Chapter 3
Full-blooded Newbie
Hovering above the sea of clouds was a small tower with five floors, in a shape similar to an inverted cone. The first floor, the topmost floor, was six kilometers in diameter, and was covered by a dense forest. In the middle of the floor, hidden by the trees was a small town called Weranda. This is the starting town of the Werebeast race.
In the central plaza of the town was a four meter tall stone obelisk. It had an octagonal base and slowly tapered upward. Its black glossy surface was covered with runic inscriptions that faintly glow in a multitude of colors. Suddenly, the inscriptions glowed brightly, and a figure appeared in front of the obelisk.
There were already other players in town, a mix of different Werebeasts. Some had cat ears, others had bull horns, many looked like wolves, and a lot more other based on varying animal beasts. They were talking to the NPCs looking for quests and trading with the vendors.
As the obelisk glowed, they all turned to look. They knew that the glowing obelisk meant that there was another player appearing.
What first came into view was the pair of huge horns protruding above a head of sky blue hair. The golden brown horns curved upward, then backward tracing the shape of the head, then turning sharply near the ears. Next was the pair of deep-set eyes with the creepy soulless rectangular pupils and platinum irises. Seeing those eyes and horns, everyone immediately knew which animal this Werebeast was based on.
A goat, everyone thought. They all had once stared at a goat either in real life or in an image, and they will never forget the strange feeling of gazing at those soulless eyes.
Despite that impression, they quickly forgot about it as they saw the cute and pretty face of the girl. Her hair danced with the wind, revealing trails of light sunset orange where ever the tip of her hair swayed.
All the males had favorable impressions of her, but that, too, was swiftly forgotten. They all turned away and tried to forget the image that they saw.
A fat goat lady, they all thought, shaking their heads. They will never understand why someone would combine both the pleasant and unpleasant aesthetics in one body. They were filled with mixed feelings of astonishment and regret.
The new arrival was precisely Storm, the character that Rain created. As soon as she spawned, she looked around with wide eyes at everything around her. She was in a plaza with trading stalls around. In the center was a black stone obelisk. She also saw other people. As her eyes landed on a person, a window appeared.
Differentiating players from non-player characters (NPC) in Skyborne is easy. While looking at a person, focus your vision and intent on that person. A small marker will then appear above their head. A white marker represents an NPC. A green marker represents a player.
Easy enough to understand, Storm thought as she focused her eyes on a figure selling his wares on a stall. A white marker appeared over his head. It was a NPC. She walked toward the NPC and greeted him.
“Hello,” she said with that sweet voice. A bitter smile appeared on her face.
“How may I help you, ma’am?” the vendor replied with a bright smile.
“Uh… I’m new to this game, and I’m not really sure on what I should do next…”
“I don’t think I really understand what you mean, ma’am.”
“Like I said, I’m new to this game. I need some sort of tip.”
“I don’t think I really understand what you mean, ma’am.”
NPC actions and responses are generated through an Artificial Intelligence, or AI, system. Their actions and responses may appear limited.
Seeing the message, Storm sighed. She turned and left the stall.
“Have a good day, ma’am,” came the voice from the stall. Storm looked back and saw the vendor still smiling brightly at her.
She looked around, and noticed that most of the players were avoiding her gaze. It didn’t really matter to her, of course. She was already used to such treatment.
As she started to walk toward a different NPC to try her hand in asking for directions once again, she felt a light tap on her shoulder.
“Hey, there!” a short black-haired girl with rabbit ears greeted her. Seeing that she was a player, Storm ignored her and continued walking.
“Hey, hey, don’t ignore me!!!” the girl chased after her while calling at her with a cutesy voice.
“What do you want?” annoyed, Storm turned and asked her.
“You don’t have to be so grumpy, jeez!” the girl said while pouting. “I noticed that you’re quite the newbie, so I came to offer some help, as fellow girls!”
Storm wanted to scoff at her and tell her that she wasn't a girl, and then remembered that currently, he was a girl. She wanted to avoid interacting too much with other players, but in this situation, it seems like she had no other choice.
With a sigh, she said, “Fine.”
“Yiipee!” the girl exclaimed in joy and jumped. Then she started moving her hand and a window appeared before Storm.
Hokune invites you as a friend. Accept?
Storm looked at the girl who was looking back at her with an expectant smile. She couldn't help but let another sigh escape from her as she accepted the request.
The Friend Window can be opened with the radial game menu. It is the option to the right.
You can send friend requests by having the other party within a five meter radius. Select the marker over their head, and select
You can contact your friends and send them a telepathic link. Once the link is established, you can communicate through your thoughts over long distances.
Note that there are areas and situations were telepathy is blocked.
“Ehehe, friend get!” Hokune said as she smiled happily. “Let’s go do our first quest!” She started walking ahead. Storm followed behind her.
