POV – 1st Person (MC)
>>> >>> >>> Unknown Time – Unknown Region
“…ster Senna!”
‘Hm…?’
“Big Sister Senna!”
I open my eyes, still drowsy from being… asleep?
‘What an interesting way to start a game….’
I lift my right arm and place a hand to my mouth, yawning lightly.
“You’re finally awake!”
I turn my head to the feminine, perky voice and find myself looking at a girl a few years younger than me. She’s twelve years old and energetic, a cute little girl that has helped me over the years….
‘Huh? Where did these memories come from…?’
It looks like I am an apprentice Shrine Maiden at the start of this game. The perky little student Miko is Miyase Kotori, assigned by the head priestess of this village as my assistant and student shrine maiden. Kotori is a perky, happy girl whose personality is more akin to a ball of sunlight than a human being. This little student Miko has a head of medium-length, soft brown hair that is curled inwards at the end. This gives her a cute, lovely look that matches with her big, caramel brown eyes. Her fair, oriental skin tone makes her already adorable look even younger.
Kotori’s student Miko uniform is a miniature version of the official shrine maiden uniform. Instead of the long red hakama, she is wearing a shorter, one that only reaches down halfway of her thighs and have small white strikes on it. Her white silk socks just reach above her knees. Her wide-sleeved, white haori is much shorter, reaching above her elbows instead of flowing over her arms to her wrist. She has a pure red hair ribbon tied in a bow on a bang to the left side of her head.
Kotori herself will be assigned a student shrine maiden after my “coming-of-age” ceremony as an official Miko as Kotori will be promoted to apprentice shrine maiden after her exam.
“Virtual reality has sure come a long way even though it only has been ten years since the conception of full-immersion technology….”
I unintentionally ponder aloud, though Kotori seems to be ignoring my words. The girl pulls me away from the futon, takes off my sleeping yukata and undergarments, before heading to the door, leaving me kneeling on the floor, half-asleep and completely naked.
Being 155cm (5’1) tall, my slender build makes my body quite doll-like and petite. Kotori is only 135cm tall though she is only ten years old.
I hear Kotori knock on the door twice and it slides open, revealing five shrine maiden assistants that shuffle into the room with various equipment, clothing sets, and a large tub.
The women quickly pulled me up then placed my body into the tub before pouring in hot water, hot enough to be comfortable. Two of the assistants scrub my hair with a fragrant soap while another assistant rub and massage my body with another fragrant body-wash in the comfortable water.
‘Ah… I feel like I am melting in comfort… what a way to start a game.’
I simply cannot believe the service I am receiving. Although I can do the same everyday in real life due to my familial status and wealth, I would rather spend my time doing productive work than waste an hour or two for such comfort. Maybe indulge in it once or twice a month, but not so frequently. Even without modern technology, this cleaning service, regardless of the sacred meaning, is very nice.
After approximately forty-five minutes of cleansing, the assistants carry me out of the tub and place my body in to a layer of white towels. They then open a glass bottle containing some sort of cream and start drying off my body before applying the whitish-beige cream to my body.
‘If only I did not promise those five that I would try my best to achieve any of Top 100 ranks…. Top 100 Overall, Combatant? Healer? Well, it does not matter which ones, just one of the ranking players.’
The assistants apply a thin layer of cream to my body. The cool, soothing feeling permeates my skin, spreading throughout me and relaxing my muscles. I assume this is some sort of magic cream.
*ding!*
Sacred Lunar Medicinal Cream
Type Consumable Cream Rarity Rare - Value 3G 50S 0C - Limitations -
This is a secret medicinal cream created by the shrine maidens of the Hidden Sacred Lunar Village. There are several different herbs mixed into this special item. When applied to one’s body, the cream helps relax and sooth the muscles within seconds, using the medicinal properties of the herbs together to heal and reinvigorate the body.
Durability 15/15 Uses 28/50
My newly acquired fox ears flick, irritated by the sharp sound.
‘I guess
I can hear another bottle being opened. This time, an assistant spreads another type of cream on to my face, lightly patting and rubbing the cream that smells of cherry blossoms into my face. I close my eyes and feel another person helping me comb and maintain my long, modified hime-cut hair.
At this moment, shadows ebbed into the visible world, staining everything into a darker shade of itself. It is as if the world dimmed, the light from the sun blocked by a partial eclipse. Everything stopped moving, at least, that is what I am perceiving right now. I open my eyes and blink, realizing that I cannot move anything other than my head and eyes. A window appears in front of me with no ear-jarring “ding”.
