Chapter 4: A Circle Marks the Spot, not an X?
Location: City of Pines
Time: 9:21 a.m
It was approximately more than a few weeks since I stayed cooped up in my room. I decided to buy something for my little cousin, Bell. Maybe buy something for Cindy also. Heading out, I took my black tinted car for a ride to the nearest mall.
Arriving wasn't the problem, it was finding the right place to shop, I wanted to avoid being noticed even if its just a little. Wearing a black hooded sweatshirt that hid my face really well, I walked pointlessly at first, not knowing what to get really isnt good.
I walked passing shops that sell women clothes. But I dont know what kind of clothing they wear. Heading to a different place, I went inside a jewelry shop. A scene I wasnt expecting was happening right infront of me.
A man was proposing to his girlfriend, the cashiers and the manager seemed to have a part in it. The girlfriend started crying as she saw her man kneeling on one knee, a boxed ring held on his hands. Waiting for the words, "Will you marry me?"
The room became quiet as her answer was waited for. The moment she answered, the room explode with cheers.
Seeing how happy they look, I wish them a happy life together. I looked around the room and saw a chubby female employee with a smile on her face that clearly says congratulations. She really wished happiness for the couple.
As all the hype died down, I approached a stall in the far corner. Suddenly, a voice spoke causing me to turn. It was the chubby female staff, "Sir, please take off your hood."
I hesitated, but took it off.
"Sir, what are you looking for exactly?" Her tone was the same one. She looked at me without a certain look that made me uneasy. She smiled her best smile at me. Noticing her earlier, I felt that she is a kind girl.
"Sir?" Her voice sounded worried.
"Sorry, yes, uhmnn im looking for an accessory for my little cousins."
"For sure they are girls, but may I ask what their ages are?" She asked.
"They are turning 20 this year."
"I see." She smiled again. Her face brightened every time her lips perks up. She tied her hair in a ponytail, her make up wasnt too much, just the right amount. She held herself well, all in all, she is a good looking girl.
She took out a bracelets, rings, necklaces and earrings, "I prefer this types of accessories with their generation. Mostly, I would tell you to pick from the necklaces and the earrings."
"Why do you say so?" I asked.
"Well sir, its because you dont need their exact size for them to fit." She let out smiling.
"I see." I genuinely smiled at her. She seemed strained for a bit, but she gained her composure afterwards.
"Sir, can I... can I leave you for a moment? I will have my colleague join you as you pick." She asked.
"By all means, dont let me keep you."
My gaze followed her as she walked away, she headed to some of her colleagues. They acted like little girls as they talked. I couldnt help smiling at the ladies, as they keep glancing at my direction.
I looked at the earrings and saw a pair that is well suited for Bell, they were colored slightly pink, pink pearls to be exact. Knowing Cindy, she would prefer rings, but I forgot her size, so I picked a necklace that exuded elegance and simplicity.
"Uhnn sir will you choose this ones?" Another cashier asked.
"Well I have a problem, and I am sure you can help me." I leaned closer.
She seemed nervous for some reason, "uhhh....uhhhmnn what I..is it sir?" She manage to say.
"The chubby one, your colleague. The one who helped me earlier, what is her size, I mean finger size."
"Uhhh...uhhh you mean Imogen?"
"Yes, her. What does she prefer?" I asked, as she wondered for a bit.
"Well, she always wanted this ring. But keep saying that she cant buy it because the money is better spent on her family than on herself."
The girl went to another stall and took a ring out. Showing it to me, "This one sir."
"I will buy them, this three."
"O..okay sir."
I waited for the items in the counter. I asked them to separate the ring from the other two. Paying up for the accessories, I looked around for the chubby girl, Imogen.
To my dismay, she isn't around.
"Sir, are you looking for someone?" One of the girls at the counter asked.
"Yes but she isnt here it seems."
"Are you maybe, looking for the manager?" The other one said.
"Is Mrs. Imogen the manager?" I let out.
"Yes sir, and she is not married. Would've, but its not my story to tell."
'I see, so thats why.'
