Oakland Valley. That was the place Eden had chosen for leveling up. Just a few minutes away from Akem City and filled with monsters that granted far more EXP than the Javelin Birds, it was the perfect location.
Its lush greenery had been interspersed with ancient oak trees, creating a serene yet imposing atmosphere. The valley had been home to a variety of formidable monsters, including the powerful Wooden Golems, which had offered adventurers a rich source of experience points. Despite its beauty, the valley's dense foliage and challenging terrain had demanded vigilance and skill from all who had ventured within.
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[ Wooden Golem (Level 3 Elite) ]
HP: 800
Defense: 10
Attack Power: 23
Movement Speed: 20
Description: An intelligent but solitary creature with high vitality and movement speed. Weak against fire attacks.
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Eden and Cole were currently battling one of these formidable creatures. However, they weren't fighting it head-on due to its formidable strength. Instead, Eden had cleverly lured the golem and trapped its massive body between two ancient oak trees, turning it into a perfect punching bag, unable to retaliate.
This wasn’t Eden’s first choice for reaching Level 1 since killing Javelin Birds was much faster. Tackling golems without sufficient movement speed and attack power was a futile endeavor, especially for melee classes.
But now, the situation was different. Both Eden and Cole aimed their attacks at the golem’s belly and neck, exploiting the vulnerable spots to deal increased damage, with Eden delivering hits of [ -26 ] and Cole of [ -18 ].
Without the bonus damage, Cole would only inflict 10 points of damage even after allocating his two attribute points from leveling up to strength, while Eden would deal 18 points of damage.
“How much EXP do you think this thing will drop?” Cole asked. “I bet it’s definitely more than a hundred.”
“You’re probably right,” Eden responded. They needed to accumulate 3,000 EXP to advance to the second level, which was proving to be quite challenging.
But it will all be worth it when we start from Level 0 with special weapons. At that time, we will have a massive advantage, Eden thought.
Some of the Beta Testers will undoubtedly hide equipment and coins for future use, just like Eden and Cole. However, due to the surveillance of the three governments, no Beta Tester will be allowed to keep their account, not even their own people. Everyone would start from Level 0 when Ahartohaim officially launched.
Cole landed the final blow on the golem, causing it to collapse and disappear.
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[ You have received 100 EXP ]
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Eden received the notification as the EXP was equally distributed. He approached to pick up the item, but Cole was faster.
“A Silent-Iron piece of equipment, but it’s for long-range classes, and 4 coppers,” Cole said, dissatisfied.
“Not everything can be for sword users,” Eden replied.
“Yeah, but we won’t get more than a few coppers when we sell it. It’s not worth the effort.”
“Who said anything about selling?” Eden responded.
“What else are we going to do with them?” Cole asked.
“We need to build a team, and later a guild, right?” Eden said. “We’ll equip our team members with them.”
Cole thought for a moment. “It’s not a bad idea, but there’s a high risk we’ll get betrayed or recruit a bunch of noobs if we start too early.”
“Don’t worry about those trivial things.” Eden smiled cunningly. “Let me handle it. You trust me, right?”
“Yes, of course,” Cole replied.
“Then you have nothing to worry about,” Eden said confidently. He planned to take under his wing many of the great people from the past. Others might not be aware of their personalities or potential, but Eden had memories from the past and knew what to expect from some individuals.
“If you say so,” Cole said, scanning the area for another Wooden Golem.
Their inventories were nearly empty after storing their equipment in the bank. Each city had a bank where any player or inhabitant could open an account and receive an inventory. Items could be retrieved from any city without the risk of being stolen, but depending on the inventory size, there was a monthly fee. For thirty slots, Eden and Cole paid 1 Silver and 20 Coppers.
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“Are those players?” Cole asked, spotting four people approaching.
“No, they’re definitely inhabitants,” Eden said, squinting. “Stay calm and don’t get riled up if they try to bully us.”
Cole raised an eyebrow at his friend’s words. Could NPCs bully them?
“Hello newcomers, we come in peace,” said one of the men, stopping a short distance away.
Eden said nothing, but nodded in acknowledgment.
“We just came to see you. We heard new people had arrived in our lands and were curious,” said the one who seemed to be the leader.
“We’re just normal humans, like yourselves,” Eden replied calmly.
“Like us, you say?” a muscular man asked, stepping closer to Eden. “You look like us, but that doesn’t mean we’re the same, does it?”
“No, it doesn’t mean we’re the same just because we look alike. But we’re from the same race. Whether you accept that or not, is your concern, not mine,” Eden replied, meeting the man’s gaze.
“You’ve got some nerve, weakling. If you manage to reach Level 40 in your lifetime, I’ll be waiting for you,” the man said before turning and leaving.
“Forgive my friend. He doesn’t accept outsiders, please understand,” the leader of the group said, bowing slightly before leaving with the others to go deeper into the valley.
“What was that? Have we triggered an event?” Cole asked.
“Something like that,” Eden said. “But it’s just an introduction to the story. There will definitely be more to come.”
“Okay. Let’s get back to killing golems. I want to reach Level 2 before we return to the monolith,” Cole said, moving toward another golem. He seemed unfazed by the encounter, and Eden was relieved.
. . .
"Newbies are always late," Darius grumbled, checking his timer again after waiting for ten minutes.