Status Information and Skills
Difficulty Tutorial Tier 1
General
Welcome to Worldfall Astraea, where you can bring your own story into life! Explorers, merchants, fighters, and scholars span the entire world… players will have to have some sort of guide to provide them with a means of comparing their strength, skill, and knowledge. The stat window and skill windows will show you the way! To check your status window, you can simply think and will the phrase “status check”, “status”, or “stat window”. To check your skills, just think of “skills”, “skill list”, or similar to open the skill window.
Think of “Exit Tutorial” when you wish to exit this space before the ten minutes are up.
This is not a formal quest so there will not be any rewards or penalties for completing or failing the quest.
Quest Objective
- Check your stat window
- Check your skills
‘I see, so this state is where the brain’s perception and working speed multiplies to the point where even a single second can last for years. Even though this time dilation does not harm the person, technology nowadays can only maintain it for ten minutes or so in real life and must cool-off for five minutes before reactivating it.’
Basic quests to start off at this location are quite simple. They seem to have implemented a tutorial without splitting it off from the game itself.
‘Status Check.’
*ding!*
Status Information: Senna Name Senna Profession Apprentice Miko Level 1 Experience 0% Race Arc Fox Sex Female Equipped Title Founding Supporter Social Class (Rank) Pioneer Fame - Infamy - - - - - - Health 80/80 Health Recovery 0.1 / Sec Mana 90/90 Mana Recovery 0.05 / Sec Stamina 100/100 Stamina Recovery 0.1 / Sec Strength 9 Dexterity 10 Vitality 8 Endurance 8 Magic 11 Mentality 12 Agility 10 Reflex 10 Charisma 12 Luck 10 Spirit 12 Willpower 12 Fine Arts 11 Warcraft 11 Authority 11 Diplomacy 11 Physical Attack 2.06 Physical Defense 0.53 Magical Attack 2.30 Magical Defense 0.80 - - - - - Physical Modifiers Slash 115% Pierce 115% Crush 115% Blast 115% - - - - - Elemental Modifiers Fire 100% Water 100% Wind 100% Earth 100% Ice 100% Lightning 100% Light 100% Dark 100% Mind 100% Void 1000%
My fluffy fox ears flick again. I am slightly annoyed with the sound. With the increased sensitivity to sound, I decide to adjust the sound setting and do so immediately. It feels weird that my human ears have stopped working while I am in my race’s regular form….
‘I see… I guess the spirit and willpower stat are from the Apprentice Miko profession. The other four should be from my race.’
The physical modifiers are at 115%, meaning that I am 15% more vulnerable to the four types of physical damage.
‘That 1000% Void weakness… maybe it is actual void magic, not neutral…. Hm, so players in this world have the rank of “Pioneer”….’
I close the window after musing for a moment.
‘Next…. List
A small bell-like tinkle resounds in my mind; courtesy of the system settings.
Racial Skills and Knowledge: Arc FOx Sing: Nobility Adept Rank 1 (0%) Dance: Nobility Adept Rank 1 (0%) Music: String Instruments Adept Rank 1 (0%) Language Arts: Human, Common Adept Rank 1 (0%) Language Arts: Elzafylor, Ancient Adept Rank 1 (0%) Art of Communication Adept Rank 1 (0%) Magic Theory Basic Rank 1 (0%) Magic Manipulation Basic Rank 1 (0%) Household Management Intermediate Rank 1 (0%) Appraisal: Jewelry Intermediate Rank 1 (0%) Appraisal: Clothing Intermediate Rank 1 (0%) Horseback Riding: Casual Intermediate Rank 1 (0%) Transformation: Human - -
Racial Skills and Knowledge: Arc FOx Spirituality Basic Rank 1 (0%) Exorcism Basic Rank 1 (0%) Crafting: Ofuda (Paper Tag) Basic Rank 1 (0%) Dance: Spiritual/Ceremonial Basic Rank 1 (0%) Identify Basic Rank 1 (0%)
‘There are so many starting skills… and there’s the identify skill. I am guessing that these skills and knowledge learned is from a female aristocrat from the fantasy version of the medieval age. The
There are ten “Circles” of proficiencies for skills and knowledge. From the beginning to the end; Basic, Novice, Intermediate, Adept, Advanced, Expert, Master, Grandmaster, Pinnacle, and Limit Break. Each Circle has ten ranks before it upgrades to the next Circle.