As they walked, Storm noticed that the girl wasn't actually short. Her dark green clothes hugged her slim body tightly. When she passed other players, it could be seen that her height was actually average for a girl. She only appeared short because Storm based her character’s height to her height in real life. Storm was 178 cm tall, a bit tall for a girl.
Soon they arrived at a wooden building much bigger than the others in the town.
“We’re here!” Hokune said.
This is the town mayor’s villa. Most of the general quests that can be done in a town can be started by talking to the town’s mayor.
The two entered the villa, and as they did, a group of five players exited. Since the doorway was too small for all of them, Hokune who was leading collided against the other party. She was knocked backward and fell on the ground.
“Hey, watch where you’re going!” she said as she jumped back up and dusted her butt.
“Watch your tone, little bunny,” said the man leading them who appeared to be their leader. “Or do you want to be skinned and butchered along with the other bunnies hopping outside of town?”
Hearing their threats, Hokune could only swallow her hatred. Seeing that, the group laughed as they walked away.
Storm wanted to go after them and teach them a lesson, but Hokune grabbed her arm and shook her head while whispering, “Let it be.”
Suddenly, she slapped her cheeks then smiled at Storm.
“Let’s go!” She then hurriedly turned around and entered the villa. Storm followed after her.
Inside was a cozy living room. An old man about fifty years of age was sitting on a wooden chair. In front of him was a wooden table filled with herbs, bottles, and a mortar and pestle.
“Youngsters, come sit,” the old man said, motioning toward a wooden couch on the other side of the table.
“Okay!” Hokune said as she hopped toward the couch and sat down. She then patted on the space beside her while smiling at Storm. It was obvious that she was telling her to sit right there.
Ignoring her wishes, Storm sat on the farthest side of the couch.
“What is it that you need?” the old man asked as he separated the herbs into different bottles. Looking closely, there were stumps of what used to be ears on top of the old man’s head.
Seeing Storm’s line of sight, the old man smiled and asked, “Are you interested?”
“No… yes, a little.” She was caught in surprise.
“That would be for another time. There are more pressing matters for you to discuss with me, no?”
“Yes! We’re looking for a job!” Hokune suddenly said. The old man laughed loudly after hearing that.
“You’re quite the frank young lady. I used to be as energetic as you back in the days, until the tower boss caught me by the ears. Since then, I've been living peacefully in this little town, making medicines from herbs to help the townspeople.”
This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
Storm did not miss what the old man said. With the glint of realization in her eyes, they met with the old man’s and he gave her a knowing smile.
“You need a job, and I can give you one. It’s a simple request. All you need to do is go out of town and collect some herbs for me. Five each of you would be good.”
“Is there a specific herb you need?” Hokune asked.
“Just pick whatever you see. I can make use of any type of herb.”
“Okay!”
New Quest Received: Medicinal Herbs for Everyone
Weranda’s mayor, Isekk, asked you to venture the outskirts of the town and look for herbs.
Required:
Herbs x5
Rewards:
20 EXP
Other items
Accept?
Storm selected
“I hope they get killed by a monster,” Hokune said as she stuck her tongue out at their backs.
In a short while, they were able to easily collect five herbs each. They then returned to the town mayor.
“Oh, you’re back so quickly,” the mayor greeted them. They handed their loot to him, and he started inspecting them. Then, without saying anything, he started grinding the herbs and mixed them with some red liquid. He then placed them in separate bottles.
“Good job, children. These are for you.” He pushed the bottles toward them.
Quest Completed: Medicinal Herbs for Everyone
Weranda’s mayor, Isekk, has received the herbs and processed them into minor healing potions. He gave you those potions as thanks for your effort.
Rewards:
Minor Healing potion x5
20 EXP (80 more for level up)
Minor Healing Potion(Herbal)
Soulbound
The red liquid is bubbling with life. Specks of green floating in the liquid tells of the herbal origin of this potion.
This item was created by Isekk, the mayor of Weranda.
HP recovery: 10-20
Weight: 1
Hokune had a very bright smile on her face as she took her share of the rewards.
“Now then, I have another request,” the mayor said. He then took out two pieces of parchment from under the table. He handed one each to Hokune and Storm. “Take these letters to the blacksmith. He’ll know what to do from there.”
New Quest Received: Letter for the Smithy
Weranda’s mayor, Isekk, had asked you to deliver the letter to the town blacksmith.
Required:
Mayor’s letter delivered x1
Reward:
Unknown
Accept?
The two accepted and took the letters from the mayor’s hands. They said their thanks and farewell, and left the villa.
“How did you know where the mayor’s villa was?” Storm asked, suddenly remembering.
“Isn't it common sense that the mayor’s house is the largest building in town?” Hokune replied with a slightly unbelieving expression.
“Is it?”
“Are you, by any chance, a complete novice to VRMMOs?”
“Make that all games.”
“Then that means you’re a full-blooded newbie! No wonder you've been silent this whole time!” Hokune exclaimed. The people around stared at them, and some of them started whispering.
