After approaching within five meters of Cairn, the Knight atop the reptilian steed stopped, removing their crimson, dragon-themed helmet to reveal a handsome face, wispy blonde hair that was faded on the sides, blue eyes, and a faint scar parting their left eyebrow.
"State your name and affiliation," said the man, identified as Argo Silvers by the text hovering above his head. He was also a Level 43 Knight Captain with the Title of Baron, so Cairn raised his empty hands to show he meant no harm as he replied, "My name is Cairn. I'm a Traveler with no affiliation at the present."
Though he didn't know if the designation of a Traveler had any meaning in his present circumstances, it was how Players were traditionally known to NPCs in the virtual world.
"A Traveler..." muttered Argo, passing his stern, suspicious gaze over Cairn from head to toe.
"What happened here?" asked Argo. "We received witness accounts that a Brute Dragon of considerable size was spotted in the area. Considering where you just crawled out from, you must have seen something."
Nodding his head, Cairn answered, "The village further down was ravaged by a colossal, spine-covered monster capable of breathing liquid flame. It stood on two legs and had a head framed by numerous horns."
Turning to his companions, Argo made a hand sign that prompted the rest of the Knight company to move forward. When their Commander, a Level 61 Lord Knight named Silas Childes, reached Argo's side, he removed his helmet to reveal a rugged, middle-aged countenance set by a broad nose and inlaid with glowing red eyes. His hair and neatly groomed beard had become white with age, but he exuded intense pressure as he focused his gaze on Cairn and listened to Argo's report.
Catching Cairn a little off guard, Silas abruptly asked, "Traveler, what God do you serve?"
Thinking fast, Cairn answered, "I am beholden to the Goddess of Light, Restia," while slowly reaching into his pocket, simultaneously accessing his Inventory to withdraw a tiny crystalline figure resembling an angel in prayer. Upon seeing it, much of the hostility in Silas's eyes disappeared. He still exuded tremendous pressure, but that was primarily due to the situation at hand. They had been dispatched to repel a monster that had roamed the frontier for millennia, so everyone within the company was on edge.
Taking a closer look at Cairn's clothing and equipment, Silas nodded his head in an approving manner, saying, "If you continue along this path for half a day by ground, you will reach Austral Castle Town, the dominion of Duke Lionheart. May the Light of the Goddess guide you."
"And you as well," replied Cairn, lowering his head slightly as a universal sign of respect. He wasn't yet familiar with the customs, traditions, and etiquette of this world, but his appearance, combined with his Charisma stat, should make his words and actions seem reasonable to those who weren't hostile toward him.
Donning his helmet, Silas gave one last look at Cairn before ordering his men to move out. In their wake, Cairn raised his head, using his [Insight] to see how he compared to the average Knight, Knight Commander, and Lieutenant.
--------------------------
Name: Silas Childes
Species: Human(95%), Dragonkin(5%)
Gender: Male
Age: 73
Title: Vice-Commander of the Crimson Knight Brigade(HP+50%)
Class: Lord Knight(Epic)
[Attributes]
Level: 61/65[Noble(20), Knight(20), Knight Captain(20), Lord Knight(1)]
HP: 199,260
MP: 2,911
Str: 228+285
Agi: 117+146
Vit: 504+603
Int: 43+54
Dex: 199+250
Cha: 259+168
Talent(s): [Noble Birth(20/20)], [Valor(20/20)], [Leadership(20/20)], [Aura Mastery(1/5)], [Slaughter(68/69)], [Tactics(62/70)], [Swordsmanship(58/65)], [Shield Mastery(50/50], [Pain Tolerance(46/50)], [Spearmanship(39/45)], [Etiquette(37/58), [Politics(33/37)], [Riding(25/48)], [Camping(29/51)], [Hunting(38/63)], [Archery(25/39)], [Cooking(53/81)]
Skill(s): [Charge(MAX)], [Shield Bash(MAX)], [Parry(MAX)], [Piercing Strike(MAX)], [Helmet Break(MAX)], [Commanding Shout(MAX)], [Stalwart(MAX)], [Lunge(MAX)], [Longshot(7/10)], [Fire Imbue(7/10)], [Lifestyle Magic(5/5)], [Attack Aura(1/5)], [Defense Aura(1/5)], [Aura Sword(1/5)]
--------------------------
--------------------------
Name: Argo Silvers
Species: Human
Gender: Male
Age: 31
Title: Baron(Cha+20%)
Class: Knight Captain(Rare)
[Attributes]
Level: 43/58[Noble(20), Knight(20), Knight Captain(3)]
HP: 18,240/18,240
MP: 1,532/1,682
Str: 67+46
Agi: 105+72
Vit: 225+155
Int: 74+15
Dex: 148+72
Cha: 190+93
