Proffreader: Pkid15
Author's note: PR-ing is DONE! Thank you thank you so much Pkid15! I can't thank you enough! Your suggestions and corrections really helped me a lot and i myself think that the story is better now. I apologize for my bad grammar and repetitive phrases and sentences because I only have a limited vocabulary. I am hoping to work with you again.
Again Thank you Pkid! :)
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After eating his lunch, he sat in front of his computer and began browsing the Royal Road forums for information about what classes might be good for him considering the thought that he needs a class that can let him survive on his own. He started in a city full of non-player characters (NPC’s) and not a sign of players like him. In short, he started in a city hidden from the world for many years where all he can do is to rely on himself and all the help he can get from the people of the city itself.. So deciding on a class that makes the most of his race, the Cat people, is the best thing he should focus right now to make the most of his 4-weeks inside the city.
Mew posted a topic in the forums asking for suggestions regarding classes. Of course Mew didn’t reveal his race because he knows that if he did, people would make a big deal out of it. Mew is aware that there are races that are yet to be unlocked. Maybe because he was really lucky that he get to choose a race he wanted without any restrictions compared to other players who only have 4 choices. Though in the back of his mind, Mew felt a little guilty because he thought that it’s unfair to the other players. But luck is also a part of the game so he stopped stressing about it.
After a little while, suggestions and comments started piling up. Royal Road forum is filled with players like Mew trying to find information, some trying to sell their loots, and there are also players who sell their own characters.
Mew was thankful because there are many players who quickly replied to his post. A lot of suggestions were given and he learned many things from them.
After an hour of reading and replying in the forum, he decided to return to the game. He still has a quest to finish and an errand at that so Mew turned off his computer and boarded his capsule.
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Connect to Royal Road?
Yes / No
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“Yes please.”
@@@
Mew opened his eyes, lifted his body up from bed and look outside the window.
It was already morning.
He checked the time and saw that it’s past 10 in the morning.
“W-What the-! I’m late already!”
Mew rushed to the store and saw Lucia. Lucia gave him the room closest to the counter so it only took him a minute or so to get into the counter.
“Good morning ma’am! I’m really sorry I overslept!”
“It can’t be help, right? I know you were up last night reading the books you borrowed. So instead of wasting time there apologizing, why don’t you go gather the herbs I told you about yesterday, no?”, Lucia said with a warm smile.
“Yes ma’am, I’m on it!”
Mew then brought out the basket Lucia gave him earlier and scurried out as soon as he took it.
He didn’t want to be called a slacker just because he overslept and came late to work so Mew wanted to finish the errand as soon as possible. He refilled his canteen in the nearby well and headed to his destination.
While Mew heads to the south gate, he remembered something very important. Aside from the limited things he can do for 4-weeks in the city, he completely forgot about not being able to get outside of town for that same duration. He was too busy accepting quests and errands that it didn’t get to him, that the errand he got required him to get out of town.
Mew has this habit of being too immersed in to something that interests him like the statue in the center of town, and in the books he reads. He was too immersed in the fact that he'll be learning how to create potions that easily that he didn't payed attention to the details Lucia gave him.
“T-This is the worst! How will I finish this errand if I can’t get outside?!”
Mew was confused and he wanted to go back in the shop and tell Lucia about it.
But he was already near to the gates. Mew asked Shun if there are other places he can get herbs inside of town but Shun told him that there are no other places beside from the place Lucia told them.
There are guards all over the south gate and there he saw a familiar cat figure. It was the guard Roupert. The quest he got from him is still ongoing so maybe Mew can ask Roupert if he can let him go outside the town. Even if the chance of him going out is zero due to the 4-week restriction for the beginners.
Mew called out to the guard Roupert.
“Hi there, Sir Roupert!”
“Oh? Back so soon-nya? Don’t tell me you’re done investigating-nya?”
“Not yet sir. Though I found an important piece of information regarding the matter, but I still have a lot to investigate about.”
“I see-nya. How is it going with mage Lucia?”
“About that sir, she gave me an errand to do and in return she’ll tell me all she knows about the matter and I really needed your help about this.”
“My help-nya? Okay, tell me about it and I’ll do what I can-nya.”
Mew told him about the errand Lucia gave and that he needs to get out of town and get some herbs. But Roupert shown a confused expression.
“If you mean help killing monsters, I can’t help you. I can’t leave my post here-nya”
“No sir, I didn’t mean that. I was talking about you helping me go outside to get the herbs I need to finish the errand.”
