. I¡¯d like to see them try. I wouldn¡¯t feel good having these bad boys charging at me.¡± ¡°It is only a matter of time before our hero meets another threshold.¡± ¡°Sure, sure. Thousands of steps to become the master of the heavens and all that. But for now, it¡¯s perfect.¡± ¡°The six blades fly out, they swivel forward, the control is lacking but workable.¡± ¡°They barely swivel. It looks good. Don¡¯t be so negative.¡± ¡°The blades carve into the rocks. Their speed enough to catch them unaware. The only thing that that gives away the massacre is the mana blades splitting rocks.¡± ¡°This is better than I expected.¡± ¡°Everytime the blades meet with an obstacle they are reduced. However much they are reduced is dependant on their quality and structure. This reduction can be thwarted by funnel further mana into. This requires a practised hand and a handful of mana.¡± ¡°Oh is that why I have to keep topping them off? It¡¯s still better than summoning an entire new sphere.¡± ¡°The solutious sounds easy to remedy. And it is this easy. The prerequisite is not only the control but the affinity with mana that no mortal man should possess. While this affinity may not amount to much to such trivial beings it does provide some benefits.¡± ¡°I should still have half the day before I need to return. I might as well practice.¡± ¡°The only garment from the Oh clah that the ancient Ji, ancenstor Ji, still wears on a daily basis, is a pair of shoes. This has to do with his frivolous movement ability. No other material in his possession can survive the onslaught of water. This ability allows him to move with relative grace through uneven ground. Every step stable. And it is with this grace that he slaughters. First it''s in the tens, then in the hundreds. Sweat on his brown, his complexion frail and breathing corse. The rockshedding is monstrous.¡± ¡°This should be enough for today. I should head back. I still have to make room for stretching and maybe some carving. I should have trejarh make me a branch.¡± ¡°Upon returning to their camping grounds our hero wastes no time and asks his companion for a piece of himself.¡± ¡°I need to practice my carving.¡± ¡®I am happy to help, Ji.¡¯ ¡°After a session of stretches that causes cold sweat poor down ones back, our hero begins his carvings.¡± ¡°I was thinking. The shape doesn¡¯t matter right? It¡¯s the intentions, right? But how does the world know my intentions?¡± ¡°The world doesn¡¯t seek out others intentions, it instead that its level of existence is so great that people unconsciously send their thoughts and intentions to it. Any being living under this system will continuously try and communicate with it unknowingly or not.¡± ¡°What? How does that work? Does it know what I am thinking right now? Does it know what you are thinking?¡± ¡°...¡± ¡°If it¡¯s like a computer, like an automated system. Does that mean we are all just these small programs, trying to communicate with it. And it only responds when certain parameters are met?¡± ¡°It would appear our hero has stumbled onto a grain of truth. A rugged, unpolish and cracked grain.¡± ¡°That makes sense to me actually. Afterall what kind of god like being would be content watching over lower life forms?¡± ¡°Indeed, as the surprisingly insightful hero says, one would not be content watching over these inconsequential beings. These nothing things.¡± ¡°So I can carve whatever I want and as long as I wanted it to be a mana related item, like a pseudo wand, it works, right?¡± ¡°...¡± ¡°That¡¯s pretty cool. Is this how you create magic items like amulets and rings?¡± ¡°The world is generous. Especially to ones such as our hero, but materials quality, their integrity upon completion, quantity and quality of mana infused. All of these have a degree of importance.¡± ¡°Eh? I can still make full gear out of wood though, right? Those magic items were all expensive. Even the low level ones. But I might just be poor.¡± ¡®Ji.¡¯ ¡°I¡¯ll keep it down.¡± ¡°Having found a reason to keep silent our hero begins carving the piece of wood. The rhythm is acceptable but the results are miserable. This has to do with a lack of experience. The shape looks to be a sword. Perhaps a dagger. The swords edges are dull. The general shape appears to be completed. A rough sword, almost as if carved by a child. A toy. Unsatisfied with the results, master crafter Ji begins engraving shapes onto the sword¡¯s blade. The handle is decorated in a similar fashion. Soon it appears that the entire item is something hung up on walls, meant for appreciation, rather than combat.¡± ¡°Not exactly. If it''s about the intention, the appearance doesn¡¯t matter, right?¡± ¡°When the world finds its terms are met, it will utilize what information it has to mediate a response. This is what our hero is trying to capitalize on.¡± ¡°What are the parameters then?¡± ¡°The intentions of a lowborn creatures are a never pure. They are a corrosive mix of uncertainty. It is only through filtering and finding the highest concentrations that any meaningful intentions can be considered useful. Even someone on a higher stage of existence will have trouble knowing themselves enough to project a singular pure intention.¡± ¡°That¡¯s. Huh. Not sure what to make of that. Corrosive mix?¡± ¡°The studious expression on our never leaves him as he mumbles in a quiet voice. His concentration surprising.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not concentrating, I¡¯m just carving slowly. This is actually easier to do than manage multiple spheres.¡± ¡°It stands to reason that novice level creation has lower requirements than mastering control over mana. It is still unknown how shallow our hero¡¯s potential is. His current adaptation of creation, this time in the form of carving, is above average at least.¡± ¡°How shallow? You mean how deep. It¡¯s as deep as the ocean is vast. Wait. As deep as the ocean. Or. Nevermind.¡± ¡°It is when we fall for the facade, the delusion that our hero is anything but a buffoon that he slaps us with the cold hard truth of his lowborn ways.¡± ¡°Should be about done.¡± ¡°The dagger aptly carves fine curves into the handle. Their meaning obscure or nonsensical. Some would consider them enigmatic.¡±
Ji¡¯s fabled occult sword of magic
Expected damage
Magic damage: 100 * 2 Kinetic energy: Magic damage * 0.4 ¡°Example excludes the users attributes, other items or external enhancements.¡±
Requires:[Novice mana manipulation]
Increased magic damage by seventy six percent. Increases kinetic damage dealt by twenty seven percent. Strength, Agility, Intelligence and Focus increased by forty. Strength, Agility, Intelligence and Focus increased by seven percent.
Initial hit: Magic energy
Secondary hit: Kinetic energy
Strength ?? 1:0.4
Agility ?? 1:0.2
Focus ?? 1:1
Intelligence ?? 1:0.5
Ability tags. Example. [Physical] [Sharp][Mana]
A flamboyant sword. This sword acts as a medium to the user¡¯s internal mana to form an external blade. The blade causes mana based damage on impact, followed by a kinetic force dependant on the user¡¯s strength and agility.
Ability is scales mainly through Mana related attributes but physical attributes such as a Strength and Agility can incrementally increase the damage. Scaling through Strength or Agility will scale from the forty percent of the initial mental damage.
¡°The words ¡°A sword, but for magic¡± echos in the mind of anyone who touches it for the first time. A remnant from its creator.¡±
¡°Finally! I got to name something. Good name.¡± Chapter fifty: Shades of gray ¡°The blade is translucent, as is mana¡¯s nature. The hue is pure, the quality of mana can be considered adequate.¡± ¡°Feels a bit lackluster. I can barely see the blade, will this work?¡± ¡°The oscillating mana blade has doubled the width and length of the decorated wooden sword.¡± ¡°It¡¯s pretty, ye. But I¡¯m worried about how see through it is. Won¡¯t it shatter after a single strike?¡± ¡°The significance of such an item, to a person like Ji. Is the lack of control required. It takes no effort other than the consumption of mana to maintain this form. This means it does not affect other active spells.¡± ¡°Really? Okay that can be good, I guess. Let¡¯s go test this out.¡± ¡°Swinging the sword in the way he would use the Oh clan¡¯s martial arts the blade appears to be liquid at times and solid at others. As if to celebrate their new companion, six blades swivel around Ji. They follow Ji patiently. His step measured, each in tandem with the Oh clan¡¯s foundational movement techniques.¡± ¡°This feels right. If it¡¯s like this, I feel safer. If something manges to get in close, I can use this blade.¡± ¡°Whether the blade will fulfill its role as a last measure is to be seen. His style of combat has centered around the idea of staying away from his enemies. The martial art techniques of the Oh clan serves our hero well. While this technique is not ideal for such a rigid body, it is better than none at all. His two companions rest in Tr¨¦j?res tree while our hero practices his combat abilities. The dark night makes him hard to see, but not impossible.¡± ¡°Look at this, how cool is this?¡± ¡°With every swing, three blades follow consecutively. The ability appears powerful. But this ability is just appears to be powerful. The unnecessary actions, the easy to predict movements. There are too many things wrong.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not going to argue with that. But it just looks cool. I can make all the blades attack either way. This blade really doesn¡¯t need anything but mana.¡± ¡°Having thoroughly tested his new item he finally decides to sleep. It¡¯s in these ways that our hero and his companions spend their days. Limited by Tr¨¦j?re¡¯s and Wraps of sorrow and despair endurance, they can only move so fast. Our hero¡¯s new ability allowed them to continue their slaughter with relative ease. But Tr¨¦j?re¡¯s ability is too consuming.¡± ¡°Two or three more sessions we should be done.¡± ¡®We¡¯d be done, if you didn¡¯t have extra requirements.¡¯ ¡®We promised to complete these quests together.¡¯ ¡°Thank you, Trjejorth.¡± ¡®Don¡¯t bolster his ego, you know how he is.¡¯ ¡°After several days together the group has gotten to understand our hero¡¯s faults. As many as they are.
| Ji Aleksy. Elementalist. Mana fiend: Level Five-hundred-twenty-four |
|Quest log|
|Optional: The reformed city|
¡°The ancient city of Heo has been reformed, but by who and how?¡± Travel to the free city Heo and find out how the city was rebuilt. Location: Portal room. Difficulty: Medium Reward: Tier appropriate item.
|Optional: Back to the grind|
¡°The prophet said to the wanderer ¡®Swim against the water or be swallowed by the tide.¡¯ The wanderer took this advice and escaped drowning.¡± Travel to the appropriate wildlands and cull the malignant fiends scouring the land. Location: Portal room. Difficulty: Medium. Reward: Tier appropriate weapon.
|Optional: Camp Sharpstone needs|
¡°Help those about to fall, for when you descend, they will catch you¡± Gather seven-hundred tons of |Living rock|: 680.2/700 Gather ten |Solidified fire|: 7/10 Gather two thousand tons of |Vitalizing soil|: 2000/2000 Gather sixty thousand gallons of |Stale water|: 0/6000 Location: Mer-erk mer-Erk wildlands, Camp Sharpstone Difficulty: Medium. Reward: Temporary buff last four hours after leaving camp. Reward: Beginner crafting materials of your choosing.
|Special ¨C Optional: Dying Deliverance, stones to sharpstone|
¡°When the restless rest. The still, from the ground break.¡± Set a up a revival shrine at Camp Sharpstone. Requires the hearts of one hundred different species: 25/100The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings. Two hundred kilograms of |Living stone|: 200/200 Location: Mer-erk mer-Erk wildlands, Camp Sharpstone Difficulty: Hard. Reward: In case of fatality, revive at Camp Sharpstone. Two additional |Life offerings| Reward: Title that provides improved |Camp Sharpstone buff|.
