FHaL Online

Volume 1 Advent of a Hero

Chapter 3 Patrol: Morning Forest

After his trainings with the arena instructors he set his eyes on the next training grounds.

"I forgot to read the book I have here. I'll read it while I head there to the Barracks."

...

Just after he had lunch, he arrived at his destination. He red about 1/4 of the book already.

He put away the book on his backpack.

He heads to the barrack's gate.

-Halt! What business do you have here?

The guard stopped Romulus before he even gets closer.

"I wish to train here."

-Then you go to the arena, there are instructors there.

"But I was just there and finished all the trainings I needed there."

Then a soldier was passing by, but his armor's a bit different than others.

And the soldiers guarding the gates made a salute.

-Commander!

-What seems to be the commotions here?

The commander asked the two guards.

-This guy wanted to train here he said.

-Well, does he qualify?

He questioned the guards while looking at Romulus.

"I think I qualify, pretty much, sir!"

-hahahhahaha. We'll see, okay. You can train with our new recruits if you want.

But you have to follow our training regimen.

And once you started training here. You will not be allowed forfeit or be allowed to give up.

You will finish what you started. We will make a soldier out of you.

"I think I can deal with that,sir!"

-The training goes for 80 days. You will be living here in the barracks in those 2 months or more.

You will follow your superiors orders.

You will be registered as a "recruit" of the army in that 80 days.

And as a recruit, you will recive a salary of 10 silvers a day.

Which you will recieve every 10 days. Your salary could increase depending on your rank.

For now, that's all the information you'll be needing.

-You--he pointed at the guard on the right--guide him to the barracks' commander.- the Commander ordered the guard

-Yes commander!--Follow me recruit!-- as he turned to Romulus.

'Sweet! Not only I get to train and gain some experience, but free lodge, free food. And they'll pay me even. Hahahahaha.'

He was grinning awkwardly while heading to the barracks.

When he arrived at the front doors of the barracks the soldier told him to go see the barracks commander.

-The quarters of the commander is in the top-left corner of the tallest building in the barracks.

"Commander? I just talk to him. He's on his way out with his units." confused by the orders from the soldiers.

-Ahhhh. That "commander" you're talking about si General Sylvanus Moonglade.

He's a noble residing in the Upper District. And the first general from our own city.

The commander you're going to meet is Captain Iardir Erlshade.

He's in-charge of the going-ons in the barracks, that and the trainings.

Explained one of the guards.

"Ohhh. Okay. Well thanks seniors, I'll go and meet captain now."

He walked inside the barracks and see numerous soldiers doing their things minding their own business.

Some paid attention to a newcomer while others did not. He went upstairs and went left.

There the barracks commander's door were open.

*Knock knock

He then entered.

"SIR!" as to get the attention of the captain who was talking to a soldier.

-You must be the new recruit. What's your name soldier?

"ROMULUS SIR!" he is raising his voice like that in the modern army.

-hahahah. Pretty spirited are we, huh?  I hope you can keep up that spirit in your 80 days of hell.

Here, this will be your identification in the army.

The captain gave him a necklace.

'A leaf-designed dogtag? With my name on it. Cool!'

His eyes were sparkling. As if a kid who got his favorite toy.

High Elven Army Identification Necklace

Nothing fancy about this necklace.

Recruit I+1 fame

-If you check on the back, you'll see a bar there. That's your rank. It will increase if you advance in your veterancy.

Your veterancy will increase up to four bars. The next bar you'll recieve then will be on a new necklace, indicating a new rank.

Okay, anyway anyway. We don't really need to talk about ranks. You're here for "training".

So ranks won't be that important for you. As a recruit, one must first undergo physical strengtening.

Go speak to Drillmaster Gawadon. He's currently in the mess hall.

"Sir yes sir! I'll be going now sir."

He went to the mess hall to speak with the drillmaster.

After arriving at the mess hall. The Drillmaster is having his dinner.

-So you're the new recruit? Just in time. The training for new recruits should start the day after tomorrow.

"What am i suppose to do tomrrow then, drillmaster, sir?

-Well, some of the recruits are already on the training fields and doing free training.

"Thank you sir, I think I'll finish up the book I'm reading."

-Okay. The recruits quarters are beside this mess hall outside.

