《[Don't Die!]》


 Chapter One

    ¡°I am your guide.¡± a rough voice intoned from above me.


    ¡°I¡¯m¡­ You¡¯re my¡­ What¡­? What¡¯s going on?¡± I sputtered as I pushed myself up off of the dusty road, shaking my head to try and clear it. I felt the heat from the sun on my back as I rose. The road appeared to cut through a mature forest of some sort. I looked up to see that the trees towered above me, but were cut back enough to allow the sun to shine on the dirt packed road.


    ¡°I am your guide.¡± Said the tall, cloaked figure standing beside me. I couldn¡¯t tell if they were male or female, but they had the flat, monotone voice of a professor who was resigned to repeating themselves for inattentive first-year students.


    ¡°My guide for what? Where am I? How did I get here?¡± I was beyond confused.


    ¡°I do not have that information. I am your guide.¡±


    ¡°What are you supposed to guide me to?¡± I tried, looking at my ¡®guide¡¯ closer. Inside the hood seemed to be a fathomless pit of black.


    ¡°I am your guide. I will assist you in navigating the tutorial and establishing you within the system.¡±


    ¡°What is the system? How did I get here?¡± I threw my hands up.


    ¡°I do not have that information. I am your guide.¡±


    ¡°Yes, yes. I understand that.¡± I sighed, ¡°You are my guide. I need more information than that.¡±


    ¡°I am your guide. Are you ready to begin the tutorial?¡±


    Letters appeared in the air between me and the cloaked figure like a pop-up menu from an augmented reality display.


    [Begin tutorial. Y/N?]


    I stepped back, startled. Wherever I seemed to be, it couldn''t be real. A dream? A VR game? Holographic displays didn¡¯t just appear out of thin air. Even AR needed some sort of device. I touched my face and head, looking for some sort of glasses or a headset.


    Nothing.


    ¡°What if I don¡¯t choose?¡± I asked the cloaked figure.


    ¡°All progression requires choice. In order to progress you must decide.¡±


    ¡°What if I don¡¯t have enough information to decide?¡± not going to lie, I was getting a bit panicky, ¡°What if I make a bad choice?¡±


    ¡°All progression requires choice. In order to progress you must decide.¡±


    I scrubbed my hands through my hair, ¡°And if I just keep walking down this road? What then?¡± I gestured down the dirt road I was standing in.


    ¡°All progression requires choice. In order to progress you must decide.¡±


    ¡°All right then. Here¡¯s my decision.¡± I started walking down the road away from the tall cloaked figure.


    Without any distinguishing features to the left or the right, I simply chose the right and started walking. The sun was nearly directly overhead, but it seemed like it was a little more on my face when I looked to the right. Good enough for me. Otherwise, there were no defining features, such as mountains, in the distance to orient myself, so this way seemed as good as the other.


    After what felt like an hour I stopped and looked around. The scenery had been unchanging, and I had not encountered anyone or anything. The day remained warm and bright. A typical summer afternoon in the countryside. Except I wasn¡¯t in any countryside I knew.


    After waiting for a moment, staring blankly, not sure what to think, I turned to head back the way I had come. The tall figure was standing to the side of the road as if they had followed me...or I hadn¡¯t actually gone anywhere.


    I wiped sweat from my face, ¡°Okay. Fine. I¡¯ll play your stupid game.¡± I said, my voice tinged with frustration.


    The letters appeared in the air again. As I thought ¡°Yes.¡±, and started raising my hand to tap the Y, it started flashing and the display disappeared. The letters appeared to be prompts more than a touchscreen.


    More words and screens appeared in the air between me and the cloaked figure.


    [Characteristics]


    [Abilities]


    [Class]


    [Race]


    [Skills]


    [Spellcasting]


    [Profession]


    [Craft]


    ¡°Is there a manual for this?¡±, I asked the cloaked figure. ¡°Is there anyone else I can talk to? Is there a town nearby with other people?¡±


    It felt like it had been a while since I¡¯d played games that even resembled this, so I hoped it wouldn¡¯t take long to knock the rust off my memories. But then, now that I stopped to think about it, everything seemed like it had been a while since I had done it. I couldn¡¯t recall what I had for breakfast, or how I got...where was, here? Everything seemed on the tip of my tongue, or just out of reach of memory. How did I know what Augmented Reality was, but not know what I did for work?


    I had to start somewhere, trying to jog my memories, and figured the top of the list was the best place. I tapped the ¡°Characteristics¡± tab and started scrolling through my options. Some were lit up, and some were grayed out. I tapped on the Abilities tab and found the same thing.


    ¡°How do I look through all my options without saving? How do I save when I decide what I want?¡± I asked the figure.


    ¡°All options remain selectable, until you tell me you are satisfied. When you are satisfied I will ask you to confirm your selection and I will save your decisions.¡±


    ¡°Finally some useful information.¡±


    I started opening up the different selections in as many combinations as I could think of. I remembered some of the characters I had played previously and tried to duplicate them here. Some of them were possible, while others were not, or at least not yet.


    ¡°Do I have to select all options now or can I wait to decide on others?¡±Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    The figure hesitated before responding. I wondered if anyone had asked that particular question before.


    ¡°Any selection initiates system tutorial. There is no timeframe for completion of system tutorial. Once a system tutorial is active you may move about within the Apprentice area until all tutorial objectives are complete. Completion of System Tutorial will result in new options beyond the Apprentice area. Perhaps your other concerns will be addressed then.¡±


    ¡°Could you say ¡®system tutorial¡¯ any more?¡± I asked, annoyed, ¡°Describe the Apprentice area.¡±


    ¡°The Apprentice area consists of the town of Springbrook. The surrounding community. The Apprentice Dungeon. The wilderness surrounding them.¡±


    ¡°Which direction is the town of Springbrook? Are there people there I can talk to? Are there things I can learn?¡±


    The cloaked figure raised its arm and indicated to the left. I slumped. Figures. I had a 50 ¨C 50 chance of picking the way to the town and I chose wrong. Oh well, it likely wouldn¡¯t be the last time in¡­whatever it is I was in, that I was going to choose wrong. Hopefully I survived my choices.


    Now that I knew I could progress with any selection, I decided on the least restricting I could think of. I selected the Profession tab, and scrolled through until I found Wilderness Guide. If I was going to live in an outdoors environment, I wanted the skills that would keep me alive until I figured out more about what was going on. I also didn¡¯t want to choose something that looked powerful and capable to begin with, but topped out more quickly than something more open-ended.


    ¡°Profession: Wilderness Guide¡±


    ¡°Profession: Wilderness Guide selected. Please confirm your selection.¡±


    ¡°Will confirming profession restrict other selections? Will I still be able to select the other options such as class and race?¡± I wasn¡¯t sure how soon I should start being paranoid, but I figured sooner was likely better than later.


    ¡°All selections will impact other options. Some selections will eliminate other options. Each category of options will remain open until selections are saved.¡±


    ¡°Confirm Profession: Wilderness Guide.¡± I said with a sigh. It was obvious I had to do something, anything to move on. However I still didn¡¯t like making decisions without all the information¡­or even some information.


    Looking down I saw that my attire had changed, from non-descript trousers and a shirt to a heavy green shirt with a leather vest, and brown leather trousers. I hadn¡¯t paid attention to my shoes before, but now I was wearing sturdy boots that felt like they would be much more comfortable for long walks. Beside me rested a small pack, and opening it I found a wide hat, a cloak, several pairs of gloves, a bedroll, some assorted personal items including extra shirts, and some coins. Everything seemed to have pockets. Certainly something designed for someone who worked out of doors.


    [Wilderness Guide Starting Equipment]


    [3 Silver Pieces]


    [27 Copper Pieces]


    On a hunch, I asked my ever helpful guide, ¡°Is it possible to change or add to my selections? Can I choose a different profession later?¡±


    ¡°Advancement brings new opportunities and options. Time and resources invested in various activities bring new opportunities and options.¡±


    Well then, it seemed it wasn¡¯t a total loss. And I could potentially undo some poor choices.


    ¡°How do I get additional or improved clothing, equipment, and money?¡±


    ¡°Many options come with inherent bonuses. Selecting a Class provides the most advantages for starting players.¡±


    ¡°So you mean if I decide to be an Archer I get a bow or if I decide to be a Mage I get a spell book?¡±


    ¡°That is correct.¡±


    ¡°Is there anyone else around that I can get more information from?


    ¡°There are many people in the town of Springbrook. Some of them may have the answers you seek.¡±


    Well then, I thought, it¡¯s off to Springbrook and hopefully some answers.


    ***


    ¡°I suggest you arm yourself.¡± My guide said suddenly from over my shoulder.


    ¡°B¡¯aahhh!¡± I responded in the most dignified manner I could muster. ¡°Don¡¯t DO that! Warn a guy next time.¡±


    ¡°That is exactly what I was attempting to do. I suggest you arm yourself.¡±


    ¡°Arm myself? With what? It¡¯s not exactly like there¡¯s a GunsRUs around the corner.¡± I said, dripping in sarcasm, ¡°Wait, what am I arming myself against?¡±


    ¡°Goblins.¡± it said plainly, ¡°There are goblins in these woods. They don¡¯t generally venture out this way, but it is not unheard of. I suggest you arm yourself with whatever is available and prepare to defend yourself.¡±


    I glared at it, ¡°If I¡¯m going to have to fight goblins, don¡¯t you think I should have come with a sword or a stick or¡­ Something?¡± I threw up my hands.


    ¡°As I said, it is unusual for them to be here, however you seem to be unfortunate.¡±


    ¡°Unfortunate?!? Is that what you call it?¡± I snapped in disbelief. I started looking around for a large stick, something I could use as a club, while simultaneously frantically searching for goblins. ¡±Make yourself useful and come up with some suggestions.¡±


    ¡°Goblins tend to be cowardly and abhor a fair fight. They will likely attempt to attack you en masse and overwhelm you with their numbers. I suggest a longer weapon to keep them away from you as long as possible. It would be excellent if you had a quarterstaff.¡±


    ¡°Yes, yes I expect it would. Since I don¡¯t have a quarterstaff, what¡¯s the next best thing?¡±


    ¡°Along the tree line, perhaps you could break off a limb or sapling.¡± the cloaked figure gestured towards the trees.


    ¡°Fine then. I guess it would be too much to ask to be equipped with a dagger or knife when we¡¯re dumped in this place?¡± I growled, starting for the trees.


    My guide remained silent.


    After a quick search I found a decent sized branch lying on the ground. About 6 feet long and an inch or so thick. I knocked off the smaller branches and tried to clean it up a bit. I spun it around, experimenting with the weight. It had some heft to it, and it didn¡¯t seem like it would fall apart the first time it hit something.


    I found my makeshift weapon none too soon, as the bushes across the road started rustling and several small figures emerged. They were green and about 3 to 4 feet tall. They looked ghastly with their fanged mouths hanging open and bits of leather and bone in what I assumed was makeshift armour. In their hands most of them carried some form of weapon, whether something edged or a short club, but all of them were armed. Before I could move to hide or run, one of them spotted me and pointed, hissing loudly.


    ¡°Meat. Fresh meat!¡± The rest of them took up the chant. ¡°Meat! Meat!¡±


    Nearly petrified with fear, I stood there, rooted to the spot, as they advanced towards me, spreading out in front of me. My brain insisted on providing me with continual updates as they crossed the road. Five of them. Armed. Hungry.


    ¡°Perhaps a more¡­aggressive...response is in order?¡± my insufferable guide prompted.


    ¡°Oh, is it?¡± I snapped, startled out of my panic.


    I swung the branch a few times in their direction to keep them honest, if that was even a concept they understood. They spread apart a little more. Obviously this wasn¡¯t the first time they had waylaid someone wandering down a road.


    One of them moved to lunge forward waving its club, but I didn¡¯t fall for it, figuring at least some of their initial attacks would be feints to get me to turn my back to the others. Attacking in a pack like this made me think they weren¡¯t likely to be known for individual bravery.


    Suddenly one of the ones on the other edge of my vision leapt forward, swinging its dagger. I back-pedalled madly and swung the butt end of my branch in its direction. It was a blind swing, intended more to fend it off than to do any real damage, but I lucked out and smashed the end into its face. Stunned, it dropped like a sack of potatoes. It wasn¡¯t dead, but it lay there twitching.


    Another goblin joined the one on the other side who had feinted and they launched themselves at me, hissing as they swung their clubs. I swung the branch at them, smacking one in the side of the head, spinning it around, stumbling. The other hit me in the side with its club, knocking the air out of my lungs. I staggered back gasping, struggling to hold onto my branch as the rest of them advanced on me. So this is how it ends, I thought. Dragged down by Goblins on a dirt road in the middle of nowhere.


    ¡°I am your guide¡±


    The goblins looked sharply to the left as a cloaked figure suddenly appeared in our midst and raised its hands toward the Goblins. Desperately I thrust my branch forward smashing one of the Goblins in the chest, forcing it back, its sword falling to the ground.


    Five on one seemed to be a reasonable fight for the Goblins, but with three of their number down or disarmed, and the odds apparently even now, things were much less to their liking. My guide started waving its arms in their direction like a mad wizard, and their nerve broke. The three of them who could, ran back across the road, tossing down their weapons as they fled. The stumbling one made it a few steps before tripping over a rock and falling to the ground. It lay there, twitching. The others left it to its fate.


    [Skill: Lv 1 - Quarterstaff]


    ¡°Some guide you turned out to be.¡± I gasped. ¡°But thanks for the save there. Wait, I think I just learned something.¡± The quarterstaff felt somehow better in my hands, like it belonged there. Was this what it felt like to gain new skills? Instead of gradually building up, there was a sudden ¡®pop¡¯ of ¡®Whoa, I know kung-fu.¡¯? Because if there was, that might take some getting used to, especially if it happened in the middle of a fight.


    ¡°You are welcome. I will suggest that you take what you can find, and leave this place immediately. They will likely be back in larger numbers before long.¡± My guide responded. ¡°You have started training in a new Skill. Further advancement will come from a combination of additional combat and martial training.¡±


    Once I got my breathing under control, I could see the wisdom in leaving as soon as possible.


    I quickly gathered up the dropped weapons and searched the fallen Goblins. The smell was almost overpowering, but I managed to wrestle a few belts and pouches off of them while I gagged through the stench. Their armour was foul smelling and I doubted it would be worth the risk of catching some sort of disease from it. Could I catch a disease here? They both had pouches of something that resembled food, but I left the nauseating contents and moved on.


    Between the two Goblins, they had several coins and odds and ends, including a sharpening stone and . After a brief inspection I tossed the clubs into the woods, but kept the dagger from the Goblin I dropped and a knife another had discarded. The sword wasn¡¯t going to win any prizes, but it was likely better than the branch I started with. I used the knife to tidy up the branch and decided it would make a decent walking stick, if nothing else.


    [Item: Quarterstaff - rough]


    [Item: Short Sword - poor repair]


    [Item: Knife - poor repair]


    [Item: Dagger - poor repair]


    [Item: Sharpening stone - rough]


    [Item: 2 Silver Coin]


    [Item: 7 Copper Coin]


    [Skill: Lv 1 - Appraisal]


    [Skill: Lv 1 - Woodworking]


    ¡°What did I do?¡±


    ¡°You have gained additional Skills.¡± my companion stated, ¡°One allows you to determine relative values of items and can provide information on things you observe. The more time and attention you spend, the more information you will garner. Increasing your experience will also increase the amount of information. The other allows you to turn various amounts of wood into tools, weapons, and other items.¡±


    ¡°Handy¡­but I¡¯m guessing it would be better if we moved off to ¡®anywhere but here¡¯ to further this conversation?¡±


    ¡°Correct. When the Goblins return, they will do so in numbers that will easily overpower you.¡±


    ¡°Onward then. Onward to Springbrook.¡±

 Chapter Two

    After an hour or so of walking, I started to notice the road was more heavily traveled. More signs of activity such as hoof prints and wagon wheel ruts. The road curved around to the left and the trees opened up to reveal what looked like a small medieval town ahead of me. Several farmers fields were being worked on both sides of the road, and knots of people seemed to be going about their business. Beyond them buildings rose up, the nearest ones single storied affairs with thatched roofs, but further into town there were two and three story buildings. Off to the left there were several windmills, turning slowly in a breeze I didn¡¯t feel.


    I squared my shoulders and headed for the largest group of people I could see. Approaching one of them, I waved and asked, ¡°Um.. excuse me sir, I¡¯m new here. Could you help me find someone who can answer some questions?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not a sir, just a farmer bringing his goods to market.¡± Said the heavyset man, eyeing my weapons warily. He was dressed in sturdy work clothes and had calloused hands. ¡°But if you¡¯re looking for someone to answer questions, there¡¯s a constable just up the way and several apprentice schools along the main road in town.¡±


    ¡°Schools you say? What do they teach in this town?¡±


    ¡°That depends on the school. Some teach fighting. Others teach the magical arts. There¡¯s really all sorts of schools in this town.¡± he informed me. ¡°Far more than we need really, but we always have travellers coming through, looking to learn something. Are you one of them?¡± he asked, nodding towards my weapons.


    ¡°It seems I am.¡± I answered puffing up my chest.


    ¡°Well, then you¡¯re in luck. Our schools are the finest in the land. Or so they say.¡± He said with a smile.


    ¡°Thank you for your help.¡± I nodded and headed further into the town.


    All around me I could see an interesting collection of buildings and many people who were obviously not human. No one style dominated. It was as if the town had been put together by several different people with several different styles, but from a common collection of patterns. Further down the road I could hear what sounded like the din of battle. Since no one seemed alarmed, I assumed the noise came from a school for fighters.


    After another several hundred meters or so a trio in uniform, looking like policemen, no policemen I¡¯ve seen, but policemen nonetheless, approached me, eyeing my weapons.


    ¡°You there. State your business.¡± One of them said, fingering the hilt of his short sword.


    ¡°I¡¯m new here, and looking for information. Someone suggested that I speak with the various schools.¡±


    ¡°An adventurer are you? Looking for training?¡± the same officer spoke. ¡°Well, you aren¡¯t the first and you won¡¯t be the last to seek your destiny down that road. Don¡¯t cause any trouble and you won¡¯t find any trouble with us.¡±


    ¡°Thank you for the advice.¡±, I said and headed off since he no longer seemed interested in me.Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.


    I spent the next hour or so wandering up and down the streets, on and off of the main road, having brief conversations with various people about the town and schools. I wasn¡¯t sure I wanted to attend a formal school, and I was pretty sure I didn¡¯t have the money to afford it. I was standing in the market a few blocks of the main road, still puzzling out what my next step should be, when a nondescript man walked up to me. I was so startled at being approached by someone that I almost missed what he was saying.


    ¡°You look like one of those wilderness sorts. I need a message delivered to the Rangers. Could you deliver my message?¡± He asked.


    A display popped up in my field of vision.


    [Quest: Deliver message to Ranger encampment.]


    [Difficulty: 1/10]


    [Reward: One silver piece.]


    [Accept: Y/N?]


    I stepped back in surprise, ¡°I, erm, I mean¡­ Yes, yes I could.¡± I said before I realized what I had done.