¡°The further into the rock¡¯s territory the group went, the more valuable the material. Items such as Solidified fire, a rare mineral grown within the bodies of these rock creatures. The only material lacking is Vitalizing water. This material is the offrun of a river that runs through a very fertile portion of land. This material is not difficult to find, and it is within our team¡¯s range.¡± ¡°So it is in that river after all, Wraps you were right. The Vitalizing water comes from that river.¡± ¡®Your spirit companion finally responded?¡¯ ¡°Eh. Yes, I guess. It has its own will.¡± ¡°Having found their bearings the group make their plans. Just as Wraps can lure rock creatures towards them, she can also reduce the group¡¯s presence.¡± ¡°If we follow this upstream, we should eventually reach a point where the Vitalizing water can be extracted.¡± ¡®The water is filled with power.¡¯ ¡®Stop playing in the river Tr¨¦j?re.¡¯ ¡°Alongside the river, the concentration of creatures is far denser. There are creatures that do not scatter themselves on vast swathes of land, like the rock creatures. These creatures are generally living in harmony with the rock creatures, and instead feast on each other. In the river is a thriving ecology of amphibian animals. They range from the primordial to complex carbon such as our hero. Unlike what our hero knows to be a normal fish, these are all adapted to the rigours and vitalizing mana they swim in.¡± ¡°I need fish some of these out for that heart quest.¡± ¡°Vicious as could be, our hero kills his way upstream. Too powerful to meet resistance. The innocent creatures are at his mercy.¡± ¡°Seriously Trjejarth! Get out of the water.¡± ¡®Make me!¡¯ ¡®This is why we haven¡¯t gotten these trees off our lands.¡¯ ¡°God damnit. I¡¯m trying to hunt here!¡± ¡°Seeing his quest¡¯s requirements skyrocket our hero has gone into a craze. A killer¡¯s craze. Every creature spotted in the river is slaughtered on sight.¡± ¡°I need forty more. And It''s difficult to see them as is! At least stay further back.¡± ¡®I can stay back. But you owe me for this one.¡¯ ¡°I owe you? You¡¯re lucky I don¡¯t carve you into a piece of furniture.¡± ¡®You two should get in here with me.¡¯ ¡®...¡¯ ¡°Stay further downstream!¡± ¡®Okay.¡¯ ¡°Wraps of sorrow and despair and Ai aleksy continue following the river. Ji¡¯s eyes are on the river, while Wraps of sorrow and despair sighs in exasperation. It is not unfair to say that her will has been tested on this journey. Her dislike for anything tree was already below a threshold. Having to endure our hero as well, has left her a shell of her former self. Even chiseled exterior, a wall of indifference is seeing some facturing.¡± ¡°Got one! Nice.¡± ¡®Why does Sharpstone need a hundred hearts?¡¯ ¡°The quest says its for a revival shrine.¡± ¡®...¡¯ ¡°A revival shrine is not unheard of. Cities built out of the wreckage of the former world, those made from the Beta¡¯s involvement tend to possess such shrines. Not every city built by a Beta possess one, as it is a magic too difficult for lowborn to replicate.¡± ¡°You know what it is, Wraps?¡± ¡®Yes.¡¯ ¡°Oh. Well I need a hundred different creature hearts for it.¡± ¡°It would appear, from misses Wraps of sorrow and despairs reaction, that she knows the significance of this shrine. A revival shrine is considered a new lease on life. But knowing about is just one step, knowing where one is, is another. Even standing in front of such a shrine does not mean they¡¯ll be able to make use of it. This requires substantial contribution or a special identity, such as our hero.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not seeing any new creatures in here. Just different sizes.¡± ¡®There should be more, ones you can¡¯t see.¡¯ ¡°Really? Can you see them?¡± ¡®Of course I can.¡¯ ¡°Show me.¡± ¡®Alright, but you owe me a favour.¡¯ ¡°What? Come on. Why are you acting like that stupid tree.¡± ¡®Do you want me to show you or not?¡¯ ¡°I do. Show me, I¡¯ll owe you one.¡± ¡°A futile attempt by miss Wraps of sorrow and despair, her assumption that our hero in any way will honor such an agreement, is mistaken.¡± ¡°What do you mean? I¡¯m reliable. I-¡± ¡®There!¡¯¡¯ ¡°I got it. Nice. Any more?¡± ¡®There are more.¡¯ ¡°With close eyes Tr¨¦j?re wades in the river some meters away from the other two. His roots shoot into the river¡¯s banks with every step. A disturbing sight. Ji has given up on hunting in the river, Wraps of sorrow and despair has declared that he has caught every type of creature lurking in the fertile river. In a few hours they reach the required threshold. All three of them make contact with the river and begin draining it. This is a time consuming event but not difficult.¡± ¡°We should be done after this. Right?¡± ¡®I will stay here for a few days.¡¯ ¡®He will settled down in this river.¡¯ ¡°It is impossible for the two to understand Tr¨¦j?re¡¯s experience. The water a soothing drug, while not empowering him, it is dulling his mind, giving him pleasure.¡± ¡°Do we have to drag him out of the river?¡± ¡®It looks like we¡¯ll have to cut him out, look.¡¯ ¡°On the river¡¯s bottom, thousands of roots have dug into the ground. A natural response, done unconsciously.¡± ¡°Trjejarth.¡± ¡®Yes?¡¯ ¡°Get out of the river.¡± ¡®No.¡¯ ¡°Wraps.¡± ¡®What?¡¯ ¡°If I cut his legs off, will he be okay?¡± ¡®As long as you don¡¯t strike his head or his lifecore, he will be fine.¡¯ ¡°Good. Okay, Trejordth, Get out or I will cut your legs off.¡± ¡®Try it!¡¯ ¡°You think I can¡¯t?¡± ¡°After a tiresome threats lasting the better half of an hour, our hero in is devilish rage has brought out his mana blade.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve been wanting to test this! See if you can survive!¡± ¡®Earth, bind me!¡¯ ¡°The mana blade oscillates. The lightweight wooden sword is lifted into the air.¡± ¡®Idiots. Both of you.¡¯ ¡°Having spent considerable time practicing his newfound combat abilities, he is eagre to make use of them. Six blade strike out, aiming for Tr¨¦j?res lower legs. Each is reflected or blocked, this has caused Tr¨¦j?re to momentarily lose his defencive stance. Our hero follows up in smooth motion, the water proving next to no resistance. The blade connects, in normal circumstances it should not pierce through, but our hero has summoned his previously vanquished blades as support. Each blade, one after the other, cut down the treelike body of Tr¨¦j?re. The fifth blow proves enough¡± ¡®You bastard!¡¯ ¡°Wraps!¡± ¡®...¡¯ ¡°Wraps! Grab him!¡± ¡°With reluctance, Wraps of sorrow and despair moves her hands, her cloth surrounds the falling Tree and whisked onto the river¡¯s bank.¡± ¡®Stop struggling, you know you can¡¯t break my hold.¡¯ ¡°Great job wraps! Now can go home.¡±
|Quest log|
|Optional: The reformed city|
¡°The ancient city of Heo has been reformed, but by who and how?¡± Travel to the free city Heo and find out how the city was rebuilt. Location: Portal room. Difficulty: Medium Reward: Tier appropriate item.
|Optional: Back to the grind|
¡°The prophet said to the wanderer ¡®Swim against the water or be swallowed by the tide.¡¯ The wanderer took this advice and escaped drowning.¡± Travel to the appropriate wildlands and cull the malignant fiends scouring the land. Location: Portal room. Difficulty: Medium. Reward: Tier appropriate weapon.
|Optional: Camp Sharpstone needs|
¡°Help those about to fall, for when you descend, they will catch you¡± Gather seven-hundred tons of |Living rock|: 700/700 Gather ten |Solidified fire|: 10/10 Gather two thousand tons of |Vitalizing soil|: 2000/2000 Gather sixty thousand gallons of |Stale water|: 6000/6000 Location: Mer-erk mer-Erk wildlands, Camp Sharpstone Difficulty: Medium. Reward: Temporary buff last four hours after leaving camp. Reward: Beginner crafting materials of your choosing.
|Special ¨C Optional: Dying Deliverance, stones to sharpstone|
¡°When the restless rest. The still, from the ground break.¡± Set a up a revival shrine at Camp Sharpstone. Requires the hearts of one hundred different species:71/100 Two hundred kilograms of |Living stone|: 200/200 Location: Mer-erk mer-Erk wildlands, Camp Sharpstone Difficulty: Hard. Reward: In case of fatality, revive at Camp Sharpstone. Two additional |Life offerings| Reward: Title that provides improved |Camp Sharpstone buff|.
