Chapter 9 “He who commands the flame.”

Arata finally managed to get out from the forest and made his way to village called Loris. According to the map that he got it would take him two more hours to get there. Although calling it a map was somewhat wrong as it was just a piece of paper with a single road marked on it that he needed to take. Nevertheless it was going to take two hours so Arata was simply walking looking around the landscape.

“Open field. Yea, that is the best.”

He was enjoying the view. Forest was behind him. Mountains were on the left and on the right. He wasn’t walking by the road but by area a little off from it. He was planning to ‘exp up’ a little before entering the city. Right now had level 12, he got them from fighting inside the forest and also he got additional bonus one level after gathering 150 points.

So far, leveling was way slower than in the games he had played before. Arata once got max level in one of games just in 3 days. For a note it was a ‘nolife marathon’ in which he was competing against few other people. To be fair they picked a random MMO that none of them played and competed in this unreasonable challenge. At that time Arata ended up second although the first person was a true monster as he got the highest level in just two days.

Anyway, just like any other game even in EOA exping up was easier on low level and later on it could only get worse. On the other hand, right now Arata could finally hunt some monsters, which was the main experience source of MMOs. It was sometimes just better to kill every monster in sight than doing quest that required of you to go there and back again.

Many quests involved killing monsters in the first place, just like the challenge that he just completed. Arata thought that his level was too low right now as he couldn’t defeat the main creature which gave maximum number of points. It still haunted him.

“I wasted too much time on that girl and even ended up dying. Sure, one wolf gave 3 levels but I could exp up in different way in that city, then I would be able to kill that crazy bear… somehow!!”

Arata thought to himself, but he didn’t know that sole surviving the encounter with the bear was great achievement itself. Most of the players that happened to find him ended up dead. There were few lucky guys like Arata who managed to stay alive but that was really small number even after two years of play. Like always there were legends about people who killed the bear but everyone that encountered that creature thought that it was surely a lie.

So Arata decided to hunt some monsters to level up. In comparison to the forest the open field didn’t gave space for monsters to hide so it was easy to find them.

The monsters that were around on the field were mostly boars, and not some monstrous big ones but small, normal sized blue colored boars. Arata managed to kill one without a problem but he was rather dissatisfied with the reward.

“Not even 1% of level? What level are those guys?”

He then checked it by summoning the menu. The boars’ levels were in range from 2 to 6, and the closer to the city the lower it went.

“Is this some low leveling area or something? What is the purpose of the forest trial if this is what you get after completing it?”

Arata had some hard time during the ‘tutorial’ so he thought that the next thing should be at least on the same level. Still, he forgot that there are people that got killed so many times. Their level would be reduced to level three or even less. Those people in the end would end up killing 150 bunnies to get out.

Arata gave up idea of leveling up on boars. He slew few more boars to get some of their meat and continued his way to the village. He was walking on the road right now. There was no reason to go through the grass as it could only slow his progress. He also didn’t want to get lost.

It was a long walk, but it didn’t annoy him that he had to walk such a distance. He also didn’t even run which was unusual for him.

“Yes that how the RPG world should be like, huge areas that take time to get through. Making travels like that is the biggest difference so far in compression to normal games.”

Normally games didn’t force players into ‘long exploration’ where you didn’t have to do anything but walk. In VR however, one could finally feel like he was really traveling through true fantasy world. Previously Arata found that experience only in fantasy books where one would travel from one place to another for realistic time of many days, months or even years. Normal games couldn’t give that experience but EOA could.

As he was getting closer to the village, Arata spotted some players that were fighting against the boars, to his surprise it were parties of people fighting against a single boar at the time and they still had some problems.

“Ah, that’s explains the reason why boars are here.”

He finally understood the reason why the whole field was filled up with them. The beginners that were trying to fight them looked like they never played the game before. They still wore beginner equipment, some of them had knifes others were using some long sticks as their weapon.

“Well, the hardship is a best lesson for them, anyway how did they get out from the forest in the first place? Wait, did I just saw a party of six running away from a single boar. Common!”

The so called ‘new generation of players’ that were entering the game right now didn’t have fighting experience like Arata. Many of them didn’t even play games in the first place. They just started ‘eye of Adventure’ because of its extreme popularity, they didn’t know what stats meant, what MMORPG is about, or what they should be doing. Well, no one really knew what they should be doing in the first place as everything was hidden, but if you played other RPGs and MMOs similar to EOA you would have at least a grand picture of it. Also if someone already played different VRMMORPG their ability would be on whole different level compared to others.

First month has passed, so players that Arata saw should read something about the game first. But if they never play many games before they didn’t have tendency to do that.

Anyway, the point is that people who were afraid of simple boar were really common.

“I wonder what classes they have. Every one of them looks the same so I can’t tell.”

It was hard to tell by their look as they didn’t have anything that would help to recognize them. Normally someone could somehow tell the player class by look. At least their archetype. For example if you look at Arata you will soon find out that he is swordsman as he has swords equipped. But when it came to people who fought against boars on this field right now, they were all wearing the same thing and fought with similar weapons. If those things they used could even be called that.

As Arata was walking by the road he once again felt the eyes of nearby players.

“Maybe I should hide my items for the time being, I don’t like those glares.”

Arata thought to himself, but this time the looks were somewhat suspicious. Then soon enough the group of nine people that was hunting the boars with somewhat success, come and stopped Arata. One of them, the plain looking fellow started.

-hey, I think I know you from somewhere.

“What is this about? I didn’t engage with many players so far. And definitely no some boar hunters…”

-sorry I don’t remember you, good luck with your hunting.

Arata planned to walk pass them as he didn’t want to waste his time but then he was stopped.

