The food on my plate rapidly disappeared as it vanished from where it was and somehow made its way into the hole that was my stomach. I didn’t notice the diminishing pile as my focus was entirely taken up by the explosions of flavor. Every single bit carried with it some new combination, each of which was better than anything I had ever tasted.
Given that I didn’t recognize some, and the few I did was only because of various old cooking shows, it made sense. Still, I was currently in heaven. Only dragged back down to Earth when my plate was empty. The sudden laughter from next to me caused me to look over at my neighbor.
He held his stomach, tears welling in his eyes as he looked back at me. “Your face. You look so sad that all the food is gone.” While I knew that was the case, I wished he would have kept quiet. His laughter transitioned into more of a soft chuckle as he continued. “Feel free to get some more.” I shook my head. I knew how much this kind of food cost. Only the stupid rich people could afford it. Those were also the only people with the connections to get it transported to them in time before it went bad.
Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed my plate disappear yet again. While I didn’t see him take it, Victor’s hands flicked a bunch more food onto a plate. “No, I don’t need more.” I insisted. My hands raised as I tried to back away from the table.
The low voice of their leader spoke up at that. “You will. You need to eat more if we are going to get much of what I have planned for the day done.”
“Oh, does that mean you have a quest lined up for us? Tell me it is one where I can kill something.” Lance said. I could see the glint of something at the mention of killing.
“Yes, though we need to do a few things first.” He replied. His chair scraped against the floor as he scooted back. Body repositioning as he got comfortable. Linda seemed to take that as a cue to jump on his lap. Thankfully, she didn’t do anything other than lean against his body and put her head into the crook of his neck.
“Should probably introduce ourselves then,” Victor said with his neutral voice as he placed the newly filled plate in front of me. The thing blurred as he wove around my upraised hands.
The leader nodded, “Good idea Victor. Do you want to start?” I played with the food, reluctant to eat it.
“Sure, my name is Victor. I act as the team's main archer. My class is Arcane Archer.” My head nearly hit the table when I heard his introduction. It had reminded me, in no uncertain terms, that this was a game. For some reason, since getting down here, I had started to mix this place up with the real world. How? I have no clue because there was nowhere near my apartment that was even this nice. Hell, real wood was rare enough in the city as it was. Forget having whole buildings made of the damned stuff. All of those had either rotted away with time or used by homes over the years as a source of heat.
Either none of them noticed my reaction or if they didn’t care. I focused my eyes in front of me while listening to their introductions. "My name is Jeremiah. I try to act as the team’s crowd control but…”
“Your spells usually affect all of us,” Lance grumbled. Talking loud enough to cut Jeremiah off. His voice increased in volume as he continued “Do you know how annoying it is to deal with wet fur? The smell of which makes it hard for me to do my job.”
“Well, maybe you shouldn’t be in the way of any of my storms. It's not my fault that you never stay away from the target area like you're supposed to.” Jeremiah snapped back.
Victor leaned a little over to me, talking loud enough that I could hear him over the two as they continued to argue. “Jeremiah is a Tempest Warden. The class comes with a decent number of large spells but that’s about it.”
“What is a class?” I asked him. That seemed to catch him off guard. Causing him to show a flicker of emotion as he tried to process what I said. As I saw his reaction, I realized how my question sounded. “I mean, I know what a class is in other games. What is a class in this game? I didn’t think there were any given that I wasn’t given a choice for one at the start.” My voice came out in a rush as I tried to explain myself. I probably just ended up sounding like more of a fool than before. Of course, there were classes. Every game had them, even if they were unofficial.
Everyone but Lance and Jeremiah looked in my direction. Those two continued arguing about water spells and whose fault it was that Lance kept getting hit. Everyone ignored them, acting as if this was normal for those two. Although they looked at me with confused expressions, I had a feeling that they didn’t mind my stupid question.
Linda was still tucked into Michael’s neck. Her eyes visible through her hair as she looked at me as Michael spoke. “Classes are offered at level ten. It is considered the first milestone in the game.” I felt it as he sighed before he finally snapped at the two. “Lance! Jeremiah! Cut it out!”
The two instantly stopped arguing. Their heads dropped. Lance’s head went to one side so that his neck was exposed to Michael in obvious submission. The action caught my attention because it was an odd thing to see a human do. After a minute of tense silence, Michael continued his explination. “As I was saying. Classes are offered at level ten. The classes that are offered are based on your skills, race, and what you have done so far in the game.”
He nodded over to Victor who took over the explanation, “My class, for example, required that the player have an archer-related skill over level three and one elemental magic skill above level three.”
He didn’t continue, letting me absorb the information and ask any questions I might have. I sat there, my mind churned through the information. A fair amount of happiness filled me as I realized how unique this game was. While other games had attempted something similar in the past, this one was large enough, and the AI’s powerful enough, that there could be unique classes offered to each player.
Of course, each class would have a requirement or two. I would just have to get everything I could. Work on getting every skill I could get and participate in every event I could before I reached level ten. Not that I wouldn’t have done so before. Though I did have one question for the group. One that would dictate quite a bit of my future. “If I find out that I don’t like a class, can I change it?”
