Chapter 5: The Savior
First thing he felt after logging out was great pressure on his bladder. After that came hunger and thirst. Then he felt that his bed was wet.
- Ahhh, damnit. I really shouldn't have played for so long non-stop – he said to himself and then quickly ran to bathroom. Fortunately his sister seemed to play right now, so it was empty.
After taking care of body necessities and a shower, he went to the kitchen. He saw there packed dinner with note atop:
'Brother, I made this for you to eat when you log off, since I have no idea how long will you stay playing. Enjoy!'
That made a smile appear on Sebastian's face, as he thought: - 'I should be the one to make it Clare. You always look out for me... what an older brother I am...'
After that he ate his breakfast-dinner, and made something light but filling for his sister. Then he was about to go playing again, but instead he changed to some training clothes, made a note to his sister and went out for some jogging.
- 'If I'm going to be succesfull pro gamer, I shouldn't disregard my real body. Instead of taking care only of virtual, I should pay as much attention to my physical needs' – he concluded and spent two hours outside jogging.
After coming back he was met by his sister. He hugged her, but she wrinkled her nose and told him to take a shower. After ten minutes, now clean of sweat, Sebastian talked with his sister about things they experienced. First was Sebastian's turn for reminiscing. She was shocked that the – as she described him – lady-killer swordsman she saw stunning everybody at the arena was actually him.
- But that's only to be expected of my big brother – she summed up and hugged him with a cat face.
After filling her happiness bar she told him that she went to the gunners' range, as she wanted to become a gunner.
Actually she planned on becoming a battle-mage at first. But then she saw a video published by a gunner who cleared some dungeon by himself. She couldn't know that he had much higher level then the monsters inside, but that video left very deep impression on her. So she decided that she would become the greatest gunner in the game. But on the other hand the image of mages was burned deep inside her.
So she was changing between gunners' range and library, undecided on who she wants to be. Sebastian laughed on it, saying that's very like her and patted her head. Then they talked about how the game was beautiful and detailed, made a dinner, bed-snack and decided that they would spend two days in-game, and then log out to take care of their bodies and share their experiences.
Then they went to play again.
Do you want to become a Rising Star?YesNo
- Yes
* * *
First thing Neriehem noticed after logging in was that he was on the street. The second was that he was surrounded. And the third was that there were no people around him. Only monsters.
- Holy shi...! - he shouted and immediately used Blitz to run away as fast as possible. When he had a chance, he climed on the nearest house to catch a breath. All of that happened under seven seconds, and he was alive only thanks to his survival instinct which he developed living on the streets. But now he had a chance to think, so he looked at the overall situation in the city, using Stealth in the process. He didn't know what those monsters could do.
And what he saw terrified him
Before his eyes were streets covered with monsters of all kinds. There were some looking like skeletons of dogs with fire inside them. Some were giants made of human bodies. There were others that looked like a crossing between a tree and a slime. And it was only a tip of the iceberg.
Neriehem could only shake in fear as he looked at the sight before him. - 'There's no way in hell I can fight against that. Damnit... looks like I have doomed the city of begginers after all. Hahahaha...' - he let out a laught of resignation, as he glanced over the horror once again.
While he was on the roof, he laid down by instinct so that he would be less visible. It was stronger then him, even when he knew that he would be rather safe using his Stealth skill, altrought for a brief moment.
That was when he received a notification of his Stealth skill:
Stealth skill notificationYou have unknowingly increased the proficiency of your Stealth techniques.
For as long as you are mindful of your surroundings and use them to hide, the cost of stealth skill will decrease. You also increase the proficiency of the skill faster.
Neriehem couldn't believe it. He just found – what he deemed as – a loophole in the skill system.
From what he had seen, the skills he aquired were very resource-draining. No matter what kind of training he had, he couldn't lower the cost.
But now with information he received, he quickly glanced over the MP bar to see if it was true.
What he saw was his MP dropping at a much lower rate then when he was training before.
But he couldn't relax. The mana was about to run out, and he still had to find some better hiding place. He quickly glanced over the town, withstanding fear invoked by the creatures and found a ray of hope. Monsters were lower in numbers in the back alleys.
As he was about to go, monsters suddenly flinched and turned in the opposite direction from him. Neriehem saw how someone appeared in the middle of the monsters' mass. Neriehem wanted to help the person, but was paralyzed with fear. He could only watch, as monsters shredded the unlucky player.
