Yawning, I headed to the inn to sleep. After eating a meal, I went up into my rented room to sleep. In the morning, my pets and I left the inn and went to the smithy.
“Hello, Karc. I’m here to pick up my breastplate,” I said, opening the door. For the first time ever, the smithy wasn’t exploding with heat.
“Oh, hello. I’ve only just gotten up myself,” the blacksmith said. “But I did finish your breastplate last night. Here, let me grab it.”
Karc walked over to his workbench and picked up the Item sitting on it. He handed it to me, and I saw that it was a beautifully made breastplate.
[You have obtained Item [Fantastic Custom Breastplate]]
[Fantastic Custom Breastplate]
[Rarity: Unique]
[Type: Chest Armor]
[Subtype: Defensive, Buff]
[Restrictions: 100+ Str, 100+ Vit, Player Cain]
[Physical Defense: +150]
[Magic Defense: +150]
[Durability: 330/330]
[Weight: 100]
[Options:
1. +75 Str
2. +75 Vit
3. +500 max HP
4. [Regeneration] Skill
5. [Hardening] Skill]
[A beautiful and sturdy breastplate made by Master Blacksmith Karc capable of withstand incredible amounts of damage, and also strengthens and empowers the body of the wearer.]
“Oh, wow, it even has two Skills. Let’s check what they do,” I thought aloud. I clicked on the Skills to get their information.
[Regeneration]
[Type: Passive & Active]
[Passive Effects:
1. +2% HP recovery per second]
[Active Effects:
1. Instantly recovers 30% of max HP
2. +100% HP recovery for 10 seconds]
[Costs 10 MP to use, 10 minute cooldown]
[Hardening]
[Type: Active]
[Effects:
1. Reduces physical damage received by 50% for 10 seconds]
[Costs 25 MP to use, 60 minute cooldown]
“Dang. These Skills are pretty good. Karc did a really good job working on this,” I stated. I then put on the breastplate and felt a surge of strength go through my body. “This really is a fantastic breastplate.”
Excited, I decided to go and start working on gathering the ingredients for Wadd’s Quest. After asking different townspeople, I got a few leads on where to find the Wyvern Hearts. From what I heard, it sounded like they prefer to hang out high up on the mountain.
“We’re heading back to the mountain, boys,” I told my pets. They both barked in response. Smiling, I scratched them behind the ears and gestured for them to follow me. The three of us then walked to the mountain, once again staring up at its grand size. Glancing around, I was looking for the best place to start climbing up. But I then received a system notification.
[You have received 1 message from friend GamerCutie]
“Oh? That’s curious. Lets she what she has to say,” I thought aloud. I opened the message.
[Cain. I’m sorry for bothering you. But I found out what happens when we die. I was trying to solo the [Black Wolf King] Raid Boss and died. When I respawned, my character was completely reset. I lost everything, my Items, Levels, and Skills. The only things I have now is starter equipment. I was hoping that maybe I could party up with you since you’re still pretty new to the game and we could work together to level up faster. Reply when you can and tell me your answer. Thank you for reading this!]
“That’s a dirty trick. I mean, I’m glad to know that we don’t die for real when our characters die, but still, that’s just mean,” I grumbled. “Anyway, I don’t see any reason for why we can’t party up. Besides, it’ll allow me to use the effects of my [Pack Leader] Title.”
I decided to go ahead and send her reply straight away.
[Sure, you and I can party up. Are there level restrictions though? Because I’m already Level 21. If there aren’t, let me know that and where I can meet up with you. You’re not bothering me, this is what friends are for!]
“And send,” I said. The message was sent and now I just needed to await her reply. In the meantime, I finally found a good spot to start climbing. “Let’s do this.”
* * *
“Whew! Even with my high stats, climbing an entire mountain is still difficult,” I noted. “Good thing I found the wyvern pack.”
I looked at the plateau in front of me. There were several wyverns lazily stretched out across the rocky ground. Careful not to disturb them, I studied the layout of the terrain and how the monsters were positioned, trying to find the best angle of attack.
