[Pallet Forest]
It was almost noon when Eiji arrived at the said location. As expected there are low level monsters like Forest Boars, Pallet Willows, and Forest Imps. Forest Boars has good item drop like Boar Hide and Boar Meat. Pallet Willows has drop like Tough Plank and Tough Trunk. Forest Imps drop are good for magic users because Imp Powder has an effect that could recover a small amount of mana.
Thanks to the bonus stats Eiji could defeat monsters with ease. He was Level 4 when it was already three in the afternoon. He could hear his stomach growling. Eiji noticed that he got three debuffs. It was a Hungry Debuff which lowers ability to ten percent, Thirsty Debuff which lowers stamina and agility by fifteen percent, and Tired Debuff which lowers ability to another twenty five percent and increase mana and stamina usage of skills.
Eiji get the Boar Meat and Tough Plank in his inventory. He created fire using the Tough Plank and the skill he learned in camping during his elementary days. As he roast the Boar Meat a prompt appeared saying he gain the sub-skills ‘Camping’ and ‘Cooking’. But barely a 0.002% was added to the mastery of the sub-skill. Eiji learned that sub-skills might be easily get by doing it. The place where he was is not that bad. Eiji was near to a clean river and there is no nearby monster appear for a quite some time.
Thirty minutes after resting the debuff icon was gone. The sky is slowly turning orange sign that the dusk is coming. He remembered that during night there’s that Night Darkness debuff. Eiji packed his things and plans to return.
It was almost five in the afternoon and it was slowly began to gone dark when Eiji was about to get out in the forest when suddenly howl was been heard.
“Was that a wolf? Geez… What a great timing… Night Darkness debuff just kicked in and damn hardly can’t see a thing in the way.”
Eiji uttered.
His eyes play illusions Eiji didn’t notice that he was affected by the fear effect. Even though Eiji knows it was just all illusion, slowly it took damage to his HP. There is no way to resist fear if a player has a low wisdom stat.
Just when he was just about to leave the forest, red glaring eyes stare not far from Eiij. Seven wolves appeared in front of him.
“Did I ran out of luck?”
Eiji said as he took a defensive stance.
Eiji’s HP was about two thirds since he was still affected by the fear effect. He saw that the level of the wolves were around level 7 or level 8 and there is no way he could defeat them all since he was just Level 4.
Four of the seven wolves suddenly tried to attack while the others are on standby. Eiji manage to block the two wolves in front but he was bit by the other two at the side. Two bites left Eiij with only one-fourth of his HP. That was a huge damage.
As the four wolves attacks again, Eiji closed his eyes and accept the inevitable death.
”BUSHIDO CHALLENGE!”
He heard a girl’s voice. Eiji opens his eye and saw a bob-cut hairstyle girl wearing a samurai-look armor.
The wolves who tried to attack Eiji stopped and changed look to the girl.
Three of the wolves rushed to attack the girl but before the wolves land a hit it was countered by the girl.
“RAITON: Eight Blade Lightning Slash!”
A lightning-element slash walloped the wolves in a flash. Another three was on the way to attack her but as soon as she saw it, she weaved her katana in mid-air and pointed in to the attacking wolves.
“RAITON: Lightning Butterfly”
A flock of jolting butterflies appeared from her katana and struck to the wolves. It was a surefire kill from Eiji’s point of view.
The remaining wolf stared for a while and left them.
“Who are you?”
“Nana of Thunder Clan. A Samurai-Class”
“You aren’t NPC right?”
“What makes you think that I am an NPC? And who are you?”
“Sorry about that… I am Eiji.”
“Only stupid players wants to die immediately. Why a newbie is still here at dusk time? Do you even know that you will be inflicted by the Night Darkness Debuff?”
She said.
“I know about Night Darkness Debuff and the character deletion after ten deaths okay?! It’s just that I didn’t make out in time going out in the Pallet Forest.”
“So have you hunted for Imp Powder?”
“Uh, Yes…”
Eiji hesitantly answered.
Nana searched her inventory and get a pouch of water bag.
“Drink it.”
“But I am not thirsty.”
“It is not for quenching thirst. Drink that so that the Night Darkness will gone for ten minutes.”
Eiji recalled the Reebo Herb Tea.
“Is this…”
“Drink it now!”
Nana said before Eiji could ask. Eiji has no choice but to drink it.
