《New Roads!》


 Volume 1 Chapter 1

    Chapter 1


    My name is Benoit Maximilian de Verand. I know, it''s a mouthfull. My friends call me Ben.


    I''m a twenty-two single guy who spends half its waiking time working in an office and the rest playing online games. No girlfriend. A little sister in university and divorced parents.


    My father got remaried and is now living with his new familly. My mother is retired and likes spending her time gardening paiting or reading. She lives an hour away by car in a small town.


    My sister, Annie, moved in with me about a year ago when she started Uni. Needless to day that since then i learned to keep my apartment clean and started to actually cook.


    Usually my day starts whith her, we share breakfast, i drop her at school, go to work and spend 7 hours in front of a computer, verifying data logs about insurence complaints for actual insurance company.


    I once got a bonus for managing to find a way to counter a client''s claim allowing a company to avoid paying a billion dollars to a poor guy.


    Yes, life is a joke.


    But that''s not important what is important is what i do back home. Once i made sure Annie''s day was fine and that she has diner, i lock myself in my room and start playing.


    I love games. when i was a kid i used to play all sorts of games then i tried an mmorpg. That''s when i got hooked. From then on i tried them all. Shifting from one to another.


    In 2023, the RetroGame corporation lunched their own platform called "The Path". It was a futuristic open world of the sise of Australia where players had to battle invaiding alliens and bandits. Throughout the game your actions would lead you to become the leader of a figting squad, the owner of a land, an outlaw, a spy or a simple soldier.


    Needless to say it was the biggest platform ever online. The game quickly became the most played in the world. I was instantly charmed and awned by that world and started dedicating myself to this sole game. When i started the game I was sweet 17. I created several accounts, one for each class of character and made them all join the same guild, mine. slowly but steadily i raised them. My sister would sometimes help me, borrowing one of my avatars. A few friends would too.


    Without my knowledge people started considering my guild, The Verand, an elite group of players that rarely came together and were shrouded in mystery. This impression, re-enforced by my constant refusal of new members exept my friends and some high level players i would sometimes team up with, was totaly oblivious to me as i only played for fun and didn''t pay attention to the blogs and sites related to the game.


    When i became major i started selling my unneeded loot on an online auction site. Thats how i became a professional gamer. Simple right? Still it was not enaugh to pay my half of the rent hence the crapy job.


    But that''s not the story. No the story is that two weeks ago RetroGame Corps announced that they would be presenting their brand new game that utilises a brand new technology in a live television show. It is the first one they lunch since The Path so the entire game world is holding its breath. Including me.


    It is now the last friday of january, 19h25 and i am waiting in front of my Tv with my sister for the interview to start. The star presentator of the game specialised channel is talking to a gamer that has tested the game. The guy is around 30 and has black hair.


    "So, tell us Jeremy, this new game, how is it?"


    "To say it simply it''s unlike any other game i''ve played so far. the platform is the sise of the earth divided in several continents and lands. Each has its own history and culture, clothses, foods, architectures, hirarchic system, climate, flora and faune... it changes everytime."


    "Whoaw! that indeed seems amaising. Tell us more about it"


    " Well to help you understand i will tell you about my Avatar."


    "Okay"


    " My online character is called Jeremy, like me, i also kept the same physical apearance and shape. i shoosed the Human race, male obviously."


    "Wait, did you say race?"


    "Yes, i know that everyone was expecting something similar to The Path but this new game couldn''t be more different. When you connect for the first time you have to decide your race, physical shape and appearance, including your facials. Then you have to choose a starting place. As Beta testers we only had two choises but i was told that there would be more at the official lunch."


    "Wait a mine, you''re going too fast! Tell us about the races!"


    "Fine, fine. There is the Human race which allows you to start in the kingdom of Braeen in the East and the one of Shelfir in the south. then there is the Beastmen and Elven races..."


    "So its a Fantasy based universe!"


    "Haha, yes it is!"


    "Okay, thats the first real news so far! you heard it people, RetroGame''s new baby is a fantasy world! Tell us Jeremy, is there magic, and mystical beasts too?"


    " Yes there is. i once faught against a genuine Dragon."


    "Really how was it?"


    "Trusfully i died after 2 minutes without even landing a hit! it was so frustraiting and terrifying!"


    " Sounds like the game is difficult!"


    "It is! I don''t remember how many times i died! And then there is the Death Penalty too."


    "What is it?"


    "Everytime you die you respawn back at the last Temporary Base you selected. It can be a safe area like a city or town or a caban in the middle of hostile woods. Its practical if you want to grind, you set it up close to your hunting area or a healing place and you''re set for days! "


    " I can see the advantages."


    "You won''t be able to reconect for a whole ingame day through. it helps avoiding camping red players but you always feel frustrated while waiting."


    As the host was exchanging plaisantries about red players and untimely character death, i was thinking of this death penalty, up to now it appeared as if the Base and unconnection system were set up to permit the players to rethink their strategy and come back with full health in the battle.


    All in all nothing to call it a penalty. this had also crossed my sisters mind as she said


    "Doen''t sound so bad to me. where''s the trick?"


    As if he had heard her the guest Jeremy started talking again.


    " What is trully anoying about death is the stats. when you die you loose a stat in your primery caracteristics."


    "Which are?"


    "Well strength, toughness, dexterity, speed, vitality and inteligence. sometimes other stats gets lowered too, like honor, dignity, or luck. depends on the circonstences of your death."


    "Is it permanent?"


    "That''s where the trick is. You have to regain them by killing a numerous number of mobs but if you level up before you do they are gone forever. i knew a few guys who didn''t know it and now have ten level worth of stats less than their own levels."


    "Wow"


    "I know right! Its already hard enough to level after the fiftith level now you also have to keep your stats. thanfully their is the job change."


    "Job change? what is it exacly?"


    "When you reach level 15 you can go to any guild and ask them to change your job. I started as a basic warrior but through my adventure i became a soldier of the Braeen kingdom, that''s where i started, after finishing a number of quest and achieving a level i became a lieutenant, a commander and finaly a knight of Braeen. For each job there are levels, the Knight job is one of the many exemples. A thief based caracter can become a Royal Assasin, an Adventurer can develop parallel skills like Trap Detection... As for the magic based profession like mages you start with one branch of magic like the white magic for healing and buffing, the dark magik for debuffing and damaging, the elemental magic or the spiritual kinds. Then you unlock another, then another until you have them all and are called a Wizard!"


    "That souds really complicated and exiting!"


    "It is! There are also other kind of jobs but the Beta players didn''t really look into it because they don''t have offensive or healing abilities."


    "No use on a battlefield? what kind of job are those?"


    "Merchants, Architects, Scultors, Paintors, Tailors, Cooks, Smiths... some are useful and you can choose them as one of your paths or skills."


    "What do you mean?"


    "Well, my start Job was warrior, i had the swordsman skill set as my primary Path but since i didn''t always have time to go back to a city for equipment repairs or a meal i always foud it useful to have the skill cooking and smithing. To do so i chose Smith as a Secondary Path and Cooking as a skill."


    "So you have your Job and a few other skill slots?"


    "Not exatcly. Durring your first stage of the game, as you level up to attain level 15 you will develop or be taught skills like in all mmorpg''s. the difference here is that you can also follow paths."


    "Wait, like in The Path?"


    "Yes. If someone wishes to use magic he will have to go see a magician and tell them so, they will teach them the rudimentary of those who follow the paths of Magiciens but it does not mean that you have become one."


    "I am not sure i understand."


    "Let us say that one of your path is Priest, the other Herborist, then the Jobs available to you will be in the range of Healer, Physicien or Magical Healer. However if you also learn a close combat skill like swordsmanship you can become a Wandering Benefactor a Cleric or a Heartfull Warrior."


    "I see! the skills you have will determine the kind of path you follow and those will determine the jobs corresponding to your abbilities, right!?"


    "Exactly."


    "What about you? Your Knight Job, how did you get it?"


    "Well the first Path i followed was Swordsman, then there was Horse Riding, Pure Hearted One, which is quiet difficult to obtain, and Commander. When i went to ask for a Job the Knight one was proposed to me."


    "I see...How many paths can you take?"


    "You have the Primary Path which determines weather you''re a combattant, craftman or other, and two Secondary Paths. After that are the skills, they have very little effect on the Job and take time to grind."


    For a few minutes they talked about a few more Paths and Skills. When the Cook Path was brough up the host ask Jeremy


    "Is there a hunger stat?"


    "Not just hunger, but thirst, hygine, fatigue... if you stinked too much certain kind of mobs would be able to trail you by skent, if you were too hungry your maximum health, strength, toughness and endurance would fall. you can get infections, colds, cough... I once puked because of the stench in a dungeon!"


    "This is very realistic!"


    "Oh, you have no idea how realistic it is!"


    The guest laughed as if he knew something the presentator didn''t. they then talked of the kind of quests you could expect to get. At the beginers level it could range from the no-combats/fetch & deliver quests (E class quests) and go all the way to the mythical ones who would change the status of the whole game platform, the SS class Quests.


    "What wasthe most dificult kind of quest you did?"


    "When i was still a beginer level player i was asked to deliver a fishing book to an old man near a river. it souded like easy cash so i took the request, the problem was that there was a whole bunch of old guys and i didn''t know who the right one was. I gave the book to a fisherman but it wasn''t the good one. as a result the NPC who gave me the quest was mad at me, i failed the quest and didn''t get my reward."


    "That sucks."


    "Another one was to guard a Noble women as she traveled from one castel to another, we were attacked by several groups of bandits and mobs. It helped that i was comending a group of soldiers, archers and a healer."


    "Wait, are we talking players or NPC?"


    "Both. Players that had choosen the Jobs of Soldiers, or State Magiciens and NPCs too."


    "It must have been a relief to have players with you."


    "Actually they were the ones giving me the most trouble: players join those kind of processions because of the quest rewards, the mobs experience or the Acknowledgment points with the kingdom. Because of that they ruch at the mobs and bandits without thinking of traps and tactics and often disobey commands whereas NPCs will follow you as long as you have enough influence or leadership over them."


    As the two of them were discussing the Influence, Leadership stats and Aknowledgement Points the time reached 19h55 and the host finaly informed that the interview with the RetroGame Corporation was starting. The screen switched from the two men to a large room filled with sitting journalists, their backs to the cameras and a long table were a group of people were sitting, facing the cameras.


    In front of each of them was a small name tag with their position in the company. An old man sitting in the middle of the table stayed up and asked the room to be silent. His name was Hillmond, CEO of RetroGame.


    "First i would like to thank you all for coming on such a short notice. It has been a long time since we lunched a game and such a massive responce from the media and gaming community is trully heart warming."


    A few whisles could be heard from the media crowd.


    "Now let me welcome you all to the official anouncement of RetroGame''s first new game in five years, New Roads!"


    As he finally anoucened the name of the game the room went dark and a screen lit up behind the table, speakers started playing a music promising adventure and action as an amaising view apeared in front of the crowd. the Tv Screen switched from a far view of the trailer to a direct diffusion on the news channel.


    The video started with an avatar dressed in a handmade lether vest, coton trousers and thick fur boots walking though a forest. A belt with several pouchs, a sword and a small leather bound book attracted the most attention as compared to the rest of the brownish clothses it was a bright red. The trees, leafs and soil deninition was breath taking. The man, his head hidden by a hood was walking stealthly between the trees, an arc in his hands, arrow at the ready. He crouched near a muddy spot on the floor and examinded a print.


    The view switched to the first person and a pale transparent window apeared.


    "Ram footprint


    An experienced hunter could tell how big the animal was ans when it passed here by looking at it.


    Through your experience of the hunt you know that this is the trace of a heavy adult ram which came here less than half an hour ago.


    It might still be around, keep your eyes open"


    The avatar then raised its hand and touched the window and tarted walking again. it pulled a map from its leather pouch, the map wasn''t very detailed, only four lands were showing on the far right of the paper. once again the man touched the map, choosing the teritory called Braeen Kingdom and said the words " Zoom in" aloud. And that''s what the map did, forgetting the rest of the card it enhenced the sise of the land, allowing more details to appear. Rivers, mountains, and cities linked by roads were now present. one city in particular, Hottled Town, had it suroundings particularily well drawned. Once again the player zoomed in, and Hottled town became the center of the map. the small town had its allies perfectly well placed with their names inscribed in between, names of shops, restaurants or guilds were also present. on the other hand a few areas of the town were blank of any informations. the meaning was clear, the player hadn''t visited this part of the city so it wasn''t present on the map. on the outside of the city walls a path liding to a small forest and surounded by several farms was described.


    Then the forest itself showed several paths, clearings and even a cleared dungon. but that wasn''t what interested the player, he concentrated his attention on a small river passing through the forest and close to his own location indicater by a blinking red dot.


    He then rolled the paper map and put it back in a small pocket of his pouch then resumed walking.


    A few minutes passed, showing the player advancing under the trees. Through the branches the sun was shining bright on the upper right. The avatar finally reached the river, its soothing water gargoyling audibly over the music soundtrack, the birds chirping and the wind passing through the leaves. Crouching behind bushes the player observed the banks, a huge and magestuous ram was drinking in the company of several other deer.


    The man readied its arrow and as he was about to unleash it the packs attention was suddently percked, the beasts turned their heads towards the hunters location and after a split second of stillness dashed away.


    The player didn''t stay still eather, the quickly spun arroud to discover what spooked its prey.


    "Gnoll Hunter Level 26"


    That was what was written in yellow above the head of a small and crouched grey skinned humanoid creature. the mob shrieked through its tiny but numerous yellow teeth and charged at the player with a rusty curved sword. the man lifted its arms and released his arrow. it planted itself in the shoulder of the sword arm of the monster which droped the weapon through its pain. the player took this time to replace the bow in its inventory and draw his sword from its sheath on his belt. he then walked to his enemy writhing on the forest floor, as he aproached the mob seemed to regain contenance and grabed his rusty blade with its second arm.


    It attacked the player with a wide horizontal slash but was easily parred then in a small red flash the players iron sword beheaded the mob.


    Its lifeless body soon turned into a thouthand multicolored luminous pixels that disapeared in the air. A new window popped in front of the player once he sheathed his sword back.


    " You have defeated a Gnoll Hunter.


    You gained 569 exp points.


    You have obtained:


    - 56 bronze coins


    - a rusty iron short sword


    - a piece of Gnoll leather"


    The player once again closed the window and turned to the river. not seeing any game he grumbled something about untimely mobs and resumed its hunt.


    He advanced in the water and started swimming. As his head went through the water once the soundtrack changed from the peaceful chirping of brids to the one of a raging tempest and crashing waves. The avatar still in first person was now barelly staying afloat in an endless sea, a cord was thrown at it but the hand that sized it weren''t the masculine and muscular ones of the hunter but thin and delicate hands. The rope slowly pulled the drowning player back towards a big three mast ship. the female player grabed a rope lader on the hull of the ship and startes climbing up. breathing heavily, water dripping from its woolen robes, the avatar rolled on the deck letting the rain wash her from the salted water. Her attention was attracted by a series of screams and she unwillingly raiser her head, the ship was being attacked by severral fish besed mobs.


    "Giant sea crabe, level 31"


    "Poisonous sea urchins, level 27"


    "Aquaskall, level 26"


    Close to thirty sailors were fighting them off with harpoons and canons directed by a man in a long black cloack and thick entangled beard.


    The female player then started reciting a number of stange words, her hands glowed a redish light and she pointed them at the Aquaskall. The monster, a humanoid with gills, palmed feet and hand, armed with a trident and an algea whip, was instantally suroundes by the same glow and its movement considerably slowed, allowing the sailors to attack it at ease. its scales which previously repelled the blades slashes could do nothing about a man''s piercing attack and it soon died even after the magic ended. The urchin was soon blown up by the cannon balls, as for the crabe the sailors kept targetting its articulation and belly, the only unprotected areas of its massive body.


    At the end of the battle, as the sailors cheered their victory a window apeared in front of the female mage.


    "As a reward for your contribution in the battle :


    -You will receive a 2 silver coins bonus at your arrival at the next port.


    -Your familiarity with the crew increased by 5%."


    "Due to the amount of available crabe meat, all 6 next meals done by the ship''s cook will use it as its main ingredient."


    The video then turn black to grey then flashes luminously as a sun ray passed though a window into spatious chambers. a man with pointy ears and angular facial features, undoubtly an elf dressed in silk clothes was looking through it at the busy medieval city profiling under it.


    Once again the view went to the first person and we could see through the eyes of the avatar. however this time was different : the city was still here but above the buldings, houses and shops their names and sometimes a hammer icon were present. The wealthy player touched a smithy by the tip of its finger and a new information window popes up.


    "Smith shop #2


    NPC run,proffesional level intermediate 7


    3 NPC workers, proffesional level beginner 6, 7 and intermediate 3


    1 player worker, proffesional level beginner 3


    Monthly taxes 1 gold coins


    Monthly output 107 silver coins


    Last month income 3 gold 205 silvers 47 bronze


    Number of smithies in the town 3."


    The man closed the Smith shop''s window and oppened the one of an empty lot. A list of possible buildings appeared ranging from bars and restaurants to training centers, spas, and several guild buildings. finally the man sellected to construct several houses, allowed them to be built through quests and be bought by players. A small amount of money was taken from the players inventory and a new window popped up.


    "Please set the reward for the new architectural quests."


    If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.The man did as asked and a last message appeared.


    "The new quests are now available to the players and will be automatically given by the cities NPCs."


    "By creating spacious houses:


    - the total value of your city increased by 1G 3S and 482C


    - the citizens opinion of you has risen by 5%


    -the maximum population of the city has rizen by 40."


    The elf quit all the windows until the city was once again filling his eyes minus the labells above. he then left the room and started walking in a long coridor lighted by wooden torches. His surounding were slowly replaced and the stone walls switched to the irregular, humid and moss covered ones of a cave. a group of soldiers in uniforms were being led by a heavily armored man. the first line of soldiers were pikemens followed by archers then swordsmen. At the back with the knight three combat mages and healers, behind then a slighly frithned couple of young men kept close. they were holding the reign of two donkeys whose backs were loaded with loot backs. In total there was 67 people.


    The group continued its advence, decimating mobs as an organised mini army, taking breif pauses to catch their breath then carring on deeper in the cave until they reache a large cavern. there a Large Earth Gollem attacked them and after a few minutes of battle the mid-boss mob fell to his death. the soldiers cheered, the boys gathered the loot then cooked for the entire troops while the knight gave a speech about the bravour of his men.


    On after another windows popped up, the video changing from person to person to allow the viewers a better understanding.


    "Quest complete!


    You have defeated the Gollem in the depth of the Delar caves, return to the Earl to obtain your reward"


    "You have defeated a Large Gollem.


    You have obtained 174 exp points.


    You have obtained the item Good Argile.


    Because you did it with the help of your regiment familiarity raised by 12%, and leadership by 6."


    " Through this battle your men have obtained experience, as a result 3 spikemen, 5 archers and a swordsman leveled up.


    Two of your men are dead.


    Leadership +1"


    "Due to your increase in leadership the maximum number of troops under your command has risen by 5 men and you can now add a Simple Wooden Chariot to your effectives."


    "Through repetitive practice cooking has reached Beginner 7, you have learned three new receipices. their effect will automaticly be registered once you''ve tried them."


    The next few seconds showed several roads paths with amaising views points, some shrouded in snow other in luch grass or forest and jungles. one was of a endless desert of sand and the last a pear going towards the sea.


    Finaly the screen turned black and golden letter broke the darkness


    "Travel the world,


    Discover uncharted lands,


    Lead your men in epic battles,


    Rule and build cities,


    Contribute to the rise and fall of entire kingdoms,


    Become their King...


    Become their Emperor!


    New Roads!"


    The video ended and the tv switched back to the conference room. the journalists were just starting to react to the 15 minutes long trailer. wispers started low then they became frantic shouting question in disorder.


    I too was amazed by what i had just seen, the games aesthetics were incredible, several years above anything i had ever seen, but it was the gameplay that had my attention. The players avatars movements and voice intonations were so realistic it was kinda criping me out. as much as i racked my brain i couldn''t think of an advanced enough technology.


    It''s my sister who understood first.


    "A Virtual Reality game! its a VR!"


    "Oh, my god! you are right!"


    As i thought back at the way the avatar evolved in the game universe it was evident such interactions were not possible on a computer screen game.


    Virtual Realities were developped in 2019 to allow the Army to train its soldiers, Air Force pilots and Navy to train in warefare in the most realistic situation possible. It was then developped for the education and practice of medicinal staff, first aid personnel and the public servants such as the police or the firefighters. In 2023 it was privatised for the use of corporations, through the creation of online virtual reality meeting rooms furnished with full blown 4dimension presentations and access to the related personnel throughout the world. This had rendered office building useless and forever changed the housing business.


    But never before was virtual reality used for recreational purposes! Even less a game whose platform was supossed to be the sise of the earth and was sure to attracked millions of players!


    No wonders it took five years to develop!


    At the conference the CEO had managed to calm the room and was responding to the questions one at a time.


    "RetroGame obtained the right to develop an Online Virtual Reality Game in 2024 and we direcly started working on it. when we lunched The Path we were in fact gathering an elite team of Game Creators that worked endlessly on the project. all the profits from The Path were invested in this gigantic game platform."


    "The numerical capacity needed to run such a massive virtual environment must be incredible!"


    "Indeed, just with our 1 thouthand beta testers accounts of active players we reached a minimum of half a billion terrabites of data circulating through New Roads dedicated satelites."


    "Did you just say satelites?"


    "Yes. the amout of data needed to be processed was simply too important for the regular public ones so we negociated the lunch of three small satellites that now orbit arround the earth."


    There was a small moment of silence before an other hand rose.


    "What about the safety of the players? won''t their brains be in danger if someone were to suddetly pull them offline?"


    "The difference between the programes developed for private use and ingame use is actually the connection system itself. Players would be using helmets that stops a persons electrical influxt from the brain to the rest of their body. Exept vital founctions everything else will be sent to the game avatar. If someone were to take the helmet off with no prior warning, the brain''s electrical flux would simply resume to normal activity but your avatar would stay still were you were. it would be like if you had disconnected."


    "So its safe?"


    "Yes."


    "What about the sensorial transition?"


    "To ease the players into the game we tried to create an avatar creation interface that would preserve their height, shoulder and rib cage width and the length of their body segments. Those are the most important measures as they greatly determine our body''s balance. As a result the first time a player connects itself he or she will need to enter a very special coffin that will measure him during the creation of his or her avatar. Moreover the avatar will be of the same gender as its player and age restrictions will be automatically callibrated during the creation process.


    "That''s a lot of work for just an avatar."


    "That is because we are trying to make the game as realistic as possible. In this spirit only one Avatar will be available per player. Those coffins will be availlable starting from the 6 march, in any game centers. After the first connection you will just need the the head gear that will be sold with the game cartridge in all your game shops. you will just need to link the gear to a working internet plug and you can directly log in."


    "That doesn''t solve the problem."


    "Since in general internet plugs are only available at homes it reduces the possibility of a roady environment in witch the ingames players true bodies would be defenceless. but along with this we put several safeties: if the phisical body were to experience pain or difficulties to work as if asleep the player would disconnect automatically. This process has been thouroughly tested and aprooved by the government in its previous use of virtual reality."


    "What about the risk of getting addicted to it?"


    "The game is only 99% as realistic as real life to prevent this. moreover the flow of time is different: for a day spend in New Roads, six hours pass in real life, as a result people who disconnect themselves at night will remember to eat and live their real lives. in addition to this the time you spend disconnected is considered as sleep for your avatar. Sleep gradualy heals seakness, fills the health and lowers fatigue."


    "How much will the game cost?"


    "The game and the headgear are sold together at 99,99$with the first month of the game given for free. it will cost 199,99$ for a delux pack that is constitued of a more stylish gear, a few basic ingames items and three pre-paid month."


    "Wait, you have to pay to keep your account active?"


    "Yes. each month would cost 19,99$ to keep your accout ongoing. if you do not want to continue playing your avatar will be desactivated, not erased. In other words it will still be there if you decide to take a break from the game for a while."


    "Is there any other format you''re selling the game?"


    "There is the golden pack but its not for sell. all the beta testers will recieve one, along with a thousand players of The Path choosen from those who spent the most time playing or the most reconised ones. The list will be available starting tomorrow on New Roads Official Website, along with a lot of informations about the races, proffesions, kingdoms and starting cities. a lot of the gameplay will also be explained with explainatory videos and several walthroughs from the beta players."


    "What is the Gold pack exactly?"


    "The gold pack contains a patch wich alows you to access several inedit and random tips about the game, adds a wooping 10 stats points to distribuate, several basic items and an extra proffesion slot. As for the head gear... Well, it''s a surprise."


    "In the trailer it said Become the Emperor, what does it mean?"


    "Just like a soldier can raise its ranks into controling entire armies, players can become the lords of cities, lands, countries. They can become the Kings and Queens of Kingdoms and conquer an entire continent to become an emperor."


    "How far did the betas go in the game?"


    "The betas as a total of three month to test the game, the higher lever reached was 46 but the total persentage of the platform mapping was 0,8%. The most advenced players were respectfully a City Lord, a knight and a priest."


    "That doen''t sound like much at all."


    "On the contrary sir, we did not expect them to advence this far so fast! it was due to their small number. the lack of competition for experience and loot made it easier for them."


    "You''re kidding right? how long is the game supposed to last?"


    "We''ve calculated that the starting kingdoms independent quests would take at least three years before complete completion. And thats not counting the ones players can create themselves!"


    Stupor ran through the crowd. the man next to the CEO wisperded in his ears and all the others sarted standing. The second men then adressed the journalists.


    "Now with your permision we will proceed with live demonstrations. a representent of all Tv medias will comme with me and connect themselves to the game for their very first time, the guest beta players at their channels will join them and mentor them for the whole next ingame hour. In the mean time the rest of you will be able to follow them directly here on the giant screen."


    As a group of a leat twenty bulky men enterd the stage carrying a metalic coffin each and quicly branched the to a power source, each of the men behind the table choose a journalist sent by a Tv channel and guided them inside it, helping them put a helmet like device on their head and lowering them in the horizontaly posed electronic coffins. after switching on the machine they would return to their seats. pull their own helment and connect themselves.


    At the botom of the tv screen a small square showing Jeremy the Beta player from earlier also put on a simillar device after sitting confortably on a sofa.


    After a few seconds the studio and conference room were replaced by a large city square of a fantasy medieval town. Jeremy in his knight''s armor and a second player wearing leather closes under a thick metal breast plate and several small blades placed strategically on him. he was a dark skinned elf named Callum.


    He started talking aloud and the view fixed on him.


    "We are now waiting for our friend the journalist to finis creating his avatar. He is curently being presented with one of the four starting races: humans, elves, dwarfes and beastmen. He will then choose the aesthetics of his avatar and its name. for this demonstration we asked to call himself Journalist #4. The two of us will then acompany him in the next twenty minutes, in other words his first ingame hour. Normally a player who just started playing wouldn''t be allowed to leave the city walls before it reaches level 8 but fot the sake of this demonstration once he finishes his first quest he will be granted enough experience to level up 8 consecutive times."


    as he finished talking a new player appearded in a flash of light. He was tall and muscular, wearing only a cloth aroud his waist, his skin was covered by a thik layer of brown fur. Patterns appeared on his face surrouding his yellow vertically slitted eyes. a long tail and two cat ears were completing the humanoid beastman who looked like a panther.


    As soon as he appeared the new avatar started moving around discovering his surroundings with astonishment, then his own body. closing and opening his fist as if he could barely believe it.


    "Whoa..."


    At the sound of its own deep voice the man froze an instant. his open mouth clearly revealing his giant carnivor teeth and a pale pink tongue hidden behind.


    Jeremy went towards Journalist #4 and presented himself quickly. The the new player turned towards them and asked what he should do now. as if to answer him a young human girl wearing a woolen dresscame too him. she seemed impressed by the beastmen.


    "You look like my cat, Mr.Tigrou!"


    "Oh..."


    "Do you know Mister Tigrou, sir?"


    "Hum, i''m afraid i don''t have this pleasure, no."


    "You should become friends that would be awsome!"


    As the girl left them gigling a information window popped up in front of the journalist surprising him. Warily he read it.


    "A small girl from the city wants you to befriend her cat, Mister Tigrou. Can you really disapoint her?


    Go fing Mister Tigrou!"


    "You were forced to accept the quest go find Mister Tigrou.


    Prerequisite: avatar of the feline Beastmen


    Failure condition: none.


    Rewards: a new friend!"


    The three of them then started to walk through the city randomly, looking for the cat called Mister Tigrou. they finally found him under a fishermen''s shop at the market. he was fixing the fishes with hungry eyes. the Beastmen tried to call for him but his gaze wouldn''t leave the fishes so the huge panther resigned himself to buy the fish for 2 bronze coins, effectively using a fifth of his starting money.


    He handed the treat to the pet who in thankes purred and fubbed its head on his legs. as the cat went to eat the fish a window popped again.


    "Quest complete!


    You have found Mister Tigrou and shared a meal with him. the two of you are now friends.


    Reward: 11484 exp points"


    "Through your interaction with an animal the familiarity with Braeen''s Kingdoms domestic animals has increased by 1.


    Keep raising it and more quests will become available to you."


    "You have leveled up"


    The last window popped up a total of eight times. Callum stepped foward and showed the newbienhow to make the avatar''s information window appear.


    "You''ve leveled up 8 times so now you are level 9. It''s enough to leave the city but before you need to distribute your stat points. to do so you need to say Open Character Window."


    As he said the the last three words a classic mmorpg character window appeared in front of him, showing his equipment on the left, and an inventory whith filtering options on the right. With a move of his hand the window glidded and was replaced by his avatar''s status window.


    Journalist #4 imitated him and looked at his own status window. the skills and Job slots were empty, only the basic stats were available and they were far more less impresive than Callum''s.


    "Name: Journalist#4


    Race: Beastman-Panther


    Job: none


    Level: 9


    Vitality: 100


    Strength: 12


    Dexterity: 12


    Toughness: 10


    Speed: 10


    Intelligence: 8


    Endurence: 8


    Luck: 4


    Primary Path:


    -none


    Secondary Paths:


    -none


    -none


    -none


    Natural skills:


    - Skent track: beginner 1 (0%)


    - Enhenced vision: beginner 1 (0%)


    - Feline Roar: beginner 1 (0%)


    - Hand to hand combat: beginner 1 (0%)


    Braeen Kingdom:


    - domestic animal life familiarity: +1%"


    At the right corner of his stats a green 40 was glowing. it was the number of stats points he could atribuate to his avatar.


    Callum started describing the Beastmen class for both the newbie and the telespectators.


    "The beastmen have superior strength and agility due to their nature but they are less inteligent and endurent whitch makes them often used as front line warriors or thiefs but you can also become a powelful mage or Archer based character usinf their nature to componsate for the low deffence of those classes. Tell me, How do you want to develop your avatar?"


    "Well...I don''t actually know."


    "It''s alright in that case my advice is to put 12 points into STR and DEXT each, 5 into VIT to raise yout Max Health by 25 points, 3 in TOUGTH, SPEED and INT and 2 into ENDU. It will allow you to keep a ballanced character until you know where you want to go with it."


    "Okay."


    By the time he finished distributing his points half of the twenty minutes had already gone by. His two companions guided him to the city gates. Once outside they found themselves trapped between the city walls and a series of farms fields. They walked for a while, letting the Beastman discover the area at his own pace.


    As he was walking close to a chicken den a fox lunched at him. Startled he fell on his backside and the small mob bit his leg. His health slightly fell and he realised he had just been attacked. his mind focused back on the fox and he wondered how he was supposed to retaliate, thats when a strange sensation spread from his fingers and toes. His claws had come out. Roaring in exitment the giant Panther kicked the fox away, cutting it''s health by 30%. As he stood back up a window popped up.


    "You have used the natural skill Feline Roar, as a result your enemy is paralised for 30 seconds.


    Your skill experience has risen by 45 %"


    Journalist #4 jumped on the fox and used his claws to kill it. the small mobs body shattered in light fragments and another set of windows appeared.


    "You have defeated a Fox.


    You gained 32 exp points.


    You have obtain fox pelt"


    "You have obtained your first tailloring material.


    A taillor can produce clothes from pelts and furrs. the better the skin and the taillors skill the better the cloth."


    "By saving the chickens from its natural predator your familiarity with domestic animal life rises by 2"


    "You have used the natural skill Hand to hand combat as a result your skill level raises by 24%."


    As he was closing the windows, a chiken stopped in front of him a few seconds and left behind a freshly layed egg. Journalist #4 was fixing it wondering what he should do with it when Callum told him that it was a reward from the Hen for saving her from the fox. When he grabbed it another window came.


    "You have obtained your first cooking ingredient.


    Meals can restore your health and fatigue. a good cook can make good meal?from anything."


    After that the beastman kept hunting foxes. at the end of the 20 minutes he was nearing level 11 and had a six fox pelts and a fox meat in his backpack. yet it was not enough. As he pressed the deconnection button he clearly wished he had more time.


    The Tv screen returned to the comference room were people were coming back to their real bodies one after another. the journalists went back with their collegues and the bulky men from before took the caissings away.


    RetroGame CEO stood up once again and gestured for the crowd to be silent.


    "We are now reaching the end of the presentation. The integrality of the trailer and the starting party of Journalist #1 to #23 will be available on the Official Site. To all players of The Path, do not forget to check the Golden Pack list. Finally rest assured that on the at 1 o''clock pm, when the game will be officially lunched the world of New Roads will have been reset, the only advantage betas will have will be their Golden Packs and personnal experience."


    As the CEO wrapped up the presentation the host started commenting on the experience with his collegue, Journalist#4. Jeremy would sometimes add some presisions.


    But i was no longuer listening.


    The only thing passing through my head was the Virtual Reality aspect of the game. By the time the channels program went back to its regulars emission i had decided.


    "I want to play New Roads!."


    Next to me i heard my sister groawl, saying something about me and video games.


    next Chapter:


    http://www.royalroadl.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=9620</a>

 Volume 1 Chapter 2

    Chapter 2:


    A entire week had passed since New Roads! announcement. The specialised magazines sites and channels had been buzzing themselves to gather and diffuse the maximum amount of Intel.


    As for me i had screened the Official website, in search of any useful piece of information.


    The list of The Path Players who would receive the Golden packs hand been published at the promised time, my avatar registered as the Varrand Guild Leader had been one of them. When i connected myself to my The Path account i found a message from the Gm, in other words RetroGame Corporation, inviting me to pass by their firm''s building to set up my account and receive my Golden Pack.


    Today was the day i was supposed to go get it. I excitedly left the office and drove to a building surrounded by cameras and journalists. As soon as i approached the front gate they started questioning me about New Roads. I then presented myself to a muscular man in a black suit. after announcing ma online game name and proving my identity through a printed version of the invitation mail i was allowed to enter the hall. a women of approximately my age came to me and asked me to follow her. i was led to an upper floor room filled with the same metallic coffins. there i was given a box slightly bigger than a football. as i opened it i found an onyx and gold coloured helmet a small New Roads! game cartridge and a second one with written Golden Pack on it. following the women''s instructions i inserted the game on the left side of the helmet and the pack on the right, linked the helmet to the inside of the coffins via the connection cable and lied down in the rectangular metallic box.


    "New Roads! Connect!"


    The sensations in my body went numb as i was floating in a totally blank dimension. in front of me sensory checks approvals flashed then a login window popped up.


    I just had to think of creating a new account for the window to change, four avatars showed in front of me each of them similar in their facial appearance. one was a Human. the second an tall Elfe making the dwarf next to it seem even more smaller. at the last one was a Beastman. Without hesitating he choose the Human, then a myriad of adjustments were proposed to him. the colour of his skin, eyes, hair, size of his nose eyebrows, facial hair, lips and eye shapes, hair cut, cheeks...