“Ah, screw it. I’ll just try to hit one with my dagger to lure it over to me,” I muttered. Drawing the Wolf Fang Dagger, I used [Throw I] to launch it at my target. The weapon stabbed into the wyvern’s neck. However, the wound was more shallow than I was expecting. “Dang it! I guess I underestimated the resilience of their scales.”
Groaning in frustration, I drew my Excellent Custom Greatsword as the enraged wyvern charged me. I felt my stats increase as the effects of [Wyvern Slayer] activated. Swinging my sword, it cleaved straight through the monster’s scaled flesh. It roared and prepared to unleash its breath attack, but Fluffy charged in and bit its jugular.
[Status effect Hemorrhage has been inflicted]
This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.
[[Wyvern] will suffer Bleed status effect until it dies]
“Nice job!” I shouted. Readying my weapon, I stabbed it into the draconic beast’s chest. It roared one last time before falling over dead.
[You have leveled up]
[You have absorbed draconic energy]
[You have obtained Item [Wyvern’s Heart]]
[You have obtained Item [Wyvern’s Scales (x5)]]
[You have obtained Item [Wyvern’s Fang (x2)]]
“Nice! On top of the level ups I got previously from hunting the [Black Slimes], [Trolls], and [Giant Spiders], I’m now Level 22,” I said with delight. “I hadn’t used any of the stat points yet because I had been busy, but now is as good a time as any.”
I then put all of the points into Int, because I still felt like my stats related to magic were lacking. And since I had leveled up six times and one of those levels had ended in 0, I had a total of 35 unused stat points. Which brought my base Int up to 235. Satisfied with my stat increase, I decided to check out the Wyvern’s Heart.
[Wyvern’s Heart]
[Rarity: Epic]
[Type: Consumable]
[Subtype: Enhancement]
[Restrictions: 75+ Int]
[Effects:
1. +25% all main stats
2. +250 max MP
3. [Physical Enhancement I] Active Skill]
“Oh, wow. If it wasn’t a Quest item, I would consume it myself right now,” I admitted, practically drooling. “Let’s see what the effect of the Skill is.”
[Physical Enhancement I]
[Type: Active]
[Effects:
1. +50% Str for 1 minute
2. +50% Vit for 1 minute
3. +50% Agi for 1 minute]
[Costs 100 MP to use, 15 minute cooldown]
[Can be evolved into a stronger Skill]
“Alright. Now I really want to use this [Wyvern’s Heart],” I said. “But I need 3 of them for the Quest. However, there are 7 more [Wyverns] here, and if they all drop a [Wyvern’s Heart], that means I get to keep 4 of them for myself. I wonder if they work on pets?”
Picking my dagger back up, I decided to rinse and repeat the hunting process I had just used. And after nearly an hour of fighting, I had successfully defeated all of them. However, I was now exhausted and so were Fluffy and Orthrus. But it had been worth it, since not only had each Wyvern dropped a Wyvern’s Heart, but I had leveled two more times, Fluffy had leveled up once, and Orthrus had leveled up twice. With that, I was now Level 24, Fluffy was Level 22, and Orthrus was Level 9.
“Alright, all of my stats other than Dex are doing well, so I guess I might as well put these 10 unused stat points into Dex,” I reasoned. After doing that, I decided to check my pets’ status screens.
[White Wolf]
[Name: [Fluffy]]
[Rarity: Unique]
[Level: 22]
[Bloodline: [Crystal Ice Wolf Tribe]]
[Stats: HP (4494), MP (1170), Str (428), Vit (428), Agi (428), Dex (10), Int (234), Physical Attack Power (2140), Magic Attack Power (1170), Attack Speed (856), Movement Speed (856), Physical Defense (4280), Magic Defense (1170), Carrying Capacity (856), and Luck (1)]
[Skills: [White Wolf’s Howl III], [Tireless Marathoner], [Frost II], [Cold Resist - Greater], [Permafrost - Lesser]]
[Hellhound]
[Name: [Orthrus]]
[Rarity: Unique]
[Level: 9]
[Bloodline: [Undying Hellfire Hound Tribe]]
[Stats: HP (2107), MP (920), Str (194), Vit (201), Agi (186), Dex (30), Int (184), Physical Attack Power (970), Magic Attack Power (920), Attack Speed (372), Movement Speed (372), Physical Defense (2010), Magic Defense (920), Carrying Capacity (388), and Luck (3)]
[Skills: [Fiery Jaws III], [Fire Resist - Greater], [Hell’s Howl II], [Overheat - Greater], [Jet Burst], [Afterburner]]
[Other: [Primordial Flame Fragment (x1)]]
“Man, they’re both becoming so strong,” I thought aloud. “Now, I wonder if I can give them both a [Wyvern’s Heart]. Because that would make them much stronger.”
