《Dream World Project》


 Chapter One - First Dive

    It has been almost five years since the release of Dream World Project (D.W.P) and I only get to play it this year. At first, it wasn''t really much of a game since every VRMMOrpg out there boasts lots and lots of adventures compared to D.W.P. Only last year that gamers took notice of its unique build for a VRMMOrpg. In a month, the gamr earned millions of players when they released their promotional video. I was entirely moved of what the game offers. D.W.P requires lots of skills to play since almost everything that you do there has an equivalent effect to your character. But for me, the most intriguing part of that game is the way on how you will build your character when you have all the options in the world! If you want to be a mage, you can learn from grimoires or ask other players to teach you their existing skills or if you want to be a warrior, a physical damager that boasts godly strength. Also, if you are a greedy cunt, you can choose to be a merchant inside the game. And if you''re still not satisfied of being a greedy cunt, a masculine warrior or an intelligent mage, why not become all of them and learn more! This game offers almost unlimited possibilities that gamers would not ask for more because there is always more!


    As excited as I was, I eased myself on my trusty bed and wore my Virtual Reality Console (V.R.C). The V.R.C looks like a motorcycle helmet cover almost your whole head. My first game with this console was a monster hunting game which entertained me at first but then, hunting monsters and making their insides or parts of their bodies as my weapon bored me. So now, I''m going to try the game where you can be anyone as long as you strive hard enough for it. Okay, the latter part would be hard for me because I got bored almost instantly to anything. But hey, maybe this game would change me for the better.


    Having the V.R.C turned on, I came through my first dive into the Dream World Project!


    At first, the logo of the game was shown before me and lead me to the character creation which was I think the worst character creation because it will only let you pick the clothes that you would want to wear on your first appearance on the D.W.P.


    A big closet full of various for-level-one-looking clothes now lies before me. I only picked a black trench coat on a white shirt. And of course, black trousers and boots. I think these are the best clothes you can find inside that godly closet which I think carries an almost infinite amount of ugly clothes.


    After closing the closet, millions of long rectangular light appeared from under my feet and teleported me into a place inside the game called Newbie Land. Why am I not surprised? Maybe this is the reason why in the old days, gamers won''t play this game because, the hell''s with that name for your first village?! Anyway, the Newbie Land has lots of people in it and it appears to be that I''m in the middle of the market. How do I get so lucky?


    I managed to scuttle and squeeze myself out of that tsunami of people inside the market area. Even in these narrow streets, I can hear the shouts of the NPC''s, players for their goods. Almost every building in this area is made of brown bricks that made this look like an old cartoon setting. But hey, who am I to to choose what kind of concrete they''ll use for these things? I ain''t planning to stick around here for long!


    The menus can be summoned when the player says the word ''Menu'' inside his head. There are only five options here:


    First is Character Status. This options shows your stats and a button on the lower right of the screen contains the skills that a player has already acquired. Also, this menu shows what part of the body is damaged and what items are equipped to a player''s character.


    Second is inventory. On top of this menu, you can see how much gold you have. Gold is the common currency in D.W.P. Of course, below it, is the list of items that a player acquired. It appears that this game has a carry weight limit. A carry weight limit, as the name suggests, limits a player to carry item(s) that would exceed the current limit of the character. Eventually, as the character levels and grows, skills help to increase this limit.


    Third is Companions menu. Here, you can see what guild or party you''re in. Also, this is where the friend list can be found.


    Fourth menu is Contact Help. This menu contains the list of available Game Masters or Moderators that can be of any service to the player. I bet this button is seldom used like the scroll box of the Terms and Conditions when you are signing up for something online.


    Fifth menus is the Log out button which in any case, is also seldom used. I bet people here knows this world better than their way to the bathroom.


    Okay! Now to start off, I opened my inventory and found that I have been given wooden dagger. Wow, this game really is generous. I wouldn''t mind if it''s plastic. Really, what a time to be alive. I swiped all my ideas to bad mouth this game on the back of my head and headed for the gate of the village. I walked gracefully as I passed through people whom looked like they already aged and going to die here. Some people wore chainmails, large polished armors, leather armors and I even saw some of the wearing Royal Gowns. Wow, this game can really turn you into almost anyone. Maybe I will be able to turn myself into Michael Jackson later or something.


    Reaching the gate, I saw a group of people who looked like they were defeated in battle. Their armors looks like they have been in a bad war. The flags that they carried looked a bit burned and their faces are grim. They are mounted on large black or brown horses that walked in a single file. I kept my distance since I am a newbie and don''t want no trouble. After they passed through, I realized that the Newbie Land is a large castle that can house millions of peolple. Its place was strategic for it is almost high in the mountains and has a moat that would prevent an army to advance inside without this large wooden bridge. I do hope there is a siege event where Newbie Land will be attacked by monsters. There, I can see a real battle!


    Getting hyped again, I rushed myself outside and saw lots of newbie players like me with smiles on their faces while killing those little things that you can find in almost every single damn game, Slimes. What in the hell? People? Smiling while killing slimes? Some even smile like a maniac. Now I''m afraid.


    Before I considered logging out to escape the view of people killing slimes with huge smiles on their faces, I ran on the far South Eastern side of the castle where less people with maniac smiles dwell. Here, I saw a slime coming towards me with its hideous smile. Why are you smiling you little blue devil?! I''m about to kill you! With a fast swipe of my dagger in an arc, the slime staggered backwards. I had to attack almost facing down to hit the damn thing since its almost like half a feet tall. Only when it jumps high eniugh that I get the chance to hit a bit higher. It took me about four to five attacks to kill the jumping mineral water out of the bottle.


    Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.


    Slime


    50 exp


    3 gold


    Slimy wooden dagger


    A small notification appeared before me to inform me the exp, gold and the items that I gained. I was a little disappointed with the last one. What the hell''s wrong with the developer? Slimy wooden dagger? Seriously? But hey, the wooden dagger gives 5 physical damage while the slimy one gives 6. Might as well use this shit.


    I opened the Menu and looked at my character screen to see what changed. I noticed that my One-Handed Wielding got a bit exp also, my Evasiveness. In D.W.P, almost everything in the player status screen is called Talent. These talents are used to learn skills which would greatly help the player later on. Also, I took notice of my stats which is obviously pretty low since I''m still a newbie.


    Character Level : 1


    Primary Status:


    HP - 100/100


    Mana - 100/100


    Energy - 100%


    Character Stats:


    STR - 10


    DEX - 10


    VIT - 10


    INT - 10


    WIS - 10


    Talents:


    One-Handed Wielding LVL 1


    Two-Handed Wielding LVL 1


    Armor LVL 1


    Magical Offensive LVL 1


    Magical Defensive LVL 1


    Magical Utility LVL 1


    Evasiveness LVL 1


    Utility LVL 1


    I guess every point in VIT is x10 for hp and some number of points with energy. Though, the energy seems to be in percentage format. Also, VIT and WIS gives physical defense, HP for VIT and magical defense, mana for WIS. DEX would be the hidden stat on how fast I can move and attack in this world. As for STR, every point of it and INT means .5 physical damage for STR and .5 magical damage for INT (As the game said. But those damages are hidden from players to lessen a lot of boasting since nothing can be achieved from it only lots of trouble.) Anyway, no one really cares on how these stats work. A little to few but hey, stats won''t really much matter in a VRMMOrpg since a game like his requires your way of movement and the way you bring your character to its potential.


    The game said that it would be hard enough to level the talents that''s why a constant use of them would mean a great deal for a player''s progression. Almost all the talents are self-explanatory except for the Utility for it means the way you can communicate and deal with NPC''s. That skill is important for merchant wanna be''s and also, that talent contains brewing of potions, stat enhancing for items and crafting. For solo players, that talent is like a gift from heaven that should be treasured.


    It took me only minutes before I got myself into level two. This game gives 3 points to each stat whenever a player levels up. This gives players a huge advance in playing the game.


    I think it would be a good time to go back now because the light is already failing. I have earned quite some gold that may allow mw to stay in an inn. Since every hour in the real world means a year here, I have lots of time to spare. Familiarizing myself with the game would be my top priority now.


    Setting myself in a slight fast pace, I reached the castle a bit faster than I intended to and entered the first inn that I saw. A large wooden board outside says that this inn is called The Bartender. Upon entering, I saw a lot of players drinking ale and other sort of beverages. Though, most of them are alcoholic, I don''t think it would affect the player beyond the reach of this game in the real world. Before I reached the counter, I noticed a lot of players dancing, singing and shouting at each other. Most of them were in joy of telling stories on how their days in this game had been.


    Finally, I reached the counter and settled myself on a high hair. "What can I do for you, lad?" Said the lady on the other sude of the counter. She was holding a wooden cup while drying it with a white towel. She was holding it a on her chest level that made me notice her chest which were a bit revealing. A prentended cough caught my attention again, "What can I do for you, lad? These twins would melt if you keep staring at them." She said again with a smile.


    "Oh, I''m sorry. I was a bit preoccupied." I replied


    "With my breasts?" She quickly replied having a teasing tone in her voice and a smirk on her face.


    I think I blushed a little then I thought, could I really blush here? But then, it was like she knew what I was thinking.


    "Hey! You can blush here! I know, mine are a bit.. well, attention seeking but I can''t do anything ''bout them now, can I?" She said with a little chuckle.


    With all my embarrassment, I nodded. A slight chuckle escaped from her again and said, "Can I offer you a drink? And yes, I''m not an NPC."


    I was astonished. Though, I never asked if she was, she already admitted it. Well, I confirmed that she doesn''t have a mind reading skill or something. That''s good enough for me. "Can I have a.. uh.."


    I didn''t know what to buy because it was my first time. Thankfully, she was accommodating and offered me a large pint of honeybeer. "That''s two gold for ya, cute lad."


    I slowly opened my inventory through my mind and summoned the two pieces of gold to pay her.


    "Can I ask your name?" I politely asked while taking a sip from the pint. The honey beer was a bit bitter but the sweetness conquered its ugly flavor. And though, I can see her name appearing on top of her head since the game allows tyou to see it if you focus enough, it has became a habit, and I''m sure not only for me but for the others as well, to ask someone''s name when you first meet them.


    She smiled at me and retired from the other side of the counter to and sat beside me on a high chair. She slowly came close with her lips near my left ear and whispered, "My name''s Alice. That''s in real life. Named myself Tia in game." As her sweet voice finished telling me her name, she asked mine.


    I got a little flirty that I mimicked her way of answering, I whispered in her ear. "My name''s Zacharius in real life. I got Tobi with this game." I slowly parted myself from that awkward position and as my face almost got far from her, she winked at me and gave me a quick kiss on my left cheek and started to serve her customers.