Looking at the two girls, "Thank you for help. Please give this one to your manager." Handing out the boxed ring, I bid farewell and headed out.
Passing by a pizzeria, I ordered a Hawaiian flavored pizza for take out, thus, I headed home, after sending the accessories through mail.
●●●
Logging inside the game, I walked towards the village. Being satisfied with my hard earned skills and stats, I went to see the the old coot. After a good walkathon to my destination, I arrived at the outskirts of the village. I noticed that there were more players hunting rats now. When I first arrived here, the players were only a few, but as the days passed by, the number went up to triple digits.
'This village is not so hidden anymore.'
I noticed stares as I passed by players grinding. I seem to attract more attention now. I didn't want to be rude or anything, but I wanted to avoid this kind of attention from the start. I thought I can escape from the real worlds attention, but now I seem to attract attention in game also.
I had no problems with my appearance in game because all the people playing the game seemed to have made their avatars look like actors or actresses in real life. If I would rate my avatars appearance, it would be just above average, seeing as players went out of their way to make their avatars look like a god of beauty or the like.
I have finally reached the village, heading to the old coot's shack. I avoided crowded places.
"I see you have returned." The old coot snickered, as he saw me coming.
"Indeed I have finished what you ordered."
"Show me your character information." He ordered.
Nodding to him, I opened my character information and showed him.
Name: Dakila
Race: Fox Tribe
Alignment: Neutral
Class: None
Level: 8 (68%)
Hp: 195
Mp: 110
Attack: 27 - 31
Defense: 28
Unused Stat points: 40
Strength: 25
Agility: 41
Vitality: 29
Dexterity: 42
Intelligence: 12
Luck: 5
Skills:
•Counter Attack (B-level 6)
•Parry (B-level 7)
•Striking Mastery (B-level 3)
•Kicking Mastery (B-level 4)
•none
•none
•none
•none
Reserved skill:
°Sword Mastery(B- Level 1)
°none
Stat/Skill/Equipment Effects:
• 2% chance of critical damage
• 2% chance of enemy to miss
• 5% damage increase when using strikes
• 5% damage increase when using kicks
• 4% increase in movement and attack speed
•Inflict
"Hoo~ you gained a couple of interesting ones." The old coot held his chest out, "You can say your thanks now." He added.
I do admit what he made me do resulted in me gaining important skills, but I cant feed his ego, "I nearly died a lot of times old man."
"Yet here you are. So what do you think?"
"Okay. I admit, thank you for your help old man." I said sincerely.
"Good. But you lack one more thing." He uttered as he stroke his none existent beard.
"I wont eat another one of your dishes."
"I didnt say I will feed you one."
"Good to know old man."
He was thinking of something, maybe a way to torment me more. When an evil grin made its way to his face, "No, I wont do it."
"I didnt say anything."
"No, but your thinking of one."
"Come on, kid, this will help you in the future."
I hesitated for a bit. Thinking about what he said, I will gain somekind of advantage in the future. He did help me with gaining skills, although the way to get them is a training in hell. It will surely help me in the future. A good investment now would yield a lot of benefits given time. A philosophy I use in business.
"Old man, maybe a good explaination is needed."
"I see I got your attention then. I may not look like it but I was once a great adventurer. I wandered to any place the wind took me. One of my travels, I met a certain person who taught me that the world is a big place."
I looked at old man thinking he was joking.
"Whats with that look, anyways, I was an impertinent son of a gun in my younger years. Like now, I was the kid and that person is the old man. Unlike you, I challenged the old guy when I saw him. I was stupid then, thinking that I was the strongest." The old coot smiled as he remembered the scene.
"I got my ass whooped."
"As expected." I snickered at him.
"Do you want me to finish or not?"
"Okay my bad old man."
"The old man didnt have any weapons, instead he wore some kind of metal cuffs on his wrists and feet. I thought he was crazy at first, but kid, he only moved one time and I was already down on my ass."
"Good for you old man." I laughed at him.
"Dont make me hit you kid." Old man Tiki seemed to be getting annoyed at me.
'Payback old man.' I laughed in my head.
