Alex could not bring himself to release Rudy as a Pet because he did not wish for her to disappear. Remembering the lonely child in the broken home struck a chord with Alex, who had just wanted to help the poor girl. At least he could still fulfill his promise to her of fixing the broken necklace.
He opened his inventory to look at the Werewolf Hunter set. The familiar symbol for an advanced description appeared on the corner of the item.
Werewolf Hunter Set: Auryon Grey was the first hunter to successfully trap and kill a werewolf. Until the day she died, she continually chased after the Alpha Werewolf that killed her Husband and Child. The spirit of her vengeance was infused with the clothes she died in.
Werewolf Hunter Chest Armor:
+5 Health
+2 Armor
+1 Dexterity
+1 Endurance
Werewolf Hunter Leg Armor:
+5 Health
+2 Armor
+1 Dexterity
+1 Endurance
Werewolf Hunter Leather Helmet:
+5 Health
+1 Armor
+1 Dexterity
+1 Endurance
Werewolf Hunter Leather Greaves:
+5 Health
+1 Armor
+1 Dexterity
+1 Endurance
Full Set Bonus:
+10 Health
+2 Armor
(Hidden Bonus)
(Hidden Bonus)
The equipment itself had many spikes and sharp ends, like the thorns of a rose. The color was a mix of green and brown for the best possible camouflage. The leather helmet reminded him of a dragon rider from a movie he once saw. The entire set was made of a sturdy weaved leather, provided maximum comfort and ease of movement but incredible durability compared to the Beginner's Set.
As Alex equipped his new armor set, he felt his vision sharpen to the point that he could see much finer details from a farther distance away. He could only assume it was one of the hidden bonuses provided by the armor. The other must be night vision, he surmised, as he could clearly see within the dark recesses of the night sky the sluggish movements of the NPCs as they awoke from their curse only to continue along their predictable A.I. path.
As for why they were considered hidden bonuses, Alex had no idea why. Nor could he even make an accurate conjecture, due to the fact that the guide he had read had no information of hidden bonuses.
Alex thought to himself for a moment before accessing the Help button. He toggled the search function and entered Hidden Bonus. A small description came up and he decided to read it.
Hidden Bonus: Bonuses are hidden from the players upon set completion. While some bonuses are obvious, others may not be and will have to be tested to figure out what they do. The bonuses often reflect an aspect of the set it comes from.
Content with the answer, Alex closed the Help box and brandished his Iron Dagger + 1. Out of everything that got caught up in the blast, a normal looking iron dagger was the only thing to survive besides himself, barely. Without the blacksmith skill or a similar skill, he would not be able to tell what materials it actually was. It was fairly easy in the game to just name a weapon whatever you want, but you need the blacksmith skill in order to do it. You could name an Orichalcum Greatsword (Copper Pickaxe) and it would remain that name until another blacksmith renamed it.
With only 200 experience to level up, Alex dusted himself off and readied himself to head out in the morning. For right now, however, a powerful hunger came over him. Since his adrenaline had been spurring him onward to his next goal the entire day, Alex had yet to notice his continually growling stomach. Luckily after his fight with the werewolves at the Inn, he had found some mutton and bread for later and had quickly stuffed it into his inventory.
Before consuming the food, he confirmed the status to ensure there were no problems.
Mutton: Heal +30 Health and become partially sated.
Bread: Heal +10 Health and become partially sated.
With no abnormal statuses to be seen, Alex consumed the mutton and bread with gusto. The taste was plain, and he tore off chunks of meat from the bone while mumbling to himself about some good spices to add to it.
Rudy sat beside Alex but did not dare look too long at the mutton delicacy before her.
Alex saw Rudy trying to sneak a peek at the food and decided to offer her some to eat. Though he was unsure if she actually required food as a newly undead creature, she reluctantly took the morsel of meat and gulped it down with vigor.
After the meal, he headed to the newly abandoned Inn and took a key off the exchange table behind the counter. Twirling the key around his finger, he led Rudy upstairs to the comfort of the largest room the Inn had to offer. As he entered the plain looking but large room, he closed and locked the door behind him, removed the Werewolf Hunter Set and climbed into the large feathered bed.
Despite the extreme events of his first day, Alex couldn't help but smile as Rudy nestled beside him with her wet nose resting against his shoulder. As his eyes slowly closed, he had his first dream inside the new world.
