Flower Forest
AFTER walking for an hour-long, I reached the beautiful forest with pink and white flower trees. The place looks like Japan's famous sakura blossom spot, Mount Yoshino. Nakakita agad ako ng maraming dog size caterpillars na nakakalat sa bungad pa lang ng forest. Ang iba ay nasa lupa at ang iba ay naglalakad sa mga puno.
I noticed a green bar appeared on top of the caterpillar's head, which indicates its HP. I laid my eyes on my first target and immediately struck my dagger to the caterpillar's head while shouting, "Flank Attack!"
Isang hologram na critical hit ang lumabas sa aking right eye. After that, lumabas ang data or information about sa caterpillar na pinatay ko. Tumaas din ang blue line User Interface o UI na pakiwari ko ay ang aking level meter.
Namatay agad sa aking ginawang attack ang kaawa-awang uod ngunit napaluhod ako nang bumigay ang dalawang tuhod ko. Hmm... So kapag gumamit ng skill sa laro ay nababawasan ang stamina dahilan upang makadama ng pagod.
SYSTEM NOTICE!
Critical Hit! Catterspike – 55, 50/50, has been killed by Nightingale.
Exp. Gain: 50 | Drop: Silk thread
Nightingale is now level 2.
Nightingale has Level UP!
Nightingale STR has increased by 1.
Nightingale AGI has increased by 1.
Nightingale Health has increased by 10.
Nightingale STAMINA has increased by 10.
Dahil isang Flank attack ko lang naman ang mga Catterspikes at isang tira lang naman ang Mothlings gamit bow and arrow, hindi ko na muna ginamit ang mga free health and stamina potions ko. Nag auto-regenerate naman kasi ang stamina kapag na ikaw ay nagpapahinga, medjo matagal nga lang.
[Mothling – Catterspike after metamorphosis; same size as catterspikes.]
Reaching level ten is no easy task, four hours with my killing/resting routine, mula sa green catterspike hanggang sa aggressive purple catterspike and a little bit of mothling on the way. Dahil din dito tatlong passive skill ang aking natutunan yun ay ang Clean Kill, Savage at Lazy Pumpkin.
[Lazy Pumpkin- 10% faster than normal regeneration.
Savage - Attack with a dagger deal 5% more damage if you rapidly hit the target three or more times.]
[Clean Kill - Bows and crossbows deal 5% more damage to a target at full Health.]
[Resting or Regenerating – slowly recovering stamina without consuming potions or food. Does not work for recovering health unless you have bandage skill.]
Maglalakad na sana ako ulit nang makakita na naman ako ng system notice.
SYSTEM NOTICE!!!
Hunger has conquered your body. Thirst has conquered your body.
Strength reduced by 50%.
Agility reduced by 50%.
Stamina reduced by 50%.
I moaned and rubbed my belly. I was physically exhausted; my throat was burning with thirst and my stomach was empty and hollow. No wonder na tinawag ang game na ito na reality-based game. I pulled out my novice bag pack o mas magandang tawaging cosmos bag pack. Mukha lang kasi itong normal na travelers back pack pero maraming nailalagay. 25 slots ang pwdeng mailagay sa loob ng novice bag pack meaning 25 different items ang maaaring mailagay sa loob ng bag.
Nilabas ko ang tinapay na katulad ng isang baguette bread sa real world at isang bottle of milk sa aking bag pack. Naupo ako sa pinakamalaki at nag-iisang golden tree na nakatayo sa isang cliff. Wala kang makikitang Catterspike at Mothlings na umaaligid sa paligid ng puno. Marahil ang ginintuang punong ito ang highlight sa lugar ng Flower Forest. I started to eat the food pero sa kasamaang palad, it tasted bland!
"Mama, Momo want some too," rinig kong sabi ni Momo. Alam kong sa kanya ang tinig na iyon.
"Momo?! Where are you?" tanong ko habang lumilingon sa paligid. Sobrang lapit lang ng tinig nito pero 'di ko ito makita.
