“I really should have checked out the help section…”
I logged in again the next day, disappointed with the drop in skill proficiency. I read through the help section, waiting for the one hour deadline to pass.
I had lost a whopping 6% from my previous 15% skill proficiency in Sharp Eyes. Also, apparently the game log had recorded it, but I had obtained a new skill, Knife skill.
From the help, I learnt that a user can only have a limited number of skills active at a time. Even for passive skills. If I learnt [Sword mastery] and [Knife mastery] skills, I could only choose one of the two to level up. In other words, the build I choose would be the build I’d have to use for life. Since the default weapon that everyone gets during the start is a knife, the [Knife mastery] skill that is obtained can be easily replaced.
If I learnt [Sword mastery], then the skill proficiency I learnt from [Knife mastery] would drop to 0%, and it would be registered as an inactive skill. Unless I lose my swords and have no choice but to use my knife, every time I attempt to use a knife for combat as my main weapon, the [Knife mastery] skill would replace the [Sword mastery] skill, and I’d have to start all over again.
The only way to not lose the proficiency I gained in [Sword mastery] and still retain some amount of usability with the knife is to get a class related to [Sword mastery], so that my default weapon would be the sword.
The offer for classes would be given by the AI whenever I fulfill some conditions to be classified for said class. I’m free to accept or decline the class, or if I wish, I can just postpone the decision.
Apparently, if some unknown conditions are satisfied, a multi class build can be obtained.
Also, skills were stuff like [Knife mastery] and [Sword mastery], but things like combat skills were registered as sub skills under the respective master skills.
I couldn’t help but yawn as I read through the Help section.
I had skimmed over skills and the like, and was checking out the HUD settings now.
I could set a HP, MP and SP bar as my HUD if I wanted to. Actually, I could even customise how I wanted the HUD to look like. My EXP bar, my class, my stats, I could even cloud my vision with the HUD!
I selected a simple setup for my HUD, complete with HP, MP and SP bar.
A little red ‘X’ hovered in the corner of my vision, indicating that I was in a powered down state now. Due to the death, I had quite a reduction in stats, almost halving it.
As of now, I would be toast if I faced that green ball right now.
I quickly switched to the combat section, intent on finding out how to beat that damn rubber ball.
The combat system in Tharos was dependent partly on the player’s actual real life skills. But since it wasn’t possible for everyone to be proficient at martial arts and such, the AI developed the ‘specialised’ combat system.
In the combat ‘mode’, beginners and the like get a more slowed version of the game. The enemies move slower, and they can make sense of what’s happening so that they don’t wimp out. Until level 10, the AI’s system will show the way to hit the enemy to deal some damage, how to dodge, and all the required information. The slowed time function will help said newbie to gather his courage and attack. But after level 10, this combat mode would be disabled. The combat mode is optional, since there are some who would love to just fight all out and test their abilities. Also, time gets faster the more you level up. So, it’s recommended that users solo play until level 10 so that they can get the hang of combat.
Without any second guesses, I immediately enabled combat mode. A small blue ‘C’ popped up in the corner of my vision. Hm.
I immediately edited my HUD to make it more compact so that it doesn’t occupy as much space.
I deliberated on the value for the realism setting. The greater the realism, the more the pain. The maximum pain that could be felt would be 55% while the least that could be felt was like a sting when even the strongest attack hits you. I set it at about 30%, willing to have a bit more pain to get the adrenaline pumping.
I scrolled through the rest of the help, hoping to find if I could get anymore useful tips.
Suddenly, another notification greeted me.
Your satiety levels are at 30%! Consume food to raise satiety levels. Debuffs will be applied when levels fall to 15%. If satiety falls to 0%, HP will begin to decrease!
My stomach growled the moment the notification appeared, and I felt like I was really quite hungry.
Huh. Satiety levels eh?
I quickly opened up the settings and checked the HUD. There it was. The satiety levels. I must have just glossed over it. I added the satiety level to my HUD, and 30% appeared next to my HP bar. It was blinking, indicating that I should eat something.
I quickly retrieved a bread loaf from my inventory and tore into it. It tasted quite bland, but I kept chewing on it, somehow stomaching the tastelessness of the loaf. The number rapidly increased from 30 to 50%, and stopping at 75% when I finished it.
Satiety is quite a terrifying concept. Unless I quickly earn money, I won’t be able to live in game, because death by starvation would be really common.
“Hey there! You’re a user too?”
Suddenly, someone greeted me. Startled, I turned back, quite vigilant.
A boy who looked about as old as me, with long flaming red hair and eyes stood there. But something about him was similar to me.
His pale skin. It was the same as me.
“You picked the Nephilim race too huh?”
He came and plopped down next to me. I was too bewildered by this sudden conversation. He turned to look quizzically at me and waved his hand at my face.
“Lo? You there?”
“Uh? Um yeah”
“Well, I’m Bladester!”
He extended his hand towards me, smiling. I awkwardly shook his hand, still quite surprised at the conversation. I was conversing with a complete stranger! And it felt so real.
He looked expectantly towards me, and I remembered that he was introducing himself.
“Um, I’m Nexus.”
“Nexus huh? You new to Tharos?”
“Yeah.”