    The display blinked.


    [Quest accepted.]


    The man handed me a round wooden cylinder. It looked like a map case and was capped at both ends. I accepted it and he walked away without another word.


    Wondering how difficult 1/10 was going to be, I asked aloud, ¡°Where is the Ranger encampment?¡±


    Nothing. No flashing lights. No lines on the ground. Nothing to follow. I guess I was going to have to resort to good old-fashioned asking for directions.


    Since I hadn¡¯t seen any signs or directions on the road into town, I headed back to the main road and continued along in the other direction. I thought about asking the fighter school but some instinct told me that wasn¡¯t going to be helpful. I thought about all the books I had read and movies I had watched about where rangers gathered. All I could think of was woodland glades, and pubs. Why did Rangers always associate with pubs?


    Back out on the Main Street I looked for the constables that I had seen earlier, but I couldn¡¯t see them anywhere.


    Apparently I looked confused, because one of the townspeople walked up to me and asked, ¡°Can I help you?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m looking for information but I¡¯m running into difficulties finding out where to get it. I¡¯m used to having everything in one place and easily searchable, but that doesn¡¯t seem to be the case here.¡±


    ¡°Have you tried consulting your guide?¡± He asked looking at me with a puzzled expression ¡°Usually adventurers like yourself have a guide that assists them. Do you not have one?¡±


    ¡°Well, yes I did have one but he¡¯s several miles down the road back the way I came.¡±


    ¡°Interesting. It must be broken then, because usually they follow you around. Have you tried asking it?¡±


    ¡°Asking¡­ You mean I¡­¡± Now I felt stupid. ¡°Guide.¡±


    ¡°I am your guide.¡± Said a voice from over my shoulder.


    Now I felt really stupid. I turned and sure enough, there was the tall cloaked figure standing behind me.


    ¡°A-ha! I see you found them.¡± said the Good Samaritan.


    ¡°Thank you very much. I mean it. I¡¯m not sure how long it would¡¯ve taken me to figure that out.¡± I said to him, before turning to my guide.


    ¡°Can you tell me where the Ranger encampment is?¡± I asked my guide.


    ¡°Indeed. The Ranger encampment is to the north of Springbrook. It is indicated on your map.¡±


    ¡°My¡­ I have a map?¡± I looked around, but I didn¡¯t recall a map in my bag when it appeared. I was holding the message tube, but aside from what I had looted from the Goblins, I didn¡¯t appear to have any new belongings.


    ¡°Say ¡®Show map.¡¯.¡±


    I felt like I was showing up late to a party and everything was in Greek. ¡°Show map.¡± I sighed.


    In front of me appeared a map looking like a holographic display. There was a green dot in the centre pulsing slowly, what looked to be built-up area all around it and a road leading north-south. The entire area seemed surrounded by fields and trees. I guessed that was me in the town and the road was the one I¡¯ve been walking on. I turned and gave my guide the stink eye for not being more forthcoming. In the area to the north of the town there was a yellow dot pulsing slowly. I pointed at the yellow dot and asked my guide, ¡°Is this the Ranger encampment?¡±


    ¡°Indeed.¡±


    With a sigh I headed off towards the Ranger encampment. It seemed I was going to have to learn what questions to ask before I was going to get useful information out of my so-called guide. This was as frustrating as playing a game without the manual.


    At least now I was more prepared to for any Goblins I might meet along the way.

 Chapter Three

    Several miles north of Springbrook I was approaching the area indicated on the map, my green dot was almost on top of the yellow one. Initially I started looking for signs that might be an encampment nearby, I realized that a Ranger encampment would be harder to find than most. I was tempted to holler out that I was looking for the Rangers, but I recalled that Rangers tended to be quiet folk who don¡¯t like drawing attention to themselves. I figured that would be a bad foot to get off on before I even delivered the message.


    On a hunch, I stopped and summoned my faithful guide companion, I thought sarcastically. Now that I was watching for it, it seemed that it only followed me if I was interacting with it, and it disappeared if I didn¡¯t interact at least every 10-15 minutes.


    ¡°Guide, what is the best way to attract the Ranger¡¯s attention? Stop. Wait.¡± I held up my hand to forestall what my guide considered ¡®useful¡¯ suggestions. ¡°What is the ¡®safest¡¯ way to attract the Rangers attention?¡±


    ¡°Walking into their camp would be effective. However you already have their attention, and have for some time.¡±


    ¡°You mean the Rangers are watching me right now?¡± I said with some surprise.


    ¡°Indeed.¡±


    With a shrug I held up the message case and slowly turned in a circle before walking towards the area indicated by the yellow dot.


    ***


    I hadn¡¯t made it ten steps when a cloaked figure stepped out from behind a tree. He didn¡¯t appear to have any weapons, but I assumed he had many friends hiding the trees, all aiming their lethal arrows at me.


    ¡°Come no further.¡± A harsh voice said, from somewhere within the cloak.


    ¡°I come bearing a message for the Ranger encampment. I was requested to deliver it by someone in town.¡±


    ¡°Is that so?¡±


    ¡°It is.¡± I extended the message case towards the figure.


    ¡°Why were you chosen to deliver this message?¡± he asked, with no move for the message.


    ¡°Apparently the townsfolk think I look like a wilderness sort. Perhaps they mistook me for someone associated with you?¡±


    ¡°You do have the look of one of our apprentices perhaps. Perhaps one of the young ones.¡±


    ¡°Well, do you want the message? ¡°


    ¡°That is not for me to decide. However, I will take you to our camp and a leader can decide what to do with you.¡±


    Well, that didn¡¯t sound ominous, I thought. However having little choice I followed him into the trees.


    ***


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    I wasn¡¯t sure what to expect. Several dozen people milling around tents and campfires wasn¡¯t too far from it. Somehow I thought it wouldn¡¯t be this elaborate, but I didn¡¯t have anything to gauge it by in this¡­place.


    There were large and small tents, some with people coming and going, others seeming to serve some function, such as healing or cooking.


    My escort led me to one of the larger tents. Telling me to wait outside,he ducked in. I could hear words being exchanged, however  it sounded as if they were speaking a different language.


    After a few moments of conversation, the tent flap was pulled back and my escort waved me inside.


    ¡°I am Kyrrah.¡± she introduced herself with a slight bow, ¡°You have a message for us. Do you know who it is from, or why they asked you to deliver it?¡± A tall woman asked from the back of the tent, she was walking around a fire as she spoke, there was something earthy, but regal about her.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know who it was that gave it to me, they just asked me to deliver it to the Ranger encampment. They said that I looked like I might be one of you.¡±


    ¡°Well here you are. May I see the message?¡± she held out a hand.


    I handed the message case to my escort, who took it across to her.


    [Quest completed: Deliver message case to Ranger encampment.]


    I waited while she opened it, unfurled the message and began read it, to herself.


    While she was reading it, my escort turned to me, ¡°Did the person who gave you this offer any form of payment?¡±


    ¡°He did. He mentioned a silver piece.¡±


    ¡°I see.¡± He dug into his waistband and pulled a silver coin from a pouch. As he was offering it to me the woman reading the message called over. ¡°Wait.¡±


    She turned to me, ¡°Do you wish to go back to the town with your coin and forget about this, or would you like to stay and learn our ways?¡± she paused, ¡°It seems you have some knowledge of the wilderness, and the townsfolk can see it too.¡±


    ¡°I¡­ I haven¡¯t decided my path yet. I¡¯m still trying to determine which road to follow.¡±


    ¡°Very well then. You have our offer. For as long as this encampment remains here, you have the offer of an apprenticeship.¡±


    [Class option: Ranger apprentice]


    ¡°If I agree, what would this involve?¡± I asked her.


    [Ranger apprentice path]


    ¡°You would train with us until you¡¯re ready to continue training on your own, then you would seek out a more advanced Ranger at various points to receive additional training. In return you would perform duties for us, undertake missions, and in general uphold the Ranger code.¡± she informed me.


    ¡°Is there a place I can sit while I consider this?¡±


    She nodded to my escort, who waved me out the entrance to the tents and indicated to follow him. He led me to a space near one of the smaller tents. ¡°This is my area, you can sit here for as long as you like. Please let me know if you wish to leave our encampment and I will escort you to the boundaries. If you have any questions, please find me. I am Alomar.¡± he bowed.


    I thanked him and he headed back to the larger tent.


    I called up my displays again and started scrolling through the various options. Now that I had something to compare the other information to, I started digging into the details.


    As a subset of the fighter class Rangers were stronger than many of the other options and had some limited supernatural abilities as you gained experience and levels. Rangers gained some bonuses depending on the race chosen. Since I still seemed to be an ambiguous non-race, I had neither bonuses nor detriments.


    ¡°Guide.¡± I said to the air around me.


    ¡°I am your guide.¡±


    ¡°Is it possible for you to appear in front of me? Rather than behind me?¡±


    ¡°Yes, I can appear in many forms and locations.¡±


    ¡°From now on please appear beside me or in front of me.¡±


    The hooded figure nodded.


    ¡°If I accept the Ranger path will I be excluded from taking other paths at a later time? Is there a certain distance before additional limitations apply?¡±


    ¡°Every time you gain enough experience to advance you may choose between any class you have completed apprentice training in. If you have only one class, your advancement will automatically be applied to that class. If you have more than one class, you must select the class to advance in. Some classes do not require apprentice training in order to advance.¡±


    ¡°What sort of class does not require training?¡±


    ¡°All classes require some form of training, however there are some that do not have a formal structure to their advancement. There are spell casting classes that draw their power from sources other than rote learning. Either from divine power or from within themselves. Some of the martial classes simply require engaging in combat. In most cases training will assist you in advancing faster.¡±


    ¡°What sort of spell casting power can you draw from yourself?¡±


    ¡°Depending on other selections within race and characteristics, different options become available.¡±


    ¡°Can you give me an example?¡±


    ¡°If someone were to have draconic heritage, they would be referred to as Dragon-born. Some are able to tap into this heritage and utilize that power to affect supernatural abilities. These can include casting spells or utilizing spell like effects.¡±


    ¡°How many different options are there?¡±


    [Heritage]


    [Background]


    Assuming I was in for some reading, I settled in beside the fire.

 Chapter Four

    The embers of the fire had burned low, and most of the camp had gone to sleep. Some time ago Alomar had helped me put up a small tent beside his.


    For the next step, I needed more input. I summoned my guide.


    ¡°I am your guide.¡±


    ¡°Can you say anything else when you appear?¡± I asked.


    ¡°I have variable greetings.¡±


    ¡°Can you just say ¡®Hello.¡¯?¡± I asked annoyed.


    ¡°I can.¡±


    ¡°Please do that from now on.¡± I said.


    I turned to my apparently ever patient guide and asked, ¡°If I were to determine that I wanted a Fae background, that would influence my abilities and so on?¡±


    ¡°Indeed.¡± My guide responded.


    ¡°I think I am willing to proceed.¡± My guide merely nodded.


    I returned to the original options screen and started sorting through. My first profession was already selected.


    [Characteristics]


    [Abilities]


    [Class]


    [Race]


    [Skills]


    [Spellcasting]


    [Profession]


    Wilderness Guide


    [Craft]


    With a Fae heritage, and a Ranger path in front of me, I decided on Half Elven as a race. It seemed the most appropriate for my ongoing wilderness focus. I selected the [Race] option and scrolled down to [Half-Elf]. Taking a deep breath, I selected and confirmed it.


    I felt a brief warmth and saw a slight glow about me. Without a mirror to check my appearance, I ran my hands over my face and head. Yup, my ears had points now. Not hugely obvious ones, but enough that I could tell they weren¡¯t smoothly round anymore. My clothes felt a little roomier now, but I noticed my wrists stuck out of my sleeves a little more than they did before.


    I held up my arm to my Guide. ¡°What can I do about this? Will my clothes adjust to me?¡±


    ¡°Personal equipment adjusts to fit you when it is created, but not after. Perhaps if you had chosen your Race earlier?¡± It replied. I imagined it would have raised an eyebrow at me, if it had eyebrows.


    ¡°Fine then.¡± I said, resisting the urge to inject snark into my voice. ¡°I have more questions. Are there specific conditions when I can see you, and can you change that? How about others? How do I decide what my abilities are? If I choose the Ranger apprentice path, will that determine my abilities or any other aspect?¡±


    ¡°Anyone can see me, unless you select otherwise, but only you can issue instructions. Whether or not I appear visually, I can always answer your questions and perform my system functions. Unless you forbid it, I can answer questions of others, but I can never interact with their information nor can they use me to interact with yours.¡± my guide clarified. ¡°Choosing the Ranger path will determine certain aspects, and it will provide you with specific skills. Although it does not determine your characteristics, it does require certain minimums.¡±


    ¡°Do I currently meet these minimums?¡±


    ¡°You currently meet the required minimums, however your current scores would not allow for much progression and you would find it a challenging and difficult path.¡±


    ¡°How do I improve my abilities?¡±


    ¡°You have three options. First, you can accept random scores assigned to you. They could be better or worse than what you have now. They will remain fixed until they are improved within the parameters of the system.


    Second, you can accept a pool of ability and assign your characteristics the values you desire within those limits. They will remain fixed until they are improved within the parameters of the system.


    Third, you can accept your existing ability scores and work to improve them before completing your apprenticeship. On completion of your apprenticeship they will become fixed and subject to improvement within the parameters of the system.¡±


    ¡°What are these parameters of the system?¡±


    ¡°As you advance you will be given the opportunity to improve various abilities. The more you perform activities that use a given ability the more that ability will grow.¡±


    ¡°So the more heavy things I lift, the stronger I will get. The more I practice with the sword, the more agile I will get.¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°Is it easier to advance abilities within an apprenticeship, or after the apprenticeship?¡±


    ¡°Generally speaking all advances come easier during the structure of an apprenticeship, however they are usually limited to the topics studied during the apprenticeship. ¡°


    ¡°Do I retain any advances earned during my apprenticeship if I do not finish the apprenticeship?¡±


    ¡°Apprenticeships do not have a specific completion time. Apprenticeships can progress any time the appropriate teacher and resources are available. Some teachers may refuse to teach an apprentice from a different school or who does not meet any of their particular requirements.¡±


    ¡°Could I pursue multiple apprenticeships either in sequence or in parallel?¡±Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on.


    ¡°It is possible, but unlikely, you will be able to pursue parallel apprenticeships, due to the requirements of any given teacher and your proximity to them. Pursuing sequential apprenticeships depend on the instructors you have access to.¡±


    ¡°Are there any teachers in the trainee area would be unwilling to teach me during or after any portion of my Ranger apprenticeship?¡±


    ¡°None that I am aware of.¡±


    ¡°Which is currently higher, the pool of ability scores that would be available to me, or my existing ability scores? Would I be able to increase my existing ability scores to exceed the pool?¡±


    ¡°The pool exceeds your current ability scores, however average gains demonstrated by players would enable you to exceed the amount currently in the pool if you were to train diligently.¡±


    ¡°That settles it, I will take my existing ability scores and make what I can of my apprenticeship.¡±


    ¡°Please confirm you are accepting standard baseline ability scores. Ability scores will be fixed on the completion of your apprenticeship.¡±


    ¡°I confirm.¡±


    [STR = 10]


    [INT = 10]


    [DEX = 10]


    [WIS = 10]


    [CON = 10]


    [CHA = 10]


    [Health = 10/10]


    ¡±Please confirm the remainder of your starting characteristics.¡±


    I reopened the characteristics tab quickly scrolled through. Most of it was basic things I had overlooked in the beginning. Hair colour, eye colour, height, weight, and so on. The reason I had always assumed that I looked same way as¡­ What did I look like before? I just assumed that what I looked like now was what I looked like before¡­


    With nothing to go on I asked my guide for typical ranges for the character and race I had chosen. Since this was supposed to be some sort of game, I decided I might as well make myself a little heroic. A little taller, a little broader, more athletic.


    A suitably heroic name rounded out my selections. Henceforth I would be known as:


    Ixion


    When I was done I confirmed with the guide of this is acceptable.


    In the morning I would tell my new friends I was ready to start my Ranger apprenticeship.


    ***


    Every few moments I kept wondering if this was when I started to regret my decision. Every part of me ached. Parts I didn¡¯t know could ache were aching. How was it possible that I could be trapped in a game or simulation of some sort and feel this bone tired?


    I still hadn¡¯t figured out where I was, or what was going on. Every once in a while I suspected my guide knew more than it was letting on, and maybe even was trying to coach me or give me something, but then it was like a shutter closed and it was back to talking to a wall.


    I never thought it was possible to learn this much this fast, but as soon as I thought I had reached my limits, my teachers pushed me harder and further. They never yelled, or in fact raised their voices. They just had a way of looking at me that told me I was once again falling somewhat short of their expectations. I learned quickly how much more there was being a Ranger than sneaking around in the bushes and shooting a bow and arrow.


    It wasn¡¯t like real life...at least I thought it wasn¡¯t. I knew there had to have been more before waking up on a dirt road, because that¡¯s not how life starts. But I couldn¡¯t remember anything before that. Was this a game? Was it a simulation? ...and if so, of what? I knew I was getting better at...this, whatever ¡®this¡¯ was. Sometimes I could see the progress and know when I was going to improve, but other times my gains seemed less...linear. I kept watching for clues to what was going on, and when my guide seemed less...guarded, I tried to dig for more answers. Sometimes I got extra useful tidbits that helped me understand how to do better...other times, not so much.


    Apparently an apprenticeship was treated as one massive quest built out of dozens, if not hundreds, of smaller quests. Every day I woke to find a long list of quests I had to achieve or complete before I could move on to the next ones. Sometimes I got to choose what to do next, and other times everything was laid out like a ladder and I just had to keep stepping.


    [Quest: prepare breakfast]


    [Quest: clean and oil weapons]


    [Quest:


    I learned how to select materials for quarterstaves, bows, and arrows. While there was never any thought I would become a Master Bowyer or Fletcher, I had to be able to maintain my weapons away from the encampments, and if necessary to build a new one if one were lost or damaged. I spent hours every day producing dozens of basic arrows and then using them over and over until they were useless. Eventually a few of my better ones were even considered good enough to be practice arrows for the full Rangers.


    [Craft: Lv 1 - Bowyer]


    [Craft: Lv 2 - Fletcher]


    [Craft: Lv 3 - Sylvan weapons]


    I learned to fight with the quarterstaff. Although not as lethal as a sword in untrained hands, it could become plenty lethal in the hands of a master. Besides, it was easier to find or make a stick than a sword, and less likely to attract attention walking through town. It would also be easier to mend or replace in the wilderness. Swords would come later in my apprenticeship, after I mastered the traditional weapons.


    [Skill: Lv 2 - Quarterstaff]


    I learned how to track both two-legged and four-legged quarries, as well as hide my own tracks. After a few days, I was using all of my skills to hunt for the encampment. Fortunately there were other Rangers out foraging for the encampment for if they had relied on my skills we would¡¯ve gone hungry more than a few nights. However my skills continued to increase along with my abilities, although I wasn¡¯t sure if one was leading the other.


