March 14th, 595 PE

As Leon sat in the corner of the Hearthfire Inn, absorbing Owen’s words, he felt a mixture of excitement and uncertainty. The ambient chatter of adventurers, the warmth of the inn, and the flickering glow of the hearth created a comforting atmosphere that belied the fantastical nature of Altheria. Owen leaned forward, his eyes reflecting a genuine interest in Leon’s story.

“So, Leon, now that you’re here, you’ve got choices to make. Altheria doesn’t hold your hand, but there’s a path for every player. You just need to decide which one’s yours.”

Leon gave Owen a nod and stepped back outside, heading for the notice board standing just on the edge of the fence circling the building, Owen close behind.

Leon contemplated the options before him. The notice board displayed an array of quests, each with its own level requirement and potential rewards. A few caught his eye – a request for herb gathering in the nearby woods, a bounty on wolves plaguing the outskirts of Greenhaven, and a mysterious quest titled “Whispers in the Dark.” Owen followed Leon’s gaze and nodded approvingly. “Decisions, decisions. Every quest shapes your story. What’ll it be, Leon? A stroll in the woods, a hunt under the moonlight, or perhaps chasing the unknown in ‘Whispers in the Dark’?” Leon weighed his choices, each quest promising a different experience. The allure of the mysterious quest intrigued him, but the practicality of gaining experience through more straightforward tasks tugged at his logical side.

Leon’s fingers drummed on the edge of the notice board as he considered his options. The herb-gathering quest seemed like a peaceful introduction to Altheria, a chance to familiarize himself with the surroundings and the flora. The wolf bounty, on the other hand, spoke to his sense of duty — protecting Greenhaven and its outskirts could earn him not only experience but also the gratitude of the locals. After a moment of thoughtful silence, Leon made up his mind. He tore off the bounty notice, a determined look in his eyes.

“I’ll take on the wolf bounty. It feels like the right way to start, protecting the people and getting a sense of the challenges around here.”

Owen grinned, clapping Leon on the shoulder.

“A fine choice! The wolves have been causing trouble for the farmers and travelers. Head to the outskirts, and you’ll find their den. Be cautious, though. These aren’t ordinary wolves — there’s something strange about them. The locals talk of glowing eyes and an eerie howl in the night.”

With a firm nod, Leon thanked Owen and made his way to the outskirts of Greenhaven. The sun was beginning its descent, casting long shadows across the landscape. As he ventured beyond the safety of the town, the air carried a sense of anticipation. Leon followed the trail that led him deeper into the wilderness, the occasional rustle of leaves and distant bird calls accompanying his journey. He took the walk as an occasion to check his inventory — figure out what he had and get himself acquainted with Altheria’s system.

Old Longsword [E]

Leather Armor [E]

Bounty Notice – Wolves on the Outskirts

He assumed the little letter E next to his items indicated what he currently had equipped, this was the most logical explanation in his head. He spent a while looking through the other menus too, not enough to get distracted, but enough to learn where everything was. The interface of Altheria’s system proved comprehensive yet intuitive. Leon familiarized himself with the menu, discovering sections for skills, stats, and a detailed map of the world, though this currently only showed the layout of Greenhaven and part of the meadow he woke up on. As he delved into the intricacies of the system, he realized that his character possessed a set of basic skills such as “Slash,” “Block,” and “Survival”, each awaiting improvement through experience gained in the game.

After a brief exploration of his abilities, Leon redirected his focus to the task at hand. The outskirts of Greenhaven unfolded before him, a mix of dense forests and open fields. He followed the trail indicated by the blinking marker on the map, occasionally glancing at the bounty notice for additional clues. As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting an orange glow across the landscape, the air thickened with a sense of foreboding. Leon’s senses heightened, and he approached the rumored wolf den cautiously. The distant howls grew louder, echoing through the trees like an eerie symphony. The den emerged ahead, a cavernous entrance nestled within a rocky outcrop. Leon gripped the hilt of his old longsword, feeling a blend of excitement and trepidation. He took a deep breath, steadying his nerves, and entered the wolves’ domain.