"We''ll drag him back and return this quests." Chapter fifty one: Rebirth ¡°Leaving the devastation behind them, the terrifying trio aim to return to camp Sharpstone. Their journey had lead them in a large curve.¡± ¡°We are about here-ish. Right?¡± ¡®If we move through here, we should only take two or three days to return.¡¯ ¡°I want to move through this region.¡± ¡®What for?¡¯ ¡°I need more species and from what I understand, this is a new biome.¡± ¡®Biome?¡¯ ¡°The land is a lush green color. So there should be different.¡± ¡®This shouldn¡¯t be a problem, But it¡¯ll take an extra day this way.¡¯ ¡°You guys can go back by yourselves if you want.¡± ¡®We¡¯ll join you. I¡¯m sure Tr¨¦j?re won¡¯t mind. His sleep is especially deep.¡¯ ¡°The grand species is capable of regenerating lost limbs with ease. This is relative ease, as figures such as the Oh clan can do this near instantaneously. The difference in body structures makes it harder on the mana consumption for Tr¨¦j?re. Our hero¡¯s composition is even more complex but will heal even faster.¡± ¡°Is he this tired because he had to regrow his limbs?¡± ¡®I don¡¯t think so. His kind can regrow their bodies multiple times in the spawn of a day.¡¯ ¡°The exhausted tree has befallen to sickness of Vitalizing water. His drunken stupor bears consequence unknown to it.¡± ¡°He has a hangover? That¡¯s actually hilarious.¡± ¡®It is a sign of weakness to laugh at the sick.¡¯ ¡°On their journey back our hero¡¯s eyes are exceptionally lively. Unlike his usual befuddled appearance his expression give of the sense of youth. Behind this youthful exterior lies the savagery. Every creature see is hunted and killed. Their heart the prize.¡± ¡°They are also dropping some crafting materials.¡± ¡®Is your profession that of a woodworker?¡¯ ¡°I don¡¯t have a profession at the moment, but I was thinking about it.¡± ¡®And?¡¯ ¡°And?¡± ¡®What other profession will you partake in?¡¯ ¡°Huh. Well.¡± ¡°It is not uncommon to study many professions to make sure the want and will is there. Without passion, any intention sent to the world will be weak and muddled.¡± ¡°I was thinking engraving, enchanting.¡± ¡®Enchanting is a grand profession. Its possibilities limitless.¡¯ ¡°You enchant right?¡± ¡°It is not unsurprising that Wraps of sorrow and despair has become familiar with our hero. His abilities not only shock, his demeanor leaves one furiated and interested. Having acknowledge his power and apparent harmless personality and willing to save one of his companions, it is not unexpected that mutual respect is born.¡±¡¯ ¡®My family is one of enchanters. Every person devotes themselves to it.¡¯ ¡°Hoh. Everyone?¡± ¡®We come from long tradition of enchanters, my branch of the family focuses on multiple layered enchants.¡¯ ¡°Multiple layers. You enchant that cloth?¡± ¡®That¡¯s right. These wraps are our medium. It requires a large item to hold multiple enchants.¡¯ ¡°The days saunters on. On the horizon the sun begins to fall, its lumination waning.¡± ¡®Some enchants can overlap. We have a thousands of enchants but only few can entwine and not cause the fabric or enchants to weaken.¡¯ ¡°The fabric looks to be endless. How large is the range?¡± ¡®This I can¡¯t tell you. Even with trust, some things should be left unsaid.¡¯ ¡°Alright, ok. I get it, gotta hold unto your special move.¡± ¡°Two days into their travel, our hero has already left a trail of death. His holdings keep the hold of a hundred hearts. A terrifying reality.¡± ¡°We should enter Sharpstone in a few hours.¡± This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there. ¡®I can only see people leaving.¡¯ ¡°Good to see you talking again.¡±¡¯ ¡®The demons have left my mind. Their confusion gone.¡¯ ¡°That was one hell of a hAngover. I never heard of a three day hangover.¡± ¡®This information is valuable to my clan. We can use this to force those stubborn trees out.¡¯ ¡°That¡¯s a but cruel.¡± ¡®These weavers are unscrupulous, Ji. It is your fortune not have them pester your.¡¯ ¡®Whose pestering who?¡¯ ¡®You weavers are pestering the great forest.¡¯ ¡°Camp Sharpstone has not expanded since the three have left. But some facilities have sprung up. Every house appearing to be made from unorderly monoliths. Giving the entire camp a primordial charm. This is to be expected of the world, its tastes superb.¡± ¡°We¡¯re finally back!¡± ¡®There are so many people here.¡¯ ¡°While away, the many cities created by the first generation of gifted humans have all begun spinning their rusty gears. Thousands eligible people flock to these cities in hope to partake in what was believe to be a bygone era. The era of rebirth. Like a phoenix, spreading its wings anew.¡± ¡°How can there be so many people? This should be a few ten thousand at least.¡± ¡°Standing at the high entrance of camp Sharpstone a great river of people conflux together and run around in hurry. This is only a tenth of the total participants in this current upheaval. And that¡¯s only considering out hero¡¯s combative abilities. Below his stage and above, this number can¡¯t be estimated in the hundred thousands.¡± ¡®It is good we were here early.¡¯ ¡®This is too many people.¡¯ ¡®Only a rigid tree like you would think this way.¡¯ ¡®Are the weavers not known for their recluse nature?¡¯ ¡°Okay, while you guys continue bickering, I¡¯m going to turn in my quests.¡± ¡°The camp has yet to expand further out, despite the increase influx of people, Instead multiple stations have sprung up, majority of which serve the purpose of quest givers. Mediators.¡± ¡°I can barely hear you, Narry. There is too much noise here.¡± ¡°There are no bazaars to buy and sell wares. These have all moved their items outside the camp, where the traffic is not as extravagant and clustered. Our hero has lined himself up alongside the thousand others, waiting to either return quests or recieve them. It would be surprising if many people have completed any quests give out by camp Sharpstone, as these objectives would be time consuming. This derived from our hero¡¯s journey.¡± ¡°How can the air feel so stifling? We are outside.¡± ¡®I don¡¯t feel the air to be stifling, there is an odd smell however.¡¯ ¡°Why both are not wrong. It is the mana that is in a great chaos. With thousands of people contending for the ambient mana, it can cause discomfort.¡± ¡°Oh. Ye, this is a lot like when all those rock creature came in an avalanche. This is a lot worse however.¡± ¡®I think people just stink.¡¯ ¡°Unlike our mana bathed deity, the tree and clothier cannot sense the ambient mana in the same way.¡± ¡°How long do you think we have to wait?¡± ¡®The servers appear to be efficient, it should only take an hour or less.¡¯ ¡®The ground isn¡¯t accepting by roots. This place is not good.¡¯ ¡°While normal stone surfaces cannot impede a treants intentions, camp Sharpstone is imbued by the world. The crowd, like a breathing creature never ceases to inflate and deflate. In this mess, our hero and companions wait patiently.¡± ¡®How can I help you?¡¯ ¡°I want to return my quests.¡± ¡®Certainly, give me your hand.¡¯ ¡°A device lights up and scans little Ji¡¯s hand. This is directly reading his quest log and further delves into any related quest items. A flash occurs and all quest items are extracted. In turn rewards are moved to his inventory.¡± ¡®Thank you for your service. Any quest completed has been registered. With the quantity of people, new quests are given out and you have to inspect them elsewhere.¡¯ ¡°I understand. Thank you.¡± ¡®Glad to be of service, farewell.¡¯ ¡°The process took less than a minute to complete and our hero daze only recovered when Wraps pushes him out of the way.¡± ¡°That was quick. I¡¯ll wait for you two outside the camp by the broken tree.¡± ¡®We will meet your there, Ji.¡¯ ¡°Exiting the camp is considerably faster than entering it, a steady flow of people merge like a stream to exit, a co-existing stream moves in the opposite direction.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t think I¡¯ve ever felt claustrophobic outside before.¡± ¡°Upon reaching the mangled tree, the victim of our hero¡¯s vicious dismantling, our hero sits down on the bare ground.¡± ¡°Let¡¯s see what I got.¡±
|Camp Sharpstone¡¯s founder|
After exiting camp Sharpstone you receive hundred percent stamina regeneration and hundred percent movement speed. Stats doubled due to Sharpstone founder title.
|Title: Sharpstone founder|
Doubles any active Sharpstone buffs.
|Life offerings|
In case of fatality, Life offerings diminish debuffs incurred.
|The Sharpstone stone|
The Sharpstone stone has been aligned with user Ji Aleksy. It¡¯s mana requirements, level and other attributes are set to match that of Ji Aleksy.
|The Sharpstone stone|
Requires: [Novice mana manipulation] [Level: 666] [Intelligence: 857] [Focus:993]
Increased magic damage by three hundred and six percent. Intelligence and Focus increased by one hundred and sixty seven. Intelligence and Focus increased by thirteen percent. ¡°Bonuses apply to owner.¡±
Strength ?? 1:0.01
Agility ?? 1:0.005
Focus ?? 1:1
Intelligence ?? 1:0.5
Expected damage
Magic damage: 100 * 3.5 Kinetic energy: Magic damage * 0.8 ¡°Example excludes the users attributes, other items or external enhancements.¡±
Initial hit: Magic energy Secondary hit: Kinetic energy
A sharp flat stone that is capable of transformation. Upon being imbued with mana, the stone can be made larger or smaller The stone causes mana based damage despite its physical appearance. This is followed by less than quarter of the mana based damage as kinetic force.
This weapon scales through Intelligence and focus and negligible physical attributes as it is not swung or thrown.
¡°Every foundation has a founder. One such founder is one Ji Aleksy, founder of Sharpstone. It is the Sharpstone stone that represents its foundation. Heavy as it is sharp.¡±
| Founder Ji Aleksy. Elementalist. Mana fiend: Level six-hundred-sixty-six |
|Quest log|
|Optional: The reformed city|
¡°The ancient city of Heo has been reformed, but by who and how?¡± Travel to the free city Heo and find out how the city was rebuilt. Location: Portal room. Difficulty: Medium Reward: Tier appropriate item.
|Optional: The dying trees|
¡°What once was seven is now four. Felled but not forgotten.¡± Explore the reason for the Seven tree forest deterioration. Location: The seven tree forest Difficulty: Medium. Reward: Tier appropriate familiar.
|Optional: Master of fate|
¡°In the hands of the common. Fate can be weaved. Destiny forged. The future carved. The present distilled. It is the hands of the common that hold all power.¡± Become novice in two professions. Location: Difficulty: Easy. Reward: Guidance.
