Days of playing had gone by, and still no word from the Black Alchemist's Guild. After completing the quest he had been told to wait until a member had contacted him with his next task. The Shadow Pendant and Cloak he had received had boosted his speed and the length of time he could render himself invisible using the Assassin class's specialized abilities. It was finding out that they were part of a beginner's armor set that boosted his shadow abilities that really excited and motivated him to level.
Being too low level to contend with any of the monsters in this part of Alrisia, he chose to level by gathering materials and resources. It had only been four days and he was already at level 12, with a Gathering Skill of level 5. He now had a low chance of gathering Perfect Death Orchids, as well as Pristine Silver Ore, Pristine Gold Ore, and Pristine Moonflowers. The first and latter interested him the most, as their descriptions suggested they be used for making poisons and potions and he had collected quite a few. The gold and silver ore could be melted down into ingots and flattened by blacksmith to be turned into thread later by tailor. He intended to use it in the future to make higher quality leather armor.
Just three more levels and should be able to not only challenge the first dungeon of the Shadowlands, but I should also be able to get some upgraded gear for the trip. His trusty dagger had been leveling with him, in time it would be his fiercest weapon, but for now it wasn't much stronger than he was, Legendary grade indeed, he grumbled to himself.
He had just come across a new plant called Angel's Bell, a beautiful lilac colored flower shaped like it's namesake, a bell with wings, when movement caught his eye. No more than twenty feet away stood a massive creature resembling a cross between a satyr of legend and a horned elk, but far far bigger. It had seemed as if it had appeared out of nowhere. He couldn't possibly have missed a creature of that proportion spawning out here, and so close to him.
"I see you there Shadow of the Celestials, come out in to the light, speak with me for a while."
It's voice was soft and thunderous at the same time, though it's lips never moved, he could clearly hear the voice in his head, and a powerful voice it was. Zalin found himself walking into the clearing and staring up at the great beast. The words "Sorrowful King of the Forest" sat in the sky above it's head, "level ???". Zalin was weary, but still kept his gaze upward towards the creature.
"What it is I can do for you oh Great King?" shouted Zalin towards the sky.
"No need to shout small one, my hearing is absolute." replied the Sorrowful King. "I should like to share my story with you, and listen well, for it could change the very fate of your wretched existence, Shadow of the Celestials."
Now that was different, thought Nobaru. Boss Monster like this one never spoke like that to heroes, and why did he keep referring to him as 'Shadow of the Celestials'? Is it possible the game changed to fit his character choice in the beginning? No, logically that wasn't possible. No matter how real a game may seem, it was still just computer programming.
"Sit small one, this may take a while...."
Zalin sat on the ground, forgetting all of what he was doing, and stared at the Sorrowful King listening to him as he began his story.
"It was many centuries ago when the Heroes invaded Alrisia, and the border of the Shadowlands were closed off...."