As Ryou surveyed the restless assembly of players outside Elsa's shop, he discreetly revealed his distaste. The greed of people towards someone's possession is the one the reason he shunned the conviviality of others.
Approximately 30 to 40 players stood in eager anticipation, yearning for their moment to seize Ryou's treasures. If given the chance to breach the shop's threshold, they would unhesitatingly attempt to abscond with his rewards. However, New World's intricate system forbade such transgressions, rendering private boundaries like Elsa's shop impervious to enter or plunder.
Shifting his gaze from the window, Ryou's attention was captivated by the soft cadence of Elsa's footsteps as she approached from the adjacent room.
Emerging through a doorway, Elsa carried a small wooden box in her hand. In her mid to late 20s, Elsa's clothes—comprising an old violet wool sweater and a well-worn, green skirt, couldn't conceal her resplendent beauty. Towering over Ryou, she possessed a proportionate, curvaceous figure. Her emerald hair mirrored the color of her gem-like eyes, which sparkled with tears in the moment, while a subtle smile adorned her scarlet lips.
"Thank you very much, young adventurer,” her gentle sweet voice sounded, “for aiding me in seeking vengeance for my husband." Passing a box to Ryou, she continued, "This is the sole valuable possession I have; please take it, it might prove helpful to you."
Accepting the box from her hands, Ryou found himself prompted by the system notification.
System: Unique Quest "Find Elsa’s Husband Killer" completed.
Rewarding 500 EXP, 2 Free Mastery Points, A gift from Elsa.
A gleam of satisfaction crossed Ryou's face as he ascended to Level 1. Mostly, achieving this first milestone required hours of monster grinding. Level 0 creatures give a mere 1 EXP each and adding to the slow spawn rate and the competition among players for those newly spawn monsters, average players often extended the process to over ten hours. However, Ryou defied the norm, reaching Level 1 in under an hour, a feat that is considered impossible, he was happy to say the least.
"Young adventurer," Elsa broke in his internal delight, "you can take the back door to exit. Follow me.” She turned and walked back to the door she came from, and Ryou followed her.
In New World, NPCs mirrored human-like thoughts or intelligence or expressions or emotions. Elsa, attuned to the potential perils that awaited him given the rewards he had garnered today, seemed keen on steering him away from the scrutinizing gaze of the crowd, opting for the discreet egress of the back door.
Upon traversing two modest room, they arrived at the rear entrance. With grace, Elsa swung the door ajar, and Ryou, acknowledging her guidance, expressed his gratitude, saying, "Thank you, Miss Elsa."
"No, I should be the one to extend gratitude, young adventurer," she sincerely replied, bowing gracefully before straightening. "If fate permits, our paths may cross again." Her words carried a warm smile, resonating as she gently closed the door behind him.
“...”
Ryou swiftly maneuvered the cobblestone streets, delving deeper into the alleyways of the slums. Devoid of players in this forsaken place, only destitute NPCs, worn and hungered, populated the scene. His steps guided him to a shadow-laden alley—a place ruled by darkness and the scurrying of rats. He first analyst the Reb rob he got from the vampire.
[Blood Orb] (Uncommon)
Passive Skill [Disguise]: Allows the user to change their appearance and also alter their level below 20, the skill requires blood as a source of energy.
Contemplating the newfound skill, Ryou marveled, 'The [Disguise] skill prevent the necessity for a mask, particularly among those players previously acquainted with my face.'
With heightened anticipation, he directed his focus to the second item. As the box opened, a fleeting radiance appeared to dispel the once pervasive darkness of the alley.
[Elsa's Engagement Ring] (Iron)
Vitality+3, Defense+2
Active skill [Lesser Heal]: Heal 100 HP per second for 3 seconds upon activation. Cooldown 2 minutes.
Ryou's eyes gleamed with excitement upon discovering not a (Uncommon) item, but an (Iron) one. The attributes, contributing to Vitality and Defense, promised to significantly enhance his survival prospects in the game's early stages, particularly with the added healing skill.
Equipments in New World were divided into Common, Uncommon, Iron, Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, Epic and Legendary.
