《Seer of Legends》 Prologue Turning the key, Zed opens the door of the 7th floor apartment somewhere in Seoul that he bought just a day back. Having been chauffeured from the airport, he knew nothing about the surrounding area nor how to get back to the airport. This didn''t matter. As long as he could use his smartphone, one of the attendants who moved in next door in the other apartment he bought too would go over to assist him with whatever he required. One might wonder how becoming a billionaire just a year back could possibly sustain this sort of lifestyle for long. In truth, various investment plans and many other forms of income was following into his bank accounts in nearly every second! If he didn''t do things at a whim occasionally, the accumulated wealth would be much greater than it already was. But for now, he wasn''t interested in doing anything else except getting onto Royal Road. Walking into one of rooms with an attached toilet and glass windows for a wall, he looked at the capsule standing in the middle of it, wondering what adventures awaits him. Though he was tempted to start right away, Zed knew that without adequate preparation of his physical body, he wasn''t going to be able to stay long in the game. Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon. In order to clear the 4 weeks of restricted movement to the city he will begin in at one go, Zed puts down his bag and go to the kitchen to make himself a quick meal. Having nothing more than a bowl of oats with an egg inside, he takes out a bottle of supplements. Labelled simply as Sustenance Booster, he pops 5 of them into his mouth and takes a sip of water before washing up the bowl and returning to the capsule room. Taking a deep breath as he gets into the capsule, Zed thought of the attributes he would be picking in next few moments as the system message appears before him.
Connect to Royal Road? Yes | No
A firm reply came promptly from the man who moved to Korea just to play Royal Road at its best. "Yes." Chapter 1: Fate that binds Creating his character with the guidance from a feminine voice of unknown origin, Zed closes his eyes as he skips the tutorial stage. In a flash of light, the male human player named Dez appears in the Citadel of Serabourg, Rosenheim. As the sounds of haggling and chattering fills his ears along with a short warm breeze passing by his face, Dez slowly opens his eyes to the crowded street before him. Taking a glance left and right to make a quick scan of his surroundings, Dez calmly walks forward as he normally would in reality. "Interesting." he says while looking at his hands and feet move naturally like his own would. "Looks like the Koreans have broken another wall." Having tested out his body casually, Dez stops to check the backpack that was on him since he spawned.
Inventory
Rye Bread10
Canteen100%
"Time to get the rations." says Dez to himself as he heads for nearest bakery. "Good day to you." he says to the shopkeeper with a warm smile. Eyeing Dez with suspicion while rubbing his chin, the shopkeeper replies, "Good day to you too." "How much for a piece of fine Rye Bread?" inquires Dez. "I don''t know about fine, but it will be 3 copper pieces each to you." "And if I said I want 200 pieces?" "W-well then that will be 6 silver pieces." answers the surprised shopkeeper. "Hmm...I''m buying so many pieces here. Can''t you give me a discount?" haggles Dez. "This is the best price we offer around here. In fact, it''s the only price. Trust me." says the shopkeeper confidently. "Is that so...guess I will have to find out about that myself." says Dez before turning around to walk off. Entering an alleyway, Dez briskly walks through it as he passes by beggars leaning against the walls along the alley. He continues on as it lands on to more alley while keeping an eye out for his target. Walking past an alley, he finally spots what he has been looking for. A group of thugs surrounds a beggar lying on the ground at the end of the alley. "Come on. We''re nice enough to let ya stay in our area in safety from them guards. Now why don''t you turn over them shinies and we''ll be on our way." says a thug. "B-but I really don''t have any money!" the beggar cries out. "Well then. I say we help ol'' Padre here earn his keep. How about it? An arm, a leg, or maybe the nose and ears?" Taking out a knife, the thug bends forward as the beggar whimpers and pleads for mercy. Having watched for a while now, Dez decides it was time to step out. "Woah there. Give the man down on his luck there a bit chance." says Dez as he approached them. "Look here, boy. Just back away and let us do our business before it becomes your business." "But it IS my business." "So you are paying for this ol'' one''s soul keep?" "No. I have an even better business proposition." replies Dez with a grin. *** A minutes later, the crowded street filled with NPCs and players made a wide gap down the middle of it as the smell of rotten eggs and other god forsaken