“Haha! Help you go outside? Can’t you just go outside of the gate-nya? No one’s stopping you-nya.”
Mew was also confused for a moment. He knows that beginners were not allowed to go out of town for atleast 4-weeks of game time.
“Isn’t there a 4-week restriction for beginners where they aren’t allowed to go outside of town?”
“4-week what-nya? I don’t know what you are talking about. If you want to go out-nya, just go. But be careful if you’re out there-nya, we can’t protect you if you are outside of our walls.”
Mew realized that the guards aren’t aware of the 4-week ban at all. He tried walking past them but no one stopped him.
‘That confirms it. The fact that I can’t see any players other than me here means that implementing such rule is useless on its own terms! Or is it because that this city is not yet unlocked is that why there’s no need to implement such rules?’
“Shun, do you know why the NPC’s knew nothing about the 4-week restriction for new players?”
“Negative. My database only contains basic information about the game. Information about the rules set in this city is strictly under the control of the main system, thus I don’t have the proper access to them.”
“I see. Then it’s useless to worry about it now. Let's set aside this for now and do what we came here to do. But before that, I should check those rewards I got from the tutorial. I need to wear some armor before going in the woods, who knows what kind of monsters I’ll run into.”
Mew remembered the rewards, or the starting equipment that he got after completing the tutorial. He knows that going outside of town needs proper preparation as to why he opened his inventory and checked his equipments one by one. To prepare for unexpected battles, he needs some protection or armor to at least boost his chances in survival in case such a thing happen.
“Inventory!”
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Basic Training Dagger (Grade A)
Durability: 15/15
Attack Damage: 9-14
A durable training dagger made for beginners to aid them in combat.
Can only be obtained after completing the basic tutorial.
Grants reasonable bonuses.
Requirements:
None.
Options:
+2 to Agility
+1 to all stats
+5% bonus damage when dealing to monsters with the same level.
Basic Training Leather Top (Grade A)
Durability: 15/15
Defense: 6
A durable training top made for beginners to protect them from monsters attacks.
Can only be obtained after completing the basic tutorial.
Grants reasonable bonuses.
Options:
+2% damage reduction from monsters attacks with the same level.
Basic Training Leather Trousers (Grade A)
Durability: 12/12
Defense: 4
A durable training top made for beginners to protect them from monsters attacks.
Can only be obtained after completing the basic tutorial.
Basic Training Leather Gloves (Grade A)
Durability: 10/10
Defense: 3
A durable training top made for beginners to protect them from monsters attacks.
Can only be obtained after completing the basic tutorial.
Basic Training Leather Boots (Grade A)
Durability: 10/10
Defense: 2
A durable training top made for beginners to protect them from monsters attacks.
Can only be obtained after completing the basic tutorial.
Set Bonus :
3-set bonus: additional 5% bonus damage when dealing to monsters with the same level.
4-set bonus: additional 5% damage reduction from monsters attacks with the same level.
5-set bonus: +1 to all stats
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“This is so cool! There are set effects too!”
Mew was a little thrilled when he saw such good items because he knew that having these equipment will give him a big boosts in his hunt. He doesn’t have any experiences in battle yet so right now, he can only rely on good weapons and armors to help him survive.
Mew immediately wore them and checked his stats for the first time.
“Status Window!”
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Status WindowAvatar:MewAlignment:NeutralLevel:1Class:NoneRace:Cat PeopleGender:MaleTitle:NoneFame:0Infamy:0-Health:110/ 110Health Regen:0.24/ SecMana:140 / 140Mana Regen:0.26 / SecStamina:91/ 100Stamina Regen:0.05/ Sec-Strength:10 (+2)Agility:15 (+4)Vitality:10 (+2)Inteligence:12 (+2)Wisdom:12 (+2)Leadership:0Luck:0 (+2)Evasion:0.76%Offense:12Defense:16Physical ResistanceSlashing:0%Piercing:0%Crushing:0%Magical ResistanceFire:0%Water:0%Wind:0%Earth:0%Light:0%Darkness:0%
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He saw that he gained some reasonable bonus stats thanks to the set-effects the beginner equipment gave. Mew knows that every point in each stat that he can get counts, be it by wearing good equipment, doing quests, errands, or even training. If he didn’t took the tutorial and learned the basics, who knows where in the streets of the city he’ll end up to.
“I hope these stats are enough for now. Yosh! I’m ready.”
Shun led the way as Mew headed west from the south gate. After almost half an hour of walking, he saw a big forest not that far ahead.
