The moon was the one watching over me right now as I was calmly walking down the road I had set upon before. Surrounded by plains like before. But near me appeared forests and other things definitely worth exploring
But right now I decided I would rather stay on the road. This served 2 purposes. Firstly to avoid losing my way towards the Biggest City in the whole Japanese Sever. "The Free City of Thagun".
It was the city Kaen had previously mentioned to me and was more or less the city that was in the center of all Beginner Areas. A first stop for anyone that wanted to get some good equipment before embarking on this dangerous journey.
This was also the first city where one could form a guild and of course it was a Town where one could finally chose a Class or a Profession how the game called it.
Numerous Rumors also claimed that this was the place where you would stumble upon the first Factions. Factions were a gathering of NPCs that would try to pursue Players into joining them and helping them out with different tasks and in return would offer discounts or help with other things.
And secondly to avoid unnecessary deaths by creatures that stalked this new plains.
Right now I just enjoyed slowly walking towards the City. I didn't even care if I made it before the server would shut down. The night air was chilling and I had managed to regain some of my energy thanks to my snail pace. I reviewed my Fight from before trying to sort out mistakes on my side while also recapping his mistakes. It was a given that he would make mistakes or the Game would be impossible to be beaten. And no one would want that.
I was interrupted and my trail of thoughts was cut of as suddenly a new kind of enemy stumbled onto the road just a few yards away from me. The funny thing was the appearance of that long awaited new enemy.
It was a bunny. Simple as that. It was the same size as a normal field rabbit and had the same brown coloration. The only thing that differed from a normal bunny was that it had a 5 inch long horn on its forehead. It was a Rabbit Unicorn. A Rabbitcorn.
I drew my sword and pointed towards it. It may looked cute but one could never know what those things were capable of. And I did good in not underestimating it. Because as soon as it spotted me it came charging for me.
It aimed for my right leg trying to pierce me with its horn. And holy shit it was fast. The charge in itself was even faster then the attacks from that "Gata Ak" Guy. I pulled my leg behind the other one and slashed at the incoming bunny.
But my sword could not connect with the enemy as he changed the direction of his charge so fast that it seemed he vanished for a second. He ran a big circle before coming back still aiming for my right leg.
This time I rammed my sword into the ground edge ahead so that it would cut him apart while he still charged. But as expected he dodged again. But this time he instead of making a wide circle like before stopped his charge and turned around quickly. I was completely unprepared and my sword was still In the ground as he already charged me again.
Luckily I managed to jump over his charge avoiding his horn by a few inches. I turned around quickly and saw him once again stop his charge to turn around. He collected all of his power in his hind legs and charged at me once again.
This time however I ducked down and slashed at exactly his height. Before my sword could connect with him however he did something that I didn't expect. He jumped over the arc my sword would describe and aimed for my head.
Thanks to {Step Back} I managed to retreat away just enough to avoid his attack. I came to a stop as he was still soaring trough the sky.
I quickly realized that he was completely helpless in the air and with both hands slashed at his neck. [60], [250].
And although he was a new enemy he died the second I hit him.
To that I had a theory. There were 4 major factors in fighting in this game. Firstly ones strength, secondly ones speed, thirdly ones technique and lastly ones total Health.
The Logars for example all had Three major strengths. There Attack Power there not so bad Technique and there HP. Although it may didn't look like it at the beginning they lacked speed.
Using the same theory on this Rabbit thing one could say it had high Attack power, a lot of Speed and quite the Technique. The thing that must be missing then is obviously Health. Explaining why he died in a single attack.
You have Killed a So´tak.
+900 EX
Taru: "WOW!!!"
This thing almost brought double the EXP from a Logar. Of course this also came from the factor that it was still night but I will be dammed if that wasn't a huge amount. I looked to my left were the bunny had came from and saw more of them sitting around eating grass. Just waiting to be slaughtered.
I hadn't even used my Points that I got as I killed "Gata Ak" and now there was already a source of new Levels right before my eyes. Restoring the Level I los... no. Gaining even more Levels would be quite easy if I could find a way to just bait there jumping attack.