    At the end his avatar was an average height man with waist long ebony hair tied in a tress , dark eyes, no beard and thin delicate eyebrows. his skin was tanned, a few scars marking his arms and toned torso. his lips were slightly curved to look like he was smiling and his eyes looked like he was intensely looking ahead.


    All in all his character looked like a man in his twenties who had spend most of his life under the sun doing physical labour.


    I then chosed his online name, Ben Varrand, his starting point as the Braeen Kingdom and validated my avatar.


    An information window popped up as the character faded away.


    "You are in the possession of a Golden Pack, would you like to install it?


    Warning this pack can only be used once and will only affect your avatar stats."


    I didn''t wait to accept the installation and soon i was done with my character creation and automatically logged out.


    As i got out i once again saw the women from earlier.


    "Congratulation on creating your avatar. from now on as long as you use this game cartridge you will be able to play. you will be playing for free during the three months starting your first connection, after this you will have to pay 19,99$ of monthly fee. The extras stats and items from the pack will be already distributed at the start of your game. Do you have any questions?"


    I quickly said no and we both went back to the lobby, the helmet in the black box in my hands. I left the building rapidly and went home directly. As soon as i arrived i started reading the game manual, memorising every little information.


    My sister found me browsing the internet for info about Braeen Kingdom. there was still two months before the lunch of the game but i was already waiting for it.


    "What about The Path? You spent so much time on your characters, it would be a waist to simply let them go..."


    Annie''s comment raised a problem, indeed my avatars would surely go to waist if i didn''t do something. I finally decided on selling them. I started by posting an official announcement an my Guild wall about me switching to New Roads!, permanently transferred the guild leadership to one of the competent other players and finally quit the guild in all of its characters. He then connected himself to his auction account and put his avatars to sell along with their equipment. The auction was set to go on all week.


    I held three days before curiosity won, my favourite character was a 1,365$ when the lesser developed one of the six was at 673$. i was dump founded as at the best i would get 60$ for a good piece of equipment. and it was only the beginning of the third day!


    By the end of the week i sold them for more than 3,000$ the avatar along with 2,000 worth of spare equipment! Finally i transitioned my in game money to real life cash. I ended up richer by 22,740$ and 74 cents.


    More than a whole year of office work...by far!


    Enough to pay rent for a two years!


    A few phone calls to my bank and signed papers later and the money was wired on my account.


    Once this was over only one month was left to wait.


    I was so impatient that my sister was getting annoyed.


    While i was wearing my sister''s nerves the rest of the world, especially in America, was discovering on a daily basis newly installed first connection coffins in cyber coffees, game centres, and even game shops. as RectoGame had ensures the coffins could be used for regular playing too, small commerce had no second thought to install a couple of them for the big day.


    Those who had already received their head gear had prepared their avatar while others were still awaiting their packages.


    Finally the lunch date came. At 12h55, i was ready, gear on my head connected to internet. The TV was on, showing the long waiting lines in front of the games centres and shops. when it finally turned 1 pm, i excitedly shouted.


    "New Roads! Connection!"


    Juste like at the creation of his character his surroundings went blank, a series of senses checks went on, he was asked for his pass word and then he was in the game.


    The sudden change from sitting to standing slightly disoriented me but as soon as i got my bearings back i started moving my new envelope. Its both familiar through its identical height and width and different through its lightness. I took a few hesitant steps before frankly walking. around me other players were walking confidently: betas.


    Since no one could leave the city before reaching level eight i will have all the time i want to admire the city.


    I decided to walk around the square, waiting for an NPC to aboard me and give me my first quest. it didn''t take long for a elderly women to come, asking me to look for a lost knitting set. It was hidden under a small stone bank under an apple tree. when i went to give it back the old lady gave me a Sweet Red Apple, my first cooking ingredient.


    This was followed by a girl looking for her mother in the middle of the busy market, a smithy needing a delivery boy and a flower lady asking for assistance at her stand.


    By the end of the first in game day, i was level 4, had finished 4 quests of level F, 106 bronze coins, and had risen my familiarity with the citizens up to 5%.


    Since my character Fatigue stat was high and all shops were closed and citizens home for the night i was about to go sleep in an inn and connect back later when the sun would rise when a group of players silently went into a parallel street.


    Betas.


    I followed them, curious. they led me to a small Training Hall linked to several Combat Guilds. Since players couldn''t change their profession until level 15 and form their Guilds only at the Royal Castle, guild halls were of no interests to players as of right now.


    Still i followed them inside.


    One after the other they talked to the guild trainer, smooth talking him until he would allow them to train at night in the guild hall.


    Once the last one entered an adjacent room i went to the NPC and started a conversation.


    "Hello. you seem to be an experimented swordsman. how i envy you, able to travel the world thanks to your blade... if only i could do this too."


    "Thank you, boy. it is nice to meet someone who understands the worth of a sword other than to wound. are you interested in learning the sword?"


    " I would love to, sir. do you think someone would be kind enough to teach me?"


    "If you prove yourself to me, i would."


    "Really?"


    "Yes"


    "How should i prove myself?"


    "You need to show me your perseverance, good heart and your smarts. once you have i shall teach you the basics of swordsman ship."


    "I understand sir"


    I left him, and just like the betas before me, entered the next room.


    Wooden mannequins and swords were aligned in the room.


    The Betas didn''t pay attention to me, most likely believing i was one of them.


    Mimicking them, i took a practice wooden sword and started beating the target mannequin. The sword was heavy and each time i hit the mannequin i felt it vibrate in my hand. After only twenty minutes i was drenched in sweat, i was about to put down my boken when a window popped up.


    "Through constant exercising your strength, endurance and dexterity stats have risen by 1."


    A stat increase without levelling, choosing a Path or a job!


    This was a golden information i had gotten! My spirit was instantly fired and i continued beating the scarecrow until the sun rose. i took the time to eat my apple and drink some water at a fountain after leaving the guild hall and going to the market place.


    As i passed in front of the flower stand from yesterday, the lady called me


    "Young man! it is good that i could find you. i know I¡¯ve already asked for a lot but i need a favor."


    "Of course, anything for you. tell me what troubles you."


    "It is my husband, every night he comes back exhausted from his work at the bakery. would you be kind enough to assist him?"


    "You can count on me, ma''am. where could i find you husband?"


    "His shop is close to the east gate. you cannot miss it, it is between a butcher and a small tower."


    "You have accepted the quest ''Help the flower lady''s husband at the east gate bakery''


    Go to the east gate bakery and assist the flower lady''s husband the best you can.


    Quest restriction: must be friendly with the flower lady


    Quest rewards: bread loaves, flower''s seeds


    Quest failure: if the flower lady''s husband is exhausted by the end of the day.


    Quest difficulty: E"


    An E mission Quest! up to now i had only done F class requests. Yes!


    I went directly to the bakery where i found a hunched down man working on a loaf of bread paste. the bakery was warm and smelled nice yet no clients came in. it wasn''t difficult to know why: the tower next to it was alight with strange and worrying lights and howling s and growls came from its depth.


    "What the..."


    "Yes, what can i do for you?"


    "H, yes. your wife sent me to assist you."


    "Did she now? very well i trust her judgement. Can you cook?"


    "No sir."


    "Fine then i will teach you. come here."


    I neared the man and he directed me as into making a second loaf of bread. as i was mixing it a window popped up.


    "You have produced a loaf of bread.


    Thanks to a professional cooker you can now follow the Path of a Beaker, do you accept?"


    "No"


    "Do you wish to follow the Path of a Cook?"


    "Yes"


    "Do you wish to set the Path of a Cook as your Primary Path?"


    "No"


    "You have set the Path of a Cook as a Secondary Path"


    "You have chosen your first Secondary Path.


    A Secondary Path''s related Skills will have a 15% Experience Penalty."


    "By choosing the Cook Path you have learned:


    - Cooking skill: permits the player to cook for himself or others using various ingredients. the better the cooking skill and the ingredients the better the effects of the recipe. beginner 1 (3%)


    - Gathering skill: allows you to forge the flora for cooking ingredients. Beginner 1 (0%)


    - Butcher''s touch ( passive skill ): as you loot animal you will gather more meat, pelts and bones. ( can be coupled with tailoring, smiting and sculpting ). beginner 1 (0%)"


    "Through the learning of a new Path all your stats have increased by 5."


    I was satisfied to have learned the skill, it would be useful during long travels and i wouldn¡¯t have to spend my small economies on food either.


    The skills learning process was easy, find a professional and get him to show you the basics. however the number of skills available for learning was limited. skills greatly influenced the jobs you would be able to choose from once at level 15. You had a primary profession skill which would set your class, if you took magic at your primary skill you could become a mage or priest, if you choose a combat related skill you could become a warrior or swordsman, if you chosed a handcraft related skill you could become an Artisan. the secondary profession skills were there to help you specialise in a specific branch of your job. for example players who had chosen a combat skill as primary could become a knight by addind horse riding or heavy armours to their secondary skills or become an assassin by learning stealth attacks and hand to hand combat... choosing the right profession skills was essential for your character build.


    The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.I continued helping the baker for an hour, yet his mood and energy were getting worst by the minute. finally it became obvious that i was about to fail the quest: helping the man bake bread was not the was to "assist him the best i could".


    I excused myself and went to the source of the problem: the tower. i politely knocked on the door. for a second all the noise stopped and i knew i was on the right track. the old wooden door of the tower opened on an equally decrepit man.


    A wizard, i thought.


    "Yes?"


    "Greetings sir. my name is Ben, i work at the bakery next door."


    "What do you want?"


    "Are you aware that from your tower comes a tortuous growl?"


    "You...you can hear it?"


    "Well...yes"


    The door opened wider and the man suddenly pulled me inside the tower. he then started to observe me as if i was a rare specimen.


    "Hum...what is going on?"


    "You have a gift for Nature boy."


    "I do?"


    "Yes, that''s why you can hear the screams. what about the light?"


    "Oh,... greenish and creepy?"


    "Aha!"


    "Is it bad i can see it?"


    "No, boy. it just means i was right. Have you ever had any instruction in any magic?"


    "No sir"


    "Hum... Then did you spend a long amount of time in contact with nature?"


    I thought about it for a while but the only answer that came to me was the flower shop followed by the wooden sword.


    "Well boy, you are now free to come here and access the tower''s library. i am sure it should help you greatly. Come see me if you want me to teach you a magic branch, but you have to tell me witch one you want to learn."


    Even through it did not help solve the noise problem, i still spent the rest of my time reading about the different kinds of magic. there was the usual kind in games such as the healing one in the hands of priests, the buffing one in light magic, the debuffing ones in dark magic, there was also necromancy, pyrotechnic, cryotechnic, wind and earth elementalists, spirits seers and finaly the Druidique Magik.


    It was a mixte of healing, buffing, debuffing and spirit magic all wrapped up in one. i did not remember hearing about Druids on the official website but it was a good support magic for any character so i decided to go see the old man again.


    " I have decided to follow the Path of a Druid."


    "Do you, now? very well i shall teach you the basic of the Druid''s magik. Come here boy..."


    "You have started on the Path of the Druids.


    Through it you have learned new skills:


    - herborism: you can now pick regents to make potions in the wild flora. Cooking skill increase by 5%.


    beginner 1 (0%) ( passive)


    - Nature understanding: by observing nature''s fonctionment you will increase your bond with nature itsealf and therefore your magiks. All white and healing magik increase their capacity by 5%.


    beginner 1 (0%) ( passive )


    - Spirits understanding: by observing the spirits and mythical life forms you increase your understanding of them and therefore your basic Magik abilities increase. Art of communication increase by 5 %


    Beginner 1 ( 0%)


    - art of communication: you are now proficient in communication with people. familiarity increase by 20% with Humans and Dwarfs.


    Beginner 1 (0%)


    - inner breathing: through meditation and deep breathing it is possible to readjust your inner natural energy and accelerate your healing process. increase of health regeneration by 5% through deep breathing.


    Beginner 1 (0%)"


    " Do you wish to set the Druid''s Path as Primary?"


    "No"


    "Do you wish to set the Druid''s Path as secondary?"


    "Yes"


    "Through the learning of a new Path all your stats increase by 5 points"


    I was content with the Druids magik beginner skills and the cooking skill i had gotten they would make for healing and group buffing. still, from my reading on the official site i knew i would need to be more careful: a regular player had the right to a primary profession skill and three secondary ones, thanks to my Golden Pack i had an extra one. I still had to get three other profession skills before i could get a job at level 15. the profession skills were there to support your character build and choosing random profession skills would get you nowhere later in the game. after thinking further i settled myself into getting a combat related skill as my primary and an other one as a secondary. that would leave me with one last free skill slot.


    I was wondering if the trainer at the guild hall would agree to teach me more than swordsman ship when i realised that i had gotten lost. i found myself in the towers scellar, it took me less than a second to understand that something had attracted me here. the floor was made of big heavy flat stones which had been covered in dirt. whatever had lead me here vas under the dirt and i started digging. it didn''t take me long to understand that the stone floor was engraved with a strange sign. it took me several minutes to unearth it but i quickly understood that the design was the source of the agonising howling. as soon as i touched it the same green shine that emanated from the tower enveloped me.


    As i stood back up i saw a massive black furred wolf standing in front of me.


    "You have discovered the Ancient Rune of the Wolf.


    You have obtained 10 fame points.


    Through your discovery you have created the Ancient Runes Knowledge stat.


    Stats point distribution is impossible.


    You can increase your Ancient Runes Knowledge through the study of Ancient Ruses or their discovery."


    "By touching an Ancient Rune you have allowed the spirit trapped within to appear in this realm."


    "Through your Nature Understanding and spirit understanding skill you are able to communicate with the : the Wolf Spirit seems to be in a lot of pain and is bearing its fangs only to defend himself.


    Maybe you should try to be gentle with him."


    Doing what the system was telling me i searched my pouch for a piece of dried meat. it was one of the basic foods available to newbies. the feral beast kept growling a bit then seeing i wasn''t trying to hurt him took a step forward, sniffing the treat. in one mouthful it gulped it down and i took another one out of my pouch. i kept feeding the Wolf until all my meat was gone. by that time the imposant canine was lazily laying next to me, relaxing under my hands touch. slowly the Ancient Rune glow faded and the black pup returned to the spirit world.


    "You have won the friendship of the Ancient Celtic Wolf Deity.


    Familiarity with all canine based beastmen/ women rose by 50% throughout the world.


    The skill Spirit of the Wolf is now a part of your Druid magik. it allows you to shapshift into a wolf until you cancel the skill. while in wolf form a part off your equipment and skills won''t be available and the characteristics of a Wolf will be applied to your avatar stats and skills.


    Consumes 150 mana


    Beginner 1 (0%)"


    "Through the obtention of a rare skill all your stats rise by 10 points and you gain 10 fame points."


    " Your Nature Understanding has risen to beginner 2 (36%)."


    "Your Spirit Understanding has risen to beginner 2 (12%)."


    I couldn''t believe it. i wasn''t even level 5 that i had obtained a rare skill and risen all my stats by at least 15 points. looking solely at my stats others would think that i was at least level twelve!


    I left the tower in high spirits to find the flower women''s husband just outside waiting for me.


    "Thank you! i do not know what you did but i don''t hear those howls anymore. Now i can finally relax. here take this as my thanks, i know it is only a little but it is all i have."


    The man gave me a dozens loafs of bread in thanks. A information window informed me i had completed the quest. my level rose by 1 and i obtained 20 fame points.


    As i was putting the bread in my back pack i realised something.


    "Sir, when did you start hearing the howls?"


    "Hum?... i guess it was less than a week ago. i had gone to those old ruins in the forest... there was a strange inscription ln an old wall. since then I¡¯ve been hearing lot''s of strange things but none as deranging and mind wreaking as the ones from the tower..."


    "Could you please tell where those ruins are?"


    "Well... since you managed those howls just fine i guess it would be safe if it''s you... here is a map of Braeen with the ruins marked. be careful those woods aren''t safe.


    "Thank you sir"


    "You have obtained your first map, Intelligence rises by 2."


    You now have access to a map. Every time you discover a place through you explorations it will be added to your map. when you hear or read about a place its location will be approximately indicated to you.


    You can equip your map to have it as a quick reach however the rain and battles can wear it down or destroy it.


    If a card is destroyed you will have to replace it however only visited place will get remarked."


    " You have learned of the emplacement of another Ancient Rune. it''s location will blink green on your map."


    After eating half a bread i went to the training hall and resumed my training. weirdly enough none of yesterdays beta players were present tonight. just like before i beat the train mannequin all night long. when the sun came up my avatar was on the verge of collapsing.


    As i was lying on the floor the NPC trainer came to seat next to me and handed me a water gourd.


    Gourds were one of the first items players bought as they were essential for travelling. this one was more voluminous and of better leather quality than the ones available at the town shops.


    "Drink. You need it"


    "Thank you sir"


    " I have never seen someone so devoted to his training. is your will to discover the world that intence?"


    " Its not just discovering it, i also which to leave my trace in it."


    "How so?"


    "That i do not know yet."


    "Hum... Tell me, what would happen if you were separated from your sword?"


    "I would be vulnerable to any attacks?"


    "True. would you like to remedial to this?"


    "Can i?"


    " I can train you to become a weapons master"


    "What is that?"


    " Simply saying you would be able to use any kind of weapons with no penalties whatsoever."


    "Is that event possible?"


    "Yes."


    I took a moment to think about it. it was the ultimate weapons skills, no wonder the betas came here"


    "I accept!"


    "Good, the tomorrow night come back here and i will teach you the basics for all the weapons available"


    "Yes teacher"


    I quickly left the training hall to go to sleep in an inn.


    As soon as i was disconnected i started searching additional infos on Weapon Masters, Ancient Runes, Druid Magiks and the forest outside of the starting city.


    The wood was filled with simple hunting game like rabbits rams and fox. occasionally bears and wolfs would appear but nothing i would have to be afraid about once i reached level 8 and could go out of the city.


    After my researches i made sure to eat something and reconnected myself. I still had a day before the end of the weekend and i intended to fully use it.


    I had decided to set Weapon Mastery as a Secondary Skill because my teacher kept repeating that the use of force should always come last, which kinda made me think that he was grooming me for a particular Job.


    For the next three in game days i spent my nights at the training hall, learning then raising my weapon mastery skill and my days at the tower, in the old man''s library, soaking up as much knowledge as i could.


    By the end of the weekend my character stat window read this:


    "Name: Ben Varrant


    Race: Human


    Profession: none


    Level: 6


    Strength:36


    Toughthness:34


    Endurance: 41


    Vitality: 34


    Speed:33


    Dexterity:39


    Inteligence:49


    Ancient Rune Knowledge:22


    Luck:35


    Fame: 40


    You still have 25 stat points to distribute.


    Primary Skills:


    Secondary Skills:


    - butcher''s touch: beginner 1 (0%)


    meat, pelts, and bones loot increase by 5%


    -nature''s growth: beginner 1 (0%)


    Plant based loot increase by 5%


    - inner breathing: beginner 4 (71%)


    Health recovery speed increase by 5%


    - weapons mastery: beginner 3 (27%)


    All weapons can be wielded without penalties. attack speed increase by 3%


    - art of communication: beginner 1 (45%)


    Familiarity with Humans and Dwarf increase by 5%


    - Nature Understanding: beginner 2 (36%)


    Familiarity with wild life increases by 5%


    - Spirit Understanding: beginner 2 (12%)


    Familiarity with Spirits increases by 5%


    - Spirit of the Wolf: beginner 1 (0%)


    The player turns into a wolf.


    To understand the skill further along you have to use it.


    - Herborism: beginner 1 (0%)


    You can brew potions and alcohol.


    - Cooking: beginner 1 (0%)


    You can cook."


    Only two days had passed since the lunch of New Roads! yet my Stats were already at the level of a tenth level player when i was at level six.


    I could not imagine how much the betas had improved.


    previous Chapter:


    http://www.royalroadl.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=9564</a>


    next chapter:


    http://www.royalroadl.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=9624</a>

 Volume 1 Chapter 3

    Chapter 3: first ranking


    A week had passed since the lunch of New Roads!, more than 6,5 million players had already conected and another one had pre-commended the game.


    Those already playing, like me, were a mere 6 thouthands, with our one week advance we would be at the top of the rankings for a while.


    The reason why i am talking about rankings is because i am currently logging on the New Roads! official website, indeed the first rankings will be available in a few seconds and i wanted to know how far the betas had gone compared to me.


    I refreshed the page i was on for the umpteenth time and finally the New Roads! Wall of Fame appeared. the page was simple, the words Wall of Fame were burning on top of a list of online names, next to them numbers were written.


    The most famous player after this first week of gaming had only 236 of fame . i quickly looked through the list i found myself in the upper middle of the list with my 40 points of fame.


    I clicked on my own name, curious to see what kind of intels were available on me. a small bundle popped out under my name:


    "Name: Ben Varrent


    Race: Human


    Profession: unknown


    Level: unknown


    Path followed: unknown


    No pictures available


    No description available


    No comments posted"


    It was really pathetic. i looked at the other players but they were all as empty as mine. only a few top players had a few profession, levels or descriptions on their profiles.


    "Show-offs"


    I took time to change from my work outfit to a more confortable baggy jeans and T-shirt, prepared dinner for me and my sister then logged in.


    Because i had to go to work the last three days i didn¡¯t spend as much time online than before and decided to focus on completing quests instead of the time consuming reading and exercising.


    I had managed to level up twice, finally reaching level 8 now i would be allowed to get out of the city. but before i had to equip myself.


    That''s when i remembered that the Golden Pack also included a few items. In my inventory i found a gold paper wrapped present box which once opened made several windows pop.


    "You have opened your Golden pack


    You will find in it a letter from a family member which will start an exclusive quest, an water gourd of premium quality, a skill book, two gold coins and an extra backpack!"


    Gold coins!


    A bronze coin will buy you a fruit or a bread.


    200 bronze coins were worth 1 silver coin and 500 silvers a gold.


    In other words a single gold coin was worth 10o,ooo bronze coins and i had 2 of them.


    I am rich! No, wait! I am wrong. Right now it seems enormous but later on it would be nothing. I have to be careful with every coin i spent.


    Back to my senses i looked a the next interesting objet in the box: a small shining leather book with an interogation mark on the cover.


    "You have received a Strange Skill Book.


    The book will automatically select a series of skills that suits your current built and transform into an actual Skill Book.


    Once the transformation is done, changing the skill will be impossible so choose your timing well."


    "Would you like to activate the Strange Skill Book?


    "No"


    My decision was quickly done. such a book was too precious to use right away, i would do it when he knew for sure how i wanted to build my character.


    Putting the book in my backpack while goggling the Satchel that i had received. it was made of superior quality leather and had more space slots than the starting backpack.


    Thinking of my increased looting abilities i knew that this secondary inventory would be useful.


    As for the gourd it was too eye catching in those first game month to equip, red players would be swarming me if i didn''t act carefully.


    Then i opened the letter. as soon as the wax seal was broken a set of information windows surrounded me.


    "You have opened the letter Uncle Phillip''s last wish:


    "Dear Ben Varrant,


    It has been long since i last saw you. i hope your travels are going well.


    As you know i once were an Adventurer and visited many different places.


    One of those was the Kingdom of Thyhan on the Weast cost of this continent. It is a beautiful land of gentle farmers and artisans.


    If you ever go there could you please pass by the town of Krint and inform the Temple''s Priest of my death? there are some things i left unfinished back then that has been weighting on me.


    Before i say my final goodbye let me reminder you that the Roads are not always safe yet force is not to be used as the answer to all your troubles.


    Forgive this old man selfish last request,


    Your Uncle Phillip."


    Your late Uncle Phillip has requested of you to bring the news of his passing away to a faraway friend.


    Will you travel to the town of Krint and search for the Temple''s Priest?"


    "Yes"


    "You have accepted the quest Uncle phillip''s last wish:


    Travel to the town of Krint in the Kingdom of Thyhan and tell the Temple Priest of Phillip''s death.


    Prerequisites: obtain and open Uncle Phillip''s last wish letter.


    Quest failure: you loose the letter.


    Rewards: 150000 experience points


    500 familiarity points within the Temple''s Order


    100 familiarity with the town of Krint


    Quest difficulty: C"


    "You have learned of the existence of the Kingdom of Thyhan, the Town of Krint and the Temple''s Order.


    Your map and journal has been updated."


    A class C quest!


    My mind once again went nuts.


    Up to now all the quests i had completed were F type missions. they did not involve any combat and were to be performed within the city walls.


    Now that i could get out of the city i was expecting to receive E class quests which would involve loot-gathering and some mob-cleansing.


    D class quests were missions requiring you to travel a Kingdom, meaning many battles and time was needed.


    C class quests made you cross Kingdoms borders and therefore implied even longer and tortuous travels.


    As far as i knew C class was the highest the Betas had gone during the game testing!


    New Roads! game manual gave more details about the quests qualifications.


    I tried to jog my memory for any more information


    ?B class missions once completed would change the current situation of the concerned Kingdom. the clues for those quests could be found throughout the continent.


    ?A class were similar but their outcomes would impact on at least two Kingdoms.


    ?Then there were the Mythical S and SS type quests who involved entire continents.


    ?The trigger for B class and above quests were numerous and often unpredictable.


    ?A high fame, notoriety, respect, Nobless or Dignity would often force you to accept a difficult quest.


    I took the time to form an action plan, pulling out my map i saw that Krint was at the far West of the continent. To access it i would have to cross 2 Lands, it would probably take me several months to get there if i didn''t stop anywhere and a few more if i passed by villages and cities.


    I finally decided to finish all the quest at the starting town, including the old ruins in the forest, travel to Braeen''s Capital city, the Royal Castle of Fridrol then start going West. I would stop by any city on my road and do their quests.


    Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more.It would mean many detours and stops but at least i would make my avatar grow.


    My decision taken i went by the market store and bought a few apples, bread loafs, dried meat, letuce and a big round cheese. i had found out that my cooking skill allowed me to make an edible sandwich that would have an healing effect on however ate it.


    The first time i had eaten it its effects had surprised me and i decided to by a cooking book. on my arrival at the store, the librarian, thanks to my high Familiarity with the towns people and my sharp intelligence, had instead insisted that i buy a cooking journal.


    The difference between journals and skill related books was that a skill related book, had a limited amount of knowledge stored inside weather a journal added knowledge as you discovered it for example, the cooking books sold generally contained a 10 recipes among which only one or two were useful while travelling, on the other hand a journal would copy the recipes as you read them in books, saw them being cooked in front of you or invented them.


    When i understood this was applying to any kind of knowledge i bought the most developed one i could find in the city.


    Already it had transformed into a pool of historical knowledge about Braeen, the different Magik branches and their practitioner and also had a section for cooking, brewing and a list of description of many type of items and loots i had heard about though my readings and visit to the many stores and shops.


    As i was about to leave for the city''s gates i remembered i had to pass by the training hall to inform my self appointed teacher that i wouldn''t be there tonight. i was so impatient that i practically ran to the guild training hall.


    Since many player were present i had to wait my turn to talk to him.


    "Ben, you are back! would you like to spare?"


    "It would be with great pleasure but i must decline, teache."


    "Oh? why is that?"


    "Since i started training under you i have grown slightly stronger and am now able to leave the city. I wish to test my newly gained strength by going to the forest."


    "The forest... are you planning to battle the bandits?"


    "Bandits sir?


    "I see, you did not hear about it. a few days ago a Merchant Caravan was attacked by a group of bandits. they took everything. it would not have gathered so much attention if the City''s Lord, Sir Malak hadn''t had one of his treasured sculpture piece on it. He is even preparing a punitive expedition."


    "I see."


    "If i remember correctly you can cook, right?"


    "Yes?"


    "Hum... Say you wouldn''t be interested in becoming the expedition forces cook wouldn''t you?


    "Me?"


    "Yes. if i recommend you the captain in charge will certainly accept. he always complains that the food is bad and he has to protect the service personnel. With you he wouldn''t have to. So, will you accept?"


    "You received a quest proposition:


    Join the Bandit Camp Punitive Expedition Forces as the Cook, keep the troops well fed without being an indrance to the Captain during battles.


    You must not die.


    Will you accept the quest?"


    "Please count me in, teacher."


    "Great! be at the North City Gates in two days at down. Look for Captain Miller, he will be explaining the job in more details to you."


    "You have accepted the Bandit Camp Punitive Expedition Forces Cook''s Position:


    -The Cooking and Brewing Skill growth rates rises by 3%.


    -You will be paid 100 bronze coins a day.


    -The food rations will be provided by the expedition, handling them is your responsibility.


    -You are expected to defend yourself in case of danger.


    -The Expedition leaves in a week, at dawn. Don''t be late or you will be left behind.


    -A bonus can be won depending on your total contribution to the Expedition."


    "You have accepted your first Position.


    A position is comparable to work.


    Ex: a City Lord Position means that you will have to manage and develop your City. The more developed the City the more money, influence over the Kingdom economy and politic aspects you will gain.


    Certain Positions are accepted through quests, other are won as a reward or given to you through your Fame and Skill expertise."


    As i was closing the windows the Training Hall Master looked at me with pride.


    "Boy, i am amased by your dedication to your dreams. The day you decide on what kind of traveler you become come to me. I would be honoured to be of council."


    "Teacher, it would be my honour"


    I couldn''t believe it! Not only did i raise my stats by exercising, learned an amaising combat Skill and obtained my first position and my first expedition thanks to this Guy i was now being proposed to be mentored into my Job selection process!


    I had read a comment online that Mentors  were difficult to find and would allow you to only be proposed Jobs that suited you. The game would, according to the poster the game system would analyse every single action you had done from the beginning of the game and propose to you only the Jobs that would suit your gaming style.


    I didn''t know exactly what it meant but i was not about to refuse this opportunity.


    "If you keep calling me "Teacher" i will end up seriously thinking of you as my apprentice, hahaha!"


    "That would make me extremely happy sir."


    Dear old me, milking the cow until it runs dry...


    "Hum...it sure would be sad to see you die after grooming you so much. here, take this. it was my very first weapon. Take care of your blade and it will take care of you in return."


    From one of the many weapons chests, he pulled a cloth wrapped long sword and handed it to me.


    "You have obtained Kaden''s First Sword"


    "Thank you sir, i will make sure to cherish it."


    "Good. Now go, you must have many things to do."


    I bowed to show my respect and left the building. i derected myself towards the central place, where the fountain was. i sat on its basin borders and examined the sword.


    "Kaden''s First Sword


    Durability: 50/50


    Attack: 8-13


    Paring: 3


    Blocking: 3


    Weapon type: Long iron Sword


    Description:


    It was given to you by Kaden, the Training Hall Master of Djaden City.


    It was his first sword, he kept it in the intention to pass it to someone worthy of it.


    The care given to it has slightly increased its Attack and Durability.


    Unique Object."


    The sword sounded amaising. i opened the cloth to find a simple black iron pommel with leather strips and a similar sheath. That was it, no ornaments or other collar than a deep black. A little disappointed i pulled the blade out to examine it. It was made of iron and was sharp.


    I noticed i had attracted the attention of a few other player and quickly attached the sheath to my rope belt, letting the sword hung by my left hip. i took the time to fill my gourd and left for the closest Gates.


    It was time to leave the city walls for the first time.


    previous chapter:


    http://www.royalroadl.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=9620</a>


    next chapter:


    http://www.royalroadl.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=9626</a>

 Volume 1 Chapter 4

    Chapter 4: Outside the Walls of Djaden City.


    I was walking down the Dirt road towards a series of Farms. Through my online readings i had learned that Farm quests were a good way of earning free cooking ingredients while grinding. Since i still had a week before the Expedition departure i wanted to gain levels.


    I entered the first farm and talked a bit with the women inside. she asked me to help build the well a few farms away. i accepted the quest and went to the next farm. I visited 7 farmhouses, talked to a dozen workers in the fields and accepted all their quests.


    Kill 5 foxes.(x3)


    Kill 20 rabbits (x2)


    Gather herbs


    Help maw the wild grass


    Help milk the cows


    Help pick up eggs


    I started hunting rabbits in a lettuce field. since i had sparred with the Training Hall Master i had discovered that blindly hitting your enemy was not the best way to win. you had to target specific areas that were more vulnerable, time your attacks so that you would not be pared and block or pare yourself when necessary.


    Rabbits were small and had a tendency to escape when they saw you. adding to this that they were quick and suddenly changed directions they turned out to be more difficult to hunt than i had thought.


    It took me the whole in game morning to finish hunting down 40 rabbits. i went back to the farmers to receive my rewards. it was a mere 40 bronze coins and 5 carrots each. My sole consolation was that i got to keep the Rabbit Meat i looted.


    I quickly ate a light lunch and started hunting foxes. they were different than the Rabbits as they didn''t hesitate to fight back and moved alone. they were also easier to find as they kept around the Chicken Dens.


    By sundown i had finished all the quests except mowing the grass and building the Well. those kind of repetitive tasks made your fatigue rise quickly and in the intent to reproduce reality to its closest working under the mid-day or afternoon sun could dehydrate you.


    I drank from my gourd and ate a piece of bread then went to the well. 3 Men had started to dig a hole in the ground, it was a meter deep and 2 wide. One of them looked at me.


    "What can i do for you, young sir?"


    "I am here to help."


    "I see. take a pick-axe and help soften the earth."


    I did as told and joined the others. they were players. i knew because they wore metal breastplates over their tunics and one had a hammer hanging from his belt.


    "Hey, never saw you before. Did you just get out to level 8?"


    "Yeah. Yesterday. you?"


    I started swinging the axe down.


    "A few days ago. I¡¯m level 14 now. one more and i will go get my Job."


    "Congrats"


    We kept working in silence for a while until the second player had to sit down.


    "I don''t have a gourd yet"


    "Here, take from mine.


    I pulled mine from my backpack and handed it to him.


    "...Thanks"


    "Nice gourd, man"


    "Got it through a quest."


    It was a lie but they seemed to accept it.


    From there we switched the pick-axe for a shovel and started digging. When the ground was higher than our heads we had to change methods. One of us would cement stones around the hole, another would dig and pass earth filled buckets to the third who would have to empty it further away.


    After an hour of digging like this the earth turned to mud.


    Still we kept digging even when we were walking in muddy water puddles. We finally stopped when the water reached our knee caps.


    Me and Hammer guy pulled the quiet one from the well. the last thing to do was to build the wooden roof and place the bucket and rope in the small wheel. after a rapid check the NPC approved of the result and gave us our reward : 50 bronze coins, 1 fame and an increase in the city familiarity. Not very much for half a night''s work.


    I was about to go back to the city when the Quiet one started complaining about the mud covering him. looking at myself closer i noticed i was in the same situation. my arms, legs and the lower part of my tunic were filthy with dirt. If i didn''t go clean it at a river it would start rotting.


    He must have shared my thoughts as Hammer guy proposed to go clean ourselves to a close by river. we followed him.


    The place was desert. we took of our clothes and equipment and ended up one again knee high in water but this time it was clean and fresh. I was just finishing when someone suddenly appeared and attacked Quiet guy as he was on the banks.


    The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.The attacking man was holding a dagger which, judging by my companion lack of response, could paralyse. I was going for my sword when Hammer guy jumped me.


    It was a trap.


    We fell into the water. since water was bad for iron weapons his hammer was still on the banks. he must have been pretty confident with his level being superior by 6. Unfortunately for him i had spared enough times with the Training Hall Master in close combat to know how to react.


    I punched him in the left ribs at the spleen level.


    "You have dealt a critical hit."


    The hit must have paralysed my aggressor too because he didn''t punch back. Tacking full advantage of my luck i hand chopped his neck then kneed his stomach when he fell.


    "You have landed a critical hit"


    "You have landed a critical hit"


    Thanks to my high strength and luck i emptied his health in only three hits and he turned into an explosion of light.


