At first, I’m worried that Kazu might lead us to circles in his attempt to find the training hall. Thankfully, there are many signs scattered around the city, so we’re able to find it after a few minutes of walking. While the exterior resembled any other medieval buildings around here, the interior seems to resembled much of a dojo as we saw several players using swords, spears, and their bare fists on some training dummies and bamboo poles while some are using projectile weapons such as arrows, throwing knives, and stars and magic to some targets like a shooting gallery. In any case, it seems to be very crowded, which may be a little difficult for us to train.
Thankfully again, Kazu managed to grab a private room just for the two of us, which has some targets and dummies for us to train with our respective Masteries. To start our training, Kazu told me some instructions to use my weapons and magic before he went off to train his magic Masteries. Well, considering we have to learn how to fight in [Isekai Online], I feel the best way to start is the [Archery] mastery.
Like I said before, I don't know how to use bow and arrows, so learning about it as my first mastery might be the best way to do so before moving on to other skills. Much to my surprise, there were tutorials about real-life archery from the tutorial window just as I picked up a training bow and a quiver of arrows from the weapon rack. At least the devs did everything to help us fully immerse ourselves in this game world.
It only took a few seconds for me to prepare as I followed what the tutorial said. First off, I have to stand sideways as I turn half of my body to 60 degrees as I focused on the target before I grabbed an arrow from my quiver. Then, just by using my three fingers, I pulled the string right until my shoulder as I gripped the bow very tightly so I can aim my arrow at the target. Now, this is the hard part since I have to hold it in just as I can aim it very clearly with my bare eyes. Unfortunately, just by holding the string just made my arms ache a bit as I need a lot of strength just to power the strength of the arrow. Just as I can feel that this would be the right power, I released the string.
FWACK!
[MISS!]
My eyes widen as I look down and saw the arrow struck on the floor near through my foot. I need more than strength, control, and aim just to shoot an arrow. When I looked to my left, I can see how Kazu is also struggling to hit the target with some kind of a magical ball that he conjured. Guess that guy isn't kidding about the lack of a targeting system. If it is, we would able to shoot the target in one shot now. Then again, what’s a point of an immersive VRMMO if it has a targeting system like in those shooter games? At this rate, I better start practicing just to avoid that first shot.
Unfortunately, after an hour has passed, I gasp in exhaustion as I fell on the floor near Kazu. So far, I managed to hit the target while I made several misses. It wasn't on the bullseye, but at least I’m improving. Though, I’m too exhausted to continue as I turn to my brother. "H-How did you do with your magic?"
Kazu is also gasping for air just as he drops his training staff. "I missed a lot... But I think I can manage."
From the looks of it, he seems to be completely exhausted than I am. He did mention that magic in this game can deplete your [Mana Points], or [MP] for short. And considering he plays as a magic user, he has a chance to deplete his [MP] faster. Well, I can't stop him from forging on despite his condition now. Besides, I still got a lot to do as well. "T-Terrific... Just give me a few seconds to breathe and I might head over to the dummies now."
After I gave myself a few minutes to rest, I head over to the mentioned dummies as I took out my training one-handed broadsword. While [Archery] practice was very brutal, it did manage to level it up to 4 levels. So at least I can use bow and arrows, right?
But back to my next training, I started just by swinging my sword around to hit the dummy. Unlike [Archery], fighting a sword seems to be different than pulling the bow's string using much of your strength. All I need is control and speed to slash or stab my opponent. Not only that, it only took me a few swings just to give me time to make up some maneuvers and movements to the dummies. I'm still deciding on what weapon I can use as my main, but so far, I feel that it might be better to use my sword as one.
Eventually, it took me 45 minutes to reach Level 5 for my [Swordsmanship] mastery before I moved on to [Wind]. Though the only dilemma I have with this mastery is the reason why Kazu chose this mastery. He already chose it as one of the magic he will use for his set of Masteries, so why do I also get this skill as well? To be honest, thinking that I can speed up my movements with it isn't the best reasoning he came up with. Still, I didn't want to make a complaint about his choices after all.
