Chapter 5:The Group of Four
Alright. After getting some equipment for me, which are a set of better leather clothing, a dagger and a bow, we held a litte meeting.
Too bad the arrows were too exepensive as I could only buy one or two at most...
Well whatever.
“Hey Lucas. You've been smiling this entire time. Something good happen?” I asked.
“Oh, uh. Ahaha.” He rubbed his nose looking a bit smug. “You won't believe it. After choosing my skills, I received a class!”
“I don't believe you.”
“But it's true?!”
“But you said not to?”
“O-Oh. I guess I did.”
Typical Lucas.
But seriously. A class?
“So what's your class? Since you got it from the beginning, I'm not really expecting much.” Ruth asked.
“Well I got it when I chose my skills. It's the [Enchanter] class. And obtaining it gave me another skill!”
“[Enchanter]? What skills did you get?” When Ruth asked this, he enumerated.
[BuffMagic lvl.1] [DebuffMagic lvl.1] [ManaBoost lvl.1] [ManaRegenBoost Lvl.1] [MovementSpeedBoost lvl.1]
“So you got it from the buff and debuff skills?” Rin asked.
“Yeah. And from the [Enchanter] class, I got the [Enchanting lvl.1]”
“Lucky bastard.” I punched him lightly on the shoulder.
“Alright. So what did you guys get?” Lucas asked.
Starting from me, we enumerated.
I told them I got skills relating to reconnaissance and covert operations.
They nodded and Rin told us hers.
[Light Magic lvl.1] [MagicPowerBoost vl.1] [ManaRegenBoost lvl.1] [Tailor lvl.1] [Cooking lvl.1]
So a healer type? Good, good. Those are always needed in a party. In my opinion.
Next was Ruth.
[Synthesis lvl.1] [Alchemy lvl.1] [Chemistry lvl.1] [Blacksmith lvl.1] [Mining lvl.1]
Ruth opted skills that can help her make potions and weapons for us. Not bad.
…
…
But there is one huge problem.
…
We don't have a damage dealer or a tank.
“This is problematic...”
All of us nodded at Ruth's statement.
“And it's all Adrian's fault...”
“Why me?!”
“Is it not?”
“No!”
“Well whatever.” Ruth shrugged her shoulders. “But what do we do? Should we have someone convert?” She suggested as she looked at all three of us.
I look at my friends and thought about it...
“Nah, I think we shouldn't.” I voiced my opinion. “You guys?”
“Yeah. I agree. I mean I'm happy with what I've got.” Lucas said.
“Me too. And I don't think I'm cut out for those roles.” Rin said.
Hearing our opinions, Ruth nodded.
“Then I guess we should try whether or not our team composition is good. Let's go.” Saying this, Ruth led us to the main gate and entered the fields.
Upon entering, we found a bunch of slimes around.
“Alright. Lucas, give us some buffs.” Ruth ordered.
“Right away.” Saying this, Lucas casted an attack buff on me and... “What should I give you guys?”
“Defence buffs? Or maybe MovementSpeed buffs.” Ruth said.
Lucas then casted more buffs on our team.
Having received the buffs, I checked my stats.
…
Nothing changed. I don't feel any different either.
“Hey uh, Lucas? Are you sure you put buffs on us?” I asked.
“...? Ah yeah. Why?”
“I don't feel any different? You guys?” I looked at the two girls.
“Yeah. Me too. I don't feel any changes. Ruth?” Rin said.
“... I knew not to expect much from you.” Ruth looked at him with half-open eyes.
“D-Don't look at me like that! You'll see! Once I become stronger, these buffs will too!”
“Well, until then, we won't be relying on you too much. Or not at all to be honest.”
Ruth bluntly said. Aah, poor Lucas... Even Rin is laughing awkwardly.
“Stop! Please! Don't give me those pitying gazes!” Lucas complained, then thought of something. “Ah! I-I still have enchanting!”
Ruth raised an eyebrow. “Oh? Show us.”
Hearing this, Lucas quickly took a look at his new skill.
“So what does enchanting do?” I asked. “Is it like your buff magic?”
“W-Well yeah. But entirely different as well. It looks like I can stack it together with buff magic.”
“So you could buff us and then put enchantments?” Rin asked.
“Yeah. It also seems that you can't put the same buff or the same enchantment twice. So I can only put one of each buff and enchantment on you guys.” Lucas explained.
“I see...” Ruth said while putting a hand on her chin. “Well let's hurry up and get on with it.”
Giving a nod, Lucas cast his magic.
Unlike the buff magic, this time I definitely felt a change.
“Ooh!” I exclaimed.
I then checked my stats. But unfortunately no changes. So it won't show?
“Alright!” Ruth said. “With this, why don't we try it out?”
After giving a nod, our party went off to face one of the slimes.
Our formation is me in front, Rin and Lucas behind me, and Ruth... really far behind us.
“Go guys! You can do it!” Ruth cheered.
Oh yeah. Her skills are more crafts-oriented so she's not suited for battle.
Looking at her again, I see Lucas with her.
