Forge of Heroes and Legends(FHaL Online)
Volume 1 Advent of a Hero
Chapter 4 Patrol: Morning Forest II
They arrive at the vicinity of the city.
Their morale was low, they looked like a defeated army heading home...
******
Dawn breaks. The sun rises. And..
They made their way inside the city to the barracks and into the barracks commander's quarters.
-Captain!--*salute*--we've come to report about the patrol route on Morning Forest, sir!-
Klargus and his men, along with Romulus then entered the quarter.
-How'd it go soldier?-
-We made it inside the forest safely. There were some adventurers hunting inside the forest,
so no foreseeable threats rising in the future. But deep inside the forest we engage a
powerful bear in an unavoidable encounter. We were forced to retreat and not be able to
complete our routine patrol. One of my men suffered a heavy injury, but luckily we returned complete.-
As Klargus made his routine report after every patrol. He then added and pulled Romulus to his side.
-And also captain, recruit Romulus volunteered on our patrol. And he was the one who dealt the decisive
blow that save one of my men from an imminent death, and thus allowing us to be able to retreat safely.-
-Is that so? How brave of you recruit Romulus. Why couldn't our other recruits be as diligent as you?
Give me the necklace I issued you.-
He praised Romulus then asked for the dog-tag that was given to him.
"Sir!" Romulus handed the necklace. And after just a minute it was given back to him.
-Here you go.-
High Elven Army Identification Necklace
Nothing fancy about this necklace.
Recruit II+2 fame
Even before the recruit's training even began, he already advanced 1 rank in his veterancy.
And he also receive another thing: Honor Points.
+ 10 Honor Points
"I'm honored captain!" he was brimming with excitement and a bit of pride.
-Good job Romulus!-
-Congrats!-
-Yeaaahhh! Way to go rookie!-
The guys from the patrol group's all cheering.
"We should not be celebrating though. Ajaar's in the infirmary right now. We should visit him after here."
He humbly told them.
-Yes. You should visit him.- Captain Erlshade agreed. -Then I'll be relieving you of your patrol duties
tonight. You should rest yourselves.-
-Please captain, we still wanted to do our duties even tonight.
I, personally wanted to avenge Ajaar and and my pride.
My pride was left on that forest when we retreated without even giving a single wound
to the beast. Only recruit Romulus came back with his pride intact.-
Klargus expressed his true feelings. Because on their way back to the city,
everybody except Romulus was low on morale.
The soldiers then agreed to their Decanus.
-Yes captain!-
-Rigth!-
-Revenge!-
Then decanus Klargus turned and asked Romulus.
-How about you, Recruit Third Class Romulus?
Will you once again venture into the forest with us tonight?-
Commission Offer
Patrol Duties
Patrol on the Morning Forest tonight. With the patrol group led by Decanus Klargus,
you were asked to join.
Reward
+ 800 exp
+ 20 fame
Do you accept?
Yes
No
Wow. My first task is a "commission"?'
"Sure. But first we need to prepare and plan our assault." Romulus agrees to join the patrol once again.
Commission Accepted!
After they made their report, they headed to the infirmary.
Then Romulus went to the recruits's quarters. No one was there..
'I think I'll log out now. I don't even know what time it is now outside.'
He laid on his bed on the recruit's quarter and closed his eyes.
Then he was logged out.
***
After he was logged out. It was already morning.
'Really, time goes by fast if you're enjoying.
And it takes a lifetime when you're like, at school listening to boring lectures.'
"Does you body sleep when you're inside that thing?"
His granpa was there when he got up and out of the capsule.
"I don't know Ojichan. But I certainly feel huuuuungry right now." he stressed his hunger.
"Breakfast is already prepared. Come." his granpa invited him to breakfast.
"But I'm warning you Romulus, don't let the game ruin your body by messing up your lifestyle."
"Yes granpa. Sorry, I was just caught in the excitement and the time passed by."
His eyes were sparkling like a shiny marble as he told him his exciting experience of the game.
"Is it that really great of a game? How about the combat there? Is it any good?"
Romulus was shocked--that his eyes widened--by the curiosity of his granpa.