For this, I have to return to the gallery to practice my [Wind] magic with a training staff that my brother gave me. Eventually, thanks to Kazu's advice, I managed to reach it to Level 5 for 50 minutes. At this point, he also managed to level most of his magic Masteries to the same level as mine. Because we managed to reach them to the maximum level in the training hall, we left our private room as the NPC in charge of it gave us 500 Lapi.
As Kazu explained,
"Looks like we managed to train ourselves quite hard to master our [Masteries], right, Wind?" Kazu said as he reached to his back just to grab his staff, which unlike its training counterpart, it looked very old and crusty. "How about we'll try them in the fields? There are bounds of monsters for us to use it against our skills!"
He might have a good point there. What better way to test out our Masteries than to face off some real enemies. "Good idea. But we have to watch out for some stronger-looking ones. We can't be killed off on our first day after all." With that decided, we quickly rush out of the city to reach the said fields.
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But by the time we reach it, we quickly froze at what we had to see.
"Hey, get your own rabbit!"
"No, you stole that rabbit from me!"
"Hey, I'm next! Gimme some space!"
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"Don't be such a douchebag, just move over!"
"Stop stealing my mob! I'm reporting the GM!"
Several players are stampeding around the plains hunting over the rabbits they tried to kill. While some are completely stranded due to the number of players trying to get through the plains, some are starting to fight over the fleeing rabbits and the items they left behind as they were killed. I even heard some of them cursing and insulting each other, which I'm just glad that Kazu's setting is set to avoid him from listening to those bad words. Either way, it looked more like a war zone than a standard starting area for newcomers.
"Kazu, any ideas about this?"
I was hoping that he has an answer to this, but he just nodded no as he frowned at the sight of rampaging players fighting over their hunting grounds.
"Somehow... I was so excited to fight some monsters that I forgot that this is the first day... My friends said that I have to be careful around here or I would end up like those people there. They even said they did it just to get some items and experience before tomorrow." I see. That way, they can try selling or equip them for any future encounters. Still, I just wish they would be more civil than just to fight like there was the last slice of pizza. "Now what?"
I sighed in dismay at this. At this rate, we won't able to get through the crowd without risking our sanity just to fight some monsters. "We should give up for a day. I doubt they can leave for a few minutes right now."
"I agree."
I quickly froze once I heard an unfamiliar voice as I turned around to see who it is. Behind us was a young woman dressed in a grey and white dress and white slippers as she holds some kind of a magical staff with a red gem at the tip. "Since they wanted to grind some of the mobs available in this area, it would take a few days for them to disperse."
While I don't know who this girl is, I do agree with her words. While we want to play for fun, most of the players here seem to be focused on strength and dungeons. Talk about bloodthirsty. "Guess we have no choice but to wait. But what do you mean by 'grind'?"
"And what are 'mobs'? Is that a new kind of monster that exists in this game?" Kazu added as he approached the girl in curiosity, which I quickly pulled him away to give her some space.
"Oh, you two are new around here?"
I nodded yes just I begin to speak again. "Yes. We're actually new to this genre. I'm Wind and this is my brother, Kazu." As I introduced myself, my brother then waved at the woman with his usual grin.
"Nice to meet you, Wind and Kazu. I am Mari, a black mage in training. BTW, that's another term for magicians who can use offensive magic."
Black mage, huh? I don't know what that is until now, but I feel that she might be a role player, considering that the term of it from MMORPG might still fit this genre.
"They are simple terms for any MMO player used in this field. 'Mobs' are short for 'mobile object block', but we always call those monsters that way. Also, 'grind' is another way to say that we have to defeat some monsters to gain experience. Though whenever we try to gather some items, we usually call it 'farming'. Although, there are some more terms you have to watch out for, like..."
Maybe we shouldn't have asked those questions. Because we ended up staring at her rambling on and on about some terms that were used in MMOs. Her explanation was helpful, but if she keeps it up, we might end up staying here for a day. "Okay, okay! We understand most of it. If you say anymore, we won't able to log out before nightfall." I have to wave my hands when I said this just to give her attention. Thankfully, it did the trick as she stops talking.