For example,
‘Most of the skills cannot be used at this time… I guess this is a variant race that becomes much better in another setting.’
More work for me to deal with.
I close the windows exit the grey space. The world returns to its former brilliance and time moves at its original pace again. I close the quest completed window immediately after it appears.
The assistants soon finish with my hair and body. One of the female assistants bring out a set of formal Shrine Maiden outfit and the rest start to dress me in the clothes. I examine each piece of clothing with my newly acquired
Shrine Maiden's Inner Kimono
Type Equipment Top Rarity Common - Value Cannot be Sold Bound Limitations Shrine Maidens Only
This is a traditional inner kimono worn by shrine maidens of the Sacred Lunar Village. The kimono is finely made using linen and silk. It is very comfortable and soft, making the material used very popular for females of all ages. The silk is a little expensive, but it is a necessity to make such an exquisite yet simple formal wear for official shrine maidens. This version of the inner kimono is white with silver and red bordering threads.
--- --- ---
Equipment Information
Physical Defense +1
--- --- ---
Durability 20/20 Set Synergy No
Shrine Maiden's Haori
Type Equipment Coat Rarity Common - Value Cannot be Sold Bound Limitations Shrine Maidens Only
This is a traditional kimono jacket worn by official shrine maidens of the Sacred Lunar Village. This Haori is finely made using linen and silk. Comfortable and light, this piece of clothing is quite durable due to the way it is woven. The silk is a little expensive, but it is a necessity to make such an exquisite yet simple formal wear for official shrine maidens. This version of the Haori is white with silver and red bordering threads.
--- --- ---
Equipment Information
Physical Defense +1
--- --- ---
Durability 50/50 Set Synergy No
Shrine Maiden's Hakama
Type Equipment Bottom Rarity Common - Value Cannot be Sold Bound Limitations Shrine Maidens Only
This is a traditional long, slightly pleated skirt worn by the shrine maidens of the Sacred Lunar Village. The soft, delicate linen and silk used for this piece of clothing makes it quite comfortable to wear even while performing one’s duty as a shrine maiden. The Hakama includes a medium-sized ribbon-like sash that is tied at the back, keeping the skirt in place. The silk is a little expensive, but it is a necessity to make such an exquisite yet simple formal wear for official shrine maidens. This version of the Hakama is red with white bordering threads.
--- --- ---
Equipment Information
Physical Defense +1
--- --- ---
Durability 25/25 Set Synergy No
Shrine Maiden's Silk Socks
Type Equipment Hosiery Rarity Common - Value Cannot be Sold Bound Limitations Shrine Maidens Only
This is a pair of traditional silken socks worn by the shrine maidens of the Sacred Lunar Village. These socks reach up less than half way up the maiden’s knees and are made from pure silk. Delicate and comfortable, the silk is a tad bit expensive. This version of the silk socks aa pure white color, representing purity and innocence.
--- --- ---
Equipment Information
--- --- ---
Durability 10/10 Set Synergy No
Shrine Maiden's Sandals
Type Equipment Footwear Rarity Common - Value Cannot be Sold Bound Limitations Shrine Maidens Only
This is a pair of slightly raised sandals worn by shrine maidens of the Sacred Lunar Village. These sandals have a wooden base, bordered by a thick strip of linen and cotton. There is a two-section strip of leather to keep the sandal on the wearer’s feet. The entire sandal has been colored a dark brown color.
--- --- ---
Equipment Information
--- --- ---
Durability 30/30 Set Synergy No
Shrine Maiden's Hair Ribbon
Type Equipment Accessory Rarity Common - Value Cannot be Sold Bound Limitations Shrine Maidens Only
This red and white hair ribbon that shrine maidens of the Sacred Lunar Village wear. Each and every maiden wears their ribbon differently; some tie their long hair into pony tails with it, others tie it to their bangs and leave it as a delicate and lovely hair accessory. This hair ribbon is made of silk, making it light and soft. It will not weigh down on the wearer’s head.
--- --- ---
Equipment Information
--- --- ---
Durability 5/5 Set Synergy No
‘I’ll deal with the items I received from the limited edition purchase when I get a magic bag.’
Magic bags come in many sizes and are the standard bags for adventurers and long-distance travels. They are expensive and difficult to make, requiring a magic user specializing in
Once they finished clothing me in the outfit, they lift my body up and dust away any particles of unwanted grit and lint.
