“Just how many games did the Gods rip-off?” Gazei asked, opening the weapon chest as a dazzling array of golden light and a very familiar tone of music played as the chest slowly opened.

At least they didn’t copy that exact music from the Zelda series. When the glowing light ended, in his hand was a gun that felt very heavy. It was a heavily magic-modified Smith and Wesson Model 500-looking four-chamber-action revolver. Carved on the exterior were rune scripts, indicating that this weapon was made straight out of Arcane Dust and Mana-infused metal.

[Heavy Revolver] Legendary Gundur: (Common) (Weak)

* Level Requirement: 0

* Bonus: +5 Dexterity, +5 Vitality

* Durability: 5/5

* Skill: Bullet Time—Slow down time around the user for thirty seconds. Cooldown is 60 minutes.

* Growth Requirements:

* Defeat 50 enemies using the Gundur. (0/50)

* Feed 100 Common Mana-infused metal ingots. (0/100)

* Kill a Boss. (0/1)

Blinking at the gun, Gazei wasn’t quite sure what to make of it. It was a legendary weapon, but the stats were very low, and it had the Common rarity and a weak grade of quality. Also, his Dexterity was at 15, and he hadn’t even leveled up yet.

Character: Gazei Bakal

* Race: Drakyn (Dragonborn)

* Age: 13

* Class: Knight

* Subclass: Warlord

* Citizenship: Holy Terra Sancta

* Level: 0

* HP: 329

* Physical Attack: 10

* Attack Speed: 12

* Movement Speed: 12

* Casting Speed: 5

* Attributes:

* Strength: 5

* Intelligence: 5

* Dexterity: 15

* Wisdom: 5

* Vitality: 15

* Attribute Points: 0

What would be a good place to stop? His class was Knight, and Strength was the primary stat. He wasn’t sure if Warlords had any skills that required casting speed, or if they fell under casting speed. Did his gun fall under Dexterity, or did the damage follow his class's Strength? Putting five points into Vitality, he felt the differences.

For one, his body felt sturdier, more resilient. The fat in his body felt like it had melted away, replaced by lean muscle. Each movement felt more fluid, more controlled. The lipids and glycogen cells, especially in his lungs, felt like they had been refined. His breaths were deeper and more efficient, flooding his system with oxygen and energy.

Gazei had to give credit to the Gods for the attribute system. No stat seemed wasted by the looks of it. Intelligence was still a mystery to him.

“I guess I’m sticking to one-handed weapons from now on. At least my gun falls under Gun Mastery and Heavy Weapons Mastery, which is kind of busted, to be honest…”

The gun held a double six-chamber round that worked like a revolver. So that meant he could only fire the gun twice before having to reload, or maybe each bullet counted as three, meaning he had nine shots?

“I need to evaluate my skills and equipment. Maybe there is an event or building that would answer my questions.”

His class was powerful, but the starting stages were going to be brutal, and it heavily required him to have a party with him. His solo potential was as weak as an ant.

“Maybe I should go to the town’s Market Area? The last game I played that was similar to this had many challenges and events going on near there, or NPCs that would. Maybe I can get a skill book.”

Skill books… Gazei wouldn’t lie, he would miss having skills besides what he could do with mana. Flash Step, Three States of Mana, Pressure, and Breathing were the ones he could do without any skill books, which was the most rage-inducing thing Gazei had ever experienced.

He was going to miss shooting meteors from the sky like he was a dawn of destruction. From what the guide said, the drop rate for getting skills for his class was around 3% at best.

Again, did the Gods really have to take after Korea’s RNG bullshit?

With a sigh, Gazei adjusted his gear and headed towards the Market Area.

Gazei made his way through the bustling streets of the town, his newly enhanced body moving with a grace and fluidity that felt almost alien. The Market Area was alive with activity, vendors shouting about their wares, adventurers haggling for better prices, and the occasional street performer drawing small crowds with feats of magic or skill. The air was thick with the scent of exotic spices, freshly baked bread, and the underlying tang of mana that permeated everything in this world.