“Me too. I joined three days before. What level you at Nexus?”
“Level 1. I joined really recently”
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“Level 1 huh. I’m at 2 now. Didn’t you go hunting?”
“Haha.. I died when I tried it…”
“Hm? Even with the combat mode?”
“I didn’t even know about it…”
“Haha~! Tough luck Nexus.”
Suddenly, I found myself enjoying the talk with him.
“What class are you aiming for ?”
“Hm? I’m going for the Archer class. You know, like Robin Hood and stuff”
He did an impression of shooting an arrow, pulling at the string of an imaginary bow. Heh, Archer class huh?
“Archer? Isn’t it really expensive to become an archer?”
“It is. But it depends on the skills you have. If you choose to level up [Crafting] to at least Intermediate, I could easily make my own arrows. Anyways, arrows go for 1 silver for a 100, so it’s not really that bad.”
“I guess. Classes huh?”
“You didn’t choose one yet?”
“Well, I guess I’d go for something that involves swords and stuff.”
“A warrior class?”
“Warrior seems too bland for me. Something a bit more cool sounding maybe”
He chuckled, and I started to feel embarrassed. Well it’s true anyways. I always felt that the Warrior class was a bit bland.
“Well, everyone have their own preferences I guess.”
The conversation then lapsed into silence, and we just sat there, enjoying the view of the grassy plains spreading out before us.
A few minutes later, Bladester stood up.
“Ah. I got to go now. My party’s calling me! It seems I am needed.”
“See ya”
“Let’s register each other on the friend’s list. “
“Hm? How do I do that?”
“You really don’t know even that ? Dude, you are SO dead.”
“Ahaha. Please don’t say it like that…”
“Well, you just open the Friends list and say ‘Register Friend’ at the person and… Voila!”
A notification appeared before me as soon as he said that.
Bladester wants to register you as a friend. Accept?
YesNo
I tapped on the Yes, and a new window appeared, titled Friend’s list. At the very top, Bladester was present.
“Well then, I’ll contact you if anything interesting comes up!”
“Interesting?”
“Well, we might meet again in the future right? So it’d be useful if I have someone I know.”
He winked and ran away. Huh. So he just makes friends in case he needs help someday.
Speaking of leaving, the little X started blinking right now. The powered down state is almost gone. After about a minute, the X vanished, and I suddenly ‘felt’ myself getting more power. This is just too awesome!
Without waiting anymore, I set out, intent on beating that stupid ball this time around.
As I ran towards the hunting zone, I thought about my strategy to beat them.
Kicking or punching them would do no good since their spikes might pierce my skin and deal major damage to me. I did have a 1% resistance to Piercing, but it might not be enough.
Stabbing was also difficult, since the thing was like rubber. Most of my hits get deflected since I’m not really a great stabber.
Slashing is the only option, but it leaves me wide open for a counter attack. I need to figure out a way to attack it and quickly retreat. It might take me a few tries. This time, I’d win. This time, that ball is gonna die!
I spot my target as it rolls carelessly a few feet away from me.
“Here I come, My XP!!!”
Without pausing, I immediately drew the knife. Before it could escape by bouncing, I prepared to swing the knife.
And then it happened.
Time slowed down.
It was mind blowing. I felt like I was moving super slowly, but my mind was still racing. A red circle appeared below me, and below the ball. A notification alerted me that I was in combat mode, but I ignored it, choosing to fight.
In front of me, holograms of me appeared. Weirdly transparent, they looked like me, standing in various positions.
‘The AI assist is awesome’
I couldn’t help think that as I rotated the knife, holding it with the blade pointing downwards. Just like the holograms indicated, I run through them, almost perfectly superimposing their actions.
I edged closer to the ball who was alerted of my approach. It prepared to jump away. But without pause, I bent down, and swung the knife upwards with all my strength.
The sound of rubber ripping greeted my ears, along with the squeal of my hated enemy. The ball was sent flying like a ripped balloon. Some green goo splattered around from it. The gash on it remained open, and I could see the green mush inside it. It rolled twice and then turned towards me, glaring hatefully.
CRITICAL HIT!!
Your unprecedented slash, accompanied by the dash has dealt major damage!
1. 2X Damage bonus for Surprise attack
2. 2X Damage bonus for a charging attack
Time moved so slowly that I could read the entire message and still roll away from the attempted tackle of the green ball.
I immediately slashed at it again, giving it more damage. This time, I would win.
The ball rolled around once, and then rushed towards me. It jumped at my chest midway.
Without panicking, I immediately followed the instructions of the AI.
Grasping the hilt of the knife with both my hands, I drove the blade through the green ball, shredding it into two. It couldn’t even scream as it shattered into pieces of light. I killed it.
I gasped as I looked towards the HUD. I had exhausted my stamina, and a bit of my HP from the stab just now. The stab wasn't perfect, so I got some damage.
“I… I won..”
For me, it was almost like I won a boss battle.
AUTHOR!!!
Nexus here!
Another chapter done.
If there are any of you wondering (I sure do hope so) I WILL be updating Descendant of the Demon Lord soon. I just need to figure out a few kinks in the current situation, so I'll be updating really soon.
REALLY REALLY SOON!!! Gyahahahaha~!
Nexus out!