Examining his Vitality, now at 4, he witnessed his HP ascend to 200, while his Defense, standing at 4, bolstered both Physical and Magical Resistance by 8.
After absorbing the statistical improvements, he pondered aloud, "Hmm… that Snow Troll inflicts about 100-something damage. With [Lesser Heal], I might stand a chance."
With his resolve solidified, Ryou strode purposefully toward the city gates.
“...”
Beyond the city's reach, the Blue Burn Forest unfolded, enveloped by maple trees, its confines dominated by Level 5 monsters, effectively classifying the area as a restricted zone for current players.
Mindful of the perilous inhabitants, Ryou opted to steer clear of dangerous entanglements. With cautious strides, he advanced, negotiating the familiar yet treacherous terrain, a dance of vigilance, nerves, and a hint of excitement.
The ambient buzz of Level 5 Forest Bees resonated as they circled their hive on high grounds. Recognizing the formidable threat they posed, Ryou maintained a prudent distance. Skillfully weaving through the hive with stealthy steps and strategic detours, he adeptly avoided their range, emerging unscathed from the potential danger.
Amidst the grassy plains, Ryou encountered endearing Bear Cubs, their playful frolicking belied by their Level 5 monster status. Despite their adorable appearance, these cubs wielded formidable HP and Defense, presenting a challenge that could give even a Level 5 party a run for their money.
Using a tree for cover, Ryou couldn't escape the hum of approaching Bees at his back. Despite his composed demeanor, a frustrated exclamation escaped him, "Damn! A Bee nest was near this place!"
In his past life, this sector of the Blue Burn Forest had drawn Level 5 players in search of lucrative loot, from skill books to monster spoils and equipment and herbs. The primary hazard lay in the concealed Bee nests scattered throughout the forest. Unseen and easily overlooked, these hives posed a significant threat, and a slight misstep could trigger a swarm of Forest Bees, leading to a perilous party wipe.
Ryou's luck took a turn for the worse as five Forest Bees swarmed out of the nest.
Despite channeling all his points into agility during his earlier leveling up, his Movement Speed stood at 6. As a Level 1 Swordsman, he couldn't match the sheer speed of the Forest Bees.
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As the relentless Bees closed in, Ryou prepared for the inevitable sting. The piercing attack landed on his back, inflicting 120 damage. However, seizing the moment, Ryou utilized the bee's sting as momentum to propel himself farther from the swarm. Swiftly responding, he activated [Lesser Heal], replenishing 100 HP instantly.
The Bees persisted in their pursuit, attempting another sting. Ryou, showcasing nimble reflexes, evaded one attack but succumbed to another, enduring a damage of 130 HP. Having fully healed from the [Lesser Heal], he survived, once again leveraging the force of the bee stings to distance himself from the perilous hunting ground of the relentless swarm.
In the end, the Forest Bees relented, abandoning their pursuit beyond a certain point, allowing Ryou to cling to his small life.
Exhausted from the prolonged sprint, Ryou finally arrived at the foothills—a rugged expanse of towering snow-capped mountains and hills. The peaks soared over a hundred meters, commanding the central region of the Blue Burn Forest. Veiled in clouds and mist, the summits created an ethereal ambiance, imbuing the scene with an otherworldly charm.
The shift from the relentless chase of the Forest Bees to the serene panorama of majestic snow mountains provided Ryou with a moment of respite amidst the awe-inspiring scenery.
Nestled to the east of Snow City, this enchanting haven bore the name Icy Peak, celebrated for its breathtaking vistas that lured adventurers with an insatiable zest for the extraordinary.
Yet, Icy Peak transcended mere aesthetics. As mainstream players approached the pinnacle of level 10, the esteemed Guild known as Dark dispatched a cohort of adept Assassins to unravel the mysteries veiled within these majestic mountain ranges.
Wandering through the snow-clad peaks, the Dark Guild's expedition stumbled upon a trove of riches. Amidst the discoveries at a frost-kissed summit lay precious ores, invaluable herbs, and a particularly alluring find—a Bronze Treasure Chest.
