Once she was out of sight, Rubio spoke up again. “Alright, let’s get into it. You’re new, we have time. Ask your questions.”

“Right… there’s a lot I could ask, but what should I ask him? This is a great chance to learn from a veteran, right? I shouldn’t waste his time with stupid questions, uh…”

“I feel like I’m going to ask stupid questions if I lead this conversation. Is there any chance you could offer some suggestions as to what might be worth asking?” Sam hedged, hoping for some guidance.

“Oh? Trying to be strategic, huh? Well, nothing wrong with that.” Rubio thought for a moment, then continued. “A lot of the systems in here are like video games, you can figure those out yourself. I’d focus on asking things that prepare you to survive the challenges in front of you: floors, monsters, skills, and about this town.”

Nodding slowly, Sam thought about his answer for a minute before responding. “I didn’t choose to come here or face this challenge, but now that I’m here I need to adapt. I’d rather go home, but as that doesn’t seem to be an option…

“I think I’d like to know more about how people develop skills, and how to decide on a fighting style. My class is pre-determined, but it’s not linked to a specific fighting style. I picked what seemed the easier to use in the tutorial and did okay, but I recognize that won’t last forever.”

“Right, your class… can you tell me more about that? I don’t plan to do anything with the information, I just want to understand what you’re working with.”

Sam nodded and spoke the words “Class details” again. Looking at the menu, he began to explain. “Yes, so, my class is called Mirrored Scholar (Unique) and it grants me a legendary trait, a legendary passive skill, and two legendary active skills in exchange for ‘300% slower natural development.’ I also can’t change the class, I’m locked into it.”

Rubio whistled and sat back in his seat a bit. “Skills out of the gate are probably nice, especially legendary tier ones, but that natural development recoil might be a bit brutal. If that works how most things work here, that will affect your leveling progress and natural skill development among potentially other things.

“Do you mind explaining what the skills do? I can’t really give you any solid advice until I understand your current limitations and abilities.”

Sam called up the active and passive skill menus again and explained as Rubio listened, his eyes widening.

“So, you can analyze items, tell the truth, absorb opponent stats within reason, and instantly learn skills that are shown to you if you understand how they work?” Rubio sucked in a large breath. “That’s absurd. That’s even better than my class, which grants me innate mastery over all bladed weapon types. The slower development is a huge problem though, you’re going to have to work for your levels from now until the end of time.”

“Yeah, it seems to be a double-edged sword for sure…” Sam nervously said.

“Unless I tell you to, you really shouldn’t reveal your abilities to anyone. I was just going to give you some glancing advice, but now I feel like I need to polish you like a diamond. Your class is phenomenal, and it’s game-changing if you can master how your abilities work.

“If you’re down, I want to introduce you to my party and do some training with you for the next few days. My guys will complain about being away from the tower that long, but I can’t just send you to your death now.”

“I mean, maybe? I just met you so it’s hard to say if that’s a good idea or not.” Sam said, hesitantly.

“So you’ll spill your class secrets but you don’t want to train with my guys? Drop the bullshit, kid. I’ll make you a deal, I’ll get you all of the starting gear you need if you spend the next few days training with my guys and pick up a few skills. If you can clear the 1st floor by yourself in the next week, I’ll call us even.”

Sam thought to himself for a minute and then nodded slowly. “That sounds like an overwhelmingly better deal for me than you, why go that far?”

Rubio sat forward and looked him in the eye. “Simple. If you hone your skills, you’re going to be a force to be reckoned with. If not, you’re going to die a painful death. You might’ve steamrolled the tutorial, but if you can’t develop more skills then your pure stats are a waste. I’d rather be on your good side when you’re ruling over the rest of us mortals.”

Sitting back against the wall of his seat, Rubio let out a good bit of laughter and looked back at him. “Don’t get too stuck in the details kid, I like your vibes. Do well for yourself, okay? Take the deal.”