Pulling out 2 [Wyvern’s Hearts], I called both pets over. They sniffed the hearts and they each ate one. I then watched as energy seemed to surge through their bodies. I went ahead and looked at their status screens again.
[White Wolf]
[Name: [Fluffy]]
[Rarity: Unique]
[Level: 22]
[Bloodline: [Crystal Ice Wolf Tribe]]
[Stats: HP (5617.5), MP ((1712.5)1462.5+250), Str ((535)428+107), Vit ((535)428+107), Agi ((535)428+107), Dex ((12.5)10+2.5), Int ((292.5)234+58.5), Physical Attack Power (2675), Magic Attack Power (1462.5), Attack Speed (1070), Movement Speed (1070), Physical Defense (5350), Magic Defense (1462.5), Carrying Capacity (1070), and Luck (1.25)]
[Skills: [White Wolf’s Howl III], [Tireless Marathoner], [Frost II], [Cold Resist - Greater], [Permafrost - Lesser], [Physical Enhancement I]]
[Hellhound]
[Name: [Orthrus]]
[Rarity: Unique]
[Level: 9]
[Bloodline: [Undying Hellfire Hound Tribe]]
[Stats: HP (2633.75), MP ((1400)1150+250), Str ((242.5)194+48.5), Vit ((251.25)201+50.25), Agi ((232.5)186+46.5), Dex ((37.5)30+7.5), Int ((230)184+46), Physical Attack Power (1212.5), Magic Attack Power (1150), Attack Speed (465), Movement Speed (465), Physical Defense (2512.5), Magic Defense (1150), Carrying Capacity (485), and Luck (3.75)]
[Skills: [Fiery Jaws III], [Fire Resist - Greater], [Hell’s Howl II], [Overheat - Greater], [Jet Burst], [Afterburner], [Physical Enhancement I]]
[Other: [Primordial Flame Fragment (x1)]]
“They both just keep getting stronger and stronger,” I commented proudly. “Now, time for me to consume one myself.”
I absorbed one of the Wyvern Hearts, and felt a surge of strength pass through me.
“I feel so much stronger now! Let’s check my own status screen,” I thought aloud.
[Player ID: Cain]
[Level: 24]
[Job: Greatswordsman]
[Class: none]
[Innate Ability: unawakened]
[Title/s: [Forest Liberator], [First Solo Raider], [Pack Leader], [Wyvern Slayer], [Immortal Adventurer]]
[Stats: HP ((3251.875)2751.875+500), MP ((3506.25)2056.25+200+1000+250), Str ((528.75)285+28.5+28.5+28.5+28.5+28.5+71.25+30), Vit ((248.75)125+12.5+12.5+12.5+12.5+12.5+31.25+30), Agi ((175)100+10+10+10+10+10+25), Dex ((52.5)30+3+3+3+3+3+7.5), Int ((411.25)235+23.5+23.5+23.5+23.5+23.5+58.75), Mlt (10), Physical Attack Power (2643.75), Magic Attack Power ((2106.25)2056.25+50), Attack Speed (350), Movement Speed (350), Physical Defense ((2687.5)2487.5+50+150), Magic Defense ((2281.25)2056.25+75+150), Carrying Capacity (1057.5), and Luck (5.25)]
[Skills: [Acid Resist - Lesser], [Throw I], [Giant Killing], [White Wolf’s Howl I], [Heat Resist - Lesser], [Determination I], [Power of Hope], [Berserk], [Ogre’s Strength], [Moonlight’s Blessing], [Moonlight Blast] ([Moonlight’s Blessing] Subskill), [Black Wolf King’s Howl I], [Spirit’s Vengeance], [Rapid Strikes], [Draconic Breath], [Draconic Transformation], [Dragonspeech] ([Draconic Transformation] Subskill), [Immortality], [Advanced Smithing I], [Metalworking I], [Physical Enhancement I]]
[Weapon/s: [Excellent Custom Greatsword], [Wolf Fang Dagger], [Worn Iron Pickax]]
[Armor: [Fantastic Custom Breastplate]]
[Accessories: [Ogre Tooth Necklace], [Mother’s Memory]]
[Other Items: [Healing Potion - Lesser (x4)], [Small Stone (x3)], [Special Seed (x40)], [Fragment of ???], [Elixir (x1)]]
[Currency: 6290 gold]
“Huh. My stats have gotten pretty high. Also, why did the devs make it so specific? I mean, who cares if they have an addition of 0.875 HP?” I commented. “But, whatever I guess. It’s not like I made this game.”