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As he stepped into the looming darkness, more words flashed before his eyes, bright blue at the bottom of his vision.

DUNGEON – Greenhaven Wolf Den

A dungeon. That was to be expected from a game-like world such as this, he just didn’t think he’d step into one so soon. The transition from the tranquil outskirts to the foreboding wolf den was immediate. The cavern’s entrance led to a dimly lit tunnel, the air thick with an otherworldly chill. Leon proceeded cautiously, his eyes adjusting to the low light. The sound of echoing howls reverberated through the passageway, guiding him deeper into the unknown. Altheria’s interface continued to assist him, displaying a counter in the corner of his vision, tracking the number of wolves he needed to defeat for the bounty. The tunnel twisted and turned, occasionally opening into larger chambers where the ominous glow of the wolves’ eyes could be seen in the darkness. Leon’s senses were on high alert as he carefully navigated the labyrinthine den.

The first encounter came abruptly, a pair of wolves emerging from the shadows with eyes aglow.

Wolf

Lv. 2

Wolf

Lv. 1

Leon raised his sword, the weight in his hands unfamiliar, throwing him off-balance. The wolves circled, their eyes fixed on Leon with an unsettling intensity. With a deep breath, he steadied himself, reminding himself that this was just a game. He had died once already, and it brought him here. Surely he’d just respawn. The wolves lunged, and combat ensued. Leon swung his sword with a clumsy motion, relying on the basic “Slash” skill he had familiarized himself with earlier. The clash of steel against fur echoed in the confined space of the wolf den. Leon’s heart raced as he adjusted to the combat dynamics of Altheria. The wolves moved with an uncanny agility, their movements more unpredictable than those of wolves back in the real world would be. He managed to land a few hits with his basic skills, but the wolves were relentless, nipping at his heels and testing his defenses.

As the battle raged on, Leon could feel the weight of each swing, the resistance of the wolves’ fur against his blade. The interface displayed health bars above the wolves, indicating their remaining vitality. The Level 2 wolf proved to be a more formidable opponent, dodging and countering with slightly greater agility than its weaker packmate. Leon found himself relying on not just his basic attack but also incorporating the “Block” skill to parry the wolves’ strikes. The dance of combat unfolded in the dimly lit confines of the wolf den. Leon’s focus intensified as he adapted to the ebb and flow of the battle. The wolves, though challenging, were not insurmountable. He strategically blocked their lunges, finding openings to unleash swift slashes. The health bars above the wolves diminished gradually, indicating progress.

As the Level 1 wolf fell beneath his blade, Leon’s attention shifted entirely to the Level 2 adversary. The remaining wolf, sensing the loss of its companion, growled with heightened aggression. Leon tightened his grip on the hilt of his sword, his eyes locked onto the remaining foe. The dance continued, each maneuver calculated, and each strike aimed for a vital spot. The interface displayed the health bar of the wolf, gradually decreasing with each successful hit. With a final, decisive swing, Leon delivered the finishing blow. The wolf collapsed, blood spurting from the lethal wound on its chest, before its body dissipated into a spectral mist that lingered for a moment before fading away. The echoes of the battle lingered in the cavernous den as silence descended. Leon caught his breath, the adrenaline still coursing through his veins. The interface displayed a notification:

Slash increased to Level 2. +1 Skill Point

Block increased to Level 2. +1 Skill Point

+20 Experience

Leon stood amidst the fading mist of the defeated wolves, his heart pounding with both the thrill of victory and the realization that Altheria was a world where consequences were real. The satisfaction of gaining experience and skill points fueled his determination to delve deeper into this game-like reality. With a sense of accomplishment, Leon took a moment to assess his surroundings. The wolf den, though still foreboding, now felt less ominous without the threat of immediate danger. The interface displayed the updated levels of his skills, and the acquired skill points hinted at the potential for growth and specialization. The experience and skill points he earned provided a tangible sense of progress, a reminder that Altheria was not just a virtual playground but a world where his actions had consequences.