-wait, I didn’t say we know each other. It’s just that I heard something about you?

“Fine.”

-was it in the city of beginners?

-maybe it was, when did you finish your first month?

-few days ago or so?

-then it’s not it, I am here for pass two months already.

“Two months and you still need a party of nine for a boar? Pity.”

This group was hunting the groups of boars and not just a single one so it wasn’t that dramatic. In comparison to others, they were good.

-then you must be mistaken.

-no, I sure it was about the guy with black and white hair just like yours.

-maybe it became a trend.

-wait a second, I will ask my party members.

“Don’t waste my time. Go hunt some more boars so maybe after a year you will be able to fight against them alone”.

As Arata thought that, the party was talking to themselves, they looked at him once, twice and then their eyes started to shine. Then their leader come back and said.

-sorry, we don’t have anything against you but you will come with us.

“What the hell? Why does he want me to go somewhere? And why does he sound like bandit from third rate movie? Ahh that? He thinks that he can steal my equipment. Eh pity, they don’t even know that that they can’t steal it.”

-no I think I won’t.

Arata answered. Although Arata himself didn’t know how this system worked. Still because he didn’t lost anything after his last death he assumed that there wasn’t anything like item drop that would come with dying.

-well…

The guy send looked back to his teammates.

-as I said we don’t have anything against you but that gold will allow us to buy some good weapons. MEN ATTACK!

-wrong choice.

The party of nine attacked Arata, but he already saw how they fought against the boars so he knew that he wouldn’t have much trouble even with this number.

The party had somewhat high spirit compared to the time when they were fighting against the boars, but they should learn that attacking someone wasn’t best idea if you didn’t knew their strength.

Two of them were about to hit Arata.

[Black dash activated]

He went through them and both of the attackers died on spot.

-aaaaa, I didn’t want to do that.

Arata said as he saw the corpses, they died in one shoot so they must have been low level or low health after their hunt.

-Jonny, Freed noooo! It’s a time for revenge!

One of them shouted.

-you should have run after this demonstration, I wouldn’t have chase you.

Another guy tried to jump at him with a stick. This time Arata just tried to parry it but as he did that, attacker lost his balance and landed on the ground behind him. Arata didn’t bother to attack him.

“Really where people like them come from?”

How could they just fall by themselves? Arata didn’t know. He also didn’t know that those players weren’t the worst out there. Right now there was endless number of new beginners who were dying every day in the forest. Not to mention those who were dying out of hunger in the city of beginners.

Other attackers came. This time there were three of them. Two with knifes one with stick. Just as Arata was about to go against them he felt that something hold his leg.

-good work Maroll!

Maroll was a man that a second ago landed on the ground, he didn’t get hit by Arata so he still lived and catch Arata’s leg with both of his arms.

“That’s what you got for not finishing them off.”

The three lunched their attacks but they were simply parried by Arata. He had two swords and it was easy to counter three unorganized attacks with knifes and sticks. As he parried them and they went behind him Arata quickly turned around and slashed their backs. They felt to the ground right away. They didn’t die in one shot but now they were frozen by pain. The pain itself was reduced by system but still it hurt when you were having such wound on the back. The same went for Maroll as Arata slashed of his hands because he didn’t want to let it down.

-Alex, Karol, let’s go with our combo attack!

The guy with whom Arata was talking with before shouted to two of his friends but those two weren’t willingly to follow his command.

-no way! Did you see what he just did?

-yes Forty, forget the gold and lets us run away!

It looked like ‘Forty’ was the name of the leader.

-Alex is right, in the first place how could we hope to win against a person with bounty of 10 gold?

-exactly, it was your stupid idea Forty. Deal with it, we are running.

The two called Alex and Karol started to run away leaving dust behind.

The leader Forty was also going to do that but he was stopped by Arata, as he stood in his way.

-please spare me, I didn’t want to…

Forty knell down on his knees and started to beg.

-I just a simple fisherman, it wasn’t my idea to attack you.

He continued.

-hey, hey, hey you could come up with better lie.

-I just no one, I just someone who happened to join the wrong group at the wrong time.

-wasn’t it your group? They were listening to your orders.

Arata stated the obvious fact but Forty did not give up.

-no, no. I wasn’t, I joined in this morning, please don’t kill me.

-why do you ask me to spare you if you didn’t do anything?

-ah! …see as you just said, I didn’t do anything, so I can go already, right?

-no.

-nooo! Please don’t, what did I do to you?

-well you stopped me on the road, and then attacked me with your friends. Do I need to add anything?

Despite killing few players and nearly killing few others, Arata was quite calm and completely unaffected by it. He didn’t feel any different than while killing the boars earlier on.

-did I do something like that? Hmm, I don’t remember, I have bad memory.

Forty was not playing dumb.

-some says that nothing is better for a memory than a little feel of pain.

Arata had no mercy though although he was now playing around. If he really had no mercy then there would be much more corpses around.

-no no no, I sure that you simply heard it wrong. Nothing like that happened.

After hearing something like this, Arata gave up though and went to the main point.

-so what about the gold?

During the fight he caught conversation about some gold. He didn’t know what it was about but gold means money and one never can have enough money.

-what gold? Gold doesn’t matter, who was the one that said that people needs gold in the first place, he must have been…-

-shut up and tell me about the gold!

-but I don’t have any gold.

-well, it is obvious just by looking. Not your gold.

-then whose gold?

-you tell me. You were shouting about the gold that you would get for your weapons.

-ah that gold. My party members must have been stupid that they wanted to attack the person with ‘bounty of 10 gold’ on their head. Hahaha.

-but they said that it was your idea.

-my idea? No, no, I can’t even hurt a bee. But man, you are worth of that reward you slashed my comrades very nicely.