    I was startled with her action but I felt like I was flying on cloud nine. I took another sip from my beer and noticed the wooden board sign identical with the sign outside the shop but small letters were engraved on this one. It says that Tia owns this inn. I realized that I just flirted with a girl gamer who owns an inn in-game.

 Chapter Two - Jack of All Trades

    The last thing I remember last night is getting into a dark room with a woman by my side. Now, I awoke in a quite spacious room with lots of wooden drawers and smells like girl''s perfume. I didn''t know that this world also has perfume in it. I sat myself on the bed and noticed something.. astonishing. I''m not wearing anything for my top and there''s someone who''s having a soft snore beside me. I slowly pulled off the cold blanket that I shared with my currently snoring room mate. Slowly, her head popped out of the blanket. This girl has a hazelnut brown hair and high rosy cheekbones. As the blanket almost uncovered her chest, I realized she isn''t wearing for her top too. Before I could freak out, she opened her eyes and that immediately caught mine. Those marble black tantalizing eyes lured me into the greatest trap of all. I think I''m into her. I don''t know if it''s love or not but it''s something.


    "You''re up early, cute lad."


    I felt a bit annoyed because it''s like she is treating me like a kid by calling me ''lad''. I brushed off all of that and asked her what happened last night.


    "Well, you got a bit drunk" she said. "So, I carried you up here and you were so aggressive. Never knew a man so wild before!"


    I felt like I was burning. My face turned red out of embarrassment. But then, she rose to sit up without holding the blanket to cover her big breasts. She immediately realized that I was distracted by them and finally covered them with her right arm.


    "Told you, wild as you are!" She continued with a teasing tone in her voice. "Just kidding. You fell asleep on the counter and I had to ask for help to carry you here. It was far too hot last night that''s why I slept naked and also, as you can see, I took off your clothes. Except your underwear, of course."


    I felt a bit relieved with that and also a bit regretful. Then again, she seemed to have mind reading power that she guessed what I was thinking.


    "Well, you can claim your prize for being a cutie right now. After all, I''m all naked." She winked after that.


    I re-equipped my clothes again through my inventory and left the bed before I get any chance to lose myself to my instincts of being a man.


    "Quite the gentleman, lad." She got off the bed, dragging the blanket and walked gracefully towards me. She then again, came close to my ear, "You don''t want some steamy action? I''m yours for the taking right now, tiger."


    Yeah, I will become far worse than a tiger if she keeps on doing this. "P-please, stop teasing me." I already feel the hot sensation of burning for both of my heads.


    She laughed again and equipped her maid-looking equipment that she usually wear while working in her inn. "You can stay here as long as you like. I took quite a liking for you. Come down stairs if you''re ready for breakfast." Then again, another wink but now she slightly bit her lower lip along with it.


    I let out a loud and heavy sigh after she left the room. I won''t be able to control these raging hormones if this keeps up. Now, I''m slowly walking towards the window where I can see the middle of the town that''s quite busy as they are yesterday. I need to keep leveling up if I want to catch up with this game. I climbed myself downstairs and ordered some breakfast.


    "Got hungry, huh? Here, have today''s special. Made it just for you!" She pushed a large plate of various delicious looking food before me. The man sitting beside me poked me by my side and started teasing me with her. A lot of them came to join except for the one who''s looking unhappy with what Tia''s doing.


    He stood up and headed to my direction. He was carrying a good looking saber resting on his left hip. He wore an eye patch that''s covering his left eye. His black coat on a white undershirt was extended until past his knees and also, he was wearing a brown leather trousers along with black high quality leather boots. Slowly, he diminished the distance between us and grabbed me by the arm. He dragged me out of the inn and carried me outside the castle like a little kid. Everyone inside the inn was startled along with the people we passed through while going out.


    "You got ball, kid. Flirting with Tia like that!" He shouted. Tia and some of the men whose always drinking inside her inn came to rescue but the man who dragged me ordered them to stop.


    "Please! Don''t hurt him! He''s a newbie! Don''t be rude to every who wants to court me!" Tia pleaded. "You''re embarrassing me, brother!"


    My jaws literally dropped when I heard that latter part. This man is Tia''s brother! And hey! Who said I was going to court Tia?! I came here to enjoy the damn game! I thought this was an adventure game, not a dating sim!


    "You''re the one who''s being rude, Tia! I was merely testing this scrawny boy if he can protect you!" He drew his saber and charged towards me. "Let''s see how can you protect my sister!"


    I was frozen solid on the spot. It was already too late before I can summon my dagger. Fortunately, a man came between us. An overhead slash was about to hit me when the man caught it with his left index finger. How did he even manage to stop the damn thing with just a finger?


    "Ohh, looks like we got a hot head here." The man said. All the men that came with Tia ran towards her brother to stop him for they knew the man who came between us.


    "Ease yourself, DeathKnight. You can''t defeat this man! You will only lose your exp if you fight him." Said by one of the men who stopped Tia''s brother.


    In this game, attacking and damaging someone beyond the protection of a town or safezone will automatically be considered as a P.K or player killing/player killer. Within this mode, anyone who attack someone who has a P.K status will not turn into P.K mode.


    The man slowly turned to look at me. I heard him click his tongue before talking. "Looks like you really are a scrawny boy!" He extended his right hand and offered a shake. "Name''s Jack! Jack of All Trades!" He proudly declared.


    I slowly extended my right hand to accept the shake hands that he offered. "I''m Tobi."


    "Tobi? What''s your reason to choose that name? I chose Jack to fit it to my guild''s name." He asked. "See? I am Jack! Jack of All Trades! Now your turn. What''s your reason?"


    In truth, I don''t really have any reason why I chose this name. I just remembered an old manga story where a man named ''Tobi'' appeared so cool.


    "I don''t have any particular reason.. I think?" I replied. I was puzzled by this man''s actions. Why save me? Why would he even ask why I use this name? And why is he wearing a smiling pumpkin for a freaking helmet?


    "You look puzzled! Is it the helm? It''s cute right?"


    No it doesn''t. But I don''t have the guts to tell my savior that. Instead, I asked him why did he save me. He just shrugged and looked away.


    "If you ever want some strength to show that girl''s brother, find me in town, I can teach you a thing or two in this game. I''m just in a hurry that I can''t teach you right now, so.. bye!" He waved his good bye and walked fast without giving me a chance to catch him. Well, not that it''s hard to search for a man who wears a large pumpkin for a helmet but it would save time if I had the chance to add him in my friend list. That way, I can communicate with him easier. In D.W.P, you can''t add someone into your friendlist without his or her prescence before you.


    This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it


    We are now back at the inn except for Tia''s brother who seem to disappear before we can enter the inn. I guess, I would have someone stalking me from now on.


    I settled myself before the counter and ordered the honeybeer again. I need to earn more gold if I still want to get strong. I got a very unproductive day today. Maybe I''ll stretch my bones for a while before searching for Jack.


    "Hey Tia."


    "Hmm?"


    "Do you know anything about, Jack? Jack of All Trades."


    Some of the men who heard my question turned their necks towards me with a grim face. Seems like Jack is infamous of some sort even in these parts of the map. This is place is for the newbies after all.


    "Jack is one of the strongest players in-game, lad." A man talked before walking towards me. The men who turned their attention to me got back to what they were doing. As for Tia, she seemed to have ignored my question and carried on to her work.


    The man sat beside me and started talking. "Jack of All Trades boasts his mastery of almost everything in the game. He has been playing since the beginning and he never missed any event of the game. The All Trades guild are composed of only thirteen members whose prowess and play style is top ranked. Jack is their Vice President."


    As for guilds in D.W.P, guilds provides a lot more compared to parties. It is a permanent companionship and can also give good buffs within its members. The leader of a guild is called Guild Master (GM), the second in command would be the Vice President (VP), the ones under the VP would be the Elders and lastly, the members.


    "Is he really that strong?" I asked.


    "I haven''t really seen him in action but they said that he had master almost every aspect of fighting in the game. That''s what the game masters get when they attract players like him with the move recorder update." The man replied.


    This game has a unique feature that lets players to record their moves or their way of using their skills to turn it into combos that is vital for their unique play style. This feature attracted a lot of players and also gave the game a boost for support.


    To use this feature, a player would enter a special room that accommodates players for their needs in building their own combos. This place can be manipulated by the llayer entirely. Some examples are lowering the cooldowns, the casting time and such. But for the certain combo to be used in the real time game, the player should have the required cooldown or weapon or casting time that they used to record the combo.


    I thanked the man who gave me the permission and started to search for Jack in the castle. This is like finding a needle in a million hectares of haystack. Though, as impossible as it seemed, I still managed to find him in the market place by the merchant''s place.


    "Oh! You found me! Come, come! I''ll introduce you to them!" He had a very excited tone in his voice. But then, who''s them? "I''ll introduce you to all the avaracious ones!"


    "Avaracious ones?" I looked puzzled


    "Yeah! All the members of the All Trades!"


    We arrived in the Guild Hall building. The Guild Hall Building holds all the zones of the guild that has been made. Every time a new guild is created, a new door appears. This makes the building constantly change in terms of size and floors.


    After introducing me to his companions, he took me to a room in their guild hall. This room is called Practice Hall. It''s like the Combo Recorder Room but it can''t record combos but it can be controlled as entirely as the Combo Recorder Room. Jack was mumbling before he faced me.


    "Okay! I have decided that you will be my apprentice!" He said. "Don''t look so surprised. You will be my last."


    "Last?"


    "Yeah! You know about the Apprenticeship Program right?"


    I don''t really get the Apprentinceship Program but it''s about erasing the borders between teaching and sharing the skills that someone acquired to his or her ''apprentice''. Normally, one player only has five chances to acquire an apprentice. But with the donate items, you can refresh this limit.


    "Uh.. yes."


    He clapped his hands and summoned the menu for this zone. He started to click here and there. It looks like he was fixing his wanted options


    "The All Trades Guild boasts our play style of being good at everything. We can be anything, remember that." He stopped clicking on his screen and faced me. "The only motto of of this guild is ''We are good at everything but not the best at anything.''"


    "Our play style, our build, gives us advantage to almost everything. We can fight head on against magic or physical damage." He was making some hand gestures as he talks. "But remember, we can''t fight head on against someone whom mastered something against us who will fight with the same handicap."


    I look more puzzled than ever. Sometimes I think that this is just a random guy who''s high on drugs that I met who wanted to teach me.


    "Puzzled? Here, listen. A guy who mastered the ways of the sword and already acquired all the skills for it would fight us. If we fight him with the ways of the sword and only with the skills that we acquired, we will lose. But, if we use the other ways like what I''m goig to show you later, almost no one would stand a chance against us."


    I opened my mouth to ask him to repeat his damn idea about his play style but before any words escaped my mouth, a minotaur appeared before us.