Talent(s): [Noble Birth(20/20)], [Valor(20/20)], [Leadership(3/18)], Etiquette(55/70)], [Slaughter(41/63)], [Swordsmanship(39/44)], [Shield Mastery(8/23], [Pain Tolerance(4/18)], [Spearmanship(25/49)], [Politics(48/63)], [Bedroom Arts(14/15)], [Riding(35/41)], [Camping(14/27)], [Hunting(44/59)], [Archery(38/50)]
Skill(s): [Incitement(MAX)], [Charge(MAX)], [Parry(MAX)], [Piercing Strike(8/10)], [Lunging(7/10)], [Commanding Shout(4/10)], [Longshot(6/10)], [Trickshot(5/10)], [Lifestyle Magic(5/5)], [Shield Bash(2/10)]
--------------------------
--------------------------
Name: Jeremy
Species: Human
Gender: Male
Age: 20
Title: Survivor(Vit+20%)
Class: Knight(Common)
[Attributes]
Level: 28/39(Commoner(20), Knight(8)]
HP: 5,462/5,462
MP: 472/472
Str: 53+8
Agi: 47+7
Vit: 139+50
Int: 35
Dex: 58+9
Cha: 28
Talent(s): [Resilience(20/20)], [Valor(8/19)], [Camping(31/35)], [Pain Tolerance(29/34)], [Swordsmanship(21/34)], [Spearmanship(24/33)], [Hunting(27/30)], [Riding(21/25)], [Shield Mastery(14/24)], [Archery(9/21)], [Cooking(9/20)]
Skill(s): [Charge(7/10)], [Lifestyle Magic(5/5)], [Parry(4/10)], [Piercing Strike(4/10)], [Lunging(3/10)], [Longshot(2/10)], [Shield Bash(2/10)]
--------------------------
Noticing that different people had different caps on their Levels, Talents, and Skills, Cairn couldn't help muttering, "RIP Jeremy..." while cupping his hands together and closing his eyes. He knew well how frustrating it was to reach the limit of your growth as he had been stuck as a Level 20 Miner for four-and-a-half of his five years in the virtual world. If Jeremy hoped to rise through the ranks to become a Knight Captain, he was fated to be disappointed...
Separating his hands and raising his head, Cairn turned in the direction the Crimson Knights had arrived and began walking. A half-day journey meant he had quite a distance to cover, but wandering the countryside of a foreign world was quite a bit more enjoyable than spending 14-16 hours in a mine.
"So this is my new home, huh...?" muttered Cairn, passing his gaze over verdant hills, grassy plains, and distant snow-covered mountains. From his current vantage, he could see a forest whose trees seemed to exceed a hundred meters, what looked like a fractured moon floating stationary in the upper atmosphere, and a white 'line' connecting to it, reminding him of the orbital lift that had been under construction for more than a decade in his previous world.
*Ding*
--------------------------
[Congratulations on Tutorial Quest: Rampaging Tyrant!]
Quest Name: Rampaging Tyrant
Quest Rank: SSS
Completion Rank: D
Description: This isn't a game. Though you will revive, death is a painful experience.
Objective(s): Avoid being trampled and report what you witness to the Crimson Knight Brigade(1/1).
Optional Objective(s): Inflict at least 100 points of damage on the Ancient Dragon, Rahagora(0/100).
Rewards: [Map of the Southlands]x1, [Grain Pill]x30, [Decanter of Replenishment]x1
[Map of the Southlands]
Rank: Rare
Description: A map displaying the topography and basic information on Dungeons in the Southlands.
Materials: [Quality Papyrus], [Enchanted Ink], [Lantern Bee's Wax]
[Grain Pill]
Rank: Common
Level: 0/20
Use: Staves off hunger for 24 hours. Reduces Stamina depletion.
Description: A tasteless but essential foodstuff for long expeditions and exploration.
Ingredients: [Red Grade Mana Stone], Any type of Cereal Grain.
Medicinal Potency: 50%
[Decanter of Replenishment]
Rank: Rare
Description: A glass decanter that has been enchanted to attract Water Elemental Energy from its surroundings, producing up to a Liter of clean water every hour. Most effective when submerged in a spring or flowing water.
Ingredients: [Thousand Sand], [Phoenixwood]
--------------------------
Pulling out the [Decanter of Replenishment], resembling a glazed glass canteen with a wooden cork, Cairn immediately downed half its contents before pulling out a [Grain Pill], tossing it into his mouth, and finishing the rest of his water. He didn't know if it was because of the pressure he had been experiencing or because his body had been created from scratch, but his throat had been parched, his stomach grumbling in protest of its emptiness.
Though he could have swallowed some of the water he had submerged himself in, Cairn was well-acquainted with the consequences of drinking unboiled water. He had once caught cholera while on a trip to Mexico, so unless his [Insight] showed him something was safe to drink, he wouldn't trust unprocessed well water, rivers, or springs. Not with his ass and gut on the line...
