Even in the real world, members of the same race can beat each other senseless over various taboos, beliefs, and customs. Those who share the same skin color and speak the same language can even unblinkingly burn or kill others as 'heretics'. Not to mention, in this vast, bizarre game world filled with a myriad of diverse races.
Although many basic principles are not necessarily recorded in Mage's notes, for Motan, this was already invaluable.
"Here you go." The dwarf laughed at Motan, who was first startled then lost for words: "Don't rush to refuse, I've memorized almost everything inside. I can rewrite it at any time. Since you said you want to travel and broaden your horizons, this handbook should help you somewhat. Consider it as a thank you for what you've done."
Upon hearing this, Motan no longer feigned humility. He carefully took "Mage's Adventure Notes" and solemnly said to Mage: "I will keep it safe, my friend."
"By the way!" Mage's eyes suddenly lit up, he asked Motan: "Do you want to become a mercenary?"
...
After ten minutes, Motan stood in front of the headquarters of the Adventurer's Guild in Anka market, dressed in high-quality white iron chain armor and a black steel longsword enchanted with entry-level spells at his waist, smiling brilliantly.
He didn't forget how the old priest on the shore of Lake Daming forced him to buy a 'cost price' textbook for 20 copper coins.
He didn't forget the endless disappointment when playing games that involved opening boxes or unpacking.
He didn't forget how the first card always managed to oppose him in card games.
He didn't forget the countless rights to loot he lost due to sudden disconnects caused by his changing mood.
Anyway, whenever he played a game related to luck, even if he gambled online out of disdain for superstition, Motan was always the one who fell into the deepest pit, bearing the title of the most unlucky.
And now...
"Finally!" Motan clenched his fists, teary-eyed, and exclaimed: "My luck has finally turned around!!"
Mor, being "lawfully good", played for less than three hours in total, but got the kind of luck that seemed as if his head was always under the skirt of the goddess of luck. Not only did he win the very valuable adventure notes for a newbie, but Mage, upon learning that he wanted to become a mercenary, thrust a full set of high-quality gear at him. If it weren't for his current level and abilities being somewhat low, he might have gotten even more...
And that's not all!
Mage also gave him two moves of his favorite battle skills, commonly referred to as "skills" by players.
[Charge]
Active Weapon Skill
Requirements: any Weapon Specialization level 1, Strength 7
Cost/Limitation: 50 Stamina Points, Possess a melee weapon
Effect: Rush towards a specific point within 8-20 meters from the user, upon reaching the target location, deliver a definite critical hit to the nearest enemy unit. During the charge, all damage received is increased by 20%, but the user is not affected by any slow, immobilize, or stun effects. Cooldown time of 5 minutes.
Note: Although it's cool to charge with sparks and lightning, only reckless running on the battlefield is a man's romance. Whether attacking or escaping, always move with the mindset that "there's a goblin high-explosive rocket chasing me!"
With this skill, combined with the 'Charging Heavy Strike' that Motan learned after choosing the warrior profession, his instantaneous mobility can even surpass that of a ranger or thief of the same level...
That is if there really are level 1 rangers or thieves interested in racing him.
In short, Motan can now proudly say: "I'm very fast~!"
Then there was the second...
[Voldemort]
Passive Skill
Requirement: None
Cost/Limit: None
Effect: When standing still (this condition does not need to be met when in high-density shelters), if you maintain your height below 1.5 meters for 10 seconds, you will become less noticeable until your height exceeds this limit. Your next attack will cause 20% more damage. Cool-down time is 1 minute.
[Note: Hey, isn't it cool standing up there? The little deaf-blind one at the front, take my big Avada Kedavra!]
This is one of Mage's favorite tricks. Although it's not easy for Motan, it's still a highly practical passive skill. In Mage's words, if you find it tiresome to keep bending over, you can lie down, kneel, or even prone, just be careful not to do this in a crowded place, as being stepped on is quite painful...
In any case, since the person in charge on the elf side was temporarily not around, and Motan's physical condition seemed okay, Mage cheerfully let him head out.
The first thing Motan did was to register as an adventurer.
...
Anka marketplace is situated in the northwest of the mainland. Despite being called a marketplace, it's large enough to fit two Stacked Rock Cities. Due to its unique geographical location, it is a major transportation hub. The Anka marketplace is bustling every day with a large number of merchants, mercenaries, adventurers, and people from various walks of life. In this era when barter is still prevalent, this lawless area has gradually developed into the commercial hub of the northwest. Over time, it has formed into a large-scale, influential 'marketplace'.
The two major business groups on the Innocent Continent, numerous sects, and ubiquitous Mage Guild, Adventurer's Guild, Mercenary Association, etc., also have large branch offices here. The latter two have the largest scale, and the presence of the Adventurer's Guild and the Mercenary Association Anka branch can almost be called one of the landmark buildings here.
This made it easy for Motan to find his first stop - Anka Branch of the Adventurer's Guild.
This structure built of grey-green rocks, covering roughly one square kilometer, was situated in the north region of Anka marketplace. This hexagonal building, resembling a Roman Colosseum, doesn't have the luxury of a palace, the majesty of a castle, or the solemnity of a church. Yet it holds a bohemian and unrestrained temperament. Albeit unusual to describe a building's 'temperament,' it didn't feel out of place.
Next to the ever-open door of the guild, known as the Pioneer's Gate, stood two massive statues. One was a stooped gnome mage with a long beard, and the other a humanoid creature, carrying a spear, broadsword, hunting bow, and heavy shield on its back, with a torch and map in each hand.
Motan, stepping up to the Pioneer's Gate, looked up...
The Gnome Mage was holding a giant book in his hands, with a lifelike feather pen standing upright on it, as if magically writing by itself. His other hand leaned on a silver cane, with amplified engravings emitting a rainbow-like glow, illuminating his cheeks that seemed to have been weathered by the passage of time.
A line of small words was inscribed on the base of the statue: "To the great pioneer, Gary, who sleeps in the pursuit of endless unknown. President An Quan salutes you. The light of hope you lit will be passed on to our generations, and the writing of the Book of Returning Home will not cease until everything in this world has been explored."
"I salute you..." Motan bowed slightly towards the statue with lowered eyes as if lost in thought, and then walked towards the statue beside the door.
This statue, looking like a weapon master, had no facial features, and its figure seemed completely exhausted. Several details that could accentuate gender or racial attributes were skilfully hidden under the equipment, many parts stained with dark red 'blood,' yet it still seemed stubbornly wanting to take another step...
"Respect yourselves."
Only these simple seven words, but they felt worth a thousand words.
This wasn't a statue but a mirror...
A mirror where every adventurer could see themselves.
Chapter 18: End