"As I was saying, after the fight, the old man became a close friend. I tried to learn the old man's fighting style but it was not compatible for me and some other thing. My body has been using a sword to train ever since I was young, so when I tried learning from him. I couldn't learn some of the important stuff. Though like you I gained a lot of things because of him."
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"I see, so do you want me to go to him?"
"Hell no kid, are you stupid? I dont even know if he is still living."
'This old coot.'
"Let me finish first, the old man told me that if I ever find someone who shows promise, I would kick his or her ass to the right path. Seeing as he made me promise, and I'm a person who respects strong people, I will help you a little a bit."
'At least he will help.'
"But you lack one thing that can help you in the future."
"And that is?" I let out.
"Why would I tell you?" He laughed like a boss.
'This...'
"Okay. I want you to go to this place," the system notified that my map was updated, "There is an important thing there that is kind of special for someone like you. Come back if you finished."
He smiled and waved me off, I looked at the updated map. A blank circle can be seen on my map. 'Shouldn't X mark the spot?' Seeing the marked place, I headed to the item shop first. I need to buy some supplies and sell some monster drops.
Passing the stalls of players, I saw a familiar person.
"Kila!!!! Where have you been? I havent seen you for many days."
The boy all smiles surrounded by a couple of kids around his age.
"Guys, I like you to meet my big brother, Kila." Balmong smiled cheekily at his friends.
"Ohh!!! He really looks cool!" A girl with mouse ears let out.
"He..hel.l....hello mister." The boy hid behind Balmong. It looked like he was from the mole tribe.
A girl stood up infront of me, "Hi, I'm called Meilien. Im from the Lion Tribe."
"Hello everyone. I am Kila, short for Dakila."
After a good talk with the group. The kids headed out to play.
'Its good that Balmong found new friends. It seems like all he needed was a little talk for him to come out of his shell.'
Buying my necessities, I noticed someone was following me. I thought it was just my imagination, but I was wrong. I hasitly went outside the village making it seem that I was in haste to the person who tailed me. I waited just beside a sukara tree, hiding myself to the pursuer. After a minute, my plan worked.
"Excuse me miss, its rude to follow someone you dont know."
I saw that she was startled for a second.
Blushing, she bowed her head a little, "I...I...I,"
"You?"
"Thank you for saving me from the rat vermins."
"Rat vermins? Do you mean the dograts? Are you that girl from before?"
Tilting her gaze towards me from her position, "Yes."
"No worries, I was just doing what any respectable person would do. So were you following me to say your gratitude?"
"Y..yes. I'm sorry if it bothered you."
"All is well." Noticing her attire, it seems to have changed from an adventurer outfit to a more priestly one, "May I ask you a question miss?"
"Please, no need to call me miss. I am called Hailey in game. What is your question."
"Have you done an equipment change?" Her outfit coupled with her dog ears, with one slightly bended and the right lenth of her tail which is colored white was really over kill. She looked pleasing to the eyes.
"Ohh~ you mean my outfit. You saw me wearing a common robe when you saved me right?"
"Yes."
Seeing as the tention dissipated, she seemed to be more relaxed than earlier.
"Its because I am a cleric now. When you saw me last time, I was having a hard time choosing to become a mage or a healer. But...but..but because of the past events, I...I..I choose to be a healer."
'So if you changed class, a set of equipment is given to you?'
"Thank you for the information. I will excuse myself now."
Turning around, I was about to make a step, "Uhmnn.. wait please. If I may, can I accompany you to where you're going?"
I stopped myself, "Why?"
"Uhmnn~ I want to express my gratitude. Uhmn~ your.." She keep on fidgeting as she said the words.
"My?"
"May I ask your name?"
Looking like a tomato, her eyes seemed to be expecting my response.
"Dakila, you can call me Kila for short."
She let out a sigh, relief came to her face. "So uhmnn~ can I join you? I can support better now. I wont disappoint you."
Thinking about it, 'She does have a healer class. She seemed to be eager to help also. From our exchange of dialog, she seems to want to return the favor. The old coot did not say that I cant have someone accompany me to the place.'
