Desmond's eyes gleamed with eagerness as he gazed upon the precious box of mysterious, untapped class specific treasure.

“Let’s see what you have in store for me.”

As Desmond's eyes fixated on the loot box, an overwhelming surge of anticipation coursed through him. His heart pounded as he lifted the box under his nose, ready to unveil its secrets.

Desmond held his breath as he gently opened the box, its lid creaking. A soft glow radiated from within, casting an enchanting golden light on his eager face. A text notification popped into view.

You have received one class specific item:

Portal box:

Class specific item.

An item used by Portal Smith’s.

Sell value: 96 coppers.

Quality: Unique.

Durability: 99/99.

“Um what?”

He stared dumbfounded at the box within a box, trying to figure what the heck it was. The original chest dissipated into nothingness as the new box lay on his outstretched palm.

Flipping it in his hands, he turned it over and over, trying to reveal its secrets but after a few agonising yet dull moments he came to the realisation that the box was indeed just that. A box.

“Awww,” he said in a drawl then flipped open his belly button menu and looked to see if there was some way he could store his magically class specific box.

After a few flips of menus here and there, he spotted an inventory screen.

Inventory:

“Hmmm, three slots only.”

He stared at the inventory slots and then at his box. Shrugging, he had only one option but to try. So, he lifted his box and tentatively placed it within the screen, hopeful that it would work.

Inventory:

Portal Box

“Oh, nice,” he said softly with a smile. He was at least getting somewhere. His eyes scanned the horizon and froze. To his left, on the spot where he had first attacked the slimes bounced a massive black Slime who had just respawned. On his right where Clemiticus first went and lost his mighty stick was something else entirely.

The Black slime he had first killed had been replaced by something far more deadly. Bounding ever so slowly with a metallic golden sheen for skin was a globular creature from his nightmares.

Slime level five.

Underneath written in fancy white text was Field boss.

“What’s a field boss?” he asked and was about to take a step forward when he remembered his fun little title.

Slime Hater… Note to self… Don’t move forward.

Desmond gulped and tested his footing by taking a step back. The Slime creatures didn’t react.

He simply didn’t have the health to deal with the black smile and the field boss.

Knowing that his portal wouldn’t save him this time he decided it was time for him to follow Clemiticus and Melly’s lead by finding the nearest town. So, without any other thought, he turned away and walked through the low-level meadow away from the menacing Slimes in the distance while ignoring the popping sounds of new players entering the Elven lands for the first time.

As he walked away from the menacing echoes behind him, he noticed in the distance that a line of trees seemed to emerge from the ground as he moved. With a new destination and adventure before him, he felt a slight skip in his step. Traversing the vast distance at a timely speed.

When he neared the tree line, the shift in temperature was sudden and unexpected. It was if he had left a room the effect was so sudden.

A light flickered from above and a line of text flashed before him.

You have discovered a new zone.

“Awesome,” he said then froze.

There was a tiny flickering arrow in his peripheral vision. A notification? He entered his menu and spotted it. In the menu labelled ‘map’ his current location had been revealed.

His eyes widened as he searched the map’s detailed surface. He could see where he’d come from, ‘The Elven Meadows’ and where he was going towards. A vast sprawling forest called the ‘Mean Forest’.

I hope that’s just a name, not an indication.

The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

Within the forest on the map was not only a road but a few buildings showing the signs of a town nearby. Maybe he could pick up his very first quest?

It was time to go on his first adventure. He quickly checked his stream chat.

Chat:

Viewers online: 1

Oh, there seems to be a lurker in chat, he thought. I wonder how long they have been there?

“Okay it's time to enter the forest!” he spoke confidently and waited for a response. When none came, he shrugged and took his first step into the Mean Forest.

As Desmond ventured forward with pep in his step, he found himself surrounded by a mysterious and enchanting forest. The tall, slender trees stood proudly, their branches gilded with a vibrant display in various shades of green, gold, and red.

Sunlight filtered through the canopy above, casting spotted patterns of light on the forest floor. It felt as though nature itself was putting on a captivating display, welcoming Desmond to this realm of wondrousness.

As he took each step, the ground beneath his feet seemed to whisper secrets, soft moss cushioning his path. The air carried a welcoming fragrance of wildflowers and the sweet scent of earth. Small creatures darted through the undergrowth, their playful chatters adding to the magical zone.

Whispers seemed to echo through the forest, carried on a gentle breeze, as if the ancient trees were sharing their secrets. Desmond felt a tingling sensation on his skin, as if the very air was alive with unseen energies. His Elven senses no doubt reacting to the forest.

He half expected to see some sort of magical monster within the forest, but it seemed that the zone was peaceful, lacking any sort of malevolent presence.

After some time navigating through the forest, Desmond finally stumbled upon a road that stretched before him, paved with impeccable precision. The craftsmanship was so pristine that only the skilled hands of the elves could have created such a masterpiece.

Desmond's smile widened, for this was the true reason he had wanted to play this game—to experience exactly this. A surge of exhilaration filled his chest as he turned down the road, his heart brimming with a sense of exploration and adventure.

He almost skipped when he spotted the sign.

Lowesome. This way!!

It will soon be time to enter his first town. A quick thought came to him. Was he prepared enough to meet any danger on the road? He checked his mana and health. After his long journey, it seemed both statistics has slowly regenerated.

