Chapter 2
Phantom Revival.
Jefferson takes off the headset. In Alter Gaia when you die your level and skill proficiency will reduce. Level reduce by 1 and skill proficiency vary from 5% - 35%.
‘Shit, I can’t imagine that I die from dog. Is there any way to improve my survival rate in the game?’
It’s already 8 in the morning. It’s time for Jefferson go to work at his office. His normal working hours are from 8.30am – 5pm. He goes to work with a sad and frustration mood. He was wondering on how he can improve his survival rate.
1pm and its lunch time for salaryman such as Jefferson. They have 1 hour break during their work time for lunch. Jefferson makes use this 1 hour time to eat and figure how to improve his battle skill to improve his survival rate in Alter Gaia. While he was sitting at the table and eat his mix rice his eye wandered around the surrounding and saw and advertisement about a ‘kenjutsu’ class.
‘Hyoho Niten Ichi-ryu’, a Japanese style sword class where people from nearby practice and learn Japanese sword style. The owner, Miyamoto Kengo is said to be the 1 and only successor of Miyamoto sword style which utilize dual katana, an ‘odachi’ and ‘kodachi’.
After work that day he goes to ‘Hyoho Niten Ichi-ryu’ to register for their class. It turn out that the school is in between his office and house. The school is not too big. It’s approximately 200m2, single story building with some room inside for toilet, bath, locker and office. Training area make up to 150m2.
As Jefferson enter the office to register he was greet by a beautiful receptionist. The receptionist had a fair and white skin, silky long black hair, and a slender body builds. She wore some office skirt.
“Hi, my name is Kate. How may I help you?”
“My name is Jefferson and I would like to register for some class. How much does it cost per month?”
“The cost would be RM250 per month. Classes are available every day. You can choose the day you want to attend. The lesson will depend on your mastery of our technique and skill. There are 2 classes you can choose from, ‘Kenjutsu’ or ‘Bojutsu’.’Kenjutsu’ teach student about ‘Kodachi and ‘Odachi while ‘Bojutsu’ teach student the usage of ‘Bo’ (Staff). You can choose 1 or 2 with no extra charge.”
“Wow. That sounds good to me. I would like to register for all the class but can I choose which 1 to begin with?”
“Sure you can. Please fill up this form and the payment for 3 month worth of fee up front.”
Jefferson toke the form and read it before filling it. Term and condition is a crucial part of any form or contract since after you sign you approve anything is written there. Since the fees is cheap and sound unreasonable, Jefferson took extra caution on that part.
‘Seem like everything is fine in this form but why is the cheap cost for so many classes?’
“Here you go. I have fill up everything and RM750 for 3 month.” Jefferson hand the form back to Kate.
“Thank you and congratulation. You are official a student of ‘Hyoho Niten Ichi-ryu’. Which art you would like to start from?”
‘Since the beginner knife is just like a ‘kodachi’, I will start with it then.’
“I would like to learn ‘Kodachi’ 1st and may I ask why is the cheap fee is charge for such a good offer for the class?”
“Well our school is established to let the ‘Hyoho Niten Ichi-ryu’ live on. The fee is just to cover the bills and rental of locker. This whole building is owned by our Master.”
“I see. Sorry for the question.”
“It’s ok. Most people tend to misunderstood us but not you. When are you planning to start the class?”
“Is it ok for me to start today?”
“Sure. May I know what size do you wear?”
“M”
“Here, take this uniform and change at the locker room. After you change into your uniform please gather with everyone else at the training room.”
Kate hand the uniform to Jefferson.
***
Jefferson gathers at the training room with other student. He is surprise to see Kate in the training room as well. A Japanese looking guy walk in the room and everyone greet him.
“Good evening Sensei.”
“Good evening everyone.”
The Japanese guy is Miyamoto Kengo, the Master of ‘Hyoho Niten Ichi-ryu’. He is in his 40’s and has a strong body build but not too muscular. He has a long face with black hairs, around 6’’ tall and holding a ‘Shinai’.
“Separate into your own respective class. Instructor please assists those who are new here.”
As soon as Kengo finish his word, the entire students move to their own respective classes.
‘Where do I belong to? They don’t have any sign to differ 1 class to another’
Suddenly Jefferson feels his hand is pull by someone. He looks back and saw Kate holding his hand.
“’Kodachi’ class is over here. Follow me”
Jefferson blushes and follows Kate still holding his hand. They go to a group consist of 5 peoples.
“This is the ‘Kodachi’ group. We are the least member group around. Most students will go to ‘Odachi or ‘Bo’ classes.”
“Why is that?”
“’Kodachi’ range is shorter than ‘Bo’ and ‘Odachi’. Destructive power wise also lower than the latter 2.”
“Look like we have a new student today. Come here newbie. Introduce yourself to everyone”
A man in his late 30’s suddenly speaks. Look like he is the instructor for ‘Kodachi’ class. His height is around 5’’ 4’, had a normal body build and short hair. He has a scar on the left side of his cheek.