smells fills the air as a dirty beggar walks through it. No one dares to stop or shoo the beggar away as a group of thugs with thick cloth masks surrounds him. "People of Rosenheim! This ''ere stink-bag was walking around our quarters earlier today, makin'' our place smell bad! As good and honest citizens, we have decided to march ''im down to them cells so that the City Guards can clean ''im up. Naturally, such an honourable act is entitled to walking down the main street!" shouts the thug leading the group. "Just get him away!" cries a little girl. "You are driving away my customers!" shouts a shopkeeper. "We could get this stinker out of here faster by them alleys. But they are dangerous and all so without a proper source of motivation or advance compensation for any mishaps that might occur on the way." announces the thug. Grumbling and complains could be heard from the crowd as the true intention of the thugs were revealed. A handful of copper pieces are flung at them from a man in the crowd followed by a shout, "Just get him out of here!" Imitating that action, people begins throwing copper pieces at them as well. "I would love to make hasty out of here, so why don''t we have some of those shinier ones too!" exclaims the thug. Though an occasional stone or rotten fruit was flung as well, silver pieces were soon being thrown as the group increased their pace. After a minute more of walking, the thug making the announcements till now yells out once more. "Thank you all! We will now rid you of this stinker and bring ''im to the City Guards by them alleys! Come on, boys!" Gathering up the last of the copper and silver pieces on the ground, the group moves off the street and into an alley with the beggar in the lead. Turning round a corner, buckets of cold water were splashed on the beggar by waiting thugs, scaring him into running away as quickly as possible. The thugs laughs at the sight of this and fails to notice the figure appearing behind them. Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings. "Woah!" exclaims the thug leader in surprise as he finally notices a man behind him when he turns around. "Quite a bit of money you got there." says Dez while looking at the medium sized money bags. "It was hard work. And you had the easy part." replies the thug leader. "Now that''s just bad business. There are so many more business opportunities too..." says Dez while appearing not to care about his cut. "Oh? Let''s hear it then." "Not without my share." Grabbing a money bag from one of the other thugs, the leader opens it and grabs 8 silver pieces which he tosses at Dez, who catches them in a single swipe. "Now speak." demands the thug leader. "Not today. In fact, I recommend laying low for a bit to let the tides settled." says Dez in response. "Hahaha!" laughs the thug leader before saying, "We could use someone like you. How about it?" Offered rogue "Plenty of business opportunities waiting out there. I rather not be bound yet." declines Dez. "That so." says the thug leader who looks like he is ready to take drastic actions but changes his mind. "Well then, if you have any dirty business with plenty of shiny involved, remember us." Turning around, the thugs walked on into the alley and disappears round a corner. As Dez prepares to return to the bakery, a message pops up in front of him.
Intelligence rises by 2 points. (+2 INT)
Wisdom rises by 3 points.
Infamy rises by 10 points.
New stat: Eloquence
"That''s interesting." says Dez at his increase in stats and gaining a new one. He closes the message but another pops up.
Eloquence The ability to speak with ease while convincing another. This increases the chance of someone believing what you say. Also increases the success rates in bartering and negotiations. You are prohibited from distributing stat bonus points to this stat.
Closing the message window, Dez leaves the alley and heads in the direction of the bakery. Passing by an alley, he spots the beggar from earlier sitting against a wall. Taking out a silver piece, Dez tosses it into the alley. Unfortunately, there were other beggars there too and a struggle soon ensues over the piece of silver. A few moments later, the beggar who was paraded on the street with a putrid smell before runs deeper into the alley happily with the silver piece in hand. Resuming his journey, he arrives back at the bakery a minute later. "Hello again. So did you manage to find a better price?" asked the shopkeeper. "The other bakery only had 120 pieces of Rye Bread, which they sold to me at 3 silver pieces." replies Dez while taking out 2 silver pieces. "I only need another 80 now, so if you will let me have them for 2 silver pieces." "All right." says the surprised shopkeeper who did not expected the poorly dressed person in front of him to be able to afford that many pieces of Rye Bread. "Actually, give me another 40 pieces. I could use the extra." adds Dez while taking out another silver piece.
Eloquence rises by 1 point.