"Right here, Mama." Kuminang ang golden tiara sa noo ko, nagpalit ng anyo at naging si Momo.
"I see. So, you're that beautiful tiara I'm wearing. But why accessory? Can you transform to a more convenient item, like sword" wika ko habang gutom na kinakain ang tinapay na walang lasa. Hinatian ko si Momo na ngayon ay mukhang lumilipad na si Lopunny ng Pokemon.
"No! Momo, don't want to be a killing item."
"But don't you think it's better to have a talking sword rather than a talking tiara." I sighed with disappointment.
"No. Momo don't think so."
"Whatever."
Huminga ako nang malalim. Ang sarap ng simoy ng hangin dito. This is a very nice view. Isang malawak na bukirin at sari-saring mga puno katabi ang mga maliliit na kubo ang makikitang view sa ibaba. Wala ng ganito sa real world, puro tall buildings at mega infrastructures na lang, malinis naman ang hangin ngunit ibang-iba sa matatawag na fresh air. Ang fruits, vegetables, and wheat ay kinu-cultured na lang sa malalaki at hightech na greenhouses.
Mayamaya'y nararamdaman ko na ang lamig ng hangin, ang kaninang matingkad na asul na kalangitan ay may bahid na ngayon ng kadiliman. Marahil ay malapit ng gumabi.
"Stat Window," I said nang maubos ang kinakaing tinapay.
ID: Nightingale
Race: Human
Level: 10
Health: 600
Stamina: 400
Strength: 25 + ??
Physique: 10
Agility: 25 + ??
Intelligence: 10
Willpower: 10
Charisma: Unknown
Luck: Unknown
Passive Skill: Haggle (Race Attribute)
Talent: Concealment (Class Attribute)
Weapon Skill: Flank Attack (Dagger Attribute), Double Strafing (Bow Attribute)
After some minutes ay nagpasya na akong bumalik sa town upang pumili ng job at ibenta ang napakarami kong loots consist of silk threads, fine threads, and butterfly powder. Si Momo ay bumalik na bilang isang golden tiara sa aking noo.
Ngunit wala pang dalawang hakbang nang biglang isang Forest Fairy na kasing laki ng tao ang nag-spawn sa aking likuran. Napakaganda ng maamong mukha nito at natatakpan ng mga ginintuang dahon ang mga maseselang bahagi ng kanyang katawan. Ang mga glamorosang pakpak nito ay parang golden fibers na lumulutang sa hangin.
She's beautiful and absolutely looks harmless, but I'm not stupid. Wala akong minutong inaksaya at mabilis akong tumakbo papalayo rito. Just like all online games, BOSS monsters are always aggressive! With that thought, I mustered all the strength in me and run for my damn life! But unfortunately, naa-attract ng Forest Fairy ang mga mothling na nadadaan namin at nagiging adds niya.
[Aggressive also referred to as "agro" – are monsters that will automatically target and attack the player; Adds – boss minions or army.]
My feet were shaking dahil sa matagal kong pagtakbo at malapit ng masagad ang stamina ko. Malayo na rin ako sa lugar ng golden tree pero patuloy pa rin akong hinahabol ng Forest Fairy. Hanggang sa makakita ako ng isang player na papunta sa aking direksyon.
"Turn back! Go back!" hiyaw ko habang sinesenyasan itong bumalik. Isang ugat ng puno ang hindi ko naiwasan dahilan para ako'y madapa at gumulong-gulong sa lupa. Damn! At this rate, mabilis lang akong maaatake ng Fairy.
Is this the end? Mamamatay nalang ba akong isang hamak na novice. Disheartened, I closed my eyes. Goodbye, ten million.
"Hey, ug—woman! You think you can fool them by playing dead?!"
Playing dead?
