Chapter 2:
Henry blinked but all he could feel was darkness. Worried something may have went wrong he sighed in relief when a white box popped-up in front of him.
Welcome to The Source (Beta Version)
We have detected that you are a new player. Register for The Source?
Options: (1) YES (2) NO
Henry clicked on the YES portion but his hand passed right through the hologram. Swiping his hand back and forth through the message he was amazed at the advanced technology.
‘This feels too real. My hand moves just the way I want it to and where did this hologram pop-out from? Am I conscious or asleep? Maybe I was teleported to another world!’
Henry laughed and started testing his motor skills and hand-eye coordination. His body moved exactly the way it did in real life. Satisfied, Henry said, “yes” and a hologram of himself was projected in front of him along with various pop-up messages.
What name do you wish to go by in The Source? (Note:Your name is permanent)
“Zero.”
What race do you want to be? (Note:Your race is permanent)
Attached to this message was an in-depth list of the ten currently available races within The Source. Henry carefully read through each of them and found that they were all awesome. He preferred the human race, because he himself was human but since this was a Beta Test and his character would be deleted he choose a random race.
You have chosen to be a Orc. Are you sure?
“Yes” Henry confirmed and closed multiple screens offering changes for physical appearance. Henry knew he had wasted a lot of time during the character creation but just couldn’t help but be amazed at realism of The Source (even though he hasn’t technically started playing yet).
Looking at the hologram which no longer resembled Henry a slightly taller six foot menacing creature glared back. The Orc’s nose was dented inwards and his head was balding in some areas. His face was also pale white with a deep scar on his right cheek and his iris and pupils were as black as the darkness surrounding him. The Orc only wore leather trunks a size too small and would have been completely naked otherwise. His muscles bulged, twice or three times the size of Henry’s own human muscles.
‘Cool.” Henry thought just like a child admiring his hero. “Shall we start now,” he announced to the Orc who just posed motionless.
Seconds afterwards a blinding light erupted, forcing Henry, or rather Zero, to close his eyes momentarily. When Zero opened his eyes he was standing in the large center plaza of Nosiris Kingdom. He quickly soaked in the tall medieval buildings, the large water fountain with a beautiful woman carved in the middle, the half empty stalls with people selling basic necessities, the dusty air, and the sound of people bartering and laughing.
Zero smiled at his surroundings but to the NPCs and few players who saw, it seemed like the Orc was baring its fangs and looking for some prey. They all shuddered and retreated back to whatever they were doing before taking comfort in the fact that even an Orc wouldn’t dare attack anyone in the capital.
“Hohoho” a voice appeared from behind Zero. “This is the first time I have seen an Orc *cough* in the capital. And you are even adventurer too. Say, what is your name *cough* brave Orc?”
Zero turned around to face an old man with a slightly arched back and snow white hair tied back into a ponytail. Zero assumed the old man had a weak constitution because he leaned heavily on a wooden cane and coughed regularly. Plus the old man had glasses with an inch thick lens on.
“My name is Zero, and I think I am an adventurer.”
The old man did not blink from facing an Orc twice his size and actually smiled. “You think? Ah, you must *cough* have just been born then.”
“Born?”
“Of * cough* course, all adventurers seem to come from the source. *cough* Adventurers started appearing in Nosiris Kingdom about a month ago. I have *cough* heard news that we are the only Kingdom receiving adventurers which is odd. *cough* If we consider the size of the three Kingdoms in the central region Nosiris is the smallest one *cough* so…” The old man seem to be lost in thought.
‘The source?’ Zero guessed it had to do with the name of the game but decided to ask anyways. “What is the source you mention?”
“Well, not much is known about *cough* the source but I do know about it moreso than others. But *cough* information is precious so I will have to ask for a favor or two *cough cough* before I can tell you.”
Quest Title: An old man’s PropositionApproached by a strange old man, he ask you to do him a favor or two in exchange for information on the source. The old man seems knowledgeable but his cough may be contagious and thus keeps strangers at bay.
