Losses certainly outweighed the gains. Since there were more than twenty of us alive after the fight we didn't even gain 1000 EXP each. 833 EXP to be exact. Long way until level 10. We slowly gathered our staff and few of the players took on the task to bring the body of the Rage Nightmare to the village. We may still get a reward from the chief if we bring it back. During the way back I revealed to others about the level 10 roadblock. I could see by their reactions that they were not pleased but I could also see understanding. They talked about how it was already hard enough, but this will still make the game more interesting.
We did get some silver coins but shared between us it didn't amount to a big number. I also paid other members of the group the losses they sustained from the arrows and to the ones that died during the fight. Just like that my savings dropped to around 30 silvers. Not that it mattered a lot, I was still the richest player in the village. When we finished with everything I started saying goodbyes to the other players. Tomorrow I will finally leave the village. I logged out of the game to take some real sleep and then after waking up and breakfast went to school.
I almost forgot about my date with Maria from the all of the excitement Boss fight brought, but almost. I wanted to see Maria and talk to her right away but I knew that I should refrain from romantic stuff during school hours. When I entered teachers lounge I found Maria talking with Anna about something. When the two of them noticed I entered I could see on their faces what was it they talked about. Obviously, the conversation was about our date yesterday. Anna had a shy smile on her face. Maria, on the other hand, had that enchanting smile from yesterday when she looked at me. I smiled at her and walked to their desk.
, Professors how are you this fine day?" I asked the two of them.
, Very well" said Anna, you seem very happy professor Novak. It would seem that not even the autumn rain could not ruin your good mood."
, Rain?" I asked and looked outside the window, was it really raining?" I really didn't realize that the rain is still falling outside.
Both of them laughed at my silly answer and Anna continued the conversation.
, You must have fallen in love really hard, that not even this lousy weather has no effect on you."
I was startled by Anna a little and then looked at Maria who was still smiling. Smitten by her beauty I could only give one answer.
, I indeed have. If you ask me the sun is shining outside."
Both of them laughed again which gathered the attention of our older colleagues. I could see their looks which told, oh its good to be young. In my case that was true. I must say that this is the happiest I have ever been.
, So are you prepared to leave the village?" asked Maria and pulled me to reality.
, There are a few small things left but otherwise, I am all set. You will wait for carriages, right?"
, Yes." said Maria, by some chance Mia also ended up in our village so when we are all ready we will go together."
, Wow, that's nice, it would be good if Hope also ended with you when she enters the game. I promised to help you but now that I am leaving the village I can no longer do that. it is not certain in which village she will show up either way. By the way, to reach level 10 from level 9 you will need to gain as much experience as for the first nine levels."
, So we will need 45000 EXP that will be hard." Maria, being a math teacher calculated very quickly how much experience points they will need for level 10.
, So professor Novak you are already level 9, that is how you know about that." said Anna.
, Yes, I almost thought that I would reach level 10 very quickly but reality shattered my dreams."
, How so?" both of them asked.
Then I told them about my fight with the Rage Nightmare, both solo and with the group. They listened to me attentively and I didn't miss one detail. As I was talking I almost thought that I was recounting the movie I watched last night. Even Anna confirmed that when she said that the fight sounded like it was from a movie.
, Your village should also have a Boss like this somewhere, so if you want to fight it you should gather other players and be prepared for anything."
We talked a little more until the bell rang for the start of the classes. Seeing that the only three of us stayed in the lounge Maria winked at Anna who seeing that walked outside and waited at the door. I was afraid a little at first before seeing Maria's smile when she talked to me.
, Did you got afraid when my father looked outside the window?"
, You were there with me so no."
, That means you would be afraid if I wasn't there?"
, Maybe, probably not, no, of course not." Seeing expression on her face changing so changed my answer.
, That's more like it." she said, so now that you are busy with traveling in the game when we will see each other?"
I almost said that we will still see each other at school, but quickly stopped myself.
, How about Sunday? Breakfast, lunch, dinner, what time is good for you?"
, Since you will busy during the day playing the game how about breakfast?"
, Very well" I said, I will pick you at nine. Is that okay?"
, Yeah" she said, smiled and gave me another sneaky kiss on the cheek.
As she exited the lounge I could hear the two of them laughing quietly. Remembering that I am at school and that the class will start soon I hurried after them. I should not be late for the first time because of one kiss on the cheek.