The Night Darkness Debuff was gone as he drink it. It was really the Reebo Herb Tea. Eiji was shock for someone knew it. He asked Nana where did she knew the Reebo Herb Tea and Nana answered that one of her acquaintance told her about it.
“Well then, hand me over all of your Imp Powder as a price of rescuing you and giving you the Reebo Herb Tea.”
Nana said as she sheathe her katana.
“Wait what?!”
“It was not for free off course. If you won’t give me your Imp Powder I can kill you easy and loot everything you have.”
Nana said and smiled sinisterly.
GULP**
Imp Powder was just a small price for helping him. Without any further delay Eiji handed all of his Imp Powder. Nana noticed that Eiji was left handed the way he use the inventory prompt. It was thirty-two small bags of Imp Powder and it was much more than Nana expected. Nana felt guilty of having that much of Imp Powder so in return she give Eiji 1000G.
“What is this for?”
Eiji wonders of Nana’s shifting mood.
“I am not that kind of player… Killing player without a reason… That is my way of saying sorry for intimidating you and for the Imp Powder.”
Nana softly said.
“It’s okay. Giving you the Imp Powder isn’t much as saving me from those wolves and it is only natural to ask for an exchange.”
“I need to go now. You can keep the Reebo Herb Tea it’s not warm anymore and I won’t be needing it. Also your spear is all run down. Better to buy a new one than to repair it. If you have the money anytime soon look for the Blacksmith-Class named Adachi near the town entrance of Quartz Town he could help you if you have the right amount and tell him I recommend you.”
Nana said as she leaves.
[Quartz Town]
As Eiji arrives at the town. The avenue where the Flea Market was now close and he saw no Merchant or Artisan selling their product unlike daytime.
“Maybe Flea Market is close during nighttime.”
Eiji uttered.
After the Flea Market he decided to go to the General Supply Store but as he arrives the store was close. Only bars and inns are open during nighttime he guess. Unlike Final Tactics he can find stores and vendors twenty-four hours operating but in WOTL he hardly see one.
“I’ll guess I’ll stay for a night here in WOTL. I’ll just go to the nearest inn available.”
Eiji said to himself.
He saw an inn called Willow Post and without a second thought he enters.
“Good Evening!”
One of the barmaids greeted Eiji.
“Uhmm. I would like to stay for the night is there any available room and how much it cost?”
Eiji asked politely.
“We have a room available, it cost 100G per night if you want to add a meal on it you can add 30G and a drink will be on the house.”
The barmaid answered.
“Thank god it is still on my budget…”
“If you want to get it just tell the innkeeper in the counter.”
The barmaid added.
Eiji step forward to the counter.
“Good evening, I am Eiji and I would like to get a room for the night.”
“The room in second floor on the first door right is available. Would you like a meal added?”
An old lady replied.
“If I have some ingredients in me would the price for meal be lessen?”
Eiji asked.
“Depending on the ingredient sir but it won’t be as much as less half of the price.”
“I have a Boar Meat here. How much would it be lessen the price?”
“Oh, Boar Meat. If you have one the price for the meal would be 20G and if you have five of it then it would be free along with a drink.”
“I see. I’ll give you the five Boar Meat. “
A skill prompt – Haggling Skill Learn (0.02% Mastery)
“Gladly to accept it sir. Boar Meat is scarce nowadays.”
This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.
“Why is that madam?”
“Wolves in the forest attacks the Forest Boar leaving the people a small amount to kill.”
“That is why the General Store Manager ask me to get him some Wolf Hide.”
“Oh Grandell asked you? Surely he will pay you handsomely. By the way I am Martha the owner of this inn.”
Eiji now know why there is a small amount of Forest Boar he encountered in the forest. He thought that it was normal but it wasn’t. Willows and Forest Imps are abundant but not the Forest Boars. He wants to hunt for the wolves but Eiji knew that his level isn’t enough to handle even one wolf.
As soon as Eiji finished his meal he dropped to his room and rest.
As Eiji wakes up it was morning already. The sunshine rays inside his room through the window beside his bed. Eiji noticed a buff – ‘Well Rested’ is a buff that enhance level experience gain for about eight hours, physical abilities and mental abilities are enhance by five percent for the next eight hours.
It was a great buff. It could help Eiji to level up fast. He told Martha to reserve the room he used for tonight before leaving the inn. He paid in advance but not for the meal. He thought to hunt again for Boar Meat so that he could lessen his expenses especially he isn’t familiar with the economy of WOTL.