[You have received a message from friend GamerCutie]
“Oh? Cool! Let’s read it.”
[Cain. Thank you for being so helpful! Also, how in the world have you leveled up so fast? It’s only been about 2 days since I last saw you. Either way, I appreciate you being willing to help me. Meet me at the village center, I’ll be next to the statue. Thanks again!]
I quickly sent a reply, letting her know I’d be there. Now, with a goal in mind, I began descending the mountain with Fluffy and Orthrus. Once we were at the bottom, the three of us made our way back to the village. And with our increased stats, we made it there in no time by running most of the way. I made my way through the village streets until I found the center. Spotting the statue, I walked over to it.
“Hey there, Cain,” a familiar female voice said. Gam stepped out from behind the statue, dressed only in basic cotton clothing. Her only notable feature in terms of Items was the pepperbox-like firearm dangling from her belt. “Thanks for meeting up with me.”
“Yeah, of course. Like I said before, that’s what friends are for,” I told her. “Now, we’ll make a Party and I’ll help you level up.”
I sent her a Party request, which she immediately accepted. But in the next moment, she flipped out.
“W-what is this? Why are all of my main stats boosted by 150?!” She exclaimed.
“Oh, yeah. That’s the effect of one of my Titles,” I told her. “I got a Title called [Pack Leader] after I killed the [Black Wolf King] by myself the other day.”
“Impressive. Especially considering that before I died, I was higher level than you are right now, and I died fighting the [Black Wolf King],” Gam replied. “So, how are you so strong? It doesn’t make any sense.”
“I don’t know either. But maybe some of my good luck will rub off on you,” I said with a shrug. “Also, meet my pets, [Fluffy] and [Orthrus].”
Both Fluffy and Orthrus walked up to her when I said their names. They nuzzled against her on either side, and she chuckled while petting them. However, she glared at me.
“You have two pets? I only got one pet after I reached over Level 50 during the beta. And I never got another one,” she said. “This is unfair. I mean, seriously. But whatever. I’m glad to be riding a bus as powerful and lucky as this one.”
I laughed and called both of my pets back over to me. They obeyed and sat on either side of me. Opening up my Skill list, I scrolled through it until I found a specific one.
“Hey, I just remembered one of the Skills I have. It’s called [Undying Loyalty],” I told Gam. “It allows me to mark a willing Player from my friends list, and gives both of us a 50% chance to self-revive upon death as long as we’re within 100 ft of the other. It also gives me a temporary stat boost if you die within 100 ft of me, but that’s not as important.”
“Hmm, sounds interesting. Are you suggesting that you use that Skill on me?” Gam asked. I nodded. “Alright, sounds like it could be helpful. Go ahead, I’m willing.”
[Skill [Undying Loyalty] has been activated]
[Friend GamerCutie has been marked]
“Cool. Now if one of us dies while near the other, there’s a 50/50 chance for the one who died to come back to life,” I commented.
“Yup. Now, if you don’t mind, I think we should go hunting in the forest,” Gam said. “With you and your dogs helping, I should be perfectly safe and able to level up quickly.”
“Agreed. Let’s go then,” I agreed. So four of us walked to the forest together.