Standing outside the city the first thing that comes to mind is "HUMONGOUS!!!"
"I was never lucky enough in my previous life to see the great wall of China before it was attacked by space pirates, but the outer walls here don't look anything short of 10 meters tall!
How can the wall not collapse in on itself from the sheer weight of it alone?"
Although my travel was interrupted a few times I was able to make it to the city in about 2 hours.
Along the way I was able to collected 7 more [Horned Rabbits]. Quickly switching my Aura on helped end the battles in just moments
I'm currently making my way around the outer wall to find a gate I can use to enter the city. Jogging for 10 kilometres I was finally able to see a stone road from the forest leading up to the city walls.
"Finally let's get the rest of my life started!
Should I try the cuisine first after getting an inn?"
It's hard to say what to do first I'm going to be living in this city for a while and there are still a few abilities I haven't tried out yet.
"Players will start showing up "Descending from the heavens" I believe that's what it will be called, in 4 months.
Although only the premium sponsored players will show up first, another month after that the monthly subscription players will descend.
And eventually the world will be open to free players some time much later."
It will be 4 months for me in this world but in the outside, only a month will go by.
I'm not entirely sure of the science behind it but somehow the AI is able to manipulate an individual's perception allowing them to experience 4 times the amount of time while in-game.
Raising my level is a must but I don't know how strong the creatures are or even which type frequent this area other than the few bunnies I saw.
I still don't know what city or kingdom this is, the presence or lack thereof when it comes to dungeons is also unknown.
There's also a few more experiments I want to do and even raising a pet or two sounds attractive.
"Well as a Dhampir it's not like I have to rush, my mixed race comes with outstanding longevity!
What's a few hundred years spent getting a feel for things hahaha."
As I was thinking about my none existent schedule in the distance two men wearing light armor wielding spears could be seen making their way towards me.
Waving his arm one of the soldiers shouted towards me.
"hurry child, we were ordered to close the city gates early today!"
For a moment my breath was caught in my throat. I had completely forgotten that I truly am in the body of a child now.
I'll have to prepare myself to be treated as such. I picked up my speed as to help them not waste energy coming to me.
"it's a good thing one of our men spotted you from atop the wall. If not you would have had to sleep outside tonight and there have been wolf sightings lately."
With a grin the taller brunette soldier jested. He gave off a deep earth like energy making the surrounding area feel kind of woodsy.
The shorter blond with his calm but warming energy elbowed his side and gave him a slight glare.
"ignore him, he likes to try and spook our men in the barracks too.
Boy you don't seem to be an aristocrat why are you entering through the north gate?"
With a stern look the blond man asks, there was not a hint of joking in his tone.
Stolen story; please report.
I couldn't blame them I looks like a poor vagabond with nothing except the clothes on my back. Speaking of appearances though, above the head of both men were animal like ears and following behind them were two skinny 1.5 meter long tails.
Wow my first run in with a beastman I didn't think it would be so soon.
I wonder if I told him I'm a noble if that would change his tune?
"Actually sir, I'm a Noble. I had been traveling when my horse got spooked and rode off with my satchel containing all my belongings."
I tried to release only a sliver of my Aura just so they could get the picture.
The two men paled immediately, a look of constipation framed their faces. The taller brunette slapped the pouch on his waist and an orb a bit larger than his hand appeared.
"Please excuse my previous blunder if you would be so kind and place your hand on this orb we'll check your status and let you be on your way."
Oh, from their quick response they must be used to dealing with unexpected situations, so fast on their toes.
I wonder how much of my information will be read.
I took my hand and placed it on the orb, within a moment I could feel a negligible amount of magick flow out of me and into the orb.
He gestured for me to remove my hand and they both peered into the crystal ball. Several things happened in succession. The number five floated up onto the orbs surface, the orb then flashed green, then purple, and lastly glowed a white so bright the rays stretched out for more than 10 meters in broad daylight.
The two beastmen used their arms to cover their faces and backed two steps away. The light was so blinding that the brunette couldn't help but drop the orb to the ground.
As it slipped from his hand it landed on a rock and cracked along the outside. When the crack started to spread that sliver of magick inside escaped out taking the blinding light with it.
Since everything had returned to normal I took a glance at the soldiers, even without seeing the sweat with my eyes I could smell it in the air.
Other than the number that appeared giving away that I was level five I had no idea what all the colors meant.
"So does everything check out?"
Another moment passed and I couldn't help but ask because all we were doing was standing around burning daylight.
Adjusting himself the blond stepped forward and spoke.
"We apologies for our lack of manners. We'll lead the way into the city without any further delay!"
Turning quickly on his heels he began leading the way. It wasn't until after he'd already taken a dozen steps that he realize that no one was following him.
With wet eyes the brunette had clenched fists and looked like he swallowed a frog. After a moment he finally mustered up the courage to speak.
"Youn.. Young Master. Someone with so much poise and grace.. wouldn't keep in his heart the insignificant chiding of a small time soldier would you?"
Taken aback I couldn't help but give the soldier a one time over again.
I've already labeled myself as an outsider so he couldn't be afraid of my political power, my level was clearly displayed and level five isn't really much.
The only thing I could think of is the bright white light, what was it measuring? Magick capacity? Soul strength? Bloodline rank?
I see I'll have to get identification papers to prevent this from happening again in the future.
I released only a fraction more of my Aura allowing some of the chilly necromancy magick to mix in, then a sharp glint flash across my eyes. I took a small step forward closing the gap between us.
"I don't respond lightly to threats or those who cross me, keep this in mind in the future and we'll have no further issues. I'll be in this city for quite some time so our paths will cross again if fate allows it. Be sure to keep whatever you think you know to yourself."
I brushed passed the soldier and caught up to the young blond. In the background i could smell urine and in the next moments heard knees hit the ground.
Mmm I wonder if the necromancy magick was a bit much?
*Ding*
«Intimidation lvl has increased to lvl 3»
«By creeping into the hearts of the weak you've planted seeds of torment and horror. [Nightmare lvl 1] has been learned»
«Infamy has increased by 1»
Ah it seems the system has agreed, mmm having this much power is a bit dangerous isn't it? Definitely need to learn a control skills asap.
Even more so the fact that my [Infamy] increased so easily doesn't seem very good either. I hope fame is just as easy to increase. No wait, hopefully easier??
"Lead the way it's starting to get stuffy out here."
Hearing my comment the blond soldier steeled his nerves and started leading the way again. As a member of the beast race there's no way he didn't smell and probably even hear his companion relieving himself.
After finally arriving at the north gate guard house I learned the blond guards name is Eric while his friends name is Hank.
After telling a few free soldiers to go pick up the passed out Hank he asked a few questions such as my name and race, wrote it down on a permit pass and told me I could continue on into the city.
Finally stepping foot into the City of the Dancing Forest I took in the site and sounds of what I'd thought would be a bustling town full of vigor and hidden temptations.
But instead what filled my view was three children full of wounds with savagery clear in their eyes.
A round man adorned in jewels, and wearing what looked to be the finest robe while holding a whip was surrounded by citizens watching the spectacle. Mixed in the crowd you could see what looked to be clergymen from several different sects.
Some robes were white and gold, green and yellow, even black and blue. They were standing in different locations with hands brought together in prayer.
The robust man moved his arm holding the whip motioning to strike at the children again!
*Ding*
«Quest
Grade: Common
Details: ....»
Completely ignoring the system notification my body had already moved before I could follow up with a thorough plan.
In the next moment I was in front of the children and let the whip wrap around my arm...