When I opened my eyes, I saw long platinum haired guy proceeding in my direction. His voice sounds super familiar. Wait, he's the Arrogant Elf from the fountain! He's luring the Forest Fairy and the adds away from me. Iba na ang kasuotan niya kaya hindi ko siya agad namukhaan. The Elf was surprisingly strong and quick, pero hindi pa rin niya makakayang mag-isa ang BOSS at ang mga mothling.
I really need to help him. I immediately grabbed my bow and arrow as I carefully targeted and shoot the weak spot of every mothlings. Buti nalang hindi ko inubos ang mga arrows ko.
Critical Hit!
Mothling -590, 570/570, has been killed by Nightingale.
Exp. Gain: 150
Drop: Butterfly powder, Butterfly wing
Ang aking mga palaso ay tumama sa mga abdomen ng mga mothling, na mabilis na ikinamatay ng mga ito. Isang palaso lang ang katapat ng isang mothling kahit level fifteen ito at ako ay level ten pa lamang. Basta alam mo ang kahinaan ng mga ito, madali silang mapapatay. Luckily, alam ko ang weak spot ng mga ito dahil naka-encounter ko na rin sila kanina. Limited na lang ang arrows ko so MISS is not an option.
Nagsimula ang dilim, ang mga puno na tila kumikislap sa liwanag ng buwan na lamang ang nagsisilbing ilaw naming tatlo. Ang endless sea ng mga nag-gagandahang at makukulay na bulaklak na tila sumasayaw sa malamig na hangin ang ang mukha ng flower forest ngayong gabi. Ang serene at peaceful scenery na ito ay taliwas sa madugong sitwasyon naming ni Elf.
I'm so tired, masakit na rin ang buong katawan ko. Two arrows na lang ang natitira sa akin, no health pots, no stamina pots, and I only got one skill left bago tuluyang mag-collapse.
Tila naiinip na rin ang sugatang si Goldivah (Forest Fairy) at nilabas na rin niya ang kanyang final and special move. Mabilis na winagayway nito ang kanyang maganda at magarang golden fiber wings. Ang mga hibla nito na sumama sa hangin ay nagmistulang flying needles na bumabaon kapag ito'y nadidikit sa aming balat. It's incredibly painful, first time kong makaramdam ng damage attack sa game. Naiiwasan ko naman kasi ang mga atakeng ginagawa ng forest fairy kanina! Pero sakamalasmalasan pa ang final attack nito ay isang AOE. And shet! It was a needle attack! May phobia kaya ako sa injection!
[Area of Effect or AoE – in which the affected region is centered on the character who's performing the ability rather than the location of the player's, choosing.]
I saw my own blood flowing from my skin and it drains my HP per second. Despite of the powerful attack, the Elf manage to jump above her head and released his ultimate move, 'Death Blow', kung tama ang aking pagkakadinig. Though his attack did not end the Boss' life, lubha namang nasugatan ang huli, giving me an opening para magamit ang thief ultimate bow move ko.
"Double Strafing!" buong lakas na sigaw ko at ang dalawang natitirang arrows ko ay tumama sa puso ng Forest Fairy.
PARTY NOTICE: Goldivah has been killed by Nightingale.
Goldivah – 270, 255/10000, has been killed by Nightingale.
Exp. Gain: 0
Drop: Ragged Cloak, Golden Collar, Golden Flower
Congratulations Nightingale for achieving First Blood for Killing Mini-boss goldivah. Rewards: Charisma +1. Poison needle skill
Congratulations Nightingale for achieving 99 Kills using one-hand weapon! Rewards: one-hand mastery skill
Congratulations Nightingale for achieving 99 kills using bow. Rewards: Archery mastery skill!
Congratulation!
Nightingale has learned poisoner Skill!
[Poison needle - Poisons you mix are 25% more powerful]
[One-Handed Mastery 1/10 - One-handed weapons do 10% more damage./, and critical strikes with one-handed weapons do 5% more critical damage per level of One-Handed.]
[Archery Mastery 1/10 - Bows and crossbows deal 10% more damage./, and critical strikes with bows and crossbows do 5% more critical damage per level of Archery.]