They all shrug except for Michael. “From what one of my higher player friends has let slip, there are ways to change classes but it’s either not worth it or something.” He flipped a hand in the air. “So find something you are willing to use and live with because you are going to be stuck with it for a while.”
My mind swirled over this piece of information, wondering what the cost could be that even higher players wouldn’t be willing to use it. Of course, his statement did generate a follow up question. Before Michael could continue, I asked, “Where are all the higher-level players?” Yeah, that sounded rude as fuck. “Not that no one here is high leveled, I just thought that I would see people flying around and doing stupid things even if this is a beginner town.”
The group as a whole laughed at my stammering stupidity. “As you level up, you will find that some places in the world will start to work against you. In this town, as soon as you hit level twenty-five, random events will start to trigger until you finally leave the area.” Michael started.
Jeremiah interrupted him, looking at the guy next to me. “You remember that event your brother triggered?”
“You mean the one that left the entire town covered in slime? Who in town could forget that mess.” I tried to not laugh as an image flashed into my mind. Thankfully I wasn’t the only one.
“God that was a mess. Then again, that wasn’t as bad as the typhoon that hovered over the city for a solid week. Poor guy had to hire a spatial mage to teleport him away before the city guard decided to charge him for the amount of damages and lost revenue.”
Stories flashed back and forth. Some were serious because of the number of deaths while others were full of humor as the offending player found themselves getting pranked by the game constantly. The stories all seemed to balance out. For each bad event the game would trigger for one player, another player would get something embarrassing but otherwise harmless.
The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.
While they all focused on these stories, I thought over Barti and the girls. They were all over the limit for the area which begged the question; how? Given that the group didn’t have any stories of someone being able to stay here for long, I doubted they knew. Was that because those three were keeping their levels secret? But that didn’t make sense either. If they had been trying to keep it a secret then why tell me? I was a nobody. Someone that had done nothing nor earned anyone's trust.
As I contemplated the issue about their levels, I came to the conclusion that I would not find the answers on my own. I would have to ask someone. While I could ask this group, I felt that it wasn’t worth the risk of angering those three if they had been keeping it secret. Maybe I should just ask the next time I train with them.
As everyone shared stories, they slowly relaxed and opened up. Even Victor lost the majority of his neutral expression. Choosing instead to join in on the storytelling and laughter. Unfortunately, it had to end eventually. Michael’s raised hand stopped Victor from telling a story about the first event he had personally witnessed.
“We need to finish the introductions so that I can go over the plan for the day. We can continue telling stories of various players and out of towners when we get back if you all want.” Michael looked over to Lance. “I believe it was your turn.”
The wolf shrugged. “As you already know, my name is Lance. I was born in a town not far from here.” Wait, he was an NPC? He always acted as if he was a player that the possibility never crossed my mind. Just how good would the system the game ran on have to be to host so many AIs? Each realistic enough to pass for a human. My personal AI was meh and it took up a dedicated server I had purchased for it.
My mind whirled as he continued. “My class is Lupine Marauder. I deal with getting in close and dealing as much damage as I can. Distracting anything that needs it or taking down clusters of weak creatures.” His fist connected with Jeremiah’s shoulder. “This guy never said his class.”
“Only because you interrupted me.” Jeremiah pointed out as he rubbed his shoulder. “My class is Tempest Warden. I deal in casting large-area spells to control the battlefield.” Though Victor had already told me the guy's class, I still nodded in thanks.
The two of them returned to bickering back and forth, ignoring Michael as he spoke. “Michael, as I am sure you already know. I lead this group of idiots and serve as the team's tank with my class, Sanctified Bulwark.” The class sounded like one dependent on a religion. Just how would someone get such a class offer? “Sitting in my lap is our other local, Linda. She is our team healer, though her class allows her to do some crowd-control.”
Wait, wait, wait. The girl that has been acting all lovey-dovey with the guy was an NPC? What in the hell was going on in this game? They didn’t give me a chance to ask any questions as the last guy spoke up. “Names Patric. I deal with hitting from the shadows.”
He didn’t say anything else. Not that Michael let him. He started to speak the moment Patric stopped. Almost as if he was trying to prevent me from asking any questions or wonder as to why he hadn't said what class he was. Then again, Michael hadn't mentioned what class Linda was, just that she was a healer with crowd-control abilities. “Do you have any weapons or magic skills?”
Surely they knew I hadn’t been in game for long. Hell, my clothing yesterday should have clued them into that. “All I have is aknife.”
“Guess we need to hit the quartermaster and see if they have something you can get.” Michael turned and gave me a look as he asked, “You do have your token still, right?” Based on the look, my answer better be yes or I would be sorry. In answer, I pulled it out of my inventory. Holding it up for him to see.
It was a simple coin-shaped object. The rim was made of a bronze material while the center seemed to be formed of some clear crystal. Quartz maybe? Surely nothing like diamond. That would be stupid. Well, unless they could create it with magic. Wait, could one make diamonds with magic? Getting pure, or near pure, carbon was the easy part. The problem was forming the diamond, or any other gem, was generating sufficient pressure and heat. If one could do that…
I had to yank my mind back to the present and away from the meandering path my train of thought had suddenly taken. “Good because they are worth quite a bit and are hard to come by.” My eyes studied the simple token. To think that this little coin was worth something. Was it because anyone could go to any guard quartermaster and get one of any gear they had in stock? Surely the gear they offered was only for lower levels.