    The second aggressor seemed to realise his friend''s death as he stopped stabbing his mark and started runing away. the Quiet guy had barely any health points left but still quickly took a bow out and shot at the last man.


    The arrow landed in the attacker''s right shoulder, the shock made him trip and the two of us caught up to him.


    I shared one look with the archer and it was decided that he would be the one to kill him.


    One the Remnant light had disappeared we each got a set of windows. Mine read:


    "You have defeated the player named Dominique.


    You have obtained a Breastplate.


    You have obtained 34 bronze coins.


    You have obtained 395 Exps."


    "You have reached level 10."


    "Through the repetition of special actions you have learned a new skill/ability:


    Hand to Hand combat: beginner 1 (12%)


    Allows you to fight without weapons by rising your basic strength, endurance, dexterity and speed by 3%."


    "Would you like to set Hand to Hand Combat as your Primary?"


    "No"


    Would you like to set Hand to Hand Combat as your Secondary?"


    I thought about it for a while then decided on it.


    "No"


    "Hand to Hand Combat has been set as a skill/ability. as a result it shall receive a 25% experience absorption penalty"


    The two of us re-equipped ourselves at the river bank, i heartlessly added the Breastplate to my clothes set, proud to have obtained it through battle. we were silent as we slowly walked back towards the city.


    I took this opportunity to look at my avatar''s window. i had a total of 45 stat points to distribute. Since i now would have to regularly fight i decided to use them. Not knowing exactly what kind of character i was intending to develop i decided to not use them all.


    In the end i spent 10 points in vitality raising my maximum heath by 50 and 5 points in Strength, Dexterity and Toughness.


    As we crossed the Gates my night''s companion turned towards me.


    "What are your plans for the next days?"


    "I am going to leave in six in game days but in the meanwhile i plan on grinding. why?"


    "Just wondering if you wanted to form a party."


    "That would be great."


    His name was Sygmond.


    When i emerged back in my bedroom the first thing i registered was that Annie was home, i could hear her moving in the kitchen/living room. It was her turn to cook today.


    We dined together, sharing each others day. when i had told her about my first PvP she only said one thing.


    "This Sygmond seems to be a good guy. i am sure he would be a great friend.


    "Actually i think you are right, he would."


    When i connected back to New Roads! Sygmond was waiting for me at the meeting place. we grinded together for the next 5 in game days. normally a player would have to go back to the city every day to eat, sleep and refill their gourds but thanks to my cooking skills, Sygmond tent and my giant gourd we could easily triple our consecutive hunting time.


    The eve of my departure with the expedition i planned on logging out early to catch some real life sleep.


    Before cancelling the party i asked Sygmond to be my friend.


    He immediately accepted.


    previous chapter:


    http://www.royalroadl.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=9624</a>


    next chapter:


    http://www.royalroadl.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=9635</a>

 Volume 1 Chapter 5

    Chapter 5: On the way to the bandit camp


    I logged in early to fill my canteen, mend my clothes and present myself to the expedition Captain.


    I had imagined him to be tall muscular and rough but when i asked one of the pikemen for him i was directed towards a slender red headed women clad in a dark brown thick leather outfit with iron boucle¡¯s and a large sword attached on her back. She looked powerful and authoritative. she must have felt my gaze on her because she turned her attention to me. under her heavy scrutiny i hastily presented myself.


    "Greetings Madam. i was told you are the expedition''s Captain. I am the Cook recommended by Master Kaden."


    "Ah, yes i remember. he said you know how to defend yourself. i hope it is true because neither i or my men will have time to baby-sit you."


    "I understand Captain. If you permit me i will go see the rations you planned on, so i know what i will be working with."


    "Yes, you go do that."


    Her attention was quickly back on the departures preparative.


    I took the time to count the troops constituting the Punitive forces. I spotted several players among them.


    30 pikemen ( 3 players )


    30 archers ( 8 players )


    20 swordsmen ( 6 players )


    10 mages ( 1 player )


    In addition to the combative troops were 10 Priests, Captain Miller, 2 boys leading donkeys a caravan driver and me.


    In total 110 men were forming a 5 men colon, the red headed warrior at its head followed by the pikemen and archers. Then there was the chariot, filled with tents, water barrels and rations. i was sitting next to the driver while the mullet boys sat in the wagon, they donkeys following close behind. closing the march was, in order, the Priests, Mages and Swordsmen.


    The procession was starting to attract attention as the common folks came to wish them luck and offer their support. among the NPC crowd early players were watching their piers with envy.


    "What is going on?"


    "Its a punitive expedition. they are going out to clear a dungeon with the city''s troops."


    "So cool... how do you join?"


    "I don''t know. maybe only the top players can get in."


    "That means people from the Wall of fame are in it?"


    "Probably"


    The Wall of fame... Thanks to the 1 Fame i had gotten by building the well my rank had risen from 74 to 53. maybe i should celebrate it.


    On a whim i opened my Option window and turned the Recording setting on. At the limit of my upper right vision a blinking red "REC" appeared. from now on i would be filming the expedition.


    We orderly exited the city, following the dirt road 4 hours before leaving it. we crossed a small river by foot, the mullet boy and me had to push the wagon through it, then the ground started going uphill. By mid day we could see the forest. once we were under the tree line Captain Miller told us to settle for lunch.


    That was my queue.


    As soon as the order to stop was given i jumped of the wagon and set up a fire place, then i went back to the wagon and pulled from it a water barrel, 55 bread loaf and 110 apples and small slices of rabbit meat


    I stood next to the fire and put the meat to cook on wooden sticks. when the first soldier came by handing me his wooden plate and goblet i served him half a bread loaf, an apple and a roasted rabbit meat slice, filled his cup with water to which i added a squished Elabore seed to shorten the fatigue''s effect.


    Every time i would empty a wooden stick from meat i would refill it and place it back on the fire.


    At first the other players hesitated before taking their share, it was certainly their first time eating something done by another player. he had to reassure them he had no benefit¡¯s in tricking them. on the contrary if they refussed to eat he would save some rations. one of them came and tried it out. when he drank from his goblet and a window showed him the Elabore infused drink effect it finished convincing the rest of them.


    The last one to take their share was Captain Miller. she took her plate in silence and left to eat with her men.


    As soon as everyone was served i killed the fire, but the barrel back on the wagon and readied myself for my dish washing duties. using soft mud and a wet cloth i wiped all 110 plates clean before giving them back to their owner, chatting with them as i did so.


    Now certain i had fulfilled my Obligations as a cook i sat down next to the driver and a mullet boy and ate my lunch while conversing with my ''wagon bound'' companions.


    The break was less than 30 minute long, just enough to take care of everyone¡¯s satiety, thirst an fatigue.


    It took a minute for the Colon to reform then we entered the forest through a narrow path. As soon as we crossed the tree limit my passive herbalist skill started showing itself. all around me, on the floor, the bushes and trees myriad of small names tags revealed to me the presence of various leafs, seeds, fruits and roots.


    The reason why so many appeared was because of my extensive reading back at the old wizards tower. i had slowly learned the names, appearance and properties of multitude of plants used in magik ritual, brewing and potions, adding to this the many food ingredients naturally found in a forest i already knew over 200 herbs, roots seeds and fruits.


    Incapable to resist such tentation i leapt from my seat and went from one spot to another, picking clean the vegetation surrounding us.


    The players and soldiers behind the caravan were staring at me, wondering what i could be doing. Seeing me place handful of regents in my backpack they soon understood that i was looting.


    Since they were all characters built for fighting none of them understood that they were passing by so many valuable items.


    I briefly wondered if the nametags would show on the video and decided that it did not matter.


    They advanced through the forest until they reached a small clearing just before sun down.


    "We will camp here tonight!"


    With just those words the colon disbanded. the soldiers started organising guard watch, a few archers went into the woods to hunt, the wagon was parked and discharged of the tents which were set in a circle around a big fire place in the middle of the clearing.


    Many of the players had never camped in the wild before and hesitated before helping out here and there.


    As for me i had pulled bags of vegetables, a gigantic cooking pot. some salt and another lot of bread and meat.


    Following a recipe i had read in a book i peeled then diced a total of 134 potatoes, 76 carrots and 34 onions while the pot water was heating. when vapour started emanating from the pot i added a bunch of aromatic herbs and roots i had gathered this very day into the hot water then covered it with a lid.


    That will do for the seasoning.


    When it boiled i added the potatoes and carrots to the water. As they baked i grinded various seeds into an oily paste that i used to season the meat that i then once again put on skewers. I put them to roast under the pot when th vegetables were nearly ready.


    The scent of the cooking meat and the pottage drew the soldiers to me. they formed a line plate and goblet in a hand their spoon and bowl in the other.


    Seeing that i needed help, the 2 mullet boys came to assist me. one filled their cup and handed them half a bread while the other placed a morsel of roasted meat on their plates. finally i would fill their bowl with vegetables.


    When the returning hunters saw how tasty the meat was they happily gave me their game. to them who had contributed to the food stocks of the expeditions i gave little extra veggies.


    When the time came to clean i started with the table dressings pilling the cleaned ones next to the tents, the already sleeping soldiers would pack them in the morning before lifting camp.


    I let the fire dim to keep the leftovers in the pot warm without burning them. as i was putting back a few ingredients back in the wagon i quickly did an inventory. as i feared the bread loafs would run out by tomorrow at lunch. i needed to make some now since i didn''t know if i would be able to do some then.


    Using a large pot as a mixing bowl i emptied several bags of wheat flour, added some water, yeast and following my instinct seeds and nuts.


    I spent the next ten minutes malaxing it all into a sticky paste.


    I set 3 smaller fires, placing the burning wood in a circle. i let it burn a little then on the ashes in the centre of each of them i placed a ball of bread paste. thanks to the in game settings the bread only took 5 minute to bake but since i needed enough for several days i made more than 500 of those round breads. it took me several hours and by the time i was done the sun was starting to show up.


    Throughout the night, rotating watch guards had gradually emptied the vegetable pot. i had made sure to chat with everysingle one of them.


    I cleaned the giant and big cooking pots, extinguished the small fires and prepared for breakfast. Every time a soldier came to recuperate its table wear i would hand them a third of still warm bread and a slice of cheese. the water barrel was emptied and another one opened.


    When the procession started moving again


    I had switched with one of the mullet boys for the morning. less than a minute later i fell asleep at the back of the wagon.


    When i woke up i gathered as much as i could from the surrounding flora then started preparing for lunch. Bread, meat, apple and infused water.


    After lunch i checked my map and notice that we were gonna pass close to the area were the ruins were supposed to be. i wondered if i would be able to stop on our way.


    By the end of the afternoon we met the first resistance. a group of archers hidden in trees started shooting at the priests and mages while mass wielders flanked our archers on the right and swordsmen attacked the front and end of the procession.


    We are surrounded. they are killing the healers and massive damage killers first. smart outlaws!


    Seeing that the rear of the colon was too far for the Captain voice to e heard above the noise of the battle i took a leap and shouted


    "Priests and mages gather , swordsmen protect them!"


    Instantly the soldiers obeyed to the confident voice. the priests healed their allies and themselves while the mages took care of the archers and immediate threats. the swordsmen mowed through the bandits. once their end of the procession was clear they started advancing against those at the front. in less than 10 minutes the batle was over.


    I had personally defeated 5 bandits who had tried to take over the caravan, among which a flying archer by throwing my kitchen knife at him.


    After, the priests kept healing the soldiers, equipment loots were placed on the wagon by the NPC soldiers and a quick Head count was done.


    A mage, 2 priests, 6 archers and 2 pikemen were dead, among them were 2 players that would come back in 24 in game hours.


    We were better off than i had thought.


    Captain Miller came toward me, her cheek had a little blood smeared on them. other than that there was no trace that she had been through battle.


    "I was told you held your share of the action. it is good to know that Kaden''s opinion of you was founded"


    "Thank you Captain."


    " Hum. keep going like that Cook."


    She left, living me the impression that i was getting on her god side.


    "Your contribution to the battle has been noticed. a Bonus will be awaiting you at the end of the Expedition.


    Your familiarity with the expedition forces has increased by 15%


    Your familiarity with Captain Miller has increased by 14%"


    After this i took the time to check on the loots i had obtained from the bandits.


    "Travelling Boots


    Durability: 8/11


    Toughness: 2


    Speed: 1


    A pair of comfortable and sturdy skin boots. ideal for long travels.


    Protection against cold weather: 1%


    Common equipment."


    "Tough Skin Belt


    Durability: 7/9


    A belt made of intertwined skin strips. made to last but lacks any aesthetics.


    Anaesthetic equipment"


    "Smelly Yellowed tunic


    Durability: 4/5


    Toughness: 1


    An old tunic smelling of sweat. no matter how much you clean it it will never be white again.


    Protection against cold weather: 1%


    Anaesthetic equipment"


    "Rusted Iron Sword


    Durability: 21/30


    Attack: 4-7


    Paring: 2


    Blocking: 2


    Weapon type: short one handed sword


    An old and rusty short one handed sword. you are most likely to get thetanos than wound your enemy from it.


    Maybe if you tried to sharpen it...


    Anaesthetic equipment"


    "Common Wooden Bow


    Durability: 24/31


    Precision: 64%


    Speed: 1


    Weapon type: bow


    A regular wooden bow. the sting seems to be a bit ragged.


    Common equipment."


    Looking at the wagon i saw one of the mullet boy take a large knife to defend himself. Following his exemple i casually selected a few items for my own use.


    "Hunting Knife


    Durability: 24/30


    Attack: 1-3


    Speed: 1


    Weapon type: long knife


    A 15cm long and large hunting knife with a sharp blade.


    When equipped wild life based loot will increase by 3%.


    Common equipment"


    "Small Skin Quiver


    Durability: 7/11


    Complementary equipment to Bows


    A small shaggy/scrapped off/ dirty skin quarrel which can contain a maximum of 50 arrows.


    Anaesthetic equipment"


    "Hand-made Wooden Arrows (x50)


    Durability: 1-2/3


    Attack: 2-4


    Critical attack: 3-6


    Precision: 34%


    Arrow type: wooden, sharp stone head


    A hand made wooden arrow with shared pointy stone fragments at their head and a few chicken feathers at their extremity.


    Due to poor craftsmanship the durability and precision is relatively low.


    Anaesthetic Equipment."


    I immediately upgraded my get up. I now wore my brown tunic and trousers from the beginning but gone were the smelly sock like shoes and rope belt that itched. in their place i put the boots and skin belt, hanging my sword on my left hip, the hunting knife horizontally on the back of my hips and my gourd and journal on my right. the quiver was strapped on my back, arrows and bow tucked inside of it.


    Now i feel like a true Adventurer. Maybe i should choose this as my Job...


    Captain Miller reorganised the colon. it was now devided into three units each of them were attributed a number of Priests, Mages, Archers, swordsmen and Pikemen. The close combat soldiers and players were on the front, back and side lines while the Archers mage and priests were mixed up in the middle.


    The wagon, me and my three non combatant friends were still in the middle of colon, swordsmen and pikemen guarding our flank and the long range combatant and healers were divided in the front and back of the trailer.


    With this troop arrangement, attacking the procession would be more difficult for the bandits. Especially since the bandits surprise advantage was gone.


    We set our camp in a small clearing, the watch guards was doubled and soldiers slept in their armours, weapon next to them. the next three days of the expedition was similar, crossing the forest, being attacked during the day, lunch or night, pushing the outlaw back, camping...


    The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.The soldiers were always watching the trees, expecting bandits to crawl out of behind them at any moment now.


    On the fouth day of the expedition i pulled my map, wanting to know how far from the Ruins we were. we had passed them by a large merging. but what got my attention was that our travelling route had been inconsistent.


    I understood that the Bandit camp location was unknown to our superiors and they were trying to ferret out the outlaw by searching the forest one place at a time.


    I knew immediately that this was not the best way of looking. the Outlaws would need a large yet defendable space close to a water source. i studied my map more intently and found three possible places where they could hide. I wondered why the Captain hadn''t thought of it sooner and decided to talk to her about it.


    But before i had to convince them to go back towards the Ruins.


    When we set up camp on the sixth night i went to the officers tent looking for Captain Miller. She was looking at a travel map with her right hand, a dark skinned staff wielding mage. they were discussing the next day itenary.


    When i entered the tent the mage brightly smiled at me.


    "What can we do for you Ben Varrant?"


    "I have come to inform you that our food ration has been consume by half. if we do not find a way to re-stock it we will have to go back to Djaden empty handed."


    "I see. anything else?"


    "Yes. i need to impose a detour in our travelling plans."


    Hearing my words the red head finally paid attention to me.


    "A detour? when you have just notified us that we will soon lack food? why?"


    "We need to replenish our water supply. we are done to less than 2 barrels."


    "How it get used so fast?"


    "We used a considerable amount on cleaning and bandaging wounds."


    "I see. what do you have in mind exactly?"


    Looking at their map of the forest i noticed it was only composed of the bigger clearings and rivers. that explained why their search was so unorganised. I pulled mine and laid it over theirs. it showed land marks such as easily remembered trees and rocks with clearings of all sizes, rivers and springs and trails left by animals, travellers of passing caravans. all of those were thanks to either my reading on the area or the many talks had had with local huntsmen before leaving the city with the expedition. then there was the Ruins indicated by a red dot.


    I showed them an old merchants path that went back West, towards Djaden. to reach it we would have to walk up-hill for an hour.


    "If you follow this trail going north west you will directly get to a large river it would be perfect to fill the barrels. One day minimum, not counting possible outlaws attack."


    "Too risky"


    "I agree. we should not squatter the caravan."


    Up to now they had reacted exactly the way i wanted them to. now i just had to convince them to adopt my plan and stop at the Ruins.


    "In that case my suggestion is to pass there, it is a large trail left by regular merchant caravans so there should be no problems with the wagon, lunch in this big clearing here then continue to the river. the banks are large enough to set up camp for the night."


    "That would not be so bad. we would be filling our water supply, checking two different sites... Captain?"


    "The men could use a little fresh water. it will be good for the moral. very well let us do so. Now that we have tomorrow settled every one should go to sleep. we never know when we will need our strength."


    I took my map back, noticing that the Captain''s map had copies all my area''s information, and left the commending tent with the mage.


    One of the amassing things in New Roads! was that NPC could also learn and improve, just like a players. this system applied to theirs map and journals which meant that now that the Captain had a detailed map of the forest the efficiency of the expedition would skyrocket.


    The Mage Officer bid me goodnight and left. i went in my tent next to the trailer. a RL hour later i connected back. apparently a small group of bandits had attacked during the night, managing to kill a sentinel pikemen and 2 other soldiers before the camp reacted to their presence.


    The men left the clearing in a bad mood, even my lunch didn''t lift their spirits. when we finally arrived to the river The night was falling. with the help of the 2 Mullet boys i stocked on water. Once diner was finished i sneaked of the camp perimeter to gather everything i could in the surrounding forest. some berries and fruits, wild carrots and onions... it was only 5 meals worth of looted food, medicinal herbs for cataplasms and bandages and a few seasonings yet it was worth the time spent.


    When i came back to the camp i made sure to be ''accidentally'' spotted by one of the men in my unit and had to admit to him that i had been ''secretly'' spending my nights gathering regents for the soldiers meals and bandages. i made him promise not to tell anyone, perfectly knowing that by sun rise his bunk mantes would know everything and spread the story.


    This was one of the many tricks i had developed to rise my familiarity with the expedition troops. As a result i was now known by everyone, including the players, as a nice cook dedicated to his work and capable of fighting on his own.


    But the truth was far from the benevolent image i was spreading; i had access to the wagon which contained the NPCs loots and had periodically taken from it, since i was cooking 330 meals a day my cooking related skills were steadily raising, all the herbs, roots and seasonings i was gathering were my own property and i was steadily stocking on them.


    All along the trip i had been tacking part in battles without putting myself at risk even once, levelling up to 14. true the other players were all around level 20 but thanks to my many skills and intensive training my actual stats were the same as them.


    As for my familiarity with the expedition troops it had reached 67%, it was now a usual occurrence that NPCs would come talk to me during breaks, invite me to play dice ( i often won because of my 37 Luck stat ), or come offer me food ingredients they had found.


    "I am totally ruling this quest!"


    The next" day, before lunch we came upon a small gathering of bandits. Surprisingly they were easy to pick. after looking at their gear i understood they were the bottom feeders of the bandits, probably sent here to distract or mislead us. The men encircled them, not ready to forgive for those many days of nerve wreaking wait.


    I went to find Captain Miller. if she did not notice the difference and thought they were our target, i was at the risk of receiving a significantly lesser reward.


    "Captain, we have a problem."


    "I know. Those are not our outlaws, merely starving people that were desperate enough to follow them."


    "Indeed. what is your decision?"


    "I can i do? the men re too angry, they won''t listen to me."


    "So you want to spare them?"


    "If possible. them too are victims of the bandits."


    Without listening any further to her defeated tone i pushed my way through the soldiers and stood in front of the captured beggars.


    I heard a few soldiers telling me that it was too dangerous that i had to back off, i didn''t listen to them either and started to prepare a warm meal.


    "Here it this. it will give you strength."


    The man hesitantly took a first mouthful, then started gulping the food down rapidly. a girl Annie''s age came to me with pleading eyes. one of her arm was covered with bruises.


    I gave her food too. one buy one our captives came to beg for a plate. as i was about to serve a trembling man i found out i was out of tableware. turning to the soldiers i made sure all of them could see the trembling, under nourished and frightened '' Evil outlaw'' they were about to execute.


    "Do any of you have an extra plate or spoon to lend them?"


    Talking to them seemed to have shacked them from their surprise as one of them yelled at me.


    "What do you think your doing Varrant?"


    "Preserving my Honour as a cook and a man. what about you?"


    "Me?"


    "Yeah, you! you were all about to kill them as soon as you saw them! we¡¯ve been chasing those freaking assholes for a whole week now and we''ve never been close enough to smell them, let alone see them.! do you really think they would wait for us nicely in our next lunch spot? do you really think that they are not laughing at us this very moment?"


    The soldiers grew restless realising that there was a high chance i was right. tired of this cat and mouse game i raised my voice even higher and screamed to the tree line.


    "I ''m right aren''t i? you''ve been watching us this whole time! attacking us in the dead of the night and in our backs, beating up girls and using the sick and elderly! you have no honour, no morale!"


    I had to stop to catch my breath. in that moment i heard the Captain''s voice whispering orders to her men, discretely they put themselves in position, forming a protective circle around me and the group of petrified beggars.


    The Mage officer went behind me, ready for anything.


    With a look the red headed women instructed me to continue provoking them.


    " Come on! show yourselves! are you really that scarred of me?"


    From behind one the trees an arrow shot upwards, soaring high in the sky to end up between my two feet.


    The message was clear: don¡¯t push it. we can kill you whenever we want.


    But i did not pay attention to the warning.


    "What was that? did you just miss me? how shifty is your eye sight to miss me from that far? Here! let me give you a hand!"


    I pushed the soldiers away, stepping out of the relatively safe one. stopping a few steps away from the troops i took off my quiver and sword and threw them away.


    "What about now? can you do it can you kill me?"


    No reaction.


    From behind me i hear a feminine voice mumble something that sounded strangely like "stupid kaden, i asked for someone who could take care of themselves not go and suicidal by provoking a whole gang of freaking criminals!"


    "Still not enough? fine, but only because i really doubt you can even scratch me"


    On that last insult i took my metal breastplate and tunic off, reading my arms wide and closing my eyes.


    "It''s whenever you want pals!"


    There was a moment of complete silence. still even with my back turned to her and my eyes closed i could feel my Superiors murderous gaze on me.


    i am so gonna get it later on.


    I was so concerned with weather it would affect my pay that i nearly didn¡¯t hear the wind piercing arrow before it was too late. with an impossibly fast hand movement i chopped the arrow amp in two. Bare-handed.


    This feat would not have been possible if i had not gulped a mixture of potions and medical pastes as i was serving the old man. the effects were slow to show hence my little bit of acting in between. My mind was clear, my reflexes heightened and my muscles pulsing with adrenaline. Simply saying i was drugged.


    From another direction a second arrow came forward. this time i caught it. then it was two, three and finally four at a time. Every time i would chop it in two or catch it. The floor surrounding me was soon covered with arrows


    I could see on the upper right limit of my vision a blinking red number 54...53...52...51...


    I had 50 seconds left before the drugs e


    te wear off and started looking like a Hedgehog.


    The arrow stooped and a large shoulder build man exited the woods. i knew instantly he was the bandits'' chief.


    "I a impressed by your trick swordsmen."


    " An not a swordsmen."


    Above his head a bright yellow ¡°smiling outlaw chief, level 16¡±''. he was wearing a dark green matelesed leather vest. it seemed like a good object to have.


    I want that top.


    "If not, you must be an archer."


    "I am a cook."


    Hearing me say this The smiling outlaw chief burst out laughing.


    "A cook? Defeating me? i do not think so, no."


    "Oh, i am not gonna kill you. there is an extra if we can get you alive. i am just gonna make you kneel."


    It was my turn to smile.


    He looked at me more waringly but relaxed again when he remembered i didn¡¯t have any weapons on me.


    "Do not intervene. this is between him and me.


    "Same here, Captain"


    The bandit walked towards me, his large sword at the ready. Looking at the way he was positioning himself, he would be attacking my left side with an Upper Slash. He lifted his arm to strike and i took two steps forwards, entering his personal space and blocking his sword arm under my shoulder pit, my hand behind his neck. With my second arm i slapped his ear, making him lose his sense of equilibrium. a sweep of my back leg and he fell, kneeling in front of me.


    Block-startle-trip and...


    His smile now looked like a grimace while my grin went from an ear to the other.


    In a half mocking half pleading voice he tried to get the final laugh.


    "Well i guess you will get that reward after all..."


    "About that, i lied. there is no reward."


    Twist.


    And i did. the noise of his vertebra breaking could be heard throughout the clearing. as soon as the body fell on the forest ground a mountain of windows popped up but before i could read them arrows flew in my direction.


    Pinpointing the enemy archers the punitive forces mages and own archers killed the attackants one by one while the close combat soldiers shielded them of the enemy fire.


    Not wanting to loose my loot to another player i picked the still present body and ran for cover. Once with my two friends the Mullet boys i took the time to read my messages.


    "You have defeated the criminal ''the smiling outlaw chief''.


    You have obtained a dark green long sleeved mattlased leather vest.


    You have obtained 4 silver coins


    You have obtained 137 exps.


    You have gained 10 Fame.


    You have obtained the Bandit Camp Location."


    "Through repetitive actions you have created new Stats:


    Honour (15)


    Dignity (8)


    Respect (15)


    Leadership (8)


    Those stats are essential while gathering followers or treating with nobility.


    If you raise them high enough you will be given Positions in the Nobless."


    "Quest upgrade: The forest outlaws have lost their leader, use this opportunity to hunt them one by one.


    Remaining outlaws: 52"


    "You have gained a level." X3


    "Your Hand to Hand Combat Skill has risen to Beginer 2 (21%) speed attack + 1%"


    previous chapter:


    http://www.royalroadl.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=9626</a>


    next chapter:


    http://www.royalroadl.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=9680</a>

 Volume 1 Chapter 6

    Chapter 6: Playing spies, playing tacticians...


    From the reaction of the rest of the players they had all received the quest upgrade, Captain Miller was directing her troops against the encircling and enraged bandits. once the archers were taken care of the warriors formed a three level line and marched onto the enemies location. often players would break rank to chase a fleeing outlaw or finish off one of the NPCs'' marks.


    In just a battle they threw away the familiarity they had earned with the soldiers.


    What a waist!


    Every time i would see a soldier in difficulty i would jump in and deal with the bandit swiftly.


    Since i had killed their leader many of them were gunning for me either to avenge their chief or gain Notoriety.


    The result was that i had no problem finding an adversary.


    When twenty of their men died the outlaws finally realised they were being defeated and scattered away.


    We all took a moment to gather ourselves, heal the wounded and catch our breath. the trailer''s driver had taken an arrow in the shoulder so the mullet boys and i would have to take over his duties on the way back. still the man insisted on riding in the front. the Outlaw chief cadaver was wrapped in a tent and attached on a mullets back: it was the proof that we had done our work.


    We set up camp for the rest of the evening and were divided in teams of five each was entrusted with an area of the forest


    the Captain, the Mage Officer, the non-combatant and myself were in the group that would protect the wagon.


    Of course.


    I was about to protest when the black skinned mage took me apart.


    "Who are you?"


    "What do you mean?"


    "Don''t play with me Varrant, no simple Cook moves like you do!"


    "Ho, that! Teacher kinda showed me a few times but this is the first i used them in a real battle."


    Which would explain why i got the skill just now...


    "Teacher?"


    "Kaden from the Training Hall."


    "Wait, you are kaden''s pupil!?"


    "Yes"


    "...I see."


    Somehow the mention of the Training Hall Master seemed to calm him. Was there a story behind it? I would have to look further.


    "But if you are, what are you doing posing as a cook?"


    "I am a cook! i just also happen to be learning how to fight for futur plans, that''s all."


    "Plans?"


    "Yes. i wish to travel the world, discover new places, meet new people, learn of their stories and culture..."


    " You wish to become an adventurer?"


    "I don''t know. it seems a bit...boring to me."


    "An explorer, then?


    "Carving my way to celebrity and wealth in blood isn''t really agreeable to my morals."


    "Celebrity and wealth, hum?"


    "Who doesn''t dream of those!"


    "Indeed"


    There was a moment of silence while he was looking at me, thinking.


    "You have a gift with people, are hard working, knows how to manage goods, want to travel to many places... Say, you wouldn''t be interested in becoming a Merchant by any chance?"


    "A Merchant? What do they do?"


    "They buy and sell goods to people and cities. To broaden their income they often have to look for new prospects and clients."


    "That sounds quit interesting... i will think about it."


    "If you decide to follow the path of a Merchant go to the ''Bubbling Bar'' and look for Gerry, he runs his old man shop and is looking for help. it should be perfect for you as a start."


    "I understand. thank you"


    When he left me three new windows showed.


    "Kaden''s name seems to have a lot of weight with the Military Officials. you should dig deeper."


    "You were presented with the ''Path of the Conquering Merchant''. Ask your Mentor about it for more details."


    "You were proposed the Position ''Gerry''s old man Shop''s Assistant''. To accept it go see Gerry at the ''Bubbling Bar'' in Djaden."


    Path of the Merchant... sounds like a special profession. i should definitively look into it.


    The rest of the day went buy. the cleaning groups came back around sunset. when all of them were back i looked at the mission status window. there was only 17 outlaws left. Most probably holding up in their Camp.


    The Camp!


    I took my map out and noticed a second red blinking dot. just next to the one indicating the Ruins.


    Of course! they are using the Ruins as shelter!


    My first instinct was to tell the captain about my discovery, the second not to, after all if the entire expedition force went there was the possibility that i would have to share the Forest Ruins Quest too. but then again, if all the bandits were there...


    I will have to be smooth about it. get an escort without attracting the attention of the players... it is worth the shot.


    I went to the Commanding tent after finishing my Cook duties. the Mage Officer and the Captain were still looking at their map. black dots were spread randomly around the forest. Most of them were closer to the ruins.


    locations of were the soldiers killed bandits.


    I greeted my superiors and started listing our reaming rations one by one.


    "I suppose that what you are trying to say is that we are still running out of food?"


    The red head was loosing her patience.


    "No, i meant to say that if we stay here two more days we will be out. except if we find the Bandits storage."


    "Storage?"


    "Yes. food, water, weapon, treasure... i will need a secured and close by place. also has to be protected from the weather."


    The mage was already back on the map.


    "Here. the Ruins."


    "Yes. that is the only place that would do we haven''t looked at yet."


    "Their camp would have to be in front or in one of those three small clearings..."


    "Or in all of them..."


    I let them talk it out for a while.


    "We should send men to check the situation of all three places and the ruins."


    "I volunteer for the Ruins. as a Cook i should be present to evaluate any food supplies i can see. no need to risk more men if it is for a back of mouldering bread and fanned veggies.


    "I agree. we will act as if we know nothing and still randomly search them in the meanwhile we will ascertain their exact location and number. at nightfall we will attack."


    "What if they are in several places?"


    "Then we will split up. the effect of surprise is primordial. As long as they have no leader they will be slow to organise under sudden attacks and by attacking them all at once we will prevent any re-emforcements from coming."


    "So we attack all four places?"


    "No, just the clearings at first."


    "Very well. i will go get some men now."


    The Mage officer came back with, to my horror six players, half of them swordsmen, 2 archers and the sole mage and an NPC archer and 2 mage soldiers.


    3 men per clearing. Small enough to be fast and quiet but numerous enough to fight back any type of enemies or mobs.


    "Here are our most trusty and capable men Captain."


    "Good peak."


    She then mentioned the men to line up and divided them in three small groups of three. one swordsman, an archer and a mage in each.


    "We believe we have finally spotted the bandit hide out. the problem is that ther is a total of three of them and we ignore the disposition of their defensive power or their offensive capability. To remisiate to this it has been decided to send spies. you were chosen. Officer Cage, give them the details please."


    "Yes, ma''am! tomorrow, in the cover of checking the woods for any remaining bandits you will travel to one of their camps and come back after gathering information. be back before the next night. don''t get spotted. if you do get one of you to escape and report. the rest will have to remain behind."


    Seeing the men tense up the Captain spoke again.


    "The success of this expedition is on you, yes, but it does not mean that you have to die. try to get captured. we will rescue you later. understood?"


    "Yes captain"


    The soldiers responded in unison while the players were fumbling in front of them with their hands. they had gotten a quest update.


    Then she turned towards him.


    "As for you, Beok and an archer will accompany you on you trip for your damn supplies."


    "Thank you captain."


    I then turned to the soldiers and players. i wanted to make sure they didn''t suspect anything about the ruins.


    "On that subject, please keep an eye open for their food storage''s location. i won''t hide that we will need any extras food available on our way back."


    "Through your Cook position, leadership and respect you have added the sub-objective ''locate food storage'' to the quest ''Bandits Camp Punitive Expedition Force: spy on the bandit camps''


    The NPCs that are concerned will automatically try to fulfil the objective(s).


    The players will receive a bonus at the end of the Expedition.


    Players on the quest: 6


    NPCs on the quest: 3"


    I saw the other player reading then closing the sub-quest window announcement.


    Captain Miller gave each team a leader (the NPCs) and a clearing to spy on the dismissed us. the Mage Officer precised that the mission was secret, no need to have soldiers talk about it in the middle of the forest and be overheard by hiding bandits. This added another condition to finishing the quest.


    I prepared everything for tomorrow¡¯s lunch and asked (pleaded) for the mullet boys help. they accepted to replace me while i would be taking the day ''hunting and gathering supplies'' in the forest. the next day as i was serving breakfast one of the archers took the time to have a chat.


    "Hello sir Varrant"


    Since i had obtained the Respect stat people started calling me Sir or Mister.


    "I was informed by Officer Cage that we will be going ''hunting'' together."


    "Oh, yes! i see so you are the third person. please call me Ben."


    "Very well. In that case address me as Nathan."


    "Alright, Nathan! as soon as i finish with my duties here i will be ready to go. We should leave early."


    "Understood."


    He left to eat his breakfast and i served the next person in line. less than an hour later, when i finished cleaning the last wooden plate. i checked my equipment, equipping the ''Dark Green Long Sleeved Matlassed Leather Vest''. it added 2 in Toughness and 1 in Endurance and Dexterity.


    Most of the men had already left the camp to patrol the forest, i gave some more recommendations to my replacements, went to see the driver, changed his bandages and made him drink a tea of various dry leaves. once sure he had emtied his cup i left to find my two companions.


    They were waiting for me by the camp fire, chatting.


    "My apologies for the tardiness. the old driver wouldn''t drink his medicine. Kept saying it tasted awful... which is totally true."