"I've watched your gaming on the capsules monitor when I woke up. I was worried why you never got to
your room last night. Then I saw the events of your battle with that bear. Though I was dissapointed
that you only shoot it with arrows and never even got close to it to engage in melee, like you always
practice here in the dojo."
"Hahahaha. But we don't practice with bears here if you remember."
Then he rolled his eyes in annoyance.
They arrived at the dining table.
And his granpa continued his inquiries about the game.
"Right. But the basic principles should also apply in the game right?"
His curious granpa continued to inquire.
"I think so.. I don't know really. My first combat, I only shot arrows. So I would never know.
But it should apply, I think?"
"Then the points you should attack to increase maximum damage you can deal is the head and the abdomen
part of the bear. The back and its limbs should withstand damage. Then attack the same place over
and over to also maximize the damage inflicted."
His granpa then gave a lecture about combat.
"Thanks ojichan. I'll be sure to remember that."
He then finished his breakfast and heads to his room.
'Should I rest or go back to the game? I only have 3 hours.'
'I think I'll just rest.'
And so he set his clock to alarm after 2 hours.
******
After 2 hours of rest...
He logged back on in the game. It was already afternoon.
He woke and got up from his bed. He could hear chatters around.
Then Hatharall spoke to him.
-Hey. Woke up finally. So where were you earlier in the morning? We woke up and you're not here.-
"I was out running, to improve my stamina."
Nope. That was a lie.
-Really? Hmmm... Yes, surely soldiers needs stamina for long marches and long drawn battles.-
"Optimistic are we huh? hahaha. Thinking of wars already even though we're only recruits." said Romulus.
"I'm hungry, I'll just grab some grubs. Later brother!"
Satiety Level
43.88%(Slightly Uncomfortable)
He then took off to the mess hall.
******
On the mess hall, the mess officer told him that Klargus sent a message for him to come
and visit them at the 2nd Class Soldiers's quarters.
So after he finished up eating, he immediately went to the quarter where Klargus and his men are.
"SIR!" as he entered the quarter.
-Come, come. No need to be so formal.- Klargus greets him.
"Guys, good afternoon. So what are you guys doing?"
Romulus greeted his party companions.
-Hey.-
-Good afternoon too.-
His companions replied.
-We're preparing for our "patrol" for tonight. Have you prepared already?-
Bahestur then asked him.
"Quite. I just need to get some things repaired though."
-Well what are you still standing here for? We'll leave at twilight.-
"Right away sir!"
-We'll regroup at the eastern district gate.-
******
So Romulus first went to visit Ajaar at the infirmary. While he's at it, he asked the nurses for bandages.
"Can I ask for bandages? We're going on patrol tonight."
After his visit, he went to the barrack's blacksmith to have his equipments repaired.
-I'll just have to sharpen your swords and dagger and straighten your bow. The shield, nothing I can do
to restore it.- as the smith summarized the work to be done. -But I can at least reinforce it.-
"Thanks! When can I retrieve them? I need them before twilight. We're on patrol duties tonight."
-I would say tomorrow.. but I can make exception. I'll repair them right away. It won't take an hour.-
"Thank you, I'll return after I get some more supplies."
He left the barrack's smithy.
And while on his was going out, he met Captain Erlshade.
*salute*
"Captain!"
-Ah! Recruit Romulus, are you on your way to your patrol? You have not yet been issued weapons and armors?-
The captain asked, seeing Romulus' condition. -You came here to repair some items?-
"Yes captain. The items that I got from the arena Instructors."
-Really? That means you're pretty experienced. Instructor at the arena are former soldiers of the city.
And they are pretty much advanced compared to the current instructors here in the army. So why did you
still joined our the military training?-
"Really, they're that respectable? I thought they were just ordinary Instructors."
Doubtful response, Romulus was shocked to know.
-Yes. They were such an achieved individuals. Anyway, go to the armory and get your armor and your prefered
weapons. Just show the armory officer the necklace. Then he'll give you your armor and weapon.-
"Yes! Thank you captain! I'll go right away!"
He was excited. Finally, a decent armor.