The night grew. He entered the recruits quarters, his quarters to be.

There were few elves there. And he got their attention immidiately.

'So... where is he?' he thought. He was looking for the one who is gonna be the bully for the new comers.

The one who got here first. But saw no bully.

-Welcome brother!- someone finally spoke and greeted him.

Then the other elves turned back to what they were doing before.

"Thank you. I'm Romulus by the way." he introduced himself.

-Hatharall is my name, my friend. Well here, this is your bed and you put your things here.-

the high elf talking to him showed him the footlocker underneath Romulus' bed.

The keys were also there.

On the bed were a pair of elven tunic and trouser and a pair of elven leather boots.

'Wow! I'm already free of these beginner garments earlier than others.

Not only I got a cloak, but an elven tunic already.'

He took the garments and proceed to went into the bathroom.

-Why not change here? You shy?- asked Hatharall.

"Not that I'm shy, I got a horrible scar that I don't want anyone to see. And I also need to take a bath." exclaimed Romulus.

-Okay, suit yourself. After you bathe and change, let's go grab something to eat.-

"Okay."

Yup, the elven barracks are not like the human's or any others. Every barracks's quarters have their own baths.

After he took a bath he wore/equip his new garments.

And gain additional 29 deffense for both physical and magical deffense

from both the tunic and the trousers. They were common uncommon items. Which gives magic deffense.

"Fits perfectly... and also comfortable."

***

Hatharall and Rommulus then went to the mess hall to eat. They chatted to the other recruits there.

"I'm Romulus. It's an honor to work with to-be elven soldiers such as yourselves." humbly introduced Romulus.

-Khelvan, and the honor's all mine. Thank you. Please share a table with us.-

-Ruven, brother.-

-Taeral is thy name. It's an honor to meet you my friend.-

And so on... All 16 of the recruits present in the mess hall introduced themselves to Romulus.

-So.. what reasons is there for you to join the ranks?- asked Khelvan.

"Please do not be offended, for I see in front of me are brave elves risking their lives to be stronger to

be able to protect the city and its people. While I joined to be strong so that I'll be able to hold my own in

my journeys and adventures."

-Do not appologize my friend. We have different reasons to be here. I'm here so that I could atleast have a job,

rather than being a lazy bum or a drunkard.- said Taeral.

-Yup. But of course the duty of protecting the city and it's citizen comes first of all. It's ok whatever your reason

is, as long as we can count on you when the time comes the city needs defending.- then seconded by Hatharall.

"Of course, I already owe this city big time. And in my 80-days of service in the army I'll do whatever my best,

to help the city to the utmost best that I can."

-Well then? Cheers! For our new brother in arms--Romulus!-

And the 16 recruits all cheered loudly and happily.

The other soldiers--their seniors--in the mess hall just let them do as they please.

After the welcome party, the recruits heads back to their quarter to rest and sleep.

Romulus stayed awake, well cause he's not like the NPC.

He finished reading the book he got from the avatar creation room and the book disappeared like *poof* it's gone.

+ 13 Stat Points To All Available Stats

Book of Knowledge(Unique) consumed

'Additional 13 stat points... pretty good ehy. I think I'll go outside and do some patroling with the other patrol guards.

***

Romulus opened up his locker, and equipped his shield on his back and then the cloak.

He then took the long sword and, arming sword and the dagger. And the bow and his ammos.

And since the mess hall is still open, he told the mess officer that he'll join the patrol and asked for rations.

Thus he was given rations. -Dilligent recruit huh. That's how recruits should be.-

"Excuse me seniors, you're on your way to patrol? Would you mind if I participate in your patrol?"

Romulus asked politely the patrol guards. The patrol consist of 10 soldiers, led by a Decanus.

-Recruit, right? I'm Klargus, a "decanus", in charge of this patrol group.

I don't mind you joining our patrol. Rather, I like what you're doing, taking initiative.

But, can you handle being outside the city walls?

Our patrol route leads us outside the city, into the Morning Forest then back.-

"Recruit Romulus, sir. If you'll allow me to come, I'll try my best to do whatever

I can help with and also try my best not to be a hindrance.

-Dilligent you are, huh. You should be a model to your fellow recruits. I am Bahestur.- praised by Bahestur,

he somehow felt the "Intimacy" rising quite a bit.

