I logged in to Tharos an hour after midnight, fully rested. I fell asleep watching the TV, and so I definitely won’t feel sleepy at night. Wait, do I even feel sleepy in game? My lifestyle was slowly becoming nocturnal.
The sight of the cathedral greeted me again as I logged in. This was the default space for respawns as long as I was in the area. The game selected the nearest safe zone as a respawn point. But if you went to a town and then left for an adventure somewhere far off, dying would make you respawn at the same town.
Immediately after logging in, I checked my skill proficiency. 4% in [Sharp eyes] and 1% in [Knife Mastery]. I couldn’t help but sigh at those numbers. After all, I had to fight a lot to get the proficiency to at least this much. I wonder if I’d be able to get at least Intermediate in the skills.
The ball that I had fought before death was apparently in the Berserk state. Because of that, it gained an aggressive characteristic and got a stat bonus. A huge stat bonus. But the disadvantage of Berserk was that after it wore off, the user would be in a severely powered down state. A Berserker class fought using that, and Berserk was their forte. But once they got into battle, they would be in a compulsory Berserk state.
I did some more research on the conditions due to which monsters go berserk. Apparently, sneak attacks had a 25% chance on doing it. Some of the boss monsters went berserk when their HP got to a certain point. And they’d continue to be in the state until they die. Even if you abandon battle and escape. Or, if they recover a certain amount of health they’ll lose the berserk state. An enemy won’t use Berserk twice in a row. It had a certain cool down time.
Today, I decided to do some quests like the delivery quest for Old lady Jennings. I was worried about the fact that Nephilim rarely get quests., but apparently the fact that you’re Nephilim won’t be obvious until you get to a higher level. As the level gets higher, the faint marking on my skin would darken, and my appearance would change- A lot. Until then, I’d just be a pale faced freak.
But there was another thing that surprised me. My XP.
“It dropped by 20%?!?!?”
I couldn’t help but exclaim as I saw it. People turned to look at me, and the newbies who stood around were gazing at me like I was crazy. But some of them had understanding looks on their faces.
A whole 20%?! That was barbaric! It took me a while to get to 70%, and now it dropped back to 50%! No one told me about the XP drop on death!
I immediately pulled up the Friends screen and typed in Dynamix. Min-jae’s character name. He had texted me later about the Friends search system. I waited for about a second before the name Dynamix came under the result. I immediately sent a friend request to him. But it would take a while for him to get it anyways. It was midnight after all.
Dynamix accepted your friend request!
To my surprise, the notification not even a minute after I sent it. He was playing right now. The next second, another notification popped up.
Dynamix wants to whisper to you. Accept?
YesNo
Whisper? What’s that? I pressed Yes, uncertain.
Dynamix : 00:01
Hm? Something like a call huh?
“Yo, Nexus!”
“Just call me Woojin, Min-jae”.
“No! That defeats the purpose of VR. Here, I’m Dynamix, and you’re Nexus! Also, you’re speaking aren’t you?”
“Huh? Of course I am. How else would I—“
“Of course you didn’t know! You only check the Hall of fame after all. Listen, Whisper is used to speak… with our minds! Oooo!”
“Speak with my mind?! That’s crazy!”
“I know right? It’s sick mate! Just try it.”
Apprehensive, I tried it out. I thought what I wanted to say.
“Yup. I can hear you”
“Holy cow! It works!”
“Ah there was a time in which I was surprised by this too. How times pass”
“Yes Yes Old man”
“Hehe. So, what’s up mate? I’m doing a real important quest here, and since my party’s taking a break, I decided to call you since you so graciously requested me to be your friend. Man, you must be desperate.”
“Shut it. Well it’s this, I lost XP when I died!”
“Hm? Yeah, so?”
“Why are you so nonchalant about this?! I lost XP man! The guides didn’t say—“
“You didn’t even read the guide.”
“But the game said it when I died!”
“Ah. Yeah, Zedex included that as a real vexing penalty. There were even cases in which people lost their levels. Apparently, it was meant to surprise people.”
“Some surprise it is.” I said darkly.
“Yeah right. There were several complaints about that on the internet, but no one really cared in the end. After all, the game is amazing!”
We said that in unison, and it was obvious. It was unthinkable to say that this game was boring. There were no words to describe it. No wonder the release took so long. The beta test was a big failure, so everyone where apprehensive about it. There wasn’t any news about it for about an year, and then the finished version came out. It blew every critic’s and beta tester’s minds.
“Anyways, what equips are you using?”
“Hm.. The beginner’s equipment of course.”
“Say what?! Dude, get some weapons. Some actual weapons. Do some errand quests and get some money. At least 3 silvers for an iron sword I think. Buy that and then do some hunting. Jeez, how do you not know this?!”
“Huh. I could do that?”
“Of course you ca—“
The line got silent, and I waited for him to return. The timer was still running, so he’d get back eventually.