-shouldn’t you worry about them a little.

-as I said I joined the party just this morning we didn’t know each other well.

Telling so many obvious lies was a talent in a way.

-then you have really good memory then. You already remembered all of their names.

Arata pointed it out.

-that’s one of good quality that I got.

“Your good quality isn’t lying for sure.”

-anyway what is that thing with the bounty?

Arata finally asked. He really had no idea what it was about. His only assumption would be that it is because of his playing around with religious object. There could be some zealots that would start hunting him down from now on. Although that couldn’t be true.

-oh you don’t know, then listen…

Forty started explaining.

-three days ago we went to Loris to get some food for me and my boys…

“You just said that you meet them this morning…”

Arata didn’t want to say anything else and just quickly get over it.

-so as we visited the city we also went to the center to look around, you never know what you might find in the center of Loris…

“Looks like a good place to start looking for informations.”

At first Arata was also planning to look around the net the moment he finished with city of beginners, but because he died right before the end, he decided that he will play for now and check it later.

-at the center we found many interesting things for example there is a tent in which a sorceress can tell your future. It was good idea to pay 50 silvers to know what will happen…

“If you knew what would happen then you wouldn’t have attack me.”

It seemed that that sorceress was not that very useful.

-there are few options to choose from, right now, tomorrow or even year after or general questions like when I die or what will happen of my cat. It is really popular with girls as they can ask about their relationship. I don’t have a girlfriend so I didn’t ask about that though.

“Why I am not surprised about that fact, well it’s not like I ever had one either.”

-just tell me about the bounty.

Arata stopped him for a moment because Forty was going of topic.

-ah yes the bounty. Well technically it isn’t really a bounty. Well there are bounties in this game as I read on internet but I don’t know about them too much.

It seemed like the zealots will not be appearing after all.

-then what was it?

Arata asked.

-listen to the rest of the story. We wasted a little of our money that we got from hunting so we checked the job’s board. Before that board we meet a man that was looking for a person with two swords and black-white hair, which meant he was looking for you. He said that anyone that would bring you to him would receive 10 gold. And with 10 gold coins you can buy many things, I tell you that. Do you know how hard it is to get ten gold?

“All you need to do is swindle one Wizard. Still who would be looking for me?”

-anyway what can you tell me about this guy?

-ah he was hard to forget. He was wearing full plate armor that you don’t see around here. He also had dark red hair. I hate to admit but he was handsome looking as well, to the point where you would envy him or fall in love with him if you are… -

-no!

-well with a strange hair like that one might never know…

In this moment Arata had an urge to slice Forty up.

-anyway that guy was looking for you and he said that for trouble of bringing you to him someone can receive 10 gold. He must have some high level if he can give away 10 gold just like that, his armor also showed it.

-but why is someone like that searching for me? I don’t know him.

-no idea but he was looking for a man with strange hair just like yours and I didn’t see anyone else with a hair like that. How did you make it so it looks like that anyway?

-it was on default.

-default? Well, I heard that look is based on your so called ‘inner self’, I wonder what is mess up with you to get a hair like that…

This time, Arata unsheathe his sword a little.

-no, no I sure that you are great fellow, and the hair looks totally awesome as well not even a little weird.

Forty’s opinion changed in a second.

“So easy to manipulate, fear is greatest tool for it after all.”

-well it was nice but I have to go.

Arata cut it short.

-what, you won’t kill me?

-what? You want to get killed?

-oh no mister, you said you have to go so go, my humble self is just wasting your time.

“You finally are saying something intelligent.”

Arata ignored Forty and walked in the direction of the village.

“Why is someone looking for me? No in the first place no one with high level can know me I just got out from beginner’s city. It must be some other guy, as rare as it may be black-white hair aren’t that unusual. Okay, maybe they are but there should be at least a one other person with them. Also it was three days ago so whoever it may have been he shouldn’t be here anymore.”

Arata entered the city or rather a big village of Loris. It was a nice looking village, with wooded wall all around it. Arata entered through an open gate. It was actually just a rectangular construction made out of woods. Two pillars on the left and right side and at the top there was another line that connected those two.

Inside the buildings weren’t as big as in city of beginners also they were more clamped together. Loris had a nice atmosphere of small peaceful village that would be found at the beginning of every adventure game.

“Yes exploration is great, it’s a shame that I will move out from here so soon but there is just nothing for me here. I can’t waste time on boars for sure.”

Arata was walking the alley. There were many people around here, most of them in the same clothes although there were few exceptions here and there.

“If not for my coat I would ended up in this crazy fashion as well.”

It wasn’t a fashion but everyone wore beginner equipment’s. Some had a sword or a bow, but mostly some sticks, brooms or knifes as their weapon. Still one thing that caught Arata’s eyes was that there wasn’t anyone that would look like a mage or priest or any class that would use magic. Given that it was fantasy based world, Arata expected more of those.

“The must have all slacked in the beginner city if they didn’t get any equipment. Now they just have to pay for it, easy to figure.”

Well not many have fought against 40th level dark wolf to have a chance to get coat like Arata’s one.

“First of all, I should do some shopping.”

Arata visited few shops but didn’t found anything useful. He bought some food but items around were all of low quality and high prices. At least it seemed like that to Arata as he couldn’t compare it to anything. When he asked one of the sellers he only got an answer.

-the prices are high because the need is high. I don’t know where did you all come from but lately there is like three times more visitors than before.

“Well the game is popular and the holiday started that may one of the reasons.”

Arata continued with shopping. He soon found a blacksmith shop or rather blacksmith forge or maybe even combination of both. It caught Arata’s eye from afar as the smoke was coming out from the chimney. Also he knew right away that it was a forge as it had a signboard over the entrance.