Standing up, I find my fox tail being hidden underneath the red Hakama. I frown slightly and think about
With a soft, whirling sound and a flash of pinkish white light, my hair color changes to a midnight black. The fox ears and tail are now absent while my eyes return to the crystal blue it had been before I picked the
How do I know this? There is a mirror directly opposite of me. I wobble a bit due to the missing tail but quickly acclimate to “becoming” a human again. One of the assistants giggled slightly when I nearly fell over. I notice Kotori walking into the room with a smile on her face.
“Big sister Senna! You look amazing!”
I smile before raising my hand to pat the top of the adorable student Miko’s head.
She utters an soft ‘eh heh…’ while closing her eyes and smiling.
I pet her head like a cat for a while before Kotori squirms away, giggling.
“All right,” the girl announces, “let’s get going!”
Kotori and I thank the assistants for their help and leave to head to the main ceremonial hall of the temple I am currently in.
The memories inserted into my character gives me a mental map of the entire village, allowing me to navigate anywhere that is not private property without getting lost. The temple I live in… well, my character’s life before I started playing, is quite spacious, constituting eight buildings surrounding the central, main ceremonial hall. All of the buildings are made in the style of historical Japanese Shinto shrines and temples.
The building to the south-east consists of two large living blocks, the first of which is for apprentice shrine maidens, like myself, and their assistant student Shrine Maidens. The second block of the temple’s living area is for official Miko.
The building to the south is a smaller block that is reserved for the Head Shrine Maiden, three elder shrine maidens, and their assistants.
The infrastructure north of the main ceremonial hall is the public ceremonial hall which exclusive visitors can get services from the shrine maidens. There are blessings, curse removal services, and a gift shop for accessories that have magical traits. Apprentice shrine maidens and student Miko usually manages the gift shop while official shrine maidens perform the blessings and curse removal services.
West, south-west, and north-west of the main hall are storage structures. The uniforms, clothing, and ceremonial equipment are in the west building. The building to the south-west of the main hall is used to create and store the trinkets and accessories for sale. The north-western building contains the heavy duty equipment to fight and protect against powerful supernatural entities.
A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.
To the east is a training hall for shrine maidens to train themselves in the art of dance, song, exorcisms, and blessings. The final, north-eastern building is for education and instructions for student and apprentice shrine maidens.
We will reach the main hall and perform the formal ceremony for the end of my apprenticeship….
… … …
… …
…
An Hour Later…
“Now, you are officially a Shrine Maiden of our Sacred Lunar Village.”
I rise to my feet as the Head Shrine Maiden finishes the ceremony. With the two of the three elders to witness – the last elder shrine maiden is visiting a noble for an exorcism – the ceremony, I am now an official Shrine Maiden.
Congratulations! You have been promoted from an Apprentice Shrine Maiden (Miko) to an Official Shrine Maiden (Miko)!
Your status will alter to fit in with the change in Profession.
As a Shrine Maiden of the Sacred Lunar Village, you must first visit the four sacred shrines located North, South, East, and West of the village before you will become a fully-fledged official shrine maiden. These four shrines contain mystical power that a shrine maiden must be bestowed with before she is able to deal with exorcisms and purifications.
Many shrine maidens have failed the trials of the four shrines and have yet to pass them. Before one becomes a fully-fledged official shrine maiden, she will only have limited power and be unable to pass through the mystical barrier hiding and protecting this village, the three shrines, and two towns in the Mystic Region.
When a Miko passes the trials of the first shrine, she will become a One-Star Shrine Maiden. Passing and obtaining the power of the second shrine allows her to become a Two-Star Shrine Maiden and so on. Once the Miko passes all four tests, she will be a fully-fledged Shrine Maiden whom will be able to travel out of the Mystic Region.
‘I see, even though I have become an official shrine maiden, I have yet to obtain the full power of one. It looks like I have to complete the four trials before I can head out to explore the world.’
The Head Shrine Maiden, Miyagi Shiina, is a young woman whom looks like a genuine Japanese shrine maiden with her traditional hime-cut, silky black hair and the generic dark brown eyes of oriental humans. Her clothing consists of the official shrine maiden outfit like the one I am wearing but it has gold threaded borders in place of silver and white ones. She also wears an outer cloak of red and gold that sparkles mysteriously.
