After Sung Woon understood the game mechanics, he then inspects the dagger. He flips the dagger a few times and concentrates his mind on the dagger, but nothing happened. He said a few keywords commonly used on another online game such as "Detect", "Info", "Examine" but to no avail.
Left with no choice, he then said, "Um... Which phrase I haven't used? Oh right, Inspect!" A 1-second progress bar showed up in front of him. With a Ding sound, an information window popped up inside his head.
Ding!
> [Inspect (Lv.1) command has been mastered and registered to Abilities.]
>
> (Inspect Lv.1)
>
> Usage: 5 Mana
>
> Cooldown : 1 Minute(s)
>
> Cast Time: Depend on target
>
> You can increase Inspect level by using it on different items or equipment
> [Iron Dagger]
>
> Grade: Normal White
>
> Attack: 25
>
> Durability: 10/10
>
> Common Iron Dagger used by the military. Nothing special.
This is one of Joe's trick. Because there is so many unknown weapon and equipment, he will need players to help to inspect many things. With Carmilla's help, she can utilize her observe abilities and analyze the item's power. Sung Woon held the dagger in his right hand, and swing it a few times to get a better feeling of the dagger.
"Hmm. it feels better than swinging a weapon inside the Overlord game. It doesn't feel like you holding cardboard. Maybe it's because of 100% reality simulation?"
He sheathed his dagger and looks around. He was impressed and acknowledged that if not for the game system that just popped out in his head, he will think this world was not a game. Sung Woon recognized a few people from the friendly guild inside the Overlord game and he approaches them.
...
"Carmilla, how many players are online right now?" Joe asked Carmilla after he was sure there is no more registered new user, no, soul servant.
"Right now, 167 people online with dazed expression or doing another silly thing... Master, are you sure they will obey your command?" Carmilla can't be helped but asked doubtfully. She didn't think that those silly 'players' are a capable warrior with endless potential.
Joe waved him and said "You'll see. It's now the time then. Carmilla, release the first main quest that I wrote yesterday." At the same time, all the players outside Beginner Village received the main quest notification.
Ding!
> [Start of a Journey]
>
> Helping Beginner Village
>
> Mission Objective: Talk to the inhabitant of Beginner Village
>
> Mission Failure: All account and invitation will be nullified and a new invitation to other people will be issued
>
> Mission Reward: Various thing from the Villager
>
> This is a mandatory main quest for all players and cannot be refused.
In a moment, all of the players, whether doing silly things or dazed, stood up and start swarming to the Beginner Village 50 meters to the east from their starting point. Carmilla was astounded.
She has never seen this type of efficiency. Usually, contracted mortal Soul Servant would be lazy and asked payment on the front before doing the given task, or they will threaten to leave and serve another master.
Joe nodded his head. This is a player that he knew very well! They didn't feel the quest as a chore but as an entertainment. With such a harsh failure penalty, the player wished that they were born with more feet to travel faster.
This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.
They just have one thought on their head. Are you kidding me? We just found our opportunity to have a head start in this amazing game and we cannot let this opportunity fall on another person's lap!
...
A Swarm of players arrived in front of the dilapidated Village. Many buildings still in an incomplete mess. What made this place somewhat looks like a village was a fence surrounding a much incomplete building, some patrolled guard, and a gate with wood a plank that said "Beginner Village".
The player starts walking into the Village but is stopped by the guard.
"Halt! What business do you have coming to our village?" The player inspects the guard and was confused.
> [?????]
>
> Level: 67 (Tier-0 Mortal)
>
> HP : ????/????
>
> Beginner Village Guard
>
> Quest: None
>
> Information is unavailable. Try to engage
A silly player then shouted and tried to punch the guard, but the guard was much time faster and blocked the punch. The guard threw a punch at the player and the player was thrown away by 10 meters. The player was shocked, the disparity of power was so large!
Sung Woon then coughed and stepped forward and bowed to the guard.
"I am sorry, mister. We are playing and have a quest to help your village. Can I asked your name, mister?"