Captain Chou stood silently, arms crossed over his chest, clearly displeased by the two boys' lack of punctuality.
"They're coming," John said, rising to his feet.
Eden and Cole finally arrived, both panting and looking exhausted from their long journey. They were no longer wearing their equipment, and Eden's sword with [ +12 ] attack had been replaced by the common rank one he received as a beginner.
"Took you long enough," Monique said. "But don’t worry, it always happens the first time."
Eden shot her a quick glance before turning to face the captain.
"Captain Chou, please forgive us. An opportunity arose, and we couldn't miss it," Cole said, smiling broadly.
At his words, everyone turned to look at him, clearly expecting an explanation.
"We found a Special Quest that allowed us to advance straight to Level 2," Cole lied, with the expression of an angel and the tone of a fairy.
"Straight to the second level?" Captain Chou asked, eyes wide with surprise.
"Captain, please bring him down to earth," Eden intervened. "I told him it's nothing worth bragging about since our teammate Monique also reached the second level in a single day, but he doesn’t want to listen." Eden acted extremely irritated by Cole's boasting.
Chou turned to Monique, his gaze questioning. At his look, the four teammates lowered their heads in embarrassment.
"Captain Chou, this is just a mistake. I was only joking when I said that," Monique explained.
Chou's attention shifted back to Cole. "Explain about the quest."
"Captain, forgive me for interrupting, but you said that if we find useful information, we’ll get merit points. How many points will we receive for such an important discovery?" Eden asked.
"I'm not the one who decides that," Chou said heavily. "I just write the reports."
"Then how are the merit points distributed? Individually or as a team?" Cole asked.
Chou sighed. "Usually, they are distributed individually, but our team decided to share information so we all get more merit points. Don’t worry, everyone shares what they find, and we all say we acted as a team."
"That's what we wanted to know, thank you, Captain," Eden said, pleased with the situation.
As Cole started to explain their fabricated story, Eden moved to have a conversation with Monique.
"So, what's your actual level?" Eden asked.
"One," Monique responded sharply. She clearly didn’t want to continue the conversation.
"In how many days?"
"Three," she said. "Why are you asking so many questions?"
"I thought only the military had access to the game earlier the us."
"And? Am i here to guide your thoughts in some direction or why are you telling me?" Monique asked.
"Maybe. Look, If you feel uncomfortable with my curiosity, you shouldn’t have lied to me," Eden said seriously. "I'm not interested in your connections and origins, but i don't like to be lied."
"Are you pleased by the sound of your own voice?" Monique asked, avoiding to answer. "Idiot!" she exclaimed before storming off.
Eden followed her, taking a quick look at Captain Chou, who was still talking with Cole. He grabbed Monique from behind and stopped her in her tracks.
"Idiot?" Eden asked softly, his breath tickling her ear.
She tried to free herself from his grasp, and Eden noted her strength was slightly greater than his.
How many lies can come out of your little mouth? he wondered.
"Let me go, or I’ll scream," she threatened.
Eden knew he couldn’t hold her and that frustrated him, but he quickly moved in front of her.
"Then I’ll have to do something to stop that," Eden said, looking straight into Monique’s eyes. He waited for her to react, and when she opened her mouth, he forcefully kissed her.
Monique struggled to push him away but couldn’t. Then she forcefully turned her head to the side, freeing her lips from Eden’s.
"I don’t like being lied to," Eden said angrily. "You can scream now." He freed her, stepping back to give the girl some space.
A slap flew toward his face, but Eden evaded it. His demeanor changing to a playful one.
"You're sweet." Eden licked his lips to annoy Monique. "I’m open to talking and taking insults, not physical fights," he said with a laugh.
"You're dead!" Monique screamed, drawing her sword.
The rest of the group turned in her direction, Captain Chou included.
Cole smiled, sure his friend had done something to earn Monique’s wrath. It didn’t matter what it was since it had saved him from interrogation, so he felt obliged to return the favor.
"What do you think you’re doing?" Chou shouted, moving to intervene.
"Captain Chou," Eden said, dodging an attack. "We’re young, with hot blood and adventurous spirits." He evaded another attack. "My fiery teammate just wants to test my combat abilities to be confident I can watch her back."
"Lies, Captain Chou, he insulted me," Monique yelled, halting her pursuit, clenching her jaw.
"Captain Chou, it’s just sparring between us. Please don’t interfere," Eden said, closing in and pinching Monique’s arm before retreating quickly.
Chou was at a loss for words. A vein pulsed in his neck as he wondered why he had to work with such immature children.
John, the youngest of the group, was also irritated by his teammates' behavior but remained seated without voicing any complaints.
Seeing Chou move to stop the conflict, Cole intervened. "Captain Chou, I’m sure Eden has a reason for his actions. And as you can see, he can defend against Monique’s attacks without drawing his weapon. He just wants to test her ability."
"She has a background, so your friend better not have harmed her. Otherwise, we’ll all face the consequences."
After hearing Chou's words, Cole shouted, "Eden!"
Immediately, Eden drew his sword and advanced swiftly, avoiding Monique’s attacks and stopping his blade right at her neck. His cold, blue eyes stared at her without blinking. "Sparring time’s over."
Petrified, Monique remained in place, her sword still pointed at the empty air even after Eden had gone to speak with Cole.
What was that? she wondered as her hand began to tremble uncontrollably.