Nag-flash din sa screen ang lahat ng information tungkol kay Goldivah.
"You are the death of me!" agaw-buhay na sabi ng Elf at umupo malapit sa akin.
"I didn't ask for your help."
"You-!" the corner of his lips suddenly twitched and was speechless for a moment. Then sighing deeply, before he said. "Do you think I'm helping you?" He rolled his eyes. "You wish! I'm here for that mini-boss!"
"Thought so," maikling sagot ko. Pagod na humiga sa mismong kinaroroonan ko at hinayaan ko lang na magsalita nang magsalita ang aroganteng Elf. I should have known na may boss sa lugar na iyon. Ako lang kasi ang naggi-grind sa lugar na iyon, puno na kasi ng mga player ang ibang starting field and that is the only spot na available.
"You're just a novice, why the hell are you fighting a boss? Are you asking for death or you're one of those who only have looks but no brain. Didn't you know that Flower Forest is Goldivah's lair?"
This bastard, wala ba syang alam kung di manlait at mang mata ng kapwa? I close my eyes and relax my aching body. Isang araw palang ako dito sa game, muntik na akong mapatay ng mini-boss. What the hell am I doing? If that person is really here, kaylangan kong mag survive sa game na ito upang makita siya. Besides, sayang naman ang aking priceless Dcap kung unang araw palang ng game ay K.O na ko.
Opening my eyes, I looked at the noisy white hair elf beside me. Seeing him now in a daze while looking at me, I said "What? Done ranting?"
He runs his hand through his hair as he glares at me. His mouth presses into a grim line.
"Goldivah is on the top of my list to kill!" As he narrows his eyes, cocking his head to one side, and finally humiga katulad ko. "She's dead, and you killed her. Now I need to wait for another week for the next respawn. God knows how many players I will be competing with by that time!"
"Oh?" I replied looking at his back, mukhang nagmumukmok siya. We obviously killed Goldivah together pero ako ang naka-last hit at napunta sa akin ang lahat ng credits na gusto niyang makuha, kung ano man iyon. Pero kaya ba niyang patayin si Goldivah ng solo? I wonder.
Gusto ko na sanang tumayo at umalis, kaya lang sobrang na-drain talaga ang lakas ko at wala akong ibang gustong gawin kundi ang magpahinga. Binaling ko na lang ang tingin sa kalangitan.
Namamangha kong pinagmamasdan ang madilim ngunit napakagandang kalangitan. I can see a high star field density plus the nebula. Dito mo lang ito makikita sa game. Ang mga sanga ng mga puno ay kumikislap din at hindi nagpapatalo sa kalangitan. Sinabayan pa ng mangilan-ngilang alitaptap na lumilipad sa hangin. Everything is so fantastic.
Oh, the loots! Nilingon ko ang Elf nang maalala kong napunta pala lahat sa akin ang mga drop ng boss. His eyes were close na animo'y natutulog, he looks so relax kaya hindi ko muna siya tinanong kung anong loot ang gusto niyang kunin. He deserved some loots pero kung ayaw niya hindi ko siya pipilitin.
Hindi ko napigilang pagmasdan ang mukha niya, his pointed ears, high bridge nose, silver long eyelashes, and his silky platinum hair na parang ang sarap hawakan. Naalala ko ang aso ko sa kanya na si Midnight. mayroon siyang tatlong tattoo sa mukha, crescent moon on his forehead, and weird symbols on his both cheeks na hindi ko nakita kaninang umaga. He wears a fancy light robe with a big long fluffy black tail like around his shoulder, tacky! Ano kaya ang job niya? I look away at nagkunwaring natutulog nang gumalaw ang eyelashes niya.
So... this jerk is already in his second job while I'm still a novice thief!
Napangiti ako bigla. Maybe he's not a bad guy afterall.
Naalala ko na naman ang binatang aking hinahanap. I wonder if he started at this town.