The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.
“I have a bad feeling about this…”
Mew was worried that he’ll run into something. He know nothing about combat so he knows that if a monster of any kind will appear in front of him, he will have trouble fending for himself or so he thought.
He stopped in front of the forest entrance and took a deep breath…
Inhale…
Exhale…
He repeated the same action five times to ease the tension he’s feeling. A tension normally experienced by new players in a virtual reality environment. After a little while, his tension eased.
Mew took out a dagger, his left arm is carrying the basket Lucia gave him while the other arm held a dagger. He’s not that tensed as before but he’s really cautious of his surroundings.
“Let’s go Shun!”
He followed where Shun is leading him. While looking around, Mew saw that the trees in this forest are unusually big compared to the normal trees you can see in reality. They have wide trunks with its branches covered by thick leaves that roughly blocked the sun’s rays creating a beautiful gleaming effect. It gives a calm feeling that soothes the body. And on top of their roots are flowers and herbs of different kinds and color.
Mew thought that this forest isn’t that bad after all. Rather it’s beautiful and peaceful, it didn’t seem that scary as he thought it would be. He only needs to get the herbs he was task to in the center of the forest. But something came in contact in Shun’s radar.
“Mew. I have spotted hostile objects 90-meters ahead and another one at 150-meters ahead. Should we continue or not?”
Mew expected it to happen but not this soon.
“Are there any other routes we can take?”
“Negative.”
“Okay then we can't do anything about it, I'll try fending of myself for now...”
Mew tried to look cynical before facing his first battle to at least intimidate his opponent a little.
50 meters, 40, 30…
20 meters till contact. Mew saw a figure of an animal colored in gray.
“Shun can you give me information about that thing?”
“Wild Boar; Status: Hostile; Estimated level is 3.”
“Can I defeat that thing?”
“Positive. Considering the equipments you have, 60% chance of success.”
“Okay!”
Mew approached the boar slowly.
The boar noticed him and showed an angry expression, heavy breath blowing out from its nose, it charged at Mew like a bull.
Mew, didn’t know how to use a dagger, attacked the same time as the boar did its charge.
The boar’s attack is very straightforward. Mew easily read this and tried to dodge its first attack but his timing was off and the boar grazed him a little.
You received 8 damage!
The boar attacked again and Mew dodged it better than before.
You received 5 damage!
You received 4 damage!
He took less damage but Mew realized that he's the only one taking damage and the boar haven't taken a single point of damage yet.
'Tsk! If this drags on, I'll be in big trouble...', Mew thought that dying here won't benefit him, worse he'll lose stats and have to miss 24 hours of playing. He definitely can't afford to lose opportunities of getting more quests and stats because of death penalties.
The boar was more pissed than ever and one more time, charged straight to Mew.
Mew dodged roughly and took considerable damage but he landed a hit! He stabbed the boar’s back while dodging its attack.
You inflicted 10 damage!
“HA! Take that stupid pig!”
Mew can’t control his feelings and let out an insult. It’s the first time he used a weapon to attack something and though he thought that it didn’t felt really good but still treated it as one of his best moments in playing Royal Road and as a beginner in VRMMORPGs.
-Skill acquired due to action!
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Skill: Stab
-Stabbing can inflict considerable damage to enemies.
-Skill can be used with all types of piercing weapons.
5% additional damage to attacks.
Inflicts bleeding status.
Percentage increases as skill levels.
Number of strikes increases as skill levels.
Uses 5 points of mana per use.
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He used the skill he just learned and attacking became more easier for him. He became used to the attack pattern of the boar, and took few hits from it, but landed 3 more hits in return.
You inflicted 10 damage!
Bleeding status applied.
You received 9 damage!
You inflicted 11 damage!
You inflicted 10 damage!
After almost 15 minutes of dodging and attacking, he cut a big wound in its stomach that led to its death.
Stab proficiency increased.
Skill acquired due to action!
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Skill: Gash
-a basic skill for cutting and wounding enemies.
-Skill can be used with all types of sharp weapons.
5% additional damage to attacks.
Ignores 1% percent of the enemy’s armor.
Percentage increases as the skill levels.
Uses 5 points of mana per use.
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“Lucky! New skills keep popping out!”
The boar dropped some meat and copper. Mew picked it up, and went to the next enemy. It’s another boar but this time he’s the one who charged first.
“Gash!”
He rushed forward adding more power to his skill.
You inflicted 13 damage!
