The circle flashed brightly once before a cone shaped rock began rising up. It looked like some form of crystal, the fake kind I'd buy at one of those cheap museum trips from back when we visited the states. Wonder if there still even are fifty states... much less united. The cone continued to rise up before tapering off at around a foot in height, a small face following underneath.

"That a gnome?" Ian asked accusatorily.

"Give it a minute."

We both watched in mutual curiosity as the gnome-figure-thing finished forming, the circle closing beneath it. Giving it a once over, there wasn't anything truly spectacular about it. The whole body was made with the same kind of crystal and brutish features carved for the face. The only exception to the crystalline body were tree like legs that appeared to meld right into the forest floor.

"So does it do anything?

"Shut up Ian just give me a second..."

"Hey system? Can I see what this dude can do?"

Immediately, a familiar blue screen flew into my vision.

Tree Gnome (Lvl 1) Info... Abilities...

I focused on info for yet another screen to appear.

Tree Gnome The tree gnome is a basic creature to be found within dense forestry. The strength of such gnomes is indicated by how ornate their hats are. At a low level they possess dismal intelligence.

Sounds pretty basic. I thought absently. Next I pulled up the abilities tab.

Abilities: Root Lash (Lvl 1)

Level 1: By planting its feet into the ground, a tree gnome has the ability to create thrashing whips of bark to tangle or incapacitate opponents. Damage depends on utilization of ability. (Becomes boosted if used in an area with dense wildlife. +10 Damage)

Level 2-10:???

"So what does it do?" Ian asked yet again.

"It's basically a Bulbasaur gnome? I'm still tryna figure out all of this stuff. Hey gnome, move to the left."

The impish little thing took a shifting step to the left, its carved eyes boring into my soul.

"I'm just going to say what you're thinking. That thing is creepy as heck."

"Bruh this thing can hear you stupid." I shot a glare at Ian.

"Look I don't even think the thing cares, or can understand insults." He fired back.

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I looked back down to the gnome and saw that he didn't appear to be affected by Ian's comments. Even if Ian was right about him looking a little odd... I thought he seemed cool in a way.

We both waited in silence for a moment, both staring at my summoned companion.

Finally, Ian spoke up. "It's too quiet in this forest. Actually though, just listen."

After being chased by the snake and getting thrown into the tutorial neither of us had really been able to just pause and listen. But he was right, the forest was eerily quiet, no chirping birds and skittering squirrels.

* QUEST COMPLETED: "Use basic spell/ability (Beginner): 10xp & common item."*

*REWARD: Leather Bracers (Nature, Common)*

The blasted alert broke the silence we had been attempting to assess, reminding me of the quest feature.

"System, add Leather Bracers to my equipped items."

Equipped Items: Leather Bracers (Nature, Common)...

Leather Bracers: Boosts all nature based attacks/abilities (+5 Damage)

Immediately the pair of bracers materialized on my arms, going from my elbow down to my wrist and conforming to my arm. I looked up to see Ian holding some sort of glorified pocket knife in his hand, switching it back and forth in the light. He looked up to see my bracers and simply said, "We look... wild."

"Yeah..."

* QUEST RECEIVED: Kill Leaf Rat*

"Oh C'mon man can't we just chill for a minute?" Ian had barely gotten the complaint out before a green ball of fur appeared towards the end of the dirt path, kicking up dust as it ran towards us.

"Ian the rat!"

"I see it Kai."

"What do we do?"

"Throw your druid at it?"

"Druid use root lash when the rat is in range." The druid, seemingly non-stressed, moved Infront of Ian and I, planting its feet. The rat, still dialed in on us, let out a furious screech as it got closer by leaps and bounds. All I could hear was my own heart pounding in my ears as it grew closer to us.

I turned to Ian and saw he was still holding the knife in his hand, eyes locked onto the approaching foe.

"Ian use your teleport after my gnome attacks, okay?" he nodded as a response, getting into a wider stance as he prepared to get up close.

Finally, after what felt like hours of watching the large rat approach, it came within ten feet of us. The green colored rodent leapt forward, teeth gnashing. Before it could get withing arms reach my gnome crouched down and kicked one leg forward in one smooth motion. All at once a massive ripping sounded out as a tree to the right of us leaned inward, one of its massive roots striking from the ground. The gnarled piece of root curled around the rat, halting its motion. I heard a swish beside me but kept my eyes locked on the rat as Ian appeared behind it, striking down with his newly gained knife.

*Leaf Rat has suffered 8 damage from *Root Lash* Hp 12/20*

*Leaf Rat has suffered 12 damage from *Backslash* Hp 0/20*

Although I was expecting Ian to be covered in blood from the ordeal, the rat simply dissolved. Ian had an ecstatic look on his face, almost like he'd just opened his first Christmas present.

"I'm so frickin cool. Wish somebody could've caught that on camera." He tossed the knife into the air where it disappeared.

"Alright, first that was a team effort. Second, how'd you learn to get your knife to disappear like that?"

Ian shrugged and said, "I just tell the system to unequip it while its in the air."

I nodded and turned to my gnome. He was in the same spot, but had returned to upright standing.

"Good job soldier." I almost wanted to give him a mock salute, but Ian was already headed down the path, towards where the edge of the island waited.

I jogged after him and carefully followed as he weaved between the foliage, retracing our steps from earlier. Only know we weren't being chased by a massive goliath-eating snake. Ian cut through the massive green vines and leaves as he created his own path, arching over to the left. I glanced behind to make sure the Tree Gnome was following, and he was, albeit slowly.

Finally, after tromping through high grass and itchy brambles, we made it to the edge of the island, with a steep drop off to the ocean. Ian took a seat on the cliffside and patted the spot next to him. I took my own seat and said nothing as we both watched the massive waves in the distance.

"Crazy Isn't it."