"I am in you care." I let out.
"YES!!" Her tone expressed joy. Seeing me smile at her, she instantly blushed and became shy again.
Walking forward, she followed me as I lead the way.
"Ki...Kila, uhmnn... party?"
I forgot to send a party invite. Upon sending the invite, another player name showed just beneath my name. An hp bar and mana bar just beside her name, her level is indicated also.
Party Member:
•Hailey (Lvl:10)
(A.N- just imagine seeing an hp and mp bar right after her name)
I noticed her shocked expression, "Anything wrong?" I asked as she gestured no.
"Its just surprising that you defeated the rat vermins easily. I thought you were high leveled." She said as she walked beside me. Her eyes shinning as she looked at me.
"Your party did all the job, the dograts were all damaged."
"No, I noticed the elite one has full hp. You looked cool as you fought them." She shyly lowered her head as she uttered the last sentence.
"I see."
It was awkward at first, having someone with me, but as she opened up. Hailey was quite the talker. We continued our journey to the marked spot on the map.
It was a good thing that Hailey can cook, or else we would've been stucked eating bread. I was meaning to get the skill but due to not having a skill shop in the village, I needed to learn it from someone with a master level before I can get the skill. Cooking really helped if you solo a lot. With the benefits from it, it seems to be a skill which you can invest in. After a three day travel of killing mobs, I finally reached level 9, my experience bar was at 89%. Having Hailey proved to be quite advantageous for me. Though I dont get hit that often, with her buffs and heal, I killed monsters faster. I didnt have to wait for my hp to recover, making me hunt more efficiently. From deers, boars and snakes, we made our way up the mountain. Finding a lone wolf which was 6 levels above me was a good fight. It made my blood boil from excitement, Hailey always looked at me with twinkling eyes every time I do something amazing according to her. She was level 11 now, I noticed that gaining free stats without being under certain conditions were harder. I only gained a couple, +2 agility, +1 strength, +1 vitality, +1 dexterity. The trek was not that hard, specially with a view which looked to enchanting. The forest was like a garden to be precise, it was really a beautiful sight. Hailey kept on taking pictures, some I noticed that I was in the photo. After taking a break for a while, we continued to the marked spot.
Looking at a hidden enclosure, there was a pond in the middle of it. Some forest animals were gathered around the area.
We noticed a path leading to a cave.
Ding!
You found the Cave of Sorrows.
It was not known when the cave begun to exist. The cave which had been existing for ages, held secrets only some may find out.
You have found an unknown dungeon. Do you want to register it to the site?
"No."
Due to being the first players to find this place, you will be given:
+1 to all stats
+ 100 fame
Item drops are doubled in a duration of 1 week, the first kills will have a chance to drop higher tiered items. Experience is also doubled for a week.
"Kila!!!!!!! Is this a hidden dungeon?" The excited girl beside me screamed.
"Hail, dont shout. Yes it does seem to be that way. I wonder whats inside?"
"Lets find out." Hailey with a big smile on her face let out.
Thus we entered the cave which held many secrets.
•○•○•○•○•
Hello Author here,
I wonder what you guys think? Is the story interesting or boring you?
I kind of see why it has so little views. Out of more than a hundred views, only 2-3 persons comment. You guys know who you are. -Thank you for taking time to comment.
Also, I have taken into account what you guys said.
Fun Facts:
City of Pines is a moniker for Baguio City. Its where I live. As you may have guessed, we do have a lot of pine trees here. Baguio City is also known for a festival called "Panagbenga" or Flower Festival. Its also called the summer capital of the Philippines, the weather is cold which is why it is called thus. Though we dont have 4 seasons here, Baguio is way up higher than other places in the Philippines which is why the temperature is steady all through out the year. Though it does change around "Ber" months till February. It becomes more chilly, though its hot in summer daytime, it will always be cold in the night.
Anyways, thank you for reading.. do people even read author notes?
Please do comment, or like, or share or rate..
Also due to my grand father dying today, i wont have much time to write please do understand thank you.
Author Out.
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