Mew moved faster than before and dodged most of the attacks of the boar. He used both his stab and gash skills sparingly because it consumes MP fast.
"Stab!"
[You received 6 damage!]
You inflicted 11 damage.
Bleeding status applied.
"Gash!"
[You dealt a Fatal blow!]
The battle became shorter than the previous one and lasted for less than 10 minutes because of his new found skills that helped him a lot.
You have level up by 1!
[Stab proficiency level up by 1!]
[Gash proficiency increased!]
VIT increased by 1 point.
STR increased by 1 point.
AGI increased by 1 point.
Stamina increased by 1.
“Phew! Finally, a level!”, happy of the slight progress that he made, Mew decided to do the errand first and distribute his stats later.
[Stamina dropped below 50%.]
[Satiety dropped below 40%.]
Mew rested for awhile to recover his stamina and to catch his breath. He ate a bit of his bread and drank water from his canteen to fill his hunger. Having a battle for the first time took a lot of his energy. He didn’t thought that killing such monsters is a lot harder and a lot complicated.
Mew realized that without any fighting skills in real life makes your life in virtual environment much harder. It is advisable that before entering such a game, you need to at least learn some self-defense skills to give you a higher chance of survivability in-game. But it is up to the player as to what kind of gameplay he/she wants to experience and it also depends as to what kind of play style that player is good at.
After resting for half an hour, he saw that his stamina is almost in its full recovery so he started to walk again. The same as before, Shun led the way. He didn’t encounter any more enemies and finally reached his destination.
A spell bounded Mew walked into the center of the forest. Flowers and herbs of all colors shined in perfect harmony under the gentle sunlight. The sounds of nature mingled in his ears, the sweet smell of flowers and herbs carried by fresh air lured him, and the sound of all animals, dwelling in this perfection. A cooling breeze swept into the clearing, swaying the flowers in such a way, that they were dancing. Its beauty was breathtaking to all those who saw, such a peaceful scenery, such that it made Mew’s heart tingle in excitement. This was the heart and the glory of the forest, the forest of Ardeni.
Mew savored the spectacle for a while.
He thought that maybe it would be good if he can bring someone special the next time he comes back to this place.
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You have witnessed and appreciated a beautiful scenery created by nature herself. It refreshes the art the soul possesses.
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[Art Stat Generated.]
[Art increased permanently by 5.]
“Art Stat?”, he was a little startled by the notification window that appeared in front of him.
“Show Art Stat details!”
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Stat: Art
Art is everywhere. It is a creation that is meant to touch one’s feelings and senses. Art may appear in many form, be it in a form of a drawing, painting, statue or any representation that portray reality. Art also may not portray reality but the artist’s imagination.
Affects products elegance in an aesthetic and practical sense.
Can be raised by seeing, feeling, smelling, tasting, and touching beautiful things, or by creating works of art.
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“Oh, so such stats exists. But I don’t know how to actually use this stat so I’ll leave it for now.”
After savoring the scenery in front of him, he started gathering the herbs that he needs for his training. He checked the list and gathered the amount needed and put it in the basket.
He grabbed some for himself and put it in his inventory. He wants to practice more on creating potions, so he needed some for himself. He only read a vague amount of information about the types of herbs in Lucia’s books, and he doesn’t have any way of examining the herbs yet.
Finally, the basket is now filled with herbs. Mew checked his list again.
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List of Herbs
25 Red Herbs
10 White Herbs
25 Yellow Herbs
25 Green Herbs
25 Purple Herbs
25 Blue Herbs
15 Orange Herbs
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“That’s all we need. Let’s head back, Shun.”
Mew gathered at least 50 of each herb for himself. Herbs are light so it didn’t affect his mobility. It took him almost 3 hours to gather that many, and his stamina dropped below 40%, so he drank the water from his canteen which he refilled back in Lucia’s store to replenish his thirst. He didn’t know gathering herbs would be so tiring so he decided to head back for now and come back later if he needed more.
They traced their way back, and after an hour and a half of walking they reached the south gate without encountering any monsters.
Mew entered the gate but he didn’t saw Guard Roupert this time.
‘Maybe he was assigned somewhere else.’
“Tsk! I need to get back to the shop. I spent so much time in the forest and it’s already late in here.”
He spent more or less, 6 hours including the short travel, the time he spent gathering those herbs, the battle, and the short breaks he took. He arrived in the south gate around 5:00 PM and rushed back to Lucia’s shop.
He entered the shop and saw a familiar figure standing in front of the counter, the same figure he met earlier…
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Thank you for reading!