“Let’s get out of here,” Storm said as she pulled Hokune toward a random direction.
“I didn't expect you to be such a rare find, and you even have such a dominating yet cute looking character.”
Storm wanted to tell her that it was the result of randomization, but held back on that. The girl had such an admiring gaze that she couldn't bear to ruin that.
Hokune asked a player passing by on where the smithy was. They followed his directions and soon arrived at a house with a stone base emitting a powerful heat and clanging noise through the open door and windows. Knocking on the open door, they entered the building.
“Whaddya want?” asked the big man with bull horns. He was hammering a piece of red hot metal on an anvil beside the furnace.
“Uhm… we’re here to deliver a letter from the mayor…” Hokune hesitatingly said, intimidated by the huge werebull.
“Wait a minute,” came the reply. He continued hammering the metal until it formed into the shape of a sword’s blade. Then he dipped it into the coals in the furnace, then placed it on top of a stone table.
He took the towel wrapped around his neck and started wiping his sweat. As he turned to look at them, the two were surprised at his appearance. Although he was big and burly, and his voice was rough, his face had a very gentle smiling expression.
“Lemme see tha letter!”
They quickly handed the letters over to him. He then read both at the same time, nodding his head every now and then, and whispering, “I see… I see…” with a serious expression.
"Ya two ah new ‘round here, eh? Like many o’ tha others.” He then turned and entered a different room in the building. “Follow me.”
Hokune and Storm looked at each other, then followed the man. Inside the room was much cooler than the previous one. There were stacks of boxes filled with all sorts of metallic weapons and armors, some common, other bizarre.
“This here’s mah storeroom. Items here ah mostly stuffs that can’t be sold.” He then dragged a crate and placed it in front of the two.
“Tha mayor told me ya did a great job helpin ‘im out. Said yah two are lookin foh a job. He recommended ya two ta me. I need some ores and other materials tah make new stuff. Ores can be found in tha cave south o’ here.” He pulled out two pickaxes from the crate and handed them over. Then he took out two skinning knives, “There ah some o’ them nasty wild beasts there along tha way and in tha cave. Kill em and skin em.” He showed a skinning movement with his hands. “And o’ course I know you have nothin ta protect yahselves wit, so choose a weapon and take it. Yah have to return it afterwards, though.”
New Quest Received: A Favor For The Smithy
Weranda’s blacksmith, Korr, asked you to collect materials for him. Head to the cave south of town and mine some ores. Kill the beasts along the way and loot their skin.
Required:
Ores x10
Animal Skin x10
Korr’s lent weapon, skinning knife, and pickax
Rewards:
20 EXP
Other items
Accept?
They accepted, then chose a weapon each from the box. Hokune was quick and took out a simple longsword.
Storm on the other hand spent some time choosing. She also wanted to take a sword, but remembering her decision to go through the path of magic, she started searching for an item suitable for that purpose. In the end she chose a crude looking rod.
Kerr’s Walking Rod
Binds on pick up
Quest Item
Korr’s grandfather, Kerr, suffered from a hip problem. His son, Karr, made this walking rod for him.
Damage Modifiers:
P.Damage: 0.5*STR + 0.5*DEX
M.Damage: 1*INT
Weight: 5
“Oh, nice eye. That’s mah grampa’s rod. He used ta wave that around at them bandits sayin twas a legendary weapon. Everyone had a good laugh at that.”
Hearing those words, Storm wanted to change the rod for something else, but seeing Korr’s bright smiling face, she decided to just get on with it.
They quickly left the smithy and went to the souther town gate
“Do you think we’ll run to those guys again?” Hokune asked, referring to the group they bumped into at the mayor’s villa.
“I don’t know,” Storm answered impassively.
“Do you think everyone receives the same quests? Wouldn't that mean that we would encounter others doing the same quests?”
“I don’t know.”
“You chose a rod? Isn't that used by spell-casters? Do you have any spell you can use?”
“I don’t know.”
“Do you want to form a party?”
“I don’t know.”
Suddenly, Hokune who was walking in front stopped and looked at Storm. The weregoat looked back at her while raising an eyebrow as if asking why they stopped.
“You’re not much of a conversationalist, huh?” Hokune asked. Storm felt a sudden need to tease this girl.
With a smirk, she answered, “I don’t know.”
“GRRRRRRRR!” Hokune stomped her foot. For the first time, she felt extremely irritated. She then turned around and started walking as fast as possible, trying to leave Storm behind.
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A/N: Whew, I'm so glad that there were no tables this time.
*stares at chapter 4 draft* Looks like I celebrated too early.
Anyway, I am so glad to see that there are a lot of people interested in my webnovel despite the fact that it's the overused genre of VR. haha.
The pace is still quite slow,.. hmm.... Oh well, there'll be some action and fighting for the next chapter :)