In his dream, he was the champion of a large magical world, with a team of loyal companions who stood by his side against all manner of enemies. In the dream, his group had been tasked with defeating an evil black dragon that was poisoning the water supply of the Kingdom. In the throes of battle, Alex swung his mythical sword, Durandal, to behead the ancient dragon before it could deal the final blow to his allies. After the fight it was discovered that his best friend and most trusted confidante had sustained a poisonous strike from the black dragon and was destined to die a horrible death. Before Alex could find a cure for the poison, he was awoken by the sounds of birds chirping outside his window.
As he awoke, a small tear escaped his eye while Rudy whimpered beside him. From his right side, Rudy stood with a large open wound on her stomach but no blood escaping as she licked his face in greeting.
Alex shooed her off while he removed the blankets of the feathered bed and stretched his body. He equipped the Werewolf Hunter Set again and lifted himself off the bed while Rudy jumped off beside him. His stomach growled once more as the light of the sun peeked through the window.
Alex, while rubbing his stomach, unlocked the bedroom door and stepped lightly down the stairs. Looking around the Inn, he found a broth that had been cooked seemingly the night before and prepared a bowl for himself and one for Rudy.
"Eat up Rudy, we're going to go hunt some Kobolds later okay?" Alex spoke as he rubbed the top of Rudy's head.
Rudy sniffed the bowl of broth and began to lap it up like a dog. Alex couldn't help but think highly of the GMs in terms of their background research. Since dogs and wolves have common ancestors, having a tamed pet werewolf act like a dog is not completely unfounded.
Alex quickly drank the warmed broth and checked his inventory. Beside the useless items, there were still a couple things from the Special Event that held his interest. He clicked the advanced information on each of the fives items he received from the female human mage.
"First i'll look at this Ring of Beast Calling..." The additional dialogue appeared before him. "Summon an Owl by your side to assist you in battle or scouting. Cooldown 24 hours... Since it's a summon, it won't interfere with my Pet right?" Alex slipped the ring over his middle finger and continued reading the other dialogues.
"Next up, Mage's Spellbook... A spellbook provided to certain caster classes to store newly learned spells. I never got one, so I guess Demon King isn't considered one of those caster classes. It also says it's restricted and cannot be opened by any class other than a Wizard or Warmage." Alex closed the dialogue box of that item and continued to read. "Bronze shortcane: The lowest level catalyst for spellcasting for Wizards and Warmages. Simple enough..."
After realizing that he was just murmuring to himself, he stopped talking out loud and just read the items. Quickchange Mask: Invented by a famous magical thief to more easily hide his face. Cooldown 24 hours. Diary Page: The diary entry of a female mage hiding within the Town of Bells.
While eating the broth from the wooden bowl, Alex opened the Diary Page and read it, hoping to glean the mage's purpose in unleashing a curse upon the town.
-Even Magic cannot bring back my love anymore.
After several attempts to resurrect my Husband, both at the local church under the guidance of our patron God and with my own magic power, his soul is lost forever to the afterlife.
If I had known it would be like this, I would have never let him go off to war with those detestable demonfolk. They mutilated his body so badly with poisons and burns that he no longer had a vessel for his soul to return to.
After finding out that I could not bring him back, I settled myself to find where the demonfolk live to unleash a curse upon their people for our revenge.
I petitioned my Master to teach me a curse that could be unleashed on an evil town, and he was happy to teach his shining pupil the strongest curse he knew. I gratefully took it and traveled far away, beyond the Gates of Hell, to the Town of Bells.
After remaining here for 2 years, I am finally ready to unleash the curse upon this town. Before they even realize that it was me, they will be turned to bloodthirsty beasts and begin to turn on each other. When I am done here, I will head into the forest and tear apart that Dark Elf settlement next.
Vengeance is so sweet. I will join you when I am done my love.-
As he finished reading the Diary Page, a quest popup appeared. Alex, having nothing to lose on the matter, decided to accept the quest.
Quest: Investigate Jack's Mysterious Death Accepted.
Something did seem quite weird as he read through the letter. Demonfolk warriors do not use poison to fight, it was against their beliefs according to the Race information. This meant that something definitely was wrong about this line of thinking from the widow mage.
As Alex and Rudy finished their broth, they left the Inn side by side and headed outside the town, toward the forest that the goblins inhabited.
On the map, Alex saw a few small red dots to indicate enemies. A small burrowing wolf was the first thing they came up against, and Rudy killed the monster by herself with relative ease.
To confirm something, Alex checked her status and experience to confirm that she received any from her kill. Previously, under the Owner: Shadow there was nothing. Now there was a new tab for experience: 1200 of 2300.
This must be the difference between a Pet and a Summon.
Although Rudy had taken 10 points of damage during the exchange, the Unholy Magic skill had an equivalent undead healing spell that did not cost an exorbitant amount of Mana.
