Zirilion dodged the attack from the starved creature others called a rat and quickly stabbed its unprotected side. He was becoming adept at it, but he felt Rizi’s mind shudder as always when his blade entered the body of the monster. She didn’t say anything now, but he could still sense her sorrow. She abhorred killing. Zirilion himself didn’t mind, but would conform to her, if there was another choice. There wasn’t. Killing them was the only way to grow stronger and get revenge.

Rat squealed at him but before it could do anything the teammate it fought a few moments ago stabbed the sword through its back.

You have killed Rat level 1

Your contribution is 40%

You have earned Trivial experience points

Ever since he reached level 2, his progress slowed down to a crawl. He would love nothing more than to leave that place and find stronger opponents. At that moment, he felt Rizi’s dissatisfaction and smiled. Maybe he enjoyed killing a little. And fighting. That was a huge part of it. But being in the group taught them a lot more than they could ever figure out on their own.

Zirilion helped with one more rat before they were finished. They cleared all the smaller packs. Only the large one containing around fifty members was left. But Grym, their leader, was not looking its way. Instead, he eyed a wardrobe with sealed vessels.

Zirilion came next to him and a huge, muscled satyr asked a question without looking at him.

“Tell me Zirilion. If you would want to hide a treasure in this room, where would it be?”

The young avian looked around. His good eyes even spotted someone covered in blood siting on the high shelf opposite to wardrobe watching them. It even looked like that person was smiling at him. Zirilion involuntarily shuddered and quickly looked away. He forced himself to focus on the task before him rather than on the weird person. He once more scouted the room before giving his answer.

“In those vessels you are watching.”

Grym smiled, but Zirilion wasn’t finished.

“But you could also hide something in the cauldron.”

“In the boiling liquid?”

“Yes.”

Grym frowned. He seemed to be thinking about the reality of that idea.

“That’s nonsense,” they heard from behind. Neither of them turned, so the guy came next to them.

“It would obviously got damaged by the high temperature, you idiot.”

Zirilion didn’t argue about his idea. The question was where he would hide it and the best place was still a cauldron. He didn’t even react to the insult. It was meaningless. It wasn’t first and won’t be last. However, he memorized well the human’s face and the fact that he was an enemy. Once the time came, he will get rid of him.

“What are you waiting for, Grym? Let’s get those pots and get out of here. We have limited time, remember?” his tone wasn’t so harsh as the one he used on Zirilion. He clearly knew who was in charge of the group.

Grym sighed. “You are right.”

They spend the next hour braking the clay jars. Destroying the first row was easy, but for the rest, they needed to climb the shelves. The wood was too tough to cut in it. They had to improvise by creating a living ladder. Floors above the first proved to be challenging because of the height. Three people were needed to stand on each other shoulders, but in the end they climbed to the top.

Some vessels contained the common item with level 2 restriction or were empty. However, the most were hiding a rat that attacked immediately upon release. One of their members got a nasty bite on the arm and had to use a potion. Zirilion barely dodged as well, and he was an Agile Fighter.

They changed their tactic around the middle shelf. They pushed the vessels over the edge and let the fall do all the work. The containers weighed a lot, but when three Strong Fighters leaned into it, it went easily. The fall didn’t kill any of the rats, but it did hurt and stun them.

After gathering all the loot, they started a huge debate about who will get each of the items. They found five, so two people won’t receive anything. Everyone was shouting at each other until Grym stopped it. He looked angry that they forced him to raise his voice. Zirilion stayed quiet and was surprised that Toth, the human Mystic Fighter, also didn’t join. He soon learned why.

“The first pick belongs to Toth. That was part of the deal for him to join our group.”

They heard one or two unsatisfied murmurs, but no open protest. He was a big help in fights. Everyone acknowledged that. He could kill any rat by himself by burning it to a crisp. In its last seconds rat’s death scream scared other members of the pack. They still attacked, but without the ferocity Zirilion saw in their first fight. There, Grym was testing them, so he didn’t allow human to help. They have won, but with a few minor injuries. Even Zirilion.

Toth held his head high and frowned as he looked through the items.

“What a load of trash. But if I should pick one, it would be this.” He pointed at the pair of leather boots. The humans standing next to him quickly brought him the item and returned to his place.

Zirilion was curious about how Grym planned to split the rest of the stuff. Regardless of what he says, there will always be someone unhappy.

“Now, there are four items, but six people. Whoever gives up having item now will have priority to choose later.”

That was a weak promise when the items were right before them and they might find nothing else for a while. But Zirilion saw the opportunity.

“I give up,” he immediately raised hand.

Grym nodded at him and said the same. “I as well. That means you four should split this.”

The debate wasn’t over because it turned out that two people had picked the same item. Grym had to be the mediator until they came to a conclusion. Zirilion didn’t pay them attention. He was looking at a large pack, seemingly protecting the cauldron. He was sure that something good was hidden inside. The question was how to deal with the rats. Against those numbers, they will be overwhelmed in seconds. They needed something. Some kind of advantage.

