Chapter 24

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It's good to wake up in the morning, lazily pull my leg out from under the covers to check if it's too cold, stretch, and slowly wonder if I should get up or not.

Wake up!

I jumped to my feet and staggered into the bathroom. I dreamed all night about something game-like, nervous, with an unremembered jumble of events and disappearing personalities. I had had enough of it: this was the first time I'd dreamed about something in a game setting.

As I ate breakfast, I thought back to yesterday's trip to the Mist Fields. It turned out about as I expected, even better - I was able to show up, proof myself in the public eye, successfully avoided negativity in the sharing process, and earned small but obvious credibility. And don't forget the 20 or so names on the Friend List, all around level 20, which means I could get my group together or at least justifiably fall on someone's tail.

Another thing to note is less fatigue after a fight. In the crypts, I fought once or twice a minute but I was more tired in two hours than I was in twenty minutes of war with the Spawn yesterday. I must look at the workloads and puzzle over food and training: maybe I manage to squeeze out more in such, "high-cost" battles? Then I will have to reconsider some aspects of pumping.

But most importantly, the half-orc decided to take revenge, even hired mercenaries. Not much of a problem: the experience is not lost when the character dies, and I do not carry a lot of gold, but it is troublesome. I have to do something about this pain in the ass. What would I do if I were him? I'd pay the mercenaries for a couple of weeks of hunting, and I'd move on. If he purposely bought the character for "overpowering" he's not leaving here. Where the opponents are equal it wouldn't be fun for him, not the type. If I was in a situation like he was yesterday in the gully, I would have cut into the crowd of noobs and tried to take the graveyard as much as possible. To be remembered, to have a reputation later, even if it was negative. But this one chickened out, even though he was in no danger, as he'd get dirty sooner or later anyway. In a word, a slushy. However, if he chickened out, it means he values something. So, maybe he won't buy another char.

Yeah, but I have to do something. Hire high-level mercenaries or even a squad? It's not proper for a paladin, his reputation would be damaged, and the deals are registered. I myself will be at least somewhat dangerous to him at level forty, with the receipt of the "Divine Touch", an advanced version of the "Exorcism of Evil ". According to many observers of the classes, one of the indirect reasons for the unpopularity of paladins.

"Divine Touch" once per hour damages the target equal to the paladin's life, or heals the same amount, depending on the target's reputation. Very tempting, since with this skill three paladins take out a group of five assassins with almost a hundred percent probability. Three simultaneous touches and then into swords easy mod for warriors of light. Damage to the good is impossible, evil dies, and truth triumphs.

Except that most people lose the desire to develop the character further. Easy victory is too rare, enemies are not always evil, and waiting destroys hope. Nine out of ten players who take paladins burn out just at level forty.

And anyway, I'm still twenty-three and a half levels away from "Touch". So I'll have to find another way out, or next time he'll catch me right on the rift.

What can I do? Negotiate for guards through real? Join a guild? A single man doesn't survive in Creators: It's a game densely packed with social. Assaults, alliances, wars, resource and land battles. How can I be useful to a decent guild? I have no super useful skills or talents unless I'm unusually well-pumped in my profession. Hell, I wish I could ask some NPCs for help!

However... There is something about it.

What powers do the city NPCs have?

Guards. Mobs of the thirtieth to fortieth level, a dozen officers of the fiftieth. Templars are practically invincible within the walls of their temples, but they do not show their noses out. Mages from the city towers, who are completely indifferent to me.

Merchants? They have the power. Take the same Khramm with a guard of the two-hundredth level of fighters. Funny, but in the initial locations of such NPCs are stronger than on the frontier, because must somehow compensate for the weakness of the players. Can I take advantage of this? Are there hidden scenarios?

How can a low-level player possibly kill a high one?

No way. Only if I'm upgraded to a comparable level. Even the virt won't help, it just has higher damage: two misses and I'm dead.

I can, of course, exchange strikes and without stopping the battle retreat to the same Khramm. The guards will stand on the side of the player with a higher reputation. But again the problem - a hundredth level requires dozens of completed quests. So that the dwarves will not help me. It's for my level I have a lot of rep, but for the hundredth and a thousand reputation points - not uncommon, especially for roleplayers.

Another option is to build traps. They are made by craftsmen, and it is possible to install them yourself. Detection depends on the secondary parameter "attentiveness", and it is unlikely that the purchased Char is high, unlike me. But then again, where do I buy a trap capable of damaging a high level here? I can order from other cities, but how long does the delivery wait? And what would that win for me? So he dies once, so what?

What remains to be done? Playing in guild groups capable of revenge? They won't take me, I'm too low. Real mercenaries? Expensive, with no guarantees. Escorting caravans? Yes, the exp drops, the reputation is growing, and the dangers are not more than in a dungeon, but it will slow down my pumping in times, plus will not develop skills. Ambush.