The classification of Treasure Chests mirrored that of equipment, yet the loot within surpassed expectations. Even a Common Treasure Chest could yield rewards an (Iron) or if lucky a (Bronze) equipment.
The acquisition of the Bronze Treasure Chest swiftly catapulted the Dark Guild to eminence, ultimately establishing it as a prestigious Workshop in the Snow City. This windfall bestowed upon Dark a substantial fortune during the game's nascent phases.
Beyond the realm of mere equipment, the Bronze Treasure Chest concealed a precious treasure, a coveted potion recipe and an intricate forging design. In the expansive landscape of New World, the drop rate for potion recipes was staggeringly rare, not even one in ten thousand. For Forging Designs, the odds proved even more elusive.
Yet, the bronze treasure unlocked the gateway to a 5 Iron-ranked equipment and a lesser healing potion—a prized asset for players endeavoring to augment their prowess and amass wealth.
Recognizing the pivotal role these designs could play, Ryou understood they were the linchpin for achieving his goal of surpassing his initial investment of 12,000 yen within 24 hours. Unwilling to surrender such a valuable asset to the Dark Workshop, he resolved to chart an alternative course.
Guided by fragments in his foggy memories, Ryou find the hidden pathways that diverged from the conventional climbing up the mountain. This narrow trail, nestled near a cascading waterfall, snaked its way through snow and jutting rocks, weaving in a zigzag pattern. After ascending the terrain for a stretch, Ryou found himself in an open expanse, midway to the mountain's zenith.
Settling into the tranquil emptiness, a [Mountain Troll] emerged, its reverberating roars echoing through the surroundings.
[Mountain Troll] (Common Monster)
- Level 5
- HP 450
The [Mountain Troll], standing at an imposing 3 meters, presented a formidable spectacle with its massive, bulky frame. Clad in jutting, smooth rocks, its exterior added an additional layer of imposing defense to its stature.
This level 5 [Mountain Troll] commanded exceptional Attack Power, HP, and Physical Defense. However, vulnerabilities surfaced in its sluggish Attack Speed, slow reaction time, and a ponderous body turn rate. A player boasting 20 points in Agility could effortlessly outmaneuver the Mountain Troll.
Despite Ryou's Agility only having 11, his combat experience from his past life empowered him to anticipate the Mountain Troll's movements. In the face of a potential mishap, he retained the reliable [Lesser Heal] as a last resort, ready to mend any errors in judgment.
The Mountain Troll emitted a menacing growl as it charged towards him, its massive fist swinging menacingly. Ryou, anticipating the imminent strike, deftly evaded the oncoming blow, swiftly positioning himself behind the formidable creature. With his Novice Sword in hand, he executed a precise swing.
A meager -1 point of damage materialized above the Mountain Troll's head, a modest dent in its formidable 450 HP. Despite the troll's ability to regenerate 1% HP every 10 seconds, Ryou remained undeterred.
Quickly predicting the troll's attempt to turn, Ryou skillfully maneuvered beneath its colossal legs. Delivering two swift strikes followed by a powerful [Chop], which inflicted only a damage of -3.
The limited impact of the [Chop] skill was partially due to the formidable Defense of the Mountain Troll and his low attack power. However, since the monster was 4 times higher level than him, this afforded Ryou a bonus towards Skill Proficiency. A single application of [Chop] had already seen an incremental increase of 1%, showcasing the potential for skill growth in the face of this formidable monster.
This was the best location for raising Skill Proficiency, thought Ryou.
Despite the Mountain Troll's efforts to face Ryou, he skillfully circled around to its back, denying it any chance to retaliate. As the troll grappled with its slow turn rate, Ryou unleashed a skill.
[Shadow Flash]
Three shadow lights materialized, dealing 5 damage, followed by another 4 damage, and a final strike that inflicted 6 damage. [Shadow Flash] was a basic skill he learned from online sources in his past life. It harnessed dark elements and channelled it from the body through his sword or any part of his body to deliver a series of strikes, exploiting the Mountain Troll's magic damage vulnerabilities.