Chapter fifty two: Master, i Asteri. ¡°I¡¯m thinking about returning to the city.¡± ¡®Why?¡¯ ¡®We all have quest in the Seven tree forest, why would you leave now?¡¯ ¡®You are wasting valuable time, me and Tr¨¦j?re will head towards the Seven tree forest tomorrow.¡¯ ¡°Ji Aleksy wasting valuable time is an understatement. One would not say that travelling towards a obscure forest, is a good way to spend his time.¡± ¡°I¡¯m going to going to use my profession tokens. Once I¡¯m back I¡¯ll head towards the Seven tree forest.¡± ¡®It¡¯s not certain that you¡¯ll find us.¡¯ ¡®This Seven tree forest is not much compared to my home, it is still vast.¡¯ ¡°It''s up to fate then. I should be able to see you on the map if we¡¯re still in a party, right?¡± ¡®Only if you are close enough.¡¯ ¡°Alright, It¡¯s settled then. See you guys later.¡± ¡®Farewell.¡¯ ¡®See you.¡¯ ¡°If our hero ignores majority or all of the quests occuring in the Wild wildlands, he will still find other quests to do. Because he still has the favor of the world.¡± ¡°You think those two will be alright without me? I¡¯m sure they¡¯ll be fine.¡± ¡°Reentering camp Sharpstone, our hero heads towards the portal area. Numerous portals ooze out an enigmatic aura. While there is not a stream of people surging from the portals, it can be described as trickle. Noone is leaving, however.¡± ¡°I just press this, right?¡± ¡°Our hero¡¯s dull expression shows disregard to the intricacies behind this portal infrastructure. The complexity alone should stagger people. This is why people have sayings such as, ¡®pearls before swine.¡¯, It is a tragedy but noone will shed tears.¡± ¡°Calm down. I¡¯ll put up a more reverent expression, How is this?¡± ¡°Finally the portals receive the respect they deserve, even we cannot fault our hero¡¯s fearful expression.¡± ¡°Fearful? This is my respectful face. See the eyebrows.¡± ¡®You okay buddy?¡¯ ¡°Having outed himself yet again, our hero quickly excuses his behaviour before entering his summoned portal. In a mindless daze, our hero tries to decipher the profoundities found within the foundation of this portal¡¯s tunnel.¡± ¡°I¡¯m back! Hello? No welcoming party?¡± ¡°The empty area applauds. The silence rings out in a glorious manner, fit for a boisterous man such as our hero.¡± ¡®This way.¡¯ ¡®I still can¡¯t believe there are so many quests. Even the peasants are out and about.¡¯ ¡®It¡¯s hilarious, what do those peasants think they¡¯ll accomplish? I¡¯ll you this. Dad was breaking every furniture at home because of them.¡¯ ¡®What¡¯s peasants have anything to do with your dad?¡¯ ¡®Majority of our workforce quit to chase the quests. Not even the older ones stayed.¡¯ ¡®No wonder.¡¯ ¡®Ji!¡¯ ¡°Hey Tio! I¡¯m back.¡± ¡®I can¡¯t believe you¡¯re back so quick. Did something happen?¡¯ ¡°Ye, you wouldn¡¯t believe what I had to through.¡± ¡°A fateful reunion. It is only that the two privileged young men have been left to mind themselves that will find this reunion a distasteful affair.¡± ¡®Who the hell is this?¡¯ ¡®He¡¯s got a weird style.¡¯ ¡°Excuse you. I heard that.¡± ¡®Ji, These two are Pole Devak, and Duin Dera. They¡¯ve come from a neighbouring city to complete a quest.¡¯ ¡°Devak, a clan of forest creatures, their hairy legs, arms, back and chest make them appear to be a step between a human and a ape.¡± ¡°I see the resemblance.¡± ¡°It is the Dera clan however that is of some interest. This is a primordial creature like miss Tio and Tr¨¦j?re. Their alignment is toward the soil. But unlike most earthen creatures, they have flexible bodies, similar to the Oh clan.¡±This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon. ¡®This is Ji Aleksy. Of the Aleksy.¡¯ ¡®Aleksy? Devak, why does that sound familiar?¡¯ ¡®Aleksy is supposedly a human clan, one of them at least.¡¯ ¡®That¡¯s it! So he¡¯s a human?¡¯ ¡°So why did these two have to come here from another city?¡± ¡®Because of the portal room. Their city isn¡¯t a beta site. So they have no quest related locations.¡¯ ¡°I see.¡± ¡®I¡¯ll see them off, can you wait for me outside the room?¡¯ ¡°Sure.¡± ¡°Majority of cities are spawns from outposts that developed over time, but there are quite a few with a extraordinary beginnings. These cities were not large in their beginnings, a few degrees larger than Sharpstone. It is only after the new populations began expanding outwards that they reach the size they are today. It was people like our hero that seeded these cities. And in them remain facilities whose purpose may have faded. These old machines are now slowly turning on.¡± ¡°How many cities?¡± ¡°Upon achieving some success in his crafting profession, our hero will see that the intended purpose. Not only do they serve to support the individual, it also provides meaningful exercise. Exercise in finesse. Using small but concentrated mana. Unlike our hero, whose mana purity can reach a novice¡¯s crafters without effort, most would learn to purify or concentrated their internal mana. This increases chances of success while crafting. Majority still relies on intentions, but who among us can say their intentions are clear?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t see how this all matters. I created my sword pretty easily. Though the Sharpstone stone is more than twice as powerful.¡± ¡°With low expectations, a fool will celebrate a twig as a weapon. The Sharpstone stone, while not bad, is still lesser than what an average scion will possess. This has to do with the centuries of practice, crafting clans and powerful organizations. It would a sad affair to see centuries of work, outdone by a single quest.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not arguing with you. I was just thinking out loud.¡± ¡®Ji.¡¯ ¡°Tio!¡± ¡°A heartwarming embrace. Our hero¡¯s outer clothing quickly become soaked in water. The excited Oh clan member has lost some of her faculties.¡± ¡®I¡¯m so happy you are back! You wouldn¡¯t believe how busy have been these past week.¡¯ ¡°Oh? Tell me about it.¡± ¡®First of all. You remember the giant crowd outside?¡¯ ¡°Ye.¡± ¡®It doubled in size! It was crazy. Over a dozen people got trampled to death. Many people nearly starved out there, unwilling to leave the line.¡¯ ¡°Hoh.¡± ¡®Alright, not starve, but they were dying of thirst. And I don¡¯t have to tell you that there are no bathroom facilities out there. You wouldn¡¯t believe the stench of some of those people.¡¯ ¡°It would appear that the young miss, Tio, has lost herself in her tellings. She is going so far as talking more than our restless hero.¡± ¡®And what was I supposed to do? We eventually created a line straight into the portal room and practically shoved them out.¡¯ ¡°...¡± ¡®It¡¯s fortunate that I can filter the air, otherwise the smell of them would have killed me. Animals.¡¯ ¡°Sounds terrifying. Did you get rewarded for all this work?¡± ¡®Of course. I¡¯m about to be relieved of duty as well.¡¯ ¡°Really?¡± ¡®Initially I didn¡¯t think it would be this great a change. But as it turns out, anyone can receives quests now. Even me.¡¯ ¡°Who''s going to take over for you?¡± ¡®My niece. Her constitution is frail and can¡¯t cultivate herself properly.¡¯ ¡°Ah.¡± ¡®Why are you back? You didn¡¯t tell me,¡¯ ¡°I¡¯m here to get my two crafting professions. I got a quest to reach novice in two of them.¡± ¡®Two? Ah, right you received two tokens. Want me to accompany you?¡¯ ¡°Aren¡¯t you busy?¡± ¡®This is as good a time as any to hand over the reigns. My niece has a good head on her shoulders, she¡¯ll be fine.¡¯ ¡°Where is this niece of yours? Is she as pretty as you?¡± ¡®Don¡¯t you worry about how she pretty she is.¡¯ ¡°Who is worried?¡± ¡®Wait for me here, i¡¯ll go finish a few things up and be right out.¡¯ ¡°Alright.¡± ¡°Our hero stands in blank daze. His eyes dull and expression could induce sleep.¡± ¡°I¡¯m checking my stats.¡±
| Founder Ji Aleksy. Elementalist. Mana fiend: Level six-hundred-sixty-six |
Stamina 782 Increases number of physical actions that can be performed without rest.
Strength 854 Increase the physical power of an action.
Agility 823 Increases speed of physical movements.
Dexterity 782 Increases handling of items with hands or feet.
Concentration 782 Increases number of mental actions that can be performed without rest.
Intelligence 970 Increases the speed of a mental action.
Willpower 782 Increases mental defenses
Awareness 782 Increases quantity of objects discernable at one time.
Reflexes 782 Increases speed of unconscious actions performed.
Vision 782 Increases quality of detailed gathered with eyesight.
Digestion 782 Increases the amount of nutrients processed.
Courage 782 Increases the threshold for fear.
Focus 970 Increases the mental power of an action.
Inventive 782 Increases the chances of creating new items through crafting.
Knowledge 782 Increases the quantity of information stored.
Fortitude 782 Increases physical defenses.
¡°This looks a bit off. Some of the clothes I¡¯m wearing have defenses, why aren¡¯t they showing up.¡± ¡°The attributes look plentiful but it is experience, it is wisdom that decides the strength of an individual.¡± ¡°Is it because they only defence certain parts of my body? Also it just says defense. Not Fortitude. At least the Sharpstone stone is applied. Looks like it¡¯s the only thing that gives me a permanent boost.¡± ¡°An artifact gifted by the system allows even our hero to better himself. And what dire need there was for it. Lavished for a millennia in the abundant, albeit subterranean, mana. Only to be enthroned as a princeling of the world. Absolute travesty.¡± ¡°Okay, Narry.¡± ¡®Alright Ji, we can go.¡¯ ¡°I don¡¯t get to meet your niece?¡± ¡®No need, no need.¡¯ ¡°There are no longer hordes outside the quest headquarters. The ground is still riddled with filth. It¡¯ll take quite the rain to wash this away.¡± ¡®What professions are you going to take then. You did finish exploring all the options, right?¡¯ ¡°I did.¡± ¡®And?¡¯ ¡°Woodworking and Rune engraving.¡± ¡®Huh.¡¯ ¡°What?¡± ¡®Nothing. Thought you would take up tailoring.¡¯ ¡°Almost did. The clothes around here are not up to par.¡± ¡°After a leisurely walk, our hero and companion, Tio, enter a familiar building.¡± ¡®Madam. Sir. Can I be of service?¡¯ ¡°I¡¯m here to meet Asteri.¡± ¡®Sir.¡¯ ¡°Oh. A, s, t, e, r, i. Asteri.¡± ¡®No, I mean. Wait a moment I¡¯ll go see.¡¯ ¡°Hold on, I almost forgot. I got his frequency.¡± ¡°A small device, held in the hand reappears.¡± ¡°Hello?¡± ¡®Mister Ji!¡¯ ¡°Ah good, is this Asteri, then?¡± ¡®It is indeed. Have you decided to come under my tutelage?¡¯ ¡°That¡¯s right. I¡¯m in the lobby.¡± ¡®I¡¯ll have someone send you right in.¡¯ ¡°The overwhelmed apprentice of an apprentice cannot help but stand wide eyed. Unmoving.¡± ¡°That Asteri guy is alright.¡± ¡®Oh? How rare for you to say something nice.¡¯ ¡°What does that mean? Anyway, those other people are weirdos through and through.¡± ¡®Everyone?¡¯ ¡°Maybe not that tailoring lady. Or the leatherworker, but she was definitely suspicious.¡± ¡®This way mister Ji. Is this lady with you?¡¯ ¡°This is Tio Oh.¡± ¡®Oh miss Tio! It¡¯s an honor.¡¯ ¡°Under the lead of this new arrival, Tio and Ji are guided to the upper levels and into Asteri¡¯s private workshop.¡± ¡®Mister Ji! And lady Tio, how nice of you to join us.¡¯ ¡°Asteri¡¯s clothing is a lacking in decorum, for one of his status.¡± ¡®Excuse my state. I¡¯ve been working.¡¯ ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it. I understand completely, you have to dress for every occasion.¡± ¡®Of course you would understand. It has to be said you dress sharper than a Diego sword.¡¯ ¡°Glad I¡¯m finally in the companion of someone who appreciates the finer things.¡± ¡®Come, come. Have a seat you two. I have to have you wait a moment. I¡¯m still unable to step away from work.¡¯ ¡°Take your time. Mind if we spectate?¡± ¡®Fill your eyes.¡¯ Chapter fifty three: Strapping young men. ¡°On a roughed up table, filled with what looks to be burns and slashes, is a particular item. A blade but no hilt. From the way it¡¯s sharpened, it appears the item is expected to stay this way.¡± ¡°What kind of weapon is this?¡± ¡®This is blade for the son of the Eighteenth army. I did not make it.¡¯ ¡°Eighteenth army?¡± ¡®That¡¯s right. I owe him a favour which is why I¡¯m putting down a engraving on this low tier weapon.¡¯ ¡°Oh.¡± ¡°From the expression on our hero, it is clear he has not the slightest idea what master Asteri is speaking of. Ji can only look to Tio for answers.¡± ¡®The eighteenth army holds the undying at bay at a certain place far east.¡¯ ¡°I see!