...
..
.
About two hours into his journey, Cairn was considering taking a break to rest his tired feet when the tell-tale sound of a system notification rang in his ears, informing him of a new Quest.
--------------------------
Quest Name: A Helping Hand
Quest Rank: F
Description: Hunger is the common enemy of all mortals. Help alleviate it in others, and good things will come your way.
Objective(s): Feed the starving Karakut(0/1)
Optional Objective(s): Use a [Beginner's Red Potion] to treat the injured Karakut's injuries(0/1).
Rewards: Variable
Failure Condition(s): Turn a blind eye to the situation.
--------------------------
Though initially confused by the abrupt system notification, Cairn quickly understood what the Quest was referring to when he passed by a large boulder serving as a highway marker. On the far side of the stone, leaning against it with a faraway look on its face, was a 'person' covered in fluffy beige fur. They had large ears resembling those of a rabbit, hair billowing from their head in thick locks, and, upon closer inspection, Cairn noticed that the 'pack' behind the creature was actually its hind quarters, giving it a physiology similar to a centaur. However, instead of the lower body of a horse, they were more akin to a rabbit.
--------------------------
Name: Kai'ankh
Species: Karukut
Gender: Female
Age: 16
Title: Neophyte(Talent Growth+100%)
Class: Neophyte(Rare)
[Attributes]
Level: 11/88[Neophyte(11)]
HP: 283/1,312
MP: 489/7,027
Str: 19(5)<--numbers in () denote stats affected by buffs/debuffs
Agi: 98+54(38)
Vit: 75+16(23)
Int: 118+26(36)
Dex: 53(13)
Cha: 67+15(20)
Talent(s): [Goddess of Light's Blessing(11/20)], [Corruption Resistance(11/20), [Karakut Physiology(11/88)], [Hunting(22/83)], [Spearmanship(14/76)], [Shield Mastery(11/64)], [Throwing(9/39)]
Skill(s): [Light Healing(7/10)], [Purification(4/10)], [Strong Kick(8/10], [Leap(8/10)], [Charge(6/10)], [Fling(5/10)], [Shield Bash(4/10)], [Piercing Blow(3/10)], [Javelin Toss(3/10)]
--------------------------
"Those are some incredible stats for a Level 11..." muttered Cairn, not expecting the unconscious Karakut's ears to perk up as he spoke. They hadn't responded to his approach, so he thought they had been knocked out completely.
Staring up at Cairn with her large, wine-red eyes, Kai'ankh struggled to focus her vision as she dryly croaked, "Hungry...please...help me..."
"Yeah, yeah..." replied Cairn, removing both a [Grain Pill] and a [Beginner's Red Potion] from his Inventory. The latter was fairly precious in the grand scheme of things, but with his current HP a mere 320, it wasn't very cost-effective to use on himself.
Seeing the [Grain Pill] in Cairn's hand, Kai'ankh summoned strength she didn't know she had to rise to her feet, snatch, and gobble it down. This gave Cairn a better grasp of her size, the top of her head barely coming up to his diaphragm while her ears were nearly level with his nose.
As he had set his height to be around 185cm(6'2''), Cairn approximated Kai'ankh to be about 110cm tall and 120cm 'long,' excluding her ears and the inordinately large and fluffy tail protruding from her backside. Her hind legs were bent at an angle that made it seem like she could stand straighter, but as her front legs were fully extended, he used them as a reference.
Though the [Grain Pill] caused her to feel as though she had a stone in her stomach, Kai'ankh exhaled a sigh of relief as she sat down, plopping the lower half of her body onto the ground. Then, noticing the [Beginner's Health Potion] in Cairn's hand, she asked, "Is that...for me...?" in a notably raspy tone.
"Unless you can heal yourself?" replied Cairn, somewhat curious about the circumstances that had led the diminutive Lapicentaur to her current predicament.
Shaking her head, Kai'ankh muttered, "Though I was fortunate enough to be chosen by Lady Restia...her powers can only be used to aid others..."
Noticing the confusion in Cairn's eyes, Kai'ankh suppressed her own to explain, "Healing Magic uses a person's Vital Essence as a fuel to treat their injuries...representatives absorb the waste product of that essence and offer it to the Goddess to be purified, strengthening ourselves in the process. As such, representatives can heal one another, but they cannot heal themselves..."
Resisting the urge to remark upon how convoluted that sounded, Cairn offered a curt, "That's neat," before proferring the vial-like potion to her cork-first. Her brows scrunched slightly beneath her thick bangs, but she still offered a soft "Thank you..." before accepting and drinking the potion in a single swig. When she did, her eyes widened, not because the potion tasted like strawberries but because her body and fur exuded a reddish-pink glow, a phenomenon typically only observed when someone consumed a rare, exceptionally expensive Elixir...
...
..
.
(A/N: Pet the rabbit...)