Quest Difficulty: E
Quest Trigger: Be spotted by the old man
Quest Details: Complete the favors asked by the old man. Failure to do so or declining this quest will result in quest failure.
Quest Reward: (1) Information on the source (2) ???
Zero thought about the idea of doing this low level quest instead of grinding and trying to loot the best items he could before the end of Beta testing. He did not know much about games but he learned from playing Heroes of Justice that knowledge from NPCs were important. (Plus he simply enjoyed knowing the backstory of fantasy worlds).
‘I will have time after the Beta Testing to learn about this world’s history so for now I should focus on getting an item that will help me play the game during its release.’
“I am sor-” Zero began saying but stopped abruptly as the old man fell to the cobbled ground in a violent fit, coughing up some blood and fainted. NPCs and players turned around again and what they saw was an old man dead on the ground with an Orc towering over him. Everyone gasps and they started whispering things like,
“He murdered someone? I guess that doesn’t count as PKing.”
“Who is that old man anyways? He was dumb to mess with an Orc.”
“Where are the royal guards?! Someone has just been murdered!”
Zero didn’t hear the whispers and was worried about the old man so he carried the old man, who was surprisingly heavy, in his arms and quickly walked off to find a doctor, or a priest in this case.
“Holy bunny rabbits he just kidnapped the dead old man.”
“It’s not kidnapping if the old guy is already dead. That Orc is probably going to eat him.”
“Is this some sort of event or quest?”
Everyone had their own version of what had happened with the old man and the Orc and by the end of the day word had spread throughout the vast Nosiris Kingdom about the Orc who killed a defenseless old man.
***
The old man who was “killed by an Orc” is actually called Sordello and is someone whose name is enough to instill fear even in dragons and divine beasts. (Not defenseless at all). Sordello’s strength rivaled that of an army 100,000 strong. No one quite exactly knows what Sordello’s powers were nor can anyone attest to having seen him but the name Sordello is a legend amongst legends. Simply put everyone and everything knew his name.
Sordello however was no longer the brazen youth he once was. He was now over two centuries old and time is something no mortal can escape. He could use his impossibly strong magic to prolong his life and change his physical appearance to that of a young man again but Sordello was tired of it all. His mind and soul would still be old and worn out even if his appearance wasn’t. He had lost his vigour from his first days out exploring dungeons and fighting monsters. Thus for the past few years Sordello hid himself in Nosiris Kingdom, his birthplace, and kept the appearance of an old man.
But now Sordello found a spark in life after so long. When these so-called adventures started to appear and enthusiastically went out to explore the vast wilderness of Galise Sordello was intrigued. He had no knowledge of adventurers and could only guess that they, like all other things, came from the source. But more than that their frenzy for exploration reminded Sordello of when he was young.
Sordello decided long ago that he would enter an eternal slumber after he spent a few years back in his hometown Nosiris, well, his home Kingdom now. He had only about a month left when the adventurers started appearing and he was sad he wouldn’t get to see their growth and adventures.
As a parting gift and for his own amusement Sordello decided to ask each adventurer if they would help him with errands in exchange for information on the source. The existence of the source was known by few and Sordello had only limited knowledge on it. No information on the source was verified and everything was just speculation.
Sordello used the information on the source as a reward only as a guise though. If anyone accepted his quest and finished he would allow them to pick any one item he had in his vast storage, hidden far away from civilization in a magical realm. Of course Sordello did not tell the adventurers this because he did not like greedy people. And in the end all 9,999 adventurers declined his offer. Well, some adventurers did accept his quest but when they were asked to do things like, “go kill 10,000 rabbits without sleeping” or “give a flower to each female in the kingdom”, no one wanted to do it so they canceled the quest.
Sordello was determined to see one adventurer complete his tedious and seemingly impossible tasks so he kept asking. For three weeks no new adventurers showed up at the fountain, where Sordello discovered was some sort of teleportation spot for the birth of adventurers. Then Sordello noticed a young Orc teleport into the center of the plaza next to the fountain. Most adventurers had been humans or elves with fine faces altered with magic, but this adventurer was ugly and the first Orc adventurer Sordello had seen. Sordello did what he usually did and approached the Orc.
