Despite the dreams I'd had, how could they be useful right now? My mind worked quickly to find a satisfactory answer.
I felt my blood rushing wildly through my body, my heart beating frantically.
──── I DON'T KNOW! ──── I answered without thinking, every second counted against these orcs.
──── My name is Raphael Smith. But I don't know how I got here, sir! ──── I could see Rogur eyebrow arch. His greenish-black armor even made a clinking sound in response.
Fortunately, my luck seemed to be on the rise since that green-haired guy appeared at my grave. A figure approached, smaller but still looking strong enough for me.
──── He's telling the truth, Father. Torug doesn't feel lies, he only feels fear! ──── The words of the other Orc made me sigh inwardly with relief.
He looked exactly like Rogur, like a miniature version of him. While one is about 2.60 meters tall, the other seemed to be only 2.20 meters tall, wearing black iron armor just like his father.
And to make my situation even better, a female orc approached. Unlike the others, she seemed to be dressed in ceremonial garb, with a bun of feathers and animal bones.
──── I sense no malice from this little Scarless. His soul is strangely pure, Lord. He has nothing but fear for us. ──── The woman approached the leader and joined the circle of orcs surrounding me.
With so many defending me, what could I do but remain silent? It was perfect.
Rogur gaze became sharp, even with so many people defending me. But how could I blame him?
──── All right... Put him with the other grunts when their training starts. Before that, leave him in one of the empty hjem. ──── Even though I couldn't convince him completely, it looked like my life would be saved for now.
──── I hope they're right about you, little Scarless. ──── With a crooked smile on his face, he left with Torug and the orc woman. I got goose bumps. I finally understood your warning... Orc society was where I lived for part of my time in Mythos. Their brutality was commonplace to me, despite the fear I felt.
I got up and looked around. I found myself in the center of a large village surrounded by tents, the famous Hjem (tents are called hjem). At least 500 Orcs lived there, a reasonable number considering its size.
I didn't even have time to look around before two of the orcs who were with Rogur grabbed both of my arms.
I was dragged like a sack of rice and brutally thrown into a tent. I even got a few scratches, minor abrasions.
They soon closed the tent without giving me time to do anything. I knew all too well how bad my situation was, but at least it wasn't the worst!
Inside the tent, I sat on the mud floor and wondered what was going on.
Had I really been transferred to Mythos? How could that be? Had that green-haired guy really brought me here?
To confirm my suspicions, I decided to clench my fists and finally confirm a part of the truth, a doubt that would lead me into the unknown.
──── Status.──── I commented dryly and the results surprised me.
A screen I knew very well appeared before my eyes.
----------------------------------------
Name: Raphael Williams.
Race: Half-Orc [Teenager, 14 years old].
Role model: NPC (Countdown to Mythos 1 release: 364 days, 20 hours, and 6 minutes).
Experience: 0.
General level: 1.
Primary Profession: None.
Sub-class: Civilian, level 1/10 (0/10 XP).
Attributes:
【Strength: 2】.
【Constitution: 2】.
【Skill: 2】.
【Wisdom: 1】.
【Intelligence: 1】
【Charisma: 1】
Attribute Points: 0.
Power: 0.
Power Rating: 0.
Rank: F (Mortal).
[Remark: Such a weak half orc! Like a little mouse! Is a blind and lame man like you really trying to survive in this world? Just give up! Just kill yourself and save your time!]
If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.
Health points: 35/40.
Stamina: 30/40.
Mana: 15/15.
Skills: None.
[Furious Heart: Because of the rage within you, Mind and Provocation related attacks have an additional +30% effect against you. On the other hand, your own rage-related skills will receive an increase in their learning rate; whenever you put XP into one of them, it will be doubled].
Class Skills: None.
Talent Points: 0.
Class talents: None.
Fame: 0.
Equipment:
[Fox Thong, Common: A thong made of fox fur and skin, it even provides protection. Durability: 20/20].
----------------------------------------
My heart was racing. How could I avoid it? Was I really in Mythos? No... this can't be real.
Fuck off! What kind of fucking comment is that? Actually... Why are there notes?
This system... Strange. Anyway, fuck off! Kill yourself, huh? Don't fuck around. Strange, but let's focus on what's important.
Actually, everything here is strange. I was dead and now I'm here. Fuck me! What the hell is going on? Am I going crazy?
Looks like I'm back as an NPC! Does this mean that Mythos will be launched on Earth?
That... What the hell is this? I won't have the level limit per version!? That will be a great advantage when players start sprouting like weeds...
In search of more answers, I decided to test my doubts even more thoroughly. My teeth dug into my lips.
And there I confirmed it once again. Despite being 90% reality, there was still a limit to pain.
The maximum a player could use was only 40%, and only professionals would do so in search of greater realism.
However, when I bit my lower lip, I felt 100% pain. I tasted blood and iron, as real as it could be.