“Hey! What are you doing there?!” I shouted.
“Ahaha. Well I've already put buffs and enchantments on you guys remember? I don't have much to do for a while 'til it expires.”
“Tch. So you are useless.” Ruth said.
“Aren't you on my side?!” Lucas exclaimed.
“Since when?” Ruth tilted her head.
“Ah...” Lucas gave up.
I laughed a little. But anyways. I turned back to the slime.
It's been a while and the slime hasn't attacked us. Maybe because it's passive and that we didn't engage it in battle? Huh. Well that's good news for us. But I doubt they're actually strong.
And so I charged at it.
…
Is it just me or am I the only fighting potential we have on our team? Sigh.
Getting close enough, I slash it.
Apparently it didn't die. So, I slashed again.
And again.
After that the slime dropped something and vanished into light particles.
Smiling, I picked up the drops.
I ran back to my group.
“So do we keep going? or... go somewhere else?” I asked.
“I say we keep going at the slimes.” Lucas said.
The girls nodded and we repeated what we did with the slimes a few dozen times until we finally got our first level up.
I gained 10 stat points so put 6 to attack speed and 4 to movement speed. Don't hate me.
The others seem to have allocated their stats too. I look at each of them and see Ruth fiddling with some grass. Huh.
“Hey Ruth? What are you doing?” I asked curiously.
“Hn? Oh, I'm trying out the synthesis skill. Look, I made some potions” Ruth said happily and continued. “I was collecting materials while you guys were fighting.”
“Oh.”
“Well... I'm kind of running out of materials and the only things I find here are low grade herbs. Since we leveled up one, why don't we go somewhere else?”
Agreeing to her, we made our way to the forest near the plains.
Exploring a little while we helped her collect some materials.
And while I was picking up some... grass, I spotted something behind the bush.
It was a dog.
I called my friends over and followed it. It seems to be alone so we attack it.
I mean, I attack it. Lucas gave me buffs while Rin and Ruth... kept collecting materials.
I won't care anymore.
Charging at the dog, I gave a quick stab. The dog noticed too late and I pressed it down with my weight. I grimace as blood spilled from the wound as the dog shrieked.
I removed the dagger and stabbed again. After that, I kicked the dog away.
Haa... haa...
The dog got up and limped to face me. Looking in it's eyes, I see anger hatred.
This is just a game... right?
I brandished my dagger again and the dog leaped at me despite it's injuries.
But it was too slow. I guess putting a bunch of points into movement speed was a good idea after all?
I dodge to the right and jumped back to the dog to give a stab.
Receiving my attack, the dog staggered, then swayed before finally falling down.
The dog turned into light particles leaving only it's blood stained on the ground together with it's drops.
I picked up the drops and got myself relieved as the drops didn't have a single drop of blood on them.
Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.
Pocketing the drops into my inventory, I ran back to my party...
and found them taking a picnic.
“You jerks!”
“Ha? We were just waiting for you, you know?” Ruth said as she popped a piece of bread into her mouth. Rin just flashed me an apologetic smile and Ruth continued. “Now sit down. I found out a bunch of other stuff I can make.”
Grumbling, I took a seat on the floor as Ruth lined up a bunch of items in front of us.
And among the items, I beamed when I saw a certain item.
An arrow.
“Hmhm.” Ruth made a smug face. “What do you think?”
“Yeah but...” I eyed the arrow. “Why only one?”
“I also made some status inducing potions.”
“Don't ignore me!”
“But I'm kind of running out of materials to experiment on. So hand the drops over.” Ruth said as she stretched her arm towards me, palm facing upwards.
“Why should I?!”
“In exchange for the arrow.”
“But there's only one!!”
“Tch.”
“Did you just click your tongue?!”
“Then I'll just make more for you.”
“I told you not to ignore me!!”
Haa... haa...
Why is that at times like these that I remember that there is PVP? It's okay to do PVP, right?
“Well anyways, let's continue grinding!” Lucas casted a bunch of buffs on me.
Rin just silently heals me despite me not having received any damage.
And Ruth stashed away her stuff. In the end, I just gave her the drops. While she gave me the arrow.
Walking again and not long after, we find another dog.
Lucas gave me enchantments while I get into position.
“Hey.” Lucas called out. “Why not try the bow?”
I guess... it won't hurt to try?
I brought out my bow and the single arrow. I nocked it into my bow and aimed.
-whish-
I let go, and the arrow flew. Looking, I saw that it hit cleanly... on the ground 10 meters from the target.
“...”
“...”
“...”
“...”
“Where are you aiming?” Ruth stared at me with half-opened eyes.
“AT THE DOG!!”
“Um, well. I-It's alright! I think you have a great aim!” Rin tries to quickly comfort me.
“You do know that comforting him with lies will hurt even more?” Lucas raised a finger.
“E-Eh? Is that so? Sorry...”
“Lucas!! Rin, don't listen to him! It's the thought that counts yeah? So you don't have to apologize.”
“Really?” Rin looks at me with upturned eyes.
“Y-Yeah.” I take a step back. Such destructive power... “Well anyways, back to the dog.”