Good my elvish natural regeneration is very handy.

As he walked down the road, a tower came into view around the bend. He felt a sense of exhilaration as he approached.

“Oi, Nev! Der’s another one!” echoed a gruff voice.

Desmond paused in his step. His accent was very peculiar. “Um, hello?” Desmond called back.

“Right you are Bill, I’ll take dis one on the left. You grab ‘is right!”

Desmond’s eyebrow crooked up. Their intentions were far too obvious.

“Are you guys going to… rob me?” Desmond asked, his voice echoing before him.

“Shush…”

Silence enveloped the road. Desmond put his hands on his hips and waited.

“Errr… No!” shouted the one called Nev.

“Ah! Why did you ‘ave to say that, Nev? Now e’s going to think differen’ and when we do rob ‘im e’s gonna be upset!” replied Bill.

“I would prefer if you didn’t rob me at all!” Desmond supplied.

Another silence enveloped the road.

“Shush Bill, if we are silent like e’s gonna fink we’ve gone.”

Desmond rolled his eyes, then took a few steps forward. In the distance, he could spot a boulder either side of the road. Behind each were the hunched forms of his would-be burglars. He had a few options to bypass said rough looking individuals.

He could simply bypass them and cut through the forest. According to his map, the town was fairly close and if he just veered to his right, he would soon make it. He might even get there quicker. But then he would miss out on the true prize.

His eyes glanced towards the mysterious tower. It held the air of a treasure yet untouched. He scratched his chin. He needed a plan. And hopefully one that didn’t end with man guts all over the ground. Luckily for Desmond, the two bandits sounded rather intellectually impaired.

So, Desmond got off the road to his left and walked parallel to it but under the cover of the trees.

“Oi where did ‘e go?”

“You were supposed to keep your eye on ‘im!”

“Me?”

“That was your job stoopid!”

“Since when?”

“Since like forever!”

The two became so engrossed in their argument that Desmond could easily, without making too much effort walk right past their little hiding spots. Desmond was not one for stealth. It had never been his strong suit in real life but with this new athletic and sleek build this Elven character afforded him he was far lither than ever.

“Mate, you’re the one with the good eye!”

“Me? Never!”

As he approached, he could finally see who what are these two were. They were indeed human, rough looking, covered in tattered clothes and mud. Looking as desperate as one could be. Above their heads, he could see their names as clear as day as he focused on the closest target.

Nev. Level one Bandit.

“You reckon he’s gonna come back?” asked Nev.

“Doubt it,” replied the other bandit. Desmond chanced a glance above his head.

Bill. Level one Bandit.

“He probably sensed how amazingly cunning we is and scarpered.”

With a clear goal in mind, he searched through the debris on the forest floor for something specific. It had to be a perfect size. No more than two centimetres. After a quick moment, he’d found it under years’ worth of leaf litter.

Desmond grinned. This will do nicely.

He had found a carved stone, apparently discarded when they made the road. There were a few of them but this one was the only one that matched the size and weight he needed.

Desmond crouched and moved closer towards the nearest bandit Nev. Moving as slowly and stealthily as he could, he needed to be almost on top of him.

“Bill I’m ‘ungry!” Nev said absent-mindedly.

“Well, wait a few minutes and maybe we can rob a guy wif food.”

With the bandit distracted, Desmond got into place, then focused on a point above his head.

“Open minor portal,” Desmond whispered with his spell book open in his hand.

-15 mana.

The portal appeared above the head of the oblivious bandit. Desmond grinned, then pushed the stone through the closest portal and watched as the stone fell from the other.

Thud.

“Nev?” asked Bill.

You have defeated Level one Bandit.

Gained EXP.

But poor Nev didn’t respond. The stone had fallen directly on the crown of his head, knocking him out instantly. The stone then bounced on the floor, rolling to a stop beside Desmond.

Bill ran over to check up on his fallen pal, ignoring the pink shimmering portal that had formed above his companion's crumpled form.

“What happened?”

-15 mana.

This is far too easy, thought Desmond as again he pushed the stone once more through the portal just in time for Desmond to run out of juice.

“Why you sleep…”

Thud.

You have defeated Level one Bandit.

Gained EXP.

Bill fell on top of his mate.

Desmond stood up in surprise, surveying his handy work. The poor bandits looked almost pitiful in their crumpled positions.

Desmond sighed. Might as well check these guy’s pockets.

His fingers rummaged through their pant legs quickly finding coin purses that looked far too fancy for either of these two.

You have received an item:

Noble’s coin purse:

Contains: 2 silver coins, 9 copper coins.

11/50 capacity.

“This will do nicely,” he said as he placed the coin purse into his inventory.

Inventory:

Portal Box

Noble’s coin purse 11/50

Going back to the crumple bandits. As he continued to search, a frown slowly etched on his face. Other than the stolen purse there was nothing. No items, not even weapons.

How were they expecting to rob me?

So, he shrugged and left the two bandits alone on top of each other as he proceeded towards the tower that loomed ahead.

As he moved under the shadow of the tower a text appeared before him, filling him with anticipation.

The Lowesome Spire.

“Nice, time to explore!” Desmond said eagerly as he moved through the doorway.