    "No worries. we all were under your medical care once. I understand the old block: it does taste like sh-t!"


    We all laught like old friends.


    Hurrah to the high Familiarity stat!


    We were walking stealthily between the trees, less than an hour later when we crossed a thief. An arrow and sword strike later, he had been dealt with. A bit before lunch time it was a group of four.


    We ate while walking. it was a simple sandwich of cheese lettuce and dried meat and smashed seeds on the bread but it had the effect of rising Endurance for a few in game hours.


    The closer we went to the ruins the more frequently we met outlaws. their numbers never went above five at a time but after the sixth time my two companions started to express concerns about their number.


    Bandits were not the only threats, a few times we were attacked by foxes and boars, once by a bear. we also hunted every dear, rabbit, squirrel and bird we saw. i had said i would go gather food and i would do just that.


    Around mid day Nathan spotted a sentinel perished in a tree, a hunting horn on his hips. the men was delt both by Nathan and i, an arrow in his heart and the other in the throat.


    Beok then went up the trunk and using a self applied spell named ''Hawk Eyes'' scrutinised the forest. he took a few minutes then came back down.


    "There is a few patrols up ahead. we will have to be careful. eliminating them would alert the rest of our presence."


    "How far way from the Ruins are we?"


    "Two hours walk, tops."


    We went on, hiding behind trees and bushes when we heard footsteps or chatting.


    By listening to them we understood that the outlaws had been dispatching men to their other camps. it was good news for us as there would be less risks of getting cough but the other groups would have to be careful not to get spotted from behind.


    When we were finally at the Ruins we hid behind trees and bushes watching the bandits.


    The camp was simple. Six wooden huts placed in a half circle surrounding an old tunnel''s heavy wooden door. thick wood pikes barrier were placed between the huts, pointy side towards the exterior of the clearing. There was around 60 outlaws walking or sitting in the huts, each were armed with a sword or a bow.


    The re-enforced door was opening regularly, letting bandits in and out of the tunnel.


    As we were watching the camp my quest window appeared.


    "You have discovered the last bastion of the forest bandits.


    Your map has been updated.


    Observe them the whole night then go back to report.


    Do not get caught."


    "You have discovered the Forest Ruins Back Entry


    Your map has been updated."


    Back entry?


    I gestured my officer and whispered in his ears.


    "This is the back entry of the Ruins. we should check the front too, in case."


    "Good point. if their number is smaller there we could pass through the tunnel and take them from the rear."


    We stayed hidden there, observing the bandits for three more hours. when the sun set they all went inside exept ten men who were guarding the entry and those doing rounds. we regularly changed our observation point to not be found. by midnight we left Nathan there for the night and travelled towards the Ruins front entry.


    Crossing the woods in the dark was a different experience: all the sounds were amplified, you could easily get disoriented or smash into a tree, bush or walk on a twig.


    Once i even thought that we were being watched. it turned out to be a big grey wolf. anyone else would have been attacked but thanks to my Nature Understanding attribute and my Spirit of the Wolf skill we were spared.


    Seeing the predator gave me an idea. i took of my closes and equipment and whispered.


    "Spirit of the Wolf."


    Immediately i felt my whole body tickle as my bones and skin re-arranges themselves to those of a gigantic black wolf.


    "You have used the ''Spirit of the Wolf'' skill, as a result you have shape shifted into a wolf.


    -150 Mana"


    "As a wolf some equipment¡¯s can not be worn and has been returned to your backpack.


    You now have the skills, attributes and stats of a Wolf:


    Max health: 205


    Max mana:250


    Vitality: 39


    Endurence:55


    Toughness:37


    Strength: 45


    Speed: 38


    Dexterity: 47


    Intelligence: 43


    Ancient Rune Knowledge: 22


    Leadership: 13


    Respect: 15


    Honour: 15


    Luck: 37


    Fame: 52


    Track: (Passive) Beginner 1 (0%)


    you can follow anything/anyone by smell


    Bite: (Active) Beginner 1(0%)


    You can attack your preys with your teeth.


    Claw: (Active) Beginner 1 (0%)


    You can attack your preys with your claws.


    Howl: (Active) Beginner 1 (0%)


    You can call for your wolf brothers by howling to the wind. the number of help depends on weather there is wolf in the area and of your leadership stat.


    Mana consumption: 45


    Growl: (Active) Beginner 1 (0%)


    You can growl at your preys, it will paralyse them for at least two seconds. the smaller the prey, the longer the paralysis.


    This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.Mana consumption: 20


    Predatory eyes: (Active) beginner 1 (0%)


    your prey''s footprints are coloured in a fluorescent colour. Green for herbivores, yellow for carnivores and red for humanoids.


    -7 mana/1 minute


    Night vision: (Passive) Beginner 1 (0%)


    you can see in the dark for 10 meters around.


    Cushioned paws: (Passive) Beginner 1 (0%)


    you are in a constant Stealth status unless you are running or sprinting.


    Predatory ears: (Passive) Beginner 1 (0%)


    you can hear further away and better than a Human."


    Awesome!


    I rubbed my head on Beok''s legs to tell him it was me. at first when he saw me he suddenly got enveloped in a sour smell.


    Fear.


    then after looking around him he whispered my name and, like a god dog i raised my front paw. He chuckled nervously, half amazed half frightened by my unexpected transformation.


    Once Beok was informed of my new appearance i went ahead, scouting the paths to check for enemies or traps. the floor was spread with many different smells.


    sweat, humus, rabbit, human, wolf, moss, rotting fruits, rabbit again, squirrel, piss, human again...


    I took the time to autentify each of them and hunted a few rabbits to get used to my new body. running and sprinting was difficult for me who was used to walk on two legs. the sounds were also overwhelming: i could here insects roaming under the falling leaves, small preys jumping, climbing and fling around...


    By the time i found the front entry of the Ruins i had fairly adapted to my new body. i went back to my companion and after mimicking the act of walking close to the ground lead him to the front ruins.


    The place had no fortifications or sentinels and compared to the back there was only a minimal guard of five sword equiped men and two archers.


    Their carelessness surprised me until i realised that the Expedition had never neared the Ruins and even after sending the men out. To the Bandits, this place was the most unlikely to be attacked.


    You are so gonna regret this.


    We once again spent several hours watching them. i used my flair to count the different body smells and track their daily movements. By sun rise we went back to rejoin Nathan. Finding him hidden behind big bushes was no problem thanks to my Tracking abilities.


    We spent the rest of the morning travelling back to the Expedition Camp. We reached it during lunch. i changed back to human shape before leaving the trees cover, made Nathan and Beok promise not to talk about my ability in front of anyone else but the Captain.


    As we crossed the camp soldiers came to us, asking where we were and why i had not been there for three meals in a row.


    Every time i would answer the same thing: getting food, restocking supplies, preparing our return to Djaden. To further emphasise my words i had slung a dear we had gotten on our way back across my shoulder and Beok and Nathan had rabbits in their hands.


    We put everything we had hunted and picked in the forest in the wagon, i checked on the driver, went to see the mullet boy showering them with thanks and compliments for holding my duties for the two days i was away.


    Pretending i had to update the Captain on the extra supplies we had gotten i followed Beok and Nathan at the Commending tent.


    There we gave our reports. indicating the number of enemy forces, their locations and patrols movements, frequency and relieve. we told her about the other entry into the Ruins, she immediately understood the opportunity it gave us.


    Once our report was complete she told us about the other three camps. apparently there was only around ten men in each of them, which means that most of the Bandits troops were at the ruins. The other spies had also spotted food stocks of many kind of rations. according to their descriptions there should be enough for four more days.


    After an hour of discussion it was decided that by night fall the expedition would be devised in fifty different teams that would advance towards the four camps under the pretence of hunting go through different paths and regroup once close to their targets in eight groups. No need to wake the outlaws by making noise while travelling in big Numbers. There would be one group for each clearings, one for the front Ruins, one for the back of the Ruins, one who would guard the wagon and one spread between each three camps and the ruins, stopping any survivors travelling in between them.


    We would all attack as the raising sun behind us blinded our enemies and sleep was taking over the sentinels. it would start with a stealthy attack, slitting throats and shooting arrows at the sentinels and lookouts. then the swordsmen would pass the wood barriers, enter the camp and slay the bandits in their beds. only when their presence was revealed and they had lost the effect of surprise would they be allowed to do noise. To this part of the planning i added my little personal touch under the form of a particularly interesting set of herbs and leafs.


    Hopefully it would be too late and the men had made too many victims in the enemy ranks and entered to deep in their territory for them to fight back. When the battle was over, half of the unwounded and remaining forces would go with the group in between the camp and Ruins and slowly surround the sites, re-emforcing any battle front in difficulty


    The wagon would time its advance to arrive at the Eastern bandit camp an hour after the start of the battle and take everything that was stored at the hideouts, including the remaining Expedition forces and their wounded, as it visited them one at a time going west its guarding troops would increase and prevent any vengeful attacks from escapees. once done with all three clearings it would continue its road back to Djaden.


    In the meanwhile, the troops at the ruins would be attacking at the front and blocking their retreat at the back. if by the time the re-emforcement had arrived they did not take the camp then a siege would start, waiting for the bandits to come out in the front while heavy troops infiltrated them from behind. once the Ruins were cleared the soldiers would take everything they found and put it on the stolen trailer along with the stolen goods and food supplies. they would then join the Expedition wagon after two day of travels.


    Once together the Expedition would divide into three squadrons, a trailer between each one, soldier on their sides.


    Wounded would be placed with the second part of the procession. We would be arriving at Djaden through the East Gates after Seven days of travels. that meant two water refills stops and half rations for everyone if we did not find food inside the Ruins.


    Surprisingly i was given the command of a small troop of ten men, four pikemen two swordsmen, two archers and the two mullet boys with their donkeys. i would be a part of the team attacking the ruins from behind.


    That¡¯s a relief. i hope there isn''t more players through.


    Then it was time to designate the other leaders for each groups. The captain and the mage officers lengthily discussed about it. the names came rapidly but choosing were each men would be stationed was the problem. Group commanders were chosen first. Miller would be part of the Eastern clearing troops and join with the wagon in order to check on the result of the battle sites and take care of the wounded. Cage would be in charge of the frontal attack on the Ruins. he would hve to co-ordinate the troupes during the battle, when the re-emforcements arrived, after the battle and during their travel to join back with the Captain and the other half of the Expedition''s forces.


    The command of the other two battle sites were given to two other mages while the ones of the three interruption groups had been placed under the control of three swordsmen.


    The group infiltrating the ruins were given to an archer.


    Then the fifty or so team lieutenants were decided. That is when my name came up.


    I was given the command of a team of ten men by Beok.


    "You guys will be the advanced party, scouting ahead for the rest of the group. don''t take risks, don,t engage into unnecessary battles or play heroes. your job is to map the ruins, find the positions of soldiers and storage. Especially their food and the stolen merchant trailer. Remy, Vrenn and Armand can disable traps. You already know Nathan. the rest o the team is made of Bradon and Jamy, swordsmen, Carl and Tirry,pikemen along with Remy and Vrenn. your second archer is Armand. the last ones in your group are your two friends Landell and Owen and their donkeys."


    "Wait, the donkeys too? Why?"


    "You might need them to transport things"


    "Like what?"


    "Food or the stolen goods. it is just in case we would meet a bigger opposition than planed and had to siege them. you would be snatching their rations, forcing them to get out of their refuge, and the Lords stolen goods, accomplishing one of our objectives."


    "I see"


    Yes! i am on the front line, in the Ruins with no other players!


    "I understand. i will be ready for tonight. can i go see my men and get some sleep now?"


    "Of course. goddess knows we will need it tomorrow."


    "Well, see you later on then."


    I left the tent, going to Nathan to tell him he will be in my team tonight. i asked his to pass the message to the other archer and the two swordsmen. i bid him good night and went to find my four pikemen, asking around for their location. i found one at the camp fire still eating, another in his tent, catching some Z''s and the last two playing dice with five other soldiers. i all told them the same thing. that tonight they will be members of my team that it was in their best interest to get the maximum of sleep starting now and that we would meet by the trailer after diner was over.


    When they asked me what our mission would be i simply told them we would be getting supplies. In a way it was true. I just didn''t precise where and how. Their fault for not asking.


    My last stop before going to sleep were the mullet boys, Landell and Owen.


    When i reconnected 5 in games hours later, i started preparing dinner. tonight it was a meat ragout, full of proteins, and an entire bread loaf each. the with the help of the boys i prepared a bit over 900 sandwiches, and prepares a hundred small cloth bags filled with sticks of braided together herbs and leaves.


    As we were preparing those Owen and Landell started questioning me.


    "Something is going on isn''t it?"


    "How so?"


    "All afternoon the graded officers and a few others held a big meeting. it took over an hour. as soon as it was finished they all started talking to the rest of the soldiers."


    "And you, when you came back from your ''hunting report'' also spent way too much time in it, we are going hunting at night, the whole camp spent the afternoon sleeping, you are preparing enough food for everyone for three meals and those strange smelling herb braids..."


    "Okay, okay! i get it! you saw through it all!"


    "So?"


    "What is happening"


    "We now were the bandit camps are located"


    "CampS?"


    "How many of them?"


    "Three clearings and an underground ruin dehind those. the ruins are the most guarded but there is a rear entrance. that''s where We are going."


    "All three of us?"


    "With your damn donkeys to boot!


    There was a long silence as the boys slowly took in what i told them.


    "What about the others?"


    "We will divide in small teams and spread ourselves throughout the forest, slowly direct ourselves towards the four camps, regroup in eight groups at designated areas. five of them will attack the camp, three block any survivors. the last group will accompany the wagon. At dawn we attack. all of us."


    I slowly told them of the strategy put in place. at the end of it their heads were spinning.


    When the sky started turning orange i announced that dinner was ready. each time i gave a man a plate i also distributed three sandwiches. To the en who presented me with a special paper slip i also gave a dozen braided herbs pouches and instructions on how to use them.


    "Try to use them in small enclosed spaces or to shoot a few in camp fires.


    Give a good fifteen second for the smocke to take effect. it smells a lot. stay up wind to avoid any backfire. wear wet cloths over their nose and mouth if they had no other choice but to go in the smoke...."


    The team leaders listened carefully conscious of how important a good understanding of their new weapon would be.


    The soldiers coming after them would also listen in as it was no longer a secret to any of the expedition member that tonight would be a busy one.


    When everyone, including Beok and the Captain, had received their meals the three of us ate ours then i went to see the trailers driver. I told him that we would absent for three days but would expect to see him back to full health by the time they were back.


    The old man had understood that the final battle was closing in an wished me good luck.


    "You know when i was young, i wanted to travel the world."


    "Really? me too!"


    "You are still young, boy!"


    "True enough. and you are not dead yet either."


    He took a moment to consider what i had said


    "I am retiring after that. my parents used to have a farm. its a ruin now, along with all the other ones around it. i think i am gonna rebuilt it. try to live peacefully now."


    "Sounds like a good plan. Where is it so i come visit?"


    "Behind Djaden City Northern Walls and between the old Wind Mill and the Zerfa River."


    "Okay."


    "Your map has been updated"


    I left him to find my ten men and two donkeys waiting outside the trailer. They looked quite frightened.


    "I see everyone is here, good. i suppose by now everyone knows what is going one?"


    They all nodded. Still i continued talking.


    "Tomorrow at dawn we will attack all four bandits hideouts. it will be the last battle. in two days we will either on our way home or eating wild grass by the roots! i would rather like to avoid the last option. what about you guys?"


    They gave small ascent noise.


    "Tonight we get in position. discreetly. We won''t get any sleep in between the positioning and attack as we are gonna take care of the furthest site. don''t needlessly spend your energy. don''t talk if there is no reason. don''t eat your sparse rations. keep count of your arrows and bandages. and finally, never lose sight of each other. i want everyone to survive the following days. understood?"


    "Yes, sir!"


    "Any questions?"


    "Yes. will we really be infiltrating the bandits stronghold on our own?"


    "No. we will scout The bandit stronghold on our own. big difference."


    "What is the difference"


    "We will have 20 en ready to avenge is if we die."


    There was a small silence.


    "Ah."


    "It warms your insides doesn¡¯t it? any other useless questions?"


    "No, sir."


    "Good, lets move out then. check your backpack once more, verify the state of your weapons, your canteen and give a small prayer to whichever god you think will be willing to hear you."


    The men quickly followed my instructions then once again stood. this time i could see in their eyes that they were ready.


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 volume 1 chapter 6.3

    This is a chapter that is not written into Ben''s point of view.


    Sort of like a bonus on my part.


    Enjoy!


    Chapter 6.3: the Eastern clearing


    The sun was rising above the horizon.


    In one of the huts of the Eastern bandit camp, a man, broad shoulders, sleeveless tunic and a heavy sword next to his straw bed, was trying to go back to sleep. like every time the sun rose, he had woken. he came from a farmers family and still had to loose the habit of waking up by dawn.


    He turned in his bed searching for a more confortable position when he heard a strange yet familiar sound.


    When he realised that it was the noise of an arrow planting in the ground he rose up, alert.


    Looking through the hut''s straw wall he saw shadows walking between the trees. They had the form of men and held swords and pike but he could not see a hint of white rosy skin.


    The shadows spread through the camp, the lower half of there black, green and brown face covered by a wet, mud smeared cloth. Behind them on the floor, one of the sentinels laid, blood pouring out of a single wound at his neck side.


    The camp was being attacked


    The bandit was about to alert his companions when his head started spinning. he turned arround and noticed that a strange white smoke had spread throughout the camp.


    Wet gargles came from the huts around him. His mind was shutting down and before he realised it, his feet took him away from the camp towards the forest. as he neared the border he stripped on a small rock, fell on the ground. Behind him another bandits who had had the same idea, jolted and fell over him, an arrows end sticking from his back at heart level.


    This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.The bandit stayed still ready to wait until the demons were gone before moving again. the with smoke spread all the way to him and once again he started to loose consciousness.


    Not knowing weather inhaling the smoke could kill him, he started crawling on the floor under the smoke coverage, until he reached a ditch and sheltered himself with a few branches. it is there, hidden away from the rest of the world that he lost consciousness.


    He woke up three hours later, the sun was high in the sky, the camp silent. after listening to make sure he was alone he left his hideout.


    Piled up in the middle of the camp a funerary pyre had died, the huts had been used to make it. The camp had been stripped of anything.


    There was no weapon, clothes or food left.


    The demons had taken everything.


    Trying to keep his calm he checked his own belongings. a sweat yellowed old tunic, an old trouser, holed socks and his old necklace.


    Not seeing any other solution he started walking towards the second camp a bit south west from here.


    The others needed to know that everyone else was dead.


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 volume 1 chapter 6.6

    Okay i admit, i enjoyed writing that last chapter.


    Here is another one!


    Have fun!


    Chapter 6.6: the Southern clearing


    The sun was rising above the Southern bandit camp.


    Inside their huts, the outlaws were sleeping, unaware that twenty men were nearing their hideout.


    The Expedition men were all wearing dark green brown or black clothes and has covered every inch of their visible skin with coloured oils of the same colours.


    A weird but brilliant idea from that strange cook of theirs.


    The shadow men pass through the trees unseen. Archers climbed on trees with platforms, there they silently planted an arrow in the lookout''s neck side while covering his mouth with their second hand. a few convulsion later they laid the lifeless bodies down.


    Back on the ground their sword companions still marched on. each time they saw a patrol they would plunge their knife in the outlaws throat, twists the blade to accelerate their death and abandoned the bodies behind. when they left the cover of the tree lines, a few arrows were shot from the platforms. Some struck the fire places, others went through the wooden huts roof.


    If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.White smoke started spreading from where the projectiles had hit.


    The shadow men on the floor covered their bottom faces with wet clothes and carried on walking.


    They took care of the men still sleeping around the fires then entered the huts one at a time.


    By the time the smoke cleared only the shadow men remained breathing.


    Not a single Bandits had stirred from their sleep.


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 Volume 1 Chapter 6.9

    Do you know the French expression "Jamais deux sans trois"?


    Well now you do!


    It means ''never two without a third''.


    Once again, enjoy!


    Chapter 6.9: the Western clearing


    The sun was rising above the horizon, bathing the Western bandit camp in a rose light.


    On one of the external wooden tree platforms, a lookout was looking East. From the approximate emplacement of their Eastern camp a thick black smocke was rising blackening the sky.


    The archer had at first just looked at it with curiosity, but when a second black colon of heavy smoke rose from around the southern camp, he understood that something was wrong.


    The outlaw lookout was holding his warning horn when a noise from the ground distracted him. he looked down and saw men passing under his tree like shadows.


    The look out blared his horn with fright, grabbed his bow and pulled an arrow from his quiver. he was about to target one of the invaders when he heard a bow string being realised and an arrow soaring through the air.


    A burning sensation spread from the men chest. Looking at it he saw a bloodied stone arrow head growing out of his belly.


    Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.Another bow string and arrow piercing the wind and the amp of another arrow suddenly stuck out of his chest.


    Still he kept standing, his bow in hand.


    Two, then three more arrows added themselves to his collection.


    A sun ray lightened the outlaws platform and he was fully visible by all. the second arrow had exploded one of his lungs, causing his to drawn in his own blood.


    In the bandit camp the horn had woken the bandits. they found themselves surrounded by demons looking like men that appeared then disappeared in a thick strange smelling, throat burning white smoke.


    Slowly they lost their strength and focus. The demons had no difficulties cutting the men down.


    It might have been more peaceful for them to never had woken up in the first place.


    There you go, this was how the three bandit camps battles went!


    Next chapter, the 7th one, we are back with Ben!


    To the second volume!


    Finally, the Forest Ruin!


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 volume 2 chapter 1

    Chapter 7: infiltrating the Ruins


    The horizon was brightening above the tree tops.


    My men and i were waiting for the signal the start the attack.


    From the cover of the trees an arrow was shot into one of the enemies archers throat.


    Before he hit the floor five other projectile were cutting though the air, taking the life of the remaining guards. My group and another one went through the tree lines and carried the bodies away, adding the to those of the sentinels.


    They i lightly opened the door. looking inside a saw two other guards, nodding off. looking at my men i raised two fingers and mimicked being asleep.


    Weapons at the ready, i flunked the door open and entered the long corridor. with my knife under his troat i pulled him out in the open air. Nathan had done the same for the second guard. Landell closed the door again.


    Our brusque handling of them had woken the two guards but our hands on their mouths and the blade pressing on their throat kept them quiet.


    We pulled them under the trees showed them their dead companions then only i spoke to the two of them.


    "I am gonna ask you guys a few questions, if you answer to them truthfully we will not kill you, if you don''t, you will end up like your colleagues here present. Understood?"


    The men nodded clearly frightened by him and him cordial smile.


    "Good. then here is my first question: where is your armoury located?"


    The bandits looked at each other none of them wanting to start rating their friends.


    "I understand their is an honour code between criminals but i would recommend you to talk now or i will have to make you through less... civilised means."


    I kept smiling knowing fully that they would not know what to think of my smile. still they said nothing. quiet upset it was taking this long i took one of the men''s hand and pulled his finger until it cracked. when i released it, it was standing in an unnatural angle.


    The man''s pain cries were muffled by Landell''s hand covering his Mouth.


    "Again where is the Armoury?"


    The man hooded by Nathan tried to talk and i made a sign to him to release the man''s mouth.


    "Th-the Armoury is down the corridor third door to the right."


    "I see... what about the food storage?"


    "One is two doors left from here, another next behind the dinning hall and the third..."


    "Keep talking or i do his next finger."


    "The last is at the end of the left corridor, just before where the roof has tumbled!"


    "Your map has been updated.


    You can now see were the small food storage and the Large open ceiling farm room is."


    Only half of the places he gave me were added to my map, which meat that...


    "You lied to me."


    I felt the man in my grip shudder and saw the other captive pale.


    "What is awaiting us in the third door to the right?"


    "I don''t know what you are talking about..."


    I broke another finger. I was still politely smiling.


    "Do not make me repeat myself."


    "The main sleeping quarters! i tried to send you to the main sleeping quarters!"


    "I see. that''s okay. i forgive you."


    "Really?"


    "Yes but only this time. Now, where is the armoury?"


    "First door to the right is a small one, second one has some outside materials for cold nights. first door to the left is a dormitory, second one a bathing room."


    "Your map has been updated: you can now see the old forest ruins bandit camps Armoury #1, closet #1, dormitory #1, and bathing room #1."


    "Okay. then what?."


    "The corridors splits and goes in three directions. the left has two small rooms full of farming material, then the farm at the far end..."


    "Anything else?"


    "Behind! behind the farm there is a room where we stash everything we steal!"


    "Your map has been updated: you can now see the Bandits camp''s closet #2&3 and the treasure room."


    "What about the right side of the ruins?"


    On the left side a dormitory, a bathing room, another dormitory, the dining hall, kitchen and storage room, On the right side three dormitories."


    At this point the men had lost any will to lie and kept telling me everything i wanted. at some point i looked at my map and saw that the ruins formed an approximate plus sign. the right was composed of the living quarters, the left of a farm, however that worked underground, and the opposite direction had the chiefs rooms, big meeting hall, a second armoury, storage and one last dormitory. then there was the big wooden door leading to the last bandit camp.


    A howl made me turn my head and i saw from above the tree tops at the East a giant pillar of black smocke rising to the sky.


    The first camp had been taken care off.


    I turned back to the man who had also seen the smocke and said


    "Thank you for answering my questions. it was a pleasure to have talked to you and i sincerely regret to have to shorten our meeting like this however this is a busy morning for me so i will now leave you in my friends care. Goodbye!"


    Nathan and i gave the two outlaws to the second group of men and i shared my updated map to the 3 other team Leaders.


    The first team leader talked first, his unit was mainly composed of close range fighters.


    "Me and my men will be right behind Ben¡¯s unit, clearing the dormitories until the crossroad. There we will take care of the dormitories on the right side of the tunnels. with that sleeping smock there should be no trouble."


    "What about the kitchen and food storage?"


    "I will have a men inventory it all as soon as we cleared our side of the tunnels."


    "Good enough."


    "My unit will stay behind and guard your rear, as planed before"


    "Mine will push forward to the other entry and take over the wooden gates. We will close them from the inside, leaving the Bandits to fend for themselves on the outside."


    I took a moment to think then decided.


    "Me i my group will first stay here to take care of the storage, then


    Go to the dinning halls and recuperate anything worthy. we will then switch to lhe left side. the farm supplies could be useful. and we might find the lords belongings in the small treasure room. once we are done here we will go to the chiefs rooms. he should be keeping a few interesting things there."


    "Very well."


    "Lets move."


    By the time all 4 teams had gone inside the Tunnel, a second pillar of black twirling smock was rising to the skies.


    When i had passed the door a message window popped up.


    "You and your Expedition party members are the first to enter the Forest Ruins Underground Tunnels dungeon. as a result all the experience points and the quality of the loot given by defeated enemies will double."


    "Do you wish to register the Forest Ruins Underground Tunnels Dungeon in the wall of fame?


    If you do you will receive 100 Fame and 1000 exp points."


    I thought about it for a while. As soon as the dungeon would be registered it would be known to any players looking at the official web site. players would come in big numbers and the loot would have to be shared.


    I was about to refuse when the thought that, unless they were already in the forest, players would never be able to arrive before we had finished the battle and completely emptied the Tunnel crossed my mind.


    I was still deliberating when i heard a player whispers a small "yes", no doubt accepting to register the dungeon. the decision had been taken from me. with no other option i also accepted the offer.


    "You have registered the Forest Ruins Underground Tunnels Dungeon on the Wall of Fame.


    You have received 100 Fame and 1000 Exp points."


    We had went down a series of steps going deep into the ground. Armand, Vrenn and Remy were at the front looking for any traps. there were none. when the soil flattened and we finally saw the first two doors i let Team 2 go in front positioning themselves along the walls. one of the men opened the dormitory door and threw two herbs braids in. A few seconds later we heard a few movements and caught then the calm came back.


    The team went in, we heard wet sounds and a few metallic noises then, when they came out i sent Landell in with his Mullet and Bradon that i had designated as his body guard. Owen and Jamy went to the closet room, while entered the Armoury. The rest of the team was to accompany the other teams up ahead and search for any traps.


    As the second team was switching to the bathing room checking if anyone was in there i went inside the Armoury.


    No one else was there. the room was full of iron swords racks, heavy wooden masses, bows arrows and a few closings.


    I immediately chose 10 shining iron swords, 5 hunting bows, 5 light brown new tunics, 3 dark green new tunics, 7 trousers ( 3 light brown, 4 dark brown ones ), 4 pairs of good clouted travelling boots, 12 hunting knife, 3 ornamented swords and a pair of light brass armbands. i put everything in my backpack and satchels space slots and went back out carrying in my arms a bunch of swords. Owen and Landell were also coming out of their respective rooms.


    "So, what did you find?"


    "Dirty clothes mostly, some cheese and ham slices. A few weapons too"


    "Covers, candles, paper scrolls, tents, flint, fire wood...what about the armoury?"


    "Plenty of weapons most of them are rusted through."


    The three of us started packing the maximum of weapons on the donkeys and Owen and Landell''s backs. Bradon and Jemy had to stay free of their movements to fight.


    Once fully packed with weapons the four of them (+ 2 donkeys) went back up the stairs. they came back ten minutes later free loaded.


    To empty the first small armoury we had to so a total of seven forth and back trips.


    By then messengers had come to us informing us that said rooms had been cleared and were clear for looting.


    When Owen came back the sixth time he told us that a third black smock colon had appeared.


    The three clearing camps attacks were over, the Ruin''s back entry bandit camp would currently be under attack at this very moment.


    The other three teams had gone half way through their corridors...


    They had to hurry.


    I sent a


    Messenger to each team leader with the news of the successful attacks and informed them that finally we would directly go to the treasure rooms direction.


    We started advancing again, briefly stopping at the crossroad to wait for the return of my team members.


    We turned left and entered an area of the tunnel dungeon no one had visited yet. Armand, Remy and Vrenn went first followed by Carl Tirry and Nathan, me and the donkeys, masters and body guards.


    We advanced silently, opening the doors of the two closets. like the bandit had told us it was full of farming equipment¡¯s. nothing that would interest us or the Expedition.


    Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.We arrived at the end of the tunnel, in front of a sturdy wooden door. its surface was covered in faded inscribed Ancient Runes. Most of the runes were illegible, from those that were complete only three were known to him.


    "Enter... ???... be worthy... ???... The Spirit of the ... ?."


    Nathan came to me and looking how much i was concentrating on the


    Inscriptions curiously asked.


    "What are those signs?"


    "Ancient Druidique Runes. they are saying something about being worthy and a spirit."


    "Druids? those legendary mighty healers and sage men?"


    "If you say so."


    "You can understand their writings?"


    "Yeah."


    "Druids were men that could understand nature itself... does it have something to do with your...''beastly'' side?"


    "You are way too smart for my own good. We should be careful, even if the inscriptions are old, Spirits are not subject to the flow of time the same way than us. it could still be there."


    Nathan nodded, seemingly impressed by me. Not minding, i pushed the door open, my black sword ready.


    We entered a large space of bright green lush grass the size of a football field. it was surrounded by high stone walls, its roof broken down.


    In the middle of the clearing a single white marble obelisk stood. under its massive body a small grey stone table (similar to those old sacrificial tables you could see in bad movies about dark magic) stood.


    Completely ruining the ancient and magnificent atmosphere a light brown hen was siting on its middle.


    Other hens and a few of their offspring¡¯s were spread throughout the clearing. There also was a dozen goats and caws, and the triple of sheep¡¯s and pigs.


    What the hell!?


    The left wall had fallen, revealing a small room that the bandits had transformed into a stable. Ten sturdy pulling horses with thick legs were peacefully eating stew. On the right side wall, a iron bars barrier lead to a storage.


    Inside of it 5 wagons and chariots were parked. On the closest to the door and most preserved one, a bandit was wrapped in a blanket, sleeping.


    I quickly slit his throat, not tacking any chances.


    So that''s how they produced their food. They must have stolen all those animals and brought them here on the wagons that they got from their heists... Wait, how did they get the wagons in here?


    I looked a the ground and saw deep wheels marks in the dirt soil going forth and back from the trailer storage to the high double wooden door opposite to the entrance of the ''Open ceiling large Farm''.


    I neared the door in silence, followed by the rest of my team.


    On the right side of the door, a sliding wooden panel attracted my attention. Making sure the rest of them had seen it too i gestured for them to post themselves out of the small window ''s eye sight. i made Owen stand next to me, holding a plate full of nuts, berries bread and ham then knocked on the door while holding another one in one hand and hiding my hunting knife in my second hand behind my back.


    The wooden panel slided away. Along with an angry deep voice i saw a pair of eyes looking at me.


    "You are late! Wait, where is the next guard roll?"


    "There is a step back in today''s schedule. We are stretched thin right now so you guys will have to pull a double shift until we settle it. i brought your breakfast."


    "Humph!"


    "The men closed the panel and i heard a series of bolts, chains and locks turn and clatter.


    That¡¯s heavy security!


    The door started opening as the man started talking again.


    I stepped in, seeing six other armed men in a small room with three other doors the same size as the one i had just crossed.


    Damn bandit! he never said anything about all of this!


    I kept a serene expression and said


    "That won''t be enough for all six of you, so i will have to come back."


    "Hey, do you know what is happening? does it have anything to do with the smock coming from the other camps?"


    How the hell do they know about... A third access point! shit! Okay, have to stay calm. you don''t know how many men are guarding this side. find something to say. keep close to the truth. Make it believable.


    "Yeah. those assholes from Djaden found our clearing camps and thought they could beat us. they attacked an hour or so before dawn. we took the opportunity to attack their defenceless wagon. it should arrive by mid day with all their weapons, clothes and food. i warn you, it will be heavy. will you be enough to handle it?


    "I think that twenty people is enough thanks."


    "Okay."


    Owen gave his food plate to another bandit. they had now all closed in on us, eating hungrily and listening to my lies.


    "So what about the black smock?"


    "Oh, that the funerary pillars"


    "Oh, i see"


    There was a second of silence before one of the guards that had been intently watching me finally spoke up.


    "I''ve seen you somewhere before... i think it was in one of the recent battles."


    I tensed up. the parade was over.


    "Oh?"


    "Yeah, you were at the clearing when the chief died... wait, you''re the guy that...!"


    But it was too late, my knife was already in the nearest men''s throat, same for Owen''s. Armand and Nathan had gotten out of hiding and shot an arrow at two other guards. Jamy ran to Owen''s side, ready to fulfil his guard duties.


    The two last guard were transperced by two thrown spears and Tirry and Carl walked in to retrieve their weapons.


    Owen and Landell quickly took the guards weapons and put them on their donkeys.


    Looking at my map i saw that this was considered to be the treasure room.


    On the stone floor i noticed that there was traces of trailers intensive passage leading at the middle door. That was the way to the third entry of the Tunnels.


    He decided to check the other rooms before anything else.


    He opened the one on the right. it was filled with bags of bronze and silvers coins, precious stones and ingots of various metals.


    Suddenly i regretted the presence of my team members. if i had been alone i could have taken as many riches as i wished. but it was too late. once we made sure that there was no one in the room we went to the left one. it was filled with luxurious clothing, pots and vases of good artistic quality, paintings, sculptures, swords, shields and armours covered in gold, silver or precious gems...


    We had found the treasure rooms.


    Nathan started looking around examining the paintings rapidly.


    He stopped in front of one placed close to the left side entry. it showed an important looking, crown wearing man.


    "Found it!"


    Wait? that was it? the great treasure stolen from the Lord had been a boring Painting of an old geezer?


    WTF?!


    I had believed to be so much more important as it was evident that the outlaws were a very well organised and structured group of thief¡¯s. moreover the sheer amount of treasures they had pictured proved they were professionals.


    Such a band should have attracted the Lords attention a long time ago yet he did not bother until they took from him, a mistake that the thieves avoided doing until now.