After Arata entered his attention was caught with walls that were filled with armors, shields and weapons. Then as he moved closer he saw display. It was actually few tables and desks arranged in a horseshoe shape. The display was filled with smaller weapons like knifes but there were also pieces of armor like gloves and boots.

There was also a normal looking shopkeeper who was standing at the other side of the room from where Arata entered. The wall behind him on the left had an entrance probably to the forge part of this building. Then on the right side of the wall there were stairs that leaded upward to the second floor.

-welcome customer, what would you like? Sword, mace, axe we have everything. If you are looking for an armor master Rodriges can make one especially for your size.

The shopkeeper greeted Arata before he could even look around.

-no, no, I was rather looking at the weapons.

Arata answered.

-but, you won’t find a better armor in this town.

-no, I don’t think I would look for heavy armor.

-hmm, I thought every swordsman should look for one.

-yes, but heavy armor makes one slower.

-ah so agility type you are. Speed rather than defense, many are too scared to even think like that and buy the most durable thing we have on display.

-some have different styles.

-truth to be told most of them doesn’t have style that all. They just swing their weapons like flails. It is a shame that fine crafts of master Rodriges are going to their hands but coin is hard to get these days, so we can’t be peaky.

-true.

-anyway you are looking for weapon but we also have light armor for sale you should look at it.

-might as well.

Arata checked the items that were on sale. Most of them weren’t that good but he found something to his liking.

-this brown set here how much is it?

-ah this one, you have a nice eye. Its 2 gold. I know it’s high but it’s really good equipment that I sell you.

“Not bad, considering that I have 4 gold right now”.

There was one another thing that Arata got from his mad quest apart from his coat. It was money that he swindled from the Wizard.

-okay, I will take it.

After seeing the stats Arata decided to buy it. Considering its level this item was good, especially in comparison to other items that were on the sale.

-great, let me see your size. Hmm unfortunately we don’t have it on shop right now.

It seemed like Arata won’t be able to buy it though.

-it’s a shame, show me the swords then.

Arata answered.

-you don’t want to look at anything else?

-not really, everything else isn’t much better from things that I have right now. Anyway they are also, a little you know.

-hmm?

Shopkeeper reacted as if he didn’t know.

-you know they look like they were made from garbage not to offend anyone.

-customer. I see that you are not a simple fellow like those clones.

Somehow the shopkeeper attitude changed.

-what clones?

-you know, those that wear same clothes. Just look at the streets. Before I thought that you are like them as you too are wearing the same things but I was wrong. After all you have this nice black coat.

-well, people have their wrong assumptions.

-no I disgraced myself as a shopkeeper what would master Rodriges told me if he saw me now.

-he would tell you to stop wasting the time of customer and sell him the goods…!

While they were talking a large man come from back of the shop with blacksmith clothes which were brown pants, orange shirt and large purple apron on top of them, although after many usages it became somewhat black. In that apron’s pocket Arata could see a small hammer, but not a hammer that would be used to kill monsters but a blacksmith hammer. Naturally it wasn’t hard to tell that the man that just entered was already mentioned master Rodriges. Rodrigez said to the shopkeeper.

-Marty, just go and make yourself a tea or something I will deal with this customer.

-but master you said that you hate to deal with customers.

-only the bad ones, but this one looks better.

-as you wish I leaving the shop to you then.

-don’t go anywhere for too long I still have the order of 10 swords for tomorrow!

-yes Master. I will be back in a second. I will also bring some more materials.

The shopkeeper Marty left and blacksmith Rodrigez looked at Arata.

-so you are the shrimp that said my crafts are made from garbage, ha?

The blacksmith was two heads higher than even though Arata who around 180 himself.

-you have nice way of dealing with customers in this shop.

-it’s not a shop, it’s a blacksmith working place.

-so why are you selling things?

-naturally because it’s better to sell it this way, higher profit, no middleman.

Blacksmith’s answer was really reasonable.

-then, did you come here to recommend something for me?

-nah, just go away, I am just taking a break and I will go back to the work soon.

-sure, go back to work and I will snitch everything that you had on display.

Arata joked around.

-hahaha.

-still, as a blacksmith you should do better job than this.

Arata pointed at the display.

-I not just a blacksmith. I am master of every craft. I expertise in many things, leatherwork, tailoring, weapon crafting, plate smithing, everything you ask I can create.

-you should focus on one thing so your goods have some quality to them.

-quality? Ha! I see that you can recognize this garbage over there…

“All I needed to do was to check the stats and read the description. Although each item said made by skillful blacksmith.”

-it is true that they are of bad quality but people still buy them.

Blacksmith continued.

-you shouldn’t waste materials even if people buy them.

-materials, what materials? Those are made from rubbish that Marty brings here.

Blacksmith finally explain why the goods were so bad.

-Marty?

-yes the one that just left. Marty is my nephew and helps me with the shop. But lately we had some problems.

-what, people weren’t buying enough?

-the opposite, people are buying everything. Just look around our little village. So many people, where did they all come from? I have no idea. It’s the same as 10 years ago.

-10 years ago?

-yes ten years ago there were just as many people that came out of nowhere just like now…

“Ten years, ten years? Ah that was when the game was released. Two years times five.”

-it’s thanks to that time that I have my working place right now. Back them I was still a beginner who just finished the apprenticeship from the master that taught me. But just like nowadays, everyone wanted weapon and armor and there weren’t many blacksmiths in this village so I made weapons and armors all day and sold them without problems. Although, I must say that it was slightly different, I mean the people were different. Back then the people knew if a weapon was worth their money so I did my best to bring out weapons with best quality and with best materials. I earned much at that time and later on build this very forge with my own hands. Ah those were the times.

