"Welcome to the Fighter's Hall Basic Training Ground! Feel free to use the test dummies as much as you want. Additionally, there are some guide books for each weapon with basic usage techniques, strengths, and weaknesses. All of this is free of course.
Though if you would like, one of the Hall's members could act as a tutor to help you learn for 500 Gold per hour."
! Entered Fighter's Hall Basic Training Ground
! Spend 500 hours training here to receive an invitation to the Fighter's Hall Advanced Training Ground
"I spent all my money on my weapons, so I'll have to pass on that, but thank you."
Sirus walked away from the man, and started reading the textbook on Halberds, daggers, and knives. The book spoke to what situations each would be useful, strengths, weaknesses, and basic movements.
"My physical fitness has transferred well from all my days outdoors, but that doesn't really transfer well to weapons. I have enough money for two meals before I run out of money. I could take whatever requests the beggars take to get the 50 more Golds I need for one more before I take the mission."
Sirus alternated between his three weapons to keep soreness from building too much. From big swings with the Halberd, to close combat with the dagger to knife throwing. He spent the rest of the next 18 hours there, only interrupted by eating twice.
[Learned skill: Basic Halberd Arts]
[Learned skill: Basic Dagger Arts]
[Learned skill: Basic Knife Throwing]
Sirus was happy with his progress, now having a general feel for how the weapons felt. Every once in a while, usually after he had exhausted all of his stamina, he would get the notification, making him even more confident in his gains.
[Strength increased by .01]
Even more rarely, he would receive the same notification, but for an increase in dexterity.
He messaged Darren Baker, the man he had talked to over dinner, about taking a resident's request. They decided to meet outside the same restaurant as before.
"Hey, nice to see you again! Are you here to pay for more food?"
"Not exactly; I want to take one of the requests you take. I need a little extra gold before the next mission."
When he first asked about the request, Darren's face immediately showed his sadness, only slightly recovering upon hearing the reason.
"It's okay. Just because you failed one mission, doesn't mean it's over for you."
"What? I didn't fail a mission. I wanted to take more time to practice with my weapons, and I was hungry."
"Oh. Forget that then. But I'm not sure how much you really want to do this! Guild members are everywhere, and if they see you taking a resident's request, they'll ignore you as a potential prospect!"
"That's fine. I don't think I would fit in well working with others. I prefer taking all the credit, and that makes it harder."
"Well. Ok. I don't think I'm going to convince you otherwise. Let's go. The hardest one, but also the simplest, is close to here.
[Merchant John's Request: Move a wagon of merchandise from John's warehouse to his store in the city.
Reward: 300 Gold]
"See? Simple! But at the same time, you're the horse for a heavy carriage. It usually takes about an hour, so let's get moving."
Sirus really didn't want to do the mission, and it probably showed, but neither mentioned it. The two of them talked as they walked along, about how the game worked, how it changed people, and society.
"Here I am, poor, hungry, and tired. But honestly, it's not so bad. We beggars may have nothing, but it allows us to trust each other because we have nothing to take, and no way to harm each other. But them? The player's who really get involved? They slaughter each other for anything. You can't be close with people you don't trust. They just get wrapped up in greed for power, and lose themselves.
It's something I noticed a little while ago. While I don't think it's instant, whenever people are killed, the same number of people spawn into the temple to keep the population up. The number of people coming in, in the months I've been here, has only ever increased."
Sirus thought about what he said, about the disconnect between wealth or advancement and happiness, but it didn't really have the same connection with him as it did his friend.
"I don't know man. Swords and spears are cool as shit, and so is fighting monsters. I haven't killed anyone, and I don't think I ever will, unless forced, so I'm not worried about that. And magic too! I'm not passing up on that for safety."
The two continued, their debate becoming more and more heated. Although neither side was really all that angry at the other, they didn't pay as much attention as they needed to.
"Hey! You trash! You a player? You just ran over my foot! Do you know who I am?"
"Do you know who I am?"
! Player Harin Skolios
"What? No, of course not, why would I know anything about mosquitos?"
"Ok, so we're even."
"I don't think you understand what's going on here. I'm Rowan Green, a ranker. Well above anything you will over obtain. Apologize, and break your foot, or I'm going to get even angrier."
"If you do, are you going to get big and green?"
A small group of people had gathered around the scene, curious as to the noise, and started to laugh at Rowan.
"I wouldn't joke. I might not be able to attack you here, but don't think you're safe. If you ever leave the city, I'll kill you. I might even pay one of your rat friends 20 Gold to kill you while you sleep in the sewer. They won't care about the penalty. Or, you could take the smart route, and know your place at the bottom, below my heel."
"No, thanks for the offer though."
"Are you mentally handicapped? Running away like the beetle you are will only lead to your death."
Sirus slowly started pulling his cart again, and walked away. Rowan stood where he was, stewing in his anger, unable to do anything at the moment due to the city guards. Darren pushed his cart quickly, and met back up with Sirus.
"Are you stupid? He really does have a force to bear, not just some guy! People have been paid to kill others in the slums when they offended someone! I'm not saying to break your foot or anything, but at least apologize, or don't be so rude!"
"I really don't think people would be so petty as to try to kill someone over such a small incident as this. There weren't even that many people watching."
"I wouldn't be so candid, but you'll learn, either from me telling you, or from experience."
[Request Complete!
Reward: 300 Gold]
[Strength increased by .01]
"Huh? My strength increased?"
"Yeah, of course it did. You've been lugging a wagon around by hand. That makes you stronger."
"That makes more sense than I thought it was. I thought it was some sort of hidden bonus to this job."
"Ha! This shit wouldn't have anything like that. Anyways, it was nice working with you."
Sirus and Darren parted ways, Sirus especially happy about the result, given he could now afford two more meals before he took his next mission. He returned to the training ground, and resumed his preparation before he took his next mission.