He gained many looks because of his dragon features but was left mostly alone. Elves, dwarves, beastmen, and humans all passed him, heading straight into the wilds for monsters to hunt. Looking around, he spotted a few adventurers setting up their profession classes. In D.M.A Online, there were many ways to move up in the world. The Auxiliary classes were numerous and endless, such as Rune Scriptory, Pharmacist, Chef, Blacksmith, Weapon Smith, Alchemist, etc.

Rim and Leona were two who preferred such classes. Anything that involved forging, Leona was your girl. She spent 2,000 years living with the dwarves and took a passion for forging. Rim is the daughter of some demon dragon overlord that he killed some time ago and has never left his side. Aside from Rin and Lianna, Rim is the most loyal of soldiers in his old Knight Company.

He will make note of that later. Gazei navigated through the crowd, eyes scanning for anything that might provide answers to his questions. His gaze settled on a large, ornately decorated building near the center of the Market Area. A sign above the door read "Explorer’s Guild."

"Looks promising," Gazei muttered to himself as he pushed open the heavy wooden doors and stepped inside.

The interior of the Explorer's Guild was just as lively as the streets outside. Adventurers and NPCs of all shapes and sizes filled the hall, discussing quests, trading stories, and checking the massive quest board that dominated one wall. Gazei made his way to the front desk, where a stern-looking woman with sharp features and a no-nonsense demeanor was overseeing a steady stream of inquiries.

"Hey, Yo! Excuse me," Gazei said, catching her attention. "I'm new here and I have some questions about my class and skills. Is there anyone who can help me?"

The woman looked him up and down, her eyes lingering on the gun at his side. "First time, huh? Head over to that corner," she said, pointing to a section of the hall where a group of adventurers was gathered around an elderly man in a robe. "Master Elric can answer your questions about classes and skills."

"Thank you," Gazei replied, making his way over to the group.

Master Elric was in the middle of explaining something to a pair of young adventurers when Gazei approached. He waited patiently until the old man finished and turned to him with a kind smile.

"Ah, a new face. How can I assist you, young one?" Elric asked.

Gazei waved. "Hey yo! I'm a Knight with a Warlord subclass, and I've been wondering about how my attributes and skills work. For instance, do Warlord skills require casting speed, and does my gun's damage rely on Dexterity or Strength?"

Elric nodded thoughtfully. "Ah, the intricacies of classes and subclasses. Warlords, despite being primarily melee fighters, do have some skills that receive help from casting speed. It enhances your ability to use certain tactical maneuvers and buffs more efficiently. As for your gun, it will primarily use Dexterity for accuracy and speed, but your Strength stat affects everything on skills and equipment as well determines the power behind your shots, especially with a heavy weapon like that."

This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

Gazei absorbed the information, feeling a bit more confident. "And about skill books? Where can I find them, and what's the best way to improve my chances of getting good skills?"

Elric chuckled. "Skill books can be found as loot from monsters, rewards from quests, or purchased from certain vendors if you're lucky. Increasing your luck or joining a party to tackle higher-level challenges can improve your drop rates. Patience and persistence are key."

Gazei nodded, gratitude evident in his eyes. "Thank you, Master Elric. This helps a lot."

"Anytime, young Knight. May your journey be filled with adventure and discovery," Elric said with a warm smile.

"Before you leave, would you like to take on a quest?" Master Elric asked, a hint of a challenge in his eyes.

Gazei paused and turned back to the elderly man. "A quest? What kind of quest?"

Elric's smile broadened. "We have a beginner's simulation that would be perfect for someone just starting out. It's an excellent way to test your skills and get a feel for your new abilities. Plus, you might find some useful items or even a skill book along the way."

Gazei considered the offer. It made sense to get some practical experience and possibly earn some rewards in the process. "Alright, I'm interested. What do you have?"

Elric reached under the table and pulled out a parchment, handing it to Gazei. "This is a basic combat simulation. Your task is to eliminate a set number of monsters within a time limit. It’s straightforward, but it will give you a chance to see what you're capable of under pressure."