    To me, the stolen goods must have been worth hundreds of gold coins at least! but no, it was a simple looking portrait of a, i would admit it, handsome and noble man wearing a gold crown and a few rings.


    "The Kings Portrait! we are saved!"


    "Saved what do you mean?"


    "Don''t tell me you do not know?!"


    "I don''t know."


    "Unbelievable! this is a gift from the King himself to our Lord, a portrait of our Majesty. it was stolen by the thief¡¯s as it was secretly transported in a banal Merchant''s trailer. Because the King will soon visit us the Lord was desperate to get it back."


    "I see. all of this was a matter of bad luck and politics..."


    "Exactly"


    I sent Nathan to the other Three team leader indicating our recent discoveries and asking for help to occupy the last Tunnel Entry. in the mean while, Owen and Landell, they donkeys and protectors went all the way back, transporting fully charged backpacks and satchels and the King''s Portrait.


    When Nathan came back he was with five archers and ten pikemen. the other teams had taken over their parts of the tunnels and were now engaging the few remaining bandits in the back entry camp.


    I organised my group the best i could but my my Leadership stat was too low to be obeyed perfectly. at the end i devised the men in three groups and designated two other leaders. when exiting the tunnel each group would take a side and clear it of any opposition.


    I opened the double dors wide, shouting the words "Guard roll" out loud. anything to gain even a second of surprise effect on our opponents.


    We found ourselves in another open ceiling space. except that this one was small, stone paved and had a strange wooden platform attached to a set of metallic cranks in its surrounding stone wall.


    A group of men armed of swords and bows watched us come out with relief until they noticed the Djaden City Guards Uniforms and understood a split second later that they were being attacked.


    Their hesitation gave us the advantage, arrow flew above us and truck some of us, the pikemen killed a group of bandits close to the gates. the rest of the teams were advancing towards the rest of them. i was in the back, viewing the battle. One of the bandit who was holding a two handed double axe, their leader, called for help and two other men, holding an iron sword stood next to him, fighting back.


    Something is wrong... 1,2,3...


    I started counting the bandits, automatically adding the six from before.


    ...12,13,14 and 15 with the axe wielding guy... their is 5 less than their should!


    Worried i looked around for the 5 missing bandits. i spotted them above us, on top of the stone wall readying their bows to shot us from above.


    "Archers on the wall!"


    Responding to my warning, Nathan and Armand switched their target to the enemies above them. A few other men did the same and i also pulled out my bow to help them.


    On the other side, the three last bandits in the room finally fell. The bow-less soldiers had no choice but to go back in the tunnel, a sword men with a round shield protected an archer from any incoming arrows and the pike men trew their spears. Three of the archers fell down, another one just crumbled. the last one tried to run but i hit him at the back of his head with my third arrow


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    next chapter:


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 volume 2 chapter 2

    Chapter 8: preparing and going back


    As the battle came to an end, the others came back out. some of men had taken a few arrows and needed to be bandaged. one pikemen had died, an arrow planted in his heart.


    I had received an arrow in my leg, chipping away a part of my health. i bandaged it and started directing my men.


    I stationed my unit in the open ceiling room, placed another at the top of the wall and sent the two last further into the forest, to check if there was any more guards and sentinels.


    One man came back a few minutes later, announcing that the entry was hidden by an arch of trees, stones and vines. there had also been two footed bandits and three sentinel platforms.


    All of those had been taken care of.


    The units were now waiting to see if there was any patrols left.


    I didn''t worry for them as patrolling bandits would be paying attention to people coming from the exterior of the ruins not from within.


    we gathered the dead bandits weapons and equipment and waited for the messengers to relay our success and come back with more orders.


    I was examining the platform lift when Beok entered the external room. his mages robes were covered in dirt and blood but the smile on his face told me that the mission had been a success.


    "Ah, here you are! I am pleased to announce you that the operation was a total success. the totality of the thieves were taken care of, the stolen treasure has been recovered and the many loots will please the Lord!"


    "Happy to hear it."


    "In fact there is so much things to bring back that we will have to do several travels!"


    "What? that''s not a good idea! the minute we will be back in Djaden swarms of people will come hear and loot the place!"


    "Do you think so?"


    "Of course! we cannot leave anything behind! not as long as it can be useful to the Lord or the Guards!"


    "I understand what you mean but we simply do not have the transporting capacity to do so."


    "What about the chariots in the stables? do you think we could use them?"


    I was so not leaving anything for other players. We still had five days before the first ones arrived at the Ruins.


    " We could but it would take time..."


    "So let us take it!"


    Beok took the time to think about it then agreed.


    "I will find a way to arrange it with Serena."


    "Who?"


    "Captain Miller."


    "Ho! so that''s her name."


    The next days were spent inventorying everything we found in the ruins and the bandit fortified camp and putting the ten trailers back in usable shapes.


    As soon as one of them was repaired it was loaded with treasures.


    Three wagons were filled with the many art pieces and precious equipment¡¯s, another with the hundreds of weapons. the last one was left empty, to be used by the wounded during the trip back.


    Two trailers were filled with all the food supplies they had found, there was more than enough for the trip back. the second was packed full of wine and water barrels. It turned out the outlaws had a sweet tooth for good alcohol.


    The remaining three chariots were filled with chickens and pigs in cages. I had decided that they were part of the food supplies.


    It took us three days to prepare everything. Then we spent the whole evening lifting the wagons to ground level. By the fourth morning we left the ruins to join back with the rest of the Expedition.


    Because our caravan was so much longer, it took the whole day to travel what we would have done in half a morning before. I was driving the wagon of food supplies, followed by those filled with the farm animals. since i had never driven before the


    First ten minutes were difficult then


    a message popped.


    "Through repetitive actions you have learned the following skill: Driver, Beginner 1 (0%)


    You can now drive a small wagon pulled by a bull or caw."


    As the day went by my stat rapidly rose. when it reached Beginner 6 the skill description changed.


    "You can drive a small wagon or trailer pulled by a bull, caw or donkey."


    I calculated that at this rate it would take us at least ten days to go back to Djaden and that was if we took the largest paths and quickest way back.


    When we arrived, the Captain was waiting for us. She looked at the caravan, the animals and then at me.


    "Tell this was not your idea too."


    "It was not my idea."


    "That''s a lie, isn''t it?"


    "Yes, it is."


    She turned back, accompanied by Beok who was starting to report on everything they still had to discuss and that he couldn''t tell her through a simple written massage.


    I was left behind and decided to check on the food rations gathered at the clearing camps.


    As i went through the tents soldiers would come to talk to me wanting to know how things went at the ruins. To avoid them i started faking a limp with my wounded leg and told them i would be back after a quick medical treatment.


    I went to see the old driver, he was proudly standing, showing me he had kept his words.


    We discussed a little bit then i started preparing food for the 83 remaining men of the Expedition.


    The next day we left camp at down. we rode all day, stopping briefly for lunch. I fed the animals with the help of the old driver.


    In mid-afternoon the captain sat net to me next to the wagon driver''s bench.


    "I heard that you have been of great help during the infiltration."


    "How so?"


    "Your quick thinking and disposition made it easier to take the place over and avoid useless deaths.


    There is also the tactics you suggested for the camps battles."


    "Ah."


    "You went over and beyond your Cook duties."


    "Maybe."


    "Beok told me you are Kaden''s student?"


    "Teacher taught me weapons Mastery and gave me the bases for my hand to hand combat. i would be honoured if he did consider me his student."


    " I see... well, when you see him again give him this from me."


    The red headed women handed me a wax sealed paper scroll.


    "You have received the object Captain Miller''s letter to Kaden.


    If you come across this story on Amazon, it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.Captain miller asked you to deliver it to the Training Hall Master on her behalf.


    Do you accept this errand?"


    "I will do it"


    "You have accepted the quest Serena''s letter to Kaden.


    If you open the letter the quest will automatically fail.


    No substantial rewards provided."


    i wordlessly placed the letter in my backpack. As i opened it i revelled a series of leather bound books.


    "What are those?"


    "They are the previous bandit Chiefs journals. I found them in the bandit chiefs chambers, Beok told me i could keep them. I hope it is alright."


    "No problem. are they interesting?"


    "Very. did you know that the Ruins are right at the middle of the woods, making them ideal to attack the town on both sides of the forest?"


    "No, i didn''t"


    "It,s not all. i read about how they built the lifting platform. i am sure that by giving the notes to a competent group of architects, smiths and engineers we could reproduce it at will!"


    "I can see the advantage of such mechanisms, yes..."


    "Imagine if the ruins were to be rebuilt, you could transform them into a small stop for travelling merchants. reopening the forest road would cut their journey by half!"


    "There seems to be a lot of value behind those ruins..."


    "Not just money but history too! i believe that it used to be a Druids conclave! this place is at least a hundred years old! i wouldn''t be surprised if there was more tunnels under the forest!"


    "From what you are telling me, those ruins should not simply be left alone but be developed into a historical site and a small traveller town?"


    "That would be ideal yes!"


    She stayed silent for a while so i grabbed one of the journals and concentrated my sight on it. after a minute of staring at the pages an information window indicating me that i had fully read the book and that my journal had been updated appeared. i passed to the next journal, updating them one at a time.


    When i finally had done the whole collection a series of windows appeared.


    "You have read the complete series of The Forest Ruins Bandit Chiefs journals.


    Your Intelligence, Leadership and Respect Stats rises by 5 points each.


    As they all are a Unique category items, you have earned 10 Fame points."


    "Through your reading and study of specialised diagrams you have developed the following abilities:


    -Trading: Beginner 1 (0%) you can now sell and buy more than 100 of the same object at once.


    -Market Value evaluation: Beginner 1 (0%) you now know the current market Value of objects. The more data you have on a city, the more accurate your Market Evaluation will be.


    -Contracting: Beginner 1 (0%) you can now form contracts with particulars. the contracts only include goods and the contract monetary Value is limited to 1 silver or 200 bronzes."


    The next few days were similar. we would get up early and travel through the forest, stopping for a light lunch and go back on the road.


    Every now and then one of my men would come talk to me, it was about many kind of things, their lives back home, a relative''s story or a moment during the camps attacks.


    That¡¯s how i learned that Vrenn had a younger brother that worked in a small restaurant in Djaden, that Carl''s cousin was an architect desperately looking for work and that Jamy was planning on leaving the City Guards at the end of his soldiers contract. He had received a higher position in another city and needed the money to pay his fianc¨¦e¡¯s Dot.


    Every time i would have one of those conversation my journal and NPC friend list would be updated.


    Once a day the Captain would come see me, asking me about how i would transform the Ruins into a profitable town and historical site.


    I didn''t take long for me to realise that something was going on. I made a few researches online during the time my avatar slept and provided her with a list of buildings to construct outside the ruins and adjustments to make inside. i supported every point of my project with a diagram or written explanations. by the end of the journey i had created a thick paper document called ''Forest Ruins Renovation Project'' containing plans of the ruins as they were now, as they would look throughout the renovations and at the end of the project.


    Mid morning of the eleventh day, they left the cover of the trees for the last time. crossing the River took much more time as their procession was much bigger and they needed to push an extra 10 wagons.


    As they passed between the fields and farms surrounding the City Walls they attracted the attention of the players and citizens.


    Compared to when we left we were now covered in dirt and had lost men, yet coming back victorious made us stand tall and proud.


    People started to follow us and cheer all the way to the Gates. A group of stable boys were waiting outside ready to take the wagons in, a military officer went to Captain Miller and they left for the Lords Mansion. Beok took over as the commanding officer, he sent the soldiers back to their barracks, talked to every players one after another. when my turn came


    I knew the quest completion window was gonna show at some point of the conversation.


    I could not have been more wrong.


    "Ben, i am sorry but you will have to wait before being paid. Since you did more than your regular job we have to evaluate your Bonus... it could take some time."


    "I understand. i still have a lot of things to do anyway."


    "Alright. i will see you later then."


    I was left near the wagons, wondering what to do now.


    I still had to finish the quest about the Forest Ruins Mystery and the Ancient Runes and receive my Cook''s position reward.


    After doing a last check of the supplies, i left the Gates, intending to go see Kaden and maybe pass by some of the soldiers family/friends places.


    previous chapter:


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 Volume 2 Chapter 3

    Chapter 9: Publicity


    I walked through Djaden, stopping by a few shops to sell the loot i had gotten.


    I sold the diverse yellowed tunics, tough skin belts and the travelling boots for 60 bronze coins in a clothes store. in a more luxurious one i sold 2 short sleeved light brown tunics, the 3 light brown trousers i had and 1 dark brown trousers. to this i added half of my good clouted travelling boots and the ones i was actually wearing, reaching 1 silver 17 bronze.


    My next stop was to a weapons shop were i exchanged my 12 extra hunting knives, dented knives and knifes, the common wooden bows and my extra hunting bows, the rusty iron swords, the ornamented swords, the 10 shining swords and all my stone headed hand made arrows getting 4 silvers and 183 bronzes. I then bought 375 wooden arrows, a fifth of which went into a newly acquired small quiver. Those cost me a total of 164 bronzes.


    Paper scrolls and quirells were worth 1 bronze each instead of nothing if sold in a general store which i did.


    In total, by selling my loot i had made a benefit of 7 silvers and 44 bronze coins.


    After my various stops at the shops i had emptied my satchel and in my backpacks was only left the official site''s recommended extras 5 clothing sets, enough arrows to fill my current quiver 4 more times, my Cook''s, Brewer''s and Herborist''s tools and ingredients, a dozen of currently brewing beverages, hand made potions and healing pastes, Uncle Phillip''s and Serena''s letters, my map, the strange skill book, and the Forest Ruins Chiefs Journals complete book series.


    I went to the Training Hall and found Kaden, exercising a few Hand to Hand Combat poses.


    I took my bags, belt and my vest off and joined him. for the next hour we stretched our limbs and pushed our limits.


    When we were both ridden with fatigue i turned back to him.


    "Teacher, i am back."


    "Welcome back, Ben. How was the Expedition?"


    "Cooking for so many people was way tougher than i thought. I took part in a few battles too. Didn''t really like it."


    Too many players steeling my exp points.


    "But i learned how to calculate an items market''s value, it will be quit useful i think... and i drove a cart. it was difficult at first but now i am better at it."


    "Sounds boring to me"


    "It is but since you have to be careful of the road, what you are carrying and be wary of any attacks, you are always paying attention."


    No way i would let anyone get my hard worked won loot without a fight.


    "Oh, i met a man named Beok! he kinda knew you... And i have a letter for you."


    "Oh? Let''s see what it says then."


    I gave him the letter, as he read it he kept eyeing me while chuckling. once he finished it turned to me again.


    "Do you know what this letter says?"


    "That she finds me insupportable? moronic?"


    "It says that she will never be able to find another Cook because were so beyond perfect in your duties you nearly eclipsed her in front of her men."


    "She says all that?"


    "Yes and many more things. among which is the fact that you are the most surprising person she has ever met... that is not a light thing for her to say. And i agree."


    Kaden stood up and went were his belongings laid, on rhe floor. from a pouch on his belt he pulled a large silver ring with a yin yan engraving in the front.


    "Which is why i am proud to say announce to you that you are no longer my student. from now on you are a full fledged Martial Artist."


    "Your Weapon Mastery Intermediate 2 and Hand to Hand Combat Beginner 5 Skills have merged into Martial Arts Beginner 8."


    "Do you wish to set Martial Artist as your Primary Path?"


    "No"


    "Do you wish to..."


    "Yes"


    "You have set Martial Artist as a Secondary Path.


    Through your choosing of a Path 5 points were added to each of your Stats."


    "Martial Artist:


    -Martial Arts: Beginner 8 (0%)


    The ability to battle with or without weapons.


    Strength, Dexterity +2


    Toughness, Speed, Endurance +1


    -Meditation: Beginner 1 (0%)


    Increases Health by 2%


    Increases Mana by 1%"


    As a Martial Artist you can now wear all armours types with no penalties."


    "You obtained the Murim''s Membership Ring.


    As long as you wear it, other members will recognise you and offer their services more willingly."


    "Murim''s Membership Ring


    Durability: 123/125


    Value: 154,694


    Monetary Value: 5 silvers


    A large silver ring with a strange pattern engraved on it. Members of the Murim recognise each other by this ring. It was given to you by Kaden, a member of the Murim.


    Fame +1000


    Leadership, Respect, Luck +15


    Strength, Toughness, Speed +10


    Endurance, Dexterity +6"


    Woah!! Jackpot!


    "Thank you, Teacher."


    After talking some more with Kaden i left the Training Hall and went to the wizards tower. I told the old my of my adventures in the Ruins and he started telling me about the Old Ways that the Druids used to follow. He gave me a set of books about Druids conclaves and way of life.


    Apparently the Druids were Vegetarians, cultivated herbs for their potions and gave advises to all that requested it. they also believed in information sharing and adores violence.


    As i read i had more and more ideas for the old ruins. by the end of the in game day i had added a few more pages to my project.


    I woke in my bed. quickly showering and dressing i ate my breakfast. I could hear Annie move inside her room, waking up.


    The Expedition had taken a total of 24 in game days which equalled to 6 and a half days in real life.


    Thankfully the last bit of the Expedition had happened on Friday evening. I had caught on his late sleep and it was now past 11 am.


    I was looking through the internet when i decided to take a look at the New Roads! Official Website.


    The Forest Ruins were now registered. a small item list was already added, along with a map.


    There was also a lot of talks about the Expedition. Many were jealous they hadn''t been able to join it as the players were now boasting their rewards and feats. there we comments about a few Wall of Fame videos too.


    That''s when i remembered i had started filming at the beginning of the Expedition. By now watching the video would take close to a week!


    Maybe i should edit it? but i don''t know anything about video editing... might as well give up.


    After that i went on the Wall of Fame.


    There i noticed that i was at the third place in the classement.


    Thank you Murim Ring!


    Clicking on my name an information bubble appeared.


    "Name: Ben Varrand


    Race: Human


    Level: suspected 27-34


    Profession: suspected Cook/Herborist/Swordsman/Archer/Ninja


    Last sighted in: Djaden City


    No comments posted"


    A series of photos of my avatar, driving the food carriage, preparing food, sitting close to the camp fire or talking to a soldier, had been posted.


    Then a series of comments from players from the Expedition came to his attention.


    "This guy was friendly with every NPCs."


    "An awesome fighter"


    "The officials regularly asked for his opinion"


    "How did he get 1000 fame at once?!"


    "I was impressed by his strategy to take over the camps."


    "And his fight with the bandit chief!"


    "I heard he was at the front lines in the Ruins!"


    "His avatar is kind of looking like an Indian..."


    "My work as an Archer in the Expedition was labelled as Satisfactory. i wonder what label he got?"


    "Yeah."


    "I got satisfactory too. yet i killed 21 bandits on my own! how many do you think he killed?"


    "Do you think he will post a video of the Expedition?"


    "That would be nice!"


    "Maybe he had already went through the quest and knew exactly what to do?"


    "If your saying he is a Beta... well maybe that''s it"


    "Hey! i am a Beta but i also got a satisfactory note! being a Beta does not mean we always know what we are doing!"


    "I confirm what he said. Betas generally try to redo the quests they''ve done before and get the same skills too. i have never heard of a Beta that Cooks, fights like a Ninja, wields a black handed sword or can influence Officials so much."


    "You saying that he is either new or that he is a Beta that did not retrace his previous avatar steps?"


    "What about his Gourd?"


    "True. You can''t get those in Djaden."


    "A quest?"


    "It''s in the golden Pack"


    "Holly! So he truly is a Beta!"


    "Or a player of The Path."


    "Say does anyone remember that Guild called ''Varrand''?"


    "Oh, yeah! there was a bunch of strong people in it!"


    "Heard that their Guild Master and half of their members switched to New Roads!"


    "Really?"


    "It was on their Guild Wall"


    "You think he was a part of it?"


    "Maybe a Fan?"


    What the hell is with those people? Can''t they mind their own Business?


    I looked at the two players above me. there was only 46 and 82 Fame points between us.


    I am so close to being the top player!


    I checked my mails.


    One of them was from RetroGame corporation.


    Apparently they wished to meet with me. Using the number provided in the mail i called them to set the day of the meeting.


    "RetroGame Corporation, Publicity department, this is Sandy listening!"


    "Hum, Hello."


    "Hello sir"


    "I am Benoit Maximillian Varrand. i received a mail about my New Roads! avatar..."


    "Right, Ben Varrand! We were waiting for your call. we would like to set a meeting to discuss some commercial arrangements with you."


    "Commercial Arrangements?"


    "Yes. would you be free to come at the Corporation Building this week?"


    "I could be there in an hour if its good with you."


    "It is perfect! i will see you soon then!"


    If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it."Yes"


    Annie came out of her room as i hanged up and sat at the breakfast table. we chatted while she ate then we left the apartment. I drove her to a friends house then went to the RetroGame building. i parked my car and went to the front door. After giving my name, the broad man at the entrance hall gave me a Guest badge and told me what level to go to.


    I went up the building in a lift and entered a large room with semi-private work cubicles. there a secretary, Sandy, welcomed me and led me to an office labelled "New Roads! Advertising Executive Director".


    She knocked, opened the door and announced me.


    "Sir, player Ben Varrand is here."


    "Let him in."


    The voice was deep and assured. as i went in i discovered a private office with a small meeting table. Behind a large desk, sitting in a spinning leather chair a man in his late forties and dressed in a luxurious suit stood up. Another man was sitting at the meeting table, he was a bit younger than the first one. I shacked their hands and sat in the seat i was offered.


    Sandy proposed to bring me a drink, i accepted a cup of water. I truly wanted a coffee but i could relate to being a go to secretary and didn''t want to make her work more than necessary.


    Once we were settled the man behind the desk started talking.


    "Thank you for coming here so quickly, Mr Varrand."


    "I was gonna be in the area anyway"


    "I see. First i would like to present myself. I am Joshua Quelt, New Roads! Executive Advertising Director."


    He then showed the second man.


    "This is Mr Jais of Neet.tv."


    "Hello Mr Varrand."


    "Hello."


    The man from Neet.tv started talking.


    "As we told you when you called, we, actually both RetroGame and Neet.tv would be interested in running a short advertisement video using your Avatar."


    "Why me?"


    The one who answered me was the Advertisements Director.


    "Well, it is very simple actually. You are the player who influenced the most the Bandit Camp Punitive Force, your avatar is on the Wall of Fame and we noticed that even if you turned on the Quest Filming option you have yet to post the video."


    "I see... there is a problem through."


    "Oh?"


    "The video is not over yet."


    "What do you mean not over?"


    "It is still rolling."


    The men now had a concerned expression. after a moment of reflection the Director started asking me questions.


    "Have you not returned to Djaden?"


    "I have."


    "Did you talk to the Expedition Forces officer in command?"


    "I did. Apparently since i went beyond duties of my Cook position i received several Bonuses."


    Hearing that i had not been a part of the offensive forces of the Expedition the TV representative had a concerns expression while the Dirrector''s face brightened.


    "Wait, did you say Cook?"


    "Yes."


    "Did you get it through another NPC?"


    "The Training Hall Master Kaden. Why?"


    "No reason. Please give us a moment, i need to talk to Mr Jais."


    I left the room, standing in front of the door. Sandy came to propose me another cup of water. Once again i accepted. The two men talked some more. When they came to a conclusion Mr Quelt opened the door for me. I noticed that Jais had an exited look in his eyes.


    "Well, it has all been arranged, you should receive your reward by tomorrow."


    "What was the problem?"


    "No problem, it is just that when certain conditions are met players can receive very special rewards. Your accomplishments during the Expedition and Familiarity with the Officials have triggered one of those rewards. The game''s system is now calculating the most appropriate one!.


    "So... i hit Jackpot?"


    "Yes!"


    Awesome!


    "This only makes your video more interesting!"


    "But it is still too long."


    "No worries! We will cut days of travels, a few conversations, some of your cooks duties..."


    "No!"


    The two men had been exanging comments when i suddenly interrupted them. They were surprised by my sudden change in behaviour.


    "What? Why not?"


    "You can''t do that, those are part of how a player increases familiarity and skills! This was an adventure made of exiting and boring moments alike! The fighting, the waiting, the travelling, the working... all of that was the Expedition!"


    "Okay, okay... i get it. you want every moment put on screen."


    "But like you said it''s too long. We would have to cut the video in several parts that would be screened on several days..."


    The men stopped talking, as if they had suddenly realised something. After exanging a look they both took out their phones and called their superiors, asking to change the advertisements format into a series of episodes.


    "Not a brawl but an adventure... cutting it into an episode per in game day... 3 hours long each... a double episode for the last attack... maybe add a few passages for the other three battles... if we screen them one per day we would end it in a month. by then another one could be ready..."


    I didn''t mind being put aside, drinking my water in silence. i didn''t care how they made it happen but i just wanted my adventure to not be mixed into a giant brawl without any sense. i had seen many videos or tv programs of this sort and i had always hated them.


    After a few minutes of arguing they had both finished negotiating and turned back to me.


    "Okay"


    "Pardon me?"


    "Okay, we will diffuse it without mixing, cutting or changing anything."


    "We will just cut it into at least 31 episodes. They will be diffused during the week as a brand new New Roads! adventure program."


    "That sounds great to me already."


    Since they had to rewrite a new contract i was asked to come back tomorrow with my head gear and the game cartridge.


    "How are you planning to call the program?"


    "We don''t know yet but yours will be called by the Quest name."


    "Somehow it fits."


    I bid goodbye to the men and Sindy and left the building. once home i connected to the Wall of Fame again and using my game login i updated my profile.


    My information window now read this:


    "Name: Ben Varrand


    Race: Human


    Level: 19


    Job: none


    Path followed: (suspected) Swordsman/ Archer/ Ninja (confirmed) Cook, Herborist


    Last sighted in: Djaden City


    Comment: A video of my Bandit Camp Punitive Expedition Force Quest will soon be diffused on the Neet.tv channel. Stay Tuned."


    It was a short but concise comment. I likes it very much.


    After that i connected to New Roads! again. Since i could not leave the city i decided to work on my skills.


    Looking at my avatar Skills i saw that the only ones still at Beginner 1 were Meditation, Trading, Market Value Evaluation and Contracting. Remembering Beok''s advise i went to the Bubbling Bar, an establishment near the Western City Gates. There i talked to Gerry. He was drunk. From what i gathered his old man was the patron of the city''s General Store, he was often away in the surrounding villages gathering goods while a employee took care of the shop. Normally Gerry would receive tasks but since a while his father had stopped trusting him with the family business. That''s when Gerry had had the idea of finding Nice Silk Rolls, one of the most expensive tissues found in Braeen Kingdom. he knew someone who was willing to sell some to him but he did not have enough money to do so. As a last resort he had made a Trading contract. Except he did not pocess the items required to fulfil it.


    After making him drink some more, Gerry had accepted to give me the contract and i was now running through the city, gathering everything needed while using my trading skill and Market Value Evaluation. i managed to negotiate the price of many of the items. some had to be exanged for other objects that i could get from other people throughout the city.


    Several times i had been tempted to abandon the quest but each time i fulfilled a deal my merchant skills were improving. After finally gathering all the necessary items i had the feeling i had walked the city 10 times over. i went to the shop owner to complete the trade contract and returned to Gerry with  the five Nice Silk Rolls. Along with the quest completion came a series of information windows.


    "You have levelled up"


    "The following skills have risen:


    -Trading Beginner 6: you can now sell 150 of the same item at a time. INT+1


    -Contracting Beginner 5: you can form business contracts involving goods and services. max monetary value: 5 silvers.


    -Market Value Evaluation Beginner 7: each time you enter a shop the Market Value of all known items to you will be evaluated. the evaluation can be more correct through your knowledge of the city/ kingdom/ continent the shop is in."


    "Through your experience and actions you have realised the existence of the Merchant''s Path. Do you wish to follow the path of a Merchant?"


    I took my time to think about it. Kaden had suggested several times that a combat Related Path was not the most effective to realise my travel dreams, Beok had told me that Merchants could become rich trough hard work and dedication...


    i didn''t seem like a bad idea to me. Yet i still wanted to be sure. After refusing to set Merchant as my last and Primary Path i pulled the Strange Skill Book from my backpack and read it.


    "You have read the Strange Skill Book.


    The Book''s Magic will now operate.


    You will not be able to connect for 1 in game day while the game system views all of your actions since your Avatar connection.


    When you reconnect the book, will have changed to the most adequate skill for you.


    Weather you choose to learn the Skill is your own choice.


    The Strange Book Magic can only be used Once and will forever stay in his new Form."

 Volume 2 Chapter 4

    Rewards


    The wait was killing me.


    Not only did i have to wait for my Expedition reward i also needed to stay unconnected a whole 3 hours on a weekend!


    I prepared dinner, ate with Annie, did my laundry, cleaned my room and surfed on the net.


    As i was looking at my favourite MMORPG website i saw an article that immediately got my attention.


    "Neet.tv and RetroGame have announced the diffusion of a weekly new programme called Travelling on New Roads!.


    The first season is about the Punitive Expedition of the starting city Djaden in Braeen Kingdom.


    According to the official announcement post it will follow the actions of the Expedition Force top player, Ben Varrand, and feature three more avatars to complete and broaden the adventure comprehension.


    Following seasons will also concern long quests.


    The first episode is to be diffused in Two weeks time on Neet.tv.


    More details are yet to be communicated."


    They are already announcing it... Three more players? Maybe for the patrols and clearing battles?


    When the time was finally here i went back to New Roads!.


    As i was connecting, after the sense checks, instead of taking corporal form in Djaden City, a window formed in front of me.


    "The Strange Skill Book magic has taken effect.


    The Strange Skill Book has transformed into a Business Owner Skill Book."


    Business Owner skill... Sounds good to me.


    I closed the window and was brought in Djaden''s central plaza, next to the fountain. It was already evening in the game. I immediately opened my backpack and used the book to learn the skill. As i did a set of windows appeared.


    "You have learned the skill Business Owner.


    Business Owner: Beginner 1: (0%)


    You can now buy and manage businesses. This skill is only limited by the players capability as a business man. It does not level up.


    Fame+100


    Leadership, Respect+5


    Intelligence, Luck+3"


    "Through your learning of the skill Business Owner and procession of the Trading, Contracting and Market Value Evaluation, high Leadership, Respect and Honour skills and stats you have started on the Path of the Merchant Leader.


    You can only set it as your Primary Path. Do you confirm?"


    "Yes."


    "The Path of the Merchant Leader has been set as your primary Path.


    Your stats have all increased by 10 points."


    "You have reached level 20 and filled all of your Path slots. You can now choose your Job."


    Yes!!


    I wanted to go to the Training Hall And go see Kaden to set my Job but group of Guards came to me."


    "Are you Ben Varrand?"


    "Yes i am. what can i do for you?"


    "The Lord wishes to see you. Please follow us."


    Accompanied by the six guards i went up the Noble''s street, under the eyes of the few players and NPCs presense i passed the heavy iron portal leading to the manor''s private gardens.


    We passed lush trees, large bushes and flowers, went around a fountain and finally reached the Manor''s door.


    The guards left me in the care of a severe looking butler.


    "You go in, cross the room, kneel before the Lord then you keep silent. only talk when asked to. Understood?"


    I nodded and he led me to a large double door. as the door opened i saw a high roofed reception room filled with important looking NPC''s, the people parted, creating a corridor, at its end a man, dressed in luxurious closes and a small tiara on his head sat on a wooden the one on an elevated part of the floor. With his short beard, long hair and clothes he looked like the typical middle age good and noble old king from movies.


    I stepped into the passage, walking with as much assurance as i could muster.


    What does the City''s Lord want with me?


    The nobles, rich merchants and influent citizens of Djaden all watched me. Among them i saw Serena Miller, Beok Cage and Kaden, looking at me proudly.


    I stopped in front of the throne and bowed my head, waiting in silence.


    "Ben Varrand, i believe you recently took part in the Punitive Expedition in the Forest?"


    The man voice was powerful.


    "Yes my Lord."


    What was your task in this Expedition?"


    "I was the cook, sir"


    "Hum... Are you telling me that a cook killed the Bandits chief, devised a strategy to find then conquer the enemies camps and recuperated by belongings while up holding his duties?"


    "I wish to say that i was only bringing my own contribution to the Expedition. i cooked and gave a few ideas. that was all. The soldiers and officials made it all happen."


    "Considering how the Expedition Captain and the few soldiers i interrogated talk of you, i very much doubt it. in fact from what i hear, the Expedition could have gone much worse if it weren''t for your actions and ideas."


    The man took the time to look at me.


    "I have thought deeply of how to reward you for your actions. Now that i look at you the answer appears clearly to me.


    For your dedication to your cook''s position and the soldiers'' well-being, the medicinal support, the execution of Smiling Outlaw Jack, the localisation of all four enemies camps, the help in spying on them, planning the offensive, participating in the offensive, gathering information on the last bandit hideout, infiltrating it, securing two of its three entries, locating my stolen belongings and organising the transport of all valuables from the bandit camps back to the city i bestow upon you the right of Noblesse, from now on you are a part of Braeen''s Lower Nobles.


    Along with it i bestow the Forest Ruins Renovation Project upon you. your starting founds will be constituted off the benefits from the items retrieved from the Bandits, except for all the food related Items recuperated which are now your personal belongings as a reward for your outstanding Cook''s work!"


    The room exploded under the applause as a set of new windows popped up in front of me.


    "You have completed the quest Bandits Camp Punitive Expedition Force Cook''s Position.


    For completing your cook''s duties you have obtained :


    23 pigs


    31 chickens


    15 sheep


    418 round cheese


    213 bread loaf


    634 carrots


    579 potatoes


    356 beef meat


    362 onions


    735 flour bags


    8 water barrels


    3 fine wine barrels


    6 wine barrels


    12 fresh chicken eggs


    13 silver coins, 100 bronze coins


    5000 Exp


    1000 acknowledgement points in the Braeen Kingdom."


    "Position efforts results labelled as Legendary."


    "You are now a Lesser Noble of Braeen Kingdom.


    Being a noble can open you many doors, special Positions will be available to you.


    Fame +150"


    "You have received Braenn Lesser Noble''s Ring"


    "Braeen Lesser Noble''s Ring


    Durability: 35/35


    Value: 1,000


    A copper ring with Braeen Kingdom''s emblem on it.


    As long as you wear it, people will recognise you as a member of Braeen''s Lower Nobility.


    Leadership, Honour +15


    Respect +10"


    "You are now the Forest Ruins Renovation Project Manager. This Position allows you access to the Forest Ruins Management Window."


    On the top right of my vision i saw the red blinking recording icon disappear. the video was over.


    The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.I stayed in the reception hall three more hours, getting to know as much nobles as i could. Then the City Lord left th room, soon followed by the rest of the crowd. I stayed the night in. A guest room. then when the morning came, i left. On my way out of the Manor i made sure to pick anything i could from the garden.


    Back at the central plaza i took the time to think about what i should do.


    First, i have to get rid of all those animals before the end of this in game week or i will have to pay to have them kept in a farm...


    I was planning on selling them when another idea came to me. Leaving the city i walked to the old driver''s farm. it was decrepit and would need some help to make it run.


    I found the old man in the house, cleaning the dust away.


    "Ben! what can i do for you?"


    "I was wondering if you were interested in a few farm animals..."


    "I am. but i first need to renovate the farm and get at least two workers."


    "What if i can get you that?"


    "Then i will gladly buy any animals you have in your procession."


    I left the farm and went back to the city. I went to find Vreen''s cousin, the architect and got him to work on renovating the farm, promising him that if i liked his work i would hire him for the Ruins Renovation Project. i went by all the restaurants i knew, selling my food ingredients at the best price i could. In one of them i met Nathan''s relative, the cook and told him that once the Renovation Project was advanced enough i would contact him for a job.