Jefferson walks toward the instructor and stand straight. He is nervous in front of his seniors.
“Good evening all. My name is Jefferson and this is my 1st time here. I stay nearby and decided to learn some form of martial art.”
“Good. From today onward we will call you Jeff. I’m Shino, Yamaguchi Shino. I’m the instructor for ‘Kodachi’ class. From the left is Kate, Kim, Greg and Hon. Kate is the 1 who been here for the longest.”
“Look like you will be my ‘kohai’ from now on”
“Hi. I’m Kim. I’m the youngest here. Hope you will have fun here.”
Kim is the short girl with pony tail. She has blonde hair, blue eye and brown skin. Might be mix between Asian and Westerner.
“Greg here”
A cold looking guy with a shoulder length hair, thin and have a sharp eye.
“Yo man. I’m Hon. If you are free later let have a drink together bro.”
Hon is around 4’’7’, with a porcupine like hair, sharp face and big ears.
“All right class. Introduction is over. Let us start the class now”
“Yes Sir!”
“Kate, you will take care of Jeff during his time here. Teach him about the basic of ‘Kodachi’.”
“Yes Sir!”
Kate and Jefferson separate from the group so that Kate can teach Jefferson individually. Jefferson can feel the glaring from other student piercing through his body.
“Why do you want to learn ‘Kodachi’?”
‘I don’t think there is a reason not to tell her’
“I was playing a game call Alter Gaia and I don’t have any experience on how to handle a weapon.”
“I see. I don’t see any bad intend on you. Let me introduce ‘Kodachi’ to you 1st”
“Sure senpai. Please enlighten me.”
“A ‘Kodachi’ is makes up from 2 Japanese words, ‘Ko’ and ‘Tachi’ which translate to ‘small’ and ‘sword’ literally. So ‘Kodachi’ mean small sword, it is one of the traditional make Japanese sword with a length shorter than 60cm. That reminds me. If you are playing game why do you learn ‘Kodachi’ instead of ‘Odachi’?”
“I get a beginner knife when I start the game. Let us continue with the lesson.”
“Sure. A ‘Kodachi’ although inferior in term of destructive power and range is short, it have flexibility to cover for the weaknesses. You can hold a ‘Kodachi’ various way. Here have a look.”
Kate does a demo on how to hold and how to use a ‘Kodachi’ using a wooden ‘Kodachi’. She looks so beautiful in those swift movements. The ‘Kodachi can hold in a normal way upward or downward, stab or slash as well as throw.
“This is how you use a ‘Kodachi’. Those are my own movement and you can create and refine your own here in this school. We teach the basic of the weapon and help you refine your own form on how to use it.”
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“I see.”
“Let us practice then”
They practice with each other for 2 hours. Jefferson was overcome by Kate every time they spar. Well that what to be expected since this is the 1st day Jefferson attend the class while Kate been here for years.
After the practice Jefferson looks for instructor Shino. Shino can be found in his office whenever there is no class going on. Jefferson knocks the door.
“Come in”
“Sensei, may I have a word with you?”
“Sure Jeff. Come and have a seat. What you want to talk with me about?”
“Can I know how to fight with stronger opponent? To tell the truth I was playing some VR game calls Alter Gaia and was defeated by a mere dog.”
“I see. In my young day there is no such thing as VR game but I defeated some dog then as well. Dog will always try to pinned you down and bite your throat. Another side note, try to be as calm as possible. It will help you focus on the attack and find weakness in their attack.”
“Thank you very much sensei. I really appreciate your advice.”
“No worries but promise me this. Tell me the outcome when you come next time.”
“Sure. I will take my leave then. Once again thank you very much.”
Jefferson goes out from the room and head straight home.
***
It was 8pm when Jefferson reached his home. He cooked some rice and fried an egg for dinner. After dinner he took a bath and went straight to his bed and put on his VR headset and log in to Alter Gaia.
In alter Gaia 2 days has pass after Phantom death at the hand of dog. He wakes up at Brokkr Village entrance. He checks his status and realizes his level drop by 1 and the stat he add during level 3 also reduce. His new stat is now.
Phantom
Level 2
HP 200
SP 50
Stamina 200/200
Hunger 100%
Fame 1500
Job: None
Title: None
Stat
Atk 9 Def 3
Accuracy 12.25 Evasion 8
Str 20 Vit 10
Agi 10 Int 5
Dex 35 Luck 900
Stat Point 0
EXP 50%
‘Now let retrain some level and skill proficiency’
Phantom once again head north and kill any rabbit and raccoon in sight. He did not forget to use Observe before the start of any battle so that he can increase the proficiency of the skill. When he reach the place where he fought the dog and die he already level 4.
He has a new strategy this time. He manages to catch a rabbit before he reach here. Phantom throws the rabbit toward the dog and watches as the dog catch the rabbit. He observe on how the dog attack, move and how he deal the final blow to the rabbit.