The two elders wear the same outfit but has a white and silver cloak instead. Sakuga Mayuri is one of the two elders, standing off to the left side of Shiina (my perspective’s right). Her long black hair is done in a simply pony tail, tied up with a white-and-red ribbon. Next to Mayuri is Hashiyama Akane, the second elder shrine maiden. Where Shiina and Mayuri are at similar heights; both stand about 170cm (5’7) tall, Akane is a bit shorter at 165cm (5’5).
Akane, like her name suggests, has a head of fiery red hair that matches her crimson red eyes. Her hair is done in a long pony tail like Mayuri, but the former’s fiery hair is tied up with gold ribbon instead.
“Now that you are an official Shrine Maiden,” head shrine maiden says in a soft voice, “you will have to prepare yourself to visit the four sacred shrines.”
Elder Shrine Maiden Mayuri continues the head shrine maiden’s speech.
“The first shrine you will visit is the
Elder Shrine Maiden Akane cuts into Mayuri’s speech right when the latter pauses. Akane’s voice is stronger and clearer than both Mayuri and Shiina’s voices. It is as if her fiery-red hair and eyes result in her more forceful way of speaking,
“…you will have to obtain the
Akane stops speaking as Mayuri continues to the fourth shrine’s explanation.
“The fourth and final shrine is located to the west of this village, hidden deep in the Mountains of Temperance. This is the
The fiery-haired elder shrine maiden resumes speaking after Mayuri stops.
“To enter the
“Other than that,” Head Shrine Maiden Shiina says, “it should not take long for you to complete each visit. The three of us are confident in your abilities, Senna. You are one of our best shrine maidens we have trained.”
“Here,” Akane holds up three books; where she got them from is a mystery, “I will unlock and remove the limitations on the three spells you have learned ever since you became a student shrine maiden.”
The three books shone with a soft white light before disappearing. The world becomes grey and frozen again as it enters the tutorial mode again.
*ting!*
Spells Unlocked!
Three magic spells have been unlocked! Please open your “Magic List” to check the spells you have. You can exit the tutorial space in the same way you have done for your status window and skill list.
‘Hm… let me see….’
I open my list of magic up and open each spell’s information window open.
Magic Bolt Spell Type Projectile Spell Circle Basic Spell Target Single Spell Rank 1 Spell Cost Mana Proficiency 0% This is the basic attack spell taught to shrine maidens at a young age. The damage potential of this spell is relatively low but is also quite efficient and low cost.
Warding Sphere Spell Type Projectile Spell Circle Basic Spell Target Single Spell Rank 1 Spell Cost Mana Proficiency 0% This is the basic defense spell taught to shrine maidens at a young age. The bluish-white, transparent sphere that envelopes the target reduces incoming damage by offsetting some of the force behind the attack. Although quite weak,
Healing Winds Spell Type Recovery Spell Circle Basic Spell Target Target/Area Spell Rank 1 Spell Cost Mana Proficiency 0% This is the basic recovery spell taught to shrine maidens at a young age. Although the healing rate of this spell is low, it also uses little mana and heals every target in a fifteen-meter radius, with the target of the spell in the epicenter.
‘The spells seem a little underwhelming….’
I close the windows and exit the tutorial mode.
“Here is your equipment,” Mayuri speaks up and walks over to me, “this haraegushi and mirror will be part of your professional equipment.”
Elder Shrine Maiden Mayuri hands me two objects; a wooden wand with a couple of white, zig-zagging, paper streamers attached to the top and a medium, circular mirror attached to a light brown, wooden frame. The haraegushi or “lightning wand” is named for the zig-zagging paper streamers attached to the beige, wooden wand. The mirror itself has a slot which to slide one’s hand through. It kind of looks like a miniature buckler when equipped on to the off-hand.
A small window opens without entering tutorial mode.
Checking your equipment is the same as checking spells, status window, skills, and techniques. Simply think of the command in such way and the information will show.
‘I guess the system will not annoy you will endless greyed-out world tutorials….’
The head shrine maiden then walks over to me while the two elder Miko step back.
“As your congratulatory gift, here is a ten silver coins for you to purchase what ever you like in the village or in the town nearby.”
She hands me a small red and white pouch containing eight silver coins, seven copper cards, and twenty five copper coins.
You have acquired 10 Silvers!