    A minotaur is a high level monster that can be found in the Cave of the Forgotten. They appear to have a large masculine body but their head is of a bull. They usually carry a large two handed dual bladed axe.


    "I haven''t got my low level equipment on me right now so.. we''ll have to use a minotaur for my demonstration." He just crouched and looked like he was ready to attack at any moment. The minotaur looked angry with smoke coming out of its nostrils. "This will be over in a flash!"


    Jack rushed to charge the Minotaur without any weapons in hand. By the time he arrived exactly one pace before the monster, a large two inches thick two handed sword appeared in his right hand. He performed a crescent slash coming from below and left a huge vertical cut through the Minotaur''s body. As Jack''s rush from the attack continues, the momentum threw him into the air, leveled by the poor monster''s head. Then again, his weapon vanished as his hands gestured at the back of his head readying an overhead slash. Before his hands moved, a dagger appeared between them and when it reached 180 degrees, his dagger changed into a two handed large mace that bashed the Minotaur''s head flat. Jack landed on both of his feet and quickly turned to face me with a large smirk on his face.


    "We call ourselves the avaracious ones because we are greedy when it comes to power." His smirk turned into a maniacal smile like a murderer smile while killing.

 Chapter Three Thief

    After Jack''s splendid demonstration of how weak I am, he told me to travel to the next village called Greenland. He said that I should find the one who will teach me the basics and advance type of fighting in the game. I decided to take my time a little bit since I''m only level two and haven''t leveled up my talents yet.


    After leaving the Guild Hall building, I headed outside to practice the skills that Jack taught me; Dual Thrust, Dash Step, Lunge and Steal.


    In the game, you can wave your sword however you want to perform an ordinary attack but it would be different when using a certain skill. There are two ways to use skills. First is to use it from the menu and second, use it inside your head. Within the game, you can perform or activate a skill through thinking and feeling it while performing the necessary action that it requires. Normally, people uses their minds to activate the skills but for mages, most of the low level players still use the menu in order to perform a combo or just use a skill. Having a low level Magical Offensive talent requires some skill to chant it before it can be used. For example, the first chanting skill that can be learned by a low level mage, Frozen Domain.


    Frozen Domain is a magical offensive skill that freezes a large area. The chanting or channeling and casting time of this skill takes almost five seconds to cast. With a high level Magical Offensive talent, chanting or channeling won''t be necessary anymore.


    Excited as I was, I found myself surrounded by slimes. Five of them are coming to charge at me. I remembered that I already acquired some skills that would be quite useful. I found some gap in order to escape my soon to be prison in the middle of angry slimes. I used the Dash Step in the middle of two slimes. They were far enough form each other for me to fit between them. I ran a bit more far to lure them in a single file. The moment they all jumped at the same time. I used another one of my newly acquired skill, Lunge.


    Like a barbeque on a stick, all the slimes were pierced by sword. The sword was given to me by Jack. He said that he used this very sword before he was taught the All Trades build. The Lunge skill is performed by stepping one foot forward along with my sword just like in fencing. Jack said that learning fencing would be beneficial with this game and I think he''s right.


    I think I got far enough from the castle because I saw a new monster coming towards me, a boar. From its black skin, black long hairs sprouted. The boar appeared more of a giant hedgehog than what it is exactly if it weren''t for its large tusks and large snout. I felt a bit confident with the new skills I''ve learned that I charged against the boar. I waited for a moment before showing my third newly learned skill, Dual Thrust.


    Having pierced in the head by my blade twice, the beast shattered into a million tiny little pieces like a glass thrown from a high building and landing on a very hard surface causing it to break like the poor beast before me. The skill I used is performed like a lunge but a surge of energy will come after the first that''s why it''s called ''Dual Thrust''.


    After I''m satisfied on my ways of using my skills, the greatest insult was slapped to my face. I was thinking where I can use the last newly learned skill that I acquired when I saw people huddling around something and they were cheering. Lots of boo''s, ''wow'', ''whoa'' and ''ohh'' here and there. After scuttling and crawling up for me to find a good place to watch whatever is this crowd is getting hyped for, I saw two players attacking each other. I just realized that this would be the very first duel that I would watch since my arrival here.


    A girl against a man. She holds a short sword on the right and a dagger on her left. She wears a black leather jacket on a white tank top. Her pants also leather and she wears black boots. Leather straps criss crossed on her upper body. The leather straps holds small throwing knives. On the other hand, the man wielded nothing but a large double bladed axe and wore a heavy steel armor that would protect him from almost everything that the girl holds. With his steel helmet, he was protected from a lot of attacks that the girl released. He would''ve already died if it weren''t for it. Their fight took long enough but ended in a gruesome way. The girl looked like she was just hitting here and there, waiting for an opening. The man was fast despite of his equipment but he girl was faster and she slapped him with it, figurative and literally.


    The girl whirled around so much that the guy had seldom chances to swing his axe. She was jumping, running and rolling around while she cuts his armor with her blades. Finally, she found a good spot and a good timing. The girl dashed when she reached the blind side of the man, his back. She decapitated his right arm resulting for him to drop his axe and fall on his knees. She ran in front of him and kicked his axe away. I never would''ve thought that a woman would do this but she formed a scissor with her dagger and her short sword against the man''s neck and beheaded him. Like a knife to a butter, his head fall off and he shattered into tiny million pieces like what happens to a monster when it dies. This is also the first time that I saw a player die in this game.. AND IT HAD TO BE BRUTAL LIKE THAT.


    The girl looked around and spoke like a true warrior who''s hungry for more blood. I saw lots of cool looking players here. I think there are a lot of high levels too. What the hell are they doing in Newbie Land?!


    The girl shouted, taunting everyone with her loud and clear voice. "Men do not dominate games! Especially this one! Who''s up for the challenge?!" She shouted. "I am just one of my sisters! Proving that we, women, can also be strong in games!"


    That''s some shit right there. As far as I know, there''s no sexism in this game. No posts in the forums of this game had contained any reports about this. This woman is nuts! Along with her sisters or whoever they are, of course. Why would she even say like we are underestimating the women. I myself lose to some, especially to Tia. She defeats me even when I''m not fighting. Why the hell am I thinking about her anyway?


    A man stepped forward and accepted her challenge. He looked strong and capable. He wielded a long sword along with that shield, towering the girl from head to toe. I thought that this man would also be dead meat against her because the equipments he used doesn''t really differ from the last poor guy who fought this crazy woman. Although, this man wears a better set compared to him. A large and heavy armor that could protect him even against a charge of a raging bull but his head wasn''t covered with a helm.


    "Are you sure you want to go through with this?" The woman asked. Cheers and shout started to echo as the man walked to the girl.


    "Afraid of you, I ain''t. Or are you the one who doesn''t want go through this that''s why you''re asking?" He said. He had a very mocking tone that made the girl look at him raising her left eyebrow.


    She suddenly clicked on the air, signalling the start of the invitation for the duel. The man clicked on the air too that started the duel. They were caged in a large transparent box with enough space for almost hundred of peole but we cannot step in it. A large timer appeared above the box. It started with thirty seconds. When the timer was down to five, both of them crouched a little and readied themselves for an attack or to attack.


    This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source.


    The battle started with a death stare. Everyone was quiet, only the sound of the whistling wind can be heard. After a few moments, they started to move in circles in widdershins. Slowly feeling and analyzing the situation. Their boots are now the ones that can be heard. They''re boots against small stones, grinding the earth while circling against each other. It was the man who started the fight. As they say, the first who attacks, wins the battle. But in this one, he was fighting a war. He charged at her with full speed, he was faster than I thought. Faster than what he appeared to be because he almost caught the girl with his shield. She stepped on her side, completely missing his attack. Then again, they were circling around.


    It took quite a while before someone attacked again, it was the man who came aggressive again but now he was prepared. A charge again, his shield up front, missing the girl but he immediately whirled in a clockwise manner almost hitting the girl. Before his blade reached her very skin, she received his heavy attack with both of her blades vertically shielding her from it but even with her mighty defense, she couldn''t absorb that attack entirely that it threw her far from her previous location and lead her near the edge of the duel box. She didn''t waste a second and she pulled herself up. She looked annoyed with that.


    "You got some skills!" She praised him with her sarcastic tone.


    The man just brushed it off of his mind and and crouched with his shield on his left hand, facing the girl and his sword pointing at her direction. She clicked her tongue and began to click on air. I didn''t know what she did but suddenly, white smoke exploaded around her and she immediately charged at him at full speed. He was ready for the attack, he charged towards her like a bull and smashed the woman with his mighty shield. He thought the he had won because of that contact but suddenly, the woman turned to smoke and she appeared behind him on mid air. Diagonally, with her upper on a 45 degrees angle, she whirled thrice leaving six horizontal holes and wounds at the back of the man. Before he can even take a step forward to support his balance, the woman spun again and when she was facing his back, she coiled up like a fetus and kicked her opponent hard on the back resulting to him kissing the floor. She landed on both of her feet and immediately threw both of her weapons, piercing the ground. She grabbed two throwing knives from the leather straps criss crossed on her upper body and threw it with precision. The knives landed their target on both the man''s legs, pinning him down, disabling him from standing up.


    Not that I am a sexist but I wished that he won. The next happening was a bit pitiful to watch. She picked up her weapons and walked slowly towards him. She kneeled her right knee on his back and before she planted her weapons on his head, he pleaded for mercy but she was too ruthless, she instead pierced his heart with her short sword and planted the knife on the back of his head. The man shattered into pieces, ending their duel. A lot of people sounded disappointed with his loss.


    She shouted the words that she said earlier to taunt anyone who''s foolish enough to fight her. I heard some guys behind me giggling and felt that they were acting like kids and pushing each other. With the last push that the other one made, he unintentionally pushed me hard sending me to a very hard staggering. What happened next was like one of the worst happenings in my life.


    The woman had turned her attention to me and thought that I was going to fight her. She got a little impatient that she immediately sent the invite for duel. I raised both of my hands showing that I won''t be the one to fight her but then the worst came to worst. One of my fingers touched the accept button before I raised both of my hands and started the duel. The duel won''t end until one will concede through the menu. I was about to concede when she rushed towards me to attack, I didn''t got the chance to concede for it will ask you again if you really want to concede after the first confirmation.


    "W-wait!" I shouted. She didn''t stop attacking. I was lucky to dodge almost every attack she made. With my unluckiness, I''m getting pretty lucky with this. I don''t have any weapons on me because I unequipped them and it would take moments for me to get my sword. I suddenly remembered my last newly learned skill, Steal. It''s now or never!


    "STEAL!" I shouted, activating the skill. This skill would steal a random equipped item from someone one pace in front of me. She suddenly stopped and blushed. Slowly, I noticed that I stole something from her and it rested on my hand. I lifted my hand very slowly and saw that I randomly stole her white tank top, revealing her black bra under her jacket. The time that she noticed me looking at her chest, she immediately covered herself with both of her arms.


