Chapter IV: Returning To Wintervale.
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As the village came into Ares' field of vision, he let out a sigh of relief.
He was currently very low on Health, Stamina, and Mana which meant he was in no condition to fight. Not to mention, the sun was beginning to rise, so it wouldn't be long before he gets the notification of his defense weakening.
"Today was a productive day." He thought to himself as he slowly limped to the village while pulling up his stats window.
Character Name: Ares. Title: Wintervale Hunter. Alignment: None. Level: 10. Profession: Classless. Reputation: 7. Health: 15/210. Stamina: 19/210. Mana: 23/210.
Strength: 19. Perception: 13. Endurance: 18. Charisma: 11. Intelligence: 14. Agility: 19. Luck: 12. Courage: 4. Perseverance: 4. Fighting Spirit: 5. Insight: 1. Willpower: 3. Mentality. 2.
Attack: 9-13. Defense: 10.
Magic Resistance
Fire: 0%. Water: 0%. Ice: 0%. Earth: 1%. Dark: 20%. Holy: -20%. Poison: 100%. Lightning: 0%. Wind: 2%.
He had not only managed to hit double-digit levels in a few hours, but he had also acquired a title halfway through his farming, which allowed him to gain XP at an even faster rate than before for the next two days when hunting in the Wintervale Woods. Of course, the XP he would gain was only being increased by seven percent; it was still better than nothing.
"At this rate, I might be able to hit level 60 before leaving the starting area." He thought with a smile. He knew it was impossible for the monsters in starting areas scale to levels 1-26, but he couldn't help from exaggerating.
If he had somehow managed to get to level 60 before even traveling to the next area he'd be the talk of the game. Many players would want to know how he had managed to hit that level so fast, and that was something he didn't need nor want at the moment.
He wanted to avoid as much attention as he possibly could until at least hitting triple digits for he knew the attention would also bring negativity. Sure, a lot of people would talk about him, and say great things about him, but higher leveled players would see him as a potential rival and would hunt him down to stop his progress. There wouldn't be many, but he had heard of high ranking players doing this.
In the past, the level cap was 100, which was a level he had managed to acquire through a lot of time and effort, but since then, it has gone up to level 500, which was another reason why he was able to get to level 10 in under twelve hours. He didn't need as much XP as he did before.
Back when the game first came out, players would need to get ten thousand XP to reach level 2, but nowadays, players would only need to get five thousand, which was around twenty Level 2 Eni give or take.
As he got closer and closer to the village, he dismissed his stats window and was approached by a guardsman that had spotted him a few seconds ago. In his right hand, he had a once lit torch.
"You, you're the one that wanted to speak to the Captain yesterday, correct?" Was what the guardsman asked him with a serious look in his eyes.
"Uh, yes?" Ares answered with a bit of uncertainty in his voice. It wasn't long he was asked this he realized this was the guardsman he had practically been delegated to.
"Yeah, you were looking for a job, right?" The guardsman continued with a bit more sternness than before.
"Yes, I was looking for one." He affirmed with a small nod of his head.
"Then can you help me?" The guardsman demanded before beginning to rummage through his satchel. "My younger brother has been missing for a while now, but one of the villagers had reported to me a couple of hours ago about a young boy who matches his description standing on the opposite side of the river."
A Brother's Request
One of the guardsmen in Wintervale has asked you to look for his missing brother who had been spotted near the river a few hours ago. Failure to complete this quest before Nightfall will result in favor lost with Leon and the villagers of Wintervale.
Difficulty Level: Easy.
Quest Requirements: Must have a positive reputation in Wintervale, must have a neutral relationship with Leon, and must complete this quest before nightfall.
Do you accept this quest?
Yes. | No.
Although Ares didn't want to accept the quest because he was getting a little sleepy, he saw there was no harm in doing it before logging off for the night. However, there were a few things he wanted to know.
"I have no problem helping you, but do you mind if I ask a few questions first?" He told Leon with a solemn tone.
—Quest Accepted.—
—Favor with Guardsman Leon has increased.—
"Of course, what's on your mind?" Leon answered with a bit of energy in his voice.
Ares at first was hesitant to speak, but it wasn't because he didn't know what to say. It was because he wasn't sure what he wanted to ask him first.
Eventually though, he asked his first question.
"Why didn't you go check this out yourself? I mean, if he's been missing for a while now, then wouldn't you want to go check this out yourself?" Is what he said to Leon.
"Obviously, but I can't." Came Leon's somewhat cryptic response. "Captain Maxwell hasn't been too pleased with my work as of recently, so he has been keeping an eye on me. If he finds out I abandoned guard duty, then he'll strip me of my rank and I'll be jobless."
While Ares was curious about how one could do a bad job at guarding a village, he decided not to ask about that, and instead ask the second question that was on his mind.
Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.
"How long has your brother been missing?" Was his next question.
"For almost two weeks now. I had tried to look for him myself when I have the time, but well you can see that hasn't been successful. This is actually the first report of someone seeing him since he's gone missing." Leon revealed in a mostly solemn voice with a few traces of what sounded like embarrassment as he scratched the back of his neck.
"Really?" Ares questioned in a dubious tone.
"Yes, really." Leon affirmed as his eyelids narrowed a bit.
Seeing how he didn't like how he doubted him there, Ares raised his hands slightly in a surrendering motion. "Relax, I'm not doubting you, I'm just surprised to hear that this is the first time someone saw him since his disappearance."
At this, Leon's gaze returned to normal as he apologized.
"Sorry, I shouldn't have gotten upset with you just there, I just want my brother back, or at the very least, find out what happened to him."
"That's understandable, I think anybody in your situation would want that." Ares told him with what would have been a smile had he had lips.
Upon hearing this, Leon smiled, and Ares received a notification.