¡± ¡°It is only Tio that he can safely trust in this world. Or that was what the case used to be, before she left her previous job.¡± ¡®It is apart of the alliance and one of forty two armies.¡¯ ¡®This should do it. It was only a simple engraving.¡¯ ¡°Simple?¡± ¡®It can¡¯t be too high a grade or the boy won¡¯t be able to use the weapon anymore.¡¯ ¡°Leaving the blade where it lies, Asteri lets his eyes rest on his promising new pupil.¡± ¡®I was starting to get worried you wouldn¡¯t come, I even thought those old monsters had dragged you into their smokey fog.¡¯ ¡°I just got busy, I went on a quest.¡± ¡®A quest.¡¯ ¡°Distracted, Asteri looks blankly into the air. Our hero studies his face in depth, as if trying to make sure he¡¯ll never forget. We can only assume for what purpose.¡± ¡®Not a lot quest in these last years. But I hear that has changed.¡¯ ¡°Miss Tio should know more about it than me.¡± ¡®Ah, miss Tio, of course. Our resident quest helper. I heard what happened downtown.¡¯ ¡®It¡¯s to be expected.¡¯ ¡®Indeed it is.¡¯ ¡°Then about-¡± ¡®Ah, of course mister Ji! Let¡¯s get to it then! This should be simple.¡¯ ¡°What do I do?¡± ¡®I see you¡¯ve already accepted the Rune engraving as your main profession.¡¯ ¡°And I also accepted Woodworking.¡± ¡®Woodworking? You have two main professions?¡¯ ¡°It is not impossible to receive a profession like our hero, but to receive two can be considered somewhat rare. At least in these times. Perhaps only top tier clans or heirs of large organizations possess such advantage. Not even Tio, one who has worked in the favor of the system for decades.¡± ¡®This is surprising, but it doesn¡¯t matter. Let me enroll you in our advanced program.¡¯ ¡°Asteri, Master Rune engraver. Not to say this feeble lowborn man isn¡¯t worthy of being our hero¡¯s teacher, but to herald such people as masters is laughable.¡± ¡®You¡¯ll have to begin reading the basics, then practice until you reach a certain level of mastery.¡¯ ¡°What about materials?¡± ¡®This is no issue. The basics require only materials to engrave and we have quite the lucrative business set up around it.¡¯ ¡°Oh?¡± ¡®We have thousands of furniture and we have low level apprentices engrave basic utility runes on them.¡¯ ¡®We have almost your entire catalogue at home.¡¯ ¡®Of course, your Oh clan has been buying our items for years. Most of our low tier items go to the front lines however, as it is there where they need basic utility like heated chairs or beds.¡¯ ¡°The lowest tiers of Runes, Master Asteri speaks of, require the user to input their mana into it to function. These kinds of Runes should be considered useless, but they have found a curious use for them.¡± ¡°Is it cold at the front lines?¡±Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions. ¡®Not only is it cold, it can also be searing hot. The continuous fighting makes for volatile weather, one minute it is snowing the next it is blaring heat.¡¯ ¡°Hoh.¡± ¡®To be honest, we Rune engravers can¡¯t be considered the most profitable in the war efforts. It is the forgers, Bowyers, formation experts and alchemists that compete for that crown.¡¯ ¡°What about woodworkers?¡± ¡®Woodworkers? Well. In general, Woodworkers tend to be very reserved. Their products aren¡¯t lacking. However, their numbers are.¡¯ ¡°For us, these theatrical displays are eye roll inducing. It can be said that all professions are related to each other. It is only the branches of an enormous tree, and they all share the same roots. It is not rare for the lowborn to speak in grandiose fashion, propping themselves up to be masters of this, masters of that. For what reason the world¡¯s system decided on such a guidance format is unknown. Perhaps it is to allow the small minded creatures to digest the knowledge slowly.¡± ¡®In short, you should have no problems for a long while, with applicable items to engrave.¡¯ ¡°Awesome.¡± ¡°Like all professions, their very basics require materials of low tier to work. It is later where issues begin to crop up. It is largely due to alchemy that low quality items are capable of receiving higher tiers of, Formation enchanting or Rune engraving.¡± ¡®That¡¯s about it. Not to sound rude, but you¡¯ll need no help from me until you are at least capable of engraving tier forty items. Or about those tiers.¡¯ ¡°Tier forty. That¡¯s around level twelve hundred, right?¡± ¡®That¡¯s right. As for how you will spend your days, that¡¯s entirely up to you. We have scheduled lessons and practice hours you can join in on. There will be people managing these lessons, if you want a personal tutor, this can also be arranged. You¡¯ll have a room here as well. For now it is only satisfactory for sleep, you can of course come and go as you please.¡¯ ¡°This is very generous.¡± ¡®Of course it is. While all professions are profitable, we make majority of our income from apprentice level products, so we provide well for them.¡¯ ¡°Thank you for your time then, Master Asteri.¡± ¡®The pleasure was all mine. You still have my frequency, you can contact me whenever you like.¡¯ ¡®Goodbye, Master Asteri.¡¯ ¡®Farewell, Miss Tio.¡¯ ¡°After returning to the street, the pair find themself in a quiet restaurant to sate their lowborn desires. Drawing nutrients from earth and flesh.¡± ¡°It¡¯s just some meat and vegetables in a soup.¡± ¡®Did you want something else?¡¯ ¡°No, this is delicious. And warm. I¡¯m a bit worried about that woodworker. After experiencing Asteri¡¯s hospitality, I don¡¯t believe that old withered tree will provide similar accommodations.¡± ¡®I¡¯m afraid I don¡¯t know this particular woodworker. We always dealt with the Rune engravers.¡¯ ¡°The meal alone appears to be enough for our hero to increase his level. His rested bonus continues prove itself a boundless fountain of experience.¡± ¡°Let¡¯s head over.¡± ¡®To the Woodworker?¡¯ ¡°Ye.¡± ¡°In the room filled with hundreds of not thousands of wooden carvings, a lone human like silhouette whittles away.¡± ¡°That¡¯s him.¡± ¡®I didn¡¯t know we had a tree primordial in the city.¡¯ ¡°Is he the only one?¡± ¡®As far as I know. Tree primordials usually live very secluded lives. Some never leave their forest homes.¡¯ ¡°Oh? Trejerth is a tree primordial, I think. I met him in the wildlands.¡± ¡®Hoh? You¡¯ve met more tree primordials than me then.¡¯ ¡°Look at his hands.¡± ¡®Can¡¯t he hear us?¡¯ ¡°I¡¯m not sure. But look at his hands. Look.¡± ¡°The Wither-wood¡¯s hands take this grotesque form to polish their creations. It is not uncommon for a tree primordial to be able to change their appearance over time.¡± ¡®What about them?¡¯ ¡°They¡¯re like sandpaper.¡± ¡®Paper made out of sand?¡¯ ¡°What? No, it¡¯s like. Never mind, I mean they are used to polish wood. His bare hands.¡± ¡°Unlike our ignorant hero, miss Tio here has not only experienced quite a few more decades than him, she is well educated and open minded. The sight of the Wither-wood has not shaken her.¡± ¡°Alright, alright. Old man, you there?¡± ¡®Maybe he is deaf?¡¯ ¡°Deaf and probably somewhat blind. Hold on I got an idea.¡± ¡°For some inexplicable reason, our hero has lied down on the ground and begun pushing himself up and down.¡± ¡®What are you doing?¡¯ ¡°I¡¯m getting a slight pump on.¡± ¡®What do you mean?¡¯ ¡°I can¡¯t have that old man thinking I¡¯m a woman forever.¡± ¡°Having found his exercise adequate our hero begins by puffing out his chest and walking in front of Birki, the Wither-wood tree primordial.¡± ¡°Birki!¡± ¡®Oh? Oh? Who is it then?¡¯ ¡°In truth, the Wither-wood¡¯s have an inclination to fall into a state of intense focus. A feature seen in most tree primordials, and especially so in the Wither-wood. This old tree¡¯s hearing and sight can be called into question, but so exaggeratedly to be completely oblivious to the world around it.¡± ¡°Hello! I¡¯m here to learn Woodworking from you.¡± ¡®Oh, what a strapping young man.¡¯ ¡°Good. You can see after all.¡± ¡®You shouldn¡¯t be so rude to the elderly, Ji.¡¯ ¡°Old people are the most in need of rudeness, Tio. This is something dad taught me.¡± ¡®Your dad told you to be rude to the elderly?¡¯ ¡°Yes. And grandfather agreed with him. So it must be right.¡± ¡°Birki, being a very slow and reserved individual, even more so after his extended reclusive life, only waits patiently as Ji and Tio chat.¡± ¡°I was hoping to learn Woodworking from you, Birki.¡± ¡®Oh?¡¯ ¡°...¡± ¡°The lack of response caused our hero to feel awkward, a rare occurrence, but a welcomed one.¡± ¡°Birki?¡± ¡®Hm? Yes?¡¯ ¡°Can I learn Woodworking from you?¡± ¡®Woodworking?¡¯ ¡°Woodworking, ye.¡± ¡®Of course.¡¯ ¡°Every word pronounced slowly, in a deep hoarse voice, almost grating enough to polish wood. A good moment of silence precedes any answers on his part.¡± ¡°I have a feeling this is going to take a while.¡± ¡®And who is this strapping young man?¡¯ ¡®...¡¯ ¡°Tio-Oh.¡± ¡®Good. Would this young man like to learn some Woodworking?¡¯ ¡°As if spellbound by the Wither-wood¡¯s rhythm, our hero and miss Tio wait for the man to finish speaking.¡± ¡®I¡¯d like to try.¡¯ ¡°You would?¡± ¡®Why not?¡¯ ¡°Well, I guess there no reason not to try.¡± ¡®Great, we can do it together.¡¯ ¡°We want to learn from you together.¡± ¡®Good.¡¯ ¡°The calm conversation comes to an abrupt end when the Wither-wood stands up in a hurry and his left hand begins growing with frightful speed. Like a spear jotting worth. The speed might seem fast, but when this Wither-wood¡¯s capabilities are considers, this action can be taken as slow.¡± ¡®Take this.¡¯ ¡°The elongated hand snaps off into into two near identical pieces. This time it is Tio who is shocked into silence, while our hero, used to this action by his acquaintance, Tr¨¦j?re.¡± ¡°Thank you.¡± ¡®And take these.¡¯ ¡°The two daggers appear out of thin air in Birki¡¯s large hands. These two daggers are almost identical, the same rune engravings and even unseen enchant.¡± ¡°Thanks.¡± ¡®Thank you.¡¯ ¡®Now play for a while. Come if you need help. I will be here somewhere.¡¯ ¡°The daggers are not too extraordinary but they do promote a calm heart and increase a person''s focus. This can be considered a priceless item for a novice Woodworker.¡± ¡°Should we go back to the Rune engravers?¡± ¡®I think it is preferable to this place.¡¯ ¡°Our miss Tio seems to have managed to implicate herself in our hero¡¯s fate. Her status changeD from a generic employee to a something of a companion or a sidekick. This is perhaps not unexpected if one consider the last thousand years of history, where multiple Beta¡¯s roamed the earth. It was common then to be affected by simple proximity. For such actions to repeat, is expected. A rather grand example of this is the awakening of the system. The millions of quests being created now. On the macro this is easy to see. And very difficult to associate with our hero, but it is indeed due to one Ji Aleksy a thousand year old popsicle. There is a reason why the largest percentage of people receiving quests came from the very city our hero is residing. It is his influence, like a stone thrown into still water.¡± Chapter fifty four: Seduction ¡°The sound of whittling is all that can be heard. Little Ji and miss Tio have bought a house with a secluded courtyard close to the Rune engravers.¡±