I grinned over both ears as I walked of the road the moonlight reflecting on my Blood drenched sword.
---
I breathed in deeply and looked up. I had completely lost my sense of time and now I was in the middle of nowhere just before the server would shut down. I laughed. One could say that I was in something like a blood rush the last few hours.
The game around me became static and I patiently awaited the ranking to appear before me. I had killed a good bunch of those rabbits but wasn't to sure on what Level I had reached by now.
Ranklist
Place 1ShinaPlace 2ChiamePlace 3Celen
Search your own rank
It seemed like I wouldn't even have to use the Search own Rank thingy anymore because apparently I was the Number 2 on all of Japans Sever.
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There wasnt much i could do but lay in my bed the Helmet still on my head. I was to shocked at my own rank to comprehend that the game had already ejected me. Even considering that i had reached Level 13 with killing all those Rabbitcorn´s I was still to high up.
´Are the other ones really struggling that hard with the Mini Boss? No even if.´
I immediately turned on my PC after carefully placing down the helmet. While it turned on I got myself something to drink. I chugged down the water and went online. A few clicks later I was already on the main page of "Crows Feast" Online site.
I checked the Ranking and saw that it was even worse then I had expected. Would the ranking go just from Levels I could also be considered number 1. What I mean by that was that even the Number 1 in the ranking had not yet surpassed Level 13.
However my confusion held only for so long. Because I quickly discovered something new. Besides the Names, Ranks and Levels there was a new Symbol on the first 15 to 20 People. Excluding me everyone had one. From the form and coloration of the symbols I understood that all those People had a Profession already.
There was the symbol of a Two-Handed Axe probably describing a Warrior. Then one with a shield and a sword for some kind of tank class. And various others like a bow and arrows or a weird staff. The Number 1, that Shina girl´s symbol were two swords perfectly aligned to each other.
I looked at it for a long time. Getting a good Profession was essential and I had awaited that People would take longer to chose then a day. But it seems that I was wrong. This meant that If I wanted to stay anywhere close to the top then I had to reach the city first thing in the morning and immediately chose a Profession before heading out again.
I still had the unspent Points from my Leveling and my Fight with the Mini Boss so I had an advantage over the others. I wouldn't have to chose a Profession going away from my stats but rather chose any Profession that seemed good and then invest my points into it.
But to keep up there was another thing I had to do. I turned of the PC opened my closet and from all the way behind pulled out one of my old running suits. I changed quickly and put on my running shoes.
It was In the middle of the night and although there was the chance that I would run into trouble if Sheila the Landlord would catch me I slammed my door behind me loudly and ran down the stairs.
I jogged as long as I could occasionally building in some sprints and some jumping exercises.
My Legs burned like hot irons as I shortly stopped in a park and went to a water dispenser. I splashed my face with the water and drank some of it before continuing on.
Maybe such a extreme Training wasn't necessary but if I wanted to be the best I had to suffer. I knew the other Top Players probably trained as hard or even harder then me. And surely they did so for a longer time then I did.
I breathed in deeply and continued my Training till I could no longer move my legs. I was at my limit.
But getting home was a bit difficult since I had ran away so far from my apartment that it would take half a hour even with the Bus. This was perfect for me. I was never one to get stopped by Limits and now I had to break my own. I grunted and moved one leg forward. Ever fiber of my being screamed to stop but I would have nothing of it.
In the end it took me until the sun was rising to get back to the Apartment complex. I was on my last reserves sweat already clueing my suit onto my skin. It probably looked like I had ran trough a shower a few times.
And now there was my last hurdle I had to overcome before I could rest. The stairs.
They seemed higher then usual and I almost vomited upon seeing them. Although that was Perhaps because I had ran so much. I clenched my fist pushed myself away from the supporting wall and slowly steadily fought my way up the stairs.
???: "Oh my!"
I looked up and grinned as I saw Sheila standing on top of the stairs.