The guard lowered his weapon and said "Really? My name is Louis. If what you are said is true, wait here. I'll tell the village head." Louis turned away and jog into the village. He had a bad impression on those people who called themselves 'player', but if they want to help the village they would be welcomed. Many players inspect him again for the second time.
> [Louis]
>
> Level: 67 (Tier-0 Mortal)
>
> HP: 855/855
>
> Beginner Village Guard
>
> Quest None
"Noooo!" The silly player who got bashed by Louis screamed. He regretted his decision to be a guinea pig. His Reputation with Beginner Village fell by -1 and Favorability with Louis fell by -10. He stomps his foot in regret. Many players snickered and laugh to themself.
It's true then. The A.I was so lifelike. It's better to behave and not mess up with the NPC many thought.
His friend then asked him "How it is? How much damage you suffered?" Then the silly player told them.
> You used your punch with 80% power and deal 8 damage!
>
> ???? blocked and received -0 damage!
>
> ???? used its punch with 1% power and deal 9 damage!
>
> You received -9 damage!
Many players who heard this were astonished. Such weak punch using 1% of power dealt more than half of player HP? The player shuddered, but then fire burned in their eyes. As long as they worked hard, they too can have those power! If Louis heard what they said, he will have a hard laugh and told them to not indulge in their fantasy.
But what Louis and another NPC didn't know though that they can quickly surpass the guard because they have the racial trait of another race. After waiting a few minutes, an old man with a cane walked out with Louis behind him.
The old man hollered "My name is Richard. Who is the leader among you?" The player inspects him instinctively.
> [Richard]
>
> Level: 270 (Tier-2 Super)
>
> HP : ????/????
>
> Beginner Village Head
>
> Quest: None
Their eyes bulged. Level 270?! He is much stronger than Louis! Such a feeble looking old man is so strong?! They quickly restored from their shock and start to look at Sung Woon. Sung Woon was the one asking for Village Head and the strongest person here inside Overlord, so they instinctively elect him as temporary leader.
Sung Woon stepped forward and said "My name is Gazelle. We have a quest to help your VIllage."
Richard frowned and asked "Quest? What quest? Who gave you the quest?"
Sung Woon was startled. "Who gave us the quest? The system of course!" Richard's frown deepened.
Sung Woon then realized this game is unlike Overlord, every NPC was lifelike!
So then he said "Umm, I am sorry elder Richard. We are adventurers that lost our home and want to help your village."
Richard then nodded and said "Oh! So it's like that. You just have said so. Okay, we could use your help. You can help us help build the Village. Help me collect some resources such as wood, stone, or food for the Village. If you still want to do more tasks, you can ask me or the villager to give you another task."
Ding!
> Quest Updated
> [Start of a Journey]
>
> Helping Beginner Village
>
> Mission Objective: Finish 5 tasks given by the Villager (0/5) in 7 days.
>
> Mission Failure: All account and invitation will be nullified and a new invitation to other people will be issued
>
> Mission Reward: Various thing from the Villager
>
> This is a mandatory main quest for all players and cannot be refused.
Ding!
> [Collect Resource]
>
> Help the Village head to collect resources
>
> Time Limit: 5 hour(s)
>
> Reward: Unknown, Reputation in Beginner Village +2, Favorability with Richard +5
"No reward?" a player unconsciously yelled. Hearing this, Richard wasn't angry but instead, he smiled. He was sure now that this ragtag group of adventurers just want some money and not their life.
"Don't worry, I will reward you 1 bronze coin for each unit of resource you collected. You also could borrow a cart. I only lend one cart to 10 people."
> Quest Updated
> [Collect Resource]
>
> Help the Village head to collect resources
>
> Time Limit: 5 hour(s)
>
> Reward: 1 Bronze coin for every unit submitted, Reputation in Beginner Village +2, Favorability with Richard +5
>
> Tip: You can form a party and borrow a cart to increase your efficiency.
The player then nodded happily. They understood now that this game is so dynamic. No wonder the developer dare to claim that this world was lifelike.
Hmm, I wonder if I can haggle in the shop or try to increase the quest reward... It's no use thinking about all of that now though. They need to do a quest right now and build their advantage for themself before another beta tester joins the game!