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Name: Human Adult
Race: Human (Wanderer)
Species: --
Class: --
Stats:
STR: 10
VIT: 10
DEX: 10
INT: 5-15
SPI: 5-15
Racial Talent: None
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Name: Elf Adult
Race: Elf (Wanderer)
Species: --
Class: --
Stats:
STR: 9
VIT: 9
DEX: 15
INT: 5-15
SPI: 5-15
Racial Talent: Nature's Blessing
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Name: Wolf Beastkin Adult
Race: Beastkin (Wanderer)
Species: Wolf Beastkin
Class: --
Stats:
STR: 13
VIT: 11
DEX: 9
INT: 5-15
SPI: 5-15
Racial Talent: Berserk
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Human, Elf and Beastkin. These are the three most popular choices among the wanderers. Dwarfs are fantasy staple, but their stature draws away many people. In contrast, elves and certain beastkins are very prominent among the wanderers.
As a game focusing on realism, naturally the races all have different initial stats. Physical stats of Strength, Vitality and Dexterity are decided based on the racial average for an adult, while Intelligence and Spirit are based on a test before when creating the avatar.
According to this world, Intelligence and Spirit are related to the soul. Intelligent is the cumulation of knowledge, as long as you are observing the world it will increase, but learning from books and the wisdom of other has greater effect. Spirit is the mental fortitude, the ability to handle stress. Since the game cannot just pick apart our brain to see, it is decided through an IQ and mental endurance test.
Physical stats are set and increases with training while intelligence increases through learning. Spirit is the most difficult one that only increases under stressful condition that the game can monitor for health and safety reasons.
Unseen by the stats is the development potential of each race. They are not provided knowledge, but rather common sense among the Fels. Beastkins can see greater increase in physical strength compared to humans given the same amount of training. Elves has the Nature's Blessing which helps them learn magic faster.
The only advantage humans have is that they are not limited to any class or skill, unlike how Beastkins have penalties in learning magic. Yet such advantage is snatched away by the racial talents, which humans have none.
"So, rule number one: If you just want to enjoy the world, don't choose human!"
"Denying your race already!?"
"So brutal."
"…"
Alni, Rina, Goruk and Rou is sitting in a room of the Central Hall to discuss their plan. They need to develop a guide for new, weak minded wanderers to follow so they can at least stand a chance in this world without having to die on repeat.
"Beastkins have an advantage in physique while elves have an advantage in magic and mana."
"But the main problem is the stats that won't increase without basic training that no one wants to do. Even reading books in the library is not shining so well with them."
The discussion is mainly a back and forth between Alni and Goruk since they understand the gamers' personality the best. Rou and Rina sits by the side and chimes in occasionally.
"Kids these days are too pathetic."
"Training and learning is very fun you know~ You get to be with friends, work hard together, and feel like you're living!"
Rina throws her arms up as the others went still. Rou silently stretch his hand over to pat Rina's head.
"…Let's continue."
"Yeah."
Moving on, the next point of consideration is the Monster Race.
"If you want high growth potential then you have to choose from monsters."
"But you can only start as basic wild animals, magic species, or common demi-human races."
"And they wildly unbalanced. The beasts have good physical capabilities, but their magical talent is nonexistent."
"That does unravel as they evolve, but…"
"Before that, is the problem."
As a game that prides itself for realism, the animals always starts in their own natural habitat. Forest, mountains, lakes, etc, and they will revive there in death too. Unless you are a zoologist, it's almost impossible to adapt to their lifestyle.
"The better choice are the demi-human races and the undead. The more brainless monsters might suit their playstyle."
"Like ogres and troll, maybe ghouls too? If you want to give up magic completely, they are very powerful physical fighters."
"Let's add those on. Then the most important part are the skills…"
Ahhh.
Both Alni and Goruk sighs.
"The real way to play is to not care about them."
"Yet everyone does nothing but rely on them."
They have gone through Aruk's special training so they understand how disappointingly the skills perform. It's better to learn parkour than rely on techniques from the skills.
"It's a trap. Why does it exist? It's screwing over the pace."
"It's because you are seeing them in the wrong way."
"Who!?"
Rou jumps from his seat and unsheathe his sword as a voice he does not recognise appeared. He did not notice anyone at the door until she spoke, and neither did the others.
"Hello, students…"
She turns to Alni.
"…and disciple of Aruk. I am Lyliasviel, a fellow Sage."
A tall and beautiful figure is standing at the doorway. She has golden hair and pointed ears indicating she's an elf, but around her is a deathly chill unique to the undead.
"Wah! It's the Lich! She was the one who lead the undeads against the demons!"
"I would prefer you call me a Sage. I am not fond of my current state."
"Oh, sorry."
"It's fine."
Ignoring Rou who is still alert, she walks up to the table beside Alni and Goruk.
Seeing Rina, who has inhuman level of intuition, not reacting violently at her presence, they decides to trust her words. They feel the room becoming colder as she is coming closer.
"Skills grant you power, but it's only minimal compared to what you can learn from the wisdom of our ancestors. Skills have lost much of their worth since thousands of years ago. You won't get anywhere by persisting on them."
'Isn't that what we said?'
Goruk thinks to himself, still apprehensive about the new arrival. He adapted well to the world, staying alert rather than carelessly curious.
"But that changes once a skill reaches level 10."
The Lich Sage continues.
"For Fels, level 10 is moment we ignite our soul and the power of our soul augments all of our abilities. That includes mana, aura, our body, vitality, spirit etc. The degree of strengthening depends on the depth of our experience. Everything we experience in our life is used to ignite our soul, so we can only ever do it once in our lifetime."
"That's sounds amazing, but wanderers-"
"Your souls naturally cannot be touched. It a rule. But your status, including skills is a record of your life in his world. The more colourful it is, the stronger you will become. For that reason, we call those who reach this state, Legends."