Sheila: "Taru? Are you alright?"
Taru: "Sure."
My voice was little more then a dried up whisper because I needed every last Breath to focus my concentration on my current task.
Sheila: "Should I call help?!? What happened?"
I stopped in my tracks. I raised my head and smiled at her reassuringly.
Taru: "No. Really. I am fine."
Sheila: "But you don't look the part. If there is anything going on please tell me."
Sheila had acted like a second mother from the very moment I came to live here. She had looked after me and often brought things she didn't need over for me. That's why I knew that what she said was as true as it would get.
I climbed up the last stair and sank against the wall opposite of Sheila. She looked rather shocked probably thinking that I was hurting. Which In a sense was true since my body felt as if it could break apart any second.
Taru: "Sorry. I didn't want to make you worry. I was just training for the first time since forever."
Sheila: "Really? You don't have to lie you know. If there is any Problem I will be more then glad to help you out."
Taru: "I was just Training I swear."
It seemed a lot of pressure was lifted of her shoulders but in the next moment she was already worrying again. She came around and put my arm around her shoulders before steading me.
Sheila: "Then please next time don't go so overboard with it. You should know your Limits. I would be very sad if something happened to you."
I listened only with one ear to her rant because the presence
of her breast directly before my face was basically suffocating me. Not that it was a bad thing. I was entranced by the little bounces it made until they suddenly stopped and I shook my head.
Sheila looked down at me and I felt hot blood rushing into my cheeks.
Taru: "It wasn't on purpose."
She looked at me dumbfounded for a second before she smiled at me.
Sheila: "What do you mean?"
I breathed in deeply and entangled myself from her. I leaned against the wall besides my door which was the reason why we had stopped to begin with.
Sheila was holding out her hands for the possibility that I would need support. But I crossed my hands mustered up all my strength put on a happy smile and bowed.
Taru: "Sorry for making you worry. Thanks for helping me."
She was obviously flustered and even blushed a bit.
Sheila: "Not at all. You know you can always count on me."
She bowed as well and once again her boobs jumped up and down. I closed my eyes turned around quickly and pulled out my Keycard.
Taru: "Thanks again. See ya."
I closed the door behind me and sank to the floor. No matter how you looked at it Sheila was simple the most Perfect Woman besides my Mother that ever lived. If I would marry anyone then it would be here.
´Then whenever I would come home she would be there and greet me. She would cook dinner and prepare a bath for the both of us. And then once we enter..............´
Back to reality!
I fought myself up, undressed and immediately took a long cold shower. As I stood under the steady water stream I came down a bit and actually charted out a plan for what I would do once I was back in the game.
Which proved difficult since I almost knew nothing of the "The Free City of Thagun".
I came out of the shower and in my last struggle pulled myself to the bed. Lastly I managed to turn on my alarm clock so it would ring a minute before the game would start again. After that I fell into a deep sleep.
And just as I had expected I slept trough the whole day till my alarm clock went off. I lazily turned it of and wanted to go back to bed.
I ripped my eyes open and swung up. Which I immediately regretted as a hot pain shot trough my whole body. My muscles ached like hell but I ignored them and grabbed the Gaming Helmet.
´No point in resting. I have slept good so I should be able to achieve a lot today as well.´
I felt revived as soon as I held the gaming device in my hands. I put it on turned it on and just in time got into the log in screen.
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Stolen story; please report.
I opened my eyes and immediately noticed the difference. I had noticed it before, that no matter how fatigued I am in the real world I wouldn't carry the fatigue over into the game and vice-versa.
Taru: "Nice! Then onwards to victory!"
I laughed and started away into the direction of the Free City. Or at least that was the plan.
´Just simple follow the road huh?´
Which proved difficult since the road was no were to be seen. Just Hills and Plains. Of course this was my own fault since I was hunting those hopping EXP Rabbits all the time. I was probably really far away from the road.