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The blacksmith told the story of his youth. Although he wasn’t that old even now. His hair was still dark brown without a sign of a white hair appearing.

-so you lost your touch after those years?

-nah, I am much more skilled right now. But the customers don’t have idea about the goods and I don’t have time to make everything very good as orders keep coming. Also the biggest problem, materials. As I said, Marty is gathering rubbish from the streets and I make them into armor. Idiots are buying it anyway and are even happy that it’s cheap.

-that’s not nice of you.

-people want their armor so I am giving it to them, and if they can’t tell the difference it’s their fault.

-well that’s true.

-you finally see my point…

“He robs people and they even thank him for it, such a great job.”

Then blacksmith finally asked.

-anyway, you wanted to buy something, right?

-nah, I will pass on third handed stuff.

-haha don’t worry, for people like you I have something special in stock. And I will even give you a discount.

-a man that’s robs everyone in this city gives a discount, I think it’s time to go.

-I said don’t worry, here look on this.

[ Black clothes of agility

+4 Strength

+12 Agility

+50 Stamina

+150 Health

+50 Armor

+10 Dodge

Made by master craftsman who knew what was he doing and have great experience. They allow user to dance on the battlefield, without restrictions. Thanks to craftsman skills additional stat was added.

Required level 10.

Armor Type: Leather-Mail]

“Hmm, ‘coat of night’ has better stats but this thing is good and they are different types.”

Arata thought and said.

-do you have different color?

Arata was already black enough, and wanted a little change.

-there is, but it’s a little worse. Material was too old for that craft so I had to make few adjustment and stats went down a little.

“Rule of gamer, stats are everything, forget the look.”

-this one it is then.

Arata had to give up.

-haha, don’t worry I have an eye for fashion as it’s important in my position as a crafter. It will suit you nicely, people who will see you will think that you are the dark swordsman or something? Although given your strange hair you can’t be called that. Hmm… hmm, do I know any profession that would suit your look? Oh I know, long time ago when I was a kid I once read about a profession called the twilight swordsman. Twilight is a time of the day right before it gets dark, meaning it’s nearly dark but in truth not so right now, that name fits you perfectly. If you want you can even start telling people that you are twilight swordsman to hide away your real class.

“In that case I would really be telling my class out.”

-still no one with some knowledge will believe you as for me I learned that a profession like that exist from a legend of someone who lived three hundred years ago. Until I see a living thing it will remain a legend to me. A legend told to small kid who once dreamed about being a warrior. The legend said that its rank is that of 2.

-you know something about those ranks?

Arata was surprised hearing something about ranks that appeared only in achievement window from NPC.

-well what I know is that the higher the rank the harder it is to found someone with one. For example twilight swordsman with rank two is only a legend and you probably won’t see one during your lifetime.

-and what about rank one?

Arata was interested in finding out what were the best classes that he could get.

-I don’t know, rank one is even greater legend or rather a myth. Calling it’s a legend is wrong as legends at least have some truth in them when myths don’t. Still if you really want to hear about it, then I can tell you those myths? Still what I will say are mostly fairy tales. I will tell you from the start. It’s really not worth your time. You should ask some scholar about them if you are that interested.

Well Arata was not interested in fairy tales.

-if it’s like that then I will pass, anyway how much for the clothes?

-well I already said that you will get a discount so it will be 5 gold.

-way too much.

-I know my craft and I already give you a discount.

-okay tell me when you sell it to someone here for five gold, bye.

“He will stop me in second and go down with price. It’s a good tactic against the sellers.”

-wait…

And the blacksmith did stop him.

“Haha worked”

-…I see what you are trying to pull off so I will just tell you two things. If you are trying to bargain with an experienced merchant try to not do it in such obvious way.

-… .

Arata was caught red handed.

-also usually you work something out only if the prices are unreasonable otherwise it won’t work. Given my impression on the people I can tell if someone will know if they are robbed or not. I gave you a fair price. But anyway the second thing…

It seemed like the blacksmith wasn’t really angry on what Arata did, after all trying to bargain was a normal thing, although Arata’s way might not be really polite.

-do you really want to get out and become one of the clones?

And now it was Rodrigez turn to show Arata how one should bargain.

-clones?

This word struck Arata right away.

-yes clone. You will look just like everyone else, like all those idiots who buy this rubbish from my shop.

-but I didn’t buy anything.

-ah yes, you will look like the guys who can’t even afford to buy this rubbish and hunt for boars in parties of twenty, no I should rather say in raids.

Arata now recalled Forty and his group and then he give up. Blacksmith Rodrigez showed him a difference in merchant skills and his arguments were too powerful.

-I have only 4,78 gold will this do?

Arata asked with pleading look.

-haha, I see that you are finally honest, don’t worry I will save your image and sell it for that price.

-ah, thank you very much.

-don’t thank me. You will have to return those 22 silvers later on.

-….

Arata equipped his new equipment.

-hahaha, its suits you!…

“Dark clothes suit me? That’s depressing. I am not going to the funeral. Well unless I die and it will be mine funeral then.”

-ah, I happy that one of my craft wasn’t wasted.

Blacksmith Rodrigez said with a smile. He really must mean that. At that moment Marty come back to the shop with 2 meters long rusty piece of metal.

-master Rodrigez, look at what I found!

He said excited.

-good job Marty, I can make two swords and one halberd from it, just bring that broken broom from the basement.

“He really is using every piece of junk that he has.”

-oh customer I see that you bought some clothes. It’s good that we reduced the number of clones even if only by one.

-yea sure.

“I am completely out of money.”