“You’re on then, Sensei. I look forward to your guidance.” Sam replied, winking back at Rubio as the man rolled his eyes at him.

Not a moment later, Lattice walked out with a tray covered in their food. Setting plates and mugs on the table, she looked at him again and smiled before walking back to the kitchen.

Section divider [https://i.imgur.com/WQI1rlR.png]

Finishing their food, Rubio paid the tab and thanked his sister as they walked out of the tavern. Unlatching the door, Sam walked out the door and back into the open world. Sam noticed that despite the fact the sky was nothing but fluffy clouds as far as the eye could see, plenty of light made its way down to the ground. It was a nice warm light.

“Where to next, Sensei?” Sam asked.

“We need to visit a shop to get you the appropriate gear. No pupil of mind shall wear mass-produced iron garbage!” he spoke confidently, with a hint of pride in his voice.

If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

Following Rubio, they headed down the street back toward the market and walked a ways before turning down an alleyway. Once again turning suddenly, Sam almost crashed into him yet again but instead tripped and tumbled towards someone else walking past them.

Barely missing her, Sam crashed into the ground as various eyes turned towards him. The girl he barely missed squatted down, “You alright there?” she asked kindly.

Looking up at her, he saw a girl his age with bright purple hair and dark purple eyes, the words he was about to say frozen in his mouth. Smiling at him, she offered a hand which he took as she helped him to his feet.

Finally finding the words, he asked, “I apologize, miss. I should’ve been looking where I was going, I’m a bit of a klutz sometimes.”

“No worries, I’m just glad you’re okay,” she said, smiling at him and turning to walk away. Watching her go, he looked at the text over her head. “Gravitylancer - Level 37.” A class he had never heard of before, and a level almost as high as Rubio’s. With that shock to his system, he turned away and hurried down the alley after Rubio.

Once he reached the end of the path, he looked around and tried to spot his newly-minted mentor. Not seeing him anywhere, he spotted a shop that looked like it might be their destination: a blacksmith and weapon shop by the name of “Haggard Hills.”

Entering tentatively, he spotted Rubio standing in front of a shelf of various weapons. Standing there awkwardly, Sam inspected some maces on the wall and waited for the man to say or do something that indicated he wanted Sam’s attention.

The maces were hefty buggers, made of various types of metals. He lifted what seemed to be the store model, having a card next to it saying “Give her a swing!” It was heavier than the one he had wielded during the tutorial.

Feeling the weight in his hands, Sam shifted to holding it with one hand and moved it around: up, down, left, right, and a gentle swing upwards. With the swing he realized how easily he could lose his grip on it due to the weight, so he gently put it back and stepped away.

Drifting around to the other side of the shop, Sam browsed through the various weapons and equipment. Browsing with his eyes, not his hands. Everything looked too dangerous to touch except the armor and clothing on the stands.

As he walked down the aisles, his attention was pulled to something resting on the wall. He found himself frozen in place, admiring an obsidian black shortsword with silver etching. Losing himself in the sword for a minute, a voice from the back of the room took him by surprise. “She’s a beaut, ain’t she? Not many admire her, but she deserves every drop of attention.”

Breaking his single-minded focus on the blade, he turned towards the rough deep voice and saw a middle-aged man with salt and pepper hair and a large physique. The man easily stood over 2 meters tall and was built like a bull, standing behind the shop counter. Given his rough look, he was probably the shop owner and not just an employee.

“Yeah, she’s… majestic. Did you make her?” Sam asked, unsteadily.

“Ah, yeah. She’s one of my finest. Crafted ‘er from the horn of a unicorn, durram ore, and the dark heart from a greater demon.” he let out a wistful sigh as he stared at the blade. “Not many opportunities to forge something like that. Sadly the owner passed away before he could collect her.”

With that, the man pulled his eyes away from the blade and focused on Sam. “What’s yer name, lad? You look as new as fresh snow!”

