"Now that the quests have been turned in, it's time to grind out some skills. Which ones should I choose..." Alex had left Rudy Chaplin with her necklace and headed back to the hag skill apprentice.
While walking over to the hag, he decided to read more in depth about what the help section had to offer.
"The inventory can be manipulated into folders for storage purposes, like quest items being in one folder and regular items in another..." Alex trodded along the dirt path and spoke quietly to himself.
The NPCs looked up from their duties as he walked within a certain range of them, but immediately went back to their work when he continued walking. The black irises and twisting tails that once gave Alex a momentary fright were now commonplace to him.
"The Notes function can be activated to privately record information. Just picture a diary to open the screen." Alex thought of a diary and the Notes page popped up in front of him. Alex rejoiced a little as soon as it worked.
Now that he had some form of recording, he could use it to document the skills and compare them while out in the world. He wouldn't always have access to a skill apprentice, it would be best to grab as many skills as possible and record the skill information in the Notes.
"According to the Help button, you can buy as many skills as you want, but you can only have three active at a time, and if you want to switch them out you have to talk to a skill apprentice or possess a certain item from the dungeons." Alex contemplated which three skills to choose.
Tough Hide, considering it's cost, was an obvious purchase. Anything that increased his immediate survivability would be the correct skill to choose.
Upon arriving at the hag's house, the sun had begun to set and a cold blue mist surrounded the town.
"What do you want!" The hag yelled.
The skill display column appeared in front of Alex once more and the skills that were displayed had not changed. Alex looked over the skills until he found the one he was looking for.
Under the skill for Tough Hide was a small purchase button. When Alex clicked the purchase button another prompt appeared.
Purchase Tough Hide skill
Yes or No
Alex clicked yes and a small golden glow enveloped his body. Upon opening the skills panel, his first skill appeared with a blue flashing button that said 'activate'. Alex activated the skill and saw his skin turn a slightly red color. He stretched his skin and it seemed to retain the same elasticity as before.
"What else do you want!" The hag seemed a little more pleased at Alex's purchase.
Each skill had a detail panel beside it, and Alex chose to open each panel simultaneously to record the information in his notes.
1 - Minor Contract Summon - 10 Silver - Summon an imp familiar that is bonded to you through blood. All experience will be split in half, familiar is A.I. Controlled but will do as commanded. The higher level the familiar the stronger spells it can cast. Can only produce fire element spells.
2 - Poison Use - 20 Silver - Player cannot be poisoned when handling various herbs and poisons. Higher level increases chances of successfully applying poison and successfully resisting natural poisons. No effect against magical poisons.
3 - Skinner - 10 Silver - Player can remove the hide of animals they have killed. The hide will automatically be added to inventory after the skill finishes. The user cannot skin another player's kill unless in a party together.
4 - Herbalist - 10 Silver - Player is able to recognize various herbs and their medicinal effect. Higher levels increase chance of removing herbs with success and amount of herbs given. Herbs are presented in green on the mini map for player.
5 - Blacksmith - 30 Silver - Create armor and weapons from ingots. Higher levels unlock different ores to rework and the quality of the finished product. Quality affects durability and level of applied abilities such as gems and enchants.
6 - Unholy Magic - 40 Silver - (Restricted to Necromancer, Cleric and Vampire classes) Derived from the darkest magics, unholy magic allows players to apply curses and raise the dead. Cannot resurrect other players, only NPCs and monsters. Higher levels increase number of resurrections and chance of successful casting.
7 - Soul Force - 40 Silver - (Restricted to Monk and Songweaver classes) The soul is the essence of the human body and can allow for many incredible feats of strength. Soul force allows players to protect themselves, blast ki from their palms, strengthen their bodies and heal their allies.
8 - Soul harvest - 20 Silver - (Restricted to Vampire and Necromancer classes) Harvest the soul of fallen enemies to bolster yourself and your summons. Higher levels give higher rates of successful casts. The stronger the enemy, the more strength you receive and the longer the duration will last.