The common currency of this world is measured in “Astra”, where one coin is the size of a modern day American Dime. There are five main coin values: one copper coin is 1 Astra, one silver coin is 100 Astra, a gold coin is equal to 10,000 Astra, one bluet coin is worth 1,000,000 Astra, and finally; the jade coin has a value of 1,000,000,000 Astra.
This means that 100 coppers are equal to 1 silver, 100 silver becomes 1 gold, 100 gold becomes 1 platinum, but 1,000 bluet coins are equal to a jade coin.
There is also currency “cards” made of the same material, slightly larger than the coin and is in a rectangular, card-like shape with rounded edges. One copper card is worth 25 copper coins, one silver card is worth 25 silver coins, one gold card has the value of 25 gold coins, and so on.
I tie the string of the pouch to ribbon that fastens my hakama to my waist. Until I get bag or item that can hold items like the “space bag” famous in so many games, I will have to hold items on my body.
“Thank you very much, head shrine maiden.”
I thank her for the gift and the three shrine maidens dismisses me. I cannot meet up with Kotori at this time until two days in game after; she is taking a test to discover her specialty as a student shrine maiden and will be promoted to an apprentice Miko after the test.
I think I will head to the first shrine immediately after I purchase a few important items from in the village general store. As I exit the ceremonial hall a quest window appears.
*ting!*
Story Quest: The Fourt Shrines of the Sacred Lunary Deity
Difficulty F-9 Tier 2 Chain
Quest 1 – Visit the Yakumo Shrine
This shall be your very step towards becoming a fully-fledged shrine maiden. Head to the Yakumo Shrine and complete the trial it gives. If you fail, you will be sent out of the shrine and be unable to retry until the debuff
The first shrine’s trial is on basic combat, fitting for a shrine maiden’s self-defence battle capabilities; prepare yourself properly!
Quest Objective(s)
- Complete the trial of the Yakumo Shrine
Quest Failure Conditions
- None
Bonus Objective(s)
- ???
- ???
‘It’s a story quest….’
I check the wand and shield-like mirror I have equipped.
Miko's Wand (Wooden)
Type Equipment Wand Rarity Common - Value Cannot be Sold Bound Limitations Shrine Maidens Only
This is a beige wooden wand made from a sacred tree that has been carefully grown and cultivated. The white paper streamers are also made from the wood of the same tree. This wand has some spiritual qualities that focuses the Miko’s own spiritual and magical power.
--- --- ---
Equipment Information
Physical Attack +2 (+1)
Magical Attack +5 (+1)
--- --- ---
(Set Synergy Condition)
- Wooden Miko’s Wand
- Miko’s Sacred Mirror
Durability 100/100 Set Synergy Yes
Miko's Sacred Mirror Type Equipment Mirror Rarity Common - Value Cannot be Sold Bound Limitations Shrine Maidens Only
This is a polished metal mirror in the shape of a circle. It is bordered by light brown wooden frame, making it look like a buckler shield that isn’t convex in nature. There is a leather strap underneath the mirror, attached to the wooden frame for the user to slide his or her arm into, fixing it on to the forearm like a buckler shield. It contains some spiritual power, giving the user small boost in magical abilities.
--- --- ---
Equipment Information
Magical Attack +2
Physical Defense +2 (+1)
Magical Defense +5 (+1)
--- --- ---
(Set Synergy Condition)
- Wooden Miko’s Wand
- Miko’s Sacred Mirror
Durability 100/100 Set Synergy Yes
'My stats…?’
I close the equipment window and open my status information to check what had changed after my profession change.
Status Information: Senna Name Senna Profession Shrine Maiden Level 1 Experience 0% Race Arc Fox Sex Female Equipped Title Founding Supporter Social Class (Rank) Pioneer Fame - Infamy - - - - - - Health 60/60 Health Recovery 0.1 / Sec Mana 110/110 Mana Recovery 0.05 / Sec Stamina 100/100 Stamina Recovery 0.1 / Sec Strength 7 Dexterity 10 Vitality 6 Endurance 6 Magic 13 Mentality 13 Agility 11 Reflex 11 Charisma 15 Luck 10 Spirit 13 Willpower 13 Fine Arts 11 Warcraft 11 Authority 11 Diplomacy 11 Physical Attack 4.04 Physical Defense 3.64 Magical Attack 10.16 Magical Defense 8.60 - - - - - Physical Modifiers Slash 115% Pierce 115% Crush 115% Blast 115% - - - - - Elemental Modifiers Fire 100% Water 100% Wind 100% Earth 100% Ice 100% Lightning 100% Light 100% Dark 100% Mind 100% Void 1000%
Nodding, I close off my status window and head out of the Sacred Lunar Temple area.