    [Skill: Lv 1 - Tracking]


    [Skill: Lv 1 - Hunting]


    [Skill: Lv 1 - Dressing game]


    [Skill: Lv 1 - Cooking]


    [STR = 12]


    [INT = 11]


    [DEX = 12]


    [WIS = 10]


    [CON = 10]


    [CHA = 10]


    [Health = 12/12]


    ***


    After the first few successful hunts I noticed that I didn¡¯t seem to gain any experience. Sitting by the fire one night making arrows, I asked the Guide about this.


    ¡°Experience accrues as a method of advancing in a class. Until you complete an apprenticeship and possess a class, the system does not assign experience to you as it has no mechanism to recognize. You continue to advance your ranking in any skill you practice independent of your class.¡±


    ¡°So I can continue to advance in skills, but not in the class. I thought they were the same thing.¡±


    ¡°They are similar and related, but not the same. Classes have specific skills that are associated with them and increase as they do. However you can also train in skills outside of your class, or focus on skills beyond the expectations of that class. Until you complete your apprenticeship, all skills are treated the same way.¡±


    ¡°Can you give me an example?¡± I asked, still a bit confused.


    ¡°The Ranger class trains you in Skills such as Tracking and Hunting, and Crafts such as Bowyer and Fletcher. However, it does not provide instruction in blacksmithing, or Arcane spell work. If you wish to learn those skills you must find a different teacher.¡±


    ¡°What if I train a skill that is part of the Ranger class beyond what is part of the apprenticeship? ¡­And what about my Fae heritage? When does that come into play?¡±


    ¡°Skills continue to advance, regardless of whether or not you have a class. Once you have a class, the interplay becomes simpler, but you do not lose the skills. As to your Fae heritage, it is impossible to determine when Heritage powers will manifest. Since you have been immersing yourself in the Sylvan environment I would expect it would be sooner rather than later. However it has been known to take years before Fae heritage manifests.¡±


    ¡°Years?¡±, I said with a sigh. I turned back to making more arrows.

 Chapter Five

    As it turned out, it was only a few more days, rather than years before my Fae heritage began to manifest itself. I was sighting on a deer I had been stalking for the last hour or so, intending to bring it down to add to the encampment¡¯s larder, when suddenly my vision became extremely acute and appeared to zoom in on the deer. I was able to pick exactly the right spot and I released my arrow. It struck the deer exactly where I shot it, and the deer fell over, dead. I had never taken a deer with one shot before.


    [STR = 12]


    [INT = 11]


    [DEX = 12]


    [WIS = 10]


    [CON = 10]


    [CHA = 10]


    [Health = 12/12]


    [Chi = 12/12]


    [Mana = 12/12]


    [Class option: Sorcerer apprenticeship]


    [Sorcerer Apprentice path]


    [Spellskill: Lv 1 - Elven Sight]


    ¡°Guide.¡± I whispered harshly.


    ¡°Hello.¡± My guide said from beside me. I wasn''t sure if its harsh whisper was mocking me, or if it was just annoying me.


    ¡°What just happened?¡±


    ¡°It appears your Fae Heritage abilities are starting to manifest, and they have initiated a new apprentice path. Since you have chosen the path of the Ranger and spent so much time in the Sylvan lands, your heritage is manifesting to support your path.¡±


    ¡°Is that possible? Can I be two apprentices at once?¡± I stared into trees in the direction of the deer, ¡°What is a ¡®Spellskill¡¯? Is there any way to control it?¡±This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    ¡°How far you advance in either of your apprentice paths remains to be seen. The Sorcerer path is one that is internal. It is a self-guided path along which you explore the world of the Arcane.


    Spellskills are skills that have Arcane or Divine aspects. They can be practiced, like any other skill, but they have additional aspects that are not available to everyone. They must be powered somehow, either from your Chi within you or from Mana without. Once you have tapped into that power, they can be enhanced and refined, like any other skill. Your selection of a Fae heritage means your Spellskills are powered both from within you and from the sylvan environment that surrounds you. This means that when you are in a Sylvan environment you have greater potential than if it were entirely inborn, however away from the Sylvan environment your abilities may diminish over time.¡±


    I stood there slack jawed, reeling under the bombardment of information. How was I going to retain it?


    ¡°As far as controlling it directly? No.¡± my guide continued, undaunted by my glazed over eyes, ¡°Heritage abilities manifest in their own time, however they always manifest to support your path. Sometimes how they do so can be vague or tenuous, but it always relates to where you are going and what you are doing. Usually they do so during times of great stress or great concentration. If you wish to guide it, meditation is one path that has been known to work, but control it? No.¡±


    I pondered all this new information, ¡°Will this interfere with my Ranger apprenticeship?¡±


    ¡°That will be between you and your teachers. Some teachers are uncomfortable with spontaneous or heritage abilities, while others are more accepting. I suspect Rangers to be more comfortable than most with this turn of events.¡±


    ***


    As it turned out my Fae heritage was seen more as a blessing than an impediment. I was brought before a gathering of the Druids who had taken to using our encampment as a sort of local stopping off point. Rangers and Druids shared the common bond of nature, and each was able to benefit the other in many ways.


    They explained that it was unusual for a Ranger to have spell casting abilities before advancing through several levels. It was not unheard of however, and some players split their time between the Ranger and Druid paths. But I was neither of these, and it unsettled some, while intriguing others. It was decided that some of my time would be spent with the Druids going forwards.


    Even though the source of our powers seemed to be different, there were still things we could share, and many things I could learn.


    [Skill: Lv 1 - Spellcraft]


    [Skill: Lv 1 - Arcana]


    [Skill: Lv 1 - Concentration]


    [Skill: Lv 1 - Nature]


    [Skill: Lv 1 - Geography - Sylvan]


    Even better, that was where I met Saelyn.

 Chapter Six

    I had gotten so used to talking and working with characters that I had forgotten I would eventually meet other players. I guess I started to assume that each player would have their own Apprentice area and we wouldn¡¯t meet until we finished in our own space.


    Then one day I noticed a new face with the Druids. I hadn¡¯t paid much attention to them before, but she stood out as being quite a bit younger than most of them and more¡­ Intense?


    She stopped and stared at me with what? such? a wide-eyed look that I had to assume was the same look I was giving her.


    ***


    ¡°I¡¯d suggest you take a picture, but that¡¯s not really an option anymore, is it?¡± She said, an eyebrow raised and just a touch of snark in her voice.


    ¡°Wait, if you know what that means, then you¡¯re not from around here either.¡± I answered, in disbelief.


    ¡°Guilty as charged.¡±


    ¡°Holy crap. How long have you been here? How did you get here? Where is here? Is your guide any more useful than mine? How come I haven¡¯t seen you before?¡± Questions spilled out of me. I wasn¡¯t alone any more.


    ¡°Whoa whoa whoa. Slow down there cowboy.¡± she held up her hands. ¡°I was going to ask you the same questions. I¡¯ve been here what seems to be a couple of weeks. I don¡¯t know how I got here. I don¡¯t know where here is. My guide seems to be missing a few pages from the manual, so I¡¯m guessing it¡¯s about as useful as yours. I figure we haven¡¯t seen each other because I¡¯ve spent most of my time training in the town, not out here in the bush, and since then I¡¯ve been out making the rounds with the Druids as they visit their various sanctuaries.¡±


    ¡°What were you training to be in town?¡±


    ¡°You know, just training stuff.¡± she said evasively.


    ¡°Okay, I get it, Ms. Mysterious.¡± I let it drop...for now.


    ¡°How about you, Mr. Questions? What¡¯s your story?¡± She eyed me up and down.


    ¡°It sounds similar to yours. I got here a week or so ago, no idea where ¡®here¡¯ is or how I got ¡®here¡¯. My guide is helpful sometimes, spectacularly not so at other times. I get the feeling it¡¯s laughing at me every time I turn my back, but then it says or does something crazy useful. The only time I¡¯ve been in town was on my first day, and a couple of brief visits to pick up supplies. Otherwise I¡¯ve been out here the entire time. I¡¯m training as a Ranger,¡± I said maybe too proudly, ¡°but I recently picked up something that put me on the Sorcerer path as well. How about you?¡±


    ¡°I ¡®wish¡¯ my Guide would have useful outbursts, but so far it¡¯s like trying to learn the rules when someone forgot to put in an index. Mostly I ignore it these days. Otherwise, I¡¯m training to be a Druid. It sounds like I spent more time in town than you did, so we should swap some tales about what we¡¯ve been up to.¡± she decided.


    ¡°I¡¯d like that.¡± I agreed eagerly, ¡°You¡¯re the first player I¡¯ve met since I got here, and nice as some of these folks are, sometimes it¡¯s good to have a conversation that isn¡¯t geared to getting you on your next quest.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I hear you on that one.¡± she laughed, ¡°Sometimes you forget that they¡¯re part of whatever is going on here, and then ¡®Bam!¡¯ they¡¯ve walked you right up to a door you have to go through if you want them to say or do anything else.¡± she sighed.


    I wiped the dirt off my hand onto my shirt, and offered it, ¡°Ixion.¡±


    ¡°Saelyn.¡± she took it and shook it warmly.


    ***


    Soon after meeting Saelyn and realising I wasn¡¯t alone in what passed for this world, I was deemed barely competent enough to take part in raid between the town and the apprentice dungeon. Parties of goblins had been sighted near the town again, and one of the tasks of the Rangers was to intercept these raiding parties before they made it to Springbrook. My job was primarily to watch and learn, but also to protect the primary archers and to attempt to pick off stragglers that the full Rangers may have missed. We took along a trained Druid, but unfortunately it wasn¡¯t Saelyn, who wasn¡¯t advanced enough to accompany patrols. I tried not to be preoccupied with thoughts of her.


    I had advanced far enough in my bow making that I had several bows for different occasions. I selected my composite shortbow for its versatility and power, and tucked my composite longbow in with my equipment in case I needed its longer range. Composite bows had more power and range than standard bows of comparable size, but required more knowledge and time to create, as well as more strength to draw. I carried three quivers on me each with two sheaves of arrows. Several more loaded quivers went into my equipment in case we needed to engage in a long pursuit. Normally this would have been overkill, but with the growing size and number of the Goblin raiding parties, no one wanted to be caught out short of arrows.


    I was assigned to one of several hunting parties that rotated through the area and soon it was our turn to set up an ambush. Rotation of our hunting parties and ambush locations helped to keep us fresh and also enable us to make our presence known over more ground. Anyone wanting to make trouble for Springbrook would take the risk of running into one of our hunting parties.


    Soon I was gliding through the underbrush following my instructors. Every time I worked with one of the senior Rangers, I realize just how far I had to go in my training. Where I was quiet, they were silent. Where I was stealthy, they were invisible.


    Silently one of them indicated where I was to set up and what I was responsible for. I was covering the left flank of the party, protecting them from any strays or stragglers that might escape or circle back while they were focused on the main party. Once we were in position we settled in and waited. Watching. Silently observing.


    After what felt like several hours, we could hear chattering coming down the path. Soon many dozens of Goblins came into view. They seemed to draw confidence from their numbers, because they didn¡¯t have any scouts out or flankers. It looked as if they assumed no one was prepared to deal with a party of their size, and perhaps if all they had to deal with was the citizens of Springbrook, they might have been right.


    However they would have to deal with us first.


    The first volley sliced into the goblins before they knew what was happening. Even before a cry could be raised, the second volley took more of them. Yellow numbers flickered above their heads as they crumpled. Several goblins near the front broke and ran shrieking into my area. I concentrated my focus and my aim zoomed in again. My first arrow took the lead goblin square in the head and dropped him in front of two others. They tumbled to the ground in a tangle of limbs. Red and orange numbers pulsed above them. One after another I continued to let arrows fly until there were no more goblins fleeing in my direction. A notification appeared, but curiously it was grayed out.


    [Skill: Lv 1 - Rapid Fire]If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.


    I looked back along the ambush site and saw nothing but dead goblins. They hadn¡¯t even had a chance to return fire, making sure none of the Rangers were injured. It was as if the forest itself attacked them in its indignation at their intrusion.


    Once the lead Rangers signaled the all clear, I moved forward to salvage as many arrows as I could. We searched the bodies for anything of value, including information, for that was one of a Ranger¡¯s most important tasks. Knowledge of our enemies plans and actions was vital to us.


    The junior Rangers collected what passed for loot. Anything of monetary value was set aside for the leaders to allocate, while what passed for weapons was evaluated and separated into groups according to quality. None of them were suitable for Rangers to carry, but some of them were in decent enough shape to be sold or used for practice weapons by apprentices. The rest would be turned over to the crafters to be melted down and turned into useful weapons.


    ***


    ¡°Why did the numbers appear in different colours above the Gobins other Rangers shot, as opposed to the ones I hit?¡± I asked one of my instructors as we made our way back to the encampment.


    ¡°Numbers? Why would numbers appear above Goblins when we hit them?¡± came the puzzled reply. ¡°Perhaps it is part of your Sorcerous Fae heritage to see such things?¡±


    ¡°Perhaps.¡± I temporised. I would ask my guide later. My instincts were that it had more to do with the difference between players and characters than my Fae Heritage.


    ***


    ¡°The numbers are the amount of damage players are doing to their opponents.¡± my Guide answered. ¡°Orange is Non-Lethal, and red is Lethal. Yellow appears for characters, regardless of the nature of the damage.¡±


    ¡°So why didn¡¯t I see any when I took out those first Goblins?¡± I asked, looking puzzled.


    ¡°You weren¡¯t skilled in anything, so the system recognised those as ¡®incidental¡¯ damage, like tripping and falling. It didn¡¯t recognise the intent at that time. Because that damage isn¡¯t assigned to anyone, it doesn¡¯t get a colour. This also applies to damage against non-opponents. When you hunt a wild animal, the same happens. You don¡¯t notice because you can¡¯t see it...yet. Players of sufficient level or with certain Skills can see those indicators under the proper circumstances. In this case, after you gained ¡®Lv 1 - Quarterstaff¡¯, you would have been able to see the damage as Non-Lethal, but by then the fight was over.¡±


    ¡°Hmm..¡± I thought aloud, ¡°...and the grayed out Rapid Fire Skill?¡±


    ¡°That is the beginning of a skill path available to Rangers after they complete their apprenticeship. Once you meet the requirements, the Skill will become usable.¡±


    I wondered how many other skill paths would become available over time, as I idly played with my staff.


    ***


    ¡°Saelyn?¡± I called out, venturing into the Druid¡¯s Grove.


    I couldn¡¯t find her anywhere, or many of the Druids, come to think of it. I knew it was early, but Druids seemed to always be up and about, doing Druidy things. One of the few still in their common area saw me and pointed down a path that led away from their camp. I nodded my thanks.


    ¡°Hello?¡± I called again, walking in that direction.


    ¡°Oh.¡± I stopped abruptly.


    Saelyn sat cross legged on the edge of a small cliff facing out across the valley towards the sunrise. The sun was coming up between the mountains to the west, golden rays bathing her in an almost angelic aura. I could hear a soft chanting coming from her in her meditative state.


    I watched, not knowing what to do. I didn¡¯t want to interrupt, but I was starting to feel uncomfortable watching her without her knowing.


    ¡°It¡¯s a courtesy to knock, you know.¡± she said quietly.


    ¡°Oh um..¡± I said as I looked away, my cheeks warming. I stood there with my hands at my sides, looking anywhere but at her.


    She let out a soft laugh, ¡°I¡¯m just teasing you.¡± She didn¡¯t make to move, ¡°I¡¯m chanting to ask the earth for my spells for the day. You¡¯re welcome to take a seat.¡± she offered. ¡°Just don¡¯t stare, it makes me self-conscious.¡±


    I sat on a rock near her and watching the valley come to life, seeming in tune with her rhythmic voice. It was beautiful and hypnotic.


    ***


    ¡°So, what was it that you were chanting?¡± I asked after she had finished and we were walking back to the grove.


    ¡°It¡¯s how Druids draw their power from the environment. Kind of like communing with nature, but in terms of the system, it¡¯s more like a reset. Apparently the system works more smoothly if we do a kind of ¡®reset¡¯ every day. We purge the residual energy from the previous day, and effectively recharge.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t we do that when we use our abilities, and faster with potions during combat?¡± I asked, puzzled.


    ¡°Yes, but this slower release and build up seems to make those fast pulses work better. If we don¡¯t do this every day or so, it can interfere with how things work during combat. Sometimes things get...stuck...if we go too long without taking the time to do things properly.¡±


    I nodded, wondering if my Fae abilities would benefit from something similar. I needed to find an Arcane user who could answer my questions.


    ¡°It¡¯s also during this time that some of our new abilities and spells manifest. The Druid Elders say it¡¯s because we are taking the time to relax and allow the Sylvan energies to infuse us. Personally, I think it might be a little less that, and a little more...technical...if you will?¡±


    ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    She looked around like she had a secret to share, then leaned in closer and whispered. ¡°Do you ever get the feeling that there is more to this world than we know? ...and that there may be something wrong with it?¡±


    Puzzled, I whispered back. ¡°Well sure, there¡¯s got to be more to it than the Apprentice area. Once we defeat the Apprentice Dungeon, we¡¯ll be ready to leave here and see just how big this world really is.¡±


    She looked at me like she couldn¡¯t believe I was missing something really obvious.


    ¡°No, I mean even in here. The ¡®system¡¯, our guides...there is so much about this place that doesn¡¯t make sense. Why do only certain people have guides? Why are we called ¡®players¡¯ and the ones without guides are ¡®characters¡¯? What are we playing?¡±


    ¡°I never put much thought into it.¡± I answered with a shrug. ¡°I just figured it meant we went on adventures, and they stayed at home. But now that I say it out loud, that sounds kind of dumb.¡±


    She nodded.


    ¡°I think we need to do a little more exploring than we have been so far.¡± she suggested.


    It was my turn to nod.

 Chapter Seven

    ¡°To arms! To arms!¡± I heard distantly, as if in a dream.


    ¡°Wake up! Get up!¡± a voice shouted in my face. ¡°Arm yourself!¡±


    I jerked upright, smacking my head on something hard. A brilliant flash lit up the entire world, and a shockwave knocked me out of my cot.


    My guide was yelling in my face. At least I assumed it was yelling from its wild gestures, since my ears were still ringing. I looked around  frantically. There was chaos and dull noise all around my tent, and it was much brighter outside than it should have been for the middle of the night. My guide was frantically pointing at the tent entrance.


    Muffled shouts came from outside. Some I understood, others were like high-pitched gibberish. None of this signaled good news. I slipped two quivers over my shoulders, grabbed my shortbow and quarterstaff, and eased back the tent flap to peek outside.


    The encampment was in flames. Arrows were cutting through the air from all directions. Goblins were everywhere. ¡°Shit!¡±, I hissed.


    I reached for more quivers.


    ***


    I let arrows fly as quickly as I could nock them. There were so many Goblins it was hard to miss. Red and yellow numbers filled the air so thick it was like a haze in the smoke above the burning camp. Lighting strobed the night sky from the direction of the Druid grove.