    Then i opened the forest Ruins Renovation Project Management Window.


    It consisted of an 3D representation of the underground Ruins, its three entries and the back entry camp. A list of all the available improvements for the under and above installation were presented to me, along with the list of men that would be under my commend to protect the site.


    Next to it was the list of the looted objects. I started selling those.


    The average player would have sold everything in one go at one shop, but i spent the whole day negotiating the prices, selling the items at different shops. at the end i had obtained half more coins than the normal way.


    I had kept a few tents and the ten wagons.


    The next step would be to hire workers and bring them to the site. To do so i would need men to protect them and material to build and feed them.


    Using it for the first time i opened my Friend Repertoire. there was only one name i. It. Seymour.


    I PMed him. His reply was immediate.


    -Ben?


    -Hey Seymour! what are you doing right now?


    -Hunting in the northern mines why?


    -I need help accomplishing a mission and i was wondering if you would help.


    -That is, i am currently in a party so...


    -If they want to come too they can.


    -I will ask them.


    -Thank you Seymour


    There was a few moments of silence then Seymour started messaging me again.


    -They want to know what kind of quest this is.


    -Protection of a caravan from the city to a construction site in the Forest in the South East and 20 days of guarding said place then the way back.


    - So a whole month of work?


    -Yes.


    -Who is in charge of the Caravan? And what kind is it?


    -Me. Ten wagons full of building materiel and workers.


    Another break then he was back.


    -What about the pay?


    I thought about it for a while then decided on it.


    -70 bronzes a day. Lodging and Food is provided.


    -We are in.


    -How many of you are interested?


    -We are five.


    -If they have friends they can also bring them. I need at least twenty fighters, ten archers and a few magicians and healers.


    -Got it. I will tell them.


    -See you at the plaza in two in game days? Morning?


    -Okay see you.


    After that i went to the stables and hired ten wagon drivers, among which Owen and Landell who had gotten a promotion. i then stopped by the Architect guild and posted a Player made quest for any Architect players to apply for and hired 20 builders.


    My last stop was at the Barracks. Most of the soldiers that had been part of the Expedition had been promoted. Carl had even decided to stay in Djaden thanks to that. after chatting with my old men i went i chosed my own soldiers. i only took new NPC soldiers. I wanted them to stay at the Ruins for a while.


    I told them to gather by the southern gates in three days time and disconnected.


    After stretching a bit i took my helmet and went to the RetroGame Building. there i signed the last paperwork and gave them my game cartridge.


    They extracted my video while Mr Quelt was talking to me, telling me how they had planned to show my adventure and the other players parts.


    "Oh, by the way congratulation for reaching the top of the Wall of Fame."


    It took me a while to realise what he had said.


    It was true, thanks to my becoming a noble i had earned 150 Fame points and therefor jumped up to the 1rst place.


    Sandy came back with my cartridge and i soon went home and went on the Wall of Fame to confirm it.


    There i was at the top of the players, i added my Lesser Noble title to my profile and added a small notification


    "I am going on a second expedition, looking for 1 healer, 3 far ranged damage dealers, 5 close ranged combatants. level 8-13 preferred.


    Meet at the south gates in two in game days.


    pay: 70 bronze a day,


    food provided,


    risks: wild animals, outlaws, red players,


    10 in game travel days, 20 in game day guarding a site, 10 in game days travelling back to Djaden.


    Probable supplementary travels between Djaden and the protected site.


    Then i connected back to New Roads!. i went to the old man''s farm, renovations were under way, the walls of the house had already been replaced and a dozen workers were now making new wooden barriers. One of the workers had decided to work on the farm, i found a second man, aimlessly wandering through the surrounding farms fields. i soon as i proposed him to work at the farm i started looking at me like i was his saviour.


    I could as well have been as he truly looked like a beggar in his filth covered clothes and his sorrowful expression.


    After fulfilling his conditions i brought the topic of the animals back.


    "I will buy them, yes. How much do you want for all of them?"


    "I don''t want to sell them to you for money but a contract."


    "Oh? do tell."


    "The Renovation Project in the forest, the workers and guards will need food. and after the renovation is finished there will be an inn and tavern too. i will give you the animals in exchange for the Project to always be your top priority client and a5% reduction of your prices this year and a 1% reduction for all those who follow."


    "Hum... i think it is fair. fine i accept! where do i sign?"


    After that i officially hired the architect and told him the extend of my project. he calculated the amount o material needed for the first phase and i went to buy it, telling the shop clerk to have it ready at the south gate the next day at mid day.


    The rest of the day i spent it hunting foxes out in the fields and farms.

 Volume 2 Chapter 5

    a second expedition?


    I met Seymour at the plaza fountain, as planned. He was accompanied by four more players. one of which a women.


    "Hello, i am Ben."


    "Saran¨¦, a level 21 Ranger."


    "Jeffroy, Hamer wielder, same level."


    "I¡¯m Clay. Sword user, level 23. I didn''t choose my Job yet."


    " And i am Hammid, spear user, level 19. No Job either, obviously."


    "And i reached level 22, still no Job and still using a bow."


    "Your all better than i could expect!"


    Seymour smiled, he had noticed that i had not specify my own background. A few minutes later two other players came, they were Saran¨¦ and Clay''s friends.


    "Milfred, healer. But i am only level 10..."


    "Don''t worry, you will fit just fine!"


    "And i am Mathew, a level 23 Wandering Swordsman."


    "Nice Job."


    "I believe so too."


    We exchanged a few more words then i started explaining the quest.


    "We would leave here tomorrow morning, early, and travel 10 days into the forest to the old Bandit Camp Underground Tunnels, Guard them for 20 days then go back to the City. That''s when your kobs would be over. there is the possibility of doing an extra trip from the Ruins to Djaden and Back in between through."


    "What is your part in all this?"


    "I would be the one in charge of the Planning, Commanding and Cooking. Plus a few other things."


    "How many people are there going to be?"


    "You, me, 10 drivers and their trailers, 10 NPC Archers, Pikemen and swordsmen, 20 workers, an architect, at least 3 more healers and a cook. And three more archers and sword men. So around 80 people in total."


    I knew that the size of the caravan was similar than when the expedition came back but this time only half of it was made of combatants and their levels were much lower too. i was counting on the presence of Seymour and his companions to level the playfield and the high number of players hunting in the woods, keeping the number of enemies low.


    The group seemed to think for a bit before accepting. i made them sign a indefinite duration guarding contract with all the terms we had agreed on and asked them to follow me.


    The eight of us went to the south gates, a few shops clerks were waiting for me with the building material. i checked on the goods and paid the men, therefore fulfilling my contracts with them.


    To each of the players, except Milfred i designated officially gave the commend of a 5 men unit and told them they would have to protect a caw pulled wagon each.


    Then we started piling the building material on the trailers. it took four of them, a fifth one for the ciment bags, nails and tools. Tomorrow i would fill two wagons with food and the last ones with the workers.


    When we finished we went to a small tavern and i bought them a meal each. We ate while chatting and one by one i added them to my friend list.


    When the next day came, we all gathered at the south gate. the soldiers were here. i separated them into their units, then had the workers and wagon drivers charge the food.


    In the meanwhile i interviewed the players that had come after reading my notice on the web.


    Many of those that came forward were too high levelled and i had to refuse them. Some people just came to watch or talk to me. i had to raise my voice more than once to get myself obeyed.


    At the end i had found another three archers, swordsmen and two healers and an assistant cook that would be directly working under me. I told them their units, presenting them to their team leader.


    It took me a whole hour to set everything. Then i told Seymour to open the Procession, he started advancing, the wagon enclosed with his men. Behind him Jeffroy followed in the same manner. one after the other the units and their Wagons passed the Gates and left towards the forest. once the tenth trailer was out of the city i went to the front next to Seymour and Landell who was driving the first wagon. We followed the same path as we did during the Punitive expedition. when i saw the tree line i instructed Seymour to where to stop for lunch and went to the food filled trailer. there me and the assistant cook player started preparing meat, bread and cheese for everyone. When we stopped we cooked the meat and served everyone. as everyone was eating i gathered the team leaders.


    If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation."We will now enter the forest for at least 8 days. it is the most dangerous part of our journey. keep your eyes open. if you cross animals don''t hesitate to hunt them. if you see bandits be wary, they don''t have a leader or a camp but they are still dangerous even individually."


    "Yes sir."


    The three NPC Leaders were practically in awe because of my high Respect and Honour stats. the players were more reserved. i couldn''t really blame them as i didn''t really look or act like a normal commander.


    "This expedition is not to prove your strength or hunt down anyone. Your jobs are to bring everyone to the Ruins in one piece. therefore if a battle do come along, i want all team leaders to think of the well being of their men before anything else. No one dies, understood?"


    "Yes, sir!"


    "Okay."


    "Yeah."


    We went back on the road after half an hour of lunch break. The assistant Cook, whose name was Lulian, took care of the washing the dishes while i talked to the architect, discussing my project in great detail.


    When the sun was settling down we arrived in the same clearing than the last Expedition.


    The wagons formed a circle and we raised the tents on the inside. I gave sentinel duty to Clay''s unit first. they would then pass it to Saran¨¦ and finally Hammid''s Units.


    Me and Lulian made diner and took care of the dishes. I woke up 1 hour before everyone else to think of our itinerary and verify everything.


    When all the men had had their breakfast we went on.


    We travelled three more days like this, only crossing friendly players that were hunting.


    On the fourth night five bandits tried to steal on of our wagons, it was the first attack on our expedition and none of the men were expecting it. it was Lulian who had been on night cook duties who noticed it and woke the NPC soldiers.


    I will have to give him a bonus if he keeps being so good at his work.


    On the ninth day we arrived at our destination, players were going in and out of the Ruins, looking for anything to loot.


    When they saw us they stopped to look. i ordered the workers to unload all building materials and stock them by the entrance, and sent the rest of the Wagons around to the third entry.


    Standing tall to face the players i spoke with as much authority as i could.


    "I, Ben Varrand, noble of the Braeen Court, have been given full authority on these Ruins and this Camp! As of now this is no longer a Dungeon but a construction site! Anyone going in the Ruins without my, or my two second in commands authorisation will be committing a crime! Thank you all for your attention!"


    I turned back and, started showing the architect around, indicating were i wanted what, the effect i wanted it to give and why.


    I then went to the lifting platform, the wagons were already being unloaded. i instructed half the soldiers to stand guard at the three entries and the other half to bring all the food rations to the kitchen. The units were then given a dormitory each.


    I was happy to see that the sheep, cows and goats were still alive. i had been afraid that they would have been killed by the first passing action and blood thirsty player.


    The next day most of the work was done cleaning the common rooms and blocking players from entering the Ruins. While the architect was planning the works needed to be done. He told me of everything at dinner in the dinning hall. I approved of many of his ideas and we decided to start working on actual building right away.


    The next morning the workers were divided in 5 teams of 4. one was transforming the stables in the open roofed farm into Wagon Hangars, while the rest were building the foundations for a large two level inn and a series of small stone houses at the old bandit camp.


    The players were watching them working, wondering what this was all about. Some would approach the workers during their breaks, asking them what they were doing. the answer was always the same ''working on the renovation project under the orders of Sir Ben Varrant''.

 Volume 2 Chapter 6

    the Forest Ruins Mystery


    In the next 10 in game days the builders made considerable advances, putting down the foundation and the supporting wood pillars of the Inn and building the back wall of one of the houses.


    I placed a quest announcement panel just behind the entrance to the Camp and made a ''well digging'', ''tree chopping'' and ''wood engraving'' quests for Players.


    I directed the well digging at the centre of the camp while watching players come back with long tree troncs, pilling them at the side of the clearing. A player with the engraving skill came a few days after i posted the quest. i made him engrave the inn''s commercial sign on a wood plaque and a number of directional arrows all indicating the inn or Djaden and Antor city.


    Then i sent a caravan of five wagons to each cities. the first was under Seymour command as he had increased his familiarity with the soldiers, and the second under one of the NPCs with a small Leadership stat.


    Seymour''s procession would cross the rest of the forest and go to the first town, Antor city, after it to promote the new commercial road, they would come back with more building material for the renovations.


    The second caravan would go back to Djaden and bring back Vreen''s cousin, the cook along with two kitchen boys, serving girls and stable boys. there would also be a stock manager a wood worker and a smithy.


    Along the way each caravan was gonna plant the directional arrows at the tracks and trails intersections.


    By the time they both came back all of the inn''s and houses'' external walls had been built. the workers had run out of material so i made them erect a protective wooden wall around the three Ruin entries.


    The extra men were introduced to their future business, the wood worker, smith, architect and i talked about the wood work and smithy shops'' locations and necessary material and one of the builders team was put on the project.


    At the end of the in game month the protective walls and their doors, the inn and two out of ten of the houses were finished.


    I left all the NPCs at the renovation site, distributing a few orders to occupy them and left with all the players back to Djaden.


    The whole Expedition had been extremely quiet, near to no fighting had happened but it had allowed me to broaden my friend list and gather quickly increase the NPCs'' level by sending them on drills or hunting parties.


    When we arrived back at the city i paid the players, did a small written report to the City Lord and went to many shops to buy items necessary for the inn, smithy wood work shop and the houses. i also bought many aromatic plants, flower, seeds and a few young trees. I put everything on the wagons and left, going back to the Ruins.


    Because this time there was only the ten drivers and myself we were often attacked by small groups of bandits or predators. thanks to this my level rose two times on our way. i put all ten points i had gotten into Vitality, raising my maximum health by 50 points. I still had to see Kaden to choose my Job but it could wait until the project was well underway.


    By the time i was back to the Ruins another 20 in game days had gone by. The inn and smithy were finished and only 3 houses were left to build.


    I directed half the wagons to enter the small village while i went around and used the lift.


    The wagons in the village were full of building materials, table wears, woollen covers and wood furniture, wood work and smithy material


    The other half of the Wagons were also containing covers, table wears and building materiam but had the plants, seeds and small trees.


    I distributed the furniture, table wear and covers to the houses and the inn then had all the shops material placed in the artisans home and workshops.


    By the end of the second month of work, all the houses were done and the wood work shop and smithie shop were opened.


    The ruins had been cleaned and turned into a giant underground hangar. Wagons would come in using the platform and be stored in the old barm stables, the most precious Items could be put under guard in the old treasure rooms, the dinning hall and the dormitories were used by the soldiers, two dormitories were given as temporary quarters for passing merchants. Those who had more luxurious tastes could stay at the inn. Repairs to wagons and trailers were taken care of by the two artisans


    The last task i gave to the builders was build a farm on the surface and plant the trees, aromatic plants and flowers in the big open roofed room.


    All of the plants i had chosen were medicinal or used in cooking. the trees were fruit trees.


    The seeds were vegetable seeds, i had the builders make a small gardening area at the back of each houses in the prospect of having the people grow their own food.


    The wood carver had been sculpting non stop since i had left for Djaden. He had produced a series of sculptures of wild forest animals. i had him place them around the marble obelisk and table. he had changed their position for a while until he seemed happy about it. to me it looked like nonsense until an information window appeared.


    "The statues of the ''hopping rabbit'' and ''tracking fox'' have been placed in correspondence to their predatory attributes.


    Surrounding rabbit population has increased by 50%.


    Surrounding fox population has increased by 25%."


    "The statues of the ''seed eating mouse'' and ''wise owl'' have been placed in correspondence to their predatory attributes.


    Surrounding mouse population has increased by 50%.


    Surrounding owl population has increased by 25%."


    "The statues of the ''shy dear'' and ''noble wolf'' have been placed according to their predatory attributes.


    Surrounding dear population has increased by 50%.


    Surrounding wolf population has increased by 25%."


    "Three sets of statues revolving around the predatory cycle has been placed.


    Village''s attraction +30"


    "Through the rebuilding of the ancient Druids covenant you have discovered new knowledge on the Druids culture.


    New interior decorations are available to you.


    Intelligence +10"


    From there on all the work done in the site were purely decorative. the wooden doors were carved using ancient Druids designs, the underground tunnels'' walls were carved with scenes of  Druid rituals and the closes worn by the shop and inn workers were changed to be ornamented by glyphs on their sleeves and collars.


    When the village attraction level reached 150 i prepared to go back to Djaden with the drivers and workers.


    The night before we left i decided to hunt, i used my shape shifting skill far in the forest and tracked rabbits and dears in the forest. i had done it many time in my stay at the Ruins but today was a special occasion: it was a full moon.


    I was gonna take back my original form when i felt something pull me towards the Ruins.


    Feeling like it was important i followed the impression. it lead me up the hill between the three entrance.


    Since i wanted to post a video on my Wall of Fame i turned the recording option on, setting it on manual.


    I kept going up until i was at the border of a large and deep hole.


    I was standing on what was left of the roof of the open ceiling large room.


    Looking down i spotted a luminescence floating above the marble table and obelisk. i walked around them, following the roofs border to have a frontal view of the phenomenon.


    As i was focusing on it, it took a translucid feminine shape and bended towards me.


    In my mind a soft soothing voice talked to me.


    "Greetings, young shape shifter."


    Impressed by the spirit i bended my head down in sign of respect.


    "I am so happy to see a follower of the Druids way, especially after such a long time... i can only guess that you are here for the man that came before. he had just enough affinity with Nature to use him as a mean to attract you here... my pleas have been heard. i shall free the man from my voices. In return i want you to do something for me."


    A follow quest!


    "I want you to go in the deepest part of the sanctuary which has been overtaken by a dark power and retrieve a powerful artefact."


    The obelisk trembled slightly then it glided on its left, revelling a flight of stairs going deep into the dark. At the same time a set of windows appeared in front of me.


    " ''The Forest Ruins Mystery'' has been updated to ''The Forest Ruins Tunnels Mysterious Underground Level''


    To free Andy from the Night Spirit''s voices you have to locate and retrieve a powerful artefact that has fallen into the hands of a dark force.


    Quest prerequisite: Druid Path follower, Spirit of the Wolf skill, full moon, solo player.


    Quest failure: you die, you leave the underground tunnel without the artefact.


    Quest difficulty: E+"


    "You are the first to discover the Dungeon ''Forest Ruin Tunnels Underground Level''


    Stolen story; please report.All experience and loot obtained will be doubled for a week.


    The first enemy killed will drop its top items"


    "Good luck young druid"


    I felt my four paws leave the ground and my body levitate towards the opening. i was deposited on the top step of the stairs and under the scrutiny of the spirit went down. As i was going deeper into the ground, a dreadful sound came upon me: the obelisk was being put back to its place.


    Thanks to my wolf''s night vision i could see were i was stepping. i went further into the earth for five more minutes before the stairs ended.


    I was now standing in front of a large and pillar supported high roof room. Mountains of coins and jewels were pilled on the rooms floor. it represented a small fortune.


    I went around the room, looking for the ancient artefact, worrying that i had yet to see any trace of the Dark Power guarding it.


    I saw several promising jewels or precious stones all around me but decided to wait. behind a pile of tresure i discovered the mummified body of a man.


    "Through your extensive knowledge and high intelligence you have identified the corps as the late Brehan the Fourth."


    "Brehan the Fourth was the monarch of the Pantyr Kingdom more than five centuries ago. he ruled his people through tirany and fear. Overthrowned, he left with quite an amount of treasure and his few loyal followers.


    One of them tried to steal the treasures and poisoned the king. Over taken by his greed, the Monarchs soul refused to leave for the Underworld and he hunted down the traitor, took back his treasure and hid.


    Every time someone would try to take from him, he would come back and execute his bloody revenge.


    At the end, no man could defeat him and the Druids had to seal him away.


    The bandits and their treasure awoke the dead monarch''s greed and tyranny, resulting in the darkness tainting the sanctuary."


    As i was reading the message, the mummies eyes suddenly opened.


    I jumped back as he stood and let out a ferral scream.


    "You have been paralysed by ''undead screech''.


    30 seconds of paralysis"


    Ohoh. not good.


    The squeletton bent to pick a long and rusty sword and looked around for its victim. Its dead eyes went over me, not registering me as a potent thief.


    I quietly waited for the paralysis to wear off, thinking of the best way to damage an undead. Although it was dead i could still see its dried muscles working under the thick skin.


    The vertebra, at the skull''s base. it should incapacitate most of his body.


    I waited until it had its back to me before jumping on him. i bit deep into him, using my claws to tighten my grip on my prey.


    "You have dealt a critical strike: damage x2"


    The undead tried to size me with its hands but i was out of its reach. i twisted its vertebra to the left then brutally to the right, ripping a part of it off.


    "You have dealt two consecutive critical strikes: damage x4"


    i was biting it again when it lunched itself into a pillar backwards, smashing me in the process.


    I kept my grip on the creature until the third hit when i got stunned. My health had had only a third left however i had done a lot of damage. its right hand and legs could no longer be used. the undead king was now laying face down on the floor.


    The only movement left for it was to try to grab me with its left hand. i quickly tired it apart, removing the threat. from there on i repeatedly beat, slashes and clawed the monster.


    From time to time it would use its ''undead screech'' on me and i would have to wait.


    The one sided slaughter went on for a few minutes until its body turned grey and fell into dust.


    "You have defeated ''Cursed Monarch Brehan the Third''


    Exp 7748


    Fame +150


    Honour +130


    Brehan''s Ring


    Ancient druid artefact


    Moon stone earring"


    "You have killed a creature whose level was twice as superiors as yours.


    Experience +200%.


    Fame +10


    Respect+10"


    "You have levelled up" (x7)


    "Having been killed by a non Human, Brehan the third''s undead curse has been lifted forever.


    Fame +200


    Respect, Honour +50"


    "You have destroyed the Dark Power''s source.


    Spirit familiarity +15%


    Spirit Understanding rises to Beginner 4 (0%)


    Spirit of the wolf rises to Beginner 5 (0%)"


    Around me, the room''s wall started to produce a small light. phosphorous moss and mushrooms that had been hindered by the Dark Power came back to full life.


    I cancelled the shape shifting, returning to human form and started packing my bags and pockets with as much jewellery as i could. i kept examining precious stones, golden bracelets and old coins, selecting the most valuable. when my bag was full i had at least fifty exemplares of everything and thousands of old gold coins in my bag.


    I was trying to take as much as possible in case i couldn''t come back.


    I also took the time to examine the objects i had gotten from the undead monster.


    "Brehan''s Ring


    Durability: 134/150


    Value: 135,728


    A golden ring with a dark red stone embedded in it. On the insides of the ring is a engraved an unknowed symbole.


    There is a curse on it,


    Notoriety +300


    Vitality +50


    Endurance + 50


    Prerequisite: Dark Affiliation 100, level 60"


    "Moon stone earring


    Durability: 125/150


    Value: 74,936


    A single earring made of a small moon stone.


    Because of its singular material, all moon related stats and effects are now available during daytime.


    Can be worn in your wolf shape


    Spirit familiarity +15%


    Honour +10"


    "Ancient druid Artefact


    Durability: 75/94


    Value: 274,826


    A stone tablet engraved with an ancient Rune.


    Prerequisite: Ancient Rune Knowledge 35, Spirit of the Wolf"


    I immediately equipped the earring and slowly started walking the way up. as i reached the top the Obelisk had already been moved.


    The Spirit was gone so i offered it the stone tablet by placing it on the marble ceremonial table. As soon as i placed it under the moon light the rune started to emit a soothing light.


    The spirit started to reform as i was reading the information windows that had appeared.


    "You have discovered the Spirit of the Moon Ancient Rune.


    Intelligence +10


    Ancient Rune Knowledge +10"


    "Through your Ancient Rune Knowledge you have used the Ancient Druid Artefact and learned the skill Spirit of the Moonlight."


    "Spirit of the Moonlight: Beginner 1 (0%)


    At night Health recuperation rate rises by 2%.


    At night mana recuperation rate rises by 3%.


    At night Dexterity rises by 1%.


    At night strength, Endurance and Speed rises by 1%.


    Your wolf form now pocess moonlight markings on its head."


    "Thanks to your Moon Stone Earring the effects of Spirit of the Moonlight are active during the day too."


    This... this is so cool!


    Thanks to the earring and my Druid''s magiks my stats were increased. although i was now level 29 and once i had set my 80 stats points i had kept for after i choosed my job, i would be the same as a level 45 player.


    The moon spirit finished appearing and once again its voice filled my head.


    "Thank you, young Druid for returning my artefact to its rightful place. as promised i shall free the man of the moon''s voices."


    "You have solved the Forest Ruins Mystery.


    Exp + 1000


    Fame +20


    Intelligence +10"


    "The Night Spirit told you she ridd Andy of the weird voices and noises he was hearing.


    Go see Andy to confirm it."


    The obelisk glided once again and sealed the stairs. this time the sound was different, i had the impression that it was final. The passage way would never open again.


    "You have gone to great length to restore my sanctuary. this act shall not be unrewarded. Where ever you are, as long as the moon and the stars shall shine upon you, my blessing shall accompany you."


    "You have been permanently granted with the Night Sky''s Blessing by the Spirit of the Night."


    "Night Sky''s Blessing:


    At night all your stats increase by 20%.


    At night all your skills and attributes increase by 20%.


    At night all your Wolf Attributes increase by 15%.


    At night your Health regeneration rate increase by 15%.


    At night your Mana regeneration rate increase by 15%."


    "Thanks to your Moon Stone Earing the Night Sky''s Blessing effects will be active even durring the day."


    " Farewell young shape shifter. May our paths cross again."


    Just like this, the Night Sky spirit disappeared and i was left alone in the dark in front of the stone monuments.


    Wahou... this whole druid quest was awesome!


    I quickly went into my option menu and turned off the recording option.


    This video is gona be huge!

 Volume 2 Chapter 7

    Sir Ben Varrand, professional...


    I was in front of my computer, viewing my new video. it was twenty seven minutes long, started shortly before meeting with the spirit in my wolf form and ended after i finished the quest in my human form.


    I uploaded it on my Wall of fame Profile, naming it ''a night at the forest ruins (Djaden county, Braeen Kingdom)''. i knew people would try to open the passage way to get to the tresures but i am deeply convinced it will stay closed, however the players would be staying at the inn which meant more money for the village.


    I quickly changed my level to 29 and put a new comment online.


    "A small video of a hidden dungeon in the Forest Ruins. Hope you like it."


    My profile was still at the top of the list but now i had a huge advance of 572 points over the second rated player.


    I ate a sandwich and reconnected to New Roads! It would take another 3 days of gaming for me to reach the city.


    On my arrival at Djaden i paid the drivers and workers for their two month and one week of work and sent a messenger to the city Lord asking for a meeting to talk about the project.


    "So how far is it now, sir Verrand?"


    "The inn, smith shop and wood work shop are up and running. the is ten homes to house the three inn cooks, 2 serving girls and the small farm. Each house was build to house two adults and children, allowing the village to grow in time. The village and tunnels walls decorated in Druids benefice and cleansing symbols and runes and statues about Nature and flowers.


    The trailer lift, hangar and safety rooms are all operating normally.


    I put the wagon driver Owen in charge of arrivals and departures at the lift and Landell at the Village.


    The soldiers are currently under my orders along with the management of the commercial outpost."


    "It all seems good to me."


    "Yes. i also have a lot of founds left after the renovations. They can be used to further develop the site when it will be needed, in a dozen years."


    "That long?"


    "There is enough houses for now and it will take at least a year before the first child is born. in that aspect i suggest the development of a small church, i know that Druids have their own wedding rites but some people may want to be traditional. my advice would be to start building it in a month."


    "It seems that you still have some projects for the place... yet didn''t you want to travel?"


    "I do... which is why, my Lord i have come here in person to give my resignation of the Position of the Renovation Manager. i have given all rights to the very capable stock manager. His monthly reports will be in the same format as the one i gave you those two last months.


    The men you gave me to guard the site are lodged in the tunnels dormitory, i made sure they were further trained to respond to night attacks and multiple frontal attacks.


    They guard each of the Tunnels entries and the village. They will need a new commander. i suggest someone who has been part of the Punitive Expedition in the forest."


    "I see. If you have already thought all of this i doubt i could change your mind on the matter. here is your pay for your work up to now on the Renovation Project! I wish you good travels!"


    "Thank you Sir"


    "You have finished Renovation Project Management Position.


    Work evaluation: Excellent


    You have been paid: 37 silver coins


    Respect +3


    Acknowledgement in Braeen +14"


    "Through your achievements and great Honour you are now a Noble of Braeen Kingdom."


    "Your Braeen lesser Noble''s Ring has been exchanged with a Braeen Noble''s Ring"


    "Braeen Noble''s Ring


    Durability: 65/65


    Value: 1,500


    A iron ring with Braeen Kingdom''s emblem on it.


    As long as you wear it, people will recognise you as a member of Braeen''s Nobility.


    Fame +500


    Leadership +30


    Honour, Respect +25"


    The Ruins finally behind me after a month of real time work ( 3,5 month of in game time ), it was finally time to go see Kaden and choose my Job. Then i would set out for Braeen Kingdom''s Capital, the Royal Castle of Fridol. if i went by foot it would take me a month, by horse 2 weeks.


    Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.I stopped by Andy''s bakery and had a short conversation with him. He confirmed that the voices had stopped and gave me some bread as a reward.


    Then i went by the jewellery shop and some as much of the jewels and precious stones as i could, stopping when the clerk was proposing to buy them for just above their actual value.


    I sold too much at the same time and place. Better save the rest for the next big city. Remember the basics of economy: Supply and Demand!


    I the went to see Kaden.


    "Ben? you are back?"


    "Yes teacher. i was wondering if your offer to help me choose my Job still stood."


    "Of course it does! Let me see you!"


    Kaden took a step back and looked at me with intensity, evaluating me.


    I knew that right now the game System was eliminating Jobs throughout the Paths i had chosen, the additional skills i had learn, my stats distribution and all the actions i had done throughout the game.


    Frankly it took longer than i thought.


    "Hum... it is difficult to tell which job would suit you the best. i will ask you a few questions."


    I knew that i had to be perfectly honest answering to his questions or else the Job would not correspond to me and my playing style. it didn''t matter if some of my answers would make our friendship fall.


    "Alright, i am ready"


    "You enter a deserted village, what do you do?"


    "... I would get deeper into it, being careful for any enemy, try to find out where the people went and try to solve whatever caused it."


    "What if it was because of bandits?"


    "I would fight them back along with anybody willing to help."


    "What of their treasures?"


    "I would use some to reward the men who helped and rebuilt the village. Then keep the rest."


    No need to say that since i had discovered professional gaming i had become obsesses with money.


    "What if it is because of sickness?"


    "I would procure people with the best medicine i have for a relatively decent price and deal with the source of the illness."


    "What if they are all dead and you cannot do anything to help them?"


    "I would buy the totality of the village, deal with the illness source and bring back the village by bringing new people in, starting it anew if needed."


    Are the questions supposed to be this easy to answer?


    "What if you are visiting and old friend, he is a merchant. you discover that certain of his deals are not legal. what do you do?"


    "I look deeper and use this knowledge to size his trade assets, alert the authorities of his crimes to get rid of him and if the someone offers a reward i will hunt down the criminals myself."


    "You are given a land as a reward for your good deeds. what do you do with it."


    "I study its emplacement, riches and primary material and develop it into a big city were people can live hapilly doing what they love."


    "What do you do with the profits from this city?"


    "Depends on the opportunities i have. developing another city right next door isn''t an option, maybe by another land in an even more promising place?"


    "What do you believe the most important, Honour, Money or Power?"


    "None."


    "Oh?"


    "If you have to much money, not enough power and honour someone will eventually take everything from you. if you have honour but no power or money you won''t be able to make anything move around you. Same if you have power but no honour or money."


    "True. It is imperative to have a balanced amount of each to overcome hurdles and trials.... I believe i have found what your Job should be."


    "Really? what is it?"


    "It wasn''t easy but i believe you would do a good ''Conquering Trade Emperor''"


    A what!?


    The emperor type of Jobs were only attributed to one player and therefore were extremely rare. Even if everyone in the world were to decide their Jobs there was a possibility that no one would get an imperial type job because of the many restrictions imposed on them.


    Why am i even hesitating?


    "Conquering Trade Emperor it is!"


    Ben has a job now!


    Hope you liked it!

 Volume 2 Side Story

    Forest Bandit Camp Punitive Expedition Force Adventures


    This is happening during the 3.5 in game months (1 month, 2 weeks in real life time)Ben spends renovating the Ruins.


    ?????????????????????????????????


    The first episode of the Forest Bandit Camp Punitive Expedition Force Adventures had been uneventful. in fact two following it were the same. audience has nearly hit zero until the firsts Bandit attack happened on the fourth episode.


    The audience was fairly good but as the fifth episode was the same as the three first (walking, cooking, talking, picking), the audience left again. and came back at the next attack, to leave again then come back, permanently.


    It is only when the tenth episode ended on a Friday evening, after the Bandits chiefs death and the tactical meeting, that players felt something was happening.


    By then Ben Varrand was already at the top of the Wall of Fame and known for his various contributions during the Expedition, so the audience finally understood that he was the one they were seeing the story through, players started watching with extreme application.


    Everyone wanted to know how Ben Varrand had climbed to the top of the Wall of Fame chart.


    Everyone wanted to See him battle his way into the Bandit Camps.


    Everyone Wanted to see him as he was the top player of the most played and technologically advanced game in the world.


    So players waited impatiently for the weekend to pass and the next episode to be released.


    Heart thumping they saw Ben Varrand and his two companions leave for the secret spy mission. when Ben used the Spirit of the Wolf skill, the chat rooms were overflowed with players speculating on the skill.


    Many believed that Ben Varrand was a Shape shifter, others thought that he was a Magician, many believed he processed a special item permitting him to shift.


    At the end of this episode the near to the totality of New Roads! players was watching.


    When the spying mission was over they marvelled at how Ben was able to influence the officials decisions and tactics by contributing his own touches to their plan.


    When the groups left towards the four Bandits Camps at night fall players knew that the next episode would be epic.


    To their surprise, the next episode did not follow the top Avatar Ben Varrand but a simple sword wielding player part of the forces attacking the Western Camp.


    At first the reactions of the viewers were negative, but when the attackers went down the Camp in deadly silence all reproaches ceased.


    They saw the bodies of the bandits being burned and the loot being pilled, waiting for the Expedition trailer to come.


    To their desperation, the soldier they were seeing the event through was part of the group who had to wait for the wagon.


    As the player waited they saw a black pillar of smocke rise into the sky, then a second one.


    That is when the video feed of the player ended.


    The next days episode was of the Southern Camp attack.


    This time they were seeing it through the eyes of a female players using a bow and arrows.


    They saw her slither through the trees, climb on the platform and silently take care of a lookout then shoot the herb braids into the fires and huts.


    As the men on the floor went into the camp, the female archer shoot a few bandits trying to escape.


    The attack had been so silent and rapid that none of the bandits had realised what was going on.


    Many of the people watching the slaughter felt a shiver run down their spine.


    It had all been so clinic and efficient...


    By the fifteenth episode, featuring a male archer, the audience knew what to expect.


    Yet, compared to the other times the attack was not stealthy enough. when the player they were following had killed his lookout, they saw, at the same time as him a platform that had not been cleared of his bandit.


    The player had already pulled an arrow when the bandit, already holding his warning sound horn, had looked down at the floor and noticed the attacking men.


    As the lookout blared the horn warning his companions of the attack, the player shot the arrow. somewhere near, another archer had noticed the bandit as another arrow planted itself in its body.


    Yet the man did not fall, so they both shot another arrow, and another. As a ray of light shone on the platform they saw that the man was long dead.


    In the meantime the battle on the floor had ended. the bandits had tried to resist the assailants but the smocke and the element of surprise had been too much for them.


    The third and final black pillar rousing to the sky was the final moment of the episode.


    The next episode was to feature the attack on the final and most well defended and reemforced bandit camp.


    A few players had started discussing the possible internal defences of the ruins using a map of the ruins post-Expedition Force and pre- Restoration Project.