You have entered
The sun is shining, a gentle breeze blows past my face… this is such a lovely day.
The Sacred Lunar Village is a small, traditional Japanese-style settlement with many thatched-roof houses, wooden shacks, and a couple of solid wood and stone buildings. The layout of the village is in a circle, surrounding the temple I just came from. As I walk towards the market region of the village near north-west portion of the village.
On my way to the marketplace, I greet the villagers that I pass. Memories of each villager, the mental map of the entire village gradually appear in my mind.
‘I see, so my character has memories of her life before I started to play… I wonder, system call!’
I continue to the marketplace as I call for the A.I. that manages the system.
‘Oh, Aria, hello. I’m fine, thank you. I just wish to ask if other players start like this.’
Aria pauses for a moment.
‘I see…. Anyways, thank you for answering.’
‘No, I am fine now.’
I mentally give a farewell to Aria as I arrive at the general store of the village.
I enter the small, quaint building, brushing past the bamboo-like screen that covers most of the entrance.
“Welcome! Oh, it’s apprentice shrine mai... oh right, you are an official Miko now. Congratulations!”
“Thank you, Ryoko-san,” I thank the shopkeeper, “I wish to purchase a basic potion set, three basic antidotes, three rolls of bandages…”
The memories reveal the general store’s list that my character….
‘Huh… I guess it should still be me even though I did not start until now.’
…I have seen many times when purchasing goods from the village.
Ryoko-san, otherwise known as Amenara Ryoko, is the owner of the general store in this village. Despite of the small, rural-looking shop, Ryoko sells a diverse amount of consumable and utility items with level recommendations of level one to level fifty.
Ryoko is a gentle, young woman in her early twenties. Her medium length black hair, common to people whom are oriental-type in this world, is in a simple tied-back style. Wearing a rather subdued, soft green kimono with a few white and soft yellow flower decorations near the bottom half of the long kimono.
The store itself consists of a light brown, wooden counter top that spans from one end of the shop to the other. There is a wooden panel that opens and closes, allowing Ryoko to enter and exit the store from the front. On the left wall of the shop has three wooden shelves that are lined with glass bottle filled with liquids of different colors. The bottles are small, rounded cylinders that holds about 35ml each.
They are quite small and easy to carry, unlike the unwieldy, large, rounded glass bottles seen in many other roleplaying games.
The red colored ones are clearly marked as medicine that restores health. The blue ones restore mana while the green ones increase one’s stamina. There are bottles of purple liquid medicine that are marked as antidotes of different strengths and types, yellow liquid medicine that are for curing electrified status effects, and many other concoctions with different purposes.
‘I do not understand how these potions really work… I really wish to break down the materials and see the biochemistry interactions….’
“…and three empty bottles.”
The store also sells a small bag that can hold up to twelve potions and a small pouch attachment for the bag to hold other items. I buy the bag and pouch as well to carry the basic items. There are magic bags sold in this store as well but even the smallest one, containing eight inventory slots, costs exactly ten silver coins.
Ryoko places the merchandise I ordered on to the wooden counter. There is a small wooden rack with 3 Minor Health Potions, 3 Minor Mana Potions, and 3 Minor Stamina Potions placed in the slots. Near the rack is a set of three Basic Antidotes that can be used as a cure-all for most weak poisons. There are three soft bandage rolls, two small tins of basic hemostasis salves to cure minor
“The total comes to 281 Astra.”
The basic potion set in this store costs 125 Astra. I do not know the average market price for these items, but the store here sells minor health and minor stamina potions for 15 copper coins, and minor mana potions for 20 coppers. It is a 25 copper discount to purchase the set rather than buying each potion individually.
A single basic antidote costs 10 coppers, a roll of cloth bandages costs 5, the two small tins of hemostasis salve costs 15 coppers each, and an empty glass bottle costs 2 coppers each. The small bag costs 50 coppers while the pouch attachment has a value of 25 coppers.
Giving Ryoko three silver coins, she returns 19 copper coins to me as change.
After placing the potion set and antidotes into the bag, I place the potions and antidotes into the bag, the empty bottles, bandage rolls, and salve tins into the pouch. I then attach the satchel-like bag to the left side of my waist, on the ribbon-like sash tying my hakama.