Since I had no map of the area or could orientate on any landmarks I as so many times before picked a random direction and hoped it would lead me to my destination or at least something as interesting as it.
And completely unexpected I found the road not to long after I started to walk. Not that the Road was needed anymore. Because just as I had reached the top of the hill I was currently on I spotted it.
The Landscape flattened down and behind some crop fields and to them belongings farm houses were the City Walls. As high as 70 Yards and made out of a shining white stone. They glistened magically in the midday sun.
After a few seconds of admiring them I pulled myself together and walked down the Hill onto the Road leading to the city. Where I promptly encountered a Problem. There was a huge line of People Waiting.
Since they all faced towards the City I could only expect them to want in there. I walked up to the Old man which stood last in line and coughed to get his attention.
He flinched a bit before turning around. As he saw me his gloomy expression lit up and with a smile on his face he asked.
Old Man: "How may I help you?"
Taru: "Well..... I have to get into the City but it seems that's not easy right now. What going on?"
Old Man: "Is this your first time in Thagun?"
He looked at me a little confused but still friendly. There was no sense in me lying so I obviously responded with the truth.
Taru: "Yeah. Where you in before?"
Old Man: "Yeah a couple times.
About the long line. Its most likely trough to someone not having enough money to pay the fee."
Taru: "They charge a fee?"
No this was surprising. I wasn't worried that I wouldn't get inside I had more then enough money. I was just surprised.
Old Man: "Mhm. Well its only 10 Coppers but still. for some People that's a lot of Money."
I had around 45 Silver which would allow me to enter the Town about 450 Times. Not that it would get me anywhere as long as the line doesn't proceed.
Taru: "Nice "Free City" you have there. Hey Old Man can you hold my place for a while?"
Old Man: "Sure. But what are you up to?"
Taru: "Just checking out what´s going on up ahead."
I waved the Old Man and started jogging past the waiting People. There were all kind of Races and People Waiting in Line. Some more annoyed then others. I saw Cat People just like you imagine them from Animes, then Dog People and so on. They ranged from as young as babies with there Mothers till up to one Guy that had a white beard so long that it tangled up with his feet every time he moved.
Even from far away the City Gate was impressively large and from up close it was actually quite intimidating. Just Like the Walls. I wouldn't want to lay siege to a city like that was my first thought as I had finally reached the Head of the line.
But I had to do more important things. The Commotion that caused the whole line to halt was quickly found. There was a Woman with Two small Boys all with pointed Ears kneeling in front of the city Guard that lazily explained something to them. The People around us were ignoring the sobbing Female as if she didn't even existed.
As I came closer I started to hear what was going on.
Female: "..lease..... Please just the boys. I beg you. They didn't do anything wrong I beg you."
Guardsmen: "The "Free City of Thargun" is only allowing People inside which are able to pay the Fee of 10 Coopers no matter the Standing or Race."
The Guard kept on repeating the same sentence until I walked up to him with a friendly wave. The Female looked up at me with teary eyes and the Guardsmen mustered me suspiciously one hand on his sheathed sword.
I raised my hands in a unthreatening gesture and asked nicely.
Taru: "What´s the matter?"
Guardsmen: "The "Free City of Thargun" is only allowing People inside which are able to pay the Fee of 10...."
Taru: "Can someone else pay for someone?"
He was in the middle of repeating the sentence as he suddenly stopped. He was quite surprised of my question and the Woman was so to.
Guardsmen: "Surely. If you wish."
Taru: "Then that's 30 Copper for the 3 of them."
I handed over the money which the Guard took before stepping aside and allowing the Woman to go inside the City. Of course she didn't notice his gesture since she was starring at me awestruck. I crouched down and leaned over to her so that only she could hear me.
Taru: "Can you please Move. Your holding up the line and People seem to get really annoyed at it. You know. Some People just don't have patience."
She was still at a loss for words as I helped her up and pushed her towards the City Gate. She turned around and watched at the Free path into the city for a few seconds before looking back at me. And then she burst into tears. Suddenly she hugged me tightly sobbing into my chest.