The dog was still there probably because it didn't notice the arrow that landed 10 meters away from it.
I don't know why but I feel irritated.
I leaped to the dog and gave a swung my dagger down.
The dog shook me off and tackled me. I stumbled and the dog jumped towards me.
But before it could get to me, a leather pouch hit it's side and a tiny explosion erupted from the bag.
The dog was thrown to the side because of this. Taking the chance, I ran towards it and brought my dagger down.
Blood spilled before the dog disappeared into light particles and leaving it's drops.
Standing up, I try to look at the one who threw the pouch.
It was Ruth. The other two who were with her, hurried to me. Rin healed me and Lucas gave me more buffs.
“That worried me a bit but at least you're all right.” Lucas said.
“I just struggled a bit that's all.” I shrugged.
“But that was kind of scary...” Rin said.
“Scary? What was?” I asked.
“When... the dog jumped to attack you...” Rin looked away.
“What?” I blinked.
After which, I was hit on the head from behind.
“Ow!” I turned to look and find Ruth. “Hey! What was that fo-!”
Before I could finish my sentence, Ruth cut me off.
“What Rin meant was that it was not scary that the dog ATTACKED you but it was scary that the dog attacked YOU.”
“...” I stayed silent.
“C'mon. Let's continue.” Ruth walked ahead of us.
Rin quickly followed and Lucas and I were left behind. Looking at eachother before giving wry smiles, we jogged to catch up to them.
For a while, all we did was hunt some dogs and the occasional snakes and rabbits.
Leveling up a few times and allocating statpoints, we kept at it and took a rest at times.
And after a while, we found a cave. Meaning, a dungeon.
I turned to my friends. “Should we?” I smiled.
“...”
“...”
“...”
“What?”
“You seriously think we can take a dungeon on already?” Ruth said in disbelief.
“But it's a dungeon. What's more a dungeon in a low level area! That must mean it's a low level dungeon too!” I tried to convince them.
The three looked at eachother and sighed.
“But if it gets too dangerous, we'll leave you behind.”
“Why?!”
“'Cause you're an idiot.”
“But if I die, I'll respawn somewhere in the dungeon and not in town!”
“Don't worry. Once we get out, we'll train like super hard and get you out.”
“But your builds aren't for fighting!!”
“You saw me throw a bomb a while ago right?”
“But that doesn't scale off of levels!!!”
Haa... haa...
It's definitely okay to do PK- I mean PVP right? It's totally okay right? I mean... their doing it indirectly... right?
In the end, we decided to go in the dungeon.
Walking a bit, it started to become dark.
“Oh! Hold on...” Rin stopped us for a bit as she cast a spell.
Suddenly, a ball of light appeared. It's looks to be as big as a baseball as it floats above our heads.
Thanks to that, the cave's darkness is no longer a problem.
“Good job.” I praised her.
She replied only with a big smile as she slightly blushed and stepped up beside Ruth.
There we continue walking and encountered our first enemy.
A goblin.
Green skin, and ugly features. A big nose and pointed ears.
Spotting us, it stood still and took a slow step back.
As it stepped back, I stepped forward.
Lucas quietly casted buffs and enchantments on me as he backed away with the girls.
Seeing the other three back away, the goblin immediately dashed towards me dagger in hand.
It was fast.
But not as fast as me.
I dodged and swung my dagger. I sunk it deep in it's back and the goblin wailed.
Quickly regaining it's composure, the goblin slashed my arm to get away.
Immediately, Rin healed my wound and I went back into action.
Our battle was a series of stabs, slashes and a bunch of dodging. And every time I land a hit, I feel like I didn't do any damage, even though the goblin looked like it did.
After a while, it finally stopped moving after my last stab and it's body fell limply on the floor.
It's corpse stayed there a while before finally turning into light particles.
Blood stained the floor, walls and my dagger.
When I went to collect the drops, I noticed that I was breathing rather heavily.
I'm... tired?
But there's no stamina bar or a satiety bar.
I absent-mindedly collected the drops as I thought about this.
My team hurried towards me and we checked our- my condition before moving on.
We encountered two more goblins and it took me a long while to take care of each of them.
And after each battle, I was even more exhausted than the last.
I asked to take a break so we sat in a corner of the cave.
Rin was the first to voice her concerns.
“Are you... alright?”
“Yeah. Just... a bit tired.”
The three looked at eachother with worried expressions so I tried to lighten the mood.
“So uh, Ruth? I know it's a little late to ask but, what was that bomb thing you used a while back?”
“Ha?” Maybe noticing my attempt to cheer them up by changing topics, she followed my lead. “You're only asking that now?”
Our group laughed a little and proceeded to talk about the items she made. And during that time, we shared jokes and stories about our real lives and about the game.
It was one of those moments we usually had and hoped to always have.
A moment spent with our friends...
--------------------------------------
Sooo uh, yeaah! We've gone full circle, good, good.
I'm already working on next chap, but I gotta say...
I suck at fight scenes XD
sooo spare me? haha.
well anyways, i hope you enjoyed. again. :P