Alex casted the undead healing spell and Rudy was brought to 50 Health, despite her maximum Health being 100. The spell consumed 25 Mana for 25 point of healing which to Alex was a good conversion rate. This meant that for the time being, Rudy's Health was capped at 50.
Two more red luminous points on the map remained within range. Alex wandered over to the closest one, and watched as Rudy tore apart the Gnoll that was sitting on a log, eating some bugs.
According to the guide, and most mythology on the topic, a Gnoll is a humanoid with a hyena's head and are a race that by nature are predisposed to commit evil acts. Normally clad in full metal armor with a pike or axe in hand.
The battle was quick but decisive, while Rudy was the one who rushed the Gnoll as a surprise, it was the Gnoll that had a better position due to being in full armor. Not being able to secure a hold on the Gnoll, Rudy was forced to take a few hits in order to get close enough to wrap her powerful jaw around the neck of the Gnoll. After lunging for the Gnoll's throat and using her hind legs to tear apart it's legs, the battle ended with Rudy's victory.
With only 20 Health out of 100, Rudy limped away from the battle bloody but victorious. Alex noticed that in both kills, there was no loot drop for him despite it being his Pet. Considering it was a solo kill though, he could definitely justify not receiving loot.
Alex began casting the undead healing spell once again, healing Rudy back up to 45 Health at the cost of another 25 Mana.
The final fight within this patch of the forest was within sight as Alex and Rudy approached a Giant Spider nestled within it's woven webs in a tree.
Unfortunately, there was no way for Rudy to retrieve the Giant Spider from the tree without attempting to physically jump up and grab it, risking a poisoned attack.
"Rudy, remain by my side and do not attack this one." Alex gave his command and Rudy remained wary while she stood beside him.
Utilizing the unholy magic within his mind and standing at the maximum range possible, Alex began casting a spell which triggered the battle sequence of the Giant Spider. While the Giant Spider twisted down the spider web reinforced tree branches, Alex continued to chant his unholy magic spell unfazed, twisting his arms and hands hypnotically and reciting an ancient incomprehensible language. Before the Giant Spider could reach within Alex's range, the spell finished and a red and black flame bursted forth from the cephalothorax of the Giant Spider.
This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.
A single Giant Spider leg reached out to stab at Alex as he brandished his Iron Dagger + 1. As the red black fire began melting the abdomen of the Giant Spider, Alex parried the strike and attempted to riposte the leg as it backed away. The lower section of the Giant Spider's leg was cleanly severed by Alex as it placed more weight on it's right side to balance itself out. A second strike and another parry from Alex, while the red black fire slowly ate away at the Giant Spider until it's Health reached 0 and it quietly shriveled on the ground. The stench of burning hair and blood spread around the Giant Spider.
Siphon body?
Yes or No
Alex chose to Siphon the body as it disappeared and the loot replaced the shriveled broken husk.
Broken Carapace x 1
Diluted Poison x 2
Cracked Spider Eggs x 2
The Broken Carapace and Cracked Spider Eggs were considered common items and were placed in the appropriate item tab, while the Diluted Poison was placed in the ingredients tab that Alex had previously created.
A golden glow floated around Alex's body as he received his experience from the Giant Spider and leveled up. Considering how long it took to cast the Black Flame curse and it's mana cost, it was not efficient to continue using it until he could continually regenerate mana to justify it.
"At almost level 5, I was able to defeat a level 2 in three strikes. The strength of this Werewolf Hunter Set and iron dagger cannot be underestimated either." Alex and Rudy continued walking forward, only stopping to drink from a nearby river or to pluck some berries to eat as a snack.
Despite the hectic first day, Alex found solace with Rudy by his side in this strange new world. With a close Pet and the knowledge from the guide and Help button, Alex was sure he would be able to survive any trial within the starting area.
As they walked deeper into the forest, Alex and Rudy came across a Squad of Kobolds, seven in total, marching disorderly in broken chainmail with small pikes and even smaller patched leather shields.
Alex checked his resources and thought about how the A.I. intended to act. If the player is 3 or more levels above the A.I. then multiple creatures can attack at the same time without triggering the beginner A.I. code of single combat. The extent of this multi combat system was only briefly tested before the beta was closed and the guide was published and thus had little to no help in this situation. The Help button would not provide anything on the functions of the A.I. so that was out of the question as well.
Considering the minimal damage both Alex and Rudy sustained during their fights, he decided to fight the Kobold Squad.
While the majority of the Kobold Squad had their backs turned, Alex and Rudy rushed their position with a brandished dagger and thick wolf claws. The Kobolds whom had been taken off guard did not have time to lift up their shields as an iron dagger pierced the throat of one Kobold, horizontally slashing through the neck and into the Kobold beside him, cleaving it's head entirely off it's body..