    A thought suddenly came to my mind. ''I can finally concede!'' I immediately pressed all the buttons necessary to concede. I turned away and ran as fast as I can. I saw the people behind me with their jaws dropped as I passed through them. I was already inside The Bartender when I realized that I was still holding on to that girl''s tank top.


    "And what the fuck is that?" Tia shouted. She really looked angry. Everyone around us turned their head to the counter. On my embarrassment, I immediately grab Tia by the wrist and dragged her upstairs.


    "I didn''t steal this!" I exclaimed. "Well, tehnically I did but.."


    Before I can finish my sentence, Tia slapped the shit out of me and I almost passed out. What a slap! I was hearing a long irritating sound inside my ears.


    "Please let me explain!" I pleaded.


    She looked at me with both of her eye brows almost connected. I exclaimed everything from practicing my skills until reaching her inn, leaving no information behind. After my explanation I was startled at what I saw. Tia was crying! I panicked, not knowing what to do, something forced me to hug her and I did. She cried for almost an hour and had her face buried on my chest.


    "I thought you were seeing someone else." She said with a shaky voice.


    "I''m not! I was so scared to die here that I ran after conceding."


    "Good! Because always remember that you''re already mine!" She shouted, declaring that she already owns me. How did that even happen.


    Our talk was interrupted by one of Tia''s helpers, Marie. She''s an NPC for hire.


    "I think someone is searching for you, Tobi. She said she was Yvette and she said she wants that back. She didn''t say what it is but she looked angry." She was speaking with usual soft voice.


    I stood up from the bed and when I reached the door, Tia grabbed me by my arm and lead me downstairs.


    "Well if it isn''t the perverted tank top thief!" Yvette shouted. Everyone was now looking at me with those creepy angry and jealous eyes.


    I immediately handed over her tank top. She was still wearing the same jacket as earlier but it''s zipped up. She blushed as she received her clothing.


    "He''s not a thief!" Tia suddenly shouted. "Not exactly anyway."


    "Hey! I''m not!" I added.


    Yvette rushed outside without any words to say.

 Chapter Four - A Place to Stay

    It''s been a hard and long day for me. Watching all those fights, farming, learning that there is an almost perfect build and also, being called a pervert. I maybe a man but I''m not like that.. well, yeah, maybe, sometimes. But who cares! I''m a guy, it''s natural for my mind to wonder about things. Not that I liked seeing her black bra but.. why am I thinking about this?! It was an accident and I know that it was so, I don''t have to be guilty about it.. I guess? Anyway, to clear my conscience, if ever I get the chance, I''d apologize to her. Yeah, that might be for the best.


    Clearing my mind off of that, I noticed something wrong.. again. I realized that I am inside Tia''s private room! Why am I here?! I immediately ran down stairs and searched for her. I can''t believe I forgot to tell her that I''m going to rent a room instead of staying with her in her own. Turned my head left and right just to realized that Marie''s only one looking after the inn.


    "Where''s Tia?" I said as I approach Marie. "I haven''t seen her around? She''s not even in her room."


    Marie appeared more human than some of the players. She looks more innocent and has a better character than most lf the people here. Though, her personality of being almost always surprised by greetings and things like it makes her look like a bit of weird.


    "I don''t know either." She shrugged. "She said that she wants to get some air and cool off. Better stay here and wait for her. This is the first time I''ve seen her like that."


    I wonder what happened with her. I hope she''s fine. Given the circumstances, I , too wanted some air. This day has became so hyped that I think that I need to breathe. I tried strolling in the market, trying to find good equipments when I saw someone I knew. It was Jack.


    "Hey, Tobi!" He called. "Come here!"


    I knew better than to ignore him. I approached him and saw someone that made my heart sank into my feet. I saw Yvette with him.


    They were having dinner in a expensive looking restaurant near the market place. My whole body was shaking when as I approached them. Yvette saw me and stared at me with her gleaming blue eyes. Jack pulled a chair beside him and gestured me to sit. Before I did, I can''t stop my shaking that I my butt almost didn''t make it to the chair, I almost fell.


    She bowed her head and started to cut the steak before her. She was holding the knife with her left hand and the fork with her right. I guess, she''s left handed, huh? They way she was cutting the meat made me shiver in a very bad way. She was cutting it like the matter that she would if it was me.


    Because of Jack''s jolly nature, we didn''t had the time to be in an awkward silence. But then there was that topic that he started to tackle that maxde me sweat like rain.


    "Hey, Tobi! Have you heard about the people having duels outside Newbie Land?" Hitting me with his left elbow. "Someone used the Steal skill on our Yvette here and stole her tank top!"


    Jack laughed hysterically after asking me. "Oh, I forgot! This is Yvette." Jack said. "Yvette, Tobi. Tobi, Yvette."


    I realized that maybe she wouldn''t tell Jack what happened and I spoke with my very shaky, nervous and frightened voice. "P-pleased to make your acquaintance."


    She stopped salvaging her meat and replied. "Yeah! Sorry for stealing your time. I hope I''m not getting lots of it without your wanting." She said with a very sarcastically angry voice.


    "What''s wrong, sis?" Jack said.


    My heart sank even more that I don''t even feel it beating anymore. Why the hell do I always get involved with gamer siblings?! I may lose my soon to be mentor just like that!


    Everything was awkward for me from then on but I''m pretty sure that it''s not for Yvette. Her face was twitching with anger. She suddenly slammed the knife and fork on he table gaining lots of attention from people around us.


    "How many times do I have to tell you?! I am not your sister! My sister ain''t even dating you anymore!" She shouted.


    I let out a big and loud sigh in relief to what I heard. I never thought that coincedence like this would happen to me. Imagine that I would have the.. well, should-have-been-brother-in-law of the woman I accidentally undressed as my mentor. This is crazy! This game hates me I tell you!


    Jack didn''t even looked surprised with how Yvette acted. Even the people around us didn''t seem to bother after hearing her outburst. Jack only looked funny. It''s as if he''s scared to make her angry.


    "Now, now, Yvette. Don''t get too hyped. Your sister and I are goig to fix this." Jack looked worried.


    "Fix? You and her broke up for almost two months now!" She continued. "Don''t start your delusions on me, John!"


    So John is his real name. I think I knew an actor who lived a hundred years ago who was named John or Johnny. Oh, well. Can''t remember everyhing now, can I?


    "Why are you even friends with this pervert?!" She pointed at me. Now my soon to be mentor would be gone.


    "Pervert? He''s the one who defeated you in duel?!" Now he''s pointing at me. This is not how I pictured it to be. I thought I was going to be thrown away and be forfeited with ny apprenticeship. He''s taking this not as seriously as I thought he would.


    "You sure learned how to be greedy, Tobi!" He crawled his left arm around the back of my neck and shook me like he''s being so proud of what I did. The hell''s wrong with the people in this game?!


    "And also, he did not defeat me! He conceded!" She shouted. She''s clearly more agitated as this topic goes.


    Jack''s face turned serious in a flash and gestured Yvette to calm down. Even when her face is twisted in anger, she settled her self on her chair. Clearly, she still respects Jack as someone older than her. I thought that she''s someone who''s a law unto herself and does whatever she wants, it appears that she isn''t.


    "First of all, though it isn''t really your fault, say your sorry to her." Jack said while his arms ar crossed. "I won''t start talking about my news until you''re both satisfied with each other."


    I started apologizing and said why I did it. "I''ve been excited, too excited to try every skill that I''ve learned that''s why I did it." I bowed my head. "I didn''t know that that skill could also steal clothes like that."


    I raised my head a little to see what''s her reaction. Unexpectedly, she''s blushing. Not because she was touched with my words but because she was clearly still embarrassed. It is true that I didn''t know what would''ve happened if I used that skill. I knew that it would steal items randomly but not clothes like that.


    She was stuttering when she replied. "I-I guess I could let it pass.. for now."


    I felt some relief. I guess I lessened the people who wants to cut my throat to one; Tia''s brother.


    Jack suddenly clapped his hands that startled us and made us focus on him. "Now that we had everything cleared, I could start." He pulled his chair a little closer to the table and gestured for us to do the same, we did. Jack started talking but his voice was a bit soft that made me move my head a little closer to him. "In three months time, there would be a poaching event. Monsters would respawn thrice as fast and there would be a castle that would appear on top of summer mountain. Should players siege the castle, great rewards would come."


    Summer mountain is located south of Newbie Land. You will have to cross two villages before you can reach it. It is said that mid leveled monsters dwell within its forests. Good drops if you''d ask me.


    "That''s why there are so many mid leveled and high leveled players here in Newbie Land right now. Many people wants to start from here to travel South." He continued. "Now, Tobi. You need to travel West to meet Friday. He''s a man who loves magical offensive skills. Poaching event would be easy for you if you go for it first instead of Greenland. It''s up to you if you''d want to go for the physical type like our Yvette here."


    Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    There was a few moments of silence before Yvette broke it with her question. "So, why did you summon me here anyway?"


    "Well, if ever Friday or Hanzo isn''t available for Tobi, I want you to teach him. The All Trades are preparing for a guild war and decided not to join these events." Yvette looked like she was about to protest but Jack held his hand before her. Signalling her to stop before she could even talk. "No buts. You two would help me soon. I need you to work together. Soon, there will be a war far greater than any guild war in the game."


    Yvette just sat back and settled herself against the back rest of her seat. I was a bit puzzled when I heard Jack say ''Soon, there will be a war far greater than any guild war in the game.'' I wonder what he meant by that.


    "I trust that you can be relied on this, Lwynette." Jack said. Now I know what''s Yvette''s real name too. "Please, trust me on this."


    Yvette just nodded. I was still back at the war whatnots. I''m shivering at the thought hat I would be part of it. Since I got almost three years in this game before I can log out, I would have lots of time to prepare for this war.


    The V.R.C requires almost three years or three hours at least for D.W.P. Since the game is so large, logging in and out almost instantly would damage the player''s brain. Having it accustomed to the information that it would encounter in both worlds, this requirement was made. In short, no quickies if you decide to play D.W.P.


    "Okay, to end this talk, Tobi, please bring Yvette with you for the mean time. Tomorrow, my spies would have the information you''ll need if your soon-to-be masters are at the place we want them to be." Jack stood up. "Yvette, teach him whole day tomorrow. He''ll need some basics."


    I watched Jack walk away from us before looking at Yvette. She was deep in thought. I wanted to ask her what she was thinking but I didn''t had to.


    "I will be watching you closely tomorrow." She pointed he eyes with her middle and index finger and then, pointed them at me. "You will be under my training, pervert."