-Very well. And it seems you've prepared already. Let's get going then--march!- ordered by Decanus Klargus.

-Take the rear recruit.- said one of the soldiers.

"Aye!"

Ding!

Calradea Night Patrol

You are now part of the patrol party group that is patroling the Morning Forest.

+10 fame after finishing the patrol

This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

And so they ventured outside the city. Romulus's first night out.

***

After crossing the wide wilderness outside Calradea, the patrol rested at Morning Forest's entrance.

Romulus, a bit excited and a whole lotta nervous, holds his bow with an arrow already mounted on it ready to shoot.

-Calm down rookie.- said Dhalenaar. While on they march to MF, each soldiers on the patrol introduce themselves.

And one of them is Dhalenaar.

"Sorry, it's my first time outside the city. So I'm a bit nervous." *gulp* as he tried to swallow his dried up throat.

-Here, drink some ale. It'll quench you thirst, then your nerves.- Meriga offered his canteen of elven ale.

"Ahhh.. Thanks. That taste good." he took the offer and had a gulp on it.

-Wine business, that's our family business! We're good at it and we've been at it for quite a long long time!- Meriga proudly declared.

-Yup. And that's why father always ordered at them for our tavern.- Ajaar agreed to Meriga, their family owns one of the

tavern in the western district of Calradea.

They were interrupted by Klargus.

-OK troops! Get ready, we are to enter the forest!- Decanus Klargus ordered his troops.

-SSSIIRRR!- in unison, the patrol group and Romulus, answered.

-Rookie! Come here!-

"Yes sir!

-You stay here by my side when we encounter Wildlings inside the forest.-

He was ordered by Klargus to his side.

Romulus' nerves seemed to calmed down a bit. Since a decanus' level is about 60-70.

While the others were level 40-50.

And the Wildlings=creatures on wilderness--are bout level 30-40.

But the forest's Wildlings are a higher tier than those on the open fields.

These wildlings are more closer to being dungeon creatures.

As soon as they entered the forest.

Romulus now knows why it was called the Morning Forest.

Wisps lights the forest like it was a morning light.

When the sun has just risen and sheds its light on the forest.

Romulus' lost for words by the beauty of the forest.

-Beautiful isn't it?- asked Decanus Klargus as he saw his reaction.

-But of course, not everything here is beautiful. There are ferals here in the forest.-

"Ferals?" a new terminology he never heard before.

-Lone beasts that attacks anyone, regardless if they're strong or not.-

As he warns Romulus.

'Seem they do not have the concept of "Level", so they can only tell "strong" and "weak".'

After a few hours inside the forest, they set up a camp to rest.

3 groups of 2 then do patrols on their own. But not too far from the camp.

Romulus stayed, or rather, he was not allowed to.

And then one of the groups started running back towards the camp. They encountered a feral.

-What happened?!- asked Klargus.

-We encountered a feral Bear, sir!- it was Bahestur, and his partner is Meriga.

-Why didn't you engage it then?- Klargus was a bit frieghtened by the reactions on their faces.

-Is it the one we're trying to avoid here in the forest?!- suddenly the troops who heard the decanus

froze in fear of the incoming tragedy to befall upon them.

-*pant pant* Hhhh-haaaaaa.. Yes sir! We passed by the cave, we thought it was inside.

But suddenly it came charging us from the side.- Bahestur and Meriga was winded when they arrived at the camp.

They're not even finished catching up with their breathes when

--*thud-dud thud-dud thud-dud*-- they heard the heavy strides of the beast.

And then suddenly the Bear Champion leaped from a small rise where Bahestur and Meriga came from.

Bahestur and Meriga was about to turned around when --GET DOWN!-- Klargus shouted.

Bahestur and Meriga docked and managed to dodge the leaping bear.

Klargus reflexedly raised his shield to block the Bear Champion

--*CLANG!* the sound of the claw hitting the metal shield of Klargus *crash*-- and he was knocked back and down.

-Argh! And you brought it back here to the camp, FOOLS! Aaaahhh! Damn it.

Kill the damn beast--KILL IT! KILL THE BEAST!- as he stood back up and roared his battle cry.