“Thank you for your patronage! Please come again!”
I say farewell to the shopkeeper and start heading towards the north of the village as discreetly as possible. There are many villagers in the streets at this time, walking and browsing the fresh produce, hunted meats, and other food items in the stalls outside. Only the stores that sell exploration and combat gear are in small buildings….
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…
You have entered
After several dozen greetings and congratulations from villagers who knows me, I finally exit the village from the north entrance. The village’s farms and pastures are located east of the village, towards the town of Asayama. The north side, where my first goal is, contains beautiful green fields with several of copses in the area, leading up to a forest where the shrine is located.
The memories from my character contains most of the mystical region. Before my “advent” in the character, the apprentice Miko visited many places within the region with official shrine maidens and others. There are animals, monsters, and other creatures out in the fields that roam about. Some of them are non-aggressive creatures while others will attack targets on sight.
At Level 1, I should not have any problems defeating the creatures on my way to the shrine. As I walk slowly and steadily down the dirt path, I smile and observe some of the smaller animals scurrying about. I spot a couple of white rabbits hopping about… some of them are walking on their hind legs and are carrying....
‘…memories did not contain information of what creatures are out here. But aren’t these moon rabbits?’
Yes, there are two rabbits carrying wooden pestles in the shape of two cylinders connected by a wooden rod.
‘Identify.’
White Rabbit - Level 1 >>> HP: 10/10
Moon Rabbit - Level 2 >>> HP: 20/20
The rabbits hopping about normally are regular white rabbits… even though they are strange since it does not look like it is winter at this time. The rabbits walking around normally carrying wooden pestles are actually moon rabbits.
‘…cute.’
I end up walking towards a small rabbit by itself and kneeling on to the lush grass. The rabbit notices me and turns my way, curious about me. I hold my left hand out, with my palm facing upwards. The rabbit hops cautiously towards my stretched hand and sniffs my fingers a little before nuzzling its adorable head against my hand.
*internal cuteness squeal*
I giggle softly and smile, petting the rabbit a little before standing up. The rabbit looks up at me for a moment before hopping away. I wave goodbye to the cute rabbit before returning on my journey to the
A few minutes of walking and enjoying the scenery, I come across several white foxes frolicking about on the rolling, green hills.
White Fox - Level 2 >>> HP: 40/40
These are regular foxes that are playful and curious. One of the noticed me walking down the dirt path and stops playing, watching me as I observe them.
The foxes suddenly stop playing and one of them sniffs the air. All six foxes scamper away, clearly afraid of something. Looking towards the direction opposite to where the foxes ran, I find a slightly larger creature that seems a bit hungry….
Its level is lower than the foxes, but the health points is twenty five points higher. The
I am not excluded from the list of people who would freeze up in fear, but my mind and body are quite unusually adaptive to high-risk situations. A second before the snake bites into my throat, I acclimate and leap into action.
Side-stepping, I wave the equipped shrine maiden’s wand and smack the snake in the head.
You have dealt 1 damage to
‘Oh, come on….’
I immediately use a system call command to shut off the notifications for outgoing damage unless I deal a critical hit. The snake hisses as it lands on the dirt path a meter or so away from me. Twisting its body around, the grey snake tries to launch another attack on me, only to find a
I quickly check the serpent’s health points before preparing myself for another attack.
The
You have been hurt (-7 HP)
I let out a small cry, more from the surprise than the pain. Reeling a bit due to the strike, I nearly lose my balance, stumbling back two steps. Fixing my balance, I twist around, swinging the wand diagonally. The wand strikes the serpent’s head, which was close to biting me, and smacks the snake slightly off-course.
Before the snake can recover, I cast the
Critical Hit! You have dealt 15 damage to
In this game, standard actions can count as attacks. My stomp did a high amount of damage and was even a critical due to it being hit in head. The starter manual also stated that it is possible to create your own skills, techniques, and spells…. I doubt anyone can figure out how to do so without luck and/or true skill and intelligence in real life.
The snake squirms under my foot and tries to attack with its tail, only to get stomped on once more before the tail could hit me. This reduces the tail’s strength and the attack I receive does only a single damage to me.
A moment later, the snake wriggles free from under my right foot, the one that had stomped down twice. Angry and mad, the snake attacks my ankles, clearly attempting to disable my motions. Of course, being a level 1 creature, it is obviously not too threatening.
I hop away from the snake’s biting attacks and cast another
You have defeated
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