    Neet.tv organised a small talk show before the episode, inviting players to give their opinion and ask their questions to one of New Roads! Game Masters through a simple phone call.


    One of the questions asked was why the NPCs followed Ben''s orders without questions.


    The answer amazed everyone as the GM simply said that during the Expedition travels Ben had progressively risen his familiarity with the entire Force through his well cooked meals, gentle words, bandages, constant efforts to improve the soldiers food, dice games and simple conversation.


    That is when the players watching the show from the very beginning understood that those days of travels they had found boring had been the foundation of Ben Varrand Success.


    Another question had been about Ben''s Spirit of the Wolf skill.


    To this the GM had simply said that the explanation would come in today''s episode.


    Then people asked how Ben had been put in charge of the Renovation Project.


    Once again the GM told the players to keep watching the series season up to its very end.


    By the time the show was over, only a few questions had been answered. Most of them were about the game itself, not Ben Varrand or the Expedition Force.


    When the episode started, Ben, his 10 men and three other units were already closing in on the front entry of the Ruins.


    They took cake of a platform look out and a few perimeter guards, piling them further away from the entry.


    Then two archers took care of the sentry guards. their bodies were removed, they saw Ben look inside the Tunnel, grab one the guards and interrogate them.


    His face could not be seen as they were seeing the whole action from his eyes but the terror on the guards face and the sweetness in his voice were enough to make them all wonder if the man that they were all admiring wasn''t borderline sadistic.


    When they watched as he broke a few fingers to get his answers many felt the same shivers of dread run down their spines as they had felt in front of the second camp attack.


    The information he gathered from the tortured guard made the infiltrating party much easier.


    The team leaders decided of each others role and went inside the Tunnels.


    As they understood that the Expedition Forces Hero would not be part of the Front line


    But a mere Go to boy, the audience could not hide their disbelief. Was that going to be all?


    Many of the players who had gone to the ruins expecting to find some treasures but had come back empty handed were speechless when they saw the armoury. They then became jealous as they saw Ben put a number of swords into his backpack, clearly stealing them.


    They watched as he and his men kept emptying the various rooms one after the others.


    When Ben received the message that the third camp attack was over he decided to change his plans hand move to the front line by exploring an unsecured part of the Tunnels.


    They saw him as he discovered the farming material, then had his conversation with on of his soldiers. They heard him talk about the old and forgotten Druids and Spirits.


    This caused another big wave of comments, players looked through the official website and all their usual information sites, not finding any mention of the Druids Magik in any of them.


    The uproar continued on the net as on the screens, Ben slit the farmboy''s throat and walked past the obelisk towards the big oak door.


    Those who had visited the Ruins knew that there was a third entry in this direction, they were impatient to see how Ben would deal with the situation.


    To their surprise he seemed to understand the dangers as he decided to use ruse over brut strength.


    As he chatted with the guards he slowly obtained information about what level of defence to expect then, when the charade was out, he and his men disposes of the guards.


    Players opened their eyes in big as they saw the treasures rooms full of coins, jewels and precious stones then the works of arts and stone covered weapons and armours.


    When the painting was recovered they felt the same surprise as Ben as they understood that this portrait was the reason for the expedition.


    Then Ben Varrand asked for help.


    Once again, he had broken free of all expectations. when the reemforments arrived, he divided the chain of command and they stormed the third entry.


    It was the most direct combat scene the audience had seen since the beginning of the camps attacks.


    If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.Ben surveyed as his men took on the last guards then he raised his head, noticing a few archers. he shouted a warning to the combatants and quickly the men reorganised themselves.


    The archers started shooting the elevated bandits down, the close range warriors took cover in the tunnels, the pikemen used their pikes as spears...


    Ben Varrand took his first major wound, an arrow in his leg, yet he still stood up, directing the men into combat and using his own bow.


    As the small battle finished, bandages and cataplasms were applied on the wounded. A few of the able men used the lifting platform to secure the higher grounds.


    One group went further in, reporting that the access to the platform entry was hidden behind trees, rocks and a layer of camouflaging dangling vines.


    Ben was examining the platform mechanism, obtaining its construction plan thanks to his high intelligence, when the NPC in charge of this part of the Expedition Force, Beok Cage came to him. They briefly talked about how the rest of the attack went then of how they would not be able to take everything with them back to Djaden.


    It is then that Ben''s voracity showed itself, the players helplessly watched as Ben convinced his superior to delete the departure of several days to reap the ruins of all its treasures.


    Only the most experienced mmorpg players and the Betas truly understood how difficult such a feat was.


    The episode ended after Ben made an inventory of the food supplies found at the ruins.


    The backslash of the episode was simply enormous.


    The tactics, the treasures, the leadership, the few but intense battles, the Druid''s Magik, Ben''s proficiency with both a sword and a bow...


    It was simply magnificent.


    The next evening some of the audience had left the screen, they knew that the battles were over and believed the preparations and the trip back to be as boring as the first ten episodes of the series.


    Those were the ones who had not understood how important those boring moments of calm and conversations were to bond with the NPCs


    In a way they were right, all that Ben did was cook breakfast, read books from the chiefs chambers, inventory the treasures and supplies, cook lunch, work on the trailers reparations and cook diner.


    Then they left the ruins and joined up with the other half of the expedition forces in a clearing.


    That is when something weird started to happen: Captain Serena Miller started speaking with Ben about how to renovate the Ruins. She would come every day with new questions, after the third recurrence Ben produced a file using the game''s annotation system and gave it to her. Throughout the trip he would add more notes and paragraphs. At some point, graphs, drawings and tables were added to the whole thing. the file now looked so professional that it was obvious that Ben Varrand had spent some time researching about renovation projects presentations and applications, their effects on the economy, the population and the environment. She gave him a letter to pass to a certain Kaden.


    Other than that Ben would cook and read. At a point, he finished an entire collection of books and received some reward from it, including a set of skills and extra stats.


    All the players that had seen this went to the book stores and bought a book collection for themselves. For a while the price of a book skyrocketed, but as only specific series of books actually gave bonuses once read, the fever went down in a few days.


    When the Expedition arrived at the City gates, followed by the farmers and some players, everyone assumed that the quest would be over but while all the players received their rewards from the Mage Officer Cage, Ben was asked to wait at least a day.


    Apparently his contribution had been so great that his reward could not be set and given by Beok or the Captain.


    They watched as Ben checked on last time one the food ration trailer, doing a last inventory, sold his japtem to different stores, getting the appreciation of the few players who seriously followed the path of the merchant and the sarcastic remarks if the regular, unknowing players.


    As he then went to the Guilds Training Hall, the players were even more intrigued. As Guilds could only be joined in a Kingdom capital and were useless for players at this stage of the game, players did not have a current need for the Guilds other than the quests they gave for beginning players.


    Yet Ben did not go to the Guild clerks themselves but to the Training Hall files with training mannequins, painted targets and sparring areas.


    They were listening intently as he talked to the Training Hall Master about the expedition. He gave him Serena''s letter and received in return the Martial Artist merged Path and the Murim''s Ring.


    Both were incredible rewards as the first was permitting the player to use all weapons and armours with no restrictions or penalties and was a never seen before path and the second granted extras stats and 1000 Fame to its wearer along with entry into the secret society of the Murims.


    Once again chat rooms were overflowed with comments, many players understood that this ring was one of the reason why Ben was at the top of the Wall of Fame, some believed that it was like cheating, others that the website should calculate Fame only based on the stat, not on props.


    There was a short time jump a the Avatar went to sleep then viewers witnessed as Ben visited a few NPCs,


    visited a tower to read old dusty books, then ran a series of errands for a drunkard throughout the whole city, negotiating the price of every item to get even one coin more.


    Those who had tried the path of the merchant knew how difficult it was and were astonished at how much profit Ben was making with each transaction.


    The episode was over when Ben chose not to follow the Merchants Path and activated the object Strange Skill Book.


    The following episode was two in game day later, as Ben connected a message informed him that the Strange Skill Book magik''s had taken effect. Viewers had since then learned of the particularity of the Golden Pack item and were impatiently waiting to see what skill fitted Ben the best.


    They were expecting a combat or magic based skill but it is the Business Owner Skill that showed up.


    Once again only the players intently following the Merchants Path or those that Ere actual businessman in real life understood the value of this skill.


    As Ben learned the skill and accepted the Merchant Leader as his primary Path, there was only a few people aware of how rare this path was, the rest of the viewers mistook it for a comon merchant based path.


    Then the soldiers came. They escorted Ben to the City Lord''s Manor where he was welcomed by an old, stricken looking majordome and led to the ball room.


    There Ben ,and the viewers alike, were awaited by the totality of Djaden''s nobility and high personalities.


    As Ben marched towards the Lord, the players heart was pumping like crazy. At last, the adventure was coming to an end! the rewards for all those hours of cooking, spying, planning and fighting...


    All were curious what the reward to the top ranked of the Expedition Force would be.


    They held their breath as the Lord began talking. As he listed Ben''s achievements during the Expeditions, players once again remembered how especialy Ben''s work had been.


    Their expectations were wildly fulfilled as they saw Ben become the first Noble of New Roads!, receive the renovation project management and get notified of the Quest Completion.


    Since the quest was finished so was the recording and the scene faded in darkness as the Nobles were clapping their approval and started surrounding Ben.


    For the next three days the websites were only talking of Ben.


    "New Roads! first noble! No wonders he is at the top of the Wall of Fame!"


    "Did you see this Martial Art Path? What do you think is the trigger to obtain it?"


    "I don''t know... the Expedition force itself maybe?"


    "You have to be close to Kaden, the Training Hall Master"


    "I am a beta who started both time in Djaden and never has anyone managed to get that familiar with Kaden. The Martial Art Path was also a surprise to me."


    "Me too!"


    "Dido"


    "Did you see that ring? Its like a cheat item!!"


    "Even the noblesse ring is good at this level of the game"


    "Why choose merchant as its primary? that was totally stupid!"


    "I agree"


    "Martial Arts would have been better"


    "Why choose merchant in the first place? its a useless and difficult path!"


    "Waist of Path slot"


    Did you see those moves against the bandit chief? that was without the martial art! imagine with!"


    "Wicked!!!"


    "About the renovation project, hiw long do you think it will take?"


    "I heard he is already working on it!"


    "Could be a day or a month..."


    "I wanna go see it."


    "I already tried. The place is off limits right now."


    "What do you think Ben will do after that?"


    "Another expedition"


    "Grind"


    "Anything he does i wanna see it!"


    "Yeah"


    As the Ben Varrand fever was starting to settle, a new video intitulated ''A night at the forest ruins (Djaden county, Braeen Kingdom)'' was uploaded on Ben''s Wall of Fame profile.


    By the end of the day, it had already been watched more than three thousand times.

 Volume 2 Bonus

    I have realised that you are probably lost about Ben''s stats and skills. Since i have my note pad next to me when i write i don''t get lost but for you guys it must be quite confusing.


    so i decided to do a complete Avatar description for you!


    If it helps you i will do another later in the story.


    Avatar Ben Varrand at the end of the first arc.


    ?????????????????????????????????????????


    Name: Ben Varrand


    Race: Human


    Level: 37


    Job: Conquering Trade Emperor


    Vitality: 94


    Endurance: 79 +7


    Toughness: 72+16


    Strength: 74+12


    Speed: 56+14


    Dexterity: 68+9


    Intelligence: 99+1


    Luck: 60+25


    Fame: 792+1100


    Ancient Rune Knowledge: 42


    Leadership: 45+20


    Respect: 105+25


    Honour: 230 +5


    Still 0 stat points to attribute.


    Maximum Health: 470


    Maximum Mana: 500


    Maximum Men: 97


    Ascendance on Braeen Kingdom:


    Ascendance on Djaden County: 23%


    Total Ascendance on Braeen Kingdom: 0.6%


    Mana Regeneration Rate: +


    Health Regeneration Rate: +


    Wild Life Based Loot Quantity: +


    Wild Life Based Loot Quality: +


    Vegetal Based Loot Quantity: +


    Vegetal Based Loot Quality: +


    Due to the Moon Stone Earring effects all Night time skills, attributes and stats changes will be active durring day time.


    Titles:


    Noble of Braeen


    There is no price on your head anywhere.


    Position:


    ?


    Job Aptitude:


    ? Political Alliances: (Exp +10%)


    You can create political alliances with Political Parties, Non-Ruling or Ruling Powers.


    This aptitude depends highly on your Honour, Respect, Leadership and Fame stats.


    ? Military Alliances: (Exp +10%)


    You can create military alliances with Political Parties, Non-Ruling or Ruling Powers.


    This aptitude depends highly on your Honour, Respect, Leadership, Fame and Notoriety stats and your ability to negotiate.


    Does not level up.


    ? Trade Road Builder: (Exp +10%)


    You can set and create trading routes for you and your men to use.


    The number of trade routes is limited only by the number of men, trading outposts and founds available.


    Does not level up.


    Primary Path Followed:


    Business Leader:


    ? Business Owner: You can buy, sell and manage businesses of any type. this skill is only limited by the player''s talent as a business man. Does not level up.


    ? Contracting: Beginner 3 (37%)


    You can form contracts about goods and services with particulars.


    Maximum monetary value involved: 1gold coin.


    Contracts can be repeated indefinitely


    ? Trading: Beginner 6 (45%)


    You can buy and sell more than 150 of the same item at one time.


    ? Market Value Evaluation: Beginner 4 (29%)


    You evaluate the shop''s market value of every items you know of.


    The more you know of the city the more exact and flawless your evaluation.


    Secondary Path Followed: (+1GP)


    Cook: (Exp-15%)


    ? Cooking: Beginner 9 (73%)


    You can cook, boil, roast and fry vegetables and meats.


    ? Butcher''s Touch: Intermediate 2 (92%)


    All wild life based loot rises by 23% in quantity and 16% in quality.


    Herborist: (Exp-15%)


    ? Herborism: Beginner 9 (83%)


    You can use regents to produce potions, cataplasms and bandages.


    ? Brewing: Intermediate 3 (19%)


    You can brew drinks and teas.


    ? Nature''s Growth: Intermediate 4 (73%)


    All plant bases loot rises by 25% in quantity and 19% in quality.


    Druid: (Exp-15%)


    ? Inner breathing: Intermediate 4 (29%)


    As you breath deeply regularly your Health Regeneration Rate rises by 23%.


    ? Clear Mind: Beginner 3 (47%)


    Resistance to mental status and illness rises by 7%.


    ? Nature''s Understanding: Beginner 5 (36%)


    The risk of getting lost in a natural environment decreases by 8%


    Familiarity with wild life rises by 31%


    ? Spirit''s Understanding: Beginner 4 (0%)


    The risk of getting lost in a spiritual environment decreases by 7%


    Familiarity with Spirits rises by 28%


    The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.? Spirit of the Wolf: Beginner 5 (0%)


    You can take the form, stats and skills of a wolf.


    Not all equipment are suitable to be worn as a wolf. all unsuited equipment will be returned to your backpack.


    Familiarity with all canines rises by 15%


    Mana Consumption: 130


    ? Spirit of the Moonlight: Beginner 2 (63%)


    At night Health recuperation rate rises by 3%.


    At night mana recuperation rate rises by 3%.


    At night Dexterity rises by 2%.


    At night strength, Endurance and Speed rises by 1%.


    Your wolf form now pocess moonlight markings on its head.


    ? Night Sky''s Blessing:


    At night all your stats increase by 20%.


    At night all your skills and attributes increase by 20%.


    At night all your Wolf Attributes increase by 15%.


    At night your Health regeneration rate increase by 15%.


    At night your Mana regeneration rate increase by 15%.


    Martial Artist:


    ? Martial arts: Intermediate 2 (31%)


    You can use all weapon types and wear all weapons with no penalties or restrictions.


    You can battle with or without weapons with no penalties.


    Strength, Toughness, Dexterity +2


    Endurance, Speed +1"


    Skills (Exp-25%)


    Driver: Beginner 9 (76%)


    You can drive a cart, trailer, wagon pulled by two bull, cow, donkey of horse.


    Ben Varrand Wolf Form:


    Vitality: 94


    Endurance: 90


    Toughness: 72


    Strength: 79


    Speed: 68


    Dexterity: 78


    Intelligence: 99


    Luck: 60+20


    Fame: 792 +1100


    Ancient Rune Knowledge: 42


    Leadership: 48 +20


    Respect: 105 +25


    Honour: 230 +5


    Maximum Health: 470


    Maximum Mana: 495


    Maximum wolf: 98


    ? Bite: Beginner 5 (58%)


    You can attack enemies and preys with your mouth.


    Tiring Damage +2%


    Piercing Damage +1%


    ? Claw: Beginner 6 (16%)


    You can attack enemies and preys with your paws.


    ? Predatory Ears: Beginner 6 (84%)


    You can hear farther than in Human Form by 27%


    ? Predatory Eyes: Beginner 6 (62%)


    You can see further than in Human form by 27%


    ? Night Vision: Beginner 5 (86%)


    You can see in the dark and further than in your human form by 13%


    ? Track: Beginner 2 (24%)


    Your preys body shine white.


    Mana Consumption: 29/30 seconds


    ? Cushioned Paws: Beginner 4 (39%)


    Constant stealth while walking.


    ? Growl: Beginner 4 (13%)


    A growl that paralyses small prey with fear for 25 seconds


    Mana Consumption: 120


    ? Howl: Beginner 2 (30%)


    A howl that call fir reemforcments in the form of other wolfs.


    Maximum Wolf: 2


    Can attract Canine¡¯s predators.


    Mana Consumption: 45


    Equipment:


    ? Head: Moon Stone Earring,


    ? Torso: long sleeved dark green tunic, dark green long sleeved matlased vest, light iron armour, small quiver, 75 wooden arrows, hunting bow, backpack


    ? Arms: light brass armbands


    ? Hands: murim''s ring, Braeen lesser noble''s ring


    ? Waist: Tough embraided wood reemforced belt, Hunting Knife, large quality gourd, Kaden''s Sword, quality satchel,


    ? Legs: dark green robes,


    ? Feet: good clouted travelling boots


    ? Other:


    Currency:


    Gold: 2


    Silver: 31


    Bronze: 159


    Backpack:


    ? map, Uncle Phillip''s letter, Journal


    ? cooking material, brewing material,


    ?3 short sleeved light brown tunics, 2 long sleeved dark green tunics, 2 light brown trousers, 2 dark brown trousers, light brown robe, good clouted travelling boots


    ? wooden arrows (300)


    ? complete series of the Bandit Chief of the Forest Ruins Camp.


    ? Brehan''s ring


    Satchel:


    ?  jewels, precious stones and old coins taken from Brehan''s treasure


    ? tunics, belts, shoes, trousers, hand made wooden arrows, rusty swords, knives,


    ? pelts, bones, claws, teeth,


    Current Quests:


    ? Uncle Phillip''s letter:


    Go to the city of Krint in Thyhan Kingdom and announce your Uncle''s death to his friend from the Temple Order.

 Volume 3 Bonus

    Now that Ben has decided on his Job the real story will begin!


    We will now follow Ben on his trip to Braeen''s Capital, Fridol and his later adventures!


    I hope that you enjoyed Ben''s adventures up to now.


    Here is another Avatar presentation of Ben Varrand.


    I thought you would like to know of his current stats at the beginning of the second act.


    Another presentation will follow when major changes happens in the Avatar''s stats or if a long time has passed between two presentations.


    Enjoy,


    WritteraAddicted


    ??????????????????


    Name: Ben Varrand


    Race: Human


    Level: 68


    Job: Conquering Trade Emperor


    Vitality: 114 (+51%)


    Endurance: 84 +24 (+51%)


    Toughness: 90 +26 (+51%)


    Strength: 74 +26 (+51%)


    Speed: 68 +26 (+51%)


    Dexterity: 85 +22 (+51%)


    Intelligence: 115 +7 (+51%)


    Luck: 62 +20 (+51%)


    Fame: 831 +1100 (+51%)


    Ancient Rune Knowledge: 42 (+51%)


    Leadership: 48 +30 (+51%)


    Respect: 107 +25 (+51%)


    Honour: 232 +25 (+51%)


    Still 0 stat points to attribute.


    Maximum Health: 1120


    Maximum Mana: 1140


    Maximum Men: 102


    Ascendance on Braeen Kingdom:


    Ascendance on Djaden County: 26%


    Ascendance on Vram County: 16%


    Ascendance on Drem County: 15%


    Ascendance on Vantor County: 5%


    Ascendance on Ellia''s County: 4%


    Ascendance on Antor County: 0%


    Ascendance on Bantor County: 0%


    Ascendance on Fridol County: 0%


    Ascendance on Meder County: 0%


    Ascendance on Hergo County: 0%


    Ascendance on Duntu County: 0%


    Ascendance on Jungo County: 0%


    Ascendance on the Three Peeks Region: 11%


    Total Ascendance on Braeen Kingdom: 3%


    Mana Regeneration Rate: +81%


    Health Regeneration Rate: +119%


    Spiritual Fortitude: +28%


    Physical Fortitude: +0%


    Wild Life Based Loot Quantity: +65%


    Wild Life Based Loot Quality: +49%


    Vegetal Based Loot Quantity: +43%


    Vegetal Based Loot Quality: +36%


    Wild Life Familiarity: +51%


    Spirit Familiarity: +95%


    Canine Familiarity: +35%


    All Human skills attributes +51%


    All Wolf skills attributes +39%


    Due to the Moon Stone Earring effects all night time skills, attributes and stat changes will be active durring day time.


    Titles:


    ?Noble of Braeen


    ?


    There is no price on your head anywhere.


    Position:


    ?


    Job Aptitude:


    ?Political Alliances: (Exp +10%)


    You can create political alliances with Political Parties, Non-Rulling or Ruling Powers.


    This aptitude depends highly on your Honor, Respect, Leadership, Fame and Notoriety stats and your ability to negotiate.


    Does not level up


    ?Military Alliances: (Exp +10%)


    You can create military alliances with Political Parties, Non-Rulling or Rulling Powers.


    This aptitude depends highly on your Honor, Respect, Leadership, Fame and Notoriety stats and your ability to negotiate.


    Does not level up.


    ?Trade Road Builder: (Exp +10%)


    You can set and create trading routes for you and your men to use.


    The number of trade routes is limited only by the number of men, trading outposts and founds available.


    Does not level up.


    Primary Path Followed:


    Business Leader:


    ?Business Owner: You can buy, sell and manage businesses of any type. this skill is only limited by the player''s talent as a business man. Does not level up.


    ?Contracting: Beginner 9 (37%)


    You can form contracts about goods and services with particulars.


    Maximum monetary Value: 6G


    Contracts can be repeated indefinitely


    ?Trading: Intermediate 3 (45%)


    You can buy and sell more than 360 of the same item at one time.


    ?Market Value Evaluation: Intermediate 2 (29%)


    You automatically evaluate the market value of every items you know off as you enter a settlement, house or shop.


    The more you know of the kingdom and city you are in the more exact and flawless your evaluation will be.


    Secondary Path Followed: (+1GP)


    Cook: (Exp-15%)


    ?Cooking: Intermediate 3 (73%)


    You can cook, boil, roast and fry vegetables and meats.


    ?Butcher''s Touch: Intermediate 7 (92%)


    All wild life based loot rises by 43% in quantity and 36% in quality.


    Herborist: (Exp-15%)


    ?Herborism: Intermediate 4 (83%)


    You can use regents to produce potions, cataplasms and bandages.


    ?Brewing: Intermediate 6 (59%)


    You can brew alcoholic drinks.


    ?Nature''s Growth: Advanced 1 (73%)


    All plant bases loot rises by 65% in quantity and 49% in quality.


    Druid: (Exp-15%)


    ?Inner breathing: Intermediate 8 (29%)


    As you breath deeply and regularly your Health Regeneration Rate rises by 43%.


    ?Clear Mind: Beginer 5 (47%)


    Resistance to Mental fortitude rises by 11%.


    ?Nature''s Understanding: Intermediate 2 (36%)


    The risk of getting lost in a natural environment decreases by 23%


    Familiarity with wild life rises by 51%


    ?Spirit''s Understanding: Beginner 5 (83%)


    The risk of getting lost in a spiritual environment decreases by 12%


    Familiarity with Spirits rises by 48%


    ?Spirit of the Wolf: Intermediate 7 (47%)


    You can take the form, stats and skills of a wolf.


    Not all equipment are suitable to be worn as a wolf. all unsuited equipment will be returned to your backpack.


    Familiarity with all canines rises by 35%


    Mana Consumption: 98


    ?Spirit of the Moonlight: Intermediate 6 (63%)


    At night Health recuperation rate rises by 37%.


    At night mana recuperation rate rises by 42%.


    At night Dexterity, Endurance and Speed rises by 7.


    At night Strength and toughness rises by 5.


    Your wolf form now poses moonlight markings on its head.


    ?Night Sky''s Blessing: Intermediate 5 (19%)


    At night all your stats increase by 51%.


    At night all your Original Form skills and attributes increase by 51%.


    At night all your Wolf Form skills and attributes increase by 39%.


    Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.At night your Health regeneration rate increase by 39%.


    At night your Mana regeneration rate increase by 39%.


    Martial Artist:


    ?Martial arts: Advanced 2 (31%)


    You can use all weapon types and wear all armours with no penalties or restrictions.


    You can battle with or without weapons with no penalties.


    Strength, Toughness, Endurance +11


    Dexterity, Speed +9


    Intelligence +7


    Luck +5


    ?Meditation: Beginner 8 (37%)


    By standing still you can heal yourself from mental diseases or effects from attacks.


    Spiritual fortitude: 17%


    Skills (Exp-25%)


    ?Driver: Intermediate 4 (76%)


    You can drive a cart, trailer, wagon pulled by bull, cow, donkey or horse.


    While driving:


    Dexterity -63%


    Speed -67%


    ?Sewing: Beginner 6 (38%)


    You can create common closes using cloths or pelts.


    ?Mending: Beginner 5 (83%)


    You can mend light copper and iron armours.


    Durability +6%


    ?Sharpening: Beginner 5 (21%)


    You can sharpen iron blades 3 times.


    Cutting damage +11%


    Piercing damage +9%


    ?Fishing: Beginner 7 (35%)


    You can use a fishing rod to catch fish.


    Ben Varrand Wolf Form:


    Vitality: 114


    Endurance: 91


    Toughness: 93


    Strength: 81


    Speed: 76


    Dexterity: 97


    Intelligence: 117


    Luck: 68


    Fame: 831


    Ancient Rune Knowledge: 42


    Leadership: 48


    Respect: 107


    Honour: 232


    Maximum Health: 560


    Maximum Mana: 565


    Maximum wolf: 15


    ?Bite: Advanced 1 (58%)


    You can attack enemies and preys with your mouth.


    Tiering Damage +57%


    Piercing Damage +46%


    ?Claw: Advanced 1 (16%)


    You can attack enemies and preys with your paws.


    ?Predatory Ears: Advanced 1 (84%)


    You can hear farther than in Human Form by 57%


    ?Predatory Eyes: Advanced 1 (62%)


    You can see further than in Human form by 57%


    ?Night Vision: advanced 2 (86%)


    You can see in the dark and further than in your human form by 60%


    ?Track: intermediate 9 (24%)


    Your preys body shine white.


    Mana Consumption: 19/30 seconds


    ?Cushuned Paws: Advanced 4 (39%)


    Constant stealth while walking.


    ?Growl: intermediate 8 (13%)


    A growl that paralyses small prey with fear for 32 seconds


    Mana Consumption: 110


    ?Howl: Beginner 7 (30%)


    A howl that call fir reinforcements in the form of other wolfs.


    The wolf will stay with you until they die or you enter building.


    Maximum Wolf: 13


    Can attract Canine¡¯s predators.


    Mana Consumption: 35


    Equipment:


    ? Moon Stone Earring,


    ?


    Equipment:


    ?Head: Moon Stone Earring,


    ?Shoulders: quiver, wooden arrows (90), hunting bow, backpack, satchel


    ?Torso: long sleeved dark green tunic, dark green long sleeved matlased vest, light iron heart protection,


    ?Arms: light brass armbands,


    ?Hands: soft leather black glove (2), murim''s ring, Braeen lesser noble''s ring


    ?Waist: Tough emdroded iron reemforced belt, Hunting Knife, large quality gourd, Kaden''s Sword, one handed hatchet (2)


    ?Legs: dark green robes, iron protection (2),


    ?Feet: good clouted travelling boots, boot knife (2)


    ?Other: small wooden cart, horse (3),


    Currency:


    Gold: 4


    Silver: 158


    Bronze: 426


    Ownership Titles:


    ?abandoned iron mine (7)


    ?abandoned silver mine


    ?abandoned copper mine (3)


    ?abandoned woodcutter hut (6)


    ?abandoned wood workshop (2)


    ?abandoned smithy (2)


    ?abandoned stone carrier (4)


    ?abandoned small house (3)


    ?abandoned house (2)


    ?abandoned ''teahouse''


    ?abandoned inn (7)


    ?abandoned restaurant/bar (9)


    ?abandoned workshop (14)


    ?abandoned farm (26)


    ?abandoned windmill (1)


    ?closed iron mine (3)


    ?closed silver mine


    ?closed copper mine (3)


    ?closed woodcutter hut (6)


    ?closed wood workshop (2)


    ?closed smithy (3)


    ?closed stone carrier (5)


    ?closed small house (7)


    ?closed house (3)


    ?closed ''teahouse'' (2)


    ?closed inn (8)


    ?closed restaurant/bar (6)


    ?closed workshop (16)


    ?closed farm (31)


    ?closed windmill (3)


    ?small empty construction site (11)


    ?empty construction site (6)


    ?large empty construction site (2)


    Backpack:


    ?map, Uncle Phillip''s letter, Journal, property titles,


    ?cooking material, brewing material, mending material, sharpening material, sewing material, fishing material,


    ?wooden arrows (450)


    ?complete series of Bandit Chief of the Forest Ruins Camp, Northern Valaria Fauna & Flora book 1-3/4, Kings & Queens of Sherra book 2,3/3, Adventures of the Black Paws Islands book 1,3-5/7,


    ?Brehan''s ring


    ?


    Sachel:


    ?potions, cataplasm,


    ?brewing bottles, brewed bottles, empty bottles, food ingredients, food,


    ? seeds, roots, leafs, plants with medicinal properties,


    ?3 short sleeved light brown tunics, 2 long sleeved dark green tunics, 2 light brown trousers, 2 dark brown trousers, light brown robe, good clouted travelling boots


    ?


    Cart: (sturdy field horse)


    ?cloth rolls, soft leather rolls, hard leather pelts, fur pelts,


    ?bones, teeth, claws


    ?grain bags, flour bags, seed bags,


    ?jewels, precious stones, old gold coins taken from Brehan''s tomb.


    ?tunics, trousers, shoes, hats of common quality and uncommon quality


    ?wooden bracelets and necklace, wooden pearls bracelets and necklace,


    ?swords, pieces of armours, bows, arrows, knives, iron hammers, small axes,


    ?hay blocks (4), fire wood (4), tents (3), water barrel,


    ?dismantled small wooden market stand,


    ?


    Horse: (2)


    Currently in the care of Patrick (companion) and Arnold (companion).


    Current Quests:


    ?Uncle Phillip''s Last Wish:


    Go to the city of Krint in Thyhan Kingdom and announce your Uncle''s death to his friend from the Temple Order.

 Volume 3 Preface

    The first third person point of view chapter of the second part of Ben''s adventures and it''s opening chapter.


    Chapter 13.5 can be considerate a preface to the story''s second arc...


    Please Rate and Comment here for advises on the previous chapters!


    ????????????


    Chapter 13.5: the birth of Centiped


    In a small forest a group of five players, the archer named Trickster being their party leader, was grinding mobs when they heard men''s voices coming from farther away.


    Curious, they neared the origin of the noise and found a group of robbers positioning themselves for an ambush.


    There was seven of them sword in hand and two more with bows at the ready.


    Trickster and his companions decided to wait and take them from behind as they are busy attacking they own preys. Obtaining the gratitude of NPC travellers or merchant caravans was always beneficial.


    A few minutes later, a heavily loaded cart and its driver appeared at the path curve. The driver was dressed in a long hooded cloak, hiding his face from anyone. On his hips a black handle sword could be seen.


    As the cart neared the ambush the thieves stayed still and silent, awaiting for the moment to attack.


    Trickster and his men were the only one to notice the bow and arrow prepared next to the men seat. As soon as the first robber came out of hiding, shouting for the cloaked driver to halt his cart, the man grabbed the bow and shot at the criminal. He fell down dead with one shot, as his companions were shocked that their strategy had failed they hesitated to act. The driver sized this opportunity to fire on the archers that were now standing on top of moss covered boulders.


    They soon joined their comrade in death.


    The six remaining robbers came to their senses and rushed at the man, one of them slashed at him with a rusty long sword, the man side stepped to avoid the attack, grabbed the mans wrist and twisted it. the bandit released his weapon and was thrown on one of his companions. the two fell down in a tangle of arms and legs.


    The man then directed himself to three of the robbers, one of them stepped forward, brandishing a heavy iron hammer, swinged it at the mans torso. in a jump, the cart driver went above the hammer wielder and landed between his two companions. He kicked one in the guts and elbowed the second in the face in one movement, as the two curbed themselves in pain, he grabbed them and catapulted them on their friend who had turned around and was once again swinging his masse. the blunt weapon impacted with the back of a robber just before the driver placed himself just behind his wielder and twisted his neck. Both robbers fell to the floor, the man with the broken back let out a pain filled scream and lost consciousness.


    Trickster and his group remained hidden, both impressed and astonished by the man Dexterity and speed.


    The third man was joined with the five bandits remaining, the driver stood still awaiting for them to make the first move.


    When two of them stepped forward he suddenly produced a pair of hatchets that he threw at the robbers. They buried deep into the men''s body, cutting skin and cracking bones.


    He the put a hand on his sword and slowly unsheathed it.


    The four surviving members of the bandit''s crew had now realised how dangerous the lone traveller was. they were now looking for a way to flee without being killed.


    One of them simply turned around and started running towards the forest. The driver bent to his knees, grabbed a small knife hidden in his boot and threw it at the deserter. it pierced the man''s hand as he touched the nearest tree.


    At the same time the man screamed in pain, the mysterious driver propelled himself from his crouched position, impaled a second thief, kicked a third in the knee, pulled his sword out to behead his fourth opponent and trapped the third in his free arm.


    The two dead men fell, soon followed by the sound of a twisted neck and the thirds body joined them.


    The two thieves still close to the driver started swinging their swords, the man easily pared, escaped or blocked their blades with his own. As soon as the occasion presented itself he sliced a throat, blocked the second sword and head butted his last enemy. The man fell on his but and was soon gutted by the black blade.


    Now the only noise came from the thief whose hand had been pined on the tree. The driver cleaned his sword on a bandits closing and approached the last survivor of the ambush.


    "I thank you for the riches your death offers me."


    Then i pulled a large hunting knife from the back of his waist and slit the man''s throat. At that moment all of the grey corps shattered in colourful sparks to then gather in the middle of the road into a small wooden chest.


    Trickster knew of this event. It only happened when a player exterminated a set group of individuals on his own. Bandits treasure chests rewards were the most random of them as you could never be sure that you had dealt with the whole band or that no one else had killed one of the groups member before.


    But it was not the rarity of the chest that had the Party''s attention.


    This high level combatant was a player.


    This area''s mob average level was 40, and 50 for the humanoid types, for him to be abble to dispose of them with only one arrow, knife or hit he would have to be around level 70 which corresponded to a mere 100 players in this time of the game.


    As the mysterious player was recuperating his throwing knife and Hatchets, Trickster took the time to think of the meaning of such a high profile and battle prepared player travelling on a cart in the middle of nowhere.


    In general there was three reasons for a high player to go to lower level areas: a undiscovered dungeon they had heard off or NPCs they had to contact for a quests Purpose.