-anyway customer you wanted a weapon as well, right?

Marty reminded Arata of his original goal as he himself already forgotten about it.

-you wanted a weapon as well, kid?

Blacksmith asked as well.

-that was the original plan.

-don’t trouble yourself you won’t find better weapon than the one you have on the hand right now.

-I don’t think that it will be hard to find anything better than my sword.

-what are you talking about? I see that you have sword which went though many battles but is still in good form.

-no, no, I talking about the copper one.

-why do you need two?

-heard about dual wield?

-of course I heard but no one uses it nowadays it’s too hard for people to coordinate two swords at once. Well usually they can’t coordinate even one.

-well I can coordinate two.

-haha now you are just like from legends of twilight swordsman, it is said that they use dual sword style as well.

-hahaha.

Arata laughed awkwardly. But then the blacksmith asked.

-wait a second, what is your class?

-well, it’s a warrior of some sort.

Arata answered with prepared answer. He was not going to give away his class around so he thought that he will simply say warrior or melee fighter or simply a swordsman.

-the full title.

Blacksmith was not satisfied with that answer though.

-master it’s not nice to ask that of a person.

Marty interrupted him but the blacksmith continued.

-silent kid, I talking with him. So what’s the name of profession?

-I would rather not reveal it.

-your secret is safe with me, and you can also win the blacksmith favor. Remember who just went down by 22 silvers just now.

“Eh, never mind.”

-fine, its twilight swordsman.

-haha I knew it, can you prove it?

-sure here is my book of class.

The cover was saying ‘The Twilight Swordsman’ skill book.

-ah a real twilight swordsman, never thought that I will see the day.

Blacksmith said out loudly.

-well with that my debt is clear right?

-I will keep my word. Forget about those 22 silvers… So when did you get your class?

-less than week ago.

-a week ago. Fresh blood then. Just titled twilight swordsman comes to my forge and I can’t sell him a sword, pity.

-you can always give me a sword.

-ah, that’s against my number one rule, Marty tell him the rule.

-never give anything to anyone who doesn’t pay under any circumstances.

Shopkeeper Marty recited the rule.

“Good rule to follow, especially for shops. Although people might hate you.”

Blacksmith Rodrigez continued.

-anyway you wouldn’t want any of the swords that I have on the stock right now. They are all created from the pieces like the one that Marty brought just now.

-I think anything is a better than copper one.

Arata replied.

-true but I won’t sell any junk to the twilight swordsman whose profession is of rank 2. Is it true that it’s a rank of 2?

-yes. So when will you have anything better than this?

-anything better? In three weeks there should be a new delivery but I still won’t sell it to you.

-so where can I get a sword then?

Even though he didn’t have money right now, Arata was already looking towards the future.

-here.

-but you said you won’t sell me any.

-no, I will craft one for you. You just need to bring me the material.

-em okay, so where is the material?

Arata liked where it was going and there was absolutely no reason to refuse. But then.

-master, he can’t go there. Twilight swordsman or not, the beginner is still the beginner. No matter what he would need higher level for this.

“Did that NPC just said level?”

-do you know what a level is?

For Arata it was strange that NPC mentioned level but Rodrigez without worry answered.

-of course we know, who doesn’t. Level is an advice that shows where you should go and from where you should stay away. Many consider that level is strength itself but it’s a lie. Anyway everyone knows about the levels.

“There is no reason to go into it.”

-so where can I get those materials?

Arata asked again.

“It may even turn into the quest if I am lucky, even if it don’t, I still will get good reward alright.”

Still blacksmith Rodrigez changed his mind out of sudden.

-no Marty is right, rank 2 or not, you can’t go there right now.

-if you think that I won’t manage then maybe you should see how I fight first.

-it’s not about that. The place that I am talking about is high deep inside the mountains. There you can find a black ore.

-black ore?

-yes, black ore. I thought that I will make you sword from it. For someone like twilight swordsman it will be a perfect weapon, on the other hand anyone else without that title the sword will be unusable.

“Class related item, must to get.”

After hearing all that there was nothing that would stop Arata right now.

-in this case I will definitely get that ore.

-don’t underestimate level difference, you shrimp!

But then the blacksmith shouted at him.

“What with that shrimp again it’s you who is just too big.”

-I understand I will be extra careful.

Arata answered.

-no you don’t understand and that’s the problem. In the place which I talk about there are monsters on level 60 or so. Boss could be even 100. There is no way that shrimp like you who is what, level 12 can go there.

“100!? Maybe I should pass this one for now.”

-how do you know my level?

-ha you might have some items but you said that you got your profession week ago so you can’t be higher than this…

“He is somewhat knowledge about it.”

-so here is the deal, when you are strong enough come back and then we will talk.

[You have been asked to do a quest]

[Black Sword (prequest)

Every swordsman needs a sword, as for swordsman a sword is like his lifeline. You found a skilled smith with knowledge of making a weapon that would only answer the call of twilight swordsman. Still he doesn’t want to see you dead so he will not ask you to go and bring him the material. You need to level up first before he tells you the details. Return to him when you get stronger.(Level 30 at minimum required, recommended level 70)

Rank of the quest 9

Restriction: Class quest for twilight swordsman]

-I will return soon.

[You have accepted the quest]

-just don’t forget about it. I am also looking forward to it. It’s been a while since I created a true piece of art. As for the costs… I know you are broke so when you will be on the mission you will also bring me some spare materials from it as well.

Blacksmith Rodrigez said that and then he returned to his forge through the passage at the left side of the wall.

Arata also left the blacksmith workshop.

“I am broke.”

He thought to himself as he continued through the streets. In MMOs the money was really important, but you shouldn’t pile them up, money has worth only if you spend them, and what’s a better way than to spend it on equipment.