Without thinking of anything, I finished eating, washed the dishes, and went back to my room.

"Comp, search for today's news on the Creators of Destiny game."

New types of modules appeared in...

"Skip."

Announced a line of quests, available from the 200th level in Lyrostan. Already two guilds have received a level upgrade, in time to capture...

"Skip."

A team of adventurers from the Hamsters and Rangers Guild discovered a multilevel crypt in the sands of Nadis. At the entrance, there are monsters of level eighty-five and above but in the depths, there are monsters of level one and above. As a reminder, Nadis is a level fifty zone. Finding such a rich and dangerous dungeon there increases attention to local guilds

Yeah. Nadis - farm-zone seems the casual guilds sit there. They are not involved in politics and fighting for resources. And suddenly a fresh, not looted dungeon with strong defenders. Oh, it's going to be a riot!

A young guild from Adar, the Flame of Anor, announces that they are going to hold regular introductory raids in entry-level dungeons as part of their training for novice players. The raids will take place twice a week...

Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author's consent. Report any sightings.

Oh. But they play it right. I've spread enough rumors to make everyone expect action from them. So let them drive the noobs, the half-elf will probably figure out to take money from the rich, and the petty will walk on the ears with the greatness and the prospects of the guild. Everyone will be happy, and one paladin will walk away from the spotlight. That's good, no need to annoy those who can gather a hundred fighters and hunt me down.

The Las Banditas Guild has posted a new video of the battle in the Valley of the Serpents. This time they defeated a fiery serpent, with seventy guild members participating in the battle. Recall that Donna Hetalia, head of the guild, claimed the recently discovered in-game location, where envoys of three guild alliances clashed for valuable reagents. Watch the video here. And check out the loot from the victory here.

Interesting. The new location. Fights not even guilds - alliances! That's how people live! I want to.

"Comp, start the video."

This video is available in seven versions. Check out the menu.

Right. Is there a paladin? Nope. There's a priestess of Amala, a record in 3D format. That'll do. Launch. Where are my glasses? Screw them.

"Broadcasting on the virt helm."

At first, I was lying down, but the picture with no relation to the real position of the body caused dizziness, so I had to stand up.

The scene was impressive. The serpent was as thick as a bus and about two hundred meters long, so the raid resembled ants crawling into an anthill. The priestess stood on a small slide in the company of two laths protecting her from the fiery creature's familiars. Despite the stereotypes "armor-bikini" didn't apply to the CODs. Both warriors were armored from head to toe, in part, however, because of the danger of being burned by the serpent's fiery aura. The Guilders were protected by a magical shield, which melted as it collided with the hot haze and required renewal time and again - that was the priestly duty.

The fight looked like a half-hour flicker, interrupted by streams of fiery blood, the hissing howl of a serpent, and flashes of magical blows. Unfortunately, the raid's internal channel was down. I wouldn't mind listening!

Well, it's an interesting spectacle, but we've got some business to attend to. What do we have today?

I have no idea. But from the city - only in the group!

"Comp, the launch of the Creators of Destiny!"

Flashes, check, room.

I opened the cabinet and pulled out the supplies for the drawing. Two dozen blessing scrolls would come in handy, plus I needed to load my belt and keep a dozen more Ice Arrows in my inventory. I'd had a hard time yesterday without supplies.

This time there was only one masterpiece, and it was only at level five; I guess all this thinking made me less careful about my drawing. I'd have to figure out how to make masterpieces three levels higher; there was no one here to sell them, but knowledge, as they say, is power.

As I shoveled the week's worth of junk out of the closet and into my bag, I wondered what I was really going to do about the half-orc. Or, rather, how to keep him from doing something to me?

Who in the temple hierarchy can answer my questions? Perhaps the temple priest should have a prompting function for newcomers, so I'll go get blessed.

As I entered the gates of the sanctuary, I stopped, looking around. It was a marvelous sunny day, the rays passing through the colored stained glass windows and spreading across the room.

What a splendor, Vova! If you were a warrior, you wouldn't have seen such a thing, would you? Appreciate it!

The priest stood in his usual place at the altar, immersed in prayer. Or maybe he was just dozing.

"Greetings! May Her blessing be upon you!"

"Hello to you too, brother paladin." The templar raised his hand, and I got my buff as well. "Brother Storekeeper was looking for you."

The game hints that the next batch of scrolls is sold out. Subtle, in its own way..

"I need some advice." I'm going to take the easy way out.

"Advice? That's my thing, brother. Here, at the altar, all the paths of Her servants converge, and many things become known."

This a subtle hint that I guessed correctly about the main role of the mob.

"A powerful enemy appeared and began to hunt me down. A simple misunderstanding between two warriors led to a feud. Can the temple help me in this fight?"