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¡°Eighty five.¡± ¡®Ninety seven.¡¯ ¡°Damnit. How are you faster than me?¡± ¡°With a nonchalant glance, miss Tio lets out a silent, near unheard laugh.¡± ¡°Damnit!¡± ¡®You don¡¯t need to be best at everything.¡¯ ¡°Aie. You don¡¯t understand a man¡¯s pride Tio. And I¡¯m no ordinary man.¡± ¡®Oh? I already know you are a Beta.¡¯ ¡°It¡¯s not being this or that. I have always been better than others.¡± ¡°The lamenting of the deluded, a fitting name for our hero¡¯s delusional story.¡± ¡°My father used to say that he was extraordinary.¡± ¡®That your father was extraordinary?¡¯ ¡°That¡¯s right. And grandfather used to tell me how amazing he himself was. It was really inspiring.¡± ¡®Your father and grandfather used to tell you how amazing they were?¡¯ ¡°That¡¯s right. But little did they know that I was even more amazing. What a twist of fate.¡± ¡°In a quiet courtyard, a young couple sat still, watching the sky. In their hands are small pieces of wood and a carving knives. Their conversation infuriates the blowing wind, the illuminating sunlight and even celestials.¡± ¡°So how can you possibly be leveling your Woodworking faster than me?¡± ¡®You can stop me at any time.¡¯ ¡°Oh?¡± ¡®You can trick me to stop. You can seduce and have your way with me. I won¡¯t be able to carve then.¡¯ ¡°Won¡¯t I stop carvin as well then?¡± ¡®If you ravage me, will I have the strength to continue carving?¡¯ ¡°Deep in thought, our hero is met with a most troublesome dilemma.¡± ¡°Even if you stop, that doesn¡¯t mean your not better.¡± ¡®Then, if you won¡¯t even attack me, I¡¯ll carve faster.¡¯ ¡°You can still carve faster!?¡± ¡°A beautiful but heart rending laughter reverberates throughout the courtyard. The Fluo glances at our hero, derision in her eyes. Her hundred some years of living showing her superiority.¡± ¡°I¡¯m the hero! Not you. Okay, okay. Let the race begin.¡± ¡®Oh, it''s a race now? What does the winner win?¡¯ ¡°Honor!¡± ¡®Worthless.¡¯ ¡°A single request then. The winner can ask the loser for something.¡± ¡®Deal!¡¯ ¡°One can vaguely feel the fire ignite in the mischievous Fluo, the contradictory image gives the sense of boiling water.¡± ¡°Where are you going?¡± ¡®Buying more wood.¡¯ ¡°Leaving our hero alone in silence, his expression blank, his hands unmoving.¡± ¡°Does she mean she can carve faster than the Witherwood grows?¡± ¡°How remarkable. It appears our hero has some insight. It is as he said. Tio Oh has little to no issue with practicing lower end crafting professions. Her control over mana is superior to our hero in every way, added to this, her ability to infuse mana into anything is polished. It can be said that she is overqualified for a novice. Her ability infinitely closing in on advanced, the peak of adept.¡± ¡°What the hell, I¡¯ve been hustled. But you finally spit out a clue. Infusing mana is that important? You kept talking about intent last time, super confusing.¡±If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation. ¡°In the secluded courtyard our hero¡¯s desolate visage leaves one wondering what power allowed him to survive to the spritely age of one thousand thirty eight.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t think you can confuse me. I¡¯mma try this out.¡± ¡°With outrageous speed that can be considered reckless, our hero wantonly slices his piece of Witherwood. His actions seem random and impudent. Any craftering watching this would feel offended. But we the adept, we the celestial, can see the mana imbued with every reckless stroke.¡±
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¡°It works!¡± ¡°When the hysterical laughter fades, our hero slightly tilts his head to point his nose towards the sky. His thumb slightly brushes the tip of his nose. Not only me, but most of us cannot help but feel the urge to pummel this smug creature. Perhaps we should title him the hero Smug.¡± ¡°I am extraordinary after all. If only father and grandfather were still alive.¡± ¡°Our hero ominously curses his ancestors, wanting them to witness his smugness.¡± ¡°They really should know that their son and grandson is even greater than them. I really miss them. Mom would be proud.¡± ¡°Soon our hero encounters the problem Tio anticipated. His lacking resources have stunted his reckless carving.¡± ¡°Where do I buy wood?¡± ¡°Casting any idea of working on his Rune engraving away, our hero has abandoned the quiet courtyard in search of wood to lacerate.¡± ¡°I could go to that Witherwood but I think Asteri will be easier to deal with, they must have large stock of materials to create all those furnitures.¡± ¡°Entering the Rune engravers large Woodworking facility, numerous people come into his sight. Most look old and wizened, even the youngest with a few on their backs.¡± ¡°A lot of old people here.¡± ¡®Most of these people can be considered ordinary people.¡¯ ¡°The person next to our hero has the spirit of a young person but his appearance and expression make him look older and serious.¡± ¡°Ordinary?¡± ¡®Yes. They can¡¯t imbue their work with mana. Instead we engrave runes into them.¡¯ ¡°Oh?¡± ¡®We do employ a few talented Woodworkers but they all have their own facilities.¡¯ ¡°Can I visit them?¡± ¡°The serious young man frowns. Something to be expected as our hero nonchalant attitude and odd demeanor has irked him for some while.¡± ¡®You can. I don¡¯t think it is wise to intrude on them.¡¯ ¡°Alright, whatever. But I can use the wood here right?¡± ¡®Yes. You can use all the wood you want.¡¯ ¡°Can you tell me the quality of the wood.¡± ¡°With a near inaudible sigh, the serious young man shouts and waves a person over.¡± ¡®Help apprentice Ji with some matters. I¡¯m off.¡¯ ¡®Yes sir.¡¯ ¡°Left with one of the youngest woodworker workers, our hero glanced at the assistant helping him.¡± ¡°I need you to show me the quality of the wood and how much there is.¡± ¡®Of course, follow me.¡¯ ¡°Alright.¡± ¡°The facility never ceases their sawing, polishing, hammering and rowdy all around shouting. Our hero can¡¯t help but be immersed in the environment.¡± ¡®Through here, sir.¡¯ ¡°What¡¯s here?¡± ¡®Storage for all our materials, they are ported in through the back and stored here.¡¯ ¡°Hoh.¡± ¡®We work mostly with this type of wood, it¡¯s not the easiest to work but apparently it is convenient to imbue mana into it. It¡¯s called Silverwood because of its bark.¡¯ ¡°It doesn¡¯t look like silver.¡± ¡®The silver has been removed, the silver comes from a moss that grows on the bark. The actual tree is named Fertility tree.¡¯ ¡°Oh?¡± ¡®It grows fast but it also popular because it can grown unusual things like moss and fungus at a rapid rate. It is also why we have so much of it.¡¯ ¡°It¡¯s farmed?¡± ¡®That¡¯s right. We get most of our supplies from the Oh clan, their large scale fields grow these trees and at the same time they grow various things on the tree themselves. We use the leftover trees they cut down in our woodworking. Otherwise we¡¯d use a cheaper wood, but the supply is so high that we can easily buy them.¡¯ ¡°The assistant has come to life. His voice lively and enthusiastic. It appears he has certain affinity for this.¡± ¡°Do you have any idea what tier these trees are?¡± ¡®Tier? That depends on the tree. In general the trees we receive reach about thirty five to forty five. But there are some higher and lower.¡¯ ¡°Is this the most valuable wood you access to here?¡± ¡®No we still have Rivertrees, Crumblingwood and even some Brownstone wood pieces. But we can¡¯t use those, only the senior Woodworkers can.¡¯ ¡°I¡¯m going to take a few piece of these fertility trees. I¡¯ll also need some to be shipped to this address.¡± ¡®No problem.¡¯ ¡°The towering supply of wood is impossible for our hero to eat through, only a portion of it is required to continue is wild carving habits.¡± ¡°I¡¯m off then.¡± ¡°Leaving as quickly as he came. Our hero has pilfered what he came for, leaving only the unpleasant memories behind.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t be so difficult, Narry. They have more than enough wood to spare.¡± ¡°Before our hero enters the small but reasonably big house with a secluded courtyard he is met with large crates, all branded with the Oh clan¡¯s label.¡± ¡°What are in these? Did Tio bring wood?¡± ¡®Not only wood, the miss has quite a few things shipped here.¡¯ ¡°Hi, who are you?¡± ¡°The young woman looks at our hero, curiosity in her eyes.¡± ¡®Just a lowly Oh clan member.¡¯ ¡°Despite the self depreciative introduction, there is quite a bit of pride in her voice.¡± ¡°Is Tio inside?¡± ¡®Yes.¡¯ ¡°With a casual wave our hero steps by the assistant and enters the house. He is met with a flurry of activity, ten some people arranging or unpacking things.¡± ¡°Tio!¡± ¡®You¡¯re back Ji! Where did you go? I was worried.¡¯ ¡°I went to get some wood.¡± ¡®Wood? Why?¡¯ ¡°Aie, I modified my carving technique and as expected I am a genius at this as well.¡± ¡°This is the first time we see the young miss frown. It is either in displeasure or she has finally had enough of our hero¡¯s antics.¡± ¡®I may have to turn to some unorthodox methods.¡¯ ¡°The sudden chill in the vibrant fluo might cause ones hairs to rise.¡± ¡°What do you mean?¡± ¡®You will see. Go carve, I¡äll be there in a few minutes.¡¯ ¡°Whatever you are planning won¡¯t work.¡± ¡°It is hard to see but we celestials can almost see our hero¡¯s spirit vane, his eyes eek out a trace of fear. A rare moment of nervousness.¡± ¡°Nonsense. I¡¯m not nervous or afraid. I am just worried for Tio, whatever her plan is, she is bound to fail. After all her opponent is me.¡± ¡°To live for eternity is a torture. They say that people remember the worst of times like they remember their last meal.¡± ¡°What is she planning?¡± ¡°Seemingly deep in thought, our hero has yet to begin carving. His stack of Fertility wood left untouched in his inventory.¡± ¡°You smell that?¡± ¡°It goes unseen by our hero, but a barrier has been erected above the household. This innocuous barrier an atmospheric one, meant for air conditioning.¡± ¡°Really?¡± ¡°From the large corridor, a silhouette appears.¡± ¡®Ji, want something to drink?¡¯ ¡°Our hero forcefully swallows his desires and is unable to answer, he can sense the unusual tone in miss Tio¡¯s voice.¡± ¡®I¡¯ve also got some treats.¡¯ ¡°In an attempt to distract himself, Ji has begun carving. His speed atrocious and his usual prowess in shambles.¡± ¡®Oh, you¡¯re carving? You look like you could use a little rest.¡¯ ¡°There is soothing ambient sounds, a entracing fluo music playing in the background. This music has some unusual properties to it.¡± ¡®Ji? Can you hear me Ji?¡¯ ¡°When her hands lands on his shoulders our hero shivers, his face already red and his eyes misty like a woman wronged.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry about me. I¡¯m just focusing on the carving.¡± ¡®Good. I¡¯ll give you a message to keep you relaxed. Have some drinks or treats if you feel like it.¡¯ ¡°Ji is wise not to partake in these devious but delectable drinks and food. As before, there is hidden components in everything. Not only has the food been altered, the air, music and even miss Tio¡¯s skin is laced with aspects that arouse the male and female spirit. It is not unusual for our hero to feel agitated. His silence marks his fight against these intrusive elements. The pair spend their time in silence, accompanied by a fragrant smell and entrancing musical tones. Both unwilling to speak. Ji has yet to finish a single piece of carving, his mana in disarray and his attempts seeming as fleeting as the clouds.¡± ¡®You are doing great.¡¯ ¡°Having leaned slightly forward, Tio¡¯s chest softly meets our hero¡¯s back. Her voice carries a slight wind that caresses Ji¡¯s ear and rustles his hair. Is this where our hero finally meets his fateful defeat? Are his body and will going to fall into depravity?