"Hnnghh" I groaned out my exhaustion. It was already morning after a good night's rest. I felt exhaustion both mentally and physically, though, I just felt it right now since I was too excited yesterday to notice. It's just... Too many stuff happened to me in just a single day.
"G' mornin', Vers." I spoke out as I poked the little fairy sleeping on me. She was cuddled up over me with a relaxed appearance.
I looked around and noticed that I was currently in the room I've rented yesterday. I still have one more night to stay. I guess, I'd look around town once more.
Having decided on what to do, I stood up. Vers flew away then floated around. She's become lively now that she's fully awake, stretching her wings as she flew in the room like a butterfly. She seems happy since she was just hidden for almost the whole day, unable to move around.
Afterwards I left the room, locked it then went on my way downstairs to grab a bite.
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-In a forest somewhere in the Lasalle Kingdom-
"Graaarghhh" an angry roar came from a man holding on an abnormally sized shotgun. It was Malcolm Graves, the Outlaw. Over the night he stayed on the forest, he became feared by the other inhabitants, treating him as some sort of a demon in the guise of a human. Goblins, kobolds and even the lycanthropes that was the top of the food chain in the area avoided him out of fear. Using his weapon, he slaughtered anyone, ---anything that he encountered.
When he reached the Versailles continent, it was midday. It felt weird since it was nighttime when he was sent here. While walking around in the thick forest, he met some creatures he never knew existed. A tiny monster about the size of a yordle, with a dark green skin, holding different weapons. He was ambushed by them for quite a while. Well, every group he encountered, he simply massacred them leaving not a single one to tell its tale.
Few hours of battles and some breaks by making use of the forest's abundance in resource, during one of his breaks a huge problem hit him. He just noticed that he doesn't have a single clue on how to look for the person he was searching for. That traitorous bastard, Twisted Fate.
Well, having no other way, he decided to just travel aimlessly. He knows that destiny would work its way between the two. That's why he had to prepeare for the fated meeting, and battle. He have to find out about the world he got sent. Because right now, he haven't got a single information having no one to talk with.
After eating the food he cooked, he rose up. Ready to continue on his path.
Some time later, he stumbled upon grey creature. Looking back on his previous experiences, he believed that it was another hostile animal.
He threw a smokescreen and shoot continuously in to the creature's silhouette. (All champions' weapons were enchanted by the Institute of War to have infinite ammunition. Another example is Fate's Deck of Cards that can release endless amount of playing cards.)
Without warnings, the creature pounced at him. Cutting through the 10 meter gap they had between in just one leap.
You have been attacked!
150 Damage.
*Shit!* Graves thought. He noticed that in this world, life is seen in a numerical value. Somehow, whenever he attacked or taken damage, he can see a certain bar above the creature's head or on the top left of his vision, to see how much left before it dies. When this first happened, it shocked him. The ways this world works completely crazy, or probably he was the one crazy. Well, slowly but surely, he was learning new things bit by bit.
*God darn, this one's real strong!* he readied his aim. He focused for a bit then he started shooting rapidly. His firing speed suddenly increased by at least 70%. After a few dozens of shots, he stopped and concentrated for a bit. The wolf was still stunned with the continuous barrage that hit him. Right now, it was nothing but a sitting duck. Graves fired out the gun shooting a huge shell. When the shell hit the wolf, it suddenly exploded, scattering shrapnel behind.
The huge wolf fell and then disintegrated into grey dust. Leaving some stuff like leather, fangs, some silver and other things.(Graves picked up as much loot as possible with each encounter.)
Having passed the dangerous experience, he finally let out the breath he didn't knew he was holding in.
'Ding'
You have leveled up!
You have leveled up!
You have leveled up!
You have leveled up!
"Shit, this cursed floatin' thing is here again!" curses flowed out his mouth as he returned back in his path. To the inevitable meeting of the two old pals.
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-Back at Inn Luck-
When I got to the first floor, I noticed that the place was noticeably quiet. Having seen the mayhe--- gathering last night, it was weird seeing the place lack people.
I walked towards the person on the counter. It was a bald man around his forties, with a conspicuous mustache and a sturdy body implying his strength back during his prime.
"Hmm? The girl is gone?" I mumbled out my thoughts accidentally. The man heard me and answered with a hearty laugh.
"That girl is an acquaintance of mine back when she has first came into this world as a freedman. She's now a ranger with an amazing speed and precision. She wanted a certain bow but lacked the money so I allowed her to work here for the night since I had some business to take care of." the guy happily spoke, he did appear to be the type of person that likes speaking with others, telling stories and tales.
"I see... Well, I came down since I'm hungry. What would you recommend?" Fate told the man.
"Mhmm... How about some bread and eggs? The eggs my wife cooks are top class!" he gloated.