To his own surprise though, Sordello fainted for the first time in a century. His eternal slumber was coming on sooner than expected.
If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.
***
Zero panted heavily as he dodge through alleyways trying to lose his pursuers. Zero tried to look for a priest but ended up getting lost in the maze-like alleyways. Plus when trying to ask for directions people ran away from him even though he was smiling when approaching them. So after an hour of in game time, which is one-fourth the time in real life, Zero got two messages.
WARNING: Multiple witnesses claim to see you slaughter a resident of Nosiris and make off with his lifeless body so a bounty has been placed on your head. Because you are the only Orc in Nosiris Kingdom Royal Guards have a 50% more of a chance to find you.
Suspect Description: Ugly Orc with yellow teeth.
Bounty Reward: Dead-15 Gold or Alive- 20 Gold
Congratulations! You have acquired the title of ‘Ugly Orc with Yellow Teeth’Many people have witnessed your absolute ugliness. You are considered handsome amongst your race but other races view you as nothing but an Ugly Orc with Yellow Teeth.
Title Effects: -25 attractiveness, + 5 menace, has a 5% to instill fear in target that looks better than you (does not apply to Orcs).
Right after the messages a few Royal Guards charged towards Zero from behind an alleyway. Zero tried to explain the situation to them but they brandished their sword without care. Thus the only option was to run. He had been on the run for half an hour now and his stamina and dexterity increased by 1 point apiece. He also figured out how to access his inventory and took two pieces of bread from it and ate it. His water was long gone by now too.
Taking another short break Zero laid the old man down on the ground and ate another piece of bread. So many times he had wanted to leave the old man behind somewhere so he could run faster but in the end he didn’t.
Interrupting his meal, the old man jolted awake and quickly observed his surroundings before resting his gaze on Zero. Zero couldn’t believe the old guy could look so alert and even dangerous. Zero was scared, but only for a bit.
The old man smiled, “thank you for *cough* carrying me to a… priest I presume. I also apologize *cough* for fainting on you. Old age does that sometimes. *cough* Now what was your answer to my question?”
Surprised that the old man who looked dead a moment ago would be concerned about his quest Zero felt sorry for old man and decided to accept the quest.
‘I probably can’t get a good item with only about two days of in game play left. I might as well try to enjoy and immerse myself in this world!’
“Thank you kind adventurer *cough*.” After saying that a sly smile spread across the old man’s face and he revealed his request. “I would like you to lend an ear while I tell you about my life. It will *cough* be a long story.”
‘Sounds simple enough’ Zero thought. “I will be an attentive listener so please tell me everything.”
“Hohoho *cough cough* you asked for it. But first let’s find a *cough* more suitable place to chat.”
Having said that the old man led Zero through various twists and turns until they arrived at a small brick house. Luckily the Royal Guards weren’t around so their travel was peaceful. Zero would have a hard time explaining things to the old man if he were attacked by Royal Guards.
The old man ushered Zero into the tiny house and when they both sat down the story of Sordello began.
***
Sordello awoke and instinctively got ready for danger although not much could hurt him even while he was unconscious. Looking around for a split second he grasped the situation and relaxed his guard.
The Orc sitting crossed-legged against the wall was even paler than his already pale white face. Sordello suppressed his laughter.
‘He must have felt a paltry amount of my power even though I’ve sealed most away.’
Sordello smiled at the young Orc and continued with his original plan. Sordello could feel he didn’t have much time left so he could not use his normal requests because they would take too long. Therefore he offered the Orc a slightly more interesting and easier task.
When he saw that the young Orc agreed he was delighted. Showing the way they quickly arrived at his makeshift home. On the way he had noticed quite a few royal guards following them but easily redirected them to search other areas. Sordello did not want to be interrupted while recounting the story of his life for the first time.
***
Zero listened closely to the old man’s story. There were a lot of coughs that gradually worsened throughout the telling of the story. The old man refused to stop even when Zero asked. The old man’s story continued on for about a day and a half and when he finally finished, the time in real life was 2352, close to midnight.