“I wanted a sword at first but blacksmith swindled me into buying armor and now I will have to deal with this.”

He looked at his copper sword that he won in the tournament. Many players would kill for a sword like that in the place where he was now, but to him it looked plain in comparison to ‘sword of lighting speed’ that he got from instructor.

“I need money!”

Arata then thought back to Forty and his party. They also didn’t have money for weapons so they attacked him.

“Maybe, I should look for person with black-white as well.”

With this small joke Arata decided that it is time to visit the centrum that he heard about, mainly the job board. Although in comparison to the city of beginners he wanted to find something that involved killing monsters. Work in Marco’s restaurant wasn’t bad and he actually learned to cook there a little but still, Arata was playing an RPG with fantasy setting, he was not doing it to work at the kitchen sink.

The center of Loris was as if there was a festival going on. Many people set up different stands that we’re doing ‘various things’. Some sold food others were about playing festival like games, there was also rumored fortune telling tent and a long line before it. In a way it seemed like a small amusement park as well. Well festivals were just like that although, this situation was everyday thing.

“I don’t have money anyway so I won’t even look around.”

With that though, Arata skipped all attractions and moved to job board. He saw many information’s on it about the jobs that needed to be done. They weren’t only made by NPC.

[Buying boar meat. Bucher.]

[Buying boar leather. Marty from Forge]

…

“Looks like there are quite a lot jobs for boars, but I hope there is something else.”

[Painter looking for party to hunt boars.]

“HAHA a painter, good one”

He laugh at that, but some people did end up in ‘special’ classes.

[Party looking for ‘tank’ for Stoneground dungeon, minimum level 15]

“Oh there is a dungeon at level 15 already, its fast. I thought that I wouldn’t see one until at least level 40 or something. Stoneground? That doesn’t tell me much, is there any information about place with monsters for my level?”

Unfortunately Arata didn’t find information like that.

Arata was reading the board once again to see if he didn’t miss anything. He found three jobs that he could take care of and get some money on the hand and he was deciding which one to choose. But while he was doing that a fuss started nearby. The players moved away a little and started to talk to each other.

-hey it’s him right?

-yes the one that was recruiting the other day, I thought that they moved out already.

-never mind just look at him.

-yes it’s not everyday sight to be seen.

Arata also moved through the crowd and looked what was the fuss about. At the entrance to the plaza he saw two people who really stood out from the crowd. After seeing them, Arata never again would thought that he can stand out from the crowd.

One of them was female elf, but something was different from normal image of elf. Normally when you think about the elf you picture a human with pointy ears and long light colored hair. Well, she did have pointy ears and was tall and slim. Her figure was of an elf for sure. She even had a large green bow on back, green clothes that elves normally would wear but she had long dark-brown hair which wasn’t common for elves that often had them blonde or white. She was also, ‘very gifted by nature’ when it came to the chest.

If she had entered the plaza alone, most of people would definitely be looking at her. It was probably the first time that players could see someone of elven race. She also had a mature beauty that would pick everyone’s interest. However next to her walked another person and it was him that made everyone hold their breath.

He wore full plate armor grey-red armor. The plate parts were grey and cloth parts were red. His armor looked like someone took it out from fantasy tale about the mightiest hero of continent and put it right on the guy. But the most surpassing was not the armor. The man had the handsome face which half of world’s population would envy and second half would fall in love with. Then there was also that childish smile which he had on his face when he was talking with his elf friend. His hair was dark shade of red which was the same as that of his armor. He also had unusual color of eyes, they were also dark red. He emanated some kind of grand image that drawn people in and at the same time it would make it difficult to approach.

People became quiet at two of them entered the square so it was possible for Arata to listen to their conversation.

-Gerald! Give it up, there are no people like that in this city.

-but it’s a mage Kelly, a mage, a mage, a mage.

The one that was sulking was a man in armor, it was even more strange sight than before people saw him. The elf replied to his sulking.

-I know you want a mage, but not everything is as easy as you think.

-sure it is. We find that person and boom our mage joins, simple as that.

-you are already calling her ours… in the first place why didn’t just use that tongue of yours to convince her?

-well, I tried but she was kept saying no.

-and did it ever stop you?

-not that I remember.

-see, so what is the problem?

-obviously it would be better if she joins on her own rather than after I convince her. Everyone will be happy then, not just me. See! I am thinking of those things as well.

-you say that but you already convinced her enough and now you are just holding back. Right now, you just need to add a single word and it will be done.

-as I said, I want everyone to be happy. When everyone is happy everything always works out better. Also Kelly, you know, I was always weak when it came to girls.

-and you think I will believe that?

Both of them stopped at the middle of the center and continued.

-hahaha.

The man just laughed to elf last remark.

-no forget it, I won’t get serious with you, it just isn’t worth it.

-Kelly, Kelly, Kelly don’t worry, all we need to do is just to find that guy and all our problems will disappear.

-but we have been on it for 5 days already! Gerald 5 days.

-yes those five days weren’t really fruitful, don’t you think? But everything will work out in the end.

-do you still remember why we came here in the first place?

-of course, it’s my grand plan after all.

-so why are we going around in circles for 5 days?

-because it’s a mage Kelly, a mage, a mage, a mage. Didn’t you listen to me before?

-but Loki already went with his group and we do what?

-don’t worry, Loki will come back soon enough. His group will die rather fast given the statistics. Well I didn’t see them so maybe someone will manage. Given that it’s already been five days since we saw him it seems quite promising.

-why do we even bother to invite people if they will die anyway?

-because if they survive they will be the ones we look for.

-but no one survives! Also your mage will die as well if she is going with you.