"Alright, I'll be taking that." I answered back. It didn't take too much time before the meal was cooked and boy, he wasn't lying when he said how great the eggs were. As I was paying, I suddenly heard a loud noise coming from the stairs going downwards. Paying no heed to it, I walked out the inn and went on my way to the library. First of all, I wanted to find something about my profession because class-related magic was said to be faster to improve compared to other type of magic.
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-In front of the library-
It only took a little time finding the library because of the huge sign indicating 'Library' above the entrance. It was quite convenient since I didn't have to ask around for its location.
As I entered, I was greeted with an old man reading some book.
"Good mornin', sir." I said. The old man, who was actually the librarian, put a bookmark on the book he was reading and looked at my direction.
"What can I do for you?" the old man replied, though it wasn't said rudely, it wasn't a friendly greeting either.
"Do you know where books about the class 'Magic Gambler' could be found?" I asked courteously.
"What?!" the librarian widened his eyes in shock "Where did you hear about that profession?" his eyes returned back to its former size, while giving a suspicious glint.
"It's my profession. I came here ta' learn more about it." I was rather surprised by his sudden outburst, so it took a few moments before I could answer back.
"Really?" the librarian gave me a questioning look.
"Show my class to the librarian." I said, following her suggestion. The old librarian looked at the floating window that appeared in front of him with a dumb look. It took him a while before processing what happened, and finally spoke up.
"My Theana!(A goddess of wisdom I made up, the patron god of mages and sages) You're truly a Magic Gambler! Follow me, young one. I'll show you the books about the hero who founded this city, Fortunas. A Magic Gambler like you, the only one I've heard about." the librarian stood up and started walking towards the deeper parts of the library. The place supposedly restricted to unauthorized people.
I complied and followed behind. It didn't take too much time before we've reached our destination. The librarian walked into an old bookshelf and took out a dusty book from it. He walked towards me and gave it to me.
"Here's a book about him. You can use that table over there. Please return it to me once you've learnt about what you are looking for. You can find me on the reception." the librarian explained, going back to where we came from.
I've followed his suggestion and sat on the chairs beside the table he pointed out. I opened the book to read it. On a side note, Vers suddenly went out of her hiding place and flew around me since there's no one around as of yet. It also doesn't seem like someone else would visit the restricted area.
The life of Fortunas GutierrezFortunas Gutierrez was a young Brent-born boy. Born in an ordinary family of humans, he saw and experienced the suffering and hardships of ordinary people. Because of their town being on the edge of the kingdom, monster invasions happened more times than he'd ever want. People getting kidnapped, dying and their houses pillaged, Fortunas was sick of it. One day, his father who was a farmer and mother, a seamstress, died in order to protect him. In this event, Fortunas was filled with rage. He wanted revenge, he wanted his parents' sacrifice to have meaning. Having reached the last straw, he left the town for a journey. To find the power he wanted, the power needed to suppress the might of those monsters, the power to turn the weak willed humans into the strongest army capable of protecting their comrades and destroying their enemies.
Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.
When he returned, he was a child no more. People who knew him asked what profession he became, they speculated about him becoming a warrior, a mage or an archer. Fortunas, on the other hand, answered that he became a Gambler, much to everyone's dismay. Afterwards, somehow, Fortunas managed to convince the soldiers, warriors and every combat-related class from his town to take up their weapons and fight back against the hordes of monsters. A huge army of 5000 men was gathered from the small town and set foot on the territory of the monsters for the first time. The people who saw how Fortunas fought couldn't help but be filled with awe. First, he used different types of magic only mages should be able to learn, different types of healing spells only clerics are supposedly capable, and when his mana has been depleted he releases an arsenal of unconventional tools and weapons. Cards, dies, and other gambling items, each with varying effects.
For some months, all Fortunas did was to fight. He captured a huge land that was previously the territory of different creatures. Yet, every brave warriors meet their end. After capturing his 13th territory, he lost his life on the battle. On his stead, the army he gathered won the battle and captured that place, naming it after the hero whom helped their kingdom greatly. He was given a monument on the site of his death, and was buried there. Decades passed and he was still a hero on the hearts of the people.
'Ding!'
The Secrets of a GamblerFind information about Fortunas Gutierrez and how was he able to convince the people to fight against the monsters.
Look for information related to him in his monument in the Spooky Graveyard which is now overrun with undead. The path towards Fortunas' grave site can only be opened by a Magic Gambler.
Difficulty: D
Rewards: Unknown rewards.
Requirements: Magic Gambler Profession.
Failure if you died.
This is a class-related quest, you cannot refuse this quest.
You have accepted this quest!
"Hmmm... A class-related quest eh? I ain't got a concrete plan as of yet so I guess it ain't bad to finish this one first." I blurted out my thoughts.
"That's fine. I'm in no hurry." I answered back as I stood up and returned the book back from where the librarian got it.