Wait, didn’t he say that higher-level people were forced out of beginner towns? Did that mean there were towns where the gear started at a higher level? Could you save the token and trade it for higher gear once you get there? That would equate to a decent jump in power later for to cost of a slower start.
Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Victor shaking his head. “Don’t even think about saving that coin for later. You will need every bit of help you need until you get a class.”
Michael nodded his head toward Victor, “Victor is right. From what I heard, the stuff in later towns is not worth it. Not when compared to what a skilled smith can make in half an hour with some scraps. Now, go grab your gear and anything you will need for a day out. Lance, take…now that I think about it, you never did introduce yourself.”
He was right, but the sudden attention had my cheeks warming up. “Ale…” I started only to suddenly correct myself, “I mean Kyren.”
“And?”
“Do you have any skills?”
“Do you know what weapon you will be using?”
“Do you know what element you want to use?”
“Any real-life training?”
Patric and Jeremiah took turns bombarding me with questions. They were all good questions, but neither gave me time to breath, let alone answer. Michael held up a hand, silencing them. “Where do you see yourself fighting from? Maybe a weapon preference.” My mind wandered off, taking me with it as I ignored everything around me in favor of finding an answer to his questions.
Honestly, I had never given the questions a thought. Most of the time I picked a class or such before finding where that class best fit. Choosing weapons that boosted any relevant stats or did more damage. Maximizing my character's capabilities. Of course, this required me to create a few characters so that I could try various builds out, something I couldn’t do here.
Using a bow and shooting from a distance sounded nice. It was more likely to keep me far away from the actual fight. Only that would require that I find someone to keep the enemies occupied as I shoot them full of arrows.
Then there were the mages. The glass cannons of any game. They could dish out damage, but finding one that could take a beating was hard. But maybe they were different in this game. Or maybe I could make them different. Unfortunately, I had the feeling that I wasn’t the first, nor the last, person to think about this. Maybe I would try it if I got a unique class related to it or something.
On the other hand, I could always go with a tank related path. They could take a beating and keep on kicking. Too bad I hated the idea of taking any damage. Especially when that damage would actually hurt. Could you imagine purposely taking damage? Fuck that.
Speaking of damage, could I try healing it instead? Would such a class be something I could do? I thought back over every time I had tried in other games to use such a class. Recalling how I had failed each and every time. My fingers always twitched to help deal damage, but then I would end up drawing agro away from the group and end up either running for my life or dying, taking the team with me.
What Lance said about his role for the team was starting to sound more up my alley. It would allow me to get in close as needed, do some damage, and then get away. Focusing more on speed over raw power. It also had the potential to allow me to go solo until I ran into one of my buddies or found someone to play with.
Having made up my mind, I returned to the present to find that almost everyone was discussing something to do with magic and rituals. Michael, however, was looking directly at me. Which was probably why he was the first to notice the change. “Figure something out?” His sudden question caught everyones attention.
“I think I would like to go for something mid-range. Something similar to Lance,” I gestured at the wolf. “I would like to go for speed and maneuverability over anything else.”
“Ah,” was his response.
Linda spoke up as Michael was trying to think about something. “I think you are right. With your build, I think that would be the best place for you.” Her eyes locked on mine as her predatory smile sent shivers down my spine. I could almost see myself being forced to run away from her as she hunted me. Likely as a result of her training.
“Ok,” Michael pulled my gaze from hers, breaking the impromptu stare-off. “Lance, take Kyrento the guard quartermaster. We will meet you both at the eastern gate when you are done. And yes, we will get your gear Lance.” Lance looked like he wanted to argue but shut up when Michael shot him a glare. Hanging his head, he muttered something I couldn’t hear. “What was that?”
“Will do.” His voice was loud enough this time that we all could hear him.
“Good.” Michael’s chair scraped against the ground as he moved to stand up. Linda wrapped her legs around his waist as he left. Heading in the direction of the stairs. The rest of the group followed after him. All except for me and Lance.
Seeing them go, I realized that the room was fairly empty. The noise that had filled the place gone with the people. The food and conversation had kept my attention enough that I had not noticed people leaving. Likely all going to do their own quests, training, or an errand. Something that we would be doing. Looking back at Lance to see if he was ready, I found him in the same position as before.
His head was down on his chest. Looking as if he wanted to punch something. As I didn’t want to be that something, I took my time stacking the dishes together. Going so far as to scrape all the trash and scraps onto one of the large platters to make everything easier to manage. Just before I finished, a staff member soundlessly appeared next to me. Her voice was kind and gentle as she said, “I can take care of that. Thank you though.”
Lance’s ears twitched. His head rose slightly as he stood up. His voice was soft, resigned as he said, “We should get going.” As I followed him across the room, I was careful not to get too close to the wolf. Afraid of what he would do if I accidentally touched his tail again.