Three months have passed, lots of things happened. The day after out encounter against FaustVII, Tia showed me her true capabilities. She's using a magical offensive build. She's truly strong but she got bored that she saved her fortune to buy an inn that would take away her boredom in the game. Also, I didn't had to go away from the Newbie Land to find someone to teach me the arcane arts because of my land lady. And yes, I now have the capability to rent my own room in her inn. Yvette, on the other hand, developed some kind of trauma because of our Necromancer friend. Only last three weeks ago had she been able to move like she used to.

My days as a newbie has long ended since Tia trained me to effectively use spells along with my physical attacks. I also gained quite few levels for me to be ready for the coming event the day after tomorrow. Jack, Yvette and Tia, my mentors allowed to have a two days rest to prepare for what's coming. I decided to take a stall into the fields where only few monsters spawn and enjoyed the summer breeze on a vast green land.

Having myself relaxed on the ground while looking at the bright blue sky, I remembered that Jack told me to call his attention if I reached level 25 for my One-Handed Wielding talent. 

Character Level : 25

Primary Status:

HP - 850/850

Mana - 850/850

Energy - 100%

Character Stats:

STR - 95

DEX - 98

VIT - 85

INT - 90

WIS - 85

Talents:

One-Handed Wielding LVL 18

Two-Handed Wielding LVL 8

Armor LVL 8

Magical Offensive LVL 10

Magical Defensive LVL 5 

Magical Utility LVL 10

Evasiveness LVL 15

Utility LVL 15

Guess not, it will take time to reach level 25. He said that reaching that would allow me to learn dual wielding. It would be awesome to use such beautiful fighting style such as dual wielding. Yvette does it all the time and she wins almost every fight she's in. I would consider her as an assassin in some mmorpg games. Along with her skills, she really does pass herself as one. I would really like to learn her trade and master it someday but I realized that I can't. The build that Jack is teaching me allows me to tap into every build in the game but not master it fully. Even in crafting, enhancing items and such, I acquired some few skills from the local blacksmiths. Newbie Land is full of such pro players that a newbie would feel inferior even when staying in it. 

All my day dreaming stopped when I heard foot steps coming near me. The sound of the leaves and bushes alarmed me. I had to equip my Elephant's Damascus just to make sure that I wouldn't let my guard down again like what happened with our encounter with FaustVII. I acquired my Elephant's Damascus with one of the dungeon huntings that Tia and I made. A boss in the Cave of Giants dropped this seemingly large dagger that I made as my promary weapon. It gives 5 STR and got quite a bit of damage. Luckily, this game adjusts items for the player's leisure or I won't be able to swing this weapon effectively while dodging attacks.

The one making the leaves rustle was none other than Yvette. Though, she got recovered from her trauma, some of her traits like being stealthy even with these peaceful moments haven't really came back. I feel pity for her and angry at myself not being able to protect her. I didn't even manage to avenge her from that maniac. My pride was a bit insulted when Tia had to defeat him instead of me but what can I do? I was weak back and and still is right now. But I'm pretty sure that I can handle myself more now compared to that time.

"What are you doing here?" She asked with a slight frown on her face. "Thought this place was a big secret to others. Always get myself a peaceful time here, alone."

Still being ashamed because of my failure, I learned my lesson not to talk back to her and I have to respect her as my mentor and friend not only because she teaches me or I failed to save her but also because she's a woman. I even developed a small crush on her. Her smiles can captivate a lot of men but her actions negates that. She's a bit boyish and scary especially when angry. That was before our traumatic encounter with FaustVII, now she's soft and warm hearted. It's like she reverted back to being a kid.

"Sorry to disturb your place." I replied. "Do you mind sharing this place to me just this once?"

She slightly twitched her small lips but then she smiled at me and began to ease her self down against the soft, green grass beside me.

"Nope!" She said with a cute expression of closing her eyes and pretending to be angry. She then looked at me and let out another smile. "This place is better to be enjoyed with you."

My heart skipped a bit. Sometimes, I don't know if she's flirting with me or something. But who knows? There's no way of telling until I ask her or she tells me and yes, I don't have the guts to ask. The latter should happen for me to find out. 