Eiji sold everything he got from the hunt yesterday to the General Supply Shop and he only got 700G. He look for a spear in the Flea Market after in the General Supply Shop but prices are sky-rocketed. Most of the items he saw are excellent-quality unlike his normal-quality spear. He noticed that as greater the quality of an item the higher the stats it gives. Right now he just brought a normal-quality Javelin in the Weapon Shop on the North side of Quartz town which was cost him 1100G. The attack power is doubled than the previous spear and the durability of the Javelin is higher.
[Pallet Forest]
Eiji took more than two hours in the town looking for a good weapon and another two hours to travel from Quartz Town to Pallet Forest.
Without any second he starts to battle monster. He carefully battle monster not to take damage since he just brought only four healing potions which cost 50G each. Pallet Willows, Forest Boars, and Forest Imps attack were slow and barely could hit Eiji. Thanks to the buff he gain Eiji can fight easily than yesterday.
There are barely active skill that can be used as a Squire-Class. Its skill were all passive and all about weapon mastery. So as a Squire-Class you only have to hit enemies and barely get to any other action. However as soon as Eiji got Level 8 he put all of his stat point to Strength and maximized his Spear Weapon Mastery which at the moment he could one hit kill the Forest Imps which has the lowest defense of the three monster and a two or three hits to the Forest Boar and Pallet Willow.
“Right now I have 50 Strength and the other stats are only 5. I guess I should start building my other stats if I want to survive to higher level monsters.”
Eiji said.
It was around three in the afternoon when he got to Level 10. He remember that getting out in the forest takes time. He quickly wrap up things and leave.
It was nearly dusk when Eiji was at the end of the Pallet Forest. He took the same route as yesterday. Upon arriving at the end one wolf was standing in his way.
“Not again? Hey where’s you pal?”
Eiji said.
The wolf growled angrily.
“It won’t be same as yesterday. If it is one-on-one I could take you.”
Eiji said as he take a stance.
The wolf’s claw clasp the ground as Eiji points his javelin. The wolf rushed and pounced Eiji. Eiji manage also to land a hit. One-fifth of Eiji’s HP was taken while the wolf took one-third of his HP.
“Not bad…”
Eiji uttered.
The wolf tried to pounce again but Eiji swing his javelin and it was a direct critical hit.
The wolf was defeated in an instant. Eiji was sweating heavily. It was his first intense battle again a monster higher than his level. It was a level 11 Wolf and it must be the pack leader of the wolves Nana defeated yesterday.
Item Obtained – Wolf’s Hide (1x), Wolf’s Claw (2x), and Wolf’s Fang (1x).
Eiji was happy on his first big victory. However, that happiness turned into astonishment as he heard wolves howling nearby. The sky is now turning dark and the Night Darkness kicks in again to him.
“Not this again… Is this De Javu?”
Eiji uttered.
Behind Eiji was the thick dark Pallet Forest. Slowly red glaring eyes are appearing. It almost filled the dark forest with those eyes. He couldn’t count how many wolves there are. In the middle of the pack a white hazy fog appears. Just a moment Eiji look intensely to it but it was not a fog but a wolf. It was White Fang just like the General Supply Manager told him. Its fur is white as snow. It was magnificent to look if not affected by the terror inflicted by the Night Darkness.
“Looks like you are caught into trouble again Eiji-kun?”
A familiar girl’s voice said.
Upon looking back again it was Nana.
“Nana?”
“We’ve been looking for White Fang for about five nights.”
“We?”
Eiji noticed some unknown people behind her.
There are other three players behind Nana. First is a guy that has a sturdy full plate armor, a huge shield, and a sword. Second is a girl with eye glasses, a jet-black colored wavy bust-line hairstyle, wearing a robe and her bust is covered with cloth bandage equipped with knuckles, third is a guy wearing shoulder-cut polo, cargo pants, and he wields a meter long hammer.
Before Nana could introduced her party several wolves start to attack them.
“DEVOTION!”
The guy with full plated roared.
The guy was glimmering with light and a shining line connects to party and including Eiji.
“Aika and Adachi take care of the wolves that are not on my radius.”
Nana ordered.
“BUSHIDO CHALLENGE!”
In a small area surrounding Nana several wolves are taunted and forced to attack her.
“BUSHIDO COUNTER: Raging Gale”
The wolves that were forced to attack Nana were countered and it was a one-hit kill for each of the wolves.