    Notifications were scrolling by faster than I could have read them, even if I had had the time to pay attention. For now I was focused on staying alive, and that meant ignoring all of them in favour of shooting Goblins. If I saw a Goblin moving, I shot it. As soon as it stopped moving I found another one.


    Rinse, repeat.


    By the time I emptied my first quiver I had moved forward enough to pull arrows from the nearest Goblin bodies and reshoot them.


    I made my way towards the Druid Grove to find Saelyn. I had to find Saelyn.


    I ran to the lightning.


    ***


    Cries of ¡°To me! To me!¡± echoed across the battlefield. My hearing was returning, but none of the calls seemed any closer to me than the others, so I kept moving towards the Druid Grove.


    I ran past piles of dead Goblins, most of them sporting multiple arrows. Here and there were fallen Rangers and Druids, usually surrounded by a ring of dead Goblins. Lightning continued to split the darkness.


    In the distance I heard the roars of huge animals. Whether shape-shifted Druids or summoned beasts I couldn¡¯t tell, but I silently welcomed any aid at this point.


    ***


    Sure enough, there she was, surrounded by Goblin bodies, tossing daggers, casting spells, and swinging her quarterstaff like an oversized baton. A baton she spun so fast it was a blur as it circled her waist and shoulders. It only slowed its deadly path to crack against a Goblin skull or limb. I stopped, almost dumb-struck, with arrows nocked in my bow, she was that impressive.


    She saw me and her eyes lit up, but a Goblin took advantage of that short lapse in her concentration to fling a knife at her. I barely had enough time to loose my arrows.


    My arrows slammed into the side of its head as the knife left its hand, its arc disrupted. Instead of flying true, the knife wobbled towards Saelyn, bouncing off her ribs instead of sticking between them. She staggered and fell back clutching her side, blood leaking through her fingers. Her quarterstaff bounced off the ground and flew towards me.


    I roared as I drove forwards, pulling the attention of the nearby Goblins towards me.


    I was so close to her I tossed my bow to her feet as I snatched her quarterstaff out of the air. More notifications scrolled past and the air started to shimmer and sparkle around me. I felt my skin tingle with energy. Her eyes widened in surprise, so I hoped that whatever just happened turned out to be a good thing.


    Goblin bodies flew as I leapt to her side and landed swinging her quarterstaff.


    ***


    After the Goblins had been driven off and our wounded tended to, we stripped their dead and piled the bodies on the blazing pyre. We tried to make some semblance of shelters out of the remains of the encampment. There was precious little left, the attack had been so overwhelming that our casualties had been heavy. None of the senior Ranger or Druid instructors had survived, since they had led the counter-charge against the Goblins. The few who remained were mid and low level Rangers or apprentices like us.


    I sat with Saelyn as we cleaned our weapons around a dying fire. There was little interest in keeping it going, as day would break soon.


    Thankfully the townspeople had seen the flashes from the lightning bolts and the militia had assembled and come to assist. The Rangers had saved them from Goblins many times before, so they sent a host out to assist us now.


    The militia took over the task of guarding what was left as the healers from Springbrook made their rounds. Most of our surviving healers were exhausted, and some had even used Spellskills to draw on their Health when their Chi and Mana pools were exhausted, putting their lives at risk.


    As the sun crept above the horizon, I realised there was a blinking number in the corner of my field of view. I sighed, tapping it I was startled to see I had ignored hundreds of notifications over the course of the night¡¯s battle. Most of them pertained to the battle itself, and I quickly shunted them aside, however there were many that looked like they needed attention.


    I pulled up the central screen that seemed to need the most attention and was surprised to find a huge swath of updates. The battle last night had had a significant impact on my training.


    Name: Ixion


    Class: Apprentice Ranger/Apprentice Sorcerer/Apprentice Druid (2+1+1)


    [STR = 15]


    [INT = 13]


    [DEX = 15]


    [WIS = 14]


    [CON = 13]


    [CHA = 13]


    [Health = 12/12]


    [Chi = 20/20]


    [Mana = 20/20]


    [Craft: Lv 5 - Bowyer]


    [Craft: Lv 5 - Fletcher]


    [Craft: Lv 5 - Sylvan Weapons]


    [Skill: Lv 4 - Quarterstaff]


    [Skill: Lv 4 - Longbow]


    [Skill: Lv 4 - Shortbow]


    [Skill: Lv 4 - Appraisal]


    [Skill: Lv 5 - Woodworking]


    [Skill: Lv 5 - Tracking]


    [Skill: Lv 4 - Hunting]


    [Skill: Lv 3 - Dressing game]


    [Skill: Lv 4 - Cooking]


    [Skill: Lv 6 - Intimidate]


    If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.


    [Skill: Lv 3 - Spellcraft]


    [Skill: Lv 2 - Arcana]


    [Skill: Lv 4 - Concentration]


    [Skill: Lv 2 - Nature]


    [Skill: Lv 2 - Geography - Sylvan]


    [Spellskill: Lv 4 - Elven Sight]


    [Spellskill: Lv 4 - Arcane Armour]


    [Spellskill: Lv 1 - Hush]


    [Spellskill: Lv 1 - Stillness]


    [Spellskill: Lv 1 - Empty Hands]


    [Spellskill: Lv 1 - Craft - Arcane]


    [Skill: Lv 1 - Rapid Fire]


    [Skill: Lv 1 - Multi-shot]


    [Skill: Lv 1 - Ranged Fire]


    [Skill: Lv 1 - Melee Fire]


    [Skill: Lv 1 - Running shot]


    [Skill: Lv 1 - Quickdraw]


    [Skill: Lv 1 - Dodge]


    [Skill: Lv 1 - Reflex attacks]


    ¡°Guide.¡± I spoke softly.


    ¡°Hello.¡± came the voice to my side.


    ¡°I need some help understanding this.¡± I gestured, to the air in front of me.


    ¡°Last night¡¯s events have changed the nature of your advancement. Previously you would have finished an apprenticeship and continued along that path. However, all of your instructors are now dead, and there are no instructors in your apprenticed classes left within the Apprentice Area.¡± it said matter-of-factly.


    I slumped, ¡°Does this mean I can¡¯t finish my training?¡±


    ¡°On the contrary. It means that your training has finished, and it is time to choose your path. In the past apprenticeships were rare. Adventurers simply selected a Class and started adventuring. Unfortunately that meant many more died without advancing very far or were otherwise unsuccessful. Apprenticeships evolved as a way of providing training and experience under the guidance and structure of the Tutorial. Without instructors in your apprenticed classes, the system has reverted to the original structure. Until additional instructors return to the training area, you can now choose how you wish to advance.


    ¡°So what does this mean?¡± I pointed to my screen, ¡°where I have several apprentice options and the numbers.¡±


    ¡°The system has determined that you meet the prerequisites for the Ranger, Sorcerer, and Druid classes. It is also determined that you have met the criteria to achieve first level in each of them and an additional level. If you only met the requirements for a single class it would automatically have applied those levels. However your multiclass status means that, going forward, you must select your classes before you can advance.¡±


    ¡°What about Saelyn?¡± I asked gesturing towards her. She had stopped cleaning her weapon and was looking towards my guide. I assumed she had been listening the whole time, her face shrouded in the shadows from the dying light of the fire, and sunrise behind her, ¡°...and how did I apprentice as a Druid?¡±


    ¡°Saelyn had already completed her apprenticeship in the Rogue class when you met her. She had been training with the Druids and had completed her Druid apprenticeship prior to last night¡¯s battle. However that drew on both of her sides and she advanced two levels in each of  Druid and Rogue.¡±


    ¡°Saelyn was...is...a Rogue?¡± I turned to her. ¡°Why didn¡¯t you say anything?¡±


    She turned away, withdrawing inside herself, I could barely hear what she said, ¡°That¡¯s not who I am.¡± as she continued cleaning the weapon in her hands.


    My Guide took this as a cue to continue dumping information on me.


    ¡°As far as your apprenticing as a Druid, Druid and Ranger overlap a fair amount at later levels, and you¡¯ve been picking up some during the time you¡¯ve been spending with Saelyn and the Druids. The system saw fit to qualify you as an apprentice during the battle before the Druid instructors were killed. I don¡¯t know the ¡®why¡¯ of it, just that it happened.


    Saelyn has also been benefiting from that time, although not enough to apprentice as a Ranger. However, it was a large part of why she levelled up more than you did last night. If she wishes, she may select Ranger as an additional class in the future, but she has chosen to remain focused on Druid and Rogue to this point.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m getting a little overwhelmed here.¡± I said, holding up my hand to get it to stop so my brain could catch up to all the information that was coming my way. I spent a few minutes putting the pieces together and drinking to forestall further conversation.¡°Is there any disadvantage to training in all three classes?¡± I asked waving for it to continue.


    ¡°Multi-classing means that you will advance slower in any given class than if you were to devote all of your time and attention to a single class.¡± my guide seemed to hesitate for a moment, ¡°It may also influence your interactions with others due to their predispositions and prejudices.¡±


    ¡°So some people will like me more, and others will like me less, based on my decisions?¡±


    ¡°All decisions will impact your relationships with others. Even defending yourself against Goblins. Your allies will find that favourable, while any Goblins who escaped may demonstrate respect, fear, or be enraged the next time you encounter them.¡±


    ¡°In that case, I accept the first level in all of them and second level in Ranger.¡±


    The system screen reset.


    Name: Ixion


    [Class: [Ranger] - 2/[Sorcerer] - 1/[Druid] - 1]


    [STR = 15]


    [INT = 13]


    [DEX = 15]


    [WIS = 14]


    [CON = 13]


    [CHA = 13]


    [Health = 13/50]


    [Chi = 20/20]


    [Mana = 20/20]


    [Craft: Lv 5 - Bowyer]


    [Craft: Lv 5 - Fletcher]


    [Craft: Lv 5 - Sylvan Weapons]


    [Skill: Lv 4 - Quarterstaff - focus]


    [Skill: Lv 4 - Longbow - focus]


    [Skill: Lv 4 - Shortbow - focus]


    [Skill: Lv 4 - Appraisal]


    [Skill: Lv 5 - Woodworking]


    [Skill: Lv 5 - Tracking]


    [Skill: Lv 4 - Hunting]


    [Skill: Lv 3 - Dressing game]


    [Skill: Lv 4 - Cooking]


    [Skill: Lv 6 - Intimidate]


    [Skill: Lv 3 - Spellcraft]


    [Skill: Lv 2 - Arcana]


    [Skill: Lv 4 - Concentration]


    [Skill: Lv 2 - Nature]


    [Skill: Lv 2 - Geography - Sylvan]


    [Spellskill: Lv 4 - Elven Sight]


    [Spellskill: Lv 4 - Arcane Armour]


    [Spellskill: Lv 1 - Hush]


    [Spellskill: Lv 1 - Stillness]


    [Spellskill: Lv 1 - Empty Hands]


    [Spellskill: Lv 1 - Detect Arcana]


    [Spellskill: Lv 1 - Read Arcana]


    [Spellskill: Lv 1 - Use Arcana]


    [Spellskill: Lv 1 - Read Languages]


    [Spellskill: Lv 2 - Summon Companion/Familiar]


    [Spellskill: Lv 1 - Craft - Arcana]


    [Skill: Lv 1 - Rapid Fire]


    [Skill: Lv 1 - Multi-shot]


    [Skill: Lv 1 - Quickdraw]


    [Skill: Lv 1 - Dodge]


    [Skill: Lv 1 - Melee Fire]


    [Skill: Lv 1 - Ranged Fire]


    [Skill: Lv 1 - Running shot]


    [Skill: Lv 1 - Reflex attacks]


    I sighed. I wasn¡¯t looking forward to all  of this reading, and we had a camp to rebuild. Most of this would have to wait until later.

 Chapter Eight

    As the evening fell, several of us were gathered around a fire. We''d been healed, burned the bodies of the goblins, buried our dead, and sorted through the ashes of the camp as we rebuilt. The camp was much smaller now, but word had gone out. Rangers and Druids would soon arrive to bolster our numbers. In the meantime, many from the village had volunteered to stay for a few days to help with the rebuilding and to guard the camp.


    The conversation turned to what we planned to do about the attack. We had killed most of the Goblins and driven the rest back, but many had survived and fled into the night. They were certain to return with greater numbers to what they likely saw as the easy pickings of a nearly defeated enemy. Some of the Fighters and Rangers thought it would be better to take the fight to the enemy. They wanted to seek out the Goblins.


    I wanted that too. But I knew rushing out without a plan would just mean more dead for us to bury. We had to deal with this like Rangers.


    We had to find out what had changed and why. Why they were willing to attack out in the open like this. There were places mass Goblin attacks were more commonplace, but nowhere near here.


    ¡°Our first priority is information.¡± I said. ¡°We have to know what we are dealing with and that means following the Goblins back to their lair.¡±


    ¡°There aren¡¯t enough of us left to fight them in any numbers.¡± a Ranger namedEldrin said. ¡°Even if we find answers, what will we do then?¡±


    ¡°We watch. We wait. We pass the information back until we ¡®do¡¯ have the numbers. Once we have a better understanding, we harass and harry them. We draw them away from our vulnerable areas, and cut down their numbers as much as we can.¡±I paused before smiling ruefully, ¡°We¡¯re going to need a lot of arrows either way.¡±


    We decided a small party was the best option. Myself, Saelyn, and two other Rangers would leave at first light and track the goblins. Once we knew their location and numbers we would return and decide on the next steps. If there were enough of us, we would form a hunting party to track them down directly, rather than taking our strength away from the encampment. If not, we would send out more small parties to harass the Goblins and draw their attention away until we had the strength to deal with them.


    No one could remember the last time this many goblins attacked one of the encampments. It was worrisome to say the least.I wanted to know more before we risked any more lives.


    I still had all that reading to get to at some point.


    ***


    The next morning there was still rebuilding going on, but now we were looking to outfit a search party as well. I had gotten as much sleep as I could, but it was restless. After waking up to the camp burning around me, I guessed I¡¯d have trouble sleeping for a few nights at least.


    We had salvaged as many weapons and as much equipment as we could. Saelyn kept finding new and inventive places to tuck away knives and daggers she found that I was surprised that she didn¡¯t rattle and clank like an armoured knight when she walked, but she was as silent as the rest of us. Once she caught me watching her slip yet another dagger into her boot, but she just winked and suddenly it seemed to disappear.


    While the four of us were picking through equipment and preparing ourselves, a runner found us and summoned us to the bedside of the senior living Ranger.


    ¡°The Goblins didn¡¯t just sack and burn¡±, He said when we were seated beside his cot, several worried looking high-ranking clerics hovering nearby. ¡°They also stole many items from the senior rangers and druids. You must retrieve the items if you can. Fortunately some of the lesser items were overlooked, so you may take what you need to aid you in your Quest. If you cannot retrieve sacred items of the Druids and Rangers, you must do everything in your power to destroy them. These creatures of evil must not¡­desecrate...¡±, he collapsed in a fit of coughing.


    [Quest: Retrieve the sacred items of the Ranger Leadership]Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author''s preferred platform and support their work!


    [Secondary Quest: Destroy the sacred items of the Ranger Leadership]


    [Quest: Retrieve the sacred items of the Druid Leadership]


    [Secondary Quest: Destroy the sacred items of the Druid Leadership]


    ¡°We worry for him.¡± The high cleric spoke up, stepping forward. ¡°All of our healing can deal with his physical ailments, but there¡¯s something about what ails him we cannot cure. We have sent for our most powerful healers, we hope they are in time.¡±


    The Ranger waved to indicate a long chest on the far side of the tent. I opened it, and stepped back. Inside were several bows, a quiver, several cloaks, an assortment of daggers and other weapons.


    The bows looked nearly identical to me, so I passed them to the other Rangers for assessment. I could sense that the quiver was imbued with Arcane workings, and sure enough it had several compartments and seemed to hold far more arrows than one would expect for its size.


    [Quiver of the Elements] - 75 arrows (25 in each of three compartments. Each compartment can imbue one of its arrows each hour with +50% Flame, Ice, or Lightning damage in addition to mundane abilities. Arcane abilities are negated if imbued by the quiver.), 6 longbow/quarterstaves in fourth compartment.


    The arrow compartments were full, and the fourth compartment already held a longbow and shortbow as well as two staves. I would have to examine them in detail later. ¡°Don¡¯t you love magic?¡± I whispered to Saelyn.


    The cloaks were all well made and intricately woven with woodland patterns. There were enough that each of us was able to find one that fit.


    [Cloak of Elvenkind] - +5 to Concealment in Sylvan Realms, +5 to Survival in Sylvan Realms.


    Saelyn eyed the daggers, and when no one else moved for them, she scooped them up and started examining them. They didn¡¯t appear Arcane, but anyone could tell they were very well made.


    Since none of us were particularly skilled with swords yet, we left those behind. Besides, we were looking for information, not a stand-up fight...yet. If it came down to sword work, it was likely our mission had already failed.


    ***


    ¡°These treasures and raids all seem far beyond what I would expect from the realm of trainees and apprentices.¡± I mused later, in our small group. ¡°Something more serious than simply earning a Class seems to be going on here.¡± Saelyn seemed to agree with me, and even our guides were at a loss to explain, although they agreed that they had never encountered events like these before.


    ¡°Given that we seem to be caught between two systems,¡± Saelyn asked our Guides, ¡°Are there things we are dealing with that don¡¯t fit into either system? Is it possible something is¡­¡± she paused, ¡°...broken? Is it possible a third system is trying to take over?¡±


    ¡°We have never seen an encampment overrun like this.¡± My guide said again. ¡°The system is here to balance the forces and provide a challenging environment for apprentices to gather experience. The Apprentice Dungeon is to be the culmination of their training time here. After clearing the Apprentice Dungeon, apprentices would have gained several levels and be capable of moving beyond the boundaries of this area. We¡¯re now seeing forces far more powerful than is possible here. After we deal with the goblins and secure the area for encampment and the town, I suggest we may wish to check the borders of the apprentice area.¡± it advised. ¡°However, the ¡®why¡¯ of it is beyond my knowledge.¡±.


    ¡°A plan for another day then.¡± I answered.


    The path of the fleeing goblins was easy enough to follow, now that the sun was up and the morning mists had lifted. They had made no attempts to conceal their tracks. The way was littered with discarded weapons and other remnants of the battle.


    In addition to the four of us, a score of fighters and archers from the town came to provide some measure of protection from ambush. After a few hours the trail devolved to little more than scuffed boot prints. It seemed anything that burdened their retreat had long since been discarded. We decided to send our escort back with instructions to collect anything useful along the way. The smithies would have a considerable amount of raw material for some time to come from all the weapons and equipment discarded by the goblins.


    Now the real hunt would begin.

 Chapter Nine

    We stalked forward. I took the lead with one Ranger a half dozen paces or so to each side of me, and Saelyn bringing up the rear watching all of our backs. The tracks left by the goblins showed they had slowed their headlong dash, and were all trudging in the same direction. Initially we had assumed they were heading for the apprentice dungeon, but now their trail veered. Unless they changed direction again soon they would end up somewhere south of the dungeon.


    Several miles later, Tehlmar, the ranger on my left, froze and dropped to one knee. He waved the sign for enemies. Multiple enemies in the trees on the left.