“Yeah mate, I gotta go. We’re gonna continue the quest now. And. Get. Some. Weapons.”
“Yes mommy!”
Laughing, he cut the line. The timer froze, and then another window opened. The timer along with Dynamix’s name went on there. A small ‘play’ button popped up on it.
“Recordings huh. Useful.”
Now then, time to do some quests!
I set off, with absolutely no idea how to do a quest. But I did have some experience with RPG’s like this, so I decided to talk with some strangers.
“But first, this”
I scooped up some dirt and rubbed it over me. On my hands, covering the marks with all of it. I also rubbed some of it on my face. Alright. Disguise complete.
Incognito mode!
As a Nephilim, you are extremely conspicuous in public due to your appearance. Since a Nephilim is an outcast, they had to adopt such methods to get some jobs and earn their living.
· Lesser chances of being discovered as Nephilim
· Higher chances for getting quests
Yup. Just like the forum said it.
I had checked the forum yesterday, and it gave this nifty little tip for lower level Nephilim. There were three known methods for higher levels. One, to get some disguises. Two, to get some serious fame so that people won’t hesitate to give you quests. Three, to work up some serious infamy so that people wouldn’t deny you the quest if you asked them nicely.
Obviously I’m gonna go for the high fame one. Working up infamy is easy, but the consequences could get me killed. And I already get killed easily enough as it is.
I wandered through the streets of Sevia, intending to find some nice quests.
“Oi little otherworlder! Can you do me a favour?”
I turned to the familiar call, happy.
But to my disappointment, it was some other user. He grinned at me as he passed by. Damn you!
I watched as the copper haired NPC gave that user a quest. I almost wanted to cry as I saw it. It was this easy to get a quest?
The NPC noticed me as he turned around. His eyes widened, and then were filled with anger.
“You filth! Get out of our city!”
I ran away before he picked up the rock. Wasn’t this city supposed to be not very hostile to me? Damn, the game gave way too many advantages to the pure breed races.
I counted the amount of money I had. 1 silver and 5 coppers. I lost 5 of them when I died the second time. And I was low on bread. Deciding my path, I went to the shop.
After asking around some, I found the shop. Surprisingly, the people I spoke to didn’t seem that bothered by me. Maybe that guy who gave the quest was special? It might be that he has some ability.
I kept using [Sharp Eyes] and finally got the proficiency to 6%. This time, I won’t lose it. Nope! Death shall not have its grasp on me anymore!
If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.
I entered the shop, a bell ringing as I pushed on the door. A ginger haired man raised his head as I walked in, his chubby cheeks shaking slightly.
“Boy, where you diving in the desert or something?” he said wryly, running his eyes over my dirt covered hands.
I immediately cut to the chase, since there’s a chance that he’d find out that I’m a Nephilim if I stayed for too long. “ I need ten pieces of bread. How much is it?”
He seemed a bit shocked at my abrupt request, but quickly regained composure. I could faintly hear him mumbling about ‘not asking too many questions’. I couldn’t help but smile at that. “It’ll be 2 coppers kid.”
So cheap?! I quickly opened the Help and checked the currency. A 100 coppers is a silver. That means I could buy almost 500 bread loaves! I’d never have to starve! Then I remembered that it’d only get more expensive, with me needing to buy equipment, manage it and other consumables that I’d need. I need money.
I tossed 2 coppers at him. He caught it, and looked at me with disapproval. Sorry, but I can’t get too close. But being the professional he is, he tossed the bread at me, sighing.
I fidgeted a bit while I stood there, unsure of whether to ask him. Getting chased out wouldn’t be good for me mentally. “Um, do you have... any jobs you need done?”
His eyes widened, and then he chuckled. He thought for a while and then asked “Can you bring some stuff for me?” I nodded eagerly and he looked me over once more. “I need you to buy some flour from the Baker and then bring it back to me. Can you do it?”
The Flour for Bread Shopkeeper Mapar needs you to buy some flour for him from the Baker’s.Difficulty levelFQuest requirements· Buy the flour from the Baker’s
· Deliver it to MaparRewardsUnknownOBTAINED: 50 coppersWARNING: STEALING THE MONEY FROM MAPAR WILL RESULT IN QUEST FAILURE AND HOSTILITY
“I’ll do it!”
QUEST: THE FLOUR FOR BREAD accepted!
He nodded happily and then went back to writing something under the desk. I left the store, happy that I got the quest. I need to quickly finish quests, get some money, and then buy some good weapons. And then I’ll go and kill those balls. Level ups, here I come!
QUEST COMPLETEBy collecting the Ripsin herbs and delivering them to the herbalist, you have ensured that the shopkeeper Mapar gets a steady supply of potions.
Yeah! Finally, I got 5 silvers!