His sight returned to the cauldron. If he could somehow get to that metal arm and cut the rope. The water might kill many of the rats. But there was too much uncertainty in that plan. Especially with the last part. How can he know what way will the cauldron fall?

“So, have you figured something out?” Asked Grym. He looked relieved that the debate was over.

“Yes, but there are a few problems.”

“Like?”

“First, I have to get on that arm to cut the rope holding cauldron.”

“That is your first step? What about the rats?”

“The boiling water or whatever is inside can kill them. But my second concern is about which way it will fall.”

Grym smiled. “You don’t need to care about such detail. These are basic tests made by System so if you find a mechanic, that is all that meters. It will tip over to the front. You can trust me on that.”

Zirilion shrugged. He knew almost nothing about this System that governed everything, so if Grym said it was fine he trusted him. But then why not go the most simple way?

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“Then why not just let Toth burn one side of it?”

Grym looked thoughtfully at the cauldron. “I would say that trying that we might make your first concern come true and it would spill to the side.”

“Wouldn’t System help? Like you sad before.”

“It’s not about it helping, but rather mechanics being set. We can choose to use them or not if we don’t find them or think our way is better or easier. Next, you had a problem to get to that arm, right?”

Zirilion shook his head.“No, I think I know how now, but it seems to be far.”

“It definitely looks that way. How is your agility?”

“16.”

“That is enough.”

Zirilion hesitated. His trust in Grym didn’t include their life. If he was wrong… but the leader emitted absolute confidence, so in the end, Zirilion nodded. Satyr was an ally. He should trust him more.

With the help of the other team members, he once more climbed to the highest shelf of the wardrobe. He never feared the heights. Everything seemed somehow closer, more accessible. The strange contradiction inside him. He had no idea where it came from. He simply always liked high places. That never changed, even when he fell down from them in the past and almost died.

Zirilion measured the distance from the arm holding dried herbs. It was more than he was confident to jump. However, he recalled Grym explaining agility to him and that one of the things it improved was jumping ability. He started with 12. Could four points make that difference?

Grym said I can jump this, he reminded himself before doubts could take hold of him.

Grym is an ally. I should trust him more.

Zirilion went to the middle of the shelf. He was the only one up there. Others that helped him get there were watching from one shelf below. He prepared himself mentally and physically. First was a little stretching of his legs and arms. And the second was conviction. Under no circumstances must he hesitate. He will do it. He will jump to the other side. When he felt ready, Zirilion started running.

He quickly sped up to his maximum and when the path ended, he jumped with all of his might. For a few moments, Zirilion found himself in the air. The freedom felt thrilling, but he couldn’t get distracted because he might have jumped a little too much. Immediately after touching the metal, he tried to slow himself down with the help of his claws. High-pitched tone of screeching metal hurt his ears, but it helped. He slowed down enough to catch the edge when the rest of him fell over.

Zirilion sighed as he hanged from the metal arm. Attribute points were more powerful than he thought. Next time when he increases any, he has to take time to test the change and find his new limits.

He quickly got up and looked at the other arm running parallel to the one he was standing on. Compared to his previous jump, this looked too easy. However, he still didn’t rush it. For some reason, parts of the other metal arm looked slick. He even found some of it at the start of his metal frame located closest to the cauldron.

Zirilion carefully inspected both before deciding on his approach. He went to the wall and jumped without running. This time, his expectation was met as he precisely landed. With no more delay, he went to the end where on thick rope held the cauldron. He had to go carefully because the iron was extremely slick. There was even more grime on the rope.

Now that he was standing above bubbling water, his and Rizi‘s end would be a short hot bath. He also noticed from his angle that the cauldron wasn’t exactly above the middle of the burning pile, but offset by half of its diameter.

Zirilion looked through the room. His team was all safely waiting on the shelf and rats still stood before the cauldron, not moving an inch. He consciously ignored the watching person. Without any more delaying, he got into the cutting of the rope. It was incredibly thick and grease was sticking to his knife. But the more he cut, the easier it went until the rest couldn’t hold the weight anymore and broke. The giant cauldron fell on the burning wood, accompanied by a loud bang and a small earthquake. For a moment Zirilion thought Grym was wrong after all, but slowly the water tipped the cooking tool forward.

The rats jumped at the sudden noise and all turned around. Zirilion could see the terror in their small eyes as they watched the cauldron tilted toward them. They started running only after the water poured out. Rizi couldn’t look at it, so he closed his eyes and when they heard the pained squeals, he even shut his ears.

You have killed Rat level 1 x45

Your contribution is 80%

You have earned Modest experience points

After a minute or so, he finally looked at the result. The boiling wave caught most of the rats and washed them to the other side of the room. Part of them was then stopped by the skin for door. Only two tiny groups at the sides survived by running behind the cauldron. Overall, Zirilion was incredibly satisfied. He earned so much experience points with so little effort in such a short time. Those 20% down had to be because he didn’t prepare the trap himself.