In the Undercommon language, a call to arms was yelled by the leader of the Kobold Squad.
"Protect me! Kill the bad man!" The Kobold yelled in fear.
Rudy sunk her claws through the broken chainmail of two Kobolds, straight into their chests, rending their flesh until they were nothing but a pile of mauled skin and bone gushing blood. The savagery and dispassionate killing of the werewolf was a far cry from the normal little NPC girl that Alex associated with. If it wasn't for the fact that he knew she was still in there, he would not have kept the werewolf as a Pet to remain by his side.
With three Kobolds down and four remaining, the defense of the Kobolds got tighter as they raised their shields to protect their frail bodies.
However as level 1 creatures, they stood no chance against a level 5 player and his Pet. Alex viciously slashed horizontally, cleanly slicing through the shields of the Kobolds and partially cutting into their already broken armor. With no shields to hide behind and broken armor almost falling apart, the Kobold A.I. kicked in and they gave a last ditch effort by assaulting the player as the 4 of them together. In terms of strength, 4 Kobolds attacking in unison would be equivalent to a level 3 player.
Alex parried three Kobolds attacks with his 22 Dexterity, and only one landed on his new Werewolf Hunter Chest Armor. The dull pike hit the embossed leather chest piece and the head of the pike broke off the shaft and flung away into the grass nearby.
Sparing no second, Alex used the opportunity after the parry to gouge out the eyes of the Kobold in front of him with his iron dagger. With no sight to rely on, a Disabled condition appeared above the Kobold's head as it swung blindly in all directions. The feverish swings ended up hitting his allies who had previously been closely knit in a defensive formation, making them take unnecessary damage.
Rudy attacked the Kobold that struck out with his pike toward Alex, gripping his head in between her powerful jaw and chomping down until the kobold's brain matter and blood spilled into her mouth.
With her left paw, she reached out and tore a deep gash into the Kobold to the left of her previous victim. As the Kobold in her mouth twitched, the Kobold that took the body blow fell into a pool of it's own blood as it's Health quickly deteriorated to 0.
With only 2 remaining and one permanently disabled, this was a complete victory on the side of Alex and Rudy. Yet Alex did not let up, thrusting his iron dagger into the clavicle of the Kobold and slicing vertically straight through the broken chainmail like a hot knife.
A one hit kill condition appeared above the Kobold's head as it's body disappeared and loot appeared in it's place. With one final strike, Alex lifted his Iron Dagger + 1 and cut deep into the skull of the Kobold. After a few twitches, the final Kobold fell to the ground.
Seven prompts appeared in from of Alex, all saying the same thing.
Siphon Body?
Yes or No
Alex Siphoned from all seven, using up 35 mana in the process. With almost half his mana depleted, he collected his loot and trudged further on toward the Kobold's known hideout on the side of a nearby mountain.
Kobold Head x 5
Broken Kobold Shield x 5
Broken Small Pike x 2
Broken Small Axe x 1
5 Silver
32 Copper
Alex remarked at how he only received the 5 Kobold heads despite defeating seven of them. For him this meant it was not possible to collect any more than a particular quest requires.
As Alex approached the side of the mountain where the Kobold tribe resided, he could hear thunderous sounds of drumming and the sound of loud tinkering with continuous movement. On the crest of a small hill nearby, Alex watched as hundreds of Kobolds feverishly created simple traps or mined around the mountain edge.
The sound of drums marked the arrival of the great and noble Kobold King, wearing the broken skull of a Hobgoblin atop his head as a crown.
Alex was too far away from the Kobold King to hear his speech, but the Kobolds began to work even harder when he finished.
As Alex prepare to leave, the mountain and the surrounding area including where Alex was currently kneeling, shook from deep within the earth. Many of the traps the Kobolds were making went off, breaking apart as they did, much to the dismay of the Kobolds who made them.
Alex left the mountain behind and headed back to the Goblin camp to seek assistance. There was no way he could single-handedly defeat hundreds of Kobolds unless he had a wide area attack magic, which his Unholy Magic Skill did not have. The only ones with the wide area of effect magic needed would be Wizards, Elementalists and possibly Warmages at decent levels.
On his way back to town, he allowed Rudy to hunt stray Kobolds, Wolves, Dire Rats and Gnolls by herself with the intention of leveling her up. A quick look at the Pet status display showed that Rudy had already hit level 3 in no time at all and her Maximum Health had now changed to 125/125.
When they finally arrived at the goblin camp, the sun was already beginning to set and night was to soon come.