¡± Chapter fifty five: Hedonistic ¡°In a drug addled daze, our hero¡¯s breathing begins naturally gathering and then repelling the ambient mana. This can be considered a good way to train ones control over ambient mana, but not much else. It does on the other hand serve as a direct benefit to the little fluo. Her eyes shine with fervor, her lust filled gaze on our hero and her hands moving from Ji¡¯s shoulders to his chest. As she expected, she has fallen prey to her own medicine. But with every breath Ji takes, her body shivers uncontrollably. A small and short shiver that she follows up with a moan. Our hero sensitivity to mana infused drugs has him over stimulated and no longer in charge of his faculties, yet his body wants to move on his own.¡± ¡®Ji -Ah!¡¯ ¡°No longer sitting, Ji and Tio are now entangled like snakes on the ground, the entrancing music gives one the sense, in a peculiar way, that they are dancing. If one shivers, they both shiver, if one moans they both moan. Ji¡¯s breathing becomes increasing erratic and in tandem, so does the ambient mana. While our hero is under heavy influence, Tio is only partly incapacitated and can still sense what is happening but she¡¯s unable or unwilling to extricate herself from the situation.¡± ¡®Ah!¡¯ ¡°As the toxins in the air begin to disperse, so does our hero begin to regain his faculties. His internal body ripping itself apart and then healing. A cycle that exhausts any drug.¡± ¡°Woman!¡± ¡°An enraged shout is the first thing our hero manages to shout. This shout has an odd sensation to it, almost barbaric.¡± ¡®Ji!¡¯ ¡°The more our hero understands his situation the less angry he gets and the more he leans towards his animalistic urges, as is expected of carbon based lifeforms. The two are still half dazed and can barely hear each other moan. Unsurprisingly some of the lazier and hedonistic customers, have begun betting. Ranging from Ji¡¯s stamina, Tio¡¯s threshold and to the number times they are expected to consumate. To call them perverted is an understatement.¡± ¡°Tio! -Ah!¡± ¡°It is beneath someone as exalted as us to describe these activities. While these acts are not shameful in and of themselves, some shame must be attributed. If I am forced to narrate, I will do so on my terms. Within the boundaries cast upon me so cruelly.¡± ¡®Yes! Yes!¡¯ ¡°The weather can be said to be mild, the skies are clear blue with spots of clouds. The wind not sharp on the lowland but the higher you go you¡¯ll feel its sharp edge.¡± ¡°Hngh!¡± ¡®Ah!¡¯ ¡°If we would compare this weather to yesterday''s weather, we can say it has become milder. The wind was lesser and the sky was clearer.¡± ¡®Drink this.¡¯ ¡°Unsatisfied, the fluo smothers the young hero in fluo wine, a well known commodity. Especially known for its stimulating properties.¡± ¡°You want more?¡± ¡®I want everything!¡¯ ¡°Separated only for a moment the two have slithered into each arms again, their vigor revitalized by the drink. Their eyes fierce, as if enraged animals. Despite the blessing of not having to listen to our hero, and having to respond to his whims, we cannot be content with this situation.¡± ¡°Turn around.¡± ¡®Oh!¡¯ ¡°What we can celebrate is that our hero should feel fatigue, a mental fatigue his body cannot mend by itself. This mental fatigue can be considered well documented, thousand years of observation tells us the males of any lowborn civilization suffer in this way.¡± ¡°Enough. I can¡¯t anymore.¡± ¡®Eat. Drink.¡¯ ¡°No!¡± ¡°The unrelenting activities have lasted into the night, the exhaustion is apparent. Our pale faced hero is exhausted beyond measure.¡± ¡®Sleep then.¡¯ ¡°As if knocked unconscious our hero has fallen asleep half sitting, on the warm ground. And only a few moments pass before the exhaustion takes the fluo as well. The ground is surprisingly dry, especially for such an unhinged event including a fluo. Perhaps she was more lucid than we believed. This however changes now, Tio¡¯s unconscious state makes her gather and dispense water, forming a watery fog. This is something our hero has fallen victim to on occasion. I suppose we have to seize the opportunity and take a break. I¡¯m sure most of you got other engagements. I¡¯m expected at least twelve hours of freedom.¡±If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. ¡®Ji.¡¯ ¡°Hrm.¡± ¡°It turns out our twelve hours turned into sixteen. A welcomed rest. But this vacation has been cut short as the fluo has already woken up. Not only did she wake up before our hero, she has cleaned herself and dressed up on familiar looking blue clothing.¡± ¡®Ji, I¡¯m going to begin carving.¡¯ ¡°Wait!¡± ¡°As if stung by a bee, our hero springs to his feet.¡± ¡°Hm? Tio?¡± ¡®Good morning.¡¯ ¡°Morning.¡± ¡°It is clear our hero is not fully awake despite his abrupt outcry.¡± ¡°Tio.¡± ¡®Mm?¡¯ ¡°You don¡¯t have to drug me to seduce me.¡± ¡®...¡¯ ¡°For the first time we can see genuine shame from the fluo mistress. Or at least perceived shame¡± ¡°You know this won¡¯t go unpunished, right?¡± ¡®Unpunished?¡¯ ¡°Despite her usual calm demeanor and worldly ways, Tio can be considered a spoiled person. By both her parents and aunts and uncles.¡± ¡°That¡¯s right.¡± ¡°It is clear our hero is teasing the surprisingly naive fluo. His usual cheery demeanor haphazardly veiled behind a sad mask. Like a young child that has been tricked.¡±
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¡°A long pause made the air feel awkward. Only the violent slashing of a carving knife against an innocent piece of wood can be heard.¡± ¡°I wasn¡¯t entirely out of it last yesterday.¡± ¡®...¡¯ ¡°But your food, water and air. You¡¯re an aggressive host.¡± ¡°The fluo¡¯s shame only increases and she can¡¯t help but stare at her feet.¡± ¡°Come here.¡± ¡°Our hero¡¯s voice seems sterner, as if ready to discipline.¡± ¡®What?¡¯ ¡°Sit down.¡± ¡°The Fluo appears almost in tears. She sits down and struggles to lift her head to meet our hero¡¯s gaze.¡± ¡°Awh¡± ¡®Ah!¡¯ ¡°It seems our hero is finally unable to contain his facade. His arms have entangled miss Tio-oh tightly.¡± ¡°You can¡¯t do that again.¡± ¡®Okay.¡¯ ¡°After seperating again, our hero begins to carve maniacally. His reckless slashes imbue the mana in every swing.¡± ¡®This works too?¡¯ ¡°It works.¡±
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¡°I''m up to ninety two, just five away from you.¡± ¡®This won¡¯t do.¡¯ ¡°The previously awkward atmosphere has been cast aside, in its stead the two begin carving with fervor.¡± ¡®Where did you learn this carving technique?¡¯ ¡°Where do you think?¡± ¡®Narry?¡¯ ¡°Partly, but biggest part was me divining it.¡± ¡®I¡¯m sure.¡¯ ¡°As if taunting his companion, Ji never ceases to carve. To emphasize this, a piece of half of miserably looking, innocent, mangled and ruined wood falls to the ground.¡±
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¡®Explain what you are doing.¡¯ ¡°No way.¡± ¡®Afraid?¡¯ ¡°Alright, good, I''ll tell you.¡± ¡°The joyful smile of a person that believes fate is within their grasp. This is our hero¡¯s smile, it is intolerable.¡± ¡°We are imbuing the wood with any which kind of mana, right?¡± ¡®Mm.¡¯ ¡°There is practically no other requirement, except for intention as narry calls it.¡± ¡®Intention?¡¯ ¡°Ye, eh. What was it again. It¡¯s something like, what you want the item to be. To keep it as simple as I can, I focus on a single word or an object.¡± ¡®A word and an object?¡¯ ¡°No, a word or an object. If I¡¯m making a sword, I picture a sword. Or I focus on a word like magic or sharp.¡± ¡®What does that do?¡¯ ¡°Eh. I can¡¯t remember. Narry said, if I remember correctly, that the world system uses it to help me craft what I want.¡± ¡®Oh, I think I know what you are talking about, mom has talked about this a few times. They call it a will.¡¯ ¡°A will, intention. It¡¯s probably the same thing.¡± ¡®But you are saying it is connected to the world¡¯s system. I always believed it to be a mantra.¡¯ ¡°I think that is what Narry was saying.¡± ¡®Okay, and is that all you are doing?¡¯ ¡°No, I got a bit side tracked. What I am mainly doing is imbuing the wood. Imbuing is a kind of control, right? But I also feel like it''s different.¡± ¡®Control over mana and imbuing items are similar, but imbuing is a type of control.¡¯ ¡°Oh. Alright. It¡¯s completely different to what I do with my mana spheres. Anyway. I use the knife and pour as much mana as i can into it and with every slash I stick some mana onto the wood.¡± ¡®Wait. You stick it on the wood?¡¯ ¡°Ye, If I go slow I can make it infuse into it but when I¡¯m carving like this, I need to let the wood do the work.¡± ¡®Isn¡¯t this cheating?¡¯ ¡°How would it be cheating? It works, so it works.¡± ¡°Our hero¡¯s method does work in part due to quality of the wood and how well it receives external mana. The greatest effect is the quantity he can squander. Rather than using a paint brush to draw, our hero throws an entire bucket of paint, pretending it is a stroke of a brush.¡± ¡®I¡¯ll try it.¡¯ ¡°The water primordial, Tio-oh has been corrupted. Her strikes deviate from her wavelike form to a rugged, unseemly hacking. With every strike the ambient mana and her own appear to splash unto the wood. Her actions strange to watch, strange enough that our hero has stopped his carving to watch her.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t think this technique fits you.¡± ¡°Every third to fourth strike leaves visual changes to Tio¡¯s complexion. Her blue glow turning pale¡±
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¡®It works.¡¯ ¡°Told you.¡± ¡®How wasteful. You can keep this up?¡¯ ¡°It¡¯s not so bad, it is mostly ambient mana.¡± ¡®Ridiculous. So this is a Beta? I can see why they go down as legends.¡¯ ¡°While Beta¡¯s tend to become legends, towering above the weaker people, they wouldn¡¯t do it so young, or better yet, so old.¡± ¡°You should be a lot stronger than me, why can¡¯t you keep this up?¡± ¡°Unlike our hero, Tio-oh, a favored daughter of the two leaders of the Oh clan, does not possess absurd affinity for mana.¡± ¡®I can¡¯t use ambient mana like you, Ji.¡¯ ¡°Then you¡¯ll lose.¡±
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¡°That¡¯s ninety three.¡± ¡®Hundred and two.¡¯ ¡°Tio has resumed to her previous graceful carving technique, surprisingly her speed has increased considerably. It is hard to say who will come out the victor.¡± ¡°You should just give up.¡± ¡®Would you like some wine?¡¯ ¡°You think I¡¯m stupid?¡± ¡®Should I put on some music? Do you want some food?¡¯ ¡°Our hero¡¯s stomach rumbles in protest to the abhorrent and sudden absence of food.¡± ¡°I have my own food.¡± ¡®Tsch.¡¯ ¡°What was that?¡± ¡®Nothing.¡¯ ¡°A solemn but a welcome silence has dawned upon the carving pair. It is in these moments we can appreciate their talents and enjoy the respite.¡± ¡°Novice is around level twelve hundred, right? Tier forty.¡± ¡®That¡¯s right.¡¯ ¡°How high is that in Woodworking?¡± ¡®Around four hundred.¡¯ ¡°We might be able to finish that today.¡± ¡®Maybe.¡¯ ¡°This nonchalant conversation would inspire rage in the masses. Even rare geniuses would not dare compete. It is fortunate that this trend cannot continue forever, as requirements for mana control share the stage. This is where intention or will as Tio¡¯s clan members call it, comes in.¡± ¡°It¡¯s strange how much the level requirement wavers up and down on these sculptures. Highest I¡¯ve gotten, requires just below level three hundred to use.¡± ¡®We are one fourth of the way there already.¡¯ ¡°In such quiet times, time seems to pass by an accelerated pace, soon evening is upon us again, and the pair has barely spoken.¡± ¡°It¡¯s only you that keeps being noisy.¡± ¡®It¡¯s getting late, shouldn¡¯t we rest?¡¯ ¡°As long as we both rest, no carving until we¡¯re both ready.¡± ¡®Fine. No need to look at me like that.¡¯ ¡°I don¡¯t know how you managed to increase your speed, but I will win.¡± ¡®Impossible.¡¯ ¡°It is here we must again avert the eyes and avert the mind, as our hero has viciously lunged the the unexpected Fluo, pinning her to the warm ground.¡± ¡®Oh no! I¡¯ve been captured!¡¯ Chapter fifty six: Confidant ¡°Our hero¡¯s wasteful use of mana cannot continue forever. And it has begun to show after hours of increasingly reckless carving, Tio who has been overtaken by Ji, is now steadily catching up.¡± ¡°This is an awful feeling.¡± ¡®Your not a god after all.¡¯ ¡°Even gods can get tired.¡± ¡°Our insufferable hero¡¯s previous smugness was fading but We stay vigilant. There are many things We do not know, but We can recognize smugness on the rise.¡± ¡°How can you keep going, you still have mana?¡± ¡®My mana isn¡¯t like yours. It¡¯s mature and reliable. Unlike your...¡¯ ¡°My what?¡± ¡®I shouldn¡¯t say.¡¯ ¡°This is a rare moment of glory. It appears our hero has finally been knocked down a degree. We must savor this moment.¡± ¡°Narrator: Off! Mode: Off! Sound: Mute!¡± ¡®Ji?¡¯ ¡°Give me a second. Preferences. Settings. Options. God damnit!¡± ¡®What are you doing?¡¯ ¡°Trying to turn off the narrator. He¡¯s affecting my spirit.¡± ¡®What did he say?¡¯ ¡°You wouldn¡¯t like it, he said you were becoming smug.¡± ¡®How insightful.¡¯ ¡°Unlike our hero, the elegant Fluo has deep wisdom, intelligence and beauty. She can see past our hero¡¯s lies with ease.¡± ¡°Suck up.¡±