    I just shrugged and sighed. I didn''t have any choice if this is what Jack wants. Free tutorial or no tutorial at all. Obviously, who would pick the latter? One thing''s for sure, not me.


    "And hey, you''re still not off he hook from what you did." She continued. "Ain''t got place for me to stay, do I? You''d have to pay for my rent."


    "But I.."


    "No buts!" She said. "Rent or no training, your choice."


    Then again, I sighed. I''d lose to this woman too. No choice for me but to submit to her demands. After all, I accidentally showed her chest to almost half of the audience today.


    The midnight bell rang the moment we stood up and was about to leave. "Good timing! Treat me a good room, okay?"


    I just nodded and summoned my inventory before me. I got twenty five gold with me right now. Guess this''ll be enough for now.


    We arrived at The Bartender after a few minutes of walk. Marie''s still the one in charged to look after the counter.


    "Has Tia arrived yet?" I asked while approaching her. Marie nodded and poited upwards. I guess she''s already tired and climbed up to sleep.


    "So, can I rent a room for this girl? How much would be a single bed room?" Marie smiled.


    "I am not allowed to do transactions for rooms, sir. Please talk to Miss Tia. She''s upstairs, waiting for you." She replied.


    So she''s still awake. That''s good. Since, I have a good relationship with her, I might get a discount or something. Immediately, i climbed upstairs and headed towards Tia''s room.


    "Hey, Tia. It''s me, Tobi." I said while knocking. Yvette is standing patiently behind me.


    I heard Tia''s foot steps rushing to open the door. She opened it and to my surprise, she was only wearing her undies. This is bad.


    Her eyes widened when she saw Yvette behind me. She quickly slammed the door and took her a minute to open it again but now, with her night dress on.


    "Why is that ghastly ladyboy here?" She said while glaring at Yvette.


    "Who are you calling ladyboy?!" Yvvete said. She charged towards Tia and I immediately stopped them both from clashing.


    "Wait!" I shouted. "Please hear me out!"


    They both settled themselves. "I''m here to rent a room for me and her." Tia''s eyes widened again. "That came out wrong, did it?"


    I received a hard slap against my face throwing me against the wooden floor boards. She quickly slammed the door again. I can hear her having a tantrum inside her room.


    "Hey! Please listen!" I said while knocking a bit louder.


    "Go away!" She yelled. "Take that.. thing with you! You alreay chose her!"


    "What the hell are you saying?!" I replied. I saw Yvette at my back with her hand against her face while shaking her head. "I''m going to rent a room for each of us! We''re not going to be in the same room!"


    The tantrums stopped and slowly, the door opened. Tears are already settling on her eyelids.


    "Why? Don''t you want to sleep with me?" She was sniffling as she spoke. "Do you want to sleep without the blanket covering my body?"


    Now I''m the one doing the face palm. Yvette was frozen behind me by wat she heard.


    "Don''t want any covers don''t you?" She continued. "Is that why you want another room with her?"


    "It''s not like that! It''s just.." I realized what she was saying. "Hey! What the hell are you saying. I said each of us. Can''t rely on you always now, can I?"


    Her tears fell like a kid whose candy was taken away.


    "Hey! Stop!" I said.


    She buried her face against my chest and hugged me tight.


    "You really are a pervert!" Yvette shouted at my back. "Fine. Ain''t going to stay in place where there''s a drama queen and a pervert. I''ll find a place to stay myself!"


    She hurried herself downstairs. I freed myself from Tia''s hug and came after Yvette. Grabbed her by the hand and dragged her upstairs.


    "Tia! How much for a room?!" I quickly asked.


    Her voice was shaky because of her cry. "Fifteen gold."


    Now my eyes widened. Tia''s inn was one of the best inns in town, almost everyone told me that but I didn''t expect it to be this expensive.


    "Fifteen gold for a default two days and two nights stay. Breakfast included." She continued. "The hot springs at the back would also be part of it."


    I never knew that there was hot springs at the back. Hot springs in D.W.P gives a regeneration buff for taking a bath in it for thirty minutes.


    "Uhh.. here''s the fifteen gold." I handed it over to Tia. She accepted it and immediately summoned the keys and gave it to me. I passed it to Yvette who was I noticed blushing. Why the hell is she blushing?


    I let go of her hand and shaked her a bit to knock her out of her day dreaming. She was startled and was now looking at me with her pair of blue eyes.


    "You touched my hand." She said while looking at me like it was a crime or something. "That''s my first time.. even in a game."


    What the hell''s wrong with this girl?! Is she like from a very conservative family?! Is it really a big deal to drag her by the hand?!

 Chapter Five - Stitches

    I ended up staying with Tia in her room because they both didn''t want me to stay with Yvette. Though, I had persuaded Tia that I should sleep on the floor, I woke up with her hugging me again. She''s on the floor with me. I wonder when did she even came down from her bed. Well, at least now I get to keep my clothes on. She did have clothes too, most of them.


    I got myself up at 7:00 in the morning. Way too late for a jog or early practice but a practice should happen. I need to train more for the coming events and I want to get strong too. I might have to lower my comments about Yvette since she''s the one who''ll mentor me for today. A free tutorial in a game like this is like a cheat. Not everyone in this game is this kind.


    Having myself prepared for the training, I came out of Tia''s room, almost tip toeing. I shouldn''t wake Tia up. It would be quite a fuss if she finds out that I''m goig out with Yvette. At least in this way, I''ll keep the awkward moments to a minimum.


    I reached Yvette''s room and before my hand hit the door, it opened fast, Yvette standing behind it.


    "You''re late!" She greeted. "Should''ve came two hours ago!"


    Being not able to defend myself, I just scratched my head and shrugged. "I''m sorry."


    "Ain''t anything we can do about it now anyway." She shook her head left and right, trying to look behind me. "Where''s your gal?"


    "She''s not my ''gal''." I replied. "Tia''s just a good friend."


    "Ain''t just a friend with what she thinks about you."


    "Please, drop this topic." I snapped. Then again, I need to be a little patient with her. She''s going to help me after all.


    She just shrugged and walked past me heading downstairs. I immediately followed and caught up to her heels. Reaching the first floor, I nodded at Marie and some of the people whom I already knew for being always present at this inn. Some of them are drinking coffee while some are already drinking beers and ale.


    "We have to reach the Dim Light forest before it turns 8." Yvette said without turning to face me. "Can you do it?"


    "Yes, ma''am!" I replied while pretending to be a soldier saluting at her back.


    "Good! Then, keep up and stop dawdling!"


    Though, players don''t really feel fatigue without having a low percentage in their energies, I felt like I had to catch my breathe because of all the running and slaying that I did. Yvette made me kill all the monsters that came into her sight and told me that it was part of her training for me. I just hope she knows what she''s doing because I''m already getting tired.


    We reached the Dim Light forest five minutes before 8. The forest was located North East of the Newbie Land. The highest level of monster that I have seen so far is level 25. A bit high for me. At the moment, I''m only level 8.


    I already killed almost fifty plus momsters and almost depleted my mana. Good thing I bought two bottles of mana potions last night or I''m going to have to train without my skills.


    "Not your best, Tobi." She said.


    I was a bit shocked that she knows and called my name just like that. I mean, she finally doesn''t think of me as a pervert.


    "Get your sword ready. I''m going to lure a Giant Bat for you to kill." She turned to face the forest. "You''ll show me how you will kill an opponent who''s going to be far from your reach."


    I felt nervous with whats he said. A Giant Bat is a flying creature and wouldn''t land just to attack. I need to outsmart the creature inorder to defeat it but how? The creature would be far off from my level and its speed would be more advanced than boars, wolves and slimes.


    After a few minutes, Yvette came out from the bushes and as she did, the leaves on the trees rustled after her. Something is coming, something big.


    A large bat emerged from the trees. I never would''ve expected a bat to come out at the edge of the forest in broad daylight. It was the Giant Bat and it has an odd looking features. It''s whole body is round shaped. It has two gigantic eyes, a snout and a large mocking smile showing its razor sharp teeth.


    "He''s all yours, tiger!" She shouted.


    The Giant Bat''s aggro is still with Yvette. I have to lure it away from her. Just from watching Yvette with her fight yesterday, I tried throwing my Slimy Wooden Dagger to lure the bat. With all my luck, the dagger scratched the Giant Bat''s left eye. Unfortunately it didn''t buried itself into it.


    I successfully lured away the bat from Yvette. Now, I have to think of a way on how to kill this thing. At first, the bat flew in circles above me and when it reached my blindside, it attacked immediately like a beast to its prey. With my mastery of my skills, I used Dash Step to avoid being hit by its tackle. Once again, it was circling above me. I stopped chasing it with my eyes, circling in my own position. I have to make it think that I''m vulnerable. To my luck, it attacked again, but now, it attacked head on. I need perfect timing if I want to pin this guy down. I started to think and concentrated on the attack before me.


    Concentrate! Wait for the right timing!


    When the Giant Bat was three paces ahead of me, charging at full sleed, I immediately spun in widdershins. The timing was perfect. The sword that Jack gave me hit its target! I made a horizontal wound on the right side of the bat''s head or face or body. It''s whole body is round, I don''t know how to call it.


    With all my efforts, I managed to put some damage on the monster. It wasn''t enough to kill it but at least I succeeded with that. I slowly looked at my right to see what''s the reaction of Yvette with my performance. She was keeping a straight face. I guess, it wasn''t really enough. I noticed that she looked kinda cute with her face looking like that. What am I thinking? There''s monster before me!


    Because of my day dreaming, the bat''s tackle threw me away from my position. I did not hit the ground but it managed to knock me off two paces away from where I was.


    "Concentrate, Tobi!" Yvette shouted. "Don''t let that bat be the reason for your first death!"


    She''s right. I need to concentrate if I want to get stronger. This is nothing compared to what I will face months after this!


    The bat attacked from my blindajde again. I sensed that it was coming from my five o''clock. I counted up to two seconds before using my skill, Dual Thrust.


    My attack was almost perfect. It didn''t killed the monster but I managed to decapitate his right wing, leaving him helpless on the ground.


    "Finish it!" Yvette commanded.


    I immediately passed my judgement and allowed my sword to kill the bat, cutting it into two. The bat shattered and a system message was displayed to my screen


    Giant Bat


    300 exp


    15 gold


    "Splendid!" She said. She was now running towards me. "What were you thinking when you were hit? Your first attacked looked really impressive!"


    "Well, uhh." I was stuttering.


    "Never mind that!" She looked really happy for me. "Now, I''ll get more!"


    I was surprised. One was a big challenge. She said she''ll get more! Before I can even protest, she was already gone. I need to regenerate quickly! My hp was down to 130 from 180.


