”Hello young man, are you troubled?” a man with a grand beard told me...

‘Oh, this man is talking to me?’

Of course, he is talking to me, why else would he be poking my shoulder...

“Well?” He said.

“Right, I’m sorry I am a bit lost…” I said

“You’re lost? So where are you going?” The man asked

Where am I going? We all started playing just now. Everyone seems to be going somewhere, but where? What am I supposed to do?

“Perhaps you are looking for the hunting grounds, to kill some moles. I could lead you there!” The man said.

Killing moles, no what... why? Why would I kill moles for no reason?

Seeing the hesitant look on my face, the man continued.

“So you’re not here to help us with the mole infestation?”

I shook my head, “No I’m only here to make money.”

“Well if you are looking to make money, we compensate you for every ten moles you kill”

[Quest ‘Mole Infestation’ (C) has been generated]

[Mole Infestation]

Townsman William needs help with clearing out the fields of Moles.

Quest Clear Conditions: Kill 10 farmland moles.

Clear Reward: Obtain 10 copper coins and a ‘Rusty Dagger’

[Accept/Decline]

“Uhhh, no not really what I’m looking to do.”

* Quest [Mole Infestation] has been declined, should you wish to do this quest at another time, speak to any townsman in the Farmlands.

William stared at me up and down.

Then he pulled his beard as he said “All right if you are not going to help with our mole infestation, what is it that you are looking to do?”

I gave him a confused look before I answered.

“To be honest with you, I came to make money, which I told you earlier. But seeing how lively this town is, and feeling how fresh the air is, I’m feeling like exploring. I haven’t done anything like that before…”

William stared at me. “Exploring you say… Well, the best way to do that would be simply pointing you in a direction and sending you on your way…”

Yes, I guess that would be how you do it I thought to myself. Why am I so stupid, why even bother telling this kind man about it?

“Okay fella, I’ll give you this one, but don’t tell anyone I gave it to ya. I’m giving it to you because I get the feeling you’ll make good use for it!” William said.

Then he handed me a pickaxe

[You have acquired William’s Trusty Pickaxe]

Rating: Unique

Durability 403/502 Attack Power: 5-15 Attack Speed:-10%

-Useable for mining

This is Townsman William’s old Pickaxe that he used when he was a young explorer. Use it with much effort and it will reward you.

Conditions of Use: None

Weight: 45

“Is this for me?” I asked

It was a fine Pickaxe, although it was it wasn’t rusty at all, and the sunlight reflected on its surface straight into my eyes.

William laughed, “Who else?”

I thankfully accepted the pickaxe and shook his hand.

“Thank you”

After that, William pointed me toward some mountains and I began walking.

Some thirty minutes quickly flew by, before two windows appeared in front of me.

A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

[First to leave the starter area]

*You have gained +1 in all stats

*You have gained 10 % of the current level’s required XP.

[First to discover Farmland Forest]

*You have gained 1+ in all stats

*You have gained 10 % of the current level’s required XP.

I stared at the two windows.

What are these even, 1+ in all stats, and 10 % XP?

I tried wrapping my head around what these numbers meant, but there was no use.

The road I followed turned into a path, a path slithering through a green forest full of colorful bushes. Some were purple with sharp leaves, while others were green or yellow.

I could see the berries resting between the leaves, and they all called to me.

“Eat us,” They said.

Who do you take me for; of course I’ll eat you! I thought as I grabbed a berry and shoved it into my mouth before I could read the status window.

[Purple berry]

Rating: Common

*Due to your unfamiliarity with this berry, you could not determine what berry it was.

*High chance of being poisonous.

Immediately a status text, along with a number appeared in front of me

*You have consumed a poisonous berry

*You have been poisoned

-2 HP

-2 HP

-2 HP

What? The taste swelled in my mouth, leaving a super sour and bitter feeling drying up my tongue.

I grabbed a couple of leaves.

‘I have to get this disgusting taste out of my mouth!’ I thought as I shoved the leaves towards my tongue, trying desperately to get the bitter taste out.

*You have found the cure for your poisoning

*You have been cured of the poison.

*Information on “Purple Berry” has been updated.

[Molar berry]

Rating: Common

*Poisonous berry

This berry is a common berry throughout the forests of Anima, known by almost everyone to be poisonous.

[Molar bush leaf]

Rating: Common

*Neutralizes the poison of its berries.

*Has healing effects

This leaf is used by alchemists throughout the continents to make weak healing potions.

I stared dumbfounded. Is this really how things are supposed to work, eating berries and eating their leaves to be cured? No, there was no way that this is how things work. I must have been lucky.

“Ugh, I’ll continue walking; maybe I can find somewhere to rest.”

Or so I thought. I got closer to the mountain range, but there was no village to be found. Up ahead, the path turned into a smaller trail, obviously leaving the shades of the trees drawing closer to the mountain.

I journeyed alongside the trail, hoping to find something that could cure my hunger, but there was nothing.

*Would you like to activate the basic help list?

A man’s voice echoed in my ears.

Shocked from the sudden sound, I turned around. There was nobody there.

“Yes,” I hesitantly answered.

*Basic help list, here are some commands you can use to keep track of yourself.

*Inventory – Used to see what you have at your disposal. To store things in your inventory, simply pull items towards the pouch on your waist. To withdraw things from your inventory, open your inventory simply by thinking “Open Inventory” and pull out whatever it is you need.