Zero smiled and thanked the old man who now seemed much older than he looked. He waited for the quest to finish so he could collect his reward. But something unexpected happen. The old man sighed a deep sigh.
“Thank you for listening *cough* to my story. I was going *cough* to give you an item of mine ontop of information on the source but I have taken *cough* a liking to you. I will *cough* give you something that *cough* will be the envy of all.”
Would you like to change your class to the fabled class: Hero?
Options: (1) YES (2) NO
Unable to believe his luck, Zero gawked in silenced at the proposal. He knew right away that the class was something special. He also understood from reading the beginner's manual that players could get classes other from the basic ones by doing quests or by triggering certain actions. Zero wasn’t sure on how high up a fabled class was on the list of classes but the word “Hero” bounced back and forth in his head.
Zero’s orcish face was now as white as snow. He realized that he could not transfer his class to his account after the beta test was over and lamented over his situation.
Seeing the Orc’s face turn ghastly, Sordello asked for the reason.
Zero turned to the old man and with more willpower than he could muster declined.
You have gained a new stat: WillpowerSummoning forth unimaginable willpower to overcome a dire situation you gained the stat willpower. The higher your willpower the easier it will be to overcome tough situations. This stat will raise from certain actions and points cannot be distributed to this stat.
+3 Willpower
+1 Intelligence
+1 Luck
***
Sordello was surprised the Orc had denied his class change offer. Given, the class Hero was a good one unattainable through anyone else but him. Sordello held the class Hero of heroes which was a far superior class but the class hero was still no joke.
‘Could the Orc have found out what my class is from my story? No… that cannot possible be. I excluded parts from my story that would allude to my power. I only covered the most basic and ordinary parts. I haven’t even told him my name. Does he want my class or something else..?’
“Young Orc, I know the class may seem a little *cough* ordinary, but is the class not to your liking?”
“That’s not it elder, I just have a situation that doesn’t allow me to accept this class.” Zero then went on to explain the rules of the Beta Testing and talked about the one item transfer and ended with a deep sigh. “That is why I cannot accept such an esteem class as this just to lose it right afterwards.”
The young Orc explained his situation using terms Sordello was not quite familiar with but he had a general understanding of what was going on.
“Are you saying even more adventurers will be borned starting next hour?” Sordello asked excited and without a cough.
“Yes, but I’m not sure if you or any people of this land will retain your current memory. To you all it may simply seem like we are visiting for the first time.”
“Haha, then it is *cough* simple. Since you will be here again tomorrow I will in the meantime give you an item to hold on to and you *cough* can come find me tomorrow to exchange the item for the class *cough*. How does that sound young Orc?”
“I do not know if that will work but it would be my honor to accept your class if possible.”
Sordello was excited. ‘What should I give him’ he thought. I may not be able to hold on long enough to give him the class. In that case, maybe…’
“Then the item I will give you is this.” Sordello took off his treasured spectacles and handed them to the young Orc.
***
Sordello’s SpectaclesDescription: ???
Rarity: ???
Effects: ???
Requirements: ???
Zero held the fragile glasses in his right hand. He felt a mix of emotions because of the flurry of events that took place.
The time in real life was 2359. He had about four minutes left of game play time. He wanted to ask the old man about the hero class and why he could give out the class and he wanted to hear more about the old man’s story because he felt it was incomplete. He also wanted to know about the source.
“I will see you in a bit and return this item back to you right away.”
“Young Orc, let us *cough* meet at your birthplace again. For *cough* I fear you may not be *cough* to be able to find this *cough* place again.” *COUGH COUGH* Sordello fell down face first onto the wooden table and stayed there.
Zero bolted up from his chair which creaked from the relief of its burden and he lifted the old man off the chair. Zero placed the limp old man on his bed before a huge message popped up, covering his whole field of vision.
BETA TESTING FOR THE SOURCE IS NOW OVER. YOU WILL BE LOGGED OUT.
‘ Oh crap!’ Zero shouted “ register ‘Sordello’s Spec-” and then he was enveloped in darkness.
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