"Well then, let's first return back to the inn, I'm getting hungry." I told Vers as I walk towards the exit of the restricted area. She, on the other hand, returned back to her hiding place... My pocket.
"Oh! If it isn't the Magic Gambler! Did you find what you wanted?" the librarian greeted me when he noticed me coming.
"Well, yes. Thanks a lot sir. I now know what I should do in the future." I replied back.
"Alright, alright. Please come again sometime and tell me your tales." the old librarian said goodbye to me while waving his hands.
"When I have time." I curtly responded back and headed towards the exit. I'll be returning to the inn to rest for a while. I'll set off for the quest tomorrow morning.
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-Inside Inn Luck-
"Yahaha! You're back young'in. What do you want?" the owner of the tavern laughed quite loudly. There's not much customers around so it wasn't really a problem. Though, this place seems to get crowded during nighttime.
"Hmm, I have nothin' to do so I'd like to rest fer a bit." I answered back truthfully.
"Mhmm, I see... Hey young'in, we lack some hands in the kitchen. Can you help us out for a bit? Well, you said you have nothing to do anyways..." the owner told me, our intimacy got closer ever since I praised how great her wife's cooking was. Of course, every wife is their husband's treasure.
Job at Inn LuckHelp out as a cook in Inn Luck.
Difficulty: F
Rewards: Cooking Skill, 10 silvers
Requirements: Some intimacy with the tavern owner.
Intimacy would fall if refused.
*Cookin' skill, eh? I guess it would help since I already took up fishin' anyways...* I thought to myself.
"I guess I can, I ain't got anythin' in mind ta' do right now anyways." I accepted his request.
"Alright then, follow me." He said as he showed me the way to the kitchen.
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-Few hours afterwards-
"Thanks a lot sonny. You were a huge help." the tavern owner smiled as he told me.
"No worries. I had nothin' ta' do anyways..." I answered in a tired voice. Damn, working in a kitchen was actually quite a strenuous activity.
"Gahahaha! Here's your payment. I've added some extra. Ask me next time if you want to take up the job again." he laughed as he said.
"Alright, thanks sir." I briefly answered back. Well, the effort weren't for nothing since I've learnt the cooking skill and even raised it to Beginner level 2. Somehow, after I started working, the amount of orders just came flooding in. It seems like it was during those time where it start to get hectic.
*Haaah. so tired...* I thought to myself, Vers was getting irritable because she wasn't able to get out the whole time.
"Yo! You helped out in the cooking didn't you?" A rough male voice could be heard calling me.
I turned around and found a man around late 50's. He's the type of person that would make you think twice before messing with. Though old in age, you can see that his body was rigorously trained to perfection, and possess a wisdom that no greenhorns can emulate. He also have some huge cut scars all over proving that he encountered countless battlefields, with the one from his forehead down to his right cheek being the most conspicuous one of all. I was quite took back by his menacing appearance.
"Yeah. I was quite shocked by the sudden influx of customers. Are you a regular here?" I asked him.
"That's right, I'm a regular. It gets crowded here especially during night time. Kid, come over here for a bit." he wanted to say something so I complied.
"You see, this place actually has a gambling den on the basement. It's not like it's illegal, actually, here in this city, gambling during the night is an everyday life. Quite normal actually, especially towards us natives. Though, to prevent prejudice, the gambling dens around here operates only during night. We wouldn't want to tarnish our city's name for the travelers that come, y'know?" the man explained to me in detail.
"Hmm, if that's the case, then why're ya' tellin' me all this?" I questioned him.
"Kahaha! You see, I see a real gambler inside you." he told me with a smirk. Damn old man.
I stopped for a moment and finally answered. "Where is this gamblin' then you're talkin' 'bout?" I asked with a glint of greed in my eyes. It's been a while since I've tested my skills.
"Gahaha! Alright kiddo, follow me." the man said as he stood up and walked towards the stairs going downwards. I followed him quietly behind.
The next morning, rumors about a certain man that left people with nothing but their clothes after gambling against circulated around town. He was then nicknamed 'The Monster Gambler'. having not a single loss after hundreds of games, yet no one could detect any form of cheating in his play. Not a single thing is known about this man. The rumors got bigger and bigger until it became a legend about a certain monstrous gambler, the hat-wearing magic gambler. Though, no one has any idea about who he really is. He just came and passed by, just like the wind.
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Author's Note(Grumblings):
'Sup! It's me again, BBeLiN. Tired of me yet?
Haah... Anyways, it's another freaking chapter finished. Like always, I'm not sure when the next one would be done. I already got an idea for the next few chapters, but darn. Putting those ideas into words is quite difficult, I must say.
Anyhue... Let's meet again next time. Please tell me your suggestions, comments or anything you want to say on the comments section down below. See ya~!
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