9 - Alchemy - 15 Silver - The ancient art of mixing herbs and other ingredients to create potions, curatives and pills. Higher levels yield more items and increase chance of success. Recipes are not included, and must be crafted by players themselves.
10 - Fiend Form - 20 Silver - Take the form of the demons of old, morphing your body into a monster for a short time. During the duration, your reach increases, you gain pain and fire resistance, and you gain the temporary ability to fly. Higher levels increase resistance and duration time.
11 - Shadow Magic - 40 Silver - (Restricted to Rogue and Hunter classes) Wield the magic of shadows to become one with the darkness. Higher levels decrease chance of detection and allow you to traverse through connecting shadows with incredible speed.
12 - Magical Weapon - 50 Silver - A magic developed exclusively for fighting mythical monsters with tough skin. A magical weapon that looks exactly like your currently equipped weapon (including stats) is created and moves according to your gestures. (A.I. controlled)
13 - Tough Hide - 50 Copper - The most basic resistance skill. Higher levels increase the amount of damage one can take, and negates low end damage from even affecting the target.
14 - Siphon - 20 Silver - (Restricted to Vampire and Necromancer classes) Siphon the life from your enemies. Chance to convert enemies into allies for a short duration upon successful cast. Higher chances increases duration of control and amount of life taken.
15 - Taking The Lead! - 15 Gold - Call upon the denizens of your home to aid you in your trials! You gain an ally (A.I. controlled) that follows you and does whatever you tell them to do. Will assist you in combat and other necessities (building campfires, hunting, scouting). Ally level will always match your level.
Alex copied all the information from the skills into his Notes. Despite the exhaustive amount of information that he just received, he felt it necessary to include every small detail so as to not overlook anything.
He thought it odd that even with the (Restricted) button, he still had the option to purchase the skill. After careful deliberation he decided to take the Unholy Magic skill. Since having more allies meant more meat shields for himself, he decided to take Unholy Magic despite it's initially high cost.
Purchase Unholy Magic Skill
Yes or No
Alex clicked yes and the same golden glow danced around his body.
Just as he thought about what his last skill would be, he heard a bloodthirsty howl from a nearby beast. The howl seemed incredibly close, despite him being almost near the middle of town.
With a sudden sense of unease, he quickly selected Siphon as his last skill before leaving for the Inn.
Purchase Siphon Skill
Yes or No
Alex hurriedly clicked Yes and began to run, a cold sweat flowing down his back. As the golden glow twirled around him, more howls began to fill the night sky.
"Come again soon!" The hag laughed just as an old crone would and went back to knitting her weird cloth.
As if to answer his fears, the monotonous female A.I. voice appeared while a quest window popped up. "To all players in the 'Town of Bells' the special event has begun! The citizens of the Town of Bells have been struck by a terrible curse, and are doomed to become werewolves when the sun goes down. Kill the caster to release the curse, or hide and hope they don't find you! The warp gate has been disabled and a barrier has been placed around the town! Whoever survives the night will get a special prize!"
Quest reward: "Werewolf Hunter Set" - 1500 Exp - Reputation + 500 - Title: Savior of the Town of Bells
The church that towered over the other buildings rang it's bell heavily as NPCs began to scream in pain.
As if to spur Alex's decision, an older looking female NPC began to shape shift into the horrifying beast right beside him. First her hands and feet grew longer, and her fingernails became elongated and sharp. She began to moan in pain as her spine protruded from her back, tearing off the skin to reveal coarse hairs all over her newly forming body. Her teeth popped out as her mouth slowly turned into a muzzle, and new pointed teeth grew in. Her once normal looking human-like eyes grew sharper and red, filled with killing intent.
Alex decided not to wait around to see if Dominion would kick in, and ran away from the werewolf. The werewolf, sensing fleeing prey, shifted to all fours and began to chase Alex through the streets.