The Bear Champion is about 3 meters in height if it stood on its two feet.

Romulus gauged the level to be about 80-100.

"RRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRHG" lets' out a "Terrifying Roar".

Terrifiying Roar3s stunRecieved "Terrified" Status Effect

Terrified-18 to Defense and Magic Defense-50% Attack Damage-50% Attack and Movement Speed

Its roar echoed through the forest, and the other 2 groups that went out to patrol hastily run back to their camp.

The bear then attacked the nearest target that is still stunned.

Dhalenaar was the target. But he quickly regained his consciousness. He barely dodge the Gashing attack of the bear.

He recieved a wound on his sword arm.

--Quickly! Surround the beast!-- ordered Klargus as soon as he saw the other 2 groups arriving on the scene.

They've surrounded the bear. They brandished their spears and tried attacking it.

The bear just parried the spears in front of him. While it endured the other attacks.

Romulus with his bow attacked relentlessly. Since the target is so large, it's difficult to miss.

10

13

09

11

15

10

08

These numbers' popping out of the bear every time Romulus hits the bear.

But he sees that it's not even scratching the hide of this beast.

It's life bar seemed to be only reduced by no more than 10% even with all the elven patrol group attacking with their spears.

Because of this, he could not see the total HP of the Bear(Champion).

And since it's "Night Time", the bear grew stornger by 100%.

The bear seemed to be confused on who's to attack since there many pointy things pointed at him.

He tried to claw the spears out of the way, but the elves were persistent on annoying the bear.

But suddenly--

-I've had enough poking this bear! RAAAAARGH!-

Ajaar charged the bear.

The bear sensed the bloodlust of the charging Ajaar, turned around to face him head on.

*blag!* as Ajaar did a "Shield Charge" and collided with the bear. He seemed to be succesful,

but *blag--crash* bear swipe the shield and smashed the shield easily since it's not like Klargus' iron shield.

The bear did not only broke the shield, but also the arms of Ajaar. Ajaar writhes on forest floor in pain.

The bear ready to pounce Ajaar when--

*woosh--chak*

134!

--an arrow struck its eyes. A critical hit! Critical hit damages = depends on the targeted locations.

Romulus splendidly hit the right eye of the bear. And it stood on its two feet in pain.

"Now! Take Ajaar away!" Romulus shouted.

Then two elven soldier, Adamar and Luthais took Ajaar and retreated.

-RETREAT! RETREAT! HEAD FOR THE FOREST ENTRANCE! RETREAT!- the patrol group heard their commander Decanus Klargus' orders.

And everybody started running and the bear was on all fours again recovering its composure.

It started looking at the direction the arrow came from and saw Romulus.

'SHIT SHIT SHIT SHIT! HOLY FUCKING SHIT!' as panic runs down Romulus' body.

He then started to run towards where everybody's heading, the entrance to the forest.

*thud-dud thud-dud thud-dud* the bear also started its terrifying charge, its target? Romulus.

"HOLY FUCK! WAIT UP!" as his hands are trying to reach out his companions.

-NO SHIT! HOLY FUCK! DON'T BRING IT HERE!- Bahestur replied.

'How cold! Those fuckers!'

As they almost reach the entrance. They heard the terrifying roar again.

Though what they hear was already a distant echo. They made it all outside the forest.

It was about 4 at dawn already.

***

On their way back to the city...

"You were so cold back ther Bahestur." Romulus complained about the event on their retreat.

-Sorry. It's just that, we don't want anymore casualties, you see. We're lucky it stopped its pursue on us.-

Bahestur appologized and explained why he said that.

"Yeah... We're lucky we only ended up like this and nobody died."

-Yeah, and it was thanks to you!- as Meriga praised Romulus timely hit on the bear.

-Th--thank you brother... They would've been carrying a corpse if not for you, brother Romulus.-

Ajaar expressed his gratitude to his savior.

"I only did what I could. And luckily, I hit the eye of the bear to draw its attention."

He humbly replied.

-Lucky or not does not change the fact that we were save because of you, thank you! We're greatful that you

have joined our patrol tonight.- Klargus expressed his gratitude then praised him.

They arrive at the vicinity of the city.

Their morale was low, they looked like a defeated army heading home...

to be continued...

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