+1.5 Strength
I stuck the needle into the last corpse and finally slumped against a tree. I don’t know when I fell asleep but eventually I did.
The hard bark against my back soon became increasingly comfortable. I had assumed there were only 3 of them and quite frankly right now I didnt care if there were more. I didnt care if there were wolves that came and feasted on me right now. I just needed more of this warmth that I was feeling. This gentle inviting embrace. I felt the arms wrap around me, comforting me, promsing to heal my heart and soul.
It wanted me and I wanted it.
My eyes shot open at thoughts that felt foreign. A Tree branch wrapped itself around my mouth before I could say anything, branches had entrapped my legs and arms. I hurridly yanked my body away. Turning back to see it. The tree. Staring at me. Its eyes unfocused and Bloodshot red. Slowly the protruding branch like arms returned to the tree and disappeared regaining its original form. Thump! Thump! I need to go. NOW. But..where? I looked around at the corpses. First I pulled out the sword stuck in the dirt. The tight grip of the branches acted like a tourniquet. It stopped most of the bleeding making it much easier to move around. I still needed to find medcial aid as soon as possible. Keeping one eye on the trees, not getting close to any I searched the corpses. Nothing they had was my size so I couldn't even take the gauntlet. My hands didnt fit. I couldnt change out my shoes either theirs were either too big or too small. I ripped the non-bloodied parts of their clothes and wrapped it around the deeper cut on my arm. I ripped more and wrapped it around my feet before putting them back in my shoes. Make-shift but it will be enough for now.
I searched their bodies; nothing of use except:
[Coin Pouch]
[50 Gold Coins]
[Small Water Pouch]
[Herb Pouch?]
Being perfectly honest, I didnt want to use their water pouch but I didnt have much of a choice right now. I walked around the tree to the final body hoping for him to have anything but expecting nothing.
[15 Gold Coins]
'Nothing of value' I thought as my hands wandered to his pocket. I assumed they would have more the way they spoke-
'Whats this?' I felt a crumpled up parchment of paper.
I took it out, unravelled and... IT'S A
[Map]
Scanning the map up and down, I tried my best to figure out how to read a map.I can see the forest ampty named Cadaver forest. Looking at some of the small icons on the I assume they are villages? But It doesnt have a name. I could only angrily scratch my head. Quickly feeling defeat I looked at the direction of the sun that was now rising and walked in that direction. Does the sun even rise from teh east here??
------
Crumple. Snap!
It took a few hours and countless prayers before I finally managed to find some form of civilisation. To be more precise, It seemed like a village wall, I could hear people talking on the otherside. Following along the wall, I found the entrance marked with two currently un-lit torches and two guards? people with armour not typical of a random village on either side. I crouched down again, gripping the sword tightly. I looked around to see if there was anything I could use, I saw a rock laying near me. if I threw it at the head of one I could try and stab the other...no I was too far my accuracy wasnt enough. What else could I-
"You dont have to be so cautious, the town is a save zone"
Every hair on my neck stood up, instinctively rolling forward, I kicked up a cloud of dust whilst rolling. I scrambled to my feet and held the sword in front of me.
"Woahh woahh! Relax buddy"
A Woman walked through the dust as it started settling both her hands raised as if trying to calm a scared animal. I could see her better as the dust finally cleared. She had bluish hair matching her eyes, a face that seemed to be clear and clean. A sharp contrast to me who was covered in dirt, dust, sweat and vegetation.
"My Bad, I shouldnt have snuck up on you like that"
She scanned me up and down
"Yikes, you've been through alot you unlucky b*****d"
I relaxed my guard slightly as she walked past me, "Follow me, I can understand if you dont want to but it will probably be better if you do, Monsters and unnecessary violence are both banned and you can get a beginner guide here which well help you settle in. Oh you could also try attack the guards but their Level is over 2000 so I wouldnt recommend it"
Calling out to her, I asked her where we were.
"I'm guessing you have probably already guessed but-" she clapped her hands together and split them apart; a small arrary of sparks and fireworks appeared between her hands "We are in Anarcatia." "Sorry, Im quite the fan of theatrics" She said smiling before disappearing into the village.
Dropping my vigiligance even further I walked up to the entrance. In what felt like a split second, with the normality of the blowing breeze, There it appeared. Two blades agaisnt my neck.
"Sheate Your Weapon" They comanded in unison. I'm not sure if it was from the shock or instinct but I placed my sword on my belt for the lack of a sheathe. They withdrew their glaives and returned back to their original positions as if they had never moved.
Taking a deep breath I stepped through the entrance, as I did It felt like my field of vision suddenly increased the world split and at the same time converged at one point. The village suddenly expanded and in it my view became clear.
"RECRUITING HERE! LEVEL 20 UP MAGE STAT HEAVY"
"RECRUITING SCOUT"
"Wow Look here the population stat has gone down and the corruption has gone up"
"Man I can't believe how disgustingly hard it is to be chosen"
"Ha, your ugly ass wouldnt even get seen let alone chosen"
"Pot calling the kettle black, When you were born your mother thought she got rid of a tumour"
Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.