After laying myself down beside her, she began to point at the sky telling me the shapes that she sees with the clouds above. Sometimes I wish that this place should be the reality and the one I left behind was the fantasy. It makes my heart feel warm being beside her like this but something's not right. I don't know what but, I do not see myself being with her like that. Does she see me as something like that? I don't know. It's really hard to understand or even guess the feelings that we have. 

After a long time of silence between us, i slowly turned my head to face her and saw that she already had her eyes closed. Is she sleeping? I don't want to evetually wake or disturb her just to find out but I really want to do something now. Not kiss her or anything but I want to test my skills. Though, it would be a waste to enter skme dungeon with this kind of weather, mastering the skills that I have right now would be for the best.

She eventually woke up and looked straight to my eyes. Her bright blue eyes looks at me like they were calling me. She slowly closed her eyes as her face slowly came close to mine. My heart beat's now racing and feels like it won't skip a beat. What is this? Is she going to kiss me? Am I even allowed to kiss her? What's happening? Everything's becoming dark! I realized that I, too, slowly closed my eyes and was nearing her face.

I stopped moving and felt her breath against my face. Is she kissing me now? I can't feel anything! What's happening?!

"I don't think we should be doing this." She said.

A felt a slight pinch in my heart with that. I don't know why. But I'm still glad that it didn't happen. It would create such an awkward position for us if we're with Tia. She always says she likes me but I do not have any confirmation with that.

"Doing what?" I played coy.

"Nothing." She replied. She quickly rose up and brushed off some dirt on her clothes with her hands. "Want to go hunting?"

Is it really over just like that? Anyway, I'm too scared to ask or even open about topics like this that I just nodded in reply without thinking. She then reached my hand and dragged me towards the forest.

"I heard screamings just a while ago."

"Do you think someone's in trouble?" I asked and felt a bit worried for those people.

She nodded and walked ahead of me. I tried to keep up but she was just too fast that I was almost left behind. After a while of chasing, she stopped behind a large bush, croaching. She gestured her index finger against her lips telling me to be quiet.

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The man wore a large armor with red dragons engraved in its shoulder part. He was covered by metalic plates that would be able to stand heavy attacks and he really looked high level with his attire. He doesn't wear any helmet symbolizing his proud battle prowess. Also, he was wielding a large claymore that would reach a great distance if his long arms were extended enough. A red cape with a logo of a fire breathing dragon covered his back. This guy looks cool! But not cool enough. He's bullying a newbie. I would've rushed in if I was my old self but I knew better now. Rushing against an enemy like this without a plan would commonly result to my failure.

I saw Yvette smiling beside me as she gestured that I should stay down. I didn't like the idea. I want to test my skills. I grabbed her left shoulder and shook my head. I pointed my left thumb at my chest and winked. I have to do this. She let out a smirk and nodded giving permission for me to take this one.

I waited until the beast isn't prepared to encounter attacks. This is the way of how you can kill a great beast. Kill it while it's wounded or slay it with while it's busy with its prey. I wish to perform the latter and the first one for later.

The man's in game name is Tedros and he's already in PK mode. I saw some items laying on the ground and knew that he already killed some of his prey's buddies. Relentless as he was, he started kicking the player in front of him and hitting him with his fists. I know that I should stop him before he kills his prey but waiting for a good opportunity is better. With his acts, I know that he won't allow his prey to die without hitting it with his long and proud sword.

After a few moments, he stopped laughing and said his farewells to his prey and raised both of his arms to deliver the finishing blow with his weapon. 'Great opportunity for a quick assassination.' I told myself.

I rushed from behind him aiming at his neck for a quick kill but his reflexes were fast enough to dodge my Lunge. Without stopping my momentum, I used Dash Step knock him back.

"Run!" I shouted at the poor player that Tedros was bullying. Fortunately, he was still sane to listen to me and did as I instructed.

"Quite a surprise to see a good player in these woods." He said as we circled each other, slightly crouching, ready for any attack that we would throw to each other.