'I guess that's the norm if you're part of an army?'
He went to the armory with haste.
******
"Officer? I'm here for my armor and weapons?"
He asked the officer in charge of city armory.
He then showed the necklace issued to him when he entered the military(temporarily).
-Hmm... Wait here.-
The armory officer then went to the armor racks and took a leather padded armor and leggings.
-Here..- he handed the armors to Romulus.
-Normally for a recruit, they were only given a shield and a sword.
But here, you were reported to be able to wield long-swords and daggers and bows.
Come and help me if your in a hurry, I can't carry them all.
"Okay!"
Enthusiasm surge through his body as they tour the armory to get his WEAPONS.
After he got his new armors and weapons. He checked them.
The armors first.
Calradea Issued Battle Armor of Vitality (90/90)
Padded leather armor issued to Calradean Recruits.
+20 Defense
+4 Vitality
Requirements
30 Strength
Calradea Issued Battle Leggings of Vitality (84/84)
Padded leggings issued to Calradean Recruits.
+18 Defense
+3 Vitality
Requirements
26 Strength
Calradea Issued Vambrace of Dexterity (33/33)
Leather armguard issued to Calradean Recruits.
+9 Defense
+3 Dexterity
Calradea Issued Boots of the Runner (46/46)
Reinforced leather boots issued to Calradean Recruits.
+13 Defense
+6 Movement Speed
For his melee, he was not allow to take two melee weapons.
So he chose a one handed sword and a shield.
Elven Spatha (60/60)
Issued sword to the soldiers of the High Elven Army of the Kingdom of Kaelafeim.
One handed Sword
54-62 Damage(Fast)
Requirements
23 Strength
18 Dexterity
Elven Shield (113/113)
Issued shield to the soldiers of the High Elven Army of the Kingdom of Kaelafeim.
+37 Defense
Requirements
23 Strength
A kite shield.
For range, he chose crossbow for maximum damage.
Elven Siege Crossbow (113/113)
Issued crossbow to the soldiers of the High Elven Army of the Kingdom of Kaelafeim.
68-83 Damage(Slow)
Requirements
23 Dexterity
16 Strength
With its ammunition.
100 Crossbow Bolts
So after checking them out, he equipped them and put the his old equipment on his backpack.
He went back to the blacksmith to retrieve his items. His old items were no longer "chipped",
they were repaired back to normal. But their maximum durability dropped a few points.
Then he went to his quarters and put the excess equipments on his locker.
He put to his locker his:
* Elven Arming Sword
* Elven Bow
* Arrows
* Elven Trousers
* Elven Leather Boots
Since the tunic just fits perfectly to him. He still wore it beneath the leather armor.
Status
A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.
Name
Romulus
Race
Chaos Elf
Level
3
Experience
41.8%
Class
None
Profession
Novice
Faction
Neutral
Alignment
Chaotic Neutral
Title
None
Reputation
12
Health600Mana172Stamina580
Basic StatsStat EffectsStrenght47+ 11.75 Damage (Physical)Dexterity41 + 3+ 11 Weapon Damage+ 8.8 Attack Speed+ 5.5 Accuracy+ 22 Critical DamageAgility37+ 6.5 + 6 Movement Speed+ 6.5 + 6 EvasionIntellegence36+ 72 ManaFocus23+ 5.75 Damage (Magic)+ 4.5 Cast SpeedVitality43 + 7+ 500 Health+ 10 HP Regen Per Seconds+ 750 StaminaFortitude36+ 9 Defense (Physical)+ 7.2 Defense (Magic)Miscellaneous StatsStat EffectsLuck26+0.26% chance finding magical itemsCharisma18+0.18 Morale to nearby units
Combat StatsAttack11.75 + 54-62Magic5.75 + 00Defense9 + 124Magic Defense7.2 + 05
SkillsPassiveMark of Chaos(combative)[beginner level 1]One-handed Weapon Mastery (Beginner Level 2)Two-handed Weapon Mastery (Beginner Level 1)Bow Mastery (Beginner Level 1)ActiveNone
Armors Equiped
Calradea Issued Battle Armor of Vitality (90/90)
Padded leather armor issued to Calradean Recruits.