“Arisato is a Crusader-Class, he is a tank support class. That Devotion Skill is a support skill, if one of us is hurt the damage to HP is halve to the attack output and the other half is distributed to Arisato. Nana is a Samurai-Class. Samurai-Class has taunting skill used to force enemy to attack her and aside from it she have counter skills. Depending on the situation she can pick any counter she likes on her advantage.”
The guy with hammer explained.
“What about that girl and you?”
Eiji asked as he points to the girl.
“Aika is a Martial Artist-Class. Their class boast the highest offensive rate amongst all intermediate job class. But she is only good with one-on-one situation if you ask me. About me, I am Adachi a Blacksmith-Class. In this party I am the weakest even though I have the higher level. Forging is my forte, but battling this wolves I can take one or two at the same time.”
As Adachi was explaining things to Eiji. The work was almost half finished. Wolves starting to back down but a loud howl coming from the White Fang boost the morale of the wolves.
“SHIELD RICOCHET!”
Arisato heavily pumped his shoulders and throw his shield towards White Fang. In an instant five wolves blocked it and didn’t reach White Fang however it cost their lives.
“Dang it. These wolves are persistent.”
Arisato frustratingly said as the shield didn’t reach its target.
Aika in a swift run towards White Fang but before she could get around fifteen meters she was obstructed by seven or more wolves.
“Aika don’t go deep or the Devotion Link will snap.”
Arisato advised.
“How I will attack White Fang if I won’t go near?!”
The number of wolves are slowly going down. Nana noticed it immediately and yelled for a push. However before they could push their formation White Fang howled once again. This time it was not to boost the morale but it was a signal to retreat. After a couple of seconds the wolves ran deep in the forest and the last one to retreat was White Fang.
Before White Fang retreats he gives a stare but not menacing as it seems.
“So that White Fang is intelligent also. I thought I was the only one who read the battle.”
Nana uttered.
“Should we chase them?”
Adachi asked.
“We can still chase them. We aren’t badly hurt after all.”
Aika encouraged everyone.
“Nah. That will be for this night. We might get ambushed or worst killed in process if we chased further. That White Fang is intelligent we don’t know what surprises he created in the forest.”
Nana explained.
“Nana’s right besides my MP is almost zero. Aika’s been abusive with the damage reduction of the Devotion.”
Arisato said as he sat down on the ground.
“Of course, I am a front liner what do you think I do.”
Aika ranted.
“You create damage to enemies not take damage to the enemies. You idiot!”
“I am not invincible you know?!”
Aika defended.
“I know right but don’t be so reckless!”
“Ok… ok… stop it you two. Break it down.”
Adachi intervened.
“The loots are good this time. I might create a weapon and armor suitable for Aika so that she can reduce the damage input.”
Adachi added.
Eiji was left out of place.
“Oh, you’re there Eiji. Sorry for not noticing you.”
Nana apologized.
“No… It’s okay, here take this as a token of appreciation for saving me the second time around.”
“Imp Powder?”
Nana asked.
“Yes. You are gathering it right?”
“Yes. Thank you.”
“What are you gonna do with Imp Powder Nana?”
Adachi intriguingly asked.
“There is a Chemist-Class I know that knew how to brew an Elemental-Boosting Potion and I need to gather as much as many Imp Powder I could.”
“Elemental-Boosting Potion?”
“If you use a weapon-oriented skill with elemental-attribute in it the damage will be doubled. You just need to soak your weapon of that potion. However, it is just a temporary effect. After you use the skill the potion’s effect wears off.”
Nana explained.
“Now I see why you are collecting Imp Powder.”
“Yes. You just need Imp Powder and Sea Salt Water to produce one and with the help of Brewing Skill of a Chemist of course.”
“Enough with chit chats. I guess we need to go back to the town first.”
Adachi suggested.
[Quartz Town – Willow Post]
Nana’s party joined me going back to Willow Post. As a sign of my gratitude, Eiji pay for their meal in the inn. They didn’t know that the meal was only free because Eiji give twenty pieces of Boar Meat to the old lady leaving Eiji only three Boar Meat in him inventory but it was not bad as it seems. They had a great time talking.
“What is now your level Eiji?”
Nana asked.
“I am now Level 10.”
“That was fast! Didn’t you said that you just started yesterday here?”
“Yes. Thanks to the ‘Well Rested’ Buff I manage to level up fast than normal.”
“What’s the ‘Well Rested’ Buff?”
Adachi asked.
“Wait. Aren’t you resting a night in WOTL?”