After a while he went away from the gruesome sight, as he thought of his own survival.
* * *
- Pant, pant, pant, pant, pant, pant, pant, pant...
He was breathing heavily. It was fourth time when he thought that he found a safe place, only to be soon ambushed by monsters. He had no idea how, but whenever he stopped, he had to run for his life in a minute. Every time what attacked him was the same combination of monsters. That couldn't be coincidence. They were trailing him.
This time he was in the middle of an alley, when they approached him from both sides. He couldn't run, there were no places to climb, and eventual escape patch was cut off by part of his pursuers.
He had no choice but to fight. It was all he was left with. Cursing his lack of luck, he drew his katana and prepared to die. If he were to, he wanted to at least try besting them. That was when he received another message:
New stat aquired: Willpower
WillpowerYour will to survive bested your fear of death. You are less likely to be fazed by enemies' strength. If your willpower is high enough, you will inflict fear into your enemies. It's prohibited to put points into this statistic. The growth or decease of it will depend on the user's will.
In the very extremity this skill can change into diffrent one or dissapear.
After he received the information he didn't feel as scared as before. He looked over the situation with new hope and saw that the monsters weren't as scary as before. He felt his confidence rising as he took a step forward. He saw his enemeis flinching, but they weren't the kind to give up on their prey. They were hunting here for far too long, which in turn built their own confidence. They couldn't imagine prey being stronger then they were.
It was over in seconds.
Neriehem sheathed his katana as he felt disgust with himself. He couldn't believe that he was scared of something that weak.
He killed monsters with single hit each, cutting them in clean halves.
When he was about to go, from dead bodies of monsters dropped some silver coins. He picked it up, feeling his hunger for more. He wouldn't rest until he killed every single one of those creatures.
And so he headed out to the city, killing every monster that he saw.
He got used to their screams, so he ignored them by now.
The slaughter continued whole night.
* * *
The morning came, when Aluna was woken up by the alarm she set to wake her up every morning. She didn't want to waste any second of the day, as at the nighttime there were monsters roaming trought the streets. She quickly got up and opened the doors to her room, as she saw others coming out of theirs. It seemed to be yet another boring day spent in the City of Beginners, as shouts of suprise rose from the exit. People were blocking it, standing still.
Aluna got her interest piqued by them, so she made her way trought the little crowd inside the inn she rented room in and when she saw what made others freeze, her jaw dropped.
There were dead bodies everywhere.
And not remains of what those demons left of unfortunate players that logged in during nighttime. Those were bodies of demons, haunting the city every night.
The building were safe from their attacks, as they were protected by ancient runes carved by the first settlers – ar at least that was what NPCs told everyone who bothered to ask as of why those demons don't attack houses. That's why the city wasn't destroyed to the ground by now. The runes formed a protective barrier of sorts, which reacted to demons, repelling them.
By now demons were used to being unable to cross the barriers, so they didn't even bother testing it's strenght.
But no matter what, Aluna hardly believed what she saw. As she stayed there in daze among with others, the priest NPC shouted aloud:
- It's time! Finally, The Savior appeared by the will of God who decided to save us from those demons! Let us rejoice!
After those words everyone one by one unfroze and started cheering. Soon, everybody was letting out shouts of delight.
Everybody was thanful to the savior.
* * *
The savior in question didn't hear anything of it at all. As of now, he was sleeping in the park. As Neriehem fought whole night without even a moment of sleep, he dropped down as soon as the sunlight broke trough the night and demons dissapeared. Whenever sun's ray touched demon's body, it turned into a smoke and dissapeared with the wind. The same went for the demons' blood on him. As he was fighting, great amounts of it was spilled over him. It smelled bad and felt unfomfortable, but Neriehem didn't have time to bother with such things.
In the city demons' bodies were dissapearing everywhere and the peoples' cheers grew in strenght as they saw it.
* * *
It was midday. People barely noticed Neriehem, as he went trought the streets towards tailor shop. He had to tone down his Advanced Hearing skill after using it to the fullest trought his hunt. However anywhere he passed by, he could hear people talking about the mysterious Savior who appeared during the night and slew thousands of demons which were haunting the city for a long time now.
- 'If they knew who I am, they would piss their pants from excitement' – thought Neriehem as he passed another group of people.