    I sat on the ground waiting for Yvvete''s arrival and noticed that the sky was really in a very good mood today. Birds were singing, the sun is high and the wind is cold. Perfect day for training. I remembered my days in the real world. I rarely get this kind of sight since being already at the peak of teenage years, responsibilities are multiplying.


    Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.


    It has already been fifteen minutes and she still hasn''t come back yet. I wknder what happened to her. To my surprise, I heard a loud scream from the forest. It sounded like a wail of pain and anger and that voice was familiar. It was from Yvette!


    I hurried myself and charged into the forest to aid her. I can still hear her screams as if she was being tortured. I got worried sick for her. I was already slashing the vines, bushes and brambles before me to reach her fast enough.


    It became quite gruesome after the last bush that I cut down. She was already lying on the mud and was being stitched by a player named FaustVII. He stitched her mouth to stop her screams. I noticed that her left arm was already torn off and was being stitched by him. My whole body was shaking with fear and anger with what I''m seeing. Though, Yvette and I didn''t had a good start, she was already being kind to me and this is unforgivable!


    At first, I was frozen on the spot because of fear but because of my blazing anger, I managed to thaw the invicible ice that froze my body.


    I rushed towards them with my sword on my right hand. I''m going to sever his head to end this quick. I do not have the luxury to take chances against a guy like this. If he managed to defeat Yvette in a fight, what chance will I get if he''s not busy enough.


    With a mighty swing, I thought I got him. But to my surprise, a Cuddle Bear took my hit. A cuddle bear is a level 20 monster commonly seen inside this forest. The bear looked ordinary except for the stitches it had on his body. I concentrated my gaze upon the monster before me, it''s name isn''t cuddle bear! What is this?! The name it had was FaustVII''s Necromonger. What the hell is this?!


    Before I got the chance to pull my sword from the bear''s left thigh, it had already made its move and hit me with it large, long clawed paws. I was thrown against a tree. My sword was left on its left thigh.


    "Pity, I have to stitch you too." FaustVII said. "Don''t worry, I''m already near finished with this lass."


    I tried getting up but my character status screen suddenly popped up, showing a red part on my body. Whenever something happens with the player''s body like decapitation, the charavter status screen pops up showing what''s the damaged part is. Orange for minor damaged. Red for severe damaged, pure black shade for decapitated. My whole right leg already had a red shade on it. I can''t move it!


    With all these things happening, my predicaments were still growing. FaustVII ordered his necromonger to fully decapitate my leg so that he can stitch it better for later. What the hell is this? Is this really a skill?! Necromancy in this game really is gruesome. Who would even want to learn skills like that?!


    Yvette was already convulsing with all the pain and fear she''s feeling. "Please hold on a bit more longer. I''ll find a way to get us out of here!" I assured her even though I knew deep in myself that we were both going to die here.


    The games doesn''t really applied much pain for the players to feel every scars and bruises they received but having to experiment using the human mind, the game can''t control the whole emotion especially when someone is seeing what happens to them like this. The brain itself makes the player feel the pain.


    The bear was almost at me when I managed to summon all my courage and strength to summon my sword back to me and bury it against the bear''s very skull. FaustVII''s eyes widened. He suddenly shoved Yvette to his side and approached me.


    "Strong man." He said. "Even at that level."


    He was wearing a black double breasted suit and a top hat. His eyes was all black and scary if they stare at you for long which what is happening to me right now.


    "Don''t worry, this won''t hurt.. much." Before I can even speak, a rapier appeared on his right hand and decapitated my right leg.


    I was screaming because of the pain. Now I know what it feels like being a soldier in a war. The pain was unbearable that I almost fainted. What happened next was one of the worst experience I had in my whole existence. He pinned me against the tree by piercing the rapier he had through my stomach and the rapier buried into the tree''s body. I was standing but my right leg was still on the ground.


    "This is easier, believe me." He said. "I need to stitch you up because if I revive your corpse without doing this, you''ll be limping. A limping necromonger is a useless necromonger."


    He picked up my leg and positioned it against the spot to where it was supposed to be. He was holding my leg with his left and as he summoned a large needle and thread to stitch me up. The hellish pain made me say a lot of curses.


    I still got a chance to escape this. He''s already near me. I took my chance and tried to stab him with my wooden dagger but he deflected it with just a light tap. I didn''t have enough energy to scream or even move my fingers. I lost. My first death would be against this guy.


    When all hopes seemed lost, the bushes behind the trre that I am pinned on started to rustle. I heard a familiar voice calling out to me but I''m already on the verge of fainting. Before I closed my eyes, I saw FaustVII''s eyes widended again and he looked scared and surprised.


    As I awoke, I realized felt hot, literally hot. It''s as if everything around me was burning. I opened my eyes and saw that everything really is burning. I saw Yvette beside me still has her stitches. I summoned my sword and used the blade to free her lips from the thread binding her mouth.


    I looked around and saw that the fire qas around us but it''s not growing. A shadow came from one of the directions ahead of us and it toom my a few moments to realize thag it was Tia.


    "Already killed FaustVII." She said. "Please, hang on a little bit longer. Marie''s coming."


    "How did you find us?" I asked.


    "Noticed that you were already gone and some customer told me you were heading here." She sat beside me. "He also said that a high leveled PK-er is also dwelling in this forest. He wants players'' body as a necromonger for the coming event."


    So even high level players are interested in such lame events that would only be good for low until mid leveled players, huh?


    "Is that really a skill?" I grabbed Tia by the arm. "Necromancy here is like this?"


    Tia just slightly nodded and raised her hands that resulted to the extinguishing of the fire around us. I just realizes that she wasn''t wearing what she usually wears. She looked more like a gothic witch right now compared to the affectionate maid she always appear to be.


    Everything she said suddenly sinked into me. She killed FaustVII?! How?! He was so powerful even if I haven''t seen him fight. I can feel that I would really lose to him. With my curiosity, I asked Tia to clear my mind.


    "How did you kill that man? He''s too strong even for Yvette! How did you manage to kill him?"


    She just stared at me and I thought she wouldn''t answer but she did.


    "That''s a question for another time, Tobi." She snapped with her middle and thumb finger while her arms are raised up and pointed down at us. Marie suddenly appeared from the bushes and carried Yvette and I on her shoulders. "Strong isn''t she?"


    I was startled. Yvette and I looked like we weigh more than we looked but she''s just carrying us like feathers.


    "After your recovery, we''ll talk, okay?" Tia said.


    I just nodded and once again fell asleep.

 Chapter Six - What I learned

    Three months have passed, lots of things happened. The day after out encounter against FaustVII, Tia showed me her true capabilities. She''s using a magical offensive build. She''s truly strong but she got bored that she saved her fortune to buy an inn that would take away her boredom in the game. Also, I didn''t had to go away from the Newbie Land to find someone to teach me the arcane arts because of my land lady. And yes, I now have the capability to rent my own room in her inn. Yvette, on the other hand, developed some kind of trauma because of our Necromancer friend. Only last three weeks ago had she been able to move like she used to.


    My days as a newbie has long ended since Tia trained me to effectively use spells along with my physical attacks. I also gained quite few levels for me to be ready for the coming event the day after tomorrow. Jack, Yvette and Tia, my mentors allowed to have a two days rest to prepare for what''s coming. I decided to take a stall into the fields where only few monsters spawn and enjoyed the summer breeze on a vast green land.


    Having myself relaxed on the ground while looking at the bright blue sky, I remembered that Jack told me to call his attention if I reached level 25 for my One-Handed Wielding talent.


    Character Level : 25


    Primary Status:


    HP - 850/850


    Mana - 850/850


    Energy - 100%


    Character Stats:


    STR - 95


    DEX - 98


    VIT - 85


    INT - 90


    WIS - 85


    Talents:


    One-Handed Wielding LVL 18


    Two-Handed Wielding LVL 8


    Armor LVL 8


    Magical Offensive LVL 10


    Magical Defensive LVL 5


    Magical Utility LVL 10


    Evasiveness LVL 15


    Utility LVL 15


    Guess not, it will take time to reach level 25. He said that reaching that would allow me to learn dual wielding. It would be awesome to use such beautiful fighting style such as dual wielding. Yvette does it all the time and she wins almost every fight she''s in. I would consider her as an assassin in some mmorpg games. Along with her skills, she really does pass herself as one. I would really like to learn her trade and master it someday but I realized that I can''t. The build that Jack is teaching me allows me to tap into every build in the game but not master it fully. Even in crafting, enhancing items and such, I acquired some few skills from the local blacksmiths. Newbie Land is full of such pro players that a newbie would feel inferior even when staying in it.


    All my day dreaming stopped when I heard foot steps coming near me. The sound of the leaves and bushes alarmed me. I had to equip my Elephant''s Damascus just to make sure that I wouldn''t let my guard down again like what happened with our encounter with FaustVII. I acquired my Elephant''s Damascus with one of the dungeon huntings that Tia and I made. A boss in the Cave of Giants dropped this seemingly large dagger that I made as my promary weapon. It gives 5 STR and got quite a bit of damage. Luckily, this game adjusts items for the player''s leisure or I won''t be able to swing this weapon effectively while dodging attacks.


    The one making the leaves rustle was none other than Yvette. Though, she got recovered from her trauma, some of her traits like being stealthy even with these peaceful moments haven''t really came back. I feel pity for her and angry at myself not being able to protect her. I didn''t even manage to avenge her from that maniac. My pride was a bit insulted when Tia had to defeat him instead of me but what can I do? I was weak back and and still is right now. But I''m pretty sure that I can handle myself more now compared to that time.


    "What are you doing here?" She asked with a slight frown on her face. "Thought this place was a big secret to others. Always get myself a peaceful time here, alone."


    Still being ashamed because of my failure, I learned my lesson not to talk back to her and I have to respect her as my mentor and friend not only because she teaches me or I failed to save her but also because she''s a woman. I even developed a small crush on her. Her smiles can captivate a lot of men but her actions negates that. She''s a bit boyish and scary especially when angry. That was before our traumatic encounter with FaustVII, now she''s soft and warm hearted. It''s like she reverted back to being a kid.


    "Sorry to disturb your place." I replied. "Do you mind sharing this place to me just this once?"


    She slightly twitched her small lips but then she smiled at me and began to ease her self down against the soft, green grass beside me.


    "Nope!" She said with a cute expression of closing her eyes and pretending to be angry. She then looked at me and let out another smile. "This place is better to be enjoyed with you."


    My heart skipped a bit. Sometimes, I don''t know if she''s flirting with me or something. But who knows? There''s no way of telling until I ask her or she tells me and yes, I don''t have the guts to ask. The latter should happen for me to find out.