    Suddenly a dozen goblins burst from the trees, hastily flinging their small javelins at us. We easily sidestepped the ones that reached us, bringing our bows up to the ready position, arrows nocked. The three of us let fly with our arrows. Mine crackled and sparked as it flew, Tehlmar¡¯s trailed smoke, and and Eldrin''s leapt ahead almost before ours left our bows.


    Eldrin¡¯s arrow punched through the skull of one of the leading goblins, nearly lifting it off its feet. I made a mental note to ask how he did that. But later, after we survived this. Mine and Tehlmar¡¯s struck a heartbeat later. His bursting into flames, and mine rooting the goblin to the ground with a lightning bolt, black numbers flickering above its head. Black?


    In the corner of my eye I could see notifications scrolling past.


    [Skill: Lv 2 - Dodge]


    [Skill: Lv 2 - Rapid Fire]


    [Skill: Lv 2 - Multi-shot]


    [Skill: Lv 1 - Running shot]


    Thankfully I had lost some sleep last night in order to read ahead, so I knew that as soon as I leveled up those skills, I could fire multiple arrows at once and more quickly. I switched to mundane arrows from one of my hip quivers and started firing two at a time into each goblin. They fell none too soon, red numbers flickering over their heads, as Saelyn shouted, ¡°On the right!¡± and gestured behind us.


    We turned to see over two dozen goblins streaming out of the trees waving their weapons and shouting, now that Saelyn had spoiled their surprise. If it hadn¡¯t been for Tehlmar¡¯s detection skills and Saelyn watching our back, the goblin¡¯s ambush could¡¯ve turned out very differently. If the missile troops had pinned us down, or even kept us distracted long enough, the goblins attacking from behind could have overpowered us.


    More red and black flickers marked the effectiveness of our fire as they sprinted across the grass toward us. As it was I barely had time to reload and fire enough times before the goblins made it to the edge of the road...


    ¡°Parvus Cataracta!¡± Saelyn shouted, gesturing at the ground in front of the running Goblins.


    ¡­ and were bogged down in the mud Saelyn had conjured in the ditch at the roadside. Suddenly their attack wave slowed to a crawl as the leading goblins were overrun by the ones behind them. Instead of fighting two dozen goblins, we were standing over half that many struggling in the mud.


    It reminded me of my first day on the side of the road. I certainly wasn¡¯t going to turn down the Universe¡¯s sense of symmetry.


    Stunned by the sudden reversal of being up to their knees in thick mud and facing down three Ranger bows and a Druid, the goblins quickly gave up. Seeing the other half of their ambush taken out in spectacular style likely influenced their enthusiasm.


    Another notification appeared, plus an unexpected one.


    [Class: [Ranger] - 2/[Sorcerer] - 1/[Druid] - 1] (1) (+2)


    A new level and with it the ability to upgrade my Characteristics was always welcome.


    [Goblin Slayer]


    [Hidden Quest - kill 100 Goblins]


    [Reward - +10 Intimidation/Diplomacy towards Goblins]


    [Reward - +1 against Goblins with ¡®Focus¡¯ weapons]


    ¡°Guide, what are ¡®Hidden Quests¡¯ and ¡®Focus¡¯ weapons?¡± I had taken to launching into conversations with my Guide as if it was always listening, because it was.


    ¡°Hidden Quests are Quests the System monitors and displays upon completion.¡± it answered. ¡°There is no way to know if one is active until it is complete. They typically offer rewards in line with the Quest itself. In this case, you have become more proficient at attacking Goblins, and in the event you attempt a discourse with them they will be more inclined to be persuaded by your arguments, either out of fear or respect.If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.


    Focus weapons are weapons you have achieved a certain level of proficiency with. They have ¡®Focus¡¯ noted in their Skill designation. When fighting Goblins with any Focus weapon you now have an additional bonus.¡±


    I had wondered about that ¡®Focus¡¯ tag I had seen, but kept forgetting to ask about it. So many things to remember.


    ¡°So I¡¯ve killed enough Goblins that I¡¯m better at killing Goblins and they¡¯re more scared of me to boot?¡± I half smirked, "That sounds like a fair thing. How do I get more of that? ...and, wait a minute, why are some of the numbers in black now?¡±


    ¡°Might I suggest killing more Goblins?¡± It commented dryly. ¡°The black numbers are attacks that kill an opponent outright. It seems you are doing enough damage to eliminate these Goblins with one shot.¡±


    ¡°Smart ass.¡± I shot back. But it was good to know I was improving.


    The level notification was a welcome sight. I still hadn¡¯t figured out the levelling process yet, but it seemed I was advancing regardless. It was like playing a campaign where the GM tracked your advancement and told you when you leveled, but not how far you were from levelling. The +2 for Characteristics was new, but I had been waiting for it. If I was going to keep adding to Sorcerer, I¡¯d need more INT, and more CON was going to help if we were campaigning for any length of time and unable to get ready access to higher level healing.


    Since Saelyn was already ahead of me in Druid levels, and the other Rangers were ahead of me, albeit single classed, I decided to take a chance and dropped the new level onto Sorcerer.


    [Class: [Ranger] - 2/[Sorcerer] - 2/[Druid] - 1]


    [STR = 15]


    [INT = 14]


    [DEX = 15]


    [WIS = 14]


    [CON = 14]


    [CHA = 13]


    [Health = 42/55]


    [Chi = 20/40]


    [Mana = 20/20]


    [Craft: Lv 5 - Bowyer]


    [Craft: Lv 5 - Fletcher]


    [Craft: Lv 5 - Sylvan Weapons]


    [Skill: Lv 4 - Quarterstaff - focus]


    [Skill: Lv 4 - Longbow - focus]


    [Skill: Lv 4 - Shortbow - focus]


    [Skill: Lv 4 - Appraisal]


    [Skill: Lv 5 - Woodworking]


    [Skill: Lv 5 - Tracking]


    [Skill: Lv 4 - Hunting]


    [Skill: Lv 3 - Dressing game]


    [Skill: Lv 4 - Cooking]


    [Skill: Lv 6 - Intimidate]


    [Skill: Lv 4 - Spellcraft]


    [Skill: Lv 3 - Arcana]


    [Skill: Lv 4 - Concentration]


    [Skill: Lv 3 - Nature]


    [Skill: Lv 3 - Geography - Sylvan]


    [Spellskill: Lv 4 - Elven Sight]


    [Spellskill: Lv 4 - Arcane Armour]


    [Spellskill: Lv 1 - Hush]


    [Spellskill: Lv 1 - Stillness]


    [Spellskill: Lv 1 - Empty Hands]


    [Spellskill: Lv 1 - Detect Arcana]


    [Spellskill: Lv 1 - Read Arcana]


    [Spellskill: Lv 1 - Use Arcana]


    [Spellskill: Lv 1 - Read Languages]


    [Spellskill: Lv 2 - Summon Companion/Familiar]


    [Spellskill: Lv 1 - Phantom Strike ]


    [Spellskill: Lv 1 - Craft - Arcana]


    [Skill: Lv 1 - Rapid Fire]


    [Skill: Lv 1 - Multi-shot]


    [Skill: Lv 1 - Quickdraw]


    [Skill: Lv 1 - Dodge]


    [Skill: Lv 1 - Melee Fire]


    [Skill: Lv 1 - Ranged Fire]


    [Skill: Lv 1 - Running shot]


    [Skill: Lv 1 - Reflex attacks]


    While Saelyn and I stood watch, Eldrin and Tehlmar quickly disarmed the remaining goblins and appropriated everything of value from the dead across the road. We also recovered most of our mundane arrows. Unfortunately the Arcane powers rendered any arrows they imbued useless afterwards, so the versatility and power came at a cost on longer campaigns. At some point I was going to have to sort out resupply or set aside some time to Craft more arrows.


    However my first new Spellskill would help with that. Phantom Strike was an Arcane force that followed any missile weapon I fired and if I hit something, it did extra damage. It didn¡¯t make me more accurate, or give me more shots. When I did hit I would do more damage, and because it was Arcane damage it would effect opponents my regular arrows might not. The downside was that it seemed to be limited to mundane arrows, so it didn¡¯t sound like it would work with an arrow imbued by the Quiver of the Elements. Even so, I was already able to fire two arrows at once, so this gave me a potential of four hits. Not too bad for cutting down hordes of goblins.


    My other new Spellskill would take some more investigating, but it looked like I would soon be able to add some Arcane abilities to my Crafting.


    Not wanting to leave armed goblins behind us, we stashed everything that wasn¡¯t useful to the mission in Tehlmar¡¯s Bottomless Bag and Saelyn cast Fiasos Vitis, which ensnared the surviving goblins with roots and vines that sprouted out of the ground. They would eventually break free, but we weren¡¯t going to kill them in cold blood and didn¡¯t want them behind us. At least this way they would be out of the fight for some time. If they chose to pick up arms against us in the future, that was their lookout.


    Until we had a better handle on what was going on, we needed to proceed cautiously.


    ***


    Continuing south, we found several more Goblin ambushes, and dealt with each of them in turn. Presumably Goblins didn¡¯t have much imagination, because the ambushes were always variations on the same theme. Distract us from one side with javelins or arrows and a rush to keep our focus, then attempt to attack from our unguarded rear and finish us off.


    Knowing that, we were able to pre-empt some of the ambushes. We even started ambushing the ambushers. Sneaking up behind their missile troops, taking them out, and returning to the road out of sight of the larger party. We would then walk down the road, the missile troops wouldn¡¯t spring their side of the ambush, and much confusion was to be had.


    Little did I know our banter was going to turn serious when the Goblins turned it up a notch or three.


    ***


    I guess after killing so many goblins, we got complacent. Another goblin ambush had sprung, thinking they had surprised us. Eldrin and Tehlmar were taking care of the missile troops, while Saelyn and I waited for the melee troops to come out of the tree line. With my new abilities we were usually able to split our fire and take out both groups at the same time.


    Sure enough, several goblins emerged from the tree line¡­only these ones were followed by half a dozen monstrous dark green creatures. Over twice the height of a goblin, taller than your average human, and many times heavier, with huge clubs in their hands these nightmares strode toward us.


    The Orcs had arrived.

 Chapter Ten

    In some lore Goblins and Orcs are simply different sizes of the same creature. In other lore they are different races or different colours. I¡¯m not sure if it mattered here, because either way these huge creatures were more than capable of splattering us across the road.


    ¡°Mud! Bug swarm in their eyes!¡± I called out to Saelyn, she nodded. Turning my attention, ¡°Little help here?¡± I yelled over my shoulder as I readied my arrows, a hasty plan forming.


    ¡°Parvus Cataracta! Amasio Cimex!¡± Saelyn shouted, pointing at their feet, then at their heads.


    As each orc stepped into the mud I fired an Ice arrow to its legs, freezing the mud, buying us time. The Orcs bellowed in pain and frustration. The bug swarms were distracting them, and their feet were locked in place. Their plan to smash us quickly had met the enemy. Us.


    And we were having none of it.


    I knew Tehlmar would turn to his fire arrows, so I reached for my electric ones. I worked my way down the line of orcs. By the time I had shot my fourth, flaming arrows were sprouting from their chests beside mine. The shockwave of Eldrin¡¯s arrows thundering past me told me he was in this fight too. I had to trust that the goblins behind us were all down.


    I really wanted to know how Eldrin made his arrows do that. But again, later.


    Red numbers continued to climb out of the orcs, but they were still standing, bellowing, and swinging their clubs. Several of them had gripped the arrows and torn them from their chests, casting them to the ground.


    The ice at their feet started to buckle and crack. We stepped back.


    ¡°More mud to freeze!¡± I yelled at Saelyn.


    ¡°No! Lightning arrow! Give me one!¡± Saelyn hollered.


    I hesitated, ¡°What? I...?¡±


    ¡°Now!¡± Saelyn shouted, interrupted me with a look of absolute determination on her face.


    I drew and nocked the lightning arrow, activating its charge. I looked at Saelyn¡¯ outstretched hand like she had lost her mind. Then, trusting she knew what she was doing, I held it out to her. She grasped the lightning arrow and held the point aloft, chanting and gesturing from the sky to the Orcs.


    ¡°Alvoki Fulmo!¡± she shouted.


    Suddenly, lightning split the sky. Somehow, Saelyn was calling down lightning on the Orcs.


    ***


    The shockwaves knocked us back off the road.


    After we stopped skidding across the field behind us, we slowly picked ourselves up and stared at the smoking Orcs...or what was left of them. We were the only ones standing as far as we could see.


    The three of us turned to Saelyn, who seemed to be alternating between looking shocked and sheepish.


    ¡°When did you pick that up?¡± I asked her, still shaking my head to get it to stop ringing.


    ¡°I can¡¯t create lightning, but I thought maybe I could control it a bit if I had something to work with. After all, my control over the elements is increasing, but I can¡¯t exactly create them yet, except for water.¡± she shrugged, ¡°It seemed logical, especially with lightning arrows sticking out of their chests and their feet in water, even if it was mostly frozen.¡± she started walking towards what was left of the Orcs, explaining her thought process.


    ¡°So it seems.¡± my guide said from beside me. ¡°It appears this is indeed part of the Control Elements spell grouping, although I don¡¯t believe anyone has ever attempted it while holding a Lightning Arrow.¡± If my guide showed emotion, I¡¯m pretty sure that would have sounded impressed.


    ¡°Whatever doesn¡¯t kill you¡­¡± I trailed off.


    ¡°Desperate times?¡± she said sheepishly. ¡°But it worked, and now we have another weapon...and it looks like I gained a level as well.¡±


    ¡°How about, only if we¡¯re far enough away next time?¡±


    ¡°What happened to ¡®Whatever doesn¡¯t kill you?¡¯?¡± she said with a smirk, and a wink.


    I¡¯m sure I at least scratched her with the look I shot her.


    With a sigh, I followed her over to see if there was anything worth salvaging.


    ***


    That night over the low fire, after we had laid out perimeter traps and tended to our weapons and bellies, we decided to sort through the salvage we had collected so far. We had found a small clearing, deep in the woods. Between the thickness of the trees, and the screening of our tents and blinds, we figured we should be safe enough to hide out for the night. If anything approached us, the traps and alarms should give us plenty of notice. Out beyond that I heard Saelyn cast ¡°Caligo Nebula Tenebrae¡±, raising a low fog bank.Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.


    Most of the Goblin salvage was in poor repair, and anything wooden was fed into the fire. It was the best use for the clubs and short staves many of the Goblins carried. The javelin and spear heads were set aside, but their shafts went into the fire. Everything metal was repacked into storage.


    Nothing was left of the Orc weapons, or the Orcs for that matter.


    Goblin raiding parties didn¡¯t typically carry much in the way of coins or other treasure, mostly so they had more space to carry loot on the way back, and these Goblins hadn¡¯t appeared to be high enough up in the pecking order to warrant anything like potions or scrolls. However, there had been copper and silver coins here and there among the dead, and we had collected what we found. As Rangers on an official mission, we were allowed to use whatever we found in the course of furthering the mission, with the understanding that whatever was left at the end would be turned over to the leadership at the encampment to fund future activities.


    After all, all the training and equipment the Rangers provided us had to be paid for somehow, and anyways, I thought it was better to be rewarded with useful items than bulky coins I had to carry, even if we did have ways of reducing their encumbrance.


    ***


    By dawn we were up and packing the camp away. We ate a cold breakfast to save time and set out on the trail of the Goblins once more. None of our traps or alarms had been disturbed, and no tracks had entered the fog Saelyn raised.


    After several more attempts to ambush us, each one stronger than the last, I had another notification:


    [Class: [Ranger] - 2/[Sorcerer] - 2/[Druid] - 1] (1)


    This time I was torn, but in the end I went with another Ranger level and hoped it wouldn¡¯t be too long before I levelled again. Surprisingly, I saw that five of my Skills were flashing with an indication that I could choose three of them to increase. I figured being able to shoot on the move was going to be the most useful new skill, based on what we had run into so far. Then more arrows, and faster shooting won out over the others...at least for now. It was times like these that I missed being able to sit down with gaming manuals and figure out how to advance, but I guessed this way was more like real life.


    [Class: [Ranger] - 3/[Sorcerer] - 2/[Druid] - 1]


    [STR = 15]


    [INT = 14]


    [DEX = 15]


    [WIS = 14]


    [CON = 14]


    [CHA = 13]


    [Health = 53/65]


    [Chi = 37/40]


    [Mana = 20/20]


    [Craft: Lv 5 - Bowyer]


    [Craft: Lv 5 - Fletcher]


    [Craft: Lv 5 - Sylvan Weapons]


    [Skill: Lv 4 - Quarterstaff - focus]


    [Skill: Lv 5 - Longbow - focus]


    [Skill: Lv 5 - Shortbow - focus]


    [Skill: Lv 4 - Appraisal]


    [Skill: Lv 5 - Woodworking]


    [Skill: Lv 5 - Tracking]


    [Skill: Lv 4 - Hunting]


    [Skill: Lv 3 - Dressing game]


    [Skill: Lv 4 - Cooking]


    [Skill: Lv 6 - Intimidate]


    [Skill: Lv 4 - Spellcraft]


    [Skill: Lv 3 - Arcana]


    [Skill: Lv 4 - Concentration]


    [Skill: Lv 4 - Nature]


    [Skill: Lv 4 - Geography - Sylvan]


    [Spellskill: Lv 4 - Elven Sight]


    [Spellskill: Lv 4 - Arcane Armour]


    [Spellskill: Lv 1 - Hush]


    [Spellskill: Lv 1 - Stillness]


    [Spellskill: Lv 1 - Empty Hands]


    [Spellskill: Lv 1 - Detect Arcana]


    [Spellskill: Lv 1 - Read Arcana]


    [Spellskill: Lv 1 - Use Arcana]


    [Spellskill: Lv 1 - Read Languages]


    [Spellskill: Lv 3 - Summon Companion/Familiar]


    [Spellskill: Lv 1 - Phantom Strike]


    [Spellskill: Lv 1 - ]


    [Spellskill: Lv 1 - Craft - Arcana]


    [Skill: Lv 2 - Rapid Fire]


    [Skill: Lv 2 - Multi-shot]


    [Skill: Lv 1 - Quickdraw]


    [Skill: Lv 1 - Dodge]


    [Skill: Lv 2 - Melee Fire]


    [Skill: Lv 1 - Ranged Fire]


    [Skill: Lv 1 - Running shot]


    [Skill: Lv 1 - Reflex attacks]


    ***


    The encampment was huge. Bigger than Springbrook. We had followed the smoke trails in from some distance away. And we were right, it was far south of the Apprentice Dungeon. Hundreds of Orcs and thousands of Goblins milled around in the valley below us, gathered around fires, sparring, or doing whatever it was they did when they weren¡¯t hunting us. We sheltered under our cloaks, blending in with the underbrush along a cliff''s edge.


    ¡°This is...wrong.¡± my Guide said. ¡°It shouldn¡¯t be possible for this many creatures to gather together, and certainly not ones this strong after the Ranger encampment was almost destroyed.¡±


    ¡°What do you mean?¡± I looked over, questioning.