"Damn it all, if i'm gonna be hunted anyway, I might as well accept the stupid quest!" Alex accepted the quest in front of him and quickly opened his skill column while deftly avoiding barrels and crates in the side streets.
Special Quest: Town of Wolves Accepted.
Alex moved his hand over the two skills and pressed the activate button.
Activate Unholy Magic skill. Activate Siphon skill.
Just as he activated the two skills, a flood of information began flowing directly into his brain. Unable to control the flow, Alex couldn't help but double over in a daze as magic chants and hand gestures began to fill his head.
The werewolf, sensing it's prey to be in a weakened state, sized Alex up before going in for the kill. The claws of the werewolf sunk into the nearby buildings as it leapt up high to devour the demon.
As the werewolf dived down, Alex came to his senses just in time to see the werewolf's mouth fully open to devour him. With little time to act, he pulled out his iron dagger and aimed for the underside of the werewolf's gaping mouth.
The werewolf's claws sunk deep into Alex's arm and shoulder, but he still had enough range of movement to thrust his dagger into the werewolf's jaw. As the dagger pierced into it's jaw, a spray of blood drenched Alex's Beginner's Robes.
The werewolf howled in pain but did not loosen it's grip on Alex. Likewise, Alex kept his grip on the iron dagger and twisted it 90 degrees. More blood began to pour excessively from the wound as a bleed effect appeared on the werewolf.
Both Alex and the werewolf were losing health because of their open wounds, but the werewolf had less health to start and it's wound was more severe. It's large body eventually fell over from blood loss as it died.
A prompt appeared over the werewolf's body.
Siphon body?
Yes or No
Alex immediately clicked yes, and a torrent of blood from the werewolf was absorbed into Alex's body. Alex watched as his wounds closed up without leaving a scar, and his health was nearly restored to maximum.
When the prompt disappeared, the werewolf body slowly shifted back into a woman's body, which disappeared leaving only her loot behind.
Woman's Clothing x 1
Diary Page x 1
2 Silver
10 Copper
Engraved Bronze Brooch x 1
Alex gathered the loot and checked his skill screen quickly before leaving the side street.
Tough Hide: 1 - 50 of 100
Unholy Magic: 1 - 0 of 100
Siphon: 1 - 50 of 100
"If only I had known about that, I wouldn't have almost died just now!" Alex cursed his helplessness considering the situation. What's the point in having unlimited resources if he's dead?
As he walked through the streets, he surveyed the area around him. All of the townspeople, including women and children had all shape shifted into werewolves and were now pacing up and down the streets with a bloodthirsty hunger.
Alex took the chipped small wooden shield from his inventory and held it in his left hand, preparing to go fight another werewolf. As soon as he saw one isolated from the others, he threw a pebble to get it's attention.
The pebble his the werewolf square in it's face, and it howled in anger as it rushed Alex's position.
Ready for a battle this time, Alex held the small wooden shield and braced for impact while picking up his iron dagger from the ground.
The werewolf smashed into the shield, both hands grasping the edge while it tried to get it's mouth around the top. Alex's health decreased by 30 as he took the brunt of the charge.
With no room for error, Willem flipped the shield up and bashed the werewolf in the face, leaving it's stomach exposed. Alex pushed the iron dagger deep into the werewolf and gutted it with viciousness as it let out a expression of severe agony.
The werewolf collapsed on the ground as blood poured out of it's open wound. Unable to watch it suffer and writhe on the ground, Alex sliced it's throat to quicken it's death. Despite his hatred for the GMs of the game, he couldn't help but acknowledge how well they had built the A.I. and it's actions.
When the werewolf died, a prompt appeared before Alex.
Siphon body?
Yes or No
Alex chose no this time and began to cast unholy magic on the werewolf. He completed the hand gestures and complex verbal spell required to raise the dead.
As the spell went off, the werewolf's body was surrounded by red and black mist that slowly reanimated it's body. The werewolf returned to 'life' and looked at Alex, awaiting orders, while the loot that was on it's body dropped below it.