After all the observation, he attacks the dog and deals a critical blow to it.
-Critical DMG deal. Dog HP-35
After the 1st blow he slashes the dog leg so that it won’t be as fast as before. Phantom also stabs the dog eye to lower its accuracy. Now he can easily evade all the attack since the attack become slow and not as accurate as before.
After a few successful attacks on the dog stomach the dog die. As the dog lay death on the ground, Phantom grind.
‘Revenge at last. Now I feel more confident on hunting.’
Phantom start to skinned the dog for it meat and bone as well as it hide and fang. After he put all the loot into his bag he starts to grind the dog for more experience. As he kills the dog 1 by 1 he unintentionally laughs like a mad man. He feels good since he can take revenge on the dogs.
Like a mad man he killed any dog on sight. Now the dog will run away when they see Phantom nearby just to avoid being killed.
Suddenly a pitch black dog appears in front of him. It’s bigger than the other dog and have a small horn at it forehead. It also has a pointy sharp tail, sharp claw and longer fans. It eye glow blood red and have some kind of black aura surround it. There is a necklace around its neck with black gem.
Phantom use his Observe to look into the black dog information.
Monster Information
Mini Boss
Name: FerPitch'e Hound
HP: 1500/1500
SP: 500/500
Leader of the dog around this area. It’s constantly in a state of violent. It will attack anything that approaches it.
‘Good timing.’
Phantom was looking for an opponent to test his new strategy. He realize when he focus his mind he can predict opponent incoming attack. Although not always right but it will helpful in battle. He dash toward FerPitch'e Hound to get a preemptive strike on it.
-Preemptive strike. FerPitch'e Hound HP-50
It’s a good start for Phantom. Phantom continues to attack from various angles. He uses the same strategy that he uses to deal with the dog. He aims for the legs 1st to lower FerPitch'e Hound speed. However this time he was mistaken as FerPitch'e Hound hide is much sturdier than a normal dog hide. He only manages to graze it and the wound is not deep enough to lower FerPitch'e Hound speed.
Unlike before, this time he was calm. He calmly analyzes the situation while dodging the incoming attack from FerPitch'e Hound.
‘The wound is not deep enough to lower the speed. Maybe I need something else to secure my victory.’
Suddenly a few drop of blood splash at his face. FerPitch'e Hound blood to be exact. I flew from it leg. While the wound is not deep enough but it still done enough damage to allow FerPitch'e Hound to bleed.
‘Maybe I can use the blood to lower his sight’
Phantom stab FerPitch'e Hound near it eye. He keeps on slashing until there is a light wound and blood started to bleed out from it. As he predict the blood slip into FerPitch'e Hound eye and make it lose it sight of a while. Phantom use this chance and dash below FerPitch'e Hound belly and stab as strong as he could.
Right before the attack connected FerPitch'e Hound tails thrust from behind and stab Phantom at his hand. Phantom hand got a hole from the attack. His HP also lowered by half. As the tails is still connected with Phantom hand, he uses this opportunity to cut off the tail tip.
FerPitch'e Hound HP now lower than 20% start to use skill to attack. He dash away from Phantom and start to cast magic. It breathe out dark smoke from it mouth. The smokes start to surround FerPitch'e Hound and infected the plant around it. The plants start to withered and die.
‘Look like poison to me.’
Phantom holds it breath and dash into the smokes. He saw a pair of bloody red eyes in the smoke and slash it dealing critical damage to FerPitch'e Hound. The attacks cancel out the magic resulting FerPitch'e Hound total open to attack.
‘Look like it’s now or never’
Phantom jump as high as he can and stab the back of FerPitch'e Hound.
-Double critical dmg is deal. FerPitch'e Hound HP-150
- You killed FerPitch'e Hound. Exp + 1000
-Level up
-Level up
-New skill learn
Skill Obtain
Name: Prediction
Type: Passive
Skill Level: Basic 1(0%)
When you are in the state of calm and focus it allow you to predict the incoming attack of enemy. You can predict further into the future as your skill level up.
Phantom managed to get Pitch Black Hide, black bone, dog meat and the necklace from FerPitch'e Hound. He check the necklace status before put it into his bag.
-Item status fail. Item need to be appraised.
‘Look like I need to find an appraisal before I can equip this necklace. I wonder if I can learn the skill to appraise it.’
After everything is done Phantom search around for the northern forest entrance. The entrance is not far from where he fought FerPitch'e Hound. There is a small opening between 2 large trees while other part of the forest cannot be enter by any mean. Other trees are too close to each other with little gaps in between.
‘Look like it’s the entrance to northern forest as mention by Stephan’
Phantom enters the northern forest for the 1st time. He feels a chill run down his spine when he takes the 1st step into the forest.
System Message
You are the 1st to discover Geest Forest
Fame +1500
Exp will double for 1 week
***