*Character Window – Used to keep track of your current health and energy resource, be it energy, focus, or mana to mention the most common ones. Here, you can also see your stats progression, how much you have in each stat. There are four main stats, with a plethora of hidden stats that you unlock through completing certain feats of strength. Speaking of which, here are the three main stats;

Agility – Increases nimbleness, be it moving faster or attacking quicker. If you require energy, this stat increases your energy pool.

Strength – Increases raw power in your attacks, allows you to carry heavier weapons. If you are lacking stamina, this stat might increase your stamina pool depending on your class.

Intellect – Increases your ability to perceive the strength and weakness of your enemies, allows you to easier inspect your surroundings. If you are a magically inclined class, this stat increases your mana pool.

Stamina- Increases your carrying limit and required to use certain attacks.

Use the command “Open Character Window” to see your current character information.

*Quest log – To view your current quests; use the command “Open Quest log”

’Wow’ I thought to myself.

Maybe I should have read some more on how the game works… Then again, I never cared about these things before anyway.

Okay, I’ll try it out!

“Open Character Window”

A blue screen appeared in front of me.

Name: Rune

Level: 1 (2/10)

Class: None

* You can learn a class from a trainer, a class-book, or by accomplishing certain feats.

Health: 4/12 Mana: 5/7

Strength: 3 Stamina: 3 Agility: 3 Intelligence: 3

Stat Points: 0

Weight: 52/200

.” Meh” I said

What is this even? All these numbers are so low. Why do I only have 3 in each stat?

When I read on the forums earlier, I’m pretty sure I saw someone mentioning having over a thousand in strength in another game. Why am I so weak?

Well, it’s not like I am going to run around and kill stuff anyways, I’m here to work.

I looked at the mountain straight ahead, only a couple hundred meters until I reach the beginning of it.

My belly growled. I need to find something, and that is fast!

I turned around to look at where I came from, and the trees waved at me in the wind.

A couple of clouds flew in from the horizon line. It was clear to see that the sky was cooking up a storm for me, speaking of which, I should try finding something edible to cook.

I walked back to the edge of the forest. Should I build a shelter here? Maybe make a fire or something…

“Who are you trying to fool Rune, you don’t even know how to make a fire,” I said out loud as I sighed.

I gathered some sticks and stones and formed what I thought was a fire pit, then I used the Pickaxe William gave me to dig a small hole.

I looked at the stone circle and the sticks… How exactly do I set this on fire?

Right, I remember reading it somewhere… I need something else.

But what was it?

Leaves! I need leaves!

Quickly, I climbed the tree next to my fire pit and gathered leaves. I proceeded to cover my fire pit and all of its sticks with the leaves, and then I sat down and stared at it.

But nothing happened.

“OOOOH!” I yelled at my genius. I need to smash stones together to get a spark!

I used all my force to smash the two stones together and

BANG!

*Congratulations, you have made gravel.

[You have acquired gravel]

Rating: Common

Could be used for its artistic value, few would buy this.

‘Ehhhhhh’ I thought.

So this wasn’t right?

I stared at my joke of a fire pit.

“Damn it” I yelled.

“Why are you cursing?” A voice said.

I lift my head and looked right in front, a woman walked up towards me with a large smile.

“You know, I’ve been very amused by you for some time now. It’s pretty fun to see a novice like you trying to start a fire” She said.

I stared in confusion and slight irritation at her red, short cut hair.

A large scar covered her freckled face, and her muscles looked strong enough to crush watermelons if I ever had one.

“I’m glad one of us is laughing,” I said as I breathed out some air.

It was hard trying to keep my mood up, but knowing that someone was making a joke out of my effort, it was hard.

“Hey, cheer up. I’ll help you! You took your time to make a fire pit; most novices just learn a simple fire spell!” She laughed.

More mocking, great... Then I saw it, a huge boar on her back. How did I miss that?

I drooled at the thought of sinking my teeth into that meat.

“Here, let me help you!” She said as she snapped her finger.

A small, warm light appeared at the tip of her finger, and she reached for the dry leaves in front of me.

The light immediately set the leaves on fire, making the failed attempt at a fire pit suddenly seem much more welcoming.

She sat down next to me and placed the boar on a stick above the fire.

“Thank you,” I said as I stared at her in a new light.

She smirked as she met my gaze.

“What’s up with you, eaten stare-pudding?” She giggled.

I twitched, as a shock went down my spine.

I looked away from her and blushed.

“No I’m just admiring my savior,” I said

“You got guts,” She said as she pats my back with a force that sent me forward.

Soon, the boar was ready and the red-haired woman shared some with me. We ate, and the taste was amazing! Unlike any conserved food pack, I’d eaten before! A juicy feeling tickled my tongue as the heat from the flames created a most comfortable feeling if I was to say it myself.

“I never asked for your name!” I asked as I broke the silence.

“Do we really need to know each other’s name to enjoy a fine meal?” She answered.

Uh, I mean, is that not just being common courtesy? I blinked at her but understood what she meant.

I stood up and brushed off some grass and leaves from my torn pants.

“Again, thank you for everything. It was a pleasure meeting you but I think this is where we part ways.” I told her with a smile.

“I believe so, and hey, before you go…” She said.

The air felt tense, what was she about to say? Ask for my number?

“Use the bush leaves next time, there’s no point in climbing trees to start a fire” She burst out laughing.

This woman!

I puffed some air and walked away. No point in talking more with this bully!

I stormed off towards the mountains once again, drawing closer to the bottom of it by each step.