"Come to my side, werewolf." Alex watched as the werewolf's stats appeared above it's body.
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Name: Werewolf
Level: 2
Owner: Shadow
Strength: 16
Dexterity: 17
Endurance: 10
Wisdom: 2
Intelligence: 2
Spirit: 2
Health: 50/100
Mana: 0
As the werewolf moved, Alex went to pick up it's loot. The werewolf sniffed the loot it dropped and whimpered while looking at Alex.
"What a bizarre spell, it appears to keep some sentience of it's life as an NPC." Alex stated as he sifted through the loot drops.
However, when he looked at the loot drops, it was as if someone had smashed his insides with a hammer.
Small pink dress x 1
2 Copper
Broken Necklace
Slowly, Alex lifted his arm and pressed the additional details of the Broken Necklace.
The A.I. voice spoke. "Broken Necklace: A small necklace with the initials R.C."
As if all the wind had been knocked out of him, he looked at the werewolf beside him. The werewolf, unsure of what to do, obeyed the command to heel at Alex's side.
Alex took the Broken Necklace from his inventory and presented it to the werewolf. As he did, the werewolf whimpered again.
"Damn it, why did it have to be you!" Alex cried out dejectedly. Out of all the people in the town, it had to be the little girl with the Broken Necklace that he chose to attack and kill.
Alex, despite being in danger, gave himself a moment to express his grief. He quietly placed the Broken Necklace around the werewolf's neck as it stood patiently awaiting orders.
On the corner of the status window for the werewolf, there was an edit button beside the name.
Alex clicked it and renamed the werewolf to Rudy.
When he was done, he commanded Rudy to follow him closely as he snuck around to the Inn entrance.
Peering inside through a window, Alex saw two werewolves stalking around looking for something fresh to kill. With little time to hesitate before the next werewolf on the street began to circle around again, Alex commanded Rudy to disable the werewolf nearest to the door. Alex quickly opened the door and the fight began.
Rudy gave no quarter as she lunged toward the werewolf, grasping it's neck with her large sharp teeth and wrestling it to the ground before it even had time to react. The werewolf in the back of the inn howled as it attempted to jump across the bar, but by the time it got up, Alex had already drove the iron dagger through the pinned werewolf's stomach and killed it.
Now, faced with a 2 versus 1 situation, the werewolf maintained the higher position on top of the bar as it growled menacingly. However the growl was filled with as much anger as fear, and not even the A.I. Rudy would be afraid of the empty gesture.
Alex gave the command, and Rudy circled around the empty chairs and tables to flank the werewolf. Alex took to the other side and bashed his shield with his iron dagger in an effort to distract the poor stupid creature. Surprisingly to Alex, it worked, and the werewolf dove for him as the shield protected his body. From behind, Rudy clamped onto the werewolf with her powerful jaw and threw it to the ground just as Alex had predicted.
Alex took the iron dagger in both his hands and sunk it deep into the chest of the werewolf. As it bled out, Alex kept cutting away to ensure that it died quicker and without suffering.
Alex attempted to Siphon both werewolves when the prompt came up, but only one successfully activated. However that was enough for him to be fully healed for now.
As the werewolf bodies reverted back to their human form before dying, Alex recognized the one from behind the bar as the woman that had washed his clothes earlier, and the one closest to the door was the barmaid that owned this particular Inn.
Alex collected their loot and looked around the Inn. Rudy sniffed around while remaining by Alex's side.
Woman's Clothing x 2
Bronze Knife x 1
Silver x 27
Copper x 9
Diary Page x 2
There is was again, another Diary Page. Thinking about how odd it was to receive not one or two, but three of them convinced Alex that it was no longer a coincidence.
Alex quickly read the first Diary Page, from the woman that almost killed him in the streets.
-I await my love with bated breath. In the great war between us demons and the filthy humans, he put his life on the line in order to make sure we were safe in this lovely little town, far from the capital. Though I have not heard from him in a few years, I know within my heart he will return to me.