Some time passed, after which Neriehem entered the shop. As he opened the doors, bell rang. Minute later the shopkeeper came to the counter and welcomed Neriehem.
- Good day sir! How can I help you?
Neriehem noticed the good mood NPC was in. That didn't suprise him at all. After all, he knew the best what was the cause.
- I would like to order a set of armor. As you can see, these rags are barely covering my body by now.
- For the love of the saviour, what were you doing to get them to such state? - asked curious shopkeeper looking with curiosity.
- I'd prefer that to stay my private subject. It's not something I like to talk about.
- Oh, okay then. What would you...
- A set of tight-fitting leather armor. Whole set.
- The whole thing would cost you 5 gold pieces. Just so you know, I'm going to make you armor of the best quality you can get here. Compared to the junk other shops sell, the diffrence between me and them is like heaven and hell! - said shopkeeper exaggerating. Neriehem of course knew that. It was fifth shop he was in, and he was not the one to fall for words like that.
- I would like to see your wares first before confirming my order.
- That's not a problem, just look around you.
Neriehem did just as he was told and looked around the place. He saw that the armor was indeed better then in any shop he came to before.
But the price was a problem.
- All right, I trust you. Your shop is really like heaven compared to the rest. However I wonder if you could give me a discount, since I'm going to order whole set of armor.
- That's possible. I planned on decorating your armor so that it would present itself better on you.
- Can you colour it instead of engraving?
- Sure.
- Then I would like the chest and boots to be black. Breeches and gloves matching my hair colour. Also, I would like to order a scarf to cover my face in the same colour as gloves and breeches.
- All right, however for the extra work with the scarf and matching your hair colour the price will go up to 6 gold coins.
- 5 and a half.
- Deal. Come over to the workshop, so I can take your measurements.
* * *
Five minutes later Neriehem left the shop. Overnight he made a lot of money, which would cover every need he had over the course of 29 days left. However he wasn't the kind of a person who would spend money without a second thought. His childhood wouldn't let him.
This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.
After coming out to the street, he headed to the blacksmith. His weapon and shield were on a verge of breaking, and he didn't want to waste money on new ones, especially since he grew accustomed to them.
After having his weapons repaired, Neriehem went to buy some food. After he ate, he bought some supplies for the night. Then he thought about ordering his own weights. He kept in mind that there was a tournament today on the arena, and he didn't want to show off. Once was enough, and now that people were crazed by the whole Savior thing, if he reminded them of his duel against Rantarox, he wouldn't have a moment of rest.
So he went to the talor shop to make himself red armbands and black anklebands. He ordered them to be thin and have a lot of places for weights. After he received them, he nodded with satisfaction. Each one of them had 20 holes for weights. He paid 12 silver for them. 10 for the cost of making them and 2 as a tip for good work.
Then he left for blacksmith, where he ordered 80 rods of the heaviest metal possible. After blacksmith asked what for, he showed him his bands and told that they would serve as weights. Blacksmith only nodded and told him he was going to make them out of gold and cover them with lead - so people wouldn't want t kill him while he was training out of greed. Neriehem nodded at that.
Then blacksmith told him to give him all the gold he had on himself. Then he explained that he doesn't know how much coins he have to smite, so he's going to take all Neriehem has on himself. When asked how Neriehem will know if he wasn't cheated, he only took out lead bar and told him that gold one will be twice as heavy. That was enough for Neriehem as he gave the blacksmith all gold he had on himself. The craftsman told him that he will take one gold coin as a payment and went to the forge.
After an hour it was ready. This time Neriehem didn't leave to make sure he won't be cheated, even when he was assured that he won't. There was too much money at a stake. Blacksmith brought to him 80 square bars of what seemed like lead. However when Neriehem compared the test one and new, he was satisfied. Blacksmith seemed little annoyed at the distrust, so Neriehem left as quickly as possible.
After that he headed to the tailor shop to receive his armor.
When he came inside, the shopkeeper was already waiting for him. After Neriehem entered the shop, he took out the armor made for Neriehem. It was just as ordered, and there were some extras added.
The chestpiece was compeltely black, along with long, heavy boots. They were reaching his knees.
Breeches, gloves and scarf were matching colour with his hair. Neriehem, pleased with the set, quickly equipped it. When he took off the old scarf, shopkeeper held his breath. He had never seen such a beautiful person. - 'That explains why he wants to cover his face. Wow, who would have thought that being beautiful could cause problems.'