    ¡°Opponents are supposed to match the abilities of the Apprentices and Players as they gain power. The Apprentice Dungeon is supposed to be an important test before they move beyond the Apprentice area, but this¡­¡± it waved to indicate the mass of Goblins and Orcs below. ¡°...is far more powerful than that. It shouldn¡¯t be possible. There should be a barrier around the Apprentice area keeping them out. Something must be wrong.¡±


    ¡°A barrier?¡± Saelyn asked. ¡°I thought..."


    ¡°Yes, a...filter, if you will.¡± The guide carried on when Saelyn trailed off, looking thoughtful. ¡°Something that assesses the power of a creature and either permits or denies it access. Anyone can leave an area of lower relative power and enter an area of higher relative power, but they may not be able to return if they are too powerful. There are many filters like this throughout the realms. Otherwise we would be overrun with monsters and no one would survive long.¡±


    ¡°How does the system prevent a creature from staying in a lower level area and dominating it as it rises in power?¡± I asked.


    ¡°The system restricts rewards, eventually the creature, or player for that matter, will likely become bored with its existence and want to advance. As well, experience rewards are influenced by the relative levels in the opponents. If you gain too many levels above your opponents you essentially stop gaining experience. You stop levelling and stop gaining anything. Besides, most creatures don¡¯t know to ask about such things.¡±


    ¡°Alright, why isn¡¯t it working? ...and what can we do about it?¡±


    ¡°I do not have answers to those questions. It is beyond my knowledge.¡±


    ¡°Who would know?¡± Saelyn asked.


    ¡°Completing the Apprentice Dungeon provides greater insights into the workings of the world beyond this zone. Perhaps that will provide the answers you seek?¡±


    ¡°Looks like you two are heading back to the Encampment to report on this gathering.¡± I said to Tehlmar and Eldrin, waving at the sprawling camp below. ¡°While Saelyn and I head over to clear the Apprentice Dungeon. If they can spare anyone to help us, have them meet us there.¡±


    ¡°The Dungeon?¡± she asked, puzzled. ¡°Shouldn¡¯t we be more concerned about this?¡± waving at the mass of greenskins.


    ¡°The two of us aren¡¯t going to make a dent in this, or even the four of us.¡± I answered grimly. ¡°We have to do our jobs as Rangers and the most important part of that is to get this information back to the people who can organise a proper response to this, starting with seeing to the fortification of places like Springbrook.


    ¡°As for us, we need to level up and find out the rest of the things we¡¯re supposed to know by the end of the Tutorial. Remember, we should have finished that before now. We need to find out what we¡¯re missing, and hopefully why the System is doing all this¡­¡± I waved at the valley, ¡°...when it shouldn¡¯t be possible.¡±

 Chapter Eleven

    ¡°Are you sure this is a Dungeon? It looks more like a small castle.¡± I muttered, half to myself and half to no one in particular, as I stared across the clearing at the multi-storey castle looming in the distance. ¡°I figured it was going to be a few ruins leading down into the dungeon.¡±


    The road Saelyn and I were on wound its way through the trees to a large clearing, and in the middle stood the castle.


    ¡°All it needs is a princess leaning out of one of those upper windows for us to rescue.¡± I said to Saelyn.


    ¡°Men and their princesses.¡± she muttered under her breath, before looking at me. ¡°Why can¡¯t it be knights battling a dragon in the forecourt under the command of their Queen?¡±


    Not having an answer, I looked away sheepishly.


    The huge double doors marked the entrance at the front of the castle. They were the only obvious points of entry in what looked like a cross between a large manor home and a proper castle. It looked like it could be defended with a well-trained garrison, but it had too many windows and terraces to hold out against a dedicated siege.


    But then, I shrugged, that wasn¡¯t really the point of it after all.


    ¡°Dungeon is a generic term that encompasses any area that needs to be cleared of monsters in order to collect treasure.¡± my Guide answered. ¡°Technically there ¡®is¡¯ a physical dungeon underneath the castle, but the entire area is considered the Apprentice Dungeon.¡±


    ¡°Gotcha. Is this thing likely to kill us, should we wait for backup?¡± I asked, gesturing at the castle.


    ¡°The Apprentice Dungeon is supposed to match the strength of its monsters to that of the party attempting to clear it. However, it is possible that whatever is going wrong with the Orcs and Goblins has affected this area as well.¡±


    ¡°Sooo...no idea. Awesome.¡± I said, stifling the urge to roll my eyes.


    ¡°Should we wait for a couple of Character Tanks?¡± Saelyn asked. ¡°We¡¯re okay at most things, but we need time and space to do what we do. We aren''t going to do anyone any good if we rush in and get splattered. We could use a couple of Healers as well, if we¡¯re going to be down for any length of time.¡±


    ¡°Good point. We don¡¯t even know what¡¯s going to happen to us, if we do get killed. However, we can still keep busy out here until someone shows up...if anyone shows up. We don¡¯t know for sure if they can spare anyone.¡± I really hadn¡¯t thought hard about getting injured, or killed in a while...


    ¡°Alright, let¡¯s scout the area and see if we can learn anything.¡±


    I nodded and we headed into the trees.


    ***


    Sure enough, there were things out of sight of the road, waiting for us in the trees.


    At least they were waiting for whoever came this way. Hidden in the trees were small groups of wild animals that could have been part of the dungeon or simply wild animals. There were a few groups of Goblins gathered in makeshift camps in the forest, and numerous nests of over-sized insects along the edge of the clearing. It looked like Goblins had somehow managed to train the largest of the spiders as mounts. They rode the spiders in the canopy of the trees.


    The farther we crept around the castle, the more dangerous the foes we found. Slower and slower we inched, watching each other¡¯s backs. Near the back of the castle were small gatherings of Ogres milling around...waiting. Even bigger than the Orcs we had met, these monstrosities seemed to prefer ripping medium sized trees out of the ground to use as clubs, rather than using weapons made by the hand of man...or magic.The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.


    The castle itself was even more imposing from the rear. It was clearly designed to be entered from the front and the monsters were there to encourage that idea. Anyone determined to sneak in the back way would get ever stronger reminders that that wasn¡¯t the way things were supposed to be done. As we made our way around back to the road, the strength of the monsters wound back down.


    Now the big questions were, how many of them would we have to fight if we stayed on the road and walked right up to the front door? Would they move towards us as we passed each of them? Would they stay in the woods as long as we stayed on the road? Did our party strength matter?


    We found a quiet hollow a ways up the road where we could just see the clearing in front of the castle, and keep an eye on the road.


    ¡°Given the strength of the Ogres out back, I¡¯m guessing this isn¡¯t intended for Level 1 newbs.¡± Saelyn said as she leaned against the trunk behind her. ¡°It looks like this is intended for a half dozen players of at least our strength.¡±


    I nodded, thinking about our options. The lack of cover across the clearing meant that if we didn¡¯t plan to walk down the road in full view of the castle, we would need to wait until nightfall to attempt a stealthy approach. Even if we did that, we had no guarantees either way.


    ¡°Guide.¡±


    ¡°Hello.¡± this was the first time my Guide appeared sitting beside us. In every other instance it was standing, even when I was sitting. I put that thought aside for another time.¡° I don¡¯t suppose you can leave me here and head back to the Ranger camp to see if reinforcements are coming?¡±


    ¡°As your Guide, I am limited to your proximity.¡± it almost sighed, and added ¡°I can take limited actions within that area, but I cannot wield weapons or cast spells.¡±


    ***


    After watching the castle for several hours, it became apparent that it was entirely reactive in nature. If we didn¡¯t do anything, it wouldn¡¯t do anything either. No one came or went. No watch rotations appeared to be observed. The various monsters in the woods around the castle seemed to stick to their own areas unless disturbed, repeating the same gestures.


    We tested this a few times by creating rough hides up in the trees and pelting several parties with stones in an attempt to rile them up. They would become more and more agitated as orange blips appeared over their heads, but they refused to leave their areas until I switched to lethal damage.


    I nocked two arrows and activated Phantom Strike on both of them. I picked the furthest Goblin camp I could see with Elven Sight and let them fly at the fanciest looking Goblin in the camp. I figured it had to be a leader or shaman of some sort, so it should get the most reaction...if I was right.


    Both arrows struck home and four red numbers flickered over it as it fell over, dead. The Goblins went nuts. A great wailing cry went up as the Goblins grabbed their weapons and ran about, pointing this way and that. As more and more Goblins grew agitated, a few started to knock heads together and take charge. I noted these ones, in case I needed to take out their leaders in the future.


    Slowly the leaders got the rest pointed in the right direction, or at least the direction they assumed was the right one, because it wasn¡¯t exactly in our direction. They used whatever physical force seemed convenient to get the mob headed towards the nearest Goblin camp that happened to be somewhat between us and them. Smacks to the head, whacks with a staff, even cracks with a whip were all motivators in the struggle to keep the momentum going and focused.


    They made so much noise that the unsuspecting camp was not so unsuspecting by the time they arrived. Goblins mounted on gigantic spiders had taken to the trees with small bows, and


    Shamic magic fairly crackled in the air as the Goblin magic was channeled from wherever they drew their power.


    We couldn¡¯t see who fired the first shot, but once it happened, chaos reigned. The Goblin archers in the trees seemed to fire on whatever moved, regardless of which camp they came from. The Shamen seemed more interested in the destructive capabilities of their spells than actually hitting anything. Goblins broke and ran in whatever direction seemed to be away from danger, lashing out at anything that got in their way.


    The battle was over as fast as it started. The Shamen seemed to run out of Mana or Chi, as several kept trying to cast even when their gestures didn¡¯t have any effect. Their Archers weren¡¯t prepared for a drawn out fight as they found their quivers empty within minutes. The common Goblins all attempted to fade into the trees and return to their respective camps without being noticed by either side¡¯s leadership.


    ¡°Interesting.¡± Saelyn whispered from beside me. ¡°Cowardly in isolation. Overwhelming in great numbers. But there is a point somewhere in the middle¡­¡± she trailed off.


    I nodded and settled in to wait for the commotion to die down before we could climb down and return to our hideout near the entrance to the clearing.


    ***


    It was several hours later before we slunk into our campsite, stiff and weary from being up in the blind and the long crawl back to the road.


    We knew before we arrived that we had visitors. Welcome ones at that. Tehlmar and Eldrin had come, with news and reinforcements. Springbrook had sent a force of its Militia to assist us.

 Chapter Twelve

    ¡°Thanks for the markers.¡± Eldrin said. ¡°We weren¡¯t sure if you¡¯d be out scouting when we got here, so we hoped you¡¯d leave something out.¡±


    ¡°Glad you found us. We weren¡¯t looking forward to taking that thing on by ourselves.¡± I pointed over my shoulder at the castle with my thumb.


    ¡°Let¡¯s catch each other up over some food.¡± Saelyn chimed in.


    ¡°That sounds like a good idea.¡±Eldrin agreed.


    ¡°Fuel, and rest. We¡¯ll conquer come morning.¡± Saelyn winked


    ***


    We advanced up the road in a phalanx, our Shield Fighters on the outside with their shields forming a shell, and our ranged attackers inside. Our healers were in the middle where they could access anyone in seconds.


    After all our preparation, the walk in was somewhat uneventful. Nothing attacked us, but we did see activity back where the road entered the clearing. It seemed something triggered the mobs to move around and cut off our line of retreat once we passed the halfway point to the castle.


    I suspected that the rest of the mobs were already moving through the trees so that if we tried to retreat now, we would face ever mounting attacks, driving us back to the castle.


    It seemed the Apprentice Dungeon was a one way trip until it was cleared.


    ***


    At the main entrance we split into two groups. The Raid Party facing the massive double doors, and the Rear Party establishing a defensive barrier behind us, facing outward. We didn¡¯t know if we would need them to secure our way out or not, but this wasn¡¯t the time to be taking chances. We did not want to stumble out of the Castle and be set upon by fresh enemies.


    The Rear Party was lead by Tehlmar and had a solid wall of Shield Fighters, backed up by heavy-duty Battle Mages and Archers. Battle Clerics rounded them out to make sure they could fight as long as possible. The wide open clearing meant they would be able to see and thin out the ranks of anything that tried to attack them long before they were engaged in melee.


    On our way in the Archers had placed stones painted in different colours along both sides of the road to help them gauge ranges. While the Battle Mages would never admit it aloud, they also benefited from the markers and planned to make use of them.


    The Raid Party consisted of myself, Saelyn, and Eldrin, plus two Shield Fighters and two Battle Clerics from Springbrook¡¯s Militia. If we were adventuring outside, we likely would have taken Druids or Rangers, but we weren¡¯t sure how removed we would be from the Sylvan environment once we entered the castle or dungeon proper, so we decided to play it safe.


    With only two Players in the Raid Party, we were sure to add Levels faster than if we were spreading the XP out over a larger party. Our Militia shield wall was there to soak up and heal damage, so we could do our jobs and clear the rooms as quickly as possible. Saelyn and I had worked together enough that we were starting to anticipate each other¡¯s moves, and the Militia knew their jobs well enough. Hold the line, heal when needed, duck when told.


    ***


    The massive doors opened with a low groan as the Clerics pulled on the brass handles. The Fighters covered the widening gap with their shields, and the three of us were ready to fire past their heads if anything threatened us. Atmospheric, I thought...as well as being just loud enough to alert anyone inside that we were entering.


    The entrance opened into a large room, with grand staircases on both sides leading up to the second floor landing. On the main floor, doors lead off to the left and right, and a hallway disappeared into the darkness ahead of us.


    ***


    We turned to the right and headed down the hallway. While we weren¡¯t expecting much opposition this early, we kept alert and prepared to do battle.


    A few doors lead off the hallway, and we tried each one as we passed them. The fighters kept their shields braced against the floor and we were ready to shoot over their heads as one of the clerics watched our backs and the other shoved the door open.The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    After several disappointingly empty rooms, we started to relax and wonder if there was anything in the castle proper. Of course that¡¯s when we opened the door to a pantry and surprised a dozen giant rats.


    ***


    They blinked at the sudden light and noise, then hissed and surged forward to attack us, fangs bared.


    The fighters dropped their shields to the floor and blocked the doorway while Saelyn shouted, ¡°Morari! Glacio!¡± into the room. Frost lined the helmets of the fighters as the rats shuddered to a halt and the room was suddenly filled with savage chunks of ice that slammed back and forth, following her gestures.


    The howling winds pushed us back, but the remaining rats were frozen solid mid-charge, fangs and claws still reaching out for us.


    Unfortunately the noise attracted the attention of other residents of the castle and the last door in the hallway creaked open. Armoured skeletons lurched and clanked out of the room and into the hallway. Sensing us, they turned and raised their weapons, moving to attack.


    The Battle Clerics moved between us, chanting their divine incantations as I reached for a Lighting Arrow. I nocked and fired between their heads, aiming into the mass of undead bearing down on us. Tehlmar was stashing his bow and drawing out a quarterstaff from his cloak.


    One of the front skeletons raised its shield at the last second, intercepting my arrow. Fortunately the discharge didn¡¯t care what it was stuck in, and it arced and sizzled around the walls and ceiling. Disappointingly though, no flickering numbers to indicate I had done any damage to the skeletons.


    On the other hand, the clerics unleashed the wrath of their gods and drove the skeletons back, bits of bone flying off them as the front ones slammed into the ranks behind them. This time yellow numbers counted off as the front ones were pummeled to the ground.


    ¡°Blunt weapons!¡± one of the clerics yelled back at us as they charged, maces swinging.


    Recalling my lectures on fighting the undead, I remembered that slashing and stabbing weapons were less effective against skeletons. I quickly slid my bow into the large compartment of the Quiver of the Elements and withdrew a quarterstaff. I didn¡¯t have a lot of room to swing it, but I could stab the reinforced ends past the clerics as they fought.


    The fighters turned and took up the rear guard while Saelyn pressed forward, Tehlmar and I on either side of her, supporting the clerics as they beat down the ranks of skeletons. Red numbers mixed in with the yellow ones as we pressed forward.


    ***


    Bone fragments crunched under our feet as we searched the remains of the skeletons and the room they came from. Sometimes I shook my head at the thought of skeletons carrying, or even needing, treasure, but it seemed it was as much a part of dungeons as the skeletons themselves.


    A few of them had pouches attached to their equipment that revealed several coins, which we passed to the fighters and clerics.


    [Springbrook Militia +10 Reputation]


    Apparently rewarding our allies brought us bonuses. Something to keep that in mind for the future.


    Inside the room we found a few gems that we pocketed, and Saelyn discovered a book that glowed with Arcane energy. Since neither of us seemed advanced enough to read it, she tucked it away for later examination.


    We didn¡¯t want to wait around for the giant rats to thaw out to search that room for treasure, so we doubled back and started clearing the hallway to the left of the entrance.


    ***


    Our routine made clearing rooms...well, routine. There were times I wished our companions were actual players so we could share the XP as well as the some treasure, but that would also mean slowing down our own Levelling, so it evened out. That was also assuming this was some sort of game, and not a dream or something else I hadn¡¯t considered. For now, this was my reality, although I was still suspicious that there was more to it than what I was seeing.


    The rooms down the left hallway were all devoid of monsters, although one was a small armoury that we let the Militia help themselves to. We opened the front door to let the Rear Party know about it and loot it before we moved on. We assumed the castle reset after each raid, so we might as well gain some standing with the locals by letting them have treasure along the way.


    [Springbrook Militia +500 Reputation]


    Okay, now that was something to file away for the future.


    After a brief discussion, we decided to clear the upper floor before heading deeper into the castle. Respawns and thawing rats aside, we would feel better knowing the rooms behind us were empty.


    ***


    The second floor rooms were mostly sleeping quarters, but they still resulted in a few gems and coins, the latter we gave to our companions for whatever uses NPCs had for coins. Regardless, it seemed to improve their willingness to fight harder for us, so it was a worthwhile investment.


    [Springbrook Militia +20 Reputation]


    The third floor was a little more interesting, even though ¡®interesting¡¯ was something we could have done without. Several lookouts kept watch over the castle grounds, and their skeletal occupants didn¡¯t take kindly to their eternal watch being interrupted.


    In most cases their positions weren¡¯t intended to be defended from the rear, so the clerics and fighters were able to simply force them over the edges with their shields. When that didn¡¯t work, maces and hammers did the job.


    Overall the castle was a bit of a disappointment, but we were all still alive and we consoled ourselves with thoughts that the dungeon would be where we found the real treasures, either in loot or information form.


    ***


    At the back of the central hallway, the floor started to slope downwards. By the time we reached the back wall of the castle, we could tell we were now underground.


    Finally we had entered the actual dungeon.


    The passageway curved to the right and the walls changed from smooth worked stone to rough hewn walls. Approximately every 10 feet were sconces holding ancient torches that burned as brightly as the day they were lit. I guess they figured the dungeon was going to be challenge enough without worrying about light.


    They were right.

 Chapter Thirteen

    We weren¡¯t surprised to encounter more skeletons in the first few rooms, but we were a little surprised to find what appeared to be lost goblin miners. We didn¡¯t get a chance to interrogate them before they launched themselves at us, swinging their small picks, but the rest of their gear looked like typical mining equipment instead of swords and javelins.