+20 Defense
+4 Vitality
Elven Tunic (38/46)
Simple everyday outfit for an elf.
+ 13 Defense
Calradea Issued Battle Leggings of Vitality (84/84)
Padded leggings issued to Calradean Recruits.
+18 Defense
+3 Vitality
Calradea Issued Vambrace of Dexterity (33/33)
Leather armguard issued to Calradean Recruits.
+9 Defense
+3 Dexterity
Calradea Issued Boots of the Runner (46/46)
Reinforced leather boots issued to Calradean Recruits.
+13 Defense
+6 Movement Speed
Elven Hooded Cloak
+3 Defense
+5 Magic Defense
+37% Cold Resistance
Weapons Equiped
Elven Spatha (60/60)(Main-hand)
Issued sword to the soldiers of the High Elven Army of the Kingdom of Kaelafeim.
One handed Sword
54-62 Damage(Fast)
Elven Shield (113/113)(Offhand)
Issued shield to the soldiers of the High Elven Army of the Kingdom of Kaelafeim.
+37 Defense
Elven Longsword(45/45)
43-57 Damage(Slow)
Chipped Elven Arming Sword(23/43)
23-27 Damage(Fast)
Elven Dagger(30/30)
14-19 Damage(Fast)
Reinforced Stout Shield(worn on back)
+14 Defense
+60% Backstab Damage Reduction
Elven Siege Crossbow
68-83 Damage(Slow)
Ammos
100 Bolts
After his preparations, he heads to the eastern gate. Their regrouping site.
******
It is twilight now, and dusk approaches.
They move out of the city.
While on the move, Romulus also tried to hunt wildlings on the way. Mostly wolves.
There were horned rabbits and deers, but he specifically hunted wolves.
He's even saving the rabbits and deers from the wolves.
Even here inside the game. There is a natural food chain. And the food chain is,
the strong eats the weak. That's all the food chain needs.
So when a wolf is about to pounce on a horned rabbit or deer, *whoosh----pak!*
bolts came flying out of nowhere--actually from Romulus. Then he will run and
close in on the wolf when the wolf is still knocked down from the strong
impact of the hit from the scb. When he closes in, he stabs it multiple times with his
repaired long sword. He does not want to reduce the durability of his new sword.
And his tactics quite works so far. He saved about 16 rabbits and 7 deers. And by doing this,
since the +50% exp bonus is already in effect. He only gained a little amount of exp,
'cause he was in a party--the patrol group--the exp was shared. Still he was able to gain
a level thanks to his diligence.
Other newbs saw what he was doing, but they thought he was just another NPC that is
a part of the patrol. And his patrol companions just let him do what he does.
And about the corpses, since they were on the move, he has no choice but to take the whole
corpse rather than skinning it and taking its hide. While he gathered the corpses of those wolves
he killed, all the rabbits and deer he saved just stared at him in curiosity.
Some even tried to get close to him. He did not paid attention to those that got closer.
Because he was in a hurry.
******
When they arrived at the entrance, they stopped to rest for a while and prepared
a campfire.
-Okay men! Rest up and regain your stamina. Sharpen up your swords and spear heads.
Eat to gain more strength, for we have an upcoming battle with the ferocious bear later.-
Decanus Klargus sat down and gobbled a big chunk of meat then pushed it with an ale.
-Give me your weapons! I'll sharpen them.-
And the soldiers and Romulus handed their weapons to the person.
It was Droth, Klargus' second in command. He was also with them last night's battle.
But just did not managed to stand out so much. He was a quiet person.
While Droth was sharpening weapons of his fellow soldiers.
Romulus was skinning and taking the meat of the wolves he'd killed with his dagger.
He put all the pelts and bones of the wolves into his backpack since identical "materials"
can be stacked into one slot. And so does the weight of the stacked items will stack too.
The meat, he smoked them to preserve them. And also put it on the backpack.
He skinned 23 wolves in all. With his persistent skinning, he gained "Skinning (Beginner Level 1)" skill.