“No.”
“None.”
“Never.”
“Nope.”
Everyone answered in corresponding manner.
“I see now why. Well, if you sleep here in WOTL for a night you’ll gain a ‘Well Rested’ Buff that could enhance experience gain for eight hours after you wake up also you’ll gain five percent enhance bonus for you physical and mental abilities for eight hours too.”
Eiji explained.
“I didn’t know that. It is not in the game guide.”
Adachi said.
“That is why there are inns and taverns and some of the players prefer to rest. I thought it was just to spice up the game.”
Nana uttered.
“I don’t know the requirements for the buff but it must be needing you sleep comfortably where ever you are for eight hours.”
Eiji guessed.
“That must be it. Otherwise it won’t be called ‘Well Rested’ Buff if you are sleeping uncomfortably or just take an hour nap.”
Arisato added.
“Thanks for the tip Eiji. How about we try it guys?”
Nana suggested to her party.
“Normally I log out in the game and wait for twelve minutes in real time to log in again so that it would be daytime here in WOTL. It is not bad to try.”
Aika said.
Without any further ado, Adachi told the innkeeper that they need four rooms for the night. Luckily the adjacent rooms in the second floor are available except mine.
“Oh before I forgot. What job class will you take Eiji?”
Nana asked.
Eiji decided to be a Spearman-Class last night. Spears are Eiji’s favorite weapon in every game he played in the previous. No wonder why he wants to be Spearman-Class.
“Spearman-Class are good in mid-range combat situation. Their defensive ability isn’t bad and they have good offensive ability.”
Arisato said.
“You can change job for Intermediate Job-Class in small towns like Quartz. Just go to the town hall located in the central north of Quartz Town and ask the Town Leader to give you a certificate and after that you’ll become a Spearman-Class. For Advance Job-Class you need to go to the cities and go to the certified guildhall of your wanted job class and take a test. Normally it would be just a practical exam but some have written test or hunt test. So you need to be attentive.”
Nana advised.
After the conversation, everyone decided to call it a night and try the ‘Well Rested’ Buff if it was true.
As the morning comes, one by one they woke up. Eiji was the first one who was downstairs and having his breakfast. Next one is Nana and Aika.
“Good morning.”
Eiji greeted them.
“Good morning.”
They responded.
Arisato and Adachi came afterwards.
“There is really ‘Well Rested’ Buff after you sleep.”
Arisato said.
“Let’s depart after we eat breakfast. It would be a waste if we won’t use this.”
Aika suggested.
They’ve finished eating their breakfast and prepares to depart. Nana thanked Eiji for sharing the info about the ‘Well Rested’ Buff. Adachi give Eiji a spear-type weapon as a sign of appreciation. It was an excellent-class of a weapon. Adachi explained that there are five quality of an equipment – normal-quality, good- quality, excellent- quality, epic- quality, and legendary- quality. Normal- quality and good- quality can be bought in NPC. Excellent- quality has more additional effects than good-quality and can be acquired through forging or quest. Epic-quality is stronger than excellent-quality and it is seldom to be acquired through forging because mostly it can be acquired through quest. Lastly, the legendary-quality which is rare and only can be acquired through defeating high level boss, only few players has legendary-quality equipment.
Eiji was given the ‘Glaive of Fiery Soul’
Glaive of Fiery Soul
Weapon-Type: Spear-Type (Excellent-Quality)
Required Level: 20
Required Strength: 60
Required Class: Spearman-Class, Mercenary-Class, Knight-Class, Crusader-Class, and Disruptor-Class.
Effects: +20 Strength, +20 Physical Damage, Fire Imbued Attack, +10% Burn Debuff (Stackable).
If used by a Spearman-Class, all requirements are lowered by 50%.
‘It was said that once this glaive was used to hunt down demons in the southern part of Minegard when humans are still united to fight on a greater cause.’
“Are you sure you’re gonna give me this great weapon Adachi?”
Eiji asked once more.
“Yeah. Arisato doesn’t want to use spear-type weapon since he upgraded his swords skill. Even though it has a great effect no one wants to buy it for some reason.”
Adachi said.
What Adachi didn’t know that the price he was asking for the Glaive of Fiery Soul is so skyrocketed that no one in a starting town has the money for it. And since Eiji wants to become a Spearman it is only reasonable to give him the weapon as an appreciation.
At that time Eiji separate ways with Nana’s party and goes to the Town Hall to changed job.