I didn't bother to reply. I think that irritated him and made him charge with his sword on his left side pointing up. He's holding it with both of his hands and can only swing side ways or he would raise it up for an over head slash. He did neither, when he was two paces near me, he spun to hit me with a round house kick. I immediately dodged with my Dash Step. After his full rotation, I used Doppleganger a skill that Yvette taught me. I already saw her used this once against her opponent. A decoy that looks like the user would appear from the smoke that the skill creates and charges at the enemy while the user turns invisible for a few moments.

He immediately recognized the skill and gave my decoy a huge punch in the face making it expload into smoke. I got all the time I needed, I used Doppleganger skill to stall for time, enough for me to equip some poison on my Elephant's Damascus.

"So you wish to be an assassin, huh?" He said with an obvious and loud mockery on his voice. "Come, fight me, Mr. Cutthroat. I will claim your head!"

I knew better than to fight him head on. Jack always told me that the All Trades build isn't about fair fighting. It's about winning with everything we have.

Having the time at my side, I already casted Blinding Light on where he was standing. It was a skill that would glow from the area where it was casted to into an unimaginable rate that would blind the enemies near it and it did. Now's my chance! My training with Tia won't be wasted!

Freeze Lock!

After using Blinding Light with a two seconds chanting time and one second activation, I immediatelly casted Freeze Lock that would cover the selected target with ice, unabling him to make any movements. This is a low level skill that wouldn't last long. Freeze Lock has the same chanting and activation time with Blinding Light. The duration of my blind skill lasts for almost three seconds and for the freeze one would last two. It's enough for me to stick my poison licked weapon into his neck.

After all my efforts, it's still wasn't enough for me to defeat a foe with this large handicap. I know that his level his far greater than mine but the poison I used was brewed from five different kinds of poisons that would paralyze the enemy for a few moments. Even he wouldn't be able to resist that. I once again pounced to hit him left and right aiming at the areas where only chainmail can protect and as for the last moment, I stabbed his forehead. 

Before he shattered into pieces, he managed to give me a fair warning. It wasn't that scary but I know it wasn't a bluff.

"I will hunt you!" He can't finish a word without choking. "I will kill you!"

Finally, he shattered like glass and disappeared out of thin air. Yvette stepped out from the bushes with her jaws dropped. She approached me with a slow clap.

"I was about to attack him when he killed your decoy." When she was already in front of me, she pounced at me and gave me a great, big and warm hug. "I was afraid that you'll die."

I felt a bit proud of myself that I managed to brag a little.

"Don't you have faith in me?" I was now caressing her hair because of the sob I heard. She has her face buried against my chest. "I totally had that guy!"

"You idiot!" She shouted. I was shocked. "If you didn't use that freeze skill you would've lost. He already casted Rage to Death. He would've been invulnerable for quite sometime."

I never even realized that Tedros did. I still have lots of skills to learn. But hey, I won! Maybe I should treat her a drink or something.

"Hey! Want to eat?" I asked with a smile on my face. She was now facing me.

I thought that she would tell me that it would be my treat that it has always been but I got another answer instead.

Her face moved like the wind and came close to mine. Her lips touched mine. She was closing her eyes as she slowly squeeze me with her hug once more.

My view slowly darkened and realized that I, too, felt that moment and thought that this shouldn't end. My mind was already going blank when she broke our bond.

Her face was once again buried on my chest with her arms around me. What happened? It was all too fast. Have I gave my first kiss in this game to this girl whom at first I thought that I would hate for the rest of my life? Does this mean were on a different level of relationship now? Or was it just because of the heat of the moment? This sucks.

After a while of hugging each other, we headed back towards the castle for our lunch but was blocked by an unexpected person.

"Saw you kiss a girl, Zach." He was smiling while saluting with his back against a tree. "You know that this is a fighting game, right?"

I realized that it was my brother-like best friend, Gabriel. His in game name is Drake. His name contrasts with his equipments. He looked like a night that wears a dragon scale armor with a large sword on his back. Its hilt has a shape of some sort of a dragon's head.