The thing about being lost is that you don’t know where to go.
Wait! Hear me out before you hurl the reading device of your choice out the window.
When you have no idea where you are, that’s kind of a problem, sure, but on the other hand you may know where you want to go so you have a destination. If your destination is known then you can plan for it properly in some way or the other, maybe you use the sun to head west or east, or climb a tree to find a landmark. On the other hand, when you don’t know where you’re going all you can do is wander around for a while.
You may be thinking. ‘Jin! Last time we saw you, you were happily following Mirandas directions towards a village while depopulating the forest of its resident rabbit infestation’, and I would happily reply, ‘Exactly random person on the internet who is somehow talking to me. I was following Mirandas directions, but it turns out there’s a problem with that.’
‘What problem?’ you may wonder with a look of confusion on your pasty pale agoraphobic face.
‘Well, it turns out that this completely unhelpful flying bug can only specify which direction something is in, and only important MAN-MADE landmarks at that.’ I would gladly tell you as I twisted Mirandas sarcastic expression off along with her head.
Man-made is the key word here.
I give you exhibit A of why I’m rapidly losing faith and interest in my companion.
The Mountain Range in front of me.
Not just one or two mountains but a range as far as the eye can see.
The only advantage of not being able to travel in this direction any farther, is the dejected expression on Mirandas face. Sure, I may be screwed because I’m lost, but it’s not like I wanted to interact with people in the first place. If I can’t get information from villagers, then I will learn from nature itself! Well that and sell my items, turns out there’s no inventory per se except for your starting equipment, rest of the stuff you have to carry around by hand. I need to make some money off my rabbit goods. Hey! My precious bits of rabbit fur are totally valuable for people who want to make baby socks or something.
Is what I said half an hour ago, but I have no idea what to do for that, hence my first statement.
“Miranda, any ideas?” I think it’s better if I don’t gloat too much at her failure for the sake of building the cooperation I’ll need to get out of here. Gloat any more I mean.
“You can always train your swordsmanship for a while. Maybe search for some caves or special spots for treasure and manuals.” Her sullen behavior was actually a godsend, no need to face all that sarcasm.
Latching on to her final word I tried to clarify it. Apparently, manuals are guides on everything from crafting to skill usage and acquisition. That’s definitely something I need right now so, my current goals confirmed, find some manuals.
Easier said than done though. Let’s think about this carefully treasures and things are found in three places in MMOs as far as I remember.
First- In dungeon chests.
Second- As Mob drops.
Third- Special events or merchants.
Checking with Miranda I was surprised to discover that in FO there was an even more unique method to acquiring treasured items.
“Since it’s been millions of years and various civilizations have come and gone throughout the ages, you may find various items underground for your use.” She’d said.
Now isn’t that interesting.
Now to acquire a means of digging.
Items available to me. Rusty sword, Rabbit meat, Rabbit fur, Stones, Leaves and Trees. Oh, and a useless flying companion.
IDEA!
“Behold ladies, gentleman and flying sentience’s the world over, my greatest creation.” I shouted into the forest and stared at the abomination tied together by strips of rabbit fur in my hand.
Item Name The World's Worst Shovel Atk Unknown Def Unknown Skills Unknown Bonus attributes Unknown Description Crafted by a lunatic in an attempt to dig up treasures this strange hybrid of wood, stone and fur is more durable than it looks Usage Requirements Seriously? A baby could use this.
“How will that help?” Miranda asked in disgust.
“I don’t want to use my hands so…. Shovel.” Proudly displaying my creation once more I set to digging.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Two hours later I’d dug up a hell of a lot of stuff. All of it trash. I mean it, trash. Have a look for yourself.
Item Name
Trash
Description
It's Trash. Why are you even reading the description?
I was frustrated but I wouldn’t let my inability to capitalize on this slimmest of chances stop me. I mean, I’m known for grinding. I can keep this up for a long while.
If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.
Chatting with Miranda about some classical TV shows I continued to dig.
And dig.
AAAAAANNNNDD DIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIGGGG!!!
PING! The sound of a system message hooray! What did it say? A new skill!
Skill- Treasure Hunter Lv. 1: - Your greed knows no bounds, and archaeological sites would tremble in fear if they had emotions. You’re on your way to becoming a fine grave robber. Keep it up!
Effects:
· Small increase in discovery and drop rates from monsters and Digging.
· Archaeological related skills are easier to learn and level up.
Continuing to dig, another system message popped up.
Title unlocked: Lord of Mud
Skill unlocked: Digging
Let me check these as well, although they both give me a really bad feeling.
Title- Lord of Mud – At home in the Earth as you are above it, your affinity for the soil means your skills that affect the earth are more effective.
Effects:
· Minor increase in effects of Earth and soil related skills.
Skill- Digging Lv. 1: - What do you think? You dig well. End of story.
Effects:
· Minor increase in digging speed for each level of the skill
Why can I see a level on these skills and not on my swordplay skill?” I asked Miranda.
“These skills you acquired yourself and you know that you’re at the beginning levels of its usage. The swordplay was the skill assigned to you by the system as a freebie due to your initial actions so you have to discover more about it yourself first.” She explained, her superior attitude coming back into force.
“There was something like that?” I cried out.
“You didn’t read the manual did you, jackass.” Yep the attitudes back. I’ll ignore her for now and get back to grinding.
Great, now my digging will be even more effective.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Who says that hard work doesn’t pay off? Looking at the small booklet in my hand my mouth was dry and Miranda was gaping at me. Seems she didn’t really expect me to find anything. Maybe I have a high Luck stat? But I haven’t seen Luck listed as an attribute.
I carefully pried open the first page and sighed in sheer pleasure at the pop up window.
Item Name
Force Manual
Description
Learn the secret skills of the Guardians of Peace.
Skills! It says multiple skills! Great! Awesome!
Let’s learn.
Turning the page another message appeared.
Warning!
By learning this skillset, the manual will be used up and vanish.
Do you wish to continue?
Yes, obviously!
Nothing happened.
Imploring Miranda with my eyes for an explanation she gave me a long-suffering look before complying.
“You have to actually read it Jin. You won’t just magically get a skill.”
Huh. Alright, reading time.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Skill unlocked: Force Use Lv. 1
Force Attribute unlocked (+unknown)
Force Points attribute iunlocked (+unknown)
Skill- Force Use Lv. 1: - The skills of the Guardians of the Peace. Go out and spread Justice young apprentice!
Effects:
· Ability to move things with your mind based on your Force attribute.
· Minor ability to sense danger and threats targeted at you.
· Minor ability to influence others.
That is amazing! This will help a lot for sure. Now what does my status say?
Status
Name
Lord Banana
Level
Go Find Out
Experience
135
Class
Nope
Titles
The Knight who didn’t say Ni, Lord of Mud
Attributes
HP
Figure it out
MP
Figure it out
Strength
Figure it out
Charisma
Figure it out
Dexterity
Figure it out
Psych
Figure it out
Constitution
Figure it out
Magic
Figure it out
Wisdom
Figure it out
Force
Figure it out
Intelligence
Figure it out
Force Points
Skills
Basic Swordplay, Treasure Hunter Lv. 1, Force Use Lv. 1*, Digging, Lv. 1
*Skill unlocks attribute
Alternating my gaze between my sword and status screen I was so happy I started to dance on the spot.
“That decides it! I’m gonna be a J*di.” I shouted into the forest, a stunned Miranda watching me cavorting. Of course, she can’t understand a man’s romance. Now to go find some harmless, unsuspecting creatures to test my new-found abilities on.