Having acquired 120 pieces of Rye Bread, Dez decides to head for the Training Hall. Along his way, he notices a peculiar sculptor working on something with several statues on display at his stall in front of the Central Fountain. Intrigued by this sight, Dez stops in his track and walking over to take a closer look. Upon inspection, the statues of foxes, rabbits and son on were pretty well crafted, though they were still quite lacking. The sculptor himself was working on another piece in his hand which he finishes a few seconds later. Placing the newly crafted statue down, he looks up to see Dez. "Would you like to buy one? It''s only 5 silver pieces." asks the sculptor. "Maybe next time...I''m barely past the first few hours of the four weeks restriction." replies Dez as he turns to take his leave. Realising his little detour has wasted more time, Dez heads for the Training Hall without further delays. Upon entering, the instructor glares fiercely at him. As he walks up to the instructor, Dez makes a quick scan of the place and its equipment. ¡°Young adventurer, I presume you have arrived at the Versailles continent recently,¡± says the instructor. "Yes. From what I can see, I take it that I''m supposed to grab a wooden sword and go at it with one of the scarecrows?" asks Dez. Appearing a bit surprised, the Instructor says, "Yes. Do you need my guidance?" "I appreciate the offer. Allow me to do this myself first." "Godspeed." Walking over to one of the scarecrows, Dez places his backpack on the floor and picks up the heavy wooden sword. "Looks like it''s you and me. Let''s get these 4 weeks over with." says Dez before he begins his relentless strikes on the scarecrow before him. Chapter 2: An edge above It was almost 4 weeks since Dez has logged on to Royal Road now. Having rested for only short meals of Rye Bread and running to the fountain occasionally to refill his canteen with water, Dez has spent the rest of his time striking the scarecrow aside for minimal sleep required to alleviate the fatigue effect on his character. With only less than 2 hours of game time till his 4 weeks of beginner restriction ends, Dez continues striking the scarecrow in front of him in disregard to anything that happens around him. Initially, players around took notice of him after he continues a tireless assault on his scarecrow for 15 minutes without slowing his pace even once. This went on for 6 hours, where attempts to get his attention through remarks or comments had completely failed. Then taking a 5 minute break for Rye Bread and a long drink of water, Dez went back to striking his target as if he was a machine with a fixed program. His routine repeated itself over the weeks. Every 2 breaks, he would refill his canteen. Each day, he would sleep for 2 hours. This went on to a point where people began from trying all means to have him react to them till writing him off as some new unsociable NPC. Of course, they had not try physical contact in either fear of retaliation or getting into a pointless fight. On Dez''s part, his character has steadily progressed. Rise in basic stats were decent. New stats like Sword Mastery and Sustenance came naturally as he continued his mechanical routine. Anytime now, he thought. Deciding to up the pace, Dez swung with whatever greater force and speed he could muster despite having tiring out his body over the entire process. *TING!* All his efforts have finally paid off. He is now done with the Basic Training that he found out about prior to entering the game. A message box appears, which he quickly closes as he brings up his character status window to get a better overview instead of the brief achievement.
Character Window
NameDezAlignmentNeutral
Level1Fame1
ClassNone
TitleNone
Health250Mana110
Strength39Dexterity47
Wisdom17Intelligence16
Luck0Leadership0
Stamina54Fighting Spirit5
Perseverance12Endurance1
Offence6Defence1
Eloquence1Magic Resistance0%
Skills
Sword Mastery (Beginner)5
Mental Finesse (Beginner)2
Dez stares at the stats window for a bit and shows a bored face despite feeling a sense of displeasure on the inside. ¡°This is peculiar. From what I know, doing things over and over mechanically will result in a decrease in Wisdom and Intelligence. Yet I remember these stats increasing very rarely but surely over this period whenever a stat increase message appeared.¡± wondered Dez. His other stats like Strength and Agility has also grown in an unusual manner as they look way higher than what one would normally get from doing the Basic Training Programme. Furthermore, there was a new skill other than Sword Mastery which he gained from using the Wooden Sword. Dez closes the stats window while bringing up another window that describes Mental Finesse.
Mental Finesse The body moves and is always bound to the physical realm. As with magic, one''s mind has no such bound. The flesh may falter but the undisturbed mind can go on forever. This skill allows you to separate yourself from your physical bodies and using nothing more than your mind to create a simulated world of your own. This does not affect the actual happenings and the slow down of time only increases with your proficiency of this skill. Increases efficiency of any magic or imaging related skills. Reduces mana cost of any skill by 1% or 1 mana, depending on which is greater. Damage or level of any spell or image related skill receives a buff based on Wisdom & Intelligence.