System: New skill learned
[Shadow Flash] (Rank 1 Basic Skill)
Send out 3 shadow lights. Each dark light causes 4 dark elemental damage to a maximum range of 3 meters. Use 1 mana.
Skill Level:1 (Proficiency 0%)
Cooldown: 10 seconds
In the midst of the battle, a successive barrage of -4, -4, and -6 damage emanated from Ryou's [Shadow Flash].
As Ryou skillfully evaded the Mountain Troll's assaults, the formidable monster dwindled into little more than a training dummy. The troll now served as both a source of valuable experience points (EXP), adapting his new body and also skill proficiency.
Skill proficiency, Ryou knew, couldn't be honed by merely wielding the skill against empty air; it required a genuine fighting situation with a wild monster, as recognized by the system. Battling a monster of the same level yielded a 10% chance of gaining one percentage point in proficiency. This chance ascended to 20% against a monster one level higher, 30% for two levels, 40% for three levels, 50% for four levels. It was crucial to note that the proficiency cap remained fixed at 90%. This rule, naturally, applied only to level 1 skills, as higher level and higher Rank skills or spells presented lower chances for proficiency gain.
After dedicating ample time to the battle and elevating the proficiency of [Shadow Flash] and [Chop] skills to 19% and 27% respectively, the formidable Level 5 Mountain Troll died. Ryou deliberately extended the encounter to 10 minutes, not only to secure skill proficiency but also to acclimate to his newly weakened physique.
System: Level 5 Mountain Troll killed. Level difference of 4. EXP obtained increased by 4 times. Obtained 60 EXP.
Ryou's experience bar exhibited a noticeable surge, though a substantial 940 EXP still separated him from attaining Level 2.
Searching the Mountain Troll's body yielded a crucial material—[Rock Ore], essential for crafting Iron Equipment. Additionally, a [Hard Stone] was acquired.
Delving deeper into the terrain, Ryou meticulously surveyed his surroundings and chanced upon a rare herb known as [Mountain Flower], a crucial component for crafting [Lesser Regeneration Potion].
As he approached the valuable herb, another Mountain Troll materialized, requiring Ryou's strategic prowess once again. In a brief span, he accumulated 60 EXP, witnessing substantial proficiency boosts in both [Chop] and [Shadow Flash] skills. The spoils of battle included a [Rock Ore] and [Hard Stone].
Ryou pressed on, ascending further in search of rare herbs. He tactfully engaged only the nearby Mountain Trolls, opting to avoid those at a distance due to the time constraints of his 21-hour gameplay. He wanted to balanced his objectives, obtaining the Bronze treasure chest and also accumulating Yen within the limited timeframe.
Following the fall of the 5th Mountain Troll, Ryou’s proficiency for [Chop] has finally reached 100% and his [Shadow Flash] by 81 %.
System: Skill Chop Level up
[Chop] (Rank 1 Basic Skill)Deal extra 6 additional physical damage
Skill Level: 2 (Proficiency 0%)
Cooldown: 5 seconds
Ryou walked towards the dead Mountain Troll and searched for the drops.
“Seems like my luck isn’t bad at all. It even dropped equipment.” Ryou discovered a piece of Cloth Armor.
[Snow Shirt] (Uncommon Equipment)
Level 4
Equipment requirement: Defense: 4
Physical Resistance +15
HP +10
Mana +10
Durability 15/15
In the early days of New World, equipment drop rates were low. Uncommon equipment, especially at Level 4, was a rare find. Equipping the item, Ryou turns his attention to a nearby cave, his destination. As he approached and entered the cave, there was a subtle quickening of his heart rate.
Ryou spotted a huge Troll, the size of a 1 story house sleeping within the cave. Its entire body was made up of white snow rocks, different from the normal gray-colored ones he encountered earlier.
[Snow Troll] (Elite)
Level 6
HP 800
Elites were a lot stronger than normal monsters. A regular Elite monster could decimate a 6-man-party of the same level.
However, Ryou rushed ahead without hesitation. He used [Shadow Flash] immediately, causing three shadow lights to cut across Snow Troll's huge sleeping body.