"O-Oh. Sorry... I tend to ramble on without any thought," Mari said as she scratches her chin and blushes red. To be honest, she is kind of cute when she's embarrassed. "I just want to make sure many players are aware of the terms and events they will expect in a VRMMO and MMORPGs."
"That's okay. We learn a lot thanks to your explanation." I agree with Kazu. At least we won't say 'gaining experience or items' or 'fighting monsters' a lot now. That would be a mouthful!
"Oh, thank goodness. People always leave me when I ramble on, but I'm glad you two stick around just to know more." Well, we are new to this kind of game after all. The more we know about it, the more we can enjoy it without any hassle. "Oh yeah! Since you're still here, I might as well tell you about the day-and-night cycle."
I raised my right eyebrow just as she mentioned about the cycle. "Huh? What's so different about it from real life? Does this game follow the time as in the real life's timezone?"
"Why, yes. But because of this game's story, the cycle is a bit different than in real life. Daytime will occur for 3 hours while nighttime is 4 hours." I see, so in other words, a day in
"Really? Strange, we didn't notice that it went dark a few hours ago." Kazu scratched at the back of his head as he stared at me in confusion. Of course, I did have an idea why.
"Must be because we spent several hours in the training hall on our combat Masteries." Adding that we have to try out some new skills we learned from our new levels, I feel we spent more than two hours and a half there. Though now that I think about it, there were no windows in our private room in the hall, so it might be another reason why.
"I see. Regardless, you have to be careful when it's nighttime. Not only the areas are very dark to see without an item or a spell, but there are dangerous monsters at that time. I heard from the beta testers they were having trouble with them when they are Level 1. So your best bet is to stay in the city for a while until the daytime comes."
"Alright, we won't forget that important note. Thank you for giving us those pieces of information," I said as we bowed to Mari. Looks like we have to take few cautions when we have to travel at night.
"Don't mention it. I'm just helping out some fellow players, that's all. Hey! Why don't I add you two to my friend list? It's a good way for us to PM and voice calls very easily if we're friends."
Huh, they even have a special feature for friends? That's another way to interact with them.
"Really? Thanks! We may need your help again if we need to. Don't we, Wind?"
Well, she did give us what we need to expect in this virtual world. Plus, she's very helpful and friendly in many ways possible. "Well, if Kazu agrees to this, then I have no complaints."
With that, she quickly pulls up on what I think to be a window and taps several of them, which a new window appeared right in front of us.
[Mari wants to be friends with you. Accept?]
[YES] [NO]
I didn't think twice about the question in the window, so I tapped [YES] on it. "Thank you! I hope you two enjoy [Isekai] as much as I do! I'll see you two later!"
"I should say the same to you. Thanks again!"
With that, she left the area as she waved goodbye to us. She really is a nice person when you get to know her. At least we made a really good first friend. "Nice girl. We might able to see again in the future, right Kazu?"
I’m hoping that he would give me a straight answer immediately. Though I feel he wouldn't able to. Because when I turned around, Kazu disappeared from where he was. I have a pretty good idea where he is, but I'm horrified at where he will be.
"Oh no..."
Oh, no is right. There are limits where Kazu is going without me and if I can’t find him, I have a feeling I won’t be in this game for long. Regardless, all I can guess is that he's heading into the deeper parts of the area. Which means he will be in danger and I am so dead.
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Wind's Masteries
[Archery] Level 5
[Woodcrafting] Level 1
[Swordsmanship] Level 5
[Cooking] Level 1
[Wind] Level 5
[Physical Enhancement] Level 1
[Hunting] Level 1
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Kazu's Masteries
[Arcana] Level 5
[Thunder] Level 5
[Wind] Level 5
[Alchemy] Level 1
[Magecrafting] Level 1
[Magical Affinity] Level 1
[Scribe] Level 1