    After laying myself down beside her, she began to point at the sky telling me the shapes that she sees with the clouds above. Sometimes I wish that this place should be the reality and the one I left behind was the fantasy. It makes my heart feel warm being beside her like this but something''s not right. I don''t know what but, I do not see myself being with her like that. Does she see me as something like that? I don''t know. It''s really hard to understand or even guess the feelings that we have.


    After a long time of silence between us, i slowly turned my head to face her and saw that she already had her eyes closed. Is she sleeping? I don''t want to evetually wake or disturb her just to find out but I really want to do something now. Not kiss her or anything but I want to test my skills. Though, it would be a waste to enter skme dungeon with this kind of weather, mastering the skills that I have right now would be for the best.


    She eventually woke up and looked straight to my eyes. Her bright blue eyes looks at me like they were calling me. She slowly closed her eyes as her face slowly came close to mine. My heart beat''s now racing and feels like it won''t skip a beat. What is this? Is she going to kiss me? Am I even allowed to kiss her? What''s happening? Everything''s becoming dark! I realized that I, too, slowly closed my eyes and was nearing her face.


    I stopped moving and felt her breath against my face. Is she kissing me now? I can''t feel anything! What''s happening?!


    "I don''t think we should be doing this." She said.


    A felt a slight pinch in my heart with that. I don''t know why. But I''m still glad that it didn''t happen. It would create such an awkward position for us if we''re with Tia. She always says she likes me but I do not have any confirmation with that.


    "Doing what?" I played coy.


    "Nothing." She replied. She quickly rose up and brushed off some dirt on her clothes with her hands. "Want to go hunting?"


    Is it really over just like that? Anyway, I''m too scared to ask or even open about topics like this that I just nodded in reply without thinking. She then reached my hand and dragged me towards the forest.


    "I heard screamings just a while ago."


    "Do you think someone''s in trouble?" I asked and felt a bit worried for those people.


    She nodded and walked ahead of me. I tried to keep up but she was just too fast that I was almost left behind. After a while of chasing, she stopped behind a large bush, croaching. She gestured her index finger against her lips telling me to be quiet.


    This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    The man wore a large armor with red dragons engraved in its shoulder part. He was covered by metalic plates that would be able to stand heavy attacks and he really looked high level with his attire. He doesn''t wear any helmet symbolizing his proud battle prowess. Also, he was wielding a large claymore that would reach a great distance if his long arms were extended enough. A red cape with a logo of a fire breathing dragon covered his back. This guy looks cool! But not cool enough. He''s bullying a newbie. I would''ve rushed in if I was my old self but I knew better now. Rushing against an enemy like this without a plan would commonly result to my failure.


    I saw Yvette smiling beside me as she gestured that I should stay down. I didn''t like the idea. I want to test my skills. I grabbed her left shoulder and shook my head. I pointed my left thumb at my chest and winked. I have to do this. She let out a smirk and nodded giving permission for me to take this one.


    I waited until the beast isn''t prepared to encounter attacks. This is the way of how you can kill a great beast. Kill it while it''s wounded or slay it with while it''s busy with its prey. I wish to perform the latter and the first one for later.


    The man''s in game name is Tedros and he''s already in PK mode. I saw some items laying on the ground and knew that he already killed some of his prey''s buddies. Relentless as he was, he started kicking the player in front of him and hitting him with his fists. I know that I should stop him before he kills his prey but waiting for a good opportunity is better. With his acts, I know that he won''t allow his prey to die without hitting it with his long and proud sword.


    After a few moments, he stopped laughing and said his farewells to his prey and raised both of his arms to deliver the finishing blow with his weapon. ''Great opportunity for a quick assassination.'' I told myself.


    I rushed from behind him aiming at his neck for a quick kill but his reflexes were fast enough to dodge my Lunge. Without stopping my momentum, I used Dash Step knock him back.


    "Run!" I shouted at the poor player that Tedros was bullying. Fortunately, he was still sane to listen to me and did as I instructed.


    "Quite a surprise to see a good player in these woods." He said as we circled each other, slightly crouching, ready for any attack that we would throw to each other.


    I didn''t bother to reply. I think that irritated him and made him charge with his sword on his left side pointing up. He''s holding it with both of his hands and can only swing side ways or he would raise it up for an over head slash. He did neither, when he was two paces near me, he spun to hit me with a round house kick. I immediately dodged with my Dash Step. After his full rotation, I used Doppleganger a skill that Yvette taught me. I already saw her used this once against her opponent. A decoy that looks like the user would appear from the smoke that the skill creates and charges at the enemy while the user turns invisible for a few moments.


    He immediately recognized the skill and gave my decoy a huge punch in the face making it expload into smoke. I got all the time I needed, I used Doppleganger skill to stall for time, enough for me to equip some poison on my Elephant''s Damascus.


    "So you wish to be an assassin, huh?" He said with an obvious and loud mockery on his voice. "Come, fight me, Mr. Cutthroat. I will claim your head!"


    I knew better than to fight him head on. Jack always told me that the All Trades build isn''t about fair fighting. It''s about winning with everything we have.


    Having the time at my side, I already casted Blinding Light on where he was standing. It was a skill that would glow from the area where it was casted to into an unimaginable rate that would blind the enemies near it and it did. Now''s my chance! My training with Tia won''t be wasted!


    Freeze Lock!


    After using Blinding Light with a two seconds chanting time and one second activation, I immediatelly casted Freeze Lock that would cover the selected target with ice, unabling him to make any movements. This is a low level skill that wouldn''t last long. Freeze Lock has the same chanting and activation time with Blinding Light. The duration of my blind skill lasts for almost three seconds and for the freeze one would last two. It''s enough for me to stick my poison licked weapon into his neck.


    After all my efforts, it''s still wasn''t enough for me to defeat a foe with this large handicap. I know that his level his far greater than mine but the poison I used was brewed from five different kinds of poisons that would paralyze the enemy for a few moments. Even he wouldn''t be able to resist that. I once again pounced to hit him left and right aiming at the areas where only chainmail can protect and as for the last moment, I stabbed his forehead.


    Before he shattered into pieces, he managed to give me a fair warning. It wasn''t that scary but I know it wasn''t a bluff.


    "I will hunt you!" He can''t finish a word without choking. "I will kill you!"


    Finally, he shattered like glass and disappeared out of thin air. Yvette stepped out from the bushes with her jaws dropped. She approached me with a slow clap.


    "I was about to attack him when he killed your decoy." When she was already in front of me, she pounced at me and gave me a great, big and warm hug. "I was afraid that you''ll die."


    I felt a bit proud of myself that I managed to brag a little.


    "Don''t you have faith in me?" I was now caressing her hair because of the sob I heard. She has her face buried against my chest. "I totally had that guy!"


    "You idiot!" She shouted. I was shocked. "If you didn''t use that freeze skill you would''ve lost. He already casted Rage to Death. He would''ve been invulnerable for quite sometime."


    I never even realized that Tedros did. I still have lots of skills to learn. But hey, I won! Maybe I should treat her a drink or something.


    "Hey! Want to eat?" I asked with a smile on my face. She was now facing me.


    I thought that she would tell me that it would be my treat that it has always been but I got another answer instead.


    Her face moved like the wind and came close to mine. Her lips touched mine. She was closing her eyes as she slowly squeeze me with her hug once more.


    My view slowly darkened and realized that I, too, felt that moment and thought that this shouldn''t end. My mind was already going blank when she broke our bond.


    Her face was once again buried on my chest with her arms around me. What happened? It was all too fast. Have I gave my first kiss in this game to this girl whom at first I thought that I would hate for the rest of my life? Does this mean were on a different level of relationship now? Or was it just because of the heat of the moment? This sucks.


    After a while of hugging each other, we headed back towards the castle for our lunch but was blocked by an unexpected person.


    "Saw you kiss a girl, Zach." He was smiling while saluting with his back against a tree. "You know that this is a fighting game, right?"


    I realized that it was my brother-like best friend, Gabriel. His in game name is Drake. His name contrasts with his equipments. He looked like a night that wears a dragon scale armor with a large sword on his back. Its hilt has a shape of some sort of a dragon''s head.

 Chapter Seven - What Are the Odds?

    The first day of the poaching event commenced earlier today. It started 12 a.m. when almost everybody should''ve prepared to sleep but a system message woke almost everyone up to summon them in every town''s gathering hall. Drake and I was still outside the Newbie Land Castle when the system message popped up. we separated our ways before entering the castle. He told me that he needs to take care of something before going in. We almost forgot to add ourselves in our friend list. Luckily, I remembered before I lost him in the vast number of people entering the castle that time.


    It''s already 5:00 a.m. when Yvette and I decided to start finding a place for us to start our business. We left Newbie Land and reached Red Sand Village and headed a little bit South East for us to reserve a good spot. Yvette is already level 50 so she won''t have a problem killing monsters here since they are already in level 40++. I gained few levels in my two days vacation that my mentors gave me. I really wanted to use those time to rest but thinking about what Jack said about that war, I can''t just ease myself. I need to get stronger fast. I feel excited and nervous of what Jack has to offer with me. I wish it would be like an epic battle that the whole game would remember. But hey, there are far too many strong characters in-game and it''s only a one in a million chance for me to be included in the event that I had in mind. There''s no harm in dreaming to be in it anyway.


    Arriving at the spot, we were already too late because there are also a lot of people waiting for the event there. We tried to find a more remote place but Yvette told me that some monsters spawn in the area won''t really give us anything good for use. Yvette remembered something about Red Sand Village and it was its only dungeon, Red Sand Labyrinth.


    Dungeons are zones where monsters are far more stronger than monsters that roam these lands. They also give better gold, drops but they move quite more complicated than normal monsters. In a dungeon, there''s always floors for the players to finish and each floor has its own floor boss. At the end of the dungeon, the players needs to defeat the Gate Guardian or the last boss of the dungeon for them to finish it. It is always a pain in the ass to fight Gate Guardians. Normally, they are bigger, faster and meaner but the profits will be good. Gate Guardians have Epic items in them.


    The rarity of the items goes like this: Normal, Common, Uncommon, Rare, Epic, Legendary, and last but not the least, Godly. These are the rarities of the tems that can be acquired through hunting and killing monsters or rewards from quests. Some of them can be crafted and some of them can only be acquired through hunting specific monsters to have them. Crafting these items normally would need some parts of the monster itself. It is automatically dropped whenever a player kills one. This makes crafting rare to godly items a little bit harder than looting itself. With skilled hands, blacksmith builds can add some stats when they craft items. This makes the items that are crafted far more superior than looting them.


    "We should try entering this dungeon." Yvette suggested. "It''s always fun to enter dungeons with smaller group because we can kill steal the bosses and acquire the loots for ourselves."