[System Notification: Combat Goblins Objective: Eliminate 20 monsters within 10 minutes. Rewards: 90 Won, 1 skill book (random), 50 experience points. Bonus Objective: Eliminate all monsters within 5 minutes for an additional reward.]

Gazei read the quest details and nodded. "I can handle that."

"Excellent," Elric said. "Follow me to the simulation chamber."

Gazei followed Elric down a hallway to a large, reinforced door. Elric opened it to reveal a high-tech chamber filled with glowing runes and mystical equipment. "This chamber will simulate a combat environment for you. When you're ready, step inside, and the simulation will begin."

Grabbing one of the swords next to the door, Gazei stepped into the chamber, feeling a mix of excitement and boredom. The door closed behind him, and the chamber hummed to life. The runes on the walls glowed brighter, and the environment around him shifted to resemble a dense forest filled with hostile creatures.

A timer appeared in the corner of his vision, counting down from 10 minutes. The first wave of monsters materialized in front of him—goblins, wolves, and other low-level threats.

Without hesitation, Gazei drew his sword, its weight familiar and comforting in his hand. He charged at the nearest goblin, swinging his blade in a powerful arc. The sword cut through the goblin with a satisfying resistance, the edge slicing cleanly through flesh and bone. He pivoted smoothly, bringing the sword up to block an incoming attack from a wolf. The impact reverberated through his arms, but he held firm, using the momentum to thrust his blade into the wolf's side.

As more monsters closed in, Gazei switched to his revolver. The heavy weapon felt balanced in his grip. He fired a shot at a charging goblin, the recoil manageable but noticeable. The bullet hit its mark, the goblin dropping instantly. He quickly fired again, taking down another wolf before holstering the gun and returning to his sword.

The timer continued to count down as more waves of monsters appeared. Gazei moved with precision, each swing of his sword deliberate and controlled.

His movements were fluid, honed by years of fighting wars and men. He parried attacks, countering with swift, decisive strikes. Parrying seemed not to affect the durability of the sword, but blocking did.

He was wrong about his gun. Each chamber in his gun held three bullets, so he could shoot six times before having to reload. The damage was not great, only useful to stagger enemies before taking them down with the sword.

The 15 points in both Dexterity and Vitality were coming in clutch. At the five-minute mark, Gazei found himself surrounded by a final, larger wave of monsters. He drew his revolver again, firing off shots in quick succession. Each bullet found its target’s eyes, the magical enhancements ensuring their lethality. With the revolver empty, he switched back to his sword, charging into the fray.

The goblin leader emerged from the trees, larger and more formidable than the others. Gazei met him head-on, their blades clashing with a metallic ring. The leader was skilled, but Gazei's training and enhanced abilities gave him the edge. He dodged a powerful swing, countering with a slash across the leader's chest. The goblin staggered, and Gazei seized the opportunity, delivering a final, devastating blow.

With the leader defeated, Gazei quickly dispatched the remaining monsters. The timer in his vision stopped at 4:58. He had completed the bonus objective with seconds to spare.

The simulation chamber powered down, and the environment shifted back to its original state. The door opened, and Elric stood there with a proud smile. "Well done, young Knight. You managed yourself admirably."

Gazei stepped out of the chamber, breathing heavily but feeling exhilarated. Elric handed him a pouch of bronze coins, a necklace, and a skill book. "You’ve earned this. Use it wisely."

Gazei looked at the amulet, intrigued. "What's this?"

Elric's eyes twinkled with approval. "That is an Amulet of Vitality. It's a rare item that will boost your health and stamina even further. It's an additional reward for completing the bonus objective."

[Additional Reward: Amulet of Vitality (Uncommon)

* Effect: +10 to Vitality, +50 HP

* Special Ability: Regenerate 1% of your maximum HP every minute.]

Gazei took the rewards, feeling a surge of anticipation. Regen is always overpowered bullshit. The teenager didn’t hesitate to equip the necklace.