The old hag down the street called out to me today, and told me that she had a vision of my love. She said that without me to guide him, he would surely be lost forever. All it took for her to help me guide him home was a simple lock of my hair. I did not hesitate to draw my knife and cut my hair for her to cast her spell. Though it grosses me out to no end that she insists on touching my skin during her spell cast, she assured me of its success and for that I gave her my thanks.
Please return home soon my love, you are the light to my darkness.-
"The hag down the street?" From what he could tell, there was only one, and it was the skill apprentice. However in the few times that he visited her, he never saw her interact with other NPCs. He read the Diary Page of the barmaid next.
-Despite my best efforts, the Inn seems to be in worse shape than I thought. I attempted many times to garner more interest from this little old town, but there are no travelers that come through and those who use the Inn just drink all the alcohol and leave. I cannot afford to keep this up much longer. If anything, I may need to cut my losses and sell it.
An old crone came into the shop today, and told me something I sincerely did not want to hear. She said that without her assistance, the Inn was doomed to die a slow, withering death. Though she said it with disdain in her voice, I felt compelled to listen to her inane ramblings, hoping for a sign that she would help me restore this Inn to it's former glory.
According to her, she could employ magic and that would help bring the people to the Inn. Though it was rather unscrupulous of her, I did not wish to see the Inn my Grandfather built with his own hands fail because of my inability. Despite my better judgement, I agreed to her proposal.
All she asked for was a lock of my hair and a private room to cast her spells. I reluctantly agreed and when she was done, a crowd of people immediately came to stay for the night. Never had I seen such fast acting and wonderful magic.-
"Crone is just another word for that hag apprentice. Now I know for sure something is definitely going on with her as the epicenter." Alex put away the Diary Page of the barmaid he had just finished and was preparing the last Diary Page to be read.
-I wonder when my fated person will arrive?
Back in The Emerald Grove, I had suitors from all around the forest lining up at my door just to look upon me. The only reason I declined them all was because of their ugly countenances. Now that I am here in the great 'Town of Bells' that everyone is talking about, I cannot fathom as to why people love it. Sure, it is a much bigger town than anything nearby, and the wealth from the mine keeps all the young and old women covered in gems, but that doesn't make the weight of their ugly hearts any better.
On the contrary, no matter which young master of a distinguished bloodline comes, they all just pay me and send me on my way! Not even one of them attempts to woo me or chase my skirt. Was I always such an ugly duckling that even the young masters would not touch me?
An ugly old witch came up to me today and told me that I was destined to never be loved in my life for as long as I stay within this town. Though she said this with no sign of contempt, the fact that she could touch upon my deepest scar pains me to no end. Under duress, I ask her how to get the young men in the town to see me as worthy of worship.
"My dear, I need only cast one spell to make it so" she said she could make me the most appetizing woman and only required a single lock of my hair. Was it really so simple to be loved and adored? I gave a lock of my hair, and as simple as chanting a few words, all the men in the Inn began fawning over me as if under possession.
If I commanded them to jump, they jumped. If I commanded them to dance, they danced. With an army of men by my side, how could my life get any better?-
Alex knew for sure that the skill apprentice had something to do with the werewolves of the town, however whether she herself was the perpetrator or not remained to be seen.
"Time to go Rudy." Alex put away the Diary Pages back into the inventory and peered out the Inn's doors. The patrolling werewolves had just passed out of sight, and the coast was clear, but only for a few moments longer.
Alex swung the door open widely and Rudy stayed by his side as they traversed the back alleyways and side streets of the town. Instead of confronting the werewolves that walked past, Alex decided that stealth was the best approach so as to not be caught by werewolves and fight, thereby wear himself out for the confrontation with the old hag.
After some time had passed, he finally arrived across the street from the old hag's house. The old hag was still on her porch, rocking back and forth in her rocking chair while sewing the same weird cloth, muttering something to herself.