In the meantime Neriehem equipped everything. He was about to leave, when shopkeeper presented him with a black strap. When Neriehem asked what's it for, he was told that it was to keep his hair in check. Neriehem nodded and quickly tied his hair. After thanking the tailor, he left the shop.
Everybody on the street looked at Neriehem. Before, he was ignored because of his clothing – even if his hair was outstanding, nobody would give him a second glance. However now he looked like a real warrior. He himself didn't notice it, but the armor, when worn in a set, granted it's wearer illusion of burning flame. The parts were matched so well. Also, when worn, the armor had an additional effect.
Item NameBlack Leather Chest of Blazing IllusionDefence25DescriptionA leather armor dyed in black. It was made by a very-well renowed craftsman. When worn with the rest of the ordered set, it gives the illusion of flames covering the wearer.
Item NameBlack Leather Boots of Blazing IllusionDefence15DescriptionA pair of leather boots dyed in black. It was made by a very-well renowed craftsman. When worn with the rest of the ordered set, it gives the illusion of flames covering the wearer.
Item NameCrimson Leather Gloves of Blazing IllusionDefence10Attack10DescriptionA pair of leather gloves dyed in crimson red colour. It was made by a very-well renowed craftsman. When worn with the rest of the ordered set, it gives the illusion of flames covering the wearer.
Item NameCrimson Leather Breeches of Blazing IllusionDefence20DescriptionLeather breeches dyed in crimson red colour. It was made by a very-well renowed craftsman. When worn with the rest of the ordered set, it gives the illusion of flames covering the wearer.
Item NameCrimson Silk Scarf of Blazing IllusionDefence0DescriptionSilk scarf dyed in crimson red colour. It was made by a very-well renowed craftsman. Used in order to hide wearer's face. When worn with the rest of the ordered set, it gives the illusion of flames covering the wearer.
Neriehem was very pleased with it. Of course the scarf dind't give any extra defence. He didn't mind at all, it was only a vanity item used for his convenience While thinking of another night to come, he was subconsciously letting out strong pressure making people feel a chill on their backs.
* * *
Soon enough he made his way to the arena. He checked how long until the tournament starts, and nodded satisfied. It was only half an hour left now, and five hours before the nightfall. He registered at the counter that he was present and after being shown the way, he came to the waiting room underground.
The room was very spacious. It had three straight walls and one curved to the inside. There was a lot of scarecrows inside, as well as tables and some benches. The room had three exits: one, which Neriehem used to come inside and two on the opposite direction, which he thought to come out on the arena.
Inside were already some gladiators present. He looked at them for a second, and after evaluating their weapons of choice he went to the random bench and sat down.
Then he decided to check his stats, curious what did the night of fighting give him.
Status WindowName:NeriehemAlignment:NeutralLevel:---Class:NoneRace:AsyrianGender:MaleTitleNoneFame:0Infamy:0-Health:100% / 100%Health Regen:0.6% / SecMana:100% / 100%Mana Regen:1% / SecStamina:100% / 100%Stamina Regen:1.4% / Sec-Strenght:296Agility:437Vitality:232Perseverance176Intelligence:10Wisdom:10Leadership:10Willpower60-Attack:100%Defense:100%Physical ResistancesSlashing:5%Piercing:5%Crushing:0%Elemental ResistancesFire:50%Water:-50%Wind:0%Earth:0%Light:0%Darkness:0%As Asyrian you have:
- increased starting strength, agility and stamina at the cost of losing Luck stat;
- increased rate of gaining increase to existing statistics;
- increased slashing and piercing resistance trought the natural scales on your body;
- increased fire resistance at the cost of having lower water resistance.
By training you can nullify the effect of negative water resistance. Once water resistance reaches at least neutral level this message will dissapear.
The growth in his Agility was astounding. That was because he was running trought the whole night, slaying thousands of demons on the streets, as well as dodge their attacks on the fly.
When one thought about it in diffrent way, he could say that the stat increase is a way of level up here in the City of Beginners, where levels were locked. The only way of strenghtening oneself was by training. And this is where the racial trait of Asyrians came in, as it actually greatly shortened time of physical training.
- 'It's going to be fun' - thought Neriehem as he was awaiting the battles ahead of him.
[tr]
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All right I finally found out what's the cause of the status table being screwed. I forgot to close the last segment... xD
I hope you enjoyed the series so far