Dez closes the window quietly as he laughs in disgust mentally at this skill he gained. Walking over to the instructor, who now looks at him with respect for having completed the training with tireless diligence and discipline, Dez mocks the game in his mind. ¡°So even in here, I''m given such preferential treatment, huh. A ridiculous increase in stats. An abnormal skill that is quite obviously equivalent to that of a cheat. I might be quitting this sooner than expected.¡± Despite thinking all of this, the truth was far from what Dez imagines! It is true that when one repeats an action over and over without thought and just mere perseverance, wisdom and intelligence points would be lost. For Dez, this was hardly the case. He might not have realised it, but as he attacked the scarecrow over and over, he was constantly imagining the movements of an enemy striking back at him. Evading the imagined attacks without exaggerated movements, he went on to strike the scarecrow with a wide variation of lunges, slashes, blunt strikes and even more. Doing all this while maintaining a constant speed of landing strikes, anyone who watched him would not notice any of this unless they had observed him the entire time while taking note of all his actions other than the evident routine. Royal Road wasn''t giving him preferential treatment. It was rewarding him for the complexity of his outwardly simple striking of a scarecrow! Though it did not speed up Basic Training, the difference in stats gain compared to a normal player completing the training by plainly striking a scarecrow was much better. However, to Dez, this did not seem that way. He has always done anything he attempts in this manner. Understanding, thinking, and improving. The act of striking a scarecrow is simple to all. For Dez, he would think up and try all possible ways of hitting it. He would imagine it as a living enemy. Not just one type of enemy, as many as he happens to think up of till he is done. As such, being rewarded in this manner does not seem fair. To him, it felt like he was being rewarded for doing things the way he normally does! Stopping before the instructor, Dez looks straight at the NPC who was clearly impressed by what he has seen over the past few days. Lifting up an Iron Sword, the instructor presents it to Dez with both hands. ¡°Admirable! I have not seen such dedication and devotion to training of the sword at this level before. In fact, you have stayed here the entire time, haven''t you?¡± says the instructor with a wide smile as Dez receives the Iron Sword with both hands humbly. ¡°This is but a small price to pay for growth in the way of the sword.¡± replies Dez respectfully. ¡°Such commitment comes rarely. Would you not take up the way of the sword? I''m sure with you, swordsmanship will have much to gain in both technique and individual.¡± Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation. *DING!*
Class Change! You can convert to a class Swordsman. If you accept it, you can learn exclusive skills for the class that are withheld from the primary classes. Do you want to convert to Swordsman?
¡°I am still young and there is much to learn. My devotion is not bound to just the sword but everything this world comprises of. Should I take up the sword as my way of life in future, I will definitely return here to let you know.¡± Looking a bit dejected, the instructor nods his head understandingly and pats Dez on his shoulder. ¡°Very well. If you take up the sword, return here and I introduce you to some of the honourable knights of Royal Army.¡± Taking a half bow, Dez turns and leaves the Training Hall without another word. Players and NPCs who have gotten used to him staying by his scarecrow here stared on in wonder as he left as they have began to treat him as part of the Training Hall as an example to new players due to his behaviour over the past weeks. Having planned out the development of his character, Dez wastes no time as he walks along the streets to observe player and NPC merchants who were trying to sell their wares. Watching for about 10 minutes, he then walks into a blacksmith''s shop. ¡°Good day, what would you like to purchase?¡± asks the blacksmith who was eager to make a sale but couldn''t help but show a slight frown when he sees the beginner clothing Dez was wearing. Replying with nothing more than a nod, Dez silently looks at the display of weapons and armours from a distance. Seeing this, the blacksmith decides not to entertain the poor soul before him to carry on working on the sword he was moulding into shape with his hammer before Dez entered. Seeing this, Dez watches on quietly as the blacksmith swung down his hammer over and over till the sword took shape. Dripping the sword into a trough of cold water, the hot iron quickly cools down and hardens. Having seen enough to get a rough idea, Dez walks up to the blacksmith. ¡°You seem to be a skilled and experienced blacksmith. How long has it taken for you to gain such a level of refinement?