    Trickser''s party seamed to have reached the same conclusion as they discreetly proposed to follow the cart driver discreetly.


    After having loaded the chest on his cart, the player went back to his seat and started advancing again.


    He drove all day long to finally reach a small settlement close to the forest. There the man stayed in the barn for the night.


    When Trickster connected back after sunrise, the man had set a booth at the main road. He was selling bags of grains and flour, seeds for farmers, common closes, cheap wooden jewellery and basic weapons such as rusty swords and knives and common bows and arrows.


    He stood there all day long, in his long mantle, hood down, discussing with every person that stopped by. At first people were reluctant to go close to him but the more he sold and talked the friendliest the settlers became. In the evening he started taking quests, no matter how small they were. To complete them he had to travel to different surrounding areas yet in three in game days he finished them all. By them the settlers considered him as one of them and did not hesitate to stop to chat with him every time they passed near him.


    Trickster and his men were relaying themselves to survey him, convinced that a certain level of familiarity was needed for the quest of information that the driver was targeting.


    Their belief was strengthen as the man had asked several questions about a small woodcutter''s hut in a forest clearing.


    The answer he got must have been unsatisfying as he left the settlement to go to a small village three days ride from here.


    Trickster and his party kept following him, hunting and grinding along the way.


    When they reached the village the man repeated the same actions, selling his wares at the market place, completing all available quests, exploring the areas around the village one by one, asking about the closed woodcutter''s hut...


    The spies were starting to loose patience when the driver held a meeting with one of the wealthiest villagers. They had a long and heated discussions but in the end they seemed to come to an agreement as they shacked hands and the mysterious player exchanged money for a paper scroll.


    Trickster was expecting the man to leave the village to accomplish something grand but the man just left for another village, this time inquiring about an empty lot.


    For a whole week, Trickster''s party followed the cart driver from village to village and watched him as he raised his familiarity with the NPCs to obtain information on abandoned or closed properties or explored the surrounding land for mines and huts. Then they slowly lost interest in the man''s affair and the group to go hunt and grind levels.


    Soon Trickster was the only one left in his group. That is when he decided to approach the player.


    He went to him as he was preparing to leave for another village.


    "Hi, i am Trickster. You?"


    "Hey. My name''s Ben. I know you."


    "You do?"


    "Yeah, we''ve been in the same villages several times already. where is the rest of your friends?"


    "We broke the party. Our objective was done."


    "I see."


    "Where are you headed?"


    "For now Vendrik Village. You?"


    "Same. Can i go with you?"


    "Sure, the more the merrier!"


    They left the village and started travelling in silence, seated on the cart''s front bench. At mid day Ben roasted some meat and shared with Trickster, it was much better than the usual travelling rations he had and from there on they decided that Ben would cook all their meals.


    On the road to Vendrik they were attacked once by a band of robbers, while Ben took care of them by punching, kicking and slicing Trickester had fired at them with his bow.


    Ben reaction to Trickster''s help had been positive.


    "I have to admit that having an Archer supporting me is much more easier than being solo. Maybe i should start travelling with people when i can..."


    When they had reached Vendrick Trickster had stayed with Ben as much as he could, helping him in the villager''s quests and search of the land. They discovered a copper mine that had been abandoned because of the group of mountain trolls that had invested it.


    If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.Trolls had thick skin that made swords and arrows near to ineffective but Ben changed his blade for a large two handed hammer and my bow for a heavy crossbow.


    We started with those that were outside the mine, i would shot at their head or heart, making a maximum of damage and Ben would finish them by slamming their chest with his hammer. They repeated this for several ingame day, Trickster gained several levels when Ben only levelled up twice.


    Then they entered the cavern, disposing of the guards and slowly advancing in the tunnels.


    In a few hours they had cleared the place of all Trolls. the grey bodies shattered to reform into a simple paper scroll at the entrance of the mine.


    "What is it?"


    "Its the mine property title."


    "Wait, the mine is ours?"


    "Yes and no. only one of use can have it."


    "Do you want it?"


    "You take it."


    Ben let Trickster take the scroll.


    "Don''t know what to do with it..."


    "It''s for guilds and merchants or producing based Avatars."


    "I see. are you in a guild?"


    Only level 50 players could join a guild but to Trickster''s belief Ben had to be around level 90. In other words any guild he was in probably had a high profile.


    "No, i am not. But i want to found one."


    "To form a Guild you need an office, ten other members and an advance to cover the next three month of taxes. The mine profits can be used to ensure a minimum monthly income that covers taxes..."


    "Yes. You know a lot about guilds. Are you planning on joining one?"


    "Well, they are fascinating! in New Roads! a guild is a group of players that use their individual influence to gather power. They can work with, hire or accept NPCs, set outposts were at least one of their members travelled and use those to expand their influence. It''s like a small governmental agency with free reign!"


    "When you say it like that, it truly is exiting... how would you do your guild?"


    "Well, the usual close combat warriors, long range damage dealers, healer type back group... some spy type character too..."


    Ben looked at Trickster with a frown on his face.


    "It''s sad that you see a guild only as a combative force...


    "What do you mean?"


    "You said that a guild was an agency within a country, right?"


    "Yes"


    "Agencies can be related to economic, politic and military facets of a government."


    "So?"


    "What you have described is the common constitution of player made guilds, they have a fast member rate expansion therefore require more resources on a monthly basis."


    "I don''t see how that is bad."


    "Many members means the average level of the guild members will be low, the monthly taxes high, with several offices to run and protect on a daily basis."


    "And that means you have to hire NPCs to guard them as no player would accept a stationary position for so long."


    "Exactly. The more members you have the more offices you need, the more expenditures to keep them working you will have to cover..."


    "So what? the members will have to cover them through Quests."


    "Players wouldn''t accept to do that for long. People play for fun, they want to escape responsibilities, not have more. A guild constituted of warriors, archers combat magicians and healers will ultimately reach a limit."


    Trickster took the time to think about it. Ben was right, a guild solely based on military activity would one day have difficulties expending, the money required for weapon and armours maintenance would be too big to be sustained, and would need properties to use as offices. The most effective way of managing the problem would be to obtain enough prospects to cover the guild''s expenses to a point that the members contribution is considered as an income. When the average players would reach level 50 and start mass joining guilds the price of properties and prospects would skyrocket, NPC guardsmen available through contracts would become scarce and expensive.


    As he thought of it, Trickster realised that Ben had been gathering properties and prospects because he was wise enough to foresee it.


    "How would you do it then?"


    "Do what?"


    "How would you conduct your guild?"


    "I would gather as much prospects as i can, develop trade routes leading from guild owned outposts to outposts, recruit architects, merchants and artisan type players to develop the trade. In parallel i would recruit combatants, archers, mages and healers to protect those assets."


    "That¡¯s a lot of people..."


    "Which is why you would need a high familiarity and influence in all the places you would have an outpost or prospect, outposts which would serve as head quarters and resting place for the guild would have to be guarded too, so respect and leadership. Some honour too. Then there is the problem of rivalry..."


    "Other guilds trying to get you."


    "Yes. To prevent it you would need a powerful figure, a noble or rich merchant perhaps, to officially support you."


    "Anyone managing to pull that off would gain my respect."


    "Mine too. Especially since there is so few artisan and merchant type avatars..."


    "Wait, you want them to be players?"


    "In the long run a player''s skills are higher than an NPC''s. No use in buying set products at a set price when you can produce the product in an increasing quality and number at a lowering cost.


    "True."


    Tricksters thought for a few second in silence.


    "So a guild that uses its full potential would have to develop its economy through the possession and management of properties and prospects. To increase income it would need to produce, transport and trade independently. Those trade routes and outposts would have to be protected through a military power and the guild as a whole by the support of a respected figure."


    "At least that is how i see it."


    Another moment of silence.


    "Say, you really plan on forming a guild?"


    "Yes"


    "Like the one you just described?"


    "Nothing... just that if you do i would definitely join it."


    "Why don''t you?"


    "I can?"


    "Sure. Here."


    Ben pulled a scroll from his backpack.


    It was a list.


    Trickster went to the bottom of the scroll while discreetly looking at the previous writings. They were all promises of joining Ben''s guild once it was an official organisation.


    More than 300 had already agreed.


    Most of them were food and primary material producers, many shop clerks or future guardsmen. Then there were healers, merchants and managers.


    No player had signed the scroll yet.


    "You do know that a guild needs at least twenty players, right?"


    "I do. Some of my friends will sign it once in Fridol, but i admit it won''t be enough."


    "What will you do then."


    "Look for interesting players"


    "So, i''m interesting?"


    "You watched me for a whole week, approach me and travelled with me just because you were curious of my actions."


    "Oh. So you knew."


    "Yes"


    "Sorry about the whole tailing thing then."


    "No problem. you can make it up by signing."


    "If i join what will be my position in the guild?"


    "Are you asking for a high rank?"


    "No, i just want to know how i would be treated. I don''t want to be trapped guarding a place or a caravan the whole time."


    "That would be considered as a Guild Quest, not a Duty. Being part of a guild like the one i am planning would mean access to many small dungeons like the mines we visited, much lower prices in the guild owned shops, a network of informants and reemforcments in every settlements, villages towns and cities and the familiarity and respect of the guild would increase the quests available to you. Players would be free to do the quests and travel to the places they want. The only rule would be to not provoke conflict with other organisations, guilds or kingdom and report any events capable of influencing an area economic or political status."


    "To preserve the guild own status."


    "Yes."


    After considering it all for an instant, Trickster took the feather and scribbled on the scroll his vow to join Ben''s Guild.


    "You called it Centiped. Strange name."


    "Well if you consider that there is a ratio of 17 NPCs for a single player, and that its economic power would have to be spread all over the Kingdom the a being with one head, a segmented body and a thousand legs sounds appropriate."


    "Plus its easy to remember as nobody else would use an insect as both its emblem and name."


    "Yes, that to. haha"


    Do you realise that the moment you form this guild, it will become the player guild top guild of the game? you will have to expect massive attention from everyone, numerous appliances from many wannabe players, rivalry from other player formed guilds worrying of the new guy that is rapidly gaining power and an impressive amount of work. Your gonna need help."


    "I know."


    "I can help."


    "I know"


    "Let me go look for other members. i will go to Fridol and look for players seriously interested in producer based Jobs. They should be stuck there."


    " I..."


    "Yes, yes, you know!"


    They both laughed.


    "I promise to be discrete and only look for interesting people."


    "I have no doubt you will find some, just don''t scare them away. Very well. I will keep travelling around Braeen, you will go to the Capital and wait for me. Don¡¯t hesitate to get more than twenty members."


    "Okay. By the way, here is my first contribution to the guild."


    Trickster gave the mine property title back to Ben along with 50 silver coins. To Ben this amounted to very little compared to his own money but to a regular player like Trickster this was quite the fortune. Knowing this, Ben gratefully accepted the gift, mentally making a note to add 50 extra silvers to the beginning funds he had planed on.


    Later on, when the two men parted the future Centiped Guild had found its two first members.


    ??????????????????


    Hope you liked this preface!


    WritteraAddicted

 Volume 3 Chapter 1

    First chapter of the second arc of Ben''s adventures!


    So exited to read your comments!


    Chapter 14: Welcome to the County of Fridol


    I was driving my cart on a dirt road when from behind boulders bandits came out. There was six of them, surrounding us, and on top of a boulder a couple more were holding bows, arrows at the ready.


    It was supposed to be a surprise attack, but I had long since been able to determine the ideal location of traps and potential set ups. It was a question of troop coverage, road position and geography along with a bit of instinct.


    The two mercenaries riding along side me reacted quickly, i had warned them, of course. They pulled their swords out and each dismounted to clash with the two bandits that were in front of the cart''s pulling horse. As for me i shot arrows at the archers, they both fell down and i jumped off of the driver seat to end their sufferings with my black blade.


    Once i was done i checked on my two companions status. they had engaged in battle with the bandit on each side of the cart, leaving me to take care of the two behind it.


    Since the effect of our surprise counter-attack to their surprise attack had already dulled they took longer than the ones before, paring a few strikes. Still the level 37-40 bandits were of no match against my level 68 avatar and my NPCs companion that were around level 45. It was a one hit kill each time.


    The battle over, i added the loot to the cart and we started moving again.


    This kind of small fights were a common happening for me now. Since i had left Djaden more than a month ago i had been travelling North West towards Fridol.


    In the game more to a year and a half had passed since launch whereas in reality it had been just five month and two weeks had passed by. All the other players had already reached the Capital, as a player with a Merchant related Job i did not stay just a night in the villages along the main road to Fridol but at least an in game week in each town.


    I always took the time to befriend the villagers by completing their quests, no matter how small they were. This had led me to obtain information on the surrounding areas of the town and visit many undiscovered dungeons and hunting grounds and learn of close by villages and settlements.


    I had dutifully visited all of them, gradually mapping the integrality of Djaden, Vram and Brem County and the two thirds of the lowers side of the Three Peeks area.


    I was currently approaching the frontier of Fridol''s County.


    In my travels i had been selling seeds, grains, closes and low quality weapons to the villagers and settlers. in the towns i had presented the people with more refined goods and some of the jewellery and old coins i had gotten from the secret dungeon back at the Druid Conclave.


    I still had most of it with me, stacked in my Small Cart, along with the many Cloth Rolls, Ores and Grains Bags i had collected in the villages. Each area has its speciality, i had taken the time to learn of them and buy the goods with a high durability at the cheapest price possible to sell them later for a high price at the Capital.


    That was why i had gotten a cart. it was a small wooden cart originally pulled by a large bull, i had sold the bull to a farmer whose cows did not produce enough offspring and bought a sturdy, well muscled field working horse to pull it.


    My journal had more than tripled in size since my departure, enriched by all the tidbits of information i had gathered during my talks with NPCs and my readings. I had also decided to separate my Merchant''s log book from the rest of my journal.


    The log book contained the integrallity of my inventory divided between my backpack, satchel, cart and horses. Each item had information such as its current worth, place and time of obtention, and its summary.


    Another list was composed of all the objects i had obtained then sold.


    A third was made of all my past, current and repeating contracts.


    The last one was made of the prospects, shops and work places i had gathered through my explorations and travels.


    Most of them were abandoned woodcutters houses and hunters huts or broken down farms and shops i had won through merchant''s and business owner''s quests. Some were abandoned mines i had been the first one to find. The most uncommon of those possessions were empty construction sites situated in towns or villages.


    At first i had found it weird, i had looked online if it were happening to other players and had found out that avatars with merchant related Jobs were sometimes offered ownership of small shops or prospects. It was supposed to be used as a back bone for their trading roads and activities.


    That was when i had understood that the land parcels and mines were rare rewards that might be common to me thanks to my Emperor and Merchant related Job.


    From then on i had actively been researching for abandoned mines or prospects, gathered information on empty slots in the villages or town i had visited and on closed shops i had seen.


    Obtaining their ownership wasn''t always easy and i often had to prove my worth through divers tasks, some involving battles or rise Familiarity with one or several villagers.


    I had also started buying prospects and shops from other players through online auctions. Most of them were monster filled mines sold by players with no use for them. Because i was only looking for abandoned shops or mines and i was probably the only one buying them, i was able to buy many for a ridiculously low price before people understood and rose the price.


    It was a hard and time consuming activity but it was all worth it.


    Once i would get to Fridol, the real worth of all of those prospects would be revealed.


    I felt an evil smile form on my face as i thought of all the profits i would do once i would have reached Fridol and started the second part of my plan.


    My two companions were riding on each side of the cart.


    "How long until we reach the county''s limits?"


    The question was from Arnold, a big bellied mercenary and hammer user that had been travelling with me for a while already.


    "Two more days. if we reach a village i will discharge you."


    "What about when you will leave the village?"


    "Yeah, if we are still there, will you hire us back?"


    Patrick, a swordsman of a certain age. had joined us at the last village. He used to be a soldier working in Vram, after the senseless death of his closest friend during a routine exercise, he had left to travel the country on his own, looking for a place to settle.


    "Of course. You have my word Patrick, if you still wish to travel and i am in need of an escort, you two will have priority over anyone else."


    I had decided to hire mercenaries to protect my cart less than an in game week after i left Djaden. In the country side, thieves groups could reach the number of ten men, i would have no problem dealing with them now but the risk back then, when i was level thirty was too high, and they had time to still my belongings nd try to flee with them as i was battling the others.


    It had cost me too much to my taste and i had calculated that buying two mounts and mercenaries would be, in the long run, cheaper than getting items stolen one at a time.


    The stolen item was picked at random in the cart but considering the amount of old gold pieces and jewels i was transporting i had already lost quite a margin in my profit.


    By the end of the evening we reached the top of a high hill, from there we could see, far in the distance, a small village surrounded in a protective wooden wall. It has been ten days since we had left the last one and my companions were desperate for a real bed. But as luck, or the game''s system, would have it, we would not rest for a while longer.


    The village was being attacked.


    From where we stood we could see a mass of men attacking the large wooden doors that had been closed shut. by my calculation, they would break by sun down.


    At that moment the men wielding swords, hatchets and hammers and wearing thick leather protection would attack the villagers.


    On the walls a dozen defenders were firing at the attackers, but they were too numerous and their archers would shoot every time the villagers showed themselves.


    Patrick turned to me.


    "What do we do?"


    "Defending a village against an army is not part of your contracts. i will not force you to go forward with me."


    "So, your gonna help them?"


    "Yes, i am."


    Arnold, looked at the cart then at the army.


    "What about the cart?"


    "Well, you are paid to guard it..."


    "What if you die?"


    "I won''t."


    The mercenaries looked at each others, conversing through looks alone. I was observing the battle, calculating how to do the most damage from our side of the battlefield.


    "We will hide the cart in a ditch."


    "Then we will follow you in battle."


    "You do not have to"


    "On the contrary Ben, we do."


    Once the cart was secure i joined Arnold on the back of his horse and we rode down the hill.


    "So what''s the plan?"


    "We will attack the archer at the back from the left. It should do quite a lot of damage! keep quiet, we can''t have them spot us when we are far or they will get us with their arrows. I will get anyone that spots us."


    As we neared them some would turn around, attracted by the noise of the horses hoofs. I would fire at them from behind Arnold with my bow, soon we reached the extremity of the row and Patrick and i readied our swords.


    With a war cry, the horses galloped along the line of archers. i would attack as many as i could, cutting their heads or limbs, slashing their backs.


    Patrick followed close behind, taking care of those i had missed.


    The first attack was over in a flash, less than a minute later we had reached the other side of the row, we turned our horses around and did another swipe.


    When we turned around for the third time, the enemy had finally noticed our presence. Warriors were coming towards us. i started shooting at them but the last two rows of archers were readying their bows, their backs to the village.


    Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.


    I was on the verge of using Arnold as a meat shield when, from the walls arrows were shot, taking out the archers in big numbers.


    Our intervention had given the defenders an opportunity to attack without risking their own lives.


    The enemy archers were quickly taken


    Care of by our new friends while we rid ourselves from the few warriors that had understood what was happening and come towards us.


    Once their was no longer any archers, the defenders concentrated their fire power on the troops at the feet of the wall while the three of us were tacking care of those flying the battle.


    The attackers number was slowly falling. when half of them had died, they finally realised that their tactics were inefficient and tried to attack us in big numbers.


    A group of twenty men ran at us, half of them died by arrows but the rest reached us.


    We engaged in an intensive battle. each one of us had to take care of at least three man at a time.


    I carefully pared every one of their attacks, escaping when necessary and striking when an opportunity arose.


    I took care of my adversaries one at a time then went to help Patrick who was in difficulty.


    I took a look at the city''s walls, approximately a hundred men were still standing. I picked a couple of bows and arrows from the floor, distributed them to my companions and we started shooting the men in their backs. Each time they would gather to try to kill us the archers at the top of the wall would help us.


    After an in game hour of shooting at the invaders, the last one fell.


    I hurried to the mass of bodies and started finishing however was still moving and picking up anything of interest or value.


    This is Jackpot! Tones of experience, loot and familiarity with this entire village!


    The wooden gates opened and a group of men dressed in handmade light armour came out. A man with a bandaged leg was at their head. While his men took care of the surviving attackers, he came to us.


    Before i could start talking he surrounded me in his thick arms and hugged me hard. He did the same to Arnold and Patrick.


    "Strangers, we owe you our lives!


    "No need to thank us sir, we only did what was needed of us."


    "Nonsense! People ready to lay their lives for a stranger are rare and should be treasured! Especially in these times!"


    "What do you mean?"


    "Don''t tell me you haven''t heard of it?"


    "I sincerely do not know what you are talking about, Sir."


    The man examined the three of us, noticing our dirty clothes and earth covered boots.


    "Travellers..."


    His eyes then went to my noble and murim rings on my right hand. The man lifted his own and passed it on his beard, effectively showing me his own murim ring.


    "Let me tell you, traveller, of the awful news an envoy of the king relayed to me in the utmost secrecy less than a week ago."


    The man''s voice was low and intense. I motioned for Arnold and Patrick to leave us alone, the news i was about to hear was to important that it would have never been entrusted to me if i did not have the ring.


    "Eleven days ago, on the eve of his sixteenth birthday, our King''s only son, Malik, nearly died from an assassins blade."


    "What?"


    My reaction was legitimate. As a player i could learn of these types of events through websites, chat rooms and official announcements yet it was the first time i had heard of this. Thinking back on it, the price of mercenaries had slightly increased in the last days. It was possible that the king had hired some to help secure his son, causing the increase in price.


    As i was thinking the other Murim member continued.


    "The king has discovered that the man behind the attempt was working for his own younger brother, Ibrahim."


    "What happened then?"


    "The King used Malik''s taste for private birthday parties as a trap to capture and arrest him. Ibrahim is currently imprisoned but several of his allies are still unknown or at large, waiting for an opportunity to strike again."


    "How did the rest of the nobility react?"


    "Nobody is aware of what happened! Only


    High nobles could have known there was tension, yet none were expecting this..."


    Tension... That would explain why Djaden County''s Lord was so desperate to get his painting back.


    "Some lesser nobles were accused of working with Ibrahim and were discreetly stripped of their titles, privileges and properties before being imprisoned along with anyone who provided them with support. The men you defeated worked for Sendrix, one of the most likely to have helped Ibrahim. Unfortunately the king has no proof or grounds to search his properties. If he is caught now, the King would be most gratefull."


    "Your journal has been updated."


    "Mercenary quests in Millen are now available to you."


    "Ally of The Kingdom


    Braeen''s prince, Malik, was poisoned by his uncle, Ibrahim, in a failed conspiracy. Ibrahim has been captured but some of his followers are still at large.


    Court noble Sendrix is one of them. If you can provide a reason to doubt Sendrix honour, the King will have an occasion to obtain proof of his treachery.


    Quest prerequisite: membership to the Murim or previous knowledge of the assassination attempt


    Quest completion: find proof of Sendrix''s dishonour


    Quest Class D++ "


    Do you accept the quest Ally of the Kingdom?"


    "Accept"


    "Ally of Millen


    The noble man Sendrix attacked the village of Millen with no valable reason for his own selfish gains.


    If you bring him to Vendro you will receive a hefty reward.


    Quest prerequisite: Helped during Millen''s attack by Sendrix''s men


    Quest completion: find proof of Sendrix''s culpability


    Quest Failure: Sendrix dies


    Quest class: D++"


    "Do you accept Ally of Millen?"


    "Accept"


    "Why would he take such a risk?"


    "He must be trying to profit from the current confusion by killing his rival''s people, merchant Ford and his escort, that are currently here."


    "Are you saying that your entire village was attacked because only two people could not find a peaceful way of coexisting?"


    "Well...yes. But Sendrix himself wasn''t present. As soon as he realises his attack has failed he will surrely flee with the men he has left in fear of being caught."


    "Then you should cut his retreat. Is there some people available for an ambush?"


    "A group has already been dispatched. They left the village as Sendrix army was on its way. A messenger should arrive soon with more news."


    "Who is they?"


    "A party of travellers, just like you. They were the one that warned us of Sendrix''s men arrival."


    "I see."


    "Your journal has been updated.


    Court noble Sendrix has a tried to kill one of his rival''s men. You might discover further incriminating proof if you look further into this."


    Since i was not the only player in the area, the items, experience and quest available would have to be shared between us. Moreover if they knew of Sendrix and Ford''s issues and had already taken a quest about it they might also learn of the assassination attempt and deliver Sendrix to the King themselves.


    No way i am gonna let such an occasion go by!


    "Say, how many travellers are in the village?"


    "Except you and your friends there are a few mercenaries, a merchant and his escort and of course the Lady Elma Da Sala and her six companions Lenias, Ulian, Safi, Dokil, Thea and Hal."


    "All of them are in the party that are gone after Sendrix?"


    "Yes, they have. By the way, what originally brings you here?"


    The influence of the rings was not enough to get information about the other players. that meant they were well liked and respected by the villagers.


    "I am a Ben Varrand, a merchant, and the two men over there, Arnold and Patrick, are escorting me."


    "I am called Vendro, chief of the village of Millen. A merchant, hein? Were are your goods?"


    "We had to hide them. It is strangely impractical to fight while directing a horse the front of a cart."


    Vendro was kind enough to send a group of men to retrieve the cart while he led us to his house where we were invited to stay.


    As we went across the village i saw several building with burn marks on their walls and roofs, villagers running around, taking care of the wounded and the dead, picking the arrows out of the ground, houses and walls and transporting boxes in a hurry.


    Vendro''s home turned out to be an inn with a dinning hall and stables. He gave us a room each and prepared us a hot bath. As the water was heating i took the opportunity to wash my closes at a close by washtub.


    I cleaned up quickly then went down to the dining hall.


    It was full of villagers that were rejoicing in their victory.


    Arnold was back and was surrounded with people. I was soon in the same situation. People offered me cups of alcohol and filled my plate with food. Fully using my popularity, i took the time to talk to every person present, rising my familiarity as much as i could.


    As i was talking with a wounded men i learned that the families and friends of those who had died in the attack were holding a funerary burial. I left the inn and directed myself to the other side of the village.


    More than a hundred people were praying in silence in front of several freshly filled tombs. I closed my eyes and faked joining them in their prayers.


    When the ceremony was over i exchanged a few words of respect with the families.


    A men was walking away from me when he turned around.


    "Hey, stranger?"


    "Yes?"


    "Where did you come from?"


    "Djaden County"


    "I see. well, welcome to The County of Fridol!"


    "What do you mean? Aren''t we still in Vram?"


    "Millen is the town marking the frontier between Vram and Fridol county. By coming into the cemetery you''ve passed it."

 volume 2 chapter 2

    Chapter 8: preparing and going back


    As the battle came to an end, the others came back out. some of men had taken a few arrows and needed to be bandaged. one pikemen had died, an arrow planted in his heart.


    I had received an arrow in my leg, chipping away a part of my health. i bandaged it and started directing my men.


    I stationed my unit in the open ceiling room, placed another at the top of the wall and sent the two last further into the forest, to check if there was any more guards and sentinels.


    One man came back a few minutes later, announcing that the entry was hidden by an arch of trees, stones and vines. there had also been two footed bandits and three sentinel platforms.


    All of those had been taken care of.


    The units were now waiting to see if there was any patrols left.


    I didn''t worry for them as patrolling bandits would be paying attention to people coming from the exterior of the ruins not from within.


    we gathered the dead bandits weapons and equipment and waited for the messengers to relay our success and come back with more orders.


    I was examining the platform lift when Beok entered the external room. his mages robes were covered in dirt and blood but the smile on his face told me that the mission had been a success.


    "Ah, here you are! I am pleased to announce you that the operation was a total success. the totality of the thieves were taken care of, the stolen treasure has been recovered and the many loots will please the Lord!"


    "Happy to hear it."


    "In fact there is so much things to bring back that we will have to do several travels!"


    "What? that''s not a good idea! the minute we will be back in Djaden swarms of people will come hear and loot the place!"


    "Do you think so?"


    "Of course! we cannot leave anything behind! not as long as it can be useful to the Lord or the Guards!"


    "I understand what you mean but we simply do not have the transporting capacity to do so."


    "What about the chariots in the stables? do you think we could use them?"


    I was so not leaving anything for other players. We still had five days before the first ones arrived at the Ruins.


    " We could but it would take time..."


    "So let us take it!"


    Beok took the time to think about it then agreed.


    "I will find a way to arrange it with Serena."


    "Who?"


    "Captain Miller."


    "Ho! so that''s her name."


    The next days were spent inventorying everything we found in the ruins and the bandit fortified camp and putting the ten trailers back in usable shapes.


    As soon as one of them was repaired it was loaded with treasures.


    Three wagons were filled with the many art pieces and precious equipment¡¯s, another with the hundreds of weapons. the last one was left empty, to be used by the wounded during the trip back.


    Two trailers were filled with all the food supplies they had found, there was more than enough for the trip back. the second was packed full of wine and water barrels. It turned out the outlaws had a sweet tooth for good alcohol.


    The remaining three chariots were filled with chickens and pigs in cages. I had decided that they were part of the food supplies.


    It took us three days to prepare everything. Then we spent the whole evening lifting the wagons to ground level. By the fourth morning we left the ruins to join back with the rest of the Expedition.


    Because our caravan was so much longer, it took the whole day to travel what we would have done in half a morning before. I was driving the wagon of food supplies, followed by those filled with the farm animals. since i had never driven before the


    First ten minutes were difficult then


    a message popped.


    "Through repetitive actions you have learned the following skill: Driver, Beginner 1 (0%)


    You can now drive a small wagon pulled by a bull or caw."


    As the day went by my stat rapidly rose. when it reached Beginner 6 the skill description changed.


    "You can drive a small wagon or trailer pulled by a bull, caw or donkey."


    I calculated that at this rate it would take us at least ten days to go back to Djaden and that was if we took the largest paths and quickest way back.


    When we arrived, the Captain was waiting for us. She looked at the caravan, the animals and then at me.


    "Tell this was not your idea too."


    "It was not my idea."


    "That''s a lie, isn''t it?"


    "Yes, it is."


    She turned back, accompanied by Beok who was starting to report on everything they still had to discuss and that he couldn''t tell her through a simple written massage.


    I was left behind and decided to check on the food rations gathered at the clearing camps.


    As i went through the tents soldiers would come to talk to me wanting to know how things went at the ruins. To avoid them i started faking a limp with my wounded leg and told them i would be back after a quick medical treatment.


    I went to see the old driver, he was proudly standing, showing me he had kept his words.


    If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.We discussed a little bit then i started preparing food for the 83 remaining men of the Expedition.


    The next day we left camp at down. we rode all day, stopping briefly for lunch. I fed the animals with the help of the old driver.


    In mid-afternoon the captain sat net to me next to the wagon driver''s bench.


    "I heard that you have been of great help during the infiltration."


    "How so?"


    "Your quick thinking and disposition made it easier to take the place over and avoid useless deaths.


    There is also the tactics you suggested for the camps battles."


    "Ah."


    "You went over and beyond your Cook duties."


    "Maybe."


    "Beok told me you are Kaden''s student?"


    "Teacher taught me weapons Mastery and gave me the bases for my hand to hand combat. i would be honoured if he did consider me his student."


    " I see... well, when you see him again give him this from me."


    The red headed women handed me a wax sealed paper scroll.


    "You have received the object Captain Miller''s letter to Kaden.


    Captain miller asked you to deliver it to the Training Hall Master on her behalf.


    Do you accept this errand?"


    "I will do it"


    "You have accepted the quest Serena''s letter to Kaden.


    If you open the letter the quest will automatically fail.


    No substantial rewards provided."


    i wordlessly placed the letter in my backpack. As i opened it i revelled a series of leather bound books.


    "What are those?"


    "They are the previous bandit Chiefs journals. I found them in the bandit chiefs chambers, Beok told me i could keep them. I hope it is alright."


    "No problem. are they interesting?"


    "Very. did you know that the Ruins are right at the middle of the woods, making them ideal to attack the town on both sides of the forest?"


    "No, i didn''t"


    "It,s not all. i read about how they built the lifting platform. i am sure that by giving the notes to a competent group of architects, smiths and engineers we could reproduce it at will!"


    "I can see the advantage of such mechanisms, yes..."


    "Imagine if the ruins were to be rebuilt, you could transform them into a small stop for travelling merchants. reopening the forest road would cut their journey by half!"


    "There seems to be a lot of value behind those ruins..."


    "Not just money but history too! i believe that it used to be a Druids conclave! this place is at least a hundred years old! i wouldn''t be surprised if there was more tunnels under the forest!"


    "From what you are telling me, those ruins should not simply be left alone but be developed into a historical site and a small traveller town?"


    "That would be ideal yes!"


    She stayed silent for a while so i grabbed one of the journals and concentrated my sight on it. after a minute of staring at the pages an information window indicating me that i had fully read the book and that my journal had been updated appeared. i passed to the next journal, updating them one at a time.


    When i finally had done the whole collection a series of windows appeared.


    "You have read the complete series of The Forest Ruins Bandit Chiefs journals.


    Your Intelligence, Leadership and Respect Stats rises by 5 points each.


    As they all are a Unique category items, you have earned 10 Fame points."


    "Through your reading and study of specialised diagrams you have developed the following abilities:


    -Trading: Beginner 1 (0%) you can now sell and buy more than 100 of the same object at once.


    -Market Value evaluation: Beginner 1 (0%) you now know the current market Value of objects. The more data you have on a city, the more accurate your Market Evaluation will be.


    -Contracting: Beginner 1 (0%) you can now form contracts with particulars. the contracts only include goods and the contract monetary Value is limited to 1 silver or 200 bronzes."


    The next few days were similar. we would get up early and travel through the forest, stopping for a light lunch and go back on the road.


    Every now and then one of my men would come talk to me, it was about many kind of things, their lives back home, a relative''s story or a moment during the camps attacks.


    That¡¯s how i learned that Vrenn had a younger brother that worked in a small restaurant in Djaden, that Carl''s cousin was an architect desperately looking for work and that Jamy was planning on leaving the City Guards at the end of his soldiers contract. He had received a higher position in another city and needed the money to pay his fianc¨¦e¡¯s Dot.


    Every time i would have one of those conversation my journal and NPC friend list would be updated.


    Once a day the Captain would come see me, asking me about how i would transform the Ruins into a profitable town and historical site.


    I didn''t take long for me to realise that something was going on. I made a few researches online during the time my avatar slept and provided her with a list of buildings to construct outside the ruins and adjustments to make inside. i supported every point of my project with a diagram or written explanations. by the end of the journey i had created a thick paper document called ''Forest Ruins Renovation Project'' containing plans of the ruins as they were now, as they would look throughout the renovations and at the end of the project.


    Mid morning of the eleventh day, they left the cover of the trees for the last time. crossing the River took much more time as their procession was much bigger and they needed to push an extra 10 wagons.


    As they passed between the fields and farms surrounding the City Walls they attracted the attention of the players and citizens.


    Compared to when we left we were now covered in dirt and had lost men, yet coming back victorious made us stand tall and proud.


    People started to follow us and cheer all the way to the Gates. A group of stable boys were waiting outside ready to take the wagons in, a military officer went to Captain Miller and they left for the Lords Mansion. Beok took over as the commanding officer, he sent the soldiers back to their barracks, talked to every players one after another. when my turn came


    I knew the quest completion window was gonna show at some point of the conversation.


    I could not have been more wrong.


    "Ben, i am sorry but you will have to wait before being paid. Since you did more than your regular job we have to evaluate your Bonus... it could take some time."


    "I understand. i still have a lot of things to do anyway."


    "Alright. i will see you later then."


    I was left near the wagons, wondering what to do now.


    I still had to finish the quest about the Forest Ruins Mystery and the Ancient Runes and receive my Cook''s position reward.


    After doing a last check of the supplies, i left the Gates, intending to go see Kaden and maybe pass by some of the soldiers family/friends places.