"Woah boys settle down-"
The village must have had some illusion placed on it as passing the entrance lit a bright torch on what was inside. The Wooden walls I had walked past were now replaced with stone walls as many people, a mix of armoured and those just in civilian clothes walked around. It genuinely felt like my regular life on Earth and what happened not even that many hours ago were a cruel joke.
I called out to someone near me and asked for directions, preparing for the worst response but instead I was met with a wholesome response. He pointed me to what looked like a board a bit further down the road. I thanked him and headed there, on the board in big bold letters [Welcome New Players And Veterans] I probably couldve gotten here without directions in hindsight. There were quite a few leaflets on the board but a kind stick figure on the board pointed towards a stacks of leaflets titled 'Beginners Guide'. I picked it up and opened it without much care, casuing a rolled up piece of paper to fall out. I manged to catch it in time, it was a map. A much more detailed one than the one I had and it was two sided. Not much of the map itself was filled out but of the parts that were filled out I could see the woods I came out of and the village I was in, named 'Camp Care'. Looking at the map there were 4 different camps on every side of the woods so i wouldve arrived at a village regardless of what direction I chose. Looking at the map of the 'village' It labled quite a few things such as the blacksmith and inns etc but there was also an area of the village that was completely greyed out with big 'don't enter' warning signs. Proceeding onto the guide written colourfully and with more annotated stick figures:
-You are given a starter set of items when you spawn which include clothes and 5 gold coins to use however you feel.
-The recomended set up is to spend 3 gold on sword and equipment and 1 gold on Daily rations (will last a week) 1 Gold on an Inn. Hunger in this world for 'players' people taken from Earth are reduced by 95% but not 100% meaning you still have to eat.
-Recomended Equipment should be bought at [Jack's Convinience] Later down the line after you have ranked up in the guild you should pick one of the leaflets regarding blacksmiths for a more custom and specialised weapon. 100 Gold enough for basic embued weapons.
-Join The Adventures Guild.
[Hero Of Light] Follows a 3 guild gameplay style. You have the general guild that everyone should join, which is the adventurers guild. Then an NPC guild. There are powerful guilds hidden but there are also known powerful guilds that accept people. For example, The Religious fanatics, known as the [The Church Of Light]
Be warned as they have their own conditions and sets of rules you must adhere to in order to rank up and or gain standing.
After NPC guilds (please keep in mind they are real people as well with their own personalities, They are referred to as NPC in the game but they will react strongly if you treat them as sub-human. or maybe they are really advanced AI)
There are Player guilds, These are guilds that are player formed, joining one is recommended as they can be helpful to progress. No Player guilds are established as of making this guide as they require a shepard's approval and other conditions. (Also expensive)
-Complete 5 Simple Quests for rank up reward which include
- +5 to all stats
-Unlock Discount (5% at all affiliated stores)
-New Badge, Hooray!
-Most Quests have their own rewards so choose which types of stats you want to focus on. Strength stats are more beginner friendly. Agility/ Will power stats are more recommended for Experienced Players
-BE CAREFUL OF NOOBIE HUNTERS
-There have been a recent rise in noobie hunters as it is easy to kill the unsuspecting children, todlers, Old people that have been transported into this world are easy prey and stats beyond the walls.
-IMPORTANT POINT: Hidden Stats
There are many different stats you can unlock and not many people are sure on the full scope but an important live saving stat to unlock is either mana or aura. Understanding the differences are a bit complex so the only thing to note is that both will keep you alive slightly longer. Mana/Aura Can be acitivated the following ways:
-Scratched by a live mana zombie ( 5% chance)
-Digested By Mana creatue (95% chance - just dont get killed LOL)
-Someone with mana imbuing you with it. (Long process takes 5 to 7 hours)
-Eating A Mana fruit (98% chance but rare spawn / drop of 0.003%)
-Discovering it yourself (0.00001%, only theorised from game files not fully confirmed)
-Spending long enough with Ego Weapon (Long process may take hours to years)
-High Will power stat (10% chance to gain Mana per willpower stat increase starting from 50)
-If new ways found please contact the NPC Guild [Information Bereau]
and finally for now, feel free to pick up some of the other leaflets later on as they wont make sense to you right now and :
Stay away from the grey zones unless youve given up.
Reading the final warning on the leaflet I folded it up and put it in my pocket. Checked the map and finally....
Arrived at [Jack's Convinience]
The hanging bell chimed a delicate noise as I entered the store, A man with long grey hair behind his pointed ears wearing a monacle and neat suit. An Oak brown in colour 3 piece suit, the waist coat a dark emerald green and brown shoes to match. He sat up straight and then stood up from his leaning position, closing his book causing it to simply disappear into a mist.
"Ah, A newcomer yes? I assume you have read the begginers guide, Come stand here young man"
I complied standing to where he pointed. The man stood in front of me, visibly taller. Adjusting his monacles he snapped his fingers. my ruined clothes changed to fresh ones and my body felt washed. Armour floated around me before finally equiping onto my body. It was quite tight...until it got tighter.
I moved my fingers towards my sword only to find it missing. I looked up to see the man whose emerald eyes now appeared all the more brighter, the edges turning red, holding my sword.
"Now lets discuss where you found this sword young man."