    I really like the idea that she''s telling me but escaping the crowd is the problem. Though, we can use diversions but there would be far too many people for us to evade. The only way to escape a dungeon is to use Stone of Home or dying. Stone of home is an item that teleports the player to a town that he or she is currently signed in to. The last town that I have signed in to is Newbie Land but Yvette signed in earlier in Red San Village. If ever our soon-to-be-pursuers get out of the dungeon, she will be outnumbered. Even if she''s good at fighting, sheer number of people can beat her. Quantity over quality.


    "We should just check other places out." I replied. I saw her raise her left eyebrow.


    "Look, we can''t escape without dying or using Stone of Home. Neither of that would unite us. If I die, I would resurrect in Newbie Land, or even if I use Stone of Home. It''s already 6:30 a.m., if we go back to Red Sand Village for me to sign in, it would take us another hour to get here."


    She nodded and we tried to find a good place to start. Luckily, we found a small forest that we could hunt in but I saw the fear in Yvette''s eyes. I remembered what happened to her the last time we entered a forest. I dragged her away from it and got contented on a random place beside the mountain near the next village. Monsters here are 30++ so it wouldn''t be a problem for both of us. And, there''s a sign saying that this place is the spawn point of an area boss that would mean a good deal for us.


    "This is a good place." I broke the silence. "An area boss spawn point is better than taking our chances in a dungeon, don''t you think?"


    Yvette looked annoyed but I just ignored her. Exactly 7:30 a.m., the monsters started to spawn around us. No other players reached this area yet that''s why it''s really a good deal for us. I can finally get a bit of fortune from this event.


    "Seems like you''re moving a bit slow this morning, Yvette." I told her while we were clearing the wabe of monsters that surrounded us. "Do you really like to be in a dungeon that much?"


    She scoffed and rolled her eyes. I just can''t figure out these girls. One moment, they''re like kitty cuddlies then, they''d ignore you for no reason. I just brushed it off and earned my keep. I''ve always been better in killing monsters than understanding people. Suddenly, I heard her voice with an embarrassed tone in it. She looked cute while she talked.


    "It''s not like that I love being in one." She said. "It would''ve been my first one, alone with a man."


    So it''s also her first time. And what''s with the emphasis of me being a man. Does she like being with girls instead? Maybe I should get Tia to play with her. I just find it funny that she gets too embarrassed whenever she admits something.


    After a while of enjoying our people free area, something unexpected happened. FaustVII came out from the trees near our area. Yvette''s eyes widened and her whole body frozen. I, on the other hand, did not feal fear, I felt anger. I want to pay him back for what he did with Yvette. But to my surprise, he spoke before attacking us.


    "Ohh, you again." He said while fixing his top hat. "I really want you to be my friend so, let''s not fight."


    I can''t believe that. Whenever I look into his eyes, all I see is death. He is the epitome of death and decay. I would never get used to something like that. I want to poke those eyes out of their sockets.


    "Or, you can fight me and if you win, I''ll give you something." He continued. I knew it. He still wants to kill us. "But if I win, you''ll have to fight her necromonger side the next time we meet."


    My teeth grinded and my hands grew sweaty out of anger. There would be no Tia to save us this time. But I got stronger to defend myself now. I won''t expect Yvette to fight because of her trauma to this guy. I wonder how can I attack him. I wonder what skills he has.


    "Don''t worry, as I''ve said before, this won''t hurt.. much" He raised his hands and threw lots of scrolls mid air. One by one, necromongers started appearing from the scrolls and fell on the ground. All of them had stithes. Some are monsters and some are players. There are more players than monsters. This guy is psycho! "I had to stitch them because I couldn''t help myself to decapitate some limbs before using my skill for me to be able to revive them."


    "You''re sick." I replied with all the mockery that I could pull out of me. "After them, you''re next!"


    I charged without thinking. My anger got the better of me. One by one, his pets pounced on me. I used my weapon to deflect and retaliate. I managed to kill some before I got hit from the back by a player turned zombie.


    Necromonger Rage!


    FaustVII activated one of his skills. All of his pets'' eyes turned red and drooled while looking at me. It looks like I''m going to be their breakfast. I looked at Yvette and saw that she''s still frozen in shock. I won''t be able to rely any help from her now. We need to run. I was searching for a gap with the circle that the necromongers formed around me when someone pounced from the bushes and slashed some of the necromongers at my back. It was Tedros and he doesn''t look too happy. I won''t be able to handle these two especially when Yvette is in that condition.


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    "Don''t worry, boy." Tedros said. "I''m not here for you. I''d help."


    I was surprised. I thought that my death count would rise again. I already had died couple of times while practicing with Tia. She really looked like that she''s enjoying it whenever she gets a chance to kill. She would throw lots of high level spells at me and I had to dodge. She transforms into a monster whenever she does that. Girls here are scary.


    "Don''t dawdle, boy!" Tedros shouted, waking me up from my day dreaming. "We have an army against us."


    "Sorry about that!" I replied.


    "I''ll take the body." He said. "You take the head off!"


    Tedros suddenly charged. He wasn''t wielding a shield so I was puzzled on how he would defend himself but it wasn''t my problem now. I have to kill FaustVII to end this zombie apocalypse. Normally, the skill activated would be nullified when the user dies so I hope that the zombies would die if I kill him.


    I had to dodge and attack just to reach FaustVII. Some of his necromongers are now focusing on Tedros. He really meant it when he said he''ll take care of the body. Now my problem is reduced to one, killing this guy.


    "Didn''t you know?" FaustVII mocked. "Necromancers are mages too!"


    Circle of Fire!


    A large fire surrounded us both and excluded us from Tedros against the necromongers. He threw another scroll in the air. I won''t take any chances of that thing coming out of the scroll anymore. I charged at him and used Doppleganger. But even before my decoy reached hin, a large skeletal arm crushed it. I was now looking at a skeletal corpse of a giant. I think it was 10 feet tall. It won''t be able to move fast but it can cover a huge ground for FaustVII.


    I felt despair, the giant moves quicker than I expected it would. Tedros was also surprised because he was almost crushed by its foot when it stomped. I was searching for FaustVII but then he wasn''t there. He was already on the right shoulder of the giant. How can I reach him there?!


    Zephyrous blessing! Death Trail!


    It was Yvette holding a large bow. The handle in the middle of the bow''s body covers the hand of the user by a tiger''s head figure. The bow itself has the color of gold and the arrows she''s using are dripping with poison. She let out a trail of arrows, five to be exact. It looked like a large arrow because of the arrows being so close to each other''s tail. She used Dash Step after each attack and circled the giant. While shooting FaustVII with Death Trail skill.


    The giant managed to deflect some of it but some of it pierced through FaustVII''s body. I don''t want to fight Yvette now. After all, she''s an All Trade. She didn''t stop until FaustVII fell from the giant''s shoulder. Before he reached the ground, I immediately gave the killing blow.


    "Here''s your change, asshole!" I shouted as I swung my sword horizontally in an arc taking out his head from his body. All the necromongers crumbled into pieces then reduced into ashes the moment FaustVII turned into tiny little pieces.


    A system message appeared at my screen telling me that I got some items from FaustVII. I got skill scrolls, his double breasted suit, and the scroll to summon the giant skeleton. I don''t know if it''s my lucky day but I hit the jackpot! 15 skill scrolls! All of them are for necromancy. I know, Yvette wouldn''t like the idea but this is jackpot for me! It was boring to kill mobs, sell loots just for me to buy some skill scrolls or train with them. This is free! To think that I''d learn necromancy this fast.


    After that fight, Tedros joined our party and enjoyed the area with us, killing lots of monsters and looting some items. But our adventure for the day wasn''t finished yet. I hoped it was because I''m excited to play with my new suit and skill scrolls. The area boss spawned near the mountain and saw us as its first target.


    Like the monsters spawning in this area, the area boss was a huge Goblin. The boss was 8 feet tall and wielding a huge talwar. Its eyes were burning red, it had razor sharp yellow teeth and huge pointy ears. Its head was unproportioned with its body. It was far bigger than it should be. The boss had a red turban with weird patterns weaved on it. I always admire the developers and designers for these monsters. I mean, just look at them. They look weirdly cute!


    "Can we take it?" I asked both of them.


    They both nodded and got into position. Tedros is our vanguard, Yvette would be the rear and I would be the one to attack the openings. Since I don''t have archery skills yet, I had to be the melee assassin and Yvette would be the marksman. With Tedros''s tenacity, he would be able to tank this mob for us.


    Tedros charged first to acquire the boss''s aggro, Yvette let out some volley of arrows for the damage over time. I was in wait for the monster''s vitals. I need to do this smoothly. In this game, attacks and damages of the vital points gives more damage since this game is almost realistic.


    Tedros managed to lure the Goblin boss and take its guard off of its neck. He ran straight through the boss''s right side, having it to attack him with its talwar with its right hand. Yvette, on the other hand, hit its left shoulder with poison tipped arrows to paralyze it. Its neck is wide open! I took my chance and pounced towards it.


    Piercing Thrust!


    My blade hit its target having the boss stagger backwards. Tedros didn''t waste any second, he immediately ran through its legs and sliced both of them. Yvette hit its head with volley of arrows resulting to its death. I wished that I had alresdy learned my necromancy skills. Maybe I would''ve made this boss my necromonger. With it, I can cover much places in such small period of time!


    We got some drops from the boss. Tedros got its talwar, Yvette got its turban but I got items that are needed to make a weapon out of that boss. I guess I''m a bit lucky today. I don''t want this day to end yet! I have to kill some more!


    Having a lot of energy in me, I immediately killed some monsters around us, I wanted more but my in-game body won''t let me. My energy was almost depleted. Yvette and Tedros laughed together when I told them that I can''t move fast.


    "Having a fight with that high level guy and this boss would really deplete your energy." Tedros said. It was as if he''s friendly now. "I still have 50% but I don''t want it depleted for now."


    "Me too." Yvette agreed. "Let''s head back town to rest. Are you coming with us, Tedros?"


    Tedros nodded. "But first, I want to settle the score with you, Tobi."


    I felt nervous. With my current energy, I would be a sitting duck while he enjoys tearing me limb from limb. But what he said next surprised me.


    "Your friend, Drake, told me that you are a good man." Tedros said. "He said that I should befriend you. I maybe a bit hot headed sometimes, but I can manage it with people like you. Especially, having a beautiful girl like Yvette by my side."


    My jaw dropped. What the fuck? Is he hitting with one of my hare-- friends? Oh well, not that I have a say in that. Tedros and Yvette really goes well together anyway. But why do I feel a bit of pinch in my heart? Is it really okay for me to see Yvette with this guy? I mean, he tried to kill me but he helped me today. I don''t know what to think anymore.


    "I guess, we''ll be in a party now!" Yvette said.


    This sucks, I thought she liked me, we even kissed. Is it really just the heat of battle that time? A friendly kiss? A worried kiss? Life sucks!