—Favor with Guardsman Leon has increased, he will now talk to you with a bit more respect.—
After quickly reading the information, Ares decided that he had asked enough questions and was going to end the conversation.
"Anyways, I'm gonna go check the river out, so I will speak with you later."
"Alright, and thank you for giving me a hand, it's rare to see that these days." Was the response Leon gave him.
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Eudora let loose a sigh as she had her Stats Window appear.
Character Name: Eudora Title: Queen of Nirvana. Alignment: Nirvana Kingdom. Level: 268. Profession: Mage. Reputation: 37,576. Health: 25,785/30130. Stamina: 26,210/28090. Mana: 35,788/40,350.
Strength: 128. Perception: 233. Endurance: 183. Charisma: 211. Intelligence: 298. Agility: 145. Luck: 129. Charm: 100. Courage: 43. Dignity: 202. Honor: 197. Perseverance: 78. Fighting Spirit: 89. Faith: 175. Insight: 186. Willpower: 207. Mentality. 200.
Attack: 287-323. Defense: 320.
Magic Resistance
Fire: 50%. Water: 50%. Ice: 50%. Earth: 50%. Dark: -35%. Holy: 80%. Poison: 50%. Lightning: 50%. Wind: 50%.
She had managed to go up two levels, which was nice, but that was only because she was already three-fourths of the way to level 267. Had she not been closer she probably wouldn't have reached level 268.
Nonetheless, she was content with the progress she made, and believed that if she continued to grind, she would reach level 270 before dismissing her Stats Window.
It wasn't long after she dismissed her Stats Window she was messaged by the Nirvana Griffin Knights Commander, Duncan.
From: Duncan I know you told us not to message you unless it is very important, but a friend of mine just told me something very interesting that I believe will pique your interest.
While Eudora would have preferred if he had just told her the information in the first message so she could read it and move on with her day, she held back the little irritation she had and gave him a response.
To: Duncan Alright, what is it?
It took him a little while, but in the end, Duncan answered.
From: Duncan Remember back in the season one championship the Jester you fought in the finals? Well, from what my friend told me, he is planning on returning to the game. Unfortunately, I do not know when, I had tried to get more from her, but even she doesn't know. All she knows is that he said he'll think about it and that he might. Anyways, I thought I should have notified you of his possible return to the game.
At this, Eudora became speechless. She didn't know what to say or think of this information. However, after about three minutes of standing there with a shocked expression, she replied.
To: Duncan While this had definitely came as a shocker to me, I no longer have an interest in Loki. He has been gone for far too long, and would in no way, shape, or form be useful to the guild. Besides, I have no intention of asking somebody to join my guild when he had already turned me down once before. If he wants to, then he can come to us, but I will not be going to him with the offer.
With her thoughts on the matter clear, Eudora resumed her grinding, and ignored the next two messages Duncan sent her.
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After arriving at the river, Ares spent a good thirty to forty-five minutes searching looking around in an attempt to find a young boy to no avail.
A handful of the residents of Wintervale had also came down to the river, but it wasn't to assist him. No, it was either to fish or fill their wooden buckets with water.
Those who stayed to fish watched Ares with interest, for from their perspective it looked like he was trying to find his missing wedding ring. Of course, Ares barely paid them any attention for he was determined to find something that would assist him in this quest of his.
Eventually, Ares ceased his looking and started to wonder if he was going at this in the wrong way and it wasn't long after that he recalled one of the innate abilities he had.
"Spirit eyes." He whispered under his breath causing his empty sockets to glow a spectral blueish green.
The ability he had just casted was apart of the necromancer subclass, which allowed the user for a short period of time to see spirits who had yet to leave the mortal plane during the day. Besides that, it did nothing else. It was worth mentioning that the ability could be used at night as well, but it would be a waste of mana for at night you could see spirits no matter what.
After casting the spell, Ares looked once more, and ended up spotting a ghost boy who looked to be around the age of ten squatting by the riverside.
"That must be Leon's brother." He believed upon seeing the boy who was glowing ghostly blue.
Wanting to know for sure, he approached the boy and called out to him in a gentle manner.
"Excuse me, but are you Leon's brother?" Is what he said which had caused the boy to stop staring at the water and look around before spotting Ares.
As he watched Ares slowly approach, he stuttered his response. "Y-You ca-can s-s-see me?"
His voice was no louder than a whisper in the wind.
"Yes," Ares affirmed as he finished closing the distance. "I can see you."
The boy perked up upon hearing this, but the blissful expression he had didn't last long for it was soon replaced by a saddened one.
"I wanna go home." He said aloud in the same hushed like tone as he averted his attention to the ground.
At this Ares said nothing, but he did feel somewhat sympathetic for him. Sure, the boy may not actually exist, but the traces of sadness and despair that could be heard in his voice made him feel for the child.
"What happened to you if you don't mind me asking?" Ares asked after a few seconds of silence.
The child looked up at him upon hearing the question, and it wasn't long before his lip started to tremble.
"Th-The P-P-Pale Woman." He stuttered in fear.
If Ares had brows then he would have furrowed them, for he didn't understand who he was referring to.
"The Pale Woman?" He questioned in a slightly confused voice.
"Y-Yes." He affirmed. "S-She had to-told me that th-th-there we-were some d-d-duckies in th-th-the river, b-but it w-w-was a lie. S-S-She killed me."
Upon hearing this information, Ares' quest updated.
A Brother's Request
You have discovered that Leon's brother had been murdered by a mysterious pale woman, return to him and inform of his little brother's fate.
After reading the quick information, Ares let out a sigh. It wasn't because he was going to have problems letting Leon know what happened, it was because he had a pretty good idea of what comes after telling him.
A murder mystery quest.