How? How is that possible? No! It doesn't matter. As long as I'm here, I have to survive no matter what.
Even though I'm a professional, I still fully understand the difficulty of this game. It's difficult, even hellish. But I will persevere, no doubt.
I took a deep breath and collected my thoughts. I remembered where I was, one of the five original planets. The planet of Nodd... In the Musician's Hand!
In Mythos 1, without the subsequent expansions, there are about ten universal powers that defend the universe from the dangers that have surrounded it since the beginning of time.
They are the Olympian Imperium, the Council of Ogdoad, the Aesir-Vanir Union, the Takamagahara Dynasty, the Church of Yahweh, Lucifer's Hell, the Celestial Domain of the Jade Emperor, the Abode of the Devas, the Otherworld of the Tuatha Dé Danann, and the Hand of Nhanderuvuçu.
The Musician's Hand is a specific superstar cluster "dominated" by the Aesir-Vanir Union, though Nodd exists in a star system they don't even know about, at least not yet.
As far as I can remember, the Musician's Hand is not completely dominated, and is constantly changing as it exists on the borders of the Aesir-Vanir Union, Lucifer's Hell, and the Church of Yahweh.
It's going to be complicated, just because I started on a different starter planet... I don't know much about Nodd and what happened to him. However, I do know some of the NPCs who left there.
At least I know the basics of the place. There are about seven countries/organizations within Nodd. The Kingdom of the High Elves, the Federation of Humans, the Dwarven Coalition, the Vampire Council, the Empire of the Seas, the Union of Orc Tribes, and the Cult of Baal.
It seems that even Baal is here, which basically confirms the conflict between Hell and the Aesir, Vanir, and whatever else is going on here.
I am currently in the Union of Orc Tribes, in one of the villages on the border with the Human Federation.
I know that in at least five months, this place will fall and become a human outpost.
I must become stronger. I must survive this hell and understand this place!
Since the system works here, I think I'll be able to use it normally. Since I'm living with the orcs, it must be impossible to learn the mage class.
My initial options boil down to Warrior, Rogue, and Priest.
Since I've played as a warrior before, I'll take that route. It's much safer, especially with that weird skill I gained.
[Furious Heart] will definitely help me when I advance to the Berserk class. It's perfect for fury-oriented skills. Is it my unique talent as an NPC? No... It's still too weak.
I need to get to at least level 60 before I can think about leaving this place. Just by looking at Rogur, I know that he must be at least level 100 by now, almost a Rank A. A famous NPC like that, damn it! It'll be impossible to get out of here with him on my tail!
Unfortunately, I only started out as a Rank F creature! Total garbage, in fact. To get Rank E, I need to reach level 11, and only then will I have some power to protect myself...
At least I have the advantage of being able to place my points wherever I want, unlike the players who start at level 11.
A smile spread across my face. I would use every advantage I had to survive in this cursed world instead of dying like in the other one.
As I sank into deep thought, I didn't even notice that Hjem was open and that the orc who called himself Torug was walking towards me.
──── You're a Scarless and a Half-Orc, huh? Weak! Very weak! ──── His words snapped me out of my reverie.
──── Ah yes! I've never been in combat, sir. That's why I don't have a scar! ──── I babbled random words, my focus fixed on the big green guy in front of me.
──── Huh? It seems that your land is full of peace. But in your blood is our bloodline, boy, today you will become a Grunt, we will not discriminate against you for your bad blood. You'll be useful to the tribe and not just another skinny kid! ──── The big orc commented nonchalantly.
I understood the culture to some extent because I was an Orc in the Mythos as well, even though I came from somewhere else. A Grunt is nothing more than a novice warrior, an apprentice.
And as for being "scarless", that's basically a bad status. Orcs don't trust people without scars, because they tell the truth in their culture.
──── Come on, get up and follow me. ──── His firm words made me stand up.
Every class has a different way of learning, and it seems that heaven has allowed me to do this. Following the Grunts' training will give me the class I so desire, unlike the wizards who have to read their stupid books, I just need to be beaten up by these guys! Hah!
However, it seems that they still have their suspicions about me. They will probably evaluate me during this training session and throughout my stay, it will be difficult to escape their eagle eyes. But how can I talk? I'm really innocent! They can never accuse me of anything! This daddy here is just very fair!
With quick steps, the light came back into my eyes. I could see the shepherds making their way to the pasture, the children playing. It looked like a harmonious place, too bad it would soon fall apart.
Clearing my mind, I followed Torug. I found myself in an open field, scattered with sand and powerful shouts. A group of orcs were practicing.
──── You will train here today, boy. Today you will learn the art that our great ancestor, Gruumsh, taught to all Orcs in the snow, ice, and steppes that surround us! The art of combat! ──── Torug turned to me, his eyes shining with a strange light.
──── Of course, sir. ──── I replied with a smile.
Today I will take my first steps towards power in this world. My heart was racing with excitement. Without my blindness, the lack of movement... How great is it?