After school, I had lunch with my family and then logged into the game. Looking at the temple, in front of which I showed up I remembered everything that happened during my stay here. Farming, mining, killing monsters, collecting herbs, becoming a herbalist, healing others and of course that Boss fight from yesterday. A lot of things happened in this small village.
I entered the temple and prayed to the Gods for a safe journey. I could have prayed to one of them but one day buff in a days-long journey wouldn't be of much help. After that, I went to Donar to say goodbye. This blacksmith, on the first glance not so friendly to other people, helped me a lot during my say at the village. His wife was also there for some reason so I could thank her as well for providing my meals during my stay here.
Then I went to the chiefs house to say goodbye and take the jerky from the first boar I hunted. Chief was sitting in front of his house on his wooden chair seemingly waiting for me.
, You are finally leaving" he said, I must thank you for everything you did for the village. You really helped us a lot. Stay a little until we bring you your jerky."
I sat in front of the chief on the little chair he brought from the house and we talked about the world outside the village, its beauty, and dangers. Not much time passed and I could see someone coming with the jerky. Judging by the bow on his back, he was one of the village hunters. He handed me boar jerky and I put it in my bag with the herbs. They should last a long time in here.
Thinking that everything is ready, food, things for making medicine, herbs and bandages, two full flasks of water I filled before coming to the chief and of course leather armor on me and my staff I wanted to go on my way but chief stopped me.
, Wait a moment my young friend ai have some gifts for you." said the chief and then asked the hunter, did you bring them?"
, Yes chief we managed to finish it on time." the hunter said and handed two items to the chief.
, Here you go this is a flint it will help you to set a fire in the wild. Fire is important for cooking food or making beast not dare to approach you during the night."
, Thank you chief." I said as I took a small piece of strange looking rock in my hand. The only thing I needed was a fire striker but I guess my small knife will do for now. Before I could celebrate for this useful gift chief handed me the other one. I looked at it and remembered the Boss fight for yesterday at once. What chef handed me was a necklace. The necklace was made of teeth. And judging by the look of them they were the teeth of Rage Nightmare. They were strung on a thin string of leather. There were ten of them. The necklace looked very intimidating. I used Appraisal and put it around my neck. The stats and effects gave me a big surprise.
Rage Nightmare necklace
Rare
Accessory
Strength +10
Agility +10
Fear: make a lower level opponent scared for 5 seconds making it unable to attack back, there is a 20% chance to scare a higher-level opponent up to the 10 levels of the wearer for 2,5 seconds
Cooldown 5 minutes
What can I say except awesome? Accessories were amongst the rarest equips in the games and this one was a killer. Literally. I thanked chief once again and together with him started moving towards south gate. The chief said that he will escort me to the gates and see me off there. It didn't take long reaching the south gate and there I said goodbye to the chief and some other villagers that were there. Moving away I could still hear kids playing just like the first day I came and I even heard Donar hitting the metal with his hammer in the smithy. Leaving my starting village behind me I knew that a new adventure awaits me in front of me.
While I was walking on the road south I opened the chat option and called Marco and Wolf. They should have left their villages as well. I wasn't wrong. Both of them also started their journey towards the town.
, So did you take everything you need for the trip?" I asked them.
, Of course!" said Wolf in his big voice.
, Are you sure?" Marco asked him.
I was certain that Marco prepared everything as I did, but Wolf didn't give a picture of a guy who spends his time thinking what to pack for a trip. School trips are perfect examples of that. His mather packed him even in high school. But he still did his job as a police officer very admirable. He was never late for work and he was always prepared for everything.
I guess that his adventuring spirit won't let him prepare much stuff. His answer was just as we predicted.
, I have my ax and a hammock. What else do I need? Haha, I am kidding I prepared everything I need."
, Well as long as you arrive at the town safely it won't matter what you brought with you along the way." said Marco.
, That's true." I said in approval.
, Do not worry about me. I bet I will be first to arrive."
, Realy? Do you have the money to make the bet?" I asked him.
, That doesn't matter, are two of you scared to make a bet."
, Who is scared!" said Marco, the bet is on. How much should we bet?"
, How about 5 silver coins?" I asked.
, Wow rich man you really have money to spend?" asked Wolf.
, I do. What about you?" I now jabbed at him a little.
, Those 10 silver coins are mine. Good luck slowpokes." said Wolf and left the chat.
, Well it seems that the game is on." said Marco and also left.
Seeing as the two of them left I also put my legs on the road and slowly increased my walking speed which in some moments almost turned into running.
The race begins.