Alex headed to the Guard that gave him his repeating quest and conversed in the Undercommon tongue.
"Hey humy, you back! Bring FIRE yet? Do you have stupid Kobold heads to eat?" The easily distracted goblin guard completed the quest and Alex received his experience and reputation increase.
Experience + 250
Goblin Reputation 20/50
Reputation: Not Enemy
"Take me to the goblin chief, little buddy." Alex responded.
"You real funny sometimes, so we decided to eat you last, ahaha hahaha. Ha..." As if the wind had been knocked out of him, it took the small goblin guard a couple of seconds to get his bearing back after laughing to himself so much.
Alex chose not to respond to that particular prompt.
As he is led into the Goblin Den once again, he remarked at how much more clearly the stench of fetid decay was compared to last time. Apparently the more he turned in the repeatable Kobold head quest, the more stock they would have of it.
Rudy received the same reputation as Alex, so he did not fear her being attacked unless he was also attacked for whatever reason. If the goblins even needed a reason to attack him.
"Chief, humy is back and he wanted to talky talk. Go now humy go go go talk." The goblin poked Alex on his behind with the spear he had been holding.
1 Point of damage.
"I have returned with news for you, goblin chief. The Kobolds are amassing an army of hundreds to come and take your home from you. I saw it with my own two eyes." Alex decided to say it this way after some careful deliberation.
If this played out the way he wanted, he could reap a large amount of benefits all at once.
"My scout says same thing before I cut his head off. I guess I believe you... Unless you are also the same scout..." The goblin chief scratched at his head with one hand, and his behind with the other from atop his makeshift throne.
"I am not the scout you sent and then killed. The Kobolds are coming to kill you. Do you have an army to fight back?" Alex was certainly perplexed by the level of stupidity of goblins.
"Tell goblin guards to send word to the other goblins in the forest, we need to attack together. Say I say oso so so. Say so... We attack tomorrow. Humy will personally take the head of kobold king and bring it to me." As the Goblin Chief spoke excitedly while clapping his hands, another quest popped up in Alex's view. He accepted it without hesitation.
Quest: Army of Goblins Accepted.
"Humy, you too stupid to lead army, I send my best, meet army here when shiny yellow round pops up over ground. If you late we leave without you and I not share my treasures." The goblin chief shooed Alex out of the goblin den before squatting in the previously made hole beside his makeshift throne and patting the dirt and mud down.
With another successful verbal prompting, Alex left the room with Rudy with the intention of returning to the Town of Bells.
The goblin guard rushed to Alex and a quest popped up again. The quest was different from the others, it boasted a higher reward and more reputation.
"Retrieving 15 kobold heads should not be too difficult in this coming battle..." Alex accepted the quest.
Quest: 15 Kobold Heads Accepted.
"Bye, humy!" The goblin guard giggled incessantly like he had just told the funniest joke.
Alex returned to the Town of Bells and to the Inn, drawing water from the basin and washing himself before preparing more warm broth for himself and Rudy.
After successfully leveling both himself and Rudy once, he locked the door to the largest room and removed his Werewolf Hunter Set before going to sleep.
Name: Shadow
Level: 5
Race: Demon
Class: Demon King
Title: One who rules the underworld
Skills: Tough Hide 3
Unholy Magic 3
Siphon 3
Pet: Rudy
-Stats-
Strength: 10 + (8)
Dexterity: 10 + (12)
Endurance: 10 + (12)
Wisdom: 10 + (8)
Intelligence: 10 + (8)
Spirit: 10 + (8)
Health: 330/330
Mana: 200/200
-Equipment-
Armor Bonus: 8
Weapon: Iron Dagger + 1
Off Hand: None
Head Gear: Werewolf Hunter Leather Helmet
Chest Gear: Werewolf Hunter Chest Armor
Leg Gear: Werewolf Hunter Leg Armor
Foot Gear: Werewolf Hunter Leather Greaves
Ring Slot 1: Ring of Beast Calling
Ring Slot 2: None
Neck Slot 1: None
Special 1: None
Special 2: None
Experience: 6000 of 6500
Languages: Common, Undercommon, Demon
Money: 0 Mithril
0 Platinum
1 Gold
99 Silver
141 Copper
Special Abilities: Dominion, Territory Management
-
Name: Rudy
Level: 3
Owner: Shadow
Strength: 17
Dexterity: 18
Endurance: 11
Wisdom: 2
Intelligence: 2
Spirit: 2
Health: 125/125
Mana: 0
Experience: 2900 of 3600
----------------------------------------
Finished just in time to watch the sunset. :D