¡± asks Dez. Like how an experienced senior would treat a newbie, the blacksmith smiles at the compliment and sets the sword down on a table before speaking. ¡°Years, boy. It sure wasn''t easy for me to get to the level I am at today.¡± ¡°I see. I am actually very interested in knowing more about blacksmithing as I have always dreamed of making a fine sword or polished set of armour myself one day.¡± ¡°An aspiring blacksmith, huh? I can''t say I appreciate more competition in the market around here. But perhaps some basics wouldn''t hurt to start you out.¡± ¡°I would be much honoured if you would be willing to show some basic steps.¡± The blacksmith, whose business wasn''t too well and wasn''t particularly busy at that point, showed some basic steps to the eager beginner Dez portrays himself to be. With each step the blacksmith shows, Dez would excitedly ask a question or two that prompts the blacksmith to share more of his knowledge happily to the keen learner. When the basics were done, the blacksmith went on to talk about more advance techniques as he was already caught in the flow of teaching. *TING!*
You have learned the Blacksmithing Skill
The blacksmith only stops when he realises that he was about to go into talking about his personal knowledge of blacksmithing. Letting out a cough, he regains his composure as his face changes by to one of a poker face. ¡°That''s all I can tell you for now. If you want to learn even more from me, why don''t you pick up apprenticeship under me? I will groom you to be a fine blacksmith.¡± *Ding!*
Do you want to become the Blacksmith''s Apprentice? If you accept it, the blacksmith will teach you to the best of his abilities and pass down to you techniques that he has personally developed and know of.
¡°Your generosity in sharing your knowledge has already been more than worthy of my inexperience. I am still not worthy of your great tutelage. Allow me to train up first to ready myself as an apprentice. Please, have this Rye Bread as a gift from your future student.¡± Raising a piece of Rye Bread he took out of his backpack, Dez offers it to the blacksmith with both hands stretching out. The blacksmith appears taken back for a bit but quickly refuses by gently pushing it back with both hands. ¡°It''s fine. Keep it for yourself. Once you are ready, come back here and I will take you in as an apprentice.¡± Gratefully keeping the Rye Bread in his backpack, Dez takes a half bow and thanks the blacksmith before leaving. Having spent nearly an hour learning from the blacksmith, Dez hasten his pace after leaving the shop and headed for a tailor shop. On entering, he talks the seamstress there into teaching him how to sew and learns the tailoring skill as a result. When he is done, he leaves and heads for the nearest tavern. Spending a silver piece, Dez gets his a simple room with a bed along with a meal included after a bit of compliments and flirting with the lady at the counter. Picking his meal to be taken at supper time, Dez goes to his room where he has a cheap meal of Rye Bread and water first before resting into the evening. When supper time comes, he leaves his room to eat at one of the tables near the bar counter. The food itself was passable and nothing special. But Dez wolfs it down ravenously and praises the meal of soup and bread to no end until the bartender offers to let him into the kitchen to meet the cook. Once inside the kitchen, Dez repeats his act of interest and urge to learn into having the cook teach him the basics of cooking. Through this, he gains the skill of cooking. Achieving all that he set out to do for the day, Dez leaves the tavern late into the night and prepares to head out of the city to begin hunting as he has planned. Considering the game was 4 times faster compared to real life, a week has passed since he has entered the capsule without rest. The endurance supplements he took are reaching the end of their effect by now and he had at most a day left before he would have to let his physical body rest for an entire day. This means from now till the time he has to disconnect and leave Royal Road for 4 whole days in game time were approximately 4 whole days as well. Taking out the sword he received from the instructor at the Training hall earlier, he examines it.
Hard Iron Sword: Durability: 54/54 Damage: 10-14 Awarded to those who completed the Basic Training Program. This widely-used long sword is better than basic type weapons that are available in a blacksmith¡¯s workshop. Equip: +10 STR Limits: STR 40+ VIT 35+
¡°4 days. I suppose I should try out some actual combat before I leave. The experience will allow me to plan on the day of rest from grinding this game for a week now.¡± With only beginner clothing and the Iron Sword he received from Basic Training, Dez heads out to hunt by himself as players who around watch on as they anticipate his inevitable death as a newbie who goes night hunting by himself.