The goblins fall silent at the revelation, especially Rou who is the closest to Legend rank.
"For comparison, any Fel that becomes a Legend are at least S rank in strength. Wanderers don't follow the same rule so I can't say for sure, but you should at least be A rank. There is a much greater effect in breaking through once you've become a Goblin Lord than now, so don't rush."
"I understand. Thank you for teaching us."
Alni and the rest bows.
"It is something Aruk should have taught you, I'm just getting him to owe me a little."
Her tone confuses Alni.
"But isn't teacher dead?"
"Indeed, he died. Stupidly relieved too."
"Then-"
"Did you know."
She cut off Alni's word and whispers to her.
"When the Supreme Court was founded, 108 stars came into being. The constellation of 108 stars revolve like an Astrolabe, they are the blessings for each Fay, as well as an indicator of their life. The star at the very centre is Aruk's."
Lylia look straight into Alni's eyes.
"You can see the stars clearly in the Celestial Court, Aruk have also left something for you there."
Afterwards, they quickly drafted up a plan with the help of a Sage. The solution they found to combat is Sorcery, a practice of contracting higher beings and giving them mana in exchange of a phenomenon. It is an effective way to cast magic without having to learn a new language.
The species targeted for contract are the newly rising Spirit Race, and the Angels and Devils who serve the Goddesses or Order and Chaos. The method of contract and invocation is a mix of ritual and prayers. Say the predetermined chant and envision the result, as simple as that. There is a lack of flexibility and efficiency on casting spells but that is a small disadvantage compared to its ease of learning.
"We're finished, April."
"What? So quick?"
April is surprised to see them finish so quickly as she expected them to take days to finish. They need to first stabilise the various departments of the city to sustain an abrupt growth of population. That's why the training plan has much leeway in time.
"And isn't that Lylia! Why are you here? Did you need anything?"
"Just to tell you to stop dawdling and take them to the Court already."
"Yes ma'am."
April had been entrusted to bring the goblins to the Court by Lily, but she used it to her own advantage and is playing around.
She stiffens like a deer caught in headlight, like a kid who got found out. Alni's glare is not helping either.
The four goblins and April set off immediately. They quickly reached the seven floored unassuming tower and transferred into the Court. But April falls back seeing Lylia is not moving forward.
"Now go, I won't be following you. You probably won't be seeing me anymore."
"… Where are you going?"
"Now that everything is over, I really can't stand this body any longer. I don't age like Aruk, but undeads do decay. I refuse to die as a set of bones."
"I see…"
"Don't be sad. Your song was great, we all heard it. It was soothed our weary soul and made everything worth it. Thank you for returning to the battlefield at the end."
The wind brushes through the open window as April still can't bear to part.
"… Take this."
Lylia pulls out a pitch black bow given to her by Aruk. April recognises it as the same set of weapons the Fay used.
"He spent centuries making a set for everyone he knows and naturally, he gave me one too. But I never used it."
She hands the bow to April.
"If you ever need help, go find the Anima, the Dragon Sage. She has silver scales and is as large as a mountain. Last time I've heard she is hiding in the south-west of the continent. If she does not listen then you just have to show her this bow and tell her about Aruk. She is deathly afraid of him."
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Dragon Hunting Bow
Grade: Unknown
Description: Rather than Dragon Slaying that allows the wielder to stand head on against a dragon, this bow allows the wielder to turn dragons into prey.
Signed: Gobuda, The Most Handsome Goblin
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Seeing this bow, April thinks she can understand her fear.
She muster up her will and smiles brightly, she won't run from sadness again.
"Goodbye."
"…Yes."
"Are these what he left for us?"
"Books on magic, governance, sword art and contracting. They are suspiciously useful for our city building plan."
"A coincidence~"
"If Rina says so then it must be."
As they are chatting away, Alni is also searching through the sky. The sky seems transparent as the sun, moon and stars coexist under one heaven.
"It's there."
At the centre of the cosmos is 108 stars slowly revolving like an astrolabe. The stars are all dim but far from extinguished, as if they are in an unreachable place. And the star at the very centre, a star of deep scarlet shining ominously, as if signifying an Apocalypse happening far away.
In the world of Orin, realm of Hell, a new soul entered the place of judgement. But unlike the countless others mindlessly moving forward, she is met with a number of Angels, Devils, and Heroic Spirits.
"Lylia-!"
A devil waves at her from afar as she moves closer to them. She has green skin, small stature and two black horns pointing into the sky.
"Lirthusia, you seem to be doing well."
"Of course. I made a promise with Aruk to raid the Abyss after all. I can't stay dead!"
The people at her surrounding laughs.
"Thank you for your hard work. We were at a lost on how to spread words about us for a moment, then we thought about you. Sorry to bother you."
"Don't mind it Arianna. How does it feel being one of the first Angels. As I thought, the Gods really has their own plans for the world."
Lylia says as she scrutinise her form.
"If the Gods are ever cut off from the mortal plane again, it will be our responsibility to protect it."
"Hey Lylia, what are you going to become?"
Lir cuts in from the side.
"I don't have any faith in Gods and neither did I fall under any demonic influences, my only choice is to be a Heroic Spirit right?"
"Perhaps!"
"Do you know where Lily is, I did not see her in the Court before."
"Ah, she should be up in the Wastelands beyond the World's Edge. The Void Gate opened there before so a lot of monsters with weird abilities appear there."
"So she is trying to…"
"Find a dimensional travelling ability! She will assimilate them and go looking for Aruk! At least that's what I think."
"He got a job immediately after dying and reincarnated, it's really no rest for the wicked."
"He's happy so it's fine."
"We got our own work to do too!"