    ¡°Are there any mines nearby?¡± I asked our Militia counterparts after we searched the bodies.


    ¡°There¡¯s a copper mine to the north of Springbrook.¡± one answered. ¡°It would be a fair tunnel that would bring them all the way here, but I don¡¯t know how far this dungeon goes in that direction.¡±


    I nodded. Something for another time then.


    ¡°Let¡¯s keep an eye out for more of them, and try to take at least one alive in case we can get information out of them.¡± Saelyn suggested.


    ***


    I noticed Saelyn trailing her fingers along the walls as we walked.


    ¡°I think I¡¯d be afraid to touch most things down here.¡± I said, nodding at her hands.


    ¡°It keeps me in touch with the earth.¡± she answered. ¡°Even down here I have some connection with the Sylvan Realm. I noticed that my Mana replenishes faster the closer I am to nature, so I keep that connection strong and vibrant whenever I can. The raw earth is part of it, and I can feel the roots of many growing things reaching down to us. Even underground rivers carry the essence of Sylvan power. You¡¯ll probably notice it more when you advance farther.¡±


    ***


    The skittering was getting louder. It came from the other side of the webs choking the hallway.


    ¡°Crap, not spiders.¡± muttered one of our Shield Fighters. ¡°I hate spiders.¡±


    Saelyn reached for the torch closest to her, putting her hands into the flame whispering, ¡°Ignis Tangere.¡± Pulling her hands away from the torch, they were alight with blue flame. She brought her fingertips to her mouth and blew. A fan of flame whooshed down the hall. We could see outlines of the spiders as the flames approached, we could hear them sizzle as it passed through.


    The webs melted away as flames ran up them, flickering and smoking.


    The ceiling disappeared into the darkness as the corridor widened into a rough chamber. Hundreds of eyes glittered back at us, reflecting the torchlight.


    ¡°As long as they stay up there...¡± Saelyn muttered, readying to grab more fire.


    ¡°What the¡­¡± I gasped as I was shoved to the side by one of our Battle Clerics.


    A rush of air and something slammed into the ground where I was standing seconds before.


    While I recovered my footing, the Shield Fighters charged in and attacked with great enthusiasm. It looked like they were hacking at a lump of rock, but it certainly didn¡¯t sound like rock as yellow numbers flickered above it.


    ¡°Best keep an eye out for these Droppers, sir.¡± one of them said between swings. ¡°One of these through the head will ruin your whole day.¡±


    I eyed the ¡®body¡¯ suspiciously as we passed onward. He was certainly right about that.


    The chamber narrowed back down into another corridor. This one was still roughly hewn, but was obvious it was made by someone¡¯s hand, rather than a natural process.Stolen story; please report.


    ***


    The radiant glow from the crystal atop the monument reflected off the treasures at its base and lit the whole room. Contrasting the entire dungeon so far, this room was conspicuously clean and most surfaces were polished and shining.


    ¡°This can¡¯t be good.¡± one of the Battle Clerics muttered.


    ¡°This whole place feels evil,¡± the other answered. ¡°Like it¡¯s waiting for something...or someone.¡±


    We hurried along without stopping to investigate. Maybe later, with reinforcements. Lots of them.


    ***


    ***


    Wave after wave of shrieking Goblins crashed against the shields of our wall, trying to push it back. Our Shield Fighters fought to hold their line with one of the Battle Clerics, their shields anchored to the floor and door frame with a continuous block of ice. The Clerics alternated between healing the front line fighters and swapping out with them so we always had three on the shield wall. The light from the yellow numbers flickering above their shields was so bright we didn¡¯t need torches here.


    The Rangers and I kept up our volume of fire past our fighters and winnowed down the ranks of Goblins to relieve the pressure. Red and black numbers flickered constantly as we poured arrows through the doorway into the room beyond.


    ¡°Morari! Fiasos Vitis! Parvus Cataracta! Glacio!¡± Saelyn was casting spells as fast as she and the Clerics could replenish her Mana. She was taking a terrible toll on the Goblins, but they just kept coming.


    We had made it all the way to the Boss Room, so we expected a fight, but not like this. It seemed like a never ending flood.


    Suddenly Saelyn switched to pouring water over the Goblins as fast as she could. The determination in her eyes told me she was up to something.


    ¡°Lightning Arrow! Get down!¡± she hollered.


    I activated a lightning Arrow and held it out for her. Everyone else flattened themselves against the walls and floor as she grasped the sparking arrow.


    ¡°Alvoki Fulmo!¡± she cried.


    The world went white and exploded.


    ***


    ¡°We are not doing that again. Ever.¡± I muttered. The ringing in my ears had subsided, but my head still ached and there were still spots dancing in my vision.


    The Goblins were dead. All of them. They were heaped in piles on the other side of our shield wall. Saelyn¡¯s lightning storm had followed the water she had poured in and it had arced...everywhere.


    The rest of our party was picking themselves up off the floor and shaking their heads. None of us seemed to have been damaged by the blast, but we were all feeling the effects.


    ¡°Good thing there weren¡¯t more of them further back.¡± I said to Saelyn.


    She shot me a look. ¡°No risk¡­¡± she trailed off.


    ***


    The tunnel opened into a large vaulted chamber. It rose several stories above us over its length and was almost a hundred feet long and about half that wide.


    From the back of the cavernous chamber, we could hear deep booming laughter. The hideous noise rolled across the room, taking great pleasure in its amusement at our plight.


    It knew we were here, and it was amused.


    We were in it deep.


    ***


    The Arcane Ogre sent its minions forward, if the three Ogres could be thought of as minions after fighting off all those Goblins.


    ¡°Parvus Cataracta! Glacio!¡± Saelyn called out, soaking the floor in front of the Ogres and freezing their feet to it. I launched a Lightning Arrow at the lead Ogre just as Saelyn cast another Cataracta on its head. The splashing water served as an excellent conductor, lighting up the Ogres for our follow up arrows. Red spilled out of them as I activated Rapid Fire and Multi-Shot followed up with Phantom Strike.


    Between reinforcing our Shield Wall with Divine protections and bolstering our Mana reserves, our Clerics were having a hard time keeping up with the Ogres¡¯ attacks. Our health was inching downwards as spells from the Arcane Ogre washed over us between attacks from the Ogre¡¯s clubs.


    If we survived this, our Militia friends were going to deserve a mighty bonus.


    If we survived.


    I kept firing.


    ***


    ¡°What is it?¡± I asked. It seemed out of place in a fantasy dungeon. It didn¡¯t appear to be made of wood or leather or metal.


    ¡°I¡¯m not sure, but it¡¯s throbbing with Arcane power.¡± Saelyn answered, turning it over in her hands. ¡°It seems to be locked, but these aren¡¯t the sort of locks I think they¡¯ll be able to deal with in Springbrook.¡±


    ¡°What do you think of this?¡± I waved it towards Tehlmar and Azrael.


    They both looked at it closely, and at each other. ¡°It doesn¡¯t look like much of anything to me.¡± Tehlmar answered, as Azrael nodded in agreement.


    ¡°It has a handprint on the cover.¡± I pointed out. ¡°Maybe try placing your hand there?¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± she said sounding displeased with my suggestion, ¡°That¡¯s exactly what I should do with unfamiliar magic.¡±


    ¡°Someone placed it here. Someone placed everything here.¡± I said, waving to indicate the treasure around the room. ¡°Whoever did that had to know or plan that we...or someone like us...would end up here.¡±


    ¡°Fine!¡± She said, more annoyed with my perseverance than convinced by my logic, as she placed her hand on the cover of the book.


    A soft light emitted from the interior of the book, and it split open, unfolding in front of us.


    On one half we could see a sheet of glass, and on the sheet of glass there were glowing letters.


    [Hello Ixion and Saelyn. We need to talk. You are in grave danger. ]

 Chapter Fourteen

    [Your names are Mark and Sarah.]


    [You are trapped in one of our Virtual Reality Simulators.]


    [We are trying to rescue you, but our system is under siege from the outside.]


    We turned to each other, staring. Ixion¡¯s mouth opened to say something, but closed again. He seemed as lost for words as I was.


    [They appear determined to corrupt the system beyond repair.]


    [This will prove our technology is unsafe and destroy the company.]


    That couldn¡¯t be good for us, I thought.


    [We need you to keep the simulation going as long as possible to distract the attackers.]


    [The longer it runs, the more resources they will have to devote to it.]


    [The more they are focused on you, the less they will be able to hamper our efforts to help you.]


    Well, that sounded better.


    [You need to keep them focused on you until we can pull you out safely.]


    ¡®Safely?¡¯ I said slowly.


    [Normally, if you ¡®die¡¯ in the simulation, you respawn nearby, or you get kicked out of VR.]


    [Unfortunately the system interface has already been partially corrupted]


    [This is why you probably don¡¯t remember anything before entering.]


    [This also means that we have no way of knowing what would happen if you were to ¡®die¡¯.]


    [DON¡¯T DIE.]


    ¡°Ha!¡± I heard Ixion mutter.


    [Mark -You were the last tester to enter before we realised the attack was happening and stopped logging people in. This meant we knew you would have to make your way through the System Tutorial to this point. This is the only place we knew we could leave a message you would find, and that would look like it was part of the game.]


    [Sarah - You are one of our Developers, and Mark¡¯s contact inside the simulation. Likely that narrative has also been corrupted. It looks like you have been reset to zero-level instead of being able to switch back and forth between that character and your developer one.]


    [We have no other guaranteed way of contacting additional players inside, we¡¯re depending on you to spread the word and keep the fight going. We don¡¯t even have a secure way of contacting you beyond this point, although we are working to change that.]


    [Time is different inside the simulation. What may have only been a few hours for us, may have been weeks for you getting to this point. Because of the time dilation effect we won¡¯t be able to communicate directly or take direct action, but we will try to assist you where we can. We do know that you hadn¡¯t completed the Apprentice Dungeon when we sent this message, but we won¡¯t know if you are alive until you confirm receiving this message.]


    [Confirm? Y/N]


    ***


    ¡°What the heck?¡± Ixion asked, disbelieving. He sat down heavily on a large mound of coins.


    ¡°I guess we need to confirm that and see what else they have to tell us.¡± I said, joining him after a moment. I seemed to be accepting it more readily than he was, although if I really was a developer, I likely dealt with these sorts of things more often than his real-life counterpart. Maybe that experience coloured my instincts?Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.


    It looked like he was still digesting it all. It was one thing to guess that you were in a VR environment, but another to find out you were stuck in a simulator that could hurt you, and that people on the outside were actively trying to do just that.


    ¡°Two questions, first.¡± he asked. ¡°One, do we believe them? Two, does it matter?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not sure.¡± I answered. ¡°...and I guess that works for both questions.¡± I paused before going on. ¡°Either way, we can play along or not...and either way we don¡¯t know who we are helping or hurting.


    ¡°It sounds like we need to rally the locals and repel the invaders...which, if you think about it, is likely what we would do anyways. Protect the towns, motivate the locals, raise an army, repel the evil horde, etc, etc.


    If we don¡¯t, eventually the horde overruns wherever we hide anyway. Then we find out if the interface is really corrupted, and maybe we die.¡±


    ¡°True enough.¡± Ixion said, still pondering the rapid changes to his worldview.


    ¡°Either we confirm and maybe get some help, or we don¡¯t and go it alone. Personally, if we¡¯re going to do the same things either way, I¡¯d rather have the help. We can always turn it down later. No one says we have to use whatever they send us.¡±


    ¡°True enough.¡± he repeated nodding distractedly. My mind was spinning with all the things I had to catch up to.


    I pushed the blinking Y.


    ***


    More words appeared on the arcane book.


    [We¡¯re relieved to know you¡¯ve survived this far. We can¡¯t observe you directly, so we rely on encounters like this one. ]


    [We shifted the Reputation system in your favour, so it will be easier to build or buy loyalty.]


    That explained a few things.


    [Something is wrong with the Guide system. From what we can tell, the Guides are only functioning within the Apprentice area, rather than following players. In our attempts to get around this problem, we were able to replace Mark/Ixion¡¯s Guide with an artificial intelligence usually used for low-level Boss Characters. It will be more interactive than typical Guides, but there may be complications we cannot foresee.


    Once you are in a Party together you will both have access to it from that point onwards. Additional party members will have access as long as they remain in the Party. However, the Guide will likely not be able to manifest visibly from now on. It may be voice only, or it may manifest as an artifact of some sort.]


    [We¡¯re working on a Spellskill unique to Sarah¡¯s profile that will help her identify other players.]


    [When you identify other players, have them place their hand on the tablet the way you did. We should be able to identify them and eventually connect their previous information. Hopefully this will give you advantages in the system, and eventually help us get you all out.]


    [NEXT]


    ***


    ¡°Now what?¡¯ Ixion asked after we had a moment to digest it all.


    ¡°Apparently we fight a war.¡± I answered, climbing to my feet.


    ¡°How are we going to do that?¡±


    ¡°We already have a bunch of pissed off Rangers and Druids, plus I think the Militia types might be inclined to help us out.¡±


    ¡°Aren¡¯t we trapped here, in the Apprentice area?¡±


    ¡°No, remember, anyone can leave, but only lower level types can get back in...and maybe not even that, if the Orc and Goblins are any indication. Plus, I wonder if the Arcane Ogre is what we were really supposed to fight. That Boss Room seemed quite a bit more powerful than I expected for an Apprentice Dungeon party.¡±


    ¡°Speaking of which, does the loot reflect what you expected, or is there more of that too?¡± he asked, pushing himself up from his pile of coins.


    ¡°Hadn¡¯t gotten that far yet. Been kind of busy.¡± I answered, laying in a little sarcasm.


    He gave me a playful stink eye, ¡°Let us have a look then. Worst case we have plenty of coin to get an army started, and best case these developers might have been able to drop us some additional useful things.¡±


    ¡°Hey folks!¡± he yelled across to the Militia. ¡°Let¡¯s get some of your buddies down here and start sorting through this and hauling it out to the main entrance.¡±


    ***


    The pile in the main entrance was impressive. We set the mundane weapons and equipment to one side, and anything potentially Arcane to the other. Once we recharged our Mana and Chi enough we would go through them in detail. In the middle sat a rather large pile of coins. Gold, Silver, Copper...even a few handfuls of Platinum.


    ¡°I hope you folks can get a wagon in here to cart all this back to Springbrook.¡± Ixion said, with a raised eyebrow.


    ¡°I guess your princess is in another castle?¡± I asked over my shoulder as I picked through potentially the Arcane gear.

 Chapter Fifteen

    The trip back to Springbrook was generally uneventful. Runners had been sent to fetch wagons for the treasure, and the Militia sent out additional guards so the caravan was well protected on the way back.


    As we expected, the monsters blocking the entrance to the clearing had faded into the woods after the dungeon boss had been defeated.


    ***


    The fortification of Springbrook had begun. There was already the beginnings of a palisade around the town, and there seemed to be a great deal more activity than the last time I had been there.


    ¡°This is impressive.¡± I said to no one in particular as we walked up the road to town. There was already the framing of a gate in place, and more logs were being dragged out of the nearby woods.


    ¡°We were lucky this happened between harvests.¡± one of the Militia responded. ¡°If it had been even a couple of weeks ago, many of us would have been out in the fields.¡±


    I nodded absently as we walked. I wondered if it was always ¡®between harvests¡¯ around here.


    ***


    We stalked through the woods, trailing the new Goblin scouting party.


    Whoever was in charge of these ones seemed to have at least a basic grasp of stealth, and the others were either fast learners, or did what they were told out of fear. They flitted through the forest like shadows in the deepening twilight, headed in the direction of Springbrook.


    This wasn¡¯t the first party we¡¯d found, and we doubted it would be the last. They were getting stronger though, and despite our attempts to wipe them out, eventually we¡¯d run into one that we simply couldn¡¯t deal with. We worked hard to ensure none escaped, preferring to let their leadership wonder about the fates of so many disappeared patrols.


    Once we found parties too large for us to deal with, our tactics would change from stalking and killing them in the darkness to ambushing them as they attacked Springbrook. Striking at their rear as they engaged the Springbrook Militia manning the walls would certainly disrupt their plans.


    For now we had been picking them off, and whittling them down as they went. Many were so afraid of making any noise that they didn¡¯t even signal when they noticed one of their comrades missing. They gripped their weapons tighter and peered into the darkness, their eyes darting about ever more frantically,


    ***


    The Goblin war party had made it to the gate and were stacking what looked like bundles of sticks against it. They aimed to burn it down.Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.


    Not if we could help it.


    I cast Parvus Cataracta above their heads, soaking everything. Good luck getting a fire started now, I thought grimly.


    Ixion drew a Lightning arrow and let it fly into a Goblin who had been right in the centre of the deluge. Lightning arced and danced around it and even shocked several nearby Goblins, although he looked disappointed when he didn¡¯t see any damage from them.


    This particular group had made it past our patrols relatively intact, and was the largest that had made it to the walls of Springbrook itself. Their war party leaders had cuffed a few heads when they realised many of their troops had disappeared, but they were within sight of the walls, so they weren¡¯t about to turn back.


    Now that most of them were gathered at the gate, looking to start a bonfire, we opened fire from the treeline. Arrows and spells arced across the expanse that had ironically been cleared for the archers in the town to shoot at attackers. We harried the flanks of the Goblins, keeping them packed tightly together against the wall.


    I nodded to Ixion and he fired a flame arrow high over the town towards the river behind it. From off to the left a noise started to build. Low and thunderous, it built louder and louder. Suddenly, from around the edge of the town, a host of mounted warriors bore down on the shocked Goblins.


    ¡°Shift fire right!¡± I hollered and our archers and spellcasters added their weight of fire to the right hand side of the, now terrified, Goblins. Trapped against the wall they could only stand and attempt to fight, but the mass of lances and swords bearing down on them left no doubt as to the outcome of this battle. The Militia of Springbrook had been on the defensive for far too long, so they relished an opportunity to put their training to use defending their town.


    ***


    ¡°We need to go on the offensive.¡± I said wearily, after cleaning up from the battle. ¡°If we don¡¯t change something, we¡¯ll eventually be overrun.¡±


    Ixion nodded gloomily as he ran a stone over one of his daggers. ¡°Maybe we need to look at this differently.¡±


    ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re fighting a losing battle here. Eventually they¡¯re going to show up in numbers we can¡¯t handle and we¡¯re going to be overrun. We don¡¯t know how to stem the tide.¡±


    ¡°What are you saying?¡± I said irritated. ¡°We should leave?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m saying that we need to look at the larger picture here. There are at least two different battles going on, and I¡¯m not sure we can win both of them. We need to accept that all of this¡­¡± He waved around us. ¡°...isn¡¯t really real. It¡¯s the outside battle we need to help win. Springbrook may be insignificant in that picture.¡±


    ¡°So you¡¯re saying we may have to let Springbrook burn in order to fight the larger battle?¡± I sighed, ¡°Let these people down? Let them die?¡±


    ¡°In order to ¡®win¡¯ the larger battle.¡± he paused. ¡°Springbrook is a small town in the beginner¡¯s area. We haven¡¯t even left to see what is outside yet. Maybe we need to look bigger and make our priority finding other players and mobilising them, rather than trying to save one town. For all we know, the rest of the system could be in flames outside, and nothing we do in here is mattering. Maybe winning some battles out there will help with the war...and maybe it will draw focus away from Springbrook to boot.¡±


    ¡°Crap, I hadn¡¯t thought of it like that. We¡¯ve been so wrapped up in this.¡± I waved towards Springbrook. ¡°...that we forgot to zoom out and see the bigger picture. The real mission.¡±


    ***


    The citizens of Springbrook weren¡¯t exactly happy with our decision to leave, but their Militia had improved significantly with training. We were also planning to draw as many of the Goblin patrols after us as we could to give them a reprieve.