I had to do about 4 delivery quests, 3 purchase quests, and 6 monster killing quests. Some of the quests that the herbalist’s gave involved killing the green balls and bringing their parts, so I occasionally had to kill some of them. The experience was much needed, so I gladly did it. Thanks to it, I successfully reached level 2. And a bit more, thanks to the quests that I did. I was a step away from level 3. But it took me a whole day to finish it. So my pace was much slower.
I stared lovingly at the shiny coins in my hand. It’s too much of a shame that I’d lose them soon enough. But it’s okay.
Thanks to the extensive number of quests I did for the baker, the shopkeeper and the herbalist gave me some pretty sweet discounts from all of them. I could sell stuff to the herbalist for a price 2% higher than the market price, and she’d sell it to me for a 5% discount.
“Say boy.” The shopkeeper Mapar said. He was the one who started this rapid quest round. If it hadn’t been for him...
“I heard some interesting stuff the other day. That.. you’re a Nephilm. Is that true?” Mapar questioned, his eyes locking on to my face.
Lying would be bad here. I took a deep breath, and told him the truth “Yes sir. I’m in fact a Nephilim. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you before”
Mapar stared at me for quite a while, and then to my surprise, burst out laughing.”Gyahahahahahaha! You’re quite the child! I just guessed it, and you confessed? You really need to be a better liar child.”
I nervously laughed, quite bewildered by his reaction. That wasn’t so ba—
“That said, Get out of my shop you filth” he grunted, venomous hate in his eyes.
--d. Huh. Guess I was wrong. I was just about to turn and leave when-
“That’s how you lie m’boy! I’ll tell you the truth. I was quite angry that you lied to me. But you know, you were really helpful to me, so I didn’t feel so angry any more. Don’t worry m’boy. I won’t forsake you now.”
I just couldn’t express my gratitude to this person! He was just like an angel! A fat, chubby one, but still an angel!
“I told Yonbe and Kiosa about it, and they didn’t mind it too. In fact, we all pitched in and bought you this, since you were so helpful. Here you go kid. Take it as thanks for all the time you helped me.”
I received the clothing he was holding out.
· Received: Grey hood
· Received: Bandage rollX2
· Received: Fox Mask
I opened the item descriptions from my inventory.
Gray hood Item type:Apparel for the HeadDurability:10 /10Quality:AverageA gray hood designed to hide your identity. It covers your face so well that people would be hard pressed to recognise you.
·
Stealth +15%
·
Friendliness +20% (Nephilim only)
Bandage roll Item type:MedicinalDurability:5/ 5Quality:AverageA roll of bandage that can be used to dress wounds and stop bleeding.
·
Bleeding -50%
Fox Mask Item type:Apparel for the faceDurability:7/7Quality:AverageA mask used by festival goers. It can be used to make you more approachable and hide your identity.
·
Stealth +35%
·
Friendliness +20%
Whoa! Sweet! A 50% increase in stealth AND a 40% increase in Friendliness! Yay!
“You know what to do with the mask and the hood. Use them bandages to cover up your arm boy. Just come to me if you need more. I’ll sell them for a discount” He winked, saying that.“Of course, you’ll have to pay me for that stuff. A trader never likes to lose much”
“I was planning to! How much?”
“It cost us about 5 silvers...” he trailed off. My heart fell at that. “ But since it’s supposed to be a gift, You can pay for it later. Consider it a loan.” He said. My happiness was through the roof! I even thought of giving him an extra 5, but remembering my financial state, I refrained from it.
I immediately equipped the hood and the mask. The mask looked like that of a fox, with slanting eyes on its face and a couple red lines on it. I then took the linen bandages and tied them around my arms.
INCOGNITO MODE!
With your perfect disguise, people would be hard pressed to recognise you as Nephilim
· Friendliness with NPC’s +50%
· Guard’s suspicion +20%
WARNING: Adults would be suspicious of you at first Depending on your further behaviour, friendliness may rise OR fall.
Huh. Obviously, guards would get suspicious about a hooded masked man. An extra 10% friendliness? Must be because of the bandages.
I thanked Mapar, and he waved cheerfully at me. I left the shop, feeling reborn.
“Mommy, there’s a funny looking person!”
“Don’t look at him Johnny. Just keep walking”
Haha~.... Well, at least it’s better than being called filth. I looked towards the boy and the mom. The boy smiled at me as I looked at him. I raised my hand towards him, and he did the same.
Woah... If I didn’t know this was a game, I’d have believed that that kid was as genuine as the ones in the real world.
“Hell, for all I know, the ones in the real world are also simulations.”
5 silvers. This is my fortune now. First, some weapons!
“To the Weapon’s shop!”
YES!! FINALLY DONE!! The tables were sooooo troublesome. I had to recheck it again and again and again and again. Only to find that there's another mistake. In the end I just changed the entire thing... Enjoy~!