When he believed himself to be ready, Alex commanded Rudy to remain by his side while he confronted the old hag. Now that he saw her on the porch, completely unharmed and not transformed, he was sure she was the mastermind behind this curse.
Alex quickly crossed the street and when he stepped within ten feet of the old hag, a large barrier appeared around them. Rudy was forced out of the barrier under the extreme amount of pressure and Alex himself could not escape the purple sphere.
"So, you figured it out, huh? You demonfolk like to take your time doing things!" The old hag stood from her rocking chair and peeled off her face to reveal a young human female. "It took me 2 years to lay down the network for this curse, I won't let you undo everything in a single night!"
The young woman slipped her hand into the sleeve of her gown and produced a short cane the size of a twig from a tree. The short cane glowed magically as she began casting a spell.
Due to Alex's Unholy Magic skill, he understood she was casting a curse towards him that would leave him befuddled and vulnerable.
Alex began casting the counter curse as soon as he understood the effects of her spell, and as the young woman's spell went off, a large translucent skull flew toward Alex.
Alex's counter curse went off and rebounded the translucent skull back to the young woman. As she was hit, her arms and legs seemed to lose all strength as she crashed to the ground in a daze.
A small status appeared above her head to show that she had been afflicted by a disabling spell.
Alex briskly stepped toward the young woman and brandished his iron dagger. He laid the woman out to expose her navel and sliced her open from navel to neck. Her body began to convulse as blood spurted in every direction. Suddenly, the cloth that she had been weaving as the old hag began to glow sinisterly. Before Alex had any time to properly react, the cloth detonated and blasted Alex against the barrier.
Alex hit against the barrier and fell to the ground heavily, the dust kicked up and made it extremely hard for him to breath. As he checked his status screen, he saw his health.
Health: 1 / 200
Siphon body?
Yes or No
Alex laughed at the prompt as he chose yes. The blood removed itself from the witch and entered Alex's body, slowly revitalizing him.
Health: 50/200
With the effects of the Siphon skill, Alex could now barely move. He slowly lifted his body and propped himself against the barrier. The young female mage's body slowly disappeared as a small pool of loot appeared in her place. Alex crawled over to it and picked it all up.
Ring of Beast Calling x 1
Mage's Spellbook x 1
Bronze Short Cane x 1
Quick Change Mask x 1
Diary Page x 1
1 Gold
60 Silver
50 Copper
A flood of prompts came in all at once and a familiar monotonous voice spoke out.
"Special event complete. The witch is dead and the curse has been lifted. The townsfolk will be turned back into demonfolk and all survivors will be given their special prizes!"
Shadow has been rewarded with:
Werewolf Hunter Set Items
1500 Exp
Reputation + 500
Title: Savior of the Town of Bells
A familiar golden glow basked over Alex as he leveled up. The barrier shattered and fell away as Alex felt the soft wet nose of Rudy pressed against his bare back. The explosion had destroyed all of his equipment, save for the iron dagger.
Unfortunately, Rudy did not change back as she had already died by the hands of Alex, and would retain her werewolf body until he released her to death or she died in his service.
Name: Shadow
Level: 4
Race: Demon
Class: Demon King
Title: One who rules the underworld
Skills: Tough Hide 3
Unholy Magic 2
Siphon 2
Pet: Rudy
-Stats-
Strength: 10 + (6)
Dexterity: 10 + (6)
Endurance: 10 + (6)
Wisdom: 10 + (6)
Intelligence: 10 + (6)
Spirit: 10 + (6)
Health: 50/250
Mana: 25/175
-Equipment-
Weapon: Iron Dagger + 1
Off Hand: None
Head Gear: None
Chest Gear: None
Leg Gear: Loincloth
Foot Gear: None
Ring Slot 1: None
Ring Slot 2: None
Neck Slot 1: None
Special 1: None
Special 2: None
Experience: 4800 of 5000
Languages: Common, Undercommon, Demon
Money: 0 Mithril
0 Platinum
1 Gold
94 Silver
109 Copper
Special Abilities: Dominion, Territory Management