    However, the war wasn¡¯t going to be won at Springbrook, and we needed to find the real enemy.

 Chapter Sixteen

    So, this is it?¡± I stared at the ground. It didn¡¯t look any different than what we¡¯d been walking across for the last day.


    ¡°This is the edge of the Apprentice area.¡± our guide offered. ¡°Beyond this you will not enjoy it¡¯s protections .¡±


    ¡°Protections? Are you saying constant near-death trials are somehow ¡®protected¡¯ compared to what¡¯s over there?¡± I waved vaguely in front of us.


    ¡°Beyond this area the monsters will not be adjusted to your level. You will encounter them and have to deal with them at whatever level they exist within the system.¡±


    ¡°Well, it¡¯s not as if it¡¯s been working up until now.¡±


    Our guide remained silent.


    I shrugged. ¡°Onward, I guess.¡±


    I looked over our small party, myself and Ixion, as well as Tehlmar and Eldrin.


    We had considered taking a larger party, but in the end decided to leave as many as possible at Springbrook. Numbers wouldn¡¯t help our quest, but they could make a difference for the town.


    ***


    Up ahead, there was a commotion on the edge of the town we were approaching.


    It was almost comical from a distance. There seemed to be a fight going on, but we couldn¡¯t see past the press of bodies to the actual fight. From the centre there seemed to be a near constant stream of bodies being tossed out into the air in all directions. Orange numbers flickered about their heads.


    As we drew closer, we could see that at the heart of the commotion was a rather large, rather furious looking woman who was flipping and tossing anyone who dared get close enough to her.


    Fascinated, we made a point of staying well out of reach as we approached. She didn¡¯t seem to have any weapons about her, but she was more than a match for the several dozen men, more and more of whom were ending up laid out on the ground around her.


    ¡°Did you want some too?¡± she asked, staring hard at us after there were no more attackers standing.


    Almost as one, we raised our hands and took a step back.


    ¡°You¡¯ll find no quarrel with us, Milady.¡± I offered. ¡°We were simply amazed at your skills.¡±


    ¡°Huh.¡± the large woman grunted as she collected a battered wide-brimmed hat from the ground. ¡°Better than they deserve.¡±


    As she stood up to her full height, we realised she had been squatting in a martial arts stance, and her true height towered above even Ixion¡¯s 6¡¯2¡±. She was deeply tanned and freckled, with a long thick braid of jet black hair that fell straight down her back.


    She pressed a fist into her other palm and bowed to us.


    ¡°I am Hau.¡± she said. It sounded like it could be an introduction or a battle cry, depending on her mood.


    ¡°Saelyn.¡± I waved, and pointed to each of our party in turn, ¡°Ixion, Eldrin, Tehlmar. We are adventurers, travelling and seeking others like ourselves.¡±


    ¡°Players?¡± she asked, her brow knotted in interest.


    ¡°We¡¯re players.¡± I said enthusiastically, indicating Ixion and I. ¡°We¡¯re looking for more. Have you met any?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve met a few, but I can¡¯t seem to recall much about them. Something happened a few weeks ago, and everything before that is clouded. I thought I was a fighter of some sort, but I couldn¡¯t remember how to use the weapons I was carrying. Since then I¡¯ve been training at a local monastery.


    ¡°Wait, you¡¯re a Monk?¡± Ixion interrupted.


    ¡°That¡¯s what I seem to be. It¡¯s been challenging, but¡­¡± She waved around her at the unconscious men. ¡°...it seems to be effective.¡± She paused and flexed her arms. ¡°Maybe I was a blacksmith or something, you know, before. That might explain why I couldn¡¯t use the weapons I was carrying.¡±


    ¡°Something, that¡¯s for sure. Let¡¯s go somewhere that isn¡¯t the middle of the street, surrounded by bodies.¡± I suggested. ¡°How about in here?¡± I waved at the building we were standing in front of. It seemed to be a pub or saloon.


    ¡°Maybe not.¡± Hau said, looking sheepish. ¡°That¡¯s where the trouble started.¡±


    Saelyn cocked an eyebrow.


    ¡°Guy grabbed my ass. I made him stop. His friends took offense.¡± she said quietly.


    ¡°Guy grabs your ass, you go right ahead and make him stop.¡± I shot back as I reached up to clap our new friend on her massive shoulder. ¡°His friends be damned. I¡¯ll deal with them.¡±


    Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.[Party request. Join? Y/N] popped up in front of me. I eyeballed Ixion.


    Hau looked a little taken aback, then she burst out smiling as she realised she¡¯d just been adopted by someone half her size.


    ¡°We didn¡¯t really need it before now, with just the two of us. But now that we¡¯re growing, I figure we should make it official.¡±


    Judging by the huge grin splitting Hau¡¯s face, I assumed she agreed.


    ¡°Really?¡± She beamed. ¡° Well then, welcome to Hicksburg. I guess I¡¯m buying lunch.¡±


    ***


    ¡°So, you¡¯ve been out here on your own for weeks?¡± I asked Hau after we¡¯d finished eating. ¡°What have you been doing? Just training?¡±


    ¡°Training. Helping out around the monastery. Intimidating a few travellers when they think the monks are easy pickings.¡± I could tell the latter upset her.


    ¡°But you haven¡¯t seen any players in that time?¡±


    ¡°I remember some from before, but you¡¯re the first I¡¯ve seen since.¡±


    Ixion turned to me, ¡°I wonder if this is intentional, keeping players separate like this? To make it easier to mess with the system.¡±


    ¡°I still don¡¯t get this ¡®system¡¯ thing you keep talking about.¡± Hau chimed in. ¡°Like, this isn¡¯t really us, and we¡¯re controlling these bodies from somewhere else. That¡¯s too weird.¡±


    ¡°Maybe so, but we figure it doesn¡¯t matter either way. We still need to stop the Goblin army from overrunning Springbrook and whatever else it is threatening. Whether the instructions come from an Arcane device, from our gods, or someone else is less important than doing the right thing and defending the people here.¡±


    ¡°Well, some of them.¡± Hau said with a smirk, nodding out the window behind me.


    ***


    ¡°So I was a...Barbarian?¡± Hau repeated. ¡°Before I started training as a Monk? How is that¡­¡± she trailed off.


    It was well into the evening, and we had booked rooms upstairs for the night so we could stay and learn as much as we could from each other.


    ¡°Twelfth-level Barbarian, as far as we can tell, and now seventh-level Monk¡± I said. ¡°When whatever happened a few weeks ago, happened, it was like we were all reset to apprentices or trainees or something. Some of us were fortunate enough to be in the Apprentice area and have Guides, while others were already out here doing their thing. Some things seem to have carried over, but many things have not. You seem to have some of your Barbarian abilities, but not what we would expect given your supposed level, especially not for someone who is multi-classed. It¡¯s as if whatever did this would rather that we be as weak and disoriented as possible.¡±


    ¡°Well I may be disoriented, but I¡¯m certainly not weak.¡± Hau shot back, indignant that anyone might think so.


    Ixion seemed happy I was comfortable taking the lead on some of these conversations. If it was true that I was involved in building whatever it was that we were in, then it made sense that I might have insights the rest of them missed.


    He was more concerned with figuring out how to fight the battles in front of us.


    ***


    ¡°Wait, what did you say?¡± Ixion asked, realising his musings were making him miss the conversation.


    ¡°We should train together.¡± Hau repeated. ¡°We should spend an hour or two everyday sparing and sharing our skills. If there is really someone or something out there looking to harm us, we should help each other be as prepared as possible. I used to have all these abilities that I don¡¯t even remember, and it¡¯s frustrating.¡±


    ¡°You have a point.¡± I agreed. ¡°We all use the quarterstaff, and we have several overlapping skills. It would make us stronger if we shared more, especially if we get split up later.¡±


    He nodded. ¡°When we meet more players, we should make a point of figuring out what skills they have and how we can cross-train them as well. We can also learn the strengths and weaknesses of various styles and weapons.¡±


    ¡°If you really are responsible for whatever a ¡®developer¡¯ does,¡± Ixion said to me. ¡°Then I think you¡¯re going to have a heck of a time sorting this mess out once it¡¯s all over. We don¡¯t even know who we really are or what we can do. It feels, I don¡¯t know, artificial? Why are we so preoccupied with these ¡®Classes¡¯? I feel like I should be able to study whatever I want.¡±


    ¡°...and if I¡¯m not?¡± I asked, one eyebrow raised. ¡°What if this really is our reality? What if that message is our gods toying with us? What if Classes are a shortcut? Could you imagine how complex it would be if someone had to design a system to account for every last choice you might make?¡±


    ¡°I just hope the gods aren¡¯t having a great laugh at our expense...if ¡®they¡¯ even exist.¡±


    ¡°We can only second guess so much before we go mad, so let¡¯s stay on track with finding other players and defeating the Goblin army. Then we can look deeper into the questions of life, the universe, and everything.¡±


    ¡°So, Hau?¡± I asked, ¡°Do you recall anything about where you might have seen players before all this happened?¡±


    ***


    The next morning we were on the road again, heading for the busting hamlet of Suavis.


    We had decided that, until we had some concrete information on the location of more players, we would head for wherever we heard rumours of either exceptional events, or concentrations of Goblin forces. Either one was likely to be a sign of players or something that would attract them.


    Asking around the townsfolk had resulted in a few leads. Hau had been helpful with that. Apparently her Reputation in Hicksburg was almost as high as ours had been in Springbrook.


    The next town over had a new sheriff, or whatever passed for sheriffs in this place. Apparently two brothers had arrived a few weeks ago and started duelling with anyone who was making trouble. Within a few days the town was short a few troublemakers and the regular folk were breathing easier. We figured that either they were Players, or at least likely to be involved with a quest that might lead us to some.


    A day¡¯s travel past that there was a rumour of a Goblin horde coming down out of the hills. There was a garrison blocking the mouth of the valley for now, and the conflict was attracting all sorts of attention. Depending on what we found out with these two brothers, that was our second stop for now.


    ***


    ¡°Hey, you look different this morning.¡±


    ¡°Why thank you, I work out.¡± Ixion answered as he made a show of flexing his arms.


    ¡°No, seriously.¡± I said, rolling my eyes. ¡°There¡¯s something about both of you. You look different than Eldrin and Tehlmar, or the rest of the townspeople for that matter.¡±


    I checked for notifications, and sure enough there was a blinking icon. So much for our Guide being easier to use. I still wasn¡¯t sure if this new Party Guide was better, but Ixion seemed to think it was an improvement over what I had before. If I actually was in charge of this mess, that was something I was going to change after we sorted it out.


    [Spellskill: Intuitive Investigation]


    Interesting. I called up the description.


    [Intuitive Investigation - allows user to determine when objects are out of place.]


    ¡°Curiouser and curiouser.¡± I wondered if the description was vague to escape scrutiny, or if someone just sucked at writing descriptions.


    ¡°Is it that ability to sense players they said they were going to try to give you?¡± Ixion asked.


    ¡°It could be. I haven¡¯t done anything else that should give me a skill, let alone a Spellskill.¡±


    ¡°If you notice anyone else looking the same way, don¡¯t keep it a secret.¡±


    I winked, ¡°You¡¯ll be the second to know.¡±

 Chapter Seventeen

    ¡°Welcome to the majestic town of ¡®Suavis¡¯.¡± Hua intoned gravely, sweeping her arm ahead of her to encompass the hamlet.  She turned and looked back at us with an exaggerated wink. ¡°They have a friendly rivalry with Hickstown over various things, but I find it all a bit silly.¡±


    It was about half the size of Springbrook, with far less activity. I guessed the various schools kept Springbrook¡¯s citizens busy meeting their needs.


    ¡°Does anyone stand out as different?¡± Ixion asked as we got close enough to see individual people.


    ¡°Nothing stands out yet. Either we¡¯re too far away, or they¡¯re all characters so far.¡± I answered looking intently at each person I could see.


    ***


    ¡°What¡¯s going on over there?¡± Ixion asked, pointing a the crowd gathering in what looked like the town square.


    Hua peered over everyone¡¯s heads and shrugged. ¡°Looks like someone in uniform is going to make a speech.¡±


    ¡°Sounds like a place we should be.¡± I said, leading the way over.


    As we neared the gathering, we could hear the figure on the raised stand addressing the crowd. He was tall, with a military air about him. His leather armour gleamed, and the sword hanging at his hip was all business.


    ¡°People of Town Name! The Goblin Hordes are coming this way! If we do not prepare, we will be overrun and killed!¡±


    ¡°Since when?¡± someone in the crowd called out. ¡°Goblins have never come this way in force before. Why would they start now?¡±


    ¡°They have new leaders now, and they are exhausting the resources of the lands they have already conquered. Soon they will break through the bastions at Bastion Town and nothing stands between you and them.¡±


    ¡°Bastion Town has never fallen, not in all the time people have lived here!¡± another voice yelled.


    ¡°Bastion Town has never faced a threat like this before.¡± the man in uniform said. ¡°It¡¯s not just Goblins anymore. They have allies now. Terrible allies that will wipe out the Bastion Town garrison and spill out onto the plains. They must be stopped there.¡±


    ¡°Can you tell if he¡¯s a Player?¡± Ixion asked me quietly.


    ¡°I¡¯m having a hard time seeing him for long enough to...woopsie.¡± Suddenly I was literally head and shoulders above the crowd as Hua grasped my hips and lifted me up in one smooth motion.


    ¡°Looks like there are...three...maybe that stand out.¡± I said, squinting at the figures on the stage. ¡°The one talking, and two more off to the left. The ones in black.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s go and introduce ourselves.¡± Hua said, putting me down and setting off through the crowd.


    With Hua leading the way, it was easy to persuade people to get out of our way. Even though she kept up an endless stream of ¡°Excuse me. Pardon me.¡± and so on, most people had already spread wide away from her imposing height.


    She angled towards the side of the stage with the two figures in black, and we followed in her wake. A slow smile spread across my face as I realised she looked much like a duck being followed by a parade of ducklings.


    As we approached the small stage, the pair in black noticed us watching them. They leaned together, but we were too far away for any of us to hear what they were saying. They watched us in turn as we stood off to the side of the short staircase leading up to the stage.


    The figure in leather continued exhorting the crowd, but it was obvious they weren¡¯t buying the urgency he was trying to convey. Some of them started to drift away, and soon the crowd was down to a few stragglers, either hard looking characters or a few ragged and desperate looking ones.


    Eventually the trio on the stage filed down and headed over to us. We were the only group who remained and it was obvious we were interested in a conversation.


    ¡°Greetings friends, I am Patronus.¡± the leather-clad figure offered his hand to the group rather than any specific individual.


    I grasped his wrist, catching him a little off guard before he grasped mine back and we shook, warrior to warrior.


    ¡°Saelyn.¡± I answered. ¡°Ixion, Hua, Eldrin, Tehlmar.¡± indicating them in turn.


    If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.


    ¡°Romulus and Remus, at your service.¡± the two in black stepped forward. If they weren¡¯t twins, they looked related at least.


    ¡°Would you to be the new sheriffs in town?¡± I asked.


    They smirked and exchanged a quick glance. ¡°Only when someone needs to be reminded that Suavis prefers the quiet life.¡±


    ¡°How long have you been here? How much do you remember before a few weeks ago?¡± Ixion interrupted impatiently.


    The three stared at him intently. ¡°How do you know about that?¡± Patronus asked.


    ¡°You all have fuzzy memories before a few weeks ago, and you have been trying to figure out how you fit into things, but everyone around you keeps saying that whatever is going on is unlike anything they have seen before? Does that about sum it up?¡± Hua asked.


    They all stared at her, but slowly began to nod.


    ¡°I take it that means you¡¯ve been through a similar experience then?¡± Romulus asked.


    ¡°Is there a place we can talk?¡± I asked.


    ***


    Shortly we were seated in the local Militia office that Patronus had seemed to have appropriated.


    ¡°So you¡¯re saying that we may be players inside a game of some sort and that we need to win, while dying in here may be permanent to these people...who are us?¡± Remus summed up, brow furrowed.


    ¡°Pretty much.¡± I answered. ¡°If all of it is true, we need to win this war to get back to the real world.¡±


    ¡°How certain are we that this information can be trusted?¡± Romulus asked. ¡°What have we seen that supports this version instead of, say, a Goblin uprising, or Arcane powers at work?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not sure it matters.¡± Ixion offered. ¡°Regardless of what we think about the origins of the information, the basics remain the same. Dying is a bad thing. The Goblins are coming and must be stopped. We are somehow different from most of the people we encounter.¡±


    Hua and I nodded.


    ¡°Good point.¡± Patronus agreed. ¡°Whether or not we believe it, the facts before us remain. We need to oppose the Goblin Horde before it overwhelms the people in these towns. Gathering like-minded folks, whether they be these so-called ¡®players¡¯ or just outstanding people, will aid us to that end. If you can help us pick them out¡­¡± he nodded at me ¡°...then that could speed up the process.¡±


    ¡°How long do you think until the Goblins arrive in enough numbers to overwhelm Bastion Town?¡± Ixion asked.


    ¡°At their current rate of movement, we should see their vanguard...if you could call it that...within a few days, and their main body within a week or so?¡±


    ¡°What is it about their vanguard?¡± Hua asked, brow furrowed.


    ¡°It¡¯s more a mob or rabble that they push out in front of their more capable troops than a real fighting force. I guess they figure it will soak up our ammunition before the real fighters get to the walls, so they have a better chance of making it over.¡±


    ¡°That sounds like the goal of these ¡®outside¡¯ attacks. They are designed to keep us busy while the real damage is done elsewhere.¡± Ixion said.


    ¡°...or maybe to keep us focused here until the real attacks show up and we¡¯re too exhausted to fight back?¡± Romulus said, pondering.


    ¡°It sounds like we need to look at this from a different angle. Maybe if we can divert them. Get them running the wrong way, so they can¡¯t gather here for a large assault?¡±


    ¡°How is their discipline?¡± I asked Patreon. ¡°Would we be able to bait them off into smaller groups? Are there areas around here we could use to separate them, or break their spirit?¡±


    ¡°Break their¡­¡± Remus trailed off. ¡°Are you thinking what I¡¯m thinking, brother?¡± He asked, turning to Romulus.


    A sly smile was spreading across both of their faces.


    ¡°Share with the class kids.¡±


    ¡°Have you heard of the Forest of Woe?¡±