Although some of the pelts he skinned from the wolves corpses were somewhat damaged
or sometimes destroyed because he still had no skinning skill before, he still got 11 pelts.
******
They entered the forest as usual...
Then set up their camp. And they strategise their plan and set up traps every where.
There were trip wires and bear traps.
-We will avoid close contact if possible. Shoot it from the distance. And if it gets drawn
to one of our traps and got immobile, that's when we strike at it--HARD!-
They finished all set ups just before midnight.
The others got up on trees to set up their ambush. The rest stayed aground.
Romulus was one of those on the trees.
Then Bahestur and Meriga, the one who drew the bear to their camp last time,
had the same job yet again. Draw the bear. They went to where they encountered the bear.
Back at the camp/ambush site, ~"ROOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRGH!"~
they heard once again the terrifying roar of the bear. And they readied and braced themselves.
At the distance they saw Bahestur and Meriga running as fast as they could yet avoiding
the traps laid all around. They then jumped up into the nearest tree they could climb at the camp.
-GET READY BOYS! THE NIGHT WILL BE LONGER! TONIGHT WE WILL SHED THE BLOOD OF THE BEAST.-
Decanus Klargus lets out a battle cry. Raising the morale of the troops.
-WWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHHH!!!-
----
*thud-dud thud-dud thud-dud thud-dud*
The bear was sprinting as fast as it could. Revenge! As it charge the camp.
It knows who this strangers are. They are the one who hurt her eyes.
She charged Klargus, *crash* as both her claws reached the shield.
She then looked around and saw the most familiar, most despised face she knew.
She'll rip that face to pieces, feed on the owner of that face's corpse.
Her eye still hurting so bad. The arrow is stucked there.
----
Klargus went down but got up quickly. The bear started looking around,
as if trying to find its target. It stopped looking around when it looked at Romulus.
*gulp*
'Holy shit. It remembered me? Oh my god!'
As Romulus felt the strong bloodlust the bear put out.
He started winding his crossbow. And so his companions started shooting arrows.
The one on the ground started engaging by attacking the bear with their spears.
Romulus fired the first bolt.
40
.
.
.
50
.
.
.
49
.
.
.
42
.
.
.
54
.
.
.
40
It was a slow process. But he was not the only one attacking the bear.
Range attacks continued. The guys on the ground started luring the bear into the traps.
And--*SNAP!*--one of the bear traps caught the bear. It panicked as it does not know what to do.
The bear drop on the ground as it writhes in pain as it let out a pained moan.
An opportunity! -NOW!- they heard Klargus and as fast as they can,
they closed in and--*slash-stab-stab-slash*--struck the bear as powerful as they can.
Romulus got down from his tree and participated in the stabbing party.
The bear bit and broke the trap, freeing itself from it. And it started clawing wildly at the soldiers.
The soldiers did not anticipate the event, and Meriga who was the closest became the target of the mauling.
-NO! Damn, get him to safety.-
Meriga was damaged badly so Klargus ordered him to back away immediately.
And then Romulus went to Meriga to apply bandages to his wounds. He was somehow able to stop
the gashing of Meriga's wounds.
Then he went back to the bear.
Romulus noticed the HP bar is now at 60%. But he could still not see the total health points.
The bear regained its strength and chaged Romulus.
By the hair's breadth he managed to jump-roll to the side and dodge the "Terrifying Charge".
And as he was dodging, he still managed to land a blow on its neck.
286!
Aside from critical hit, his attack also applied "Bleeding" effect.
And the attacks continued for 20 more minutes.
The bear now was down to its last 18% HP. Its total HP is now visible to Romulus.
And so was the name of the bear.
Dire Bear **(Lvl 83)
9,861/54,000
As its last stand. It lets out another terrifying roar, followed by terrifying charge.
Romulus was its target. Its life was about no more than 2%. While Romulus' life left was 80HP.
He took Meriga's spear. He stands firm. He braced himself.
*thud-dud thud-dud thud-dud* "RAAARRGH" *BAM!---CRASH!*
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
(Who survived the clash? In the next chapter.)
Previous Chapter
Next Chapter