"Help? Unless you bring your adversary here, the beauty of the sanctuary will pacify his fury, and you will forget the strife. But if he has sullied himself with filth and murder, that is the business of the guards of the city, seek their help."

I see. I am safe within the walls of the temple, but no one will help on purpose. Standard tutorial, nothing more.

"Alas, he is too strong for the guards and seeks my death. Well, I'll just have to hope for luck."

"A devoted servant of the temple could call upon Her Blade. But it is a means to fight the perversion of the world, not to solve the usual problems of life. But remember, it is better to meet any adversity with reliable friends who have your back in battle!"

And again, the standard answer is suitable for a rookie who wants to send the same rookie to the cemetery in retaliation for the hijacked mob.

"Thank you for your advice, sir," I bowed and turned to leave.

There are moments in life when you are buried up to your neck in problems but you realize that life is beautiful and wonderful right here, right now, at this very moment. You forget about troubles, about enemies, perceived and imaginary, and just stand there and watch.

The way the sunlight streams in the air, the way the dust particles sparkle, the way people walk down the altar, the way the altar boy bows, and the way the altar boy carries the tray with hilarious importance. It's all around you, it doesn't touch you, it passes you by, but at the same time, you are part of it. With all your troubles, your enemies, your problems, everything that dissolves in this moment of life.

And I don't care if it's all painted. The feeling is real. I guess that's what people play for.

They certainly live for it.

So, back to earth, Vova.

Three scrolls of blessing to brother Storekeeper. Almost at a run - time is passing, and so much to do! - To the Khramm, let his handsome fellows haggle for my benefit. Now to the market, to sell the trash.

"Loyne, be well!" I didn't bless him; why would a merchant need that?

"And good riddance to you, Paladin! Sharpening?"

"Yes."

"Thanks to you I have +2 for 24 hours!"

"When did I have time to do that?"

"Who helps me with the raid? At the end of Negrinka there is a nice grave with a blacksmith buried in it. And on the grave is a gravestone."

"And on the tombstone is the arm, the black one, right?"

"The recipe is there!"

"Grac!"

"Thanks. Sharpening? It'll cost more."

"Money is not the main thing. What is the main thing?"

"What?"

"A pumped-up skill!"

"Well, for the skill!"

The player offers to apply an improvement to your sword - daily sharpening +2.

Agree.

"Look, Pal, what's up with you and the half-orc?"

"Tried to catch me on my way out of the Misty Fields yesterday, but I was walking with the company."

Loyne rearranged the tools on the workbench.

"That sucks. Maybe you should join a guild."

"I'm thinking about it. By the way, do you need any trash? I've got a closet full of it, so I thought I'd clean it up."

"Do you have armor? There is always a need for it."

"Not much, but there is. Trade."

"Hey, paladin!"

Speak of the hobbit, and the hobbit is on your way. A half-orc, to be exact.

"Don't shake." He smiled broadly. "You know, I've been thinking, this whole thing isn't worth the time. I messed up, you didn't miss your chance. Good for you. I respect that."

I was silent, making a vague hand gesture.

"So I forgive you and hold no grudge. I'm sorry, I'm not going to give you any presents, you've got up enough, eh? It's okay, it's okay, you're a good lad, you don't want to hoard it, you share it with people. And I do not need a map, I'm on my way to big business with serious people. Come on, use it, pump, if anything - look for me, I will help. So long!"

The half-orc turned and without stopping at the counters walked toward the exit.

What was it? "Buyer" decided to make a goodwill gesture. Is this after he spent a week looking for me and ambushing me with mercenaries? Did he decide to be kind and fair? I doubt it, already by his choice - to buy a PvP-honed character of a conventionally dark race is unlikely to be for the service of good and order. Maybe, of course, there was nothing else on the market ... but also do not believe it. And he didn't put me on his friend list.

"Paladin, I'd watch myself if I were you."

That's right, buddy. Very true.

"Maybe he really has decided to go over to the side of the Light, huh?"

"Or was he approaching to show the target to the mercenaries? Now that's closer to the point."

Loyne hummed.

"That's up to you, but I'd be careful. He's kind of shady. He looks like my boss."

And like half of my colleagues. Smiles, jokes, but in the back - hissing, and nastiness at the first opportunity.

"I'll be careful, I guess. I shouldn't go to the fields now, should I?"

"Right. Look for the group."

"Yeah. So what, are you taking trash?"

The blacksmith nodded.

"All the armor and all the broken iron."

I dumped everything in my bags into the shopping menu except the scrolls.

"Sort it out, will ya?"

"I will. Oh, there's wood here, it's good for carpenters. Silver for a piece?"

"Whatever. If it's enough, make a sharpening stone or two, okay?"

"Thinking of hanging out somewhere for a long time?"

"I might have to. Where is the Hiring office in town?"

"Across the street. Hired there, shopped there, and then straight ahead - the gate. Well, good luck!"

"And you."

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