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¡®Three hundred eighty two.¡¯ ¡°You should rest for a minute. I¡¯ll rest with you.¡± ¡®I¡¯m still okay.¡¯ ¡°Our hero¡¯s complexion is still alright but he can¡¯t muster the mana to continue his extravagant carving method. It is instead the surprisingly resilient Fluo that continues unabated. This is her constitution and experience shining through. What our hero doesn¡¯t know is that not only does she wield superior strength, she has spent considerable time studying formations with her mother.¡± ¡°This isn¡¯t a fair match.¡± ¡®But you¡¯re winning.¡¯ ¡°What use is winning a battle when you are about to lose a war.¡± ¡°If our hero took a lesson from miss Tio, he would strife for efficiency. It takes more than raw energy and control to achieve efficiency. Just like a great sportsman or fighter might possess immense strength and flexible body, he still requires battle techniques and requires understanding of strategy.¡± ¡°Are implying I¡¯m not a strategist? I think ten thousand moves ahead, sometimes I even fool myself!¡± ¡°The strategist that fooled even himself. A cautionary tale, I''m sure.¡±
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¡®Three Hundred eighty five.¡¯
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¡°Three Hundred eighty five!¡± ¡°The combative atmosphere is painfully quiet, only interrupted by the pieces of carvings falling to the ground and the pair¡¯s counting. Our hero¡¯s eyes are bloodshot, his skin pale and moist from sweat, in the most unbecoming of ways. A staggering contrast to the elegant Tio whose complexion is pristine.¡±
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¡®Eighty nine.¡¯
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¡°Three hundred eighty nine!¡± ¡°The competition is veiled in tension. It easier for us and even for the lowborn, should they be watching, that there is no competition.You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story. It is clear that miss Tio has been playing a devious hand, her abilities well beyond the task at hand. This has ironically to do with her being in the company of a Beta. In normal circumstances, such haphazard skills would never succeed so quickly, it is only because she has similarly received the blessing of the system, as it were, that she can perform such miracles. Unfortunate for our hero, had he been fighting what can be considered a peer, he would have come out as the hero. Is this the bottom our hero needs to meet to shed light his other deficiencies?¡± ¡°The only reason you can keep up is because you were blessed by me.¡± ¡®Okay sweetie.¡¯ ¡°Wanting to rebut but finding no answer our hero looks up from his carving and to miss Tio and back down, his mouth opening slightly only to close again. This happens repeatedly.¡± ¡°Am I only now realizing how annoying this narrator is?¡± ¡®You know, people would do worse things than kill to be in your footsteps?¡¯ ¡°The young princess of the local Fluo clan carelessly voices her opinions, ignorant of the striking pain it causes our hero.¡± ¡°Who said I wasn¡¯t grateful?¡± ¡®Oh, you are?¡¯ ¡°I was talking to Narry.¡± ¡®Sure.¡¯ ¡°Tio¡¯s comment and momentary glance causes our hero to sulk in silence. If he had the energy We are sure that he would cause a great fuss.¡±
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¡°Three hundred ninety six!¡± ¡®Great job.¡¯ ¡°Seeing our hero¡¯s foul mood, miss Tio has gracefully slowed down her carving so as not to embarrass our hero.¡± ¡°Huh?¡± ¡®What?¡¯ ¡°Did you slow down?¡± ¡°No?¡± ¡°Our hero¡¯s eyebrows twitch at the very obvious lie.¡± ¡°Fine, if you want to lose then you lose. You still remember we are racing, you¡¯ll forfeit your reward.¡± ¡®What kind of reward was it?¡¯ ¡°I was going to listen to one of your requests.¡± ¡°It seems miss Tio suddenly remembered. Indeed, that was something they had agreed upon. Perhaps she had gotten what she wanted or never really cared about it¡± ¡®Three hundred and ninety!¡¯ ¡°The atmosphere has changed from playful to a thick seriousness.¡± ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± ¡°Pausing his carving our hero looks around the courtyard.¡± ¡®Three hundred and ninety two.¡¯ ¡°Ji Aleksey turns his sights on miss Tion only to see her incredible focus at full display.¡± ¡°Oh, you are finally taking this seriously?¡±
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¡®Three hundred and ninety three!¡¯ ¡°Shit.¡± ¡°Even though he is already tired our hero begins wantonly slicing his piece of wood. Surprisingly he has become more attentive, presumably to reduce his mana consumption.¡± ¡°Maybe I should try to increase the ambient mana consumption to compensate.¡± ¡°Unable to see past his mistakes our hero firmly decided to continue down his tactic of overwhelming mana use. From our hero ?s expression we can only think he has stumbled onto something.¡± ¡®What¡¯s going on?¡¯ ¡°Ripped out of her concentration, the fluo is a witness to the ambient mana concentrating in the courtyard. If it wasn ?t for her high level she might have struggled to merely breathe. In most cases more mana is a great thing and celebrated but when violently pulled in the manner our hero is, it becomes volatile and unfit for most to interact with.¡± ¡°The more ambient mana I use the less of my own mana I need to use. Until my mana recovery outweighs my expenditure.¡± ¡°After a short pause the Fluo resumes her works. The sudden increase of ambient mana doesn¡¯t slow her down but instead increase her proficiency. As to whether that is enough to compete with our hero is uncertain.¡±
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¡°It is somewhat admirable to see these two compete with all they have. At times the fluo manges to take the lead only for our hero to further enhance his efficiency. At times the woodworking level increases only after they complete an item, these are what are known as bottlenecks. Of course, normal people would not only need to complete a single item, and they¡¯d require some inspiration or other tedious additions. As Ji increased his efficiency, so did miss Tio enhance her proficiency. While our hero saw some proficiency increase his greatest achievement was to further utilize his ability to gather and use ambient mana.¡± ¡°Who needs proficiency when I can use the world to drown anything standing in my way?¡± ¡°Despite the bloodshot eyes and pale face, our has the audacity to say such words with a puffed out chest. Not only is miss Tio staring at our hero but so are her servants.¡± ¡®Isn¡¯t missus Tio¡¯s man amazing?¡® ¡®When I become rich, I''m also going to have a boytoy like this.¡¯ ¡®I¡¯ll have men begging at my feet.¡¯ ¡®Tsch. I¡¯ll find a handsome, smart and powerful man and play him like mistress Tio.¡¯ ¡°One of the benefits of the increased ambient mana is enhanced senses. Mainly hearing but also mana derived smells.¡± ¡°Your servants talk too much.¡± ¡°Like our hero, miss Tio also heard her the four fluo women talk amongst themselves. She showed no sense of shame but rather a bit of pride.¡± ¡°They¡¯re just girls being girls. What, are you afraid of a few words?¡± ¡°The worldly miss Tio has taken up her princess-like throne and looks at Ji with a small smirk, as if to say, ¡®What? are they wrong?¡¯¡± ¡°So it¡¯s like that?¡± ¡®Like what?¡¯ ¡°And if I take you here, in front of them?¡± ¡®You would dare?¡¯ ¡°Like our shameless hero, the fluo has nothing to hide from her servants. A single word from her and their fates will forever change.¡± ¡°Oof, that¡¯s scary.¡± ¡®So you are scared¡¯¡¯ ¡°I was talking to Narry.¡± ¡®Oh sure. Big bad Narry.¡¯ ¡°At this point our hero has lost too much face. His face a bit out of order but in the end he waves his hands and his astronomical ambient mana surges.¡± ¡°Good. If that¡¯s how it is. How about I play with these four?¡± ¡°Finally our hero has struck upon the weakness of the little fluo princess.¡± ¡®What¡¯s going on?¡¯ ¡®Oh!¡¯ ¡®Ahh!¡¯ ¡®My clothes!¡¯ ¡°Behind the four fluo women a wave of water-esque surge of ambient mana pushed them forward making them stumble forward until eventually they themselves move away in a panic. They move straight to miss Tio and Ji.¡± ¡°Oh? Your not laughing anymore?.¡± ¡®Me?¡¯ ¡°Yes you, whose a ¡®boy toy¡¯ again?¡± ¡°The young woman turns from a deep ocean blue to a light blue in an instant.¡± ¡°Nothing to say? Then let¡¯s take these things away.¡± ¡®Ji stop.¡¯ ¡°Alright.¡± ¡°As soon as miss Tio speaks up Ji lets go of control for ambient mana. The laugh and mischievous smirk tells everything that needs to be said.¡± ¡°You four can leave.¡± ¡®So petty.¡¯ ¡°Weren¡¯t you brimming with pride hearing them talk earlier?¡± ¡®I wasn¡¯t.¡¯ ¡°While our hero is a thousand year old he has a long way to go to get the upper hand over miss Tio. She already seduced him in the most manipulative way and not only did he not take it as an assault but laughed it off.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll deal with issues as I see fit, Narry. You think I couldn¡¯t have been able to escape if I wanted to? Not even gods can measure up to my willpower.¡± ¡®What did he say?¡¯ ¡°Nothing important, just the same underhanded comments.¡± ¡®Three hundred and ninety eight.¡¯ ¡°Three hundred and ninety eight.¡± ¡°Again the ambient mana surges and in addition of lathering the blade it covers the wood.¡± ¡°Three hundred and ninety nine!¡± ¡®Three hundred and ninety nine.¡¯ ¡°A soothing blue hue emerges from miss Tio. From her body we can see swathes of internal mana flow like a raging river into the carving knife. One would expect her to suddenly attempt to cleave the ground.¡± ¡®Four hundred.¡¯ ¡°Four hundred!¡± ¡°Only milliseconds pass before our hero reached four hundred skill level in woodworking and in turn completes his objective.¡± ¡°Well done.¡± ¡°Surprisingly our hero doesn¡¯t have the expression of defeat as expected. Instead he appears to relax his body and smile at his companion.¡± ¡®Thanks.¡¯ ¡°How rare for our hero. To think he could be a graceful loser? There are exceptions to every rule, indeed.¡±