I was a bit surprised at her reaction but didn't lose my cool at all. I gentle pushed her away from me and gave her a warm smile.
Woman: "Thank you..... Thank you `Sob` Thank you so much."
Taru: "No Problem. But could you please move. I have some important things to do in the city and if the line doesn't move I wont get anywhere."
It seemed that she for the first time noticed the angry gazes upon her and after thanking me again she hastily grabbed her stuff her kids and walked into the city. I sighed and positioned myself a bit besides the gate on the edge of the Road.
The Guard stopped the next ones for a second and walked up to me.
Guardsmen: "What are you doing? Don't think you can sneak past me just because I have a lot to do."
Taru: "I don't. I just decided to wait here for the occasion that someone cant pay the fee again.
Besides there is someone holding my place in line anyway. Waiting here until he comes up should be fine. Right?"
Guardsmen: "Sure. Do whatever you want. Weirdo."
The Guardsmen returned to his post and the line quickly continued, luckily with everyone having enough cash to pay the fee. After a while the Old Man came up in the line and I hopped up jogging over to him. There were still some People Behind him but they didn't seem too bothered with me lining in behind him after a short explanation.
I finally walked up to the Guardsmen and he asked me the same questions as everyone else.
Guardsmen: "Name?"
Taru: "Chiame."
Guardsmen: "Chiame?"
Taru: "Yeah. Just that."
Guardsmen: "Are you perhaps an Adventurer?"
Taru: "Yeah. Why do you ask?"
The Guardsmen facepalmed himself before answering.
Guardsmen: "Adventurers don't need to pay the fee. They also don't have to wait in line. Next time just walk up to the responsible City Guard and say that you are an Adventurer."
Taru: "Ok I´ll remember that. Well... Till next time I guess."
Guardsmen: "Don't cause any Trouble in the city."
Taru: "I remember that to. Bye."
I walked past the Guard into the city where I promptly had a laughing fit. I wiped tears out of my eyes after I came down a bit and sighed.
Taru: "Damn. That cost me a lot of time actually. Gotta hurry now."
I didn't even try to find my way in the bustling city and instead walked up to the first City Guard I saw.
Taru: "Hey. Sorry to disturb you. But you wouldn't know where one can find the place where
Adventurers learn Professions?"
Guardswoman: "Sure. If you walk up this street you will come out into the main plaza. From there you take the first street left and then turn right. Its the Big House with the Fairy as symbol. You cant miss it."
Taru: "Thank you."
I bowed down hastily before immediately taking of into said direction. I fought myself trough the crowds of People trying to get to the main plaza as quick as possible. But I soon gave up and just continued to go with the flow of People slowly walking around town enjoying the different attractions.
I looked around while walking at a snails pace behind some seniors. On the sides of the streets I saw shops for weapons and armory as well as accessories and normal or formal clothing.
One thing I noticed immediately was that the City was definitely not poor, in fact most of the houses were either White Stone like the walls or Tidy Brown Wood Houses.
Yet I saw some people sitting in the alleys that led away from the main city holding out there hands like beggars did since ages.
My Gaze was glued to a certain sword in one of the shop windows just a second to long and I promptly walked into someone.
Our Feet entangled and although the Person tried to push me away we ended up tumbling over. Luckily I landed on something soft.
Or should I say unluckily. As soon as I had regained my awareness I noticed that my face was resting on some ones lap.
I sighed inwardly at my Anime Protagonisty Luck as I quickly got up.
Of course it was a Girl. And of course she was wearing a skirt. And of course I somehow had pulled it with me just enough that I could see her pink panties.
I looked up expecting to see a bead red twin tailed loli princess or something of the likes. And steeled myself for the surely incoming slap.
That's why I was very surprised as I saw a rather uncaring looking Bunny Girl.
???: "Excuse me very much."
The Bunny Girl stood up after slightly tilting her head and brushed of the dust from her .......... Maid Uniform!?!