Modest, huh. I will have to ask Grym how much that is.

His way down was easier. Two jumps and he was back on the top shelf. Tho he had to first clean his shoes from grease. Then, with the help of his team members, he climbed down. For some reason, they were happy as well and congratulated him on his success. He didn’t understand why. They didn’t get experience or really anything out of his victory.

They are just happy for you said Rizi.

Yes, but why?

She mentally shrugged. I don’t know, but they feel genuine.

“Good job, Zirilion,” praised Grym as he moderately slapped his shoulder.

“I was a little worried when you fell through the edge.”

“I underestimated my jumping ability. But it won’t happen next time.”

Together, they all went to the cauldron. It was still radiating heat, but that didn’t dissuade them from walking in and retrieving the chest. The hot water as if didn’t touch it. It was in the best condition. That increased everyone’s expectation. Grym took it upon himself to open it. There was no lock, so he had no problem. All members came closer to have a good look inside.

Gloves of agile hands (uncommon)

Type: Armor

Description: Crafted from the supple hide of the serpent, these gloves let the wearer experience a subtle enhancement in their agility, making the execution of quick tasks smoother.

Properties:

Armor +5

Agility +1

Requirements: Level 3

This was the first time many of them saw the equipment that increased an attribute. With three like that, they would get attributes worth the whole level. Because it was agility, it suited Agile and Strong Fighter alike. But the first to speak was none of them.

“I claim those,” declared Toth and reached into the chest. Fortunately, Grym stopped him.

“You already received an item.”

“Yes, but we agreed that I will get the first pick.”

“You already had your pick.”

“Yes, but I renounce it. I want those gloves.”

Toth smirked as Grym frowned, but didn’t refuse. Instead, he looked to be contemplating his demand.

“You don’t need agility,” Zirilion spoke up. He was sick of that person’s nonsense, but he also wanted the item.

"So, what good would it do for you?”

Toth laughed. “It’s true that agility is mostly useless to me, but not the armor. It gives better protection than boots.”

“It’s the same. You don’t need it.”

This angered the human. “Of course I do! You chicken brain might not realize it, but it is just a matter of time before something gets through the defense and attacks me. I’m not betting MY LIFE on the competence of people of this group!”

Some members looked hurt, some were angry, but one surprisingly nodded in agreement. It was the satyr archer. She had mostly black fur with a big white smudge around her right eye. Zirilion remembered her name was Xapi.

“I might be able to dodge, but he wouldn’t. He is also the only Mystic Fighter in the whole Tutorial. We are lucky to have him with us.”

“I thought there was one more,” someone murmured, but nobody payed him attention.

Zirilion clenched hands into fists at the sight of a new enemy. But he had an idea. “If it’s about a trust than all the front fighters had to trust you that you won’t shoot them in the back.”

Agreements were heard.

“I’m good with a bow.”

Zirilion smiled as she willingly walked into trap.

“And I should TRUST that?”

“That…” She finally realized but it was too late.

“But getting the arrow in the back is nothing compared to getting incinerated. You remember the scream of rats, right?”

Everyone shuddered, undoubtedly imagining themselves it the place of the monsters. There was nothing Xapi could say to turn the situation, but she didn’t look ready to give up. She glared angrily at Zirilion. And she wasn’t the only one. But Toth compared to her had a few more weapons left. He laughed.

“You don’t know anything about magic, so stop blabbering nonsense. My Fireshots will only hit what I want them to hit. There is no need for trust,” the last word he spitted with disgust into Zirilion’s face.

“You are lying.”

There was no way what Toth said was true. It looked too convenient.

“Heh. Of course you would say that. Now, give me one example where you saw me miss.”

Zirilion stayed silent. In their prior fights, he didn’t watch Toth. He had to focus on the battle and from the few shots he saw human firing, every single one hit a rat.

Toth turned to the other members.

“Anyone?”

No one said a thing. Finally, he looked at Grym. Huge satyr didn’t look happy but still nodded. Toth happily grabbed the gloves. He waved them mockingly before Zirilion’s face. Now it was avian’s turn to glare at the human. He was angry at Grym. For the duration of the whole squabble, he said nothing even when he knew Toth was the bad one.

Maybe I judged him to be an ally too soon. Just as he thought that, Grym placed a hand on Toth’s shoulder.

“The boots.”

“What?”

“You’ve got the gloves, so give the boots to Zirilion.”

Mystic Fighter grinned. “Sure.”

“And we need to decide on new rules regarding the distribution of the loot. From now on what you pick, you will keep until everyone got an item. The only exception is if someone would agree…”

Suddenly, they heard a roar. It was so loud that a minor earthquake followed a moment later. Everyone looked at each other, panic in their eyes. Even Grym. They never heard similar sound and yet they all knew what it meant. The giant was awake.