[System Notification: Vitality has reached over 20 points. [Big Lungs] trait unlocked.

* Effect: Increases overall stamina and breath control.

* Benefits:

* Stamina Boost: +20% to overall stamina, allowing for longer periods of physical activity without fatigue.

* Breath Control: Enhances breath control, reducing the cooldown of abilities that require physical exertion by 10%.

* Lung Capacity: Increases lung capacity, allowing for more efficient oxygen intake, which can improve recovery rates and endurance during extended battles.

* Bonus: Increases resistance to airborne toxins and pollutants by 15%.]

“I must be really lucky to get all these nice items.” He brought up his stats screen again, eyes wide at his HP bar standing at a whopping 529. The boy stopped and gaped at the text of Big Lungs. Well, that confirmed his decision to get all his attributes to 25, then focus on strength. “I wonder what skills I would get from the book.” Gazei opened the box, and it disappeared in a flash of light.

[System Notification: New Skill Acquired: Battle Cry

* Skill: Battle Cry

* Type: Active

* Cooldown: 5 minutes

* Effect Duration: 30 seconds

* Description: Battle Cry is a powerful warlord skill that empowers the Warlord and his allies within a 20-meter radius. When activated, the Warlord lets out a thunderous roar that boosts morale and increases combat effectiveness.

* Effects:

1. Strength Boost: Increases Strength of all affected allies by 20%.

2. Defense Boost: Increases Defense of all affected allies by 20%.

3. Fear Aura: Reduces the attack power and morale of nearby enemies by 10%.

4. Adrenaline Surge: Grants a 10% increase in attack speed and movement speed to all affected allies.]

“Well, that’s a good thirty seconds of being a badass… Well, with Big Lungs, forty seconds of being a badass. With the enhanced breath control from Big Lungs, the cooldown of Battle Cry is reduced by 10%, making the cooldown 4 minutes and 30 seconds instead of 5 minutes.” At least he knows what gameplay the world is based on.

Gazei regretted not mastering souls-like games. Shrugging it off, the Drakyn boy headed towards the market for items that could slow down monster movement. The quest from the Explorer’s Guild only gave him 50 EXP, and the monsters, since they were created from a monster creation stone, granted no EXP upon death.

He had 100 Won on his person, but after buying slime blunt rounds from a very knowledgeable dwarf NPC, he was ready to hunt actual monsters.

“I should scout out the area for a hunting zone,” Gazei muttered to himself, walking towards the East Gate.

Gazei saw many adventurers all over the place. The world had been online for a few hours, and the adventurers were still level 0, killing monsters at the same level. It seemed to fight real monsters, you must fight them realistically. Wiping off the blood from blades—if the blood is not cleaned off the blade, it will cause oxidation, which will lead to rust. Second, if the blood congeals, it will cause the blade to stick in the scabbard, and such an event can often be most inconvenient.

A knight and warrior were trading blows with Rock Wolves. The knight was blocking and controlling the monsters' movements with blows from his shield, while the warrior sliced and diced at the feet, eyes, shoulders, and other vital points. In the back, an archer and healer were supporting the duo from medium range. The archer made sure her shots landed on the monsters and not on her partners. Best of all, she was a dwarf and not an elf.

If the world followed MMO logic, then the EXP must be shared, but they were killing more monsters together than alone.

There were way too many adventurers here, and Gazei didn’t quite feel like dealing with men hitting on his party members. It happened even in their dragon forms. Human freakiness had not changed whatsoever.

He calmly walked deeper into the forest, looking for higher-level monsters. Gazei was not sure if there was a suppression system for the difference in levels between adventurers and monsters.

What Gazei did know was that there was a huge penalty on death in the new world. Die, and you have to pay your Gods of Death and Rebirth to come back alive. Not only that, but you would also lose your level, equipment, and skill points.

But drakons like himself never let something like losing an entire day's progress by getting one-shot by a monster let him down.

He was so going to kill his father after this.