My mouth opened wide as I realized that just now I had run into a Bunny Girl like you see in Manga and Anime wearing a Maid Uniform handing out Flyers to the people walking by.
I got a knee to the back and after voicing my complaint to the guy that just kept walking realized I should stand up as well. I mimicked the Bunny Girl brushing of the little dust that had collected on my pants. The Girl had already turned around handing out flyers again so I lightly tapped her on her shoulder to get her attention.
Even if it wasn't a big thing for her I still had to apologize after all it was me how ran into her. But the second I touched her she tensed up and her around 7 inch long bunny ears straightened.
She turned around and there was a surprising emotion in her before uncaring cold eyes. Fear. I tilted my head at her fearful expression.
´Did I do something that scared her?"
She shook as she looked at me holding her hands before her in a defensive gesture.
Taru: "Sorry. But did I do something to offend or scare you?
I am not to familiar with the ways of this Land yet. I apologize. I am really sorry."
For a second longer she mustered me Fearful before another emotion spread on her face.
Seeing her smile made me feel at ease and I breathed in deeply. The Bunny Girl shook her head before answering.
Bunny Girl: "No. Its alright. I must apologize for my behavior. I didn't realize you were an adventurer."
Taru: "God Thanks. I wouldn't want to offend someone because of my lack of knowledge or manners. Sorry about bumping into you."
She shook her head again still smiling. But something ticked me off. Somehow her smile didn't feel right.
Bunny Girl: "Don't mention it. Is this your First time in Thargun?"
Taru: "Yeah actually. How could you tell?"
I almost had what was wrong with her. I just had to observe her more carefully.
Bunny Girl: "People easily get distracted there First time in such a Big Cities so its not to uncommon that Newcomers run into People. I am just glad you didn't get hurt."
I had it. Although she smiled it felt empty. It was just a business smile. For that Girl this was a business talk.
The next step would be...
Bunny Girl: "My name is Thyla by the way. Maybe come by sometime. Just say you were sent by me and you get a discount."
She handed me one of the flyers which I took with a slight bow.
´I knew it!´
Taru: "Sure. I come by some time."
I turned slowly and resumed my walk joining the slow crowd again. I let my gaze wander around while thinking.
´Damn. Those Freakin Realistic Programs. Rather Slick motherfuckers aren't they´
I grinned slightly.
´Have to be careful so that I don't get pulled over the table by some merchant or something.´
I looked at the Flyer noticing that It was written in Japanese Kanji. I wondered if they would be written in each language for each country.
"Eternal Wing Café" was the name of the well... Café that the Flyer promoted. On the Flyer it said it was a 2 Story Wood building that was on the left side of the Main Street.
´So either I had already past it or it would come up shortly.´
People in front of me dispersed in different directions thinning out the crowd around me. I realized I had finally reached the main Plaza. I turned and following the directions the Guardswoman gave me I used the first street left of me.
It was rather similar to the main street in the number of people walking around it and the shops that stood left and right.
But one thing was different. The Shops showed more..... acquirable wares. When one walked on the main street you could get blinded If you looked into a shop window because everything was glittering with radiance. Most items there were probably worth a fortune. In this street there were items that looked far out of reach to but there were also things like steel swords or leather armor, capes, light iron armor and so on.
I spotted the Guild building from far away thanks to the Fairy Symbol the Guard Talked about. I noticed that directly across the Street was a tidy looking Brown House that Showed a equally big Sign. "Inn to the Happy Fairy".
A rather well placed position for a inn.
Whenever a Adventurer would get out of the Profession Building which also acted as Guild House as written on the Sign he would be tempted to take a rest at the neat looking inn.
Taru: "Guild House huh?"
I circled my shoulders before opening the Double Wood Doors of the Building.
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Hello Everyone and here you go with the new chapter. In the next Chapter our Main Protagonist finally gets his Profession which took me quite long to chart out so get hyped.
Just Kidding. Please Stay Calm I don't want anyone to hurt himself because of me. ^^
Well anyway. Bye!!!