-you never know that Kelly.

-no I do. In the first place, she doesn’t know left from right, how did she even end up as mage in the first place?

-it doesn’t matter how, what matter is that she did end up as a mage, so she might have a hidden talent and I already caught a glance of it.

-okay I understand that mages are hard to find those days.

-you finally see my point. Anyway if what I think is correct…-

-yes you are correct and?

Even though the man was not sure, the elf cut in his speech and confirmed it even if she herself did not know what the man was talking about.

-if it really is correct then we will train her and in time she will be our strongest mage.

-if that girl becomes our strongest mage I somehow don’t see our guild future very much.

-ah, that’s because you don’t know her profession.

-okay fine what does she have?

-well it’s a secret but I can tell you at least that it’s ranked higher than yours Kelly.

-she has rank higher than 3!? How?

-strange things happen in the world, don’t you agree?

-anyway Gerald, it’s not like she will join anyway. Give it up already.

-but it’s a mage Kelly, a mage, a mage, a mage!

-yes I am hearing it for a past four days. But it doesn’t change the fact that she won’t join.

-what are you saying, she was really happy when we offered her to join, wasn’t she?

-happy? I remember that she started running the moment you started walking in her direction.

-hahaha, it was fun in its own way. We sure played around.

-for me it looked like you were hunting a frightened deer.

-it’s our precious mage after all.

-I don’t know how you do it but no matter who they are, people always eat from your hand. So how did you convince her?

-actually it was quite easy. She said that she was looking for a guild herself. But I must say add that I was really captive by her speech about guild leader that he told me back then.

-yes, with that talk she made you make a promise to her.

-ah, it was a really grand speech. I decided that I want to be a leader like that.

The man ignored elf’s last comment.

-I don’t think you can.

-sure I can!

-anyway because of that talk you went easy on her and made that stupid promise.

The elf repeated herself, as she was sure that her companion was not listening.

-it didn’t look that stupid and Kelly.

-I know it’s a mage.

-exactly. I am glad you finally understand.

-five days Gerald.

-…well the deal looked rather easy at first and it was promising to us as well.

-well finding her friend in this village didn’t look that hard at first.

-exactly but if he is not in this village then it’s slightly more problematic.

-slightly? We looked for him for 5 days already Gerald, you even gave out the reward for his head.

-not his head, I just said that the one that brings him here will get 10 gold.

-but it sounded like you wanted people to hunt him down for you.

-it’s better than just looking by ourselves.

-no, no, no Loki was right about the whole thing from the start. Remember he went ahead the second he heard about the deal.

-no, Loki just wanted to test his group faster. There were some inpatient members in it as he explained.

-he is just simply following our plan that we made but you simply ignored it even though it was mostly your idea and you start to look for some imaginable person because some newbie told you so.

-but it’s a mage Kelly.

-mage with delusions, you still remembered her friend’s description.

-well people sometimes have unusual hair while their characters is made, look at yourself a white-elf who is not blonde, even heard about something like that.

-said the person with red hair.

-but you know that I have the same hair in real life so don’t say that it’s unnatural.

-yes you are one of those who choose option just like real life, where is the fun in that?

-well, even if you choose random you still ends up somewhat similar, what would be the reason why you don’t have light colored hair despite being an elf.

-okay our hair is one thing. But that guy is different.

-our mage also have interesting hair color don’t you agree?

-I can understand blue color somehow. But what she said about that guy is impossible.

-but it’s a mage Kelly.

-mage or not, hair like that is impossible without use of high level dye.

-but she said that it looked natural.

-no Gerald it can’t look natural at all… eh… oh, look see over there! That guy in the black…

The elf pointed a finger in Arata’s direction.

-do you think that something like that can be natural?

Then the man also looked at him. The moment that happened, Arata got chills just from his gaze even though his face was not angry or anything and he simply looked at him. Still Arata felt that he could die any second the moment he get closer to that guy. The man continued.

-now that I see hair like that up close, it may be true that colors like that to be impossible on default.

-you finally see my point.

The elf answered relieved.

-in that case I just thought of a great idea. We simply find the guy with black hair and dye his hair with some white paint so it looks just like that guy’s head.

-that might be the only choice.

-okay, you go find the dye and I will find someone with black hair who is also a good actor.

-but the white dye is cost a lot, you know and it’s impossible to get it here in this part of the world.

-just get some white paint and that will do for now.

-hey Gerald.

-hmm?

-can’t we just use that guy over there?

-well he looks like the person we are looking for after all, and we won’t have to bother with paint if he already has a hair like that.

-by the way, in the first place isn’t that a guy we are looking for?

-I was waiting for a moment you will say it Kelly…

Arata recalled that someone wanted to get his head, and it was the man from Forty’s description. Not only that, he also just heard it himself.

“I think that it’s time to run!”

That was what his instincts were screaming to him.

But just as Arata was finally about to do that, the elf and the man in gray-red armor appeared right before him. The elf was about the same height as him and the knight was higher by about 5 centimeters, and from close he also looked little older than Arata by around one to three years.

-hi there, my name is Gerald, you are coming with us to the training dungeon so I can see you up close. If you show any promise I will let you enter our soon to be created guild. Oh and this is Kelly. Are you ready? Great. LET’S GO!

The man just said those words and started to run back to the entrance then the elf spoke to Arata.

-for now just come with us, also give up running away, you can’t refuse that man.

Then the elf started to run after the man soon after.

-what the… ?

Said Arata but no one was here to listen anymore. Still one way or another, he also started to run after them without giving it much thought, as it was the most natural thing to do.

//**This chapter is far from over. Continue to _9.2**//

http://www.royalroadl.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=333&t=3043