Gulping slightly at the question, he felt a bit intimidated for some reason. Mustering his courage, he responded, “I’m Sam, and you are?”

“Sam, eh? I’m Lazaren. Lazaren Snae, the owner of this shop.” with that, the large man sat on a stool behind the counter and stopped talking. Keeping an eye trained on Sam, he waited for one of his two customers to bring something to the counter.

Looking back at the sword, Sam decided to try his skill out on it using a mental command instead of a verbal one — so as not to be rude to the proprietor.

“Eye of truth activate! Item information! Item details! Inspect item!” with the last one, a menu appeared in front of him.

Demon-forged Death (Epic) A pitch-black durram blade sword crafted from the horn of a unicorn and the dark heart of a greater demon. Due to its etching, this blade can steal energy from its foes: refilling the health, mana, and stamina of its wielder.

850 dmg of type(s): Sharp

350 dmg of type(s): Special (Corrosive)

+45% dmg to weak points

+30% damage returned as health to the wielder

Variable amount of mana leeched to the wielder

Variable amount of stamina leeched to the wielder

“Holy shit!” he accidentally said out loud, causing Lazaren to look at him.

“Lad, do ye have an inspect skill?” Lazaren asked suspiciously.

“I… might, yes,” Sam replied.

“Wonderful! If yer ever lookin’ for work, visit my shop again. I’m always willing t’ pay for appraisals of my custom and high-quality gear. I’m sure that beauty was an eye-full for ye.”

“That she was… you could turn a kingdom upside down with a blade like that. How much are you asking for her?” he decided to hedge and see what the answer was.

“The deceased paid for the blade in full already, so I could maybe work out a deal. Come back when you’ve beat the boss of floor 10 solo and we’ll talk.”

With that, Rubio walked to the front with a greenish-silver shortsword and a medium shield. “I’ll get these for the lad, as well as some plated leather armor and light underclothes. If you have any light robes that would go over the armor comfortably, I’ll also take one of those for him, preferably in a light grey or a black color.

“Eh, goblin silver huh? That’ll hold until the 10th floor when well maintained. A good choice, a wise choice. ‘Tis what I expect from you, Rubio. I ‘ave a light grey robe with high durability and an advanced defensive enchantment, that’ll last the lad awhile.”

“Sounds perfect to me. This one will be one of your best customers in time, so remember him. Sam the Mirrored Scholar.” Rubio said, looking at Sam with a big grin.

Sighing, Sam walked over to the counter while giving the demon-forged blade a few side glances. “Floor 10 solo, huh? Challenge accepted,” he muttered.

“‘Tis what I like to hear, grahahahaha!” the big man laughed at him. “I’ll hold ‘er for you, not many have an eye for one like she.”

With that, a thought sparked in Sam’s mind. “Where would one get the supplies to craft more gear like that blade?”

“Unicorns would be rare finds on the 30th floor, greater demons would be 45th, and durram ore is mined on the 35th, 42nd, and 55th. Most of the mining spots are controlled by dark elves though, so good luck wit’ that.”

Sam committed the details to memory. He’d be back for a shield, maybe some armor, with similar properties and strength. He was starting to feel the excitement of getting new goals in an MMO.

“Alright, alright. Mister Ambition, put on your new gear, and let's get out of here. You’re still many levels away from even hoping to wield that sword.

Lazaren directed him to a changing room where he put on the armor, underclothes, and robe before equipping the shield to his back and shortsword to his side under the robe. Now he looked like a proper adventurer finally, although the robe felt a bit overkill. He expected it to be restricting, but it felt comfortable to the touch and very lightweight.

Inspecting himself in the mirror, he felt good about how he looked now. He’d finally fit in among the people of Fair Grove.

Putting his old clothes in his inventory, he exited the changing room and did a twirl for Rubio. As Rubio rolled his eyes, Sam headed for the door and shouted behind him. “Thanks, Lazaren, I’ll be back! Rubio, where to next?” And with that, they left the armor shop behind.