"To think we'll encounter undead knights," Ethan muttered with an audible sigh as he stared at the body of his slain enemy on the ground, dematerializing.
"At least we're able to gain Exp to level up," RageHeart then commented from behind Ethan.
RageHeart was done with his own fight and had returned to regroup with his current teammate.
The latter only replied with a simple nod.
While their behaviour seemed too distant for them to function well as teammates on the surface, it was surprisingly the opposite.
Ethan and RageHeart's true characters were exactly as they appeared on the surface.
RageHeart was also somewhat of a quiet man, but due to his profession as a gamer and a guild sub-leader, this side of him switches.
Due to becoming lonely at a young age, Ethan was usually very quiet and could be described as a man of few words in conversations not related to games.
With the world advancing much more than it had a century ago when one could still use their education certificate to get a job, machines had become the primary workforce.
Pro gaming was one of the few ways humans could still earn a living without the worry of machines taking their jobs, and in this profession, people like Ethan and RageHeart were pros.
However, RageHeart's playing style in games slowly turned to one where he played for the purpose of earning, rather than for fun.
RageHeart still occasionally experienced sensations of fun in games, but those moments started to become rare as he and his guild grew larger.
RageHeart's character even began to change due to his role in managing a large guild.
RageHeart became more patient, observant, and quite judgmental.
This transformation was the reason that, despite being not much older than Ethan, he emitted an aura that made him appear way more mature.
This did not necessarily mean RageHeart could perform tasks better than adults could.
RageHeart could simply be described as a capable individual.
On the other hand, Ethan mostly did whatever he wanted and relished in the feeling of freedom.
The main similarity between Ethan and RageHeart was that, like every other human, they had their flaws.
After successfully vanquishing another undead knight within a short span of arriving at this location, having just barely completed a significant journey to the temple and the golden light, Ethan decided to check his status.
---------
Status Name: -Aurora-
Level: -1-
Class: -Mage-
Experience: -62-/-100-
Attribute Stats:
- Strength: -13-
- Agility: -14-
- Intelligence: -17-
- Constitution: -11-
Attribute Values: Strength: 1.3, Agility: 1.4, Intelligence: 1.7, Constitution: 1.1
Attribute Points: -0-
- Coins: -0-
- Active Quests:
- [Survive the tutorial grounds]
- Inventory:
- [Level 1 Low Common Grade Staff]
- [Level 1 Low Uncommon Grade Health Potion x1]
- [Level 1 Low Uncommon Grade Mana Potion x1]
- Skills:
- [Analyse]
- [Loot]
- [Level 0 Mana Ball]
- [Level 0 Mana Missiles]
- Abilities:
- Friend Status:
- Friendling List-
- Map:
----------
System Notification:
- [10 Exp Gained]
- [You have slain a {Normal Grade}Level 1 Undead Knight]
-----------
Ethan's status did not change significantly, with his Experience points increasing by an additional 44 points.
Ethan gained 40 Exp points from slaying four level 1 undead knights and 4 points from joining hands to kill an undead wolf with RageHeart.
Shared Experience points and contribution system.
This was something Ethan and RageHeart only confirmed to be in effect after the battle with the undead wolf.
After giving his status board one last look, a satisfied expression adorned Ethan's face as he then dismissed the blue panel in front of him.
Ethan was happy and excited about needing only about 40 more Exp to reach a new level.
Like most players, the idea of becoming stronger was immensely thrilling to Ethan.
Unlike when Ethan was outside the system event location and wondered when he would level up, Ethan did not believe it would be an issue to level up soon in this place.
The area seemed to be teeming with undead creatures.
This, however, brought both good and bad news.
The sole good news was that this location served as a productive farming spot.
Unfortunately, the bad news was more plentiful.
Logically, in an area abundant with monsters, the likelihood of encountering enemies stronger than oneself was high.
Aside from this, what affected Ethan more was the accumulating exhaustion within him, which had reached a certain level.
Were it not for his breathing exercises, Ethan would have been panting as audibly as RageHeart beside him.
While Ethan was becoming increasingly absorbed in his thoughts, RageHeart called out to him, successfully pulling him out of his reverie.
"It seems that the closer we get to the temple, the more these monsters increase," RageHeart said as he approached Ethan, accompanied by Mia, who seemed to be exhibiting somewhat unusual behaviour in Ethan's perception.
RageHeart wasn't finished speaking and added, "Is this what the event theme was hinting at?" He stated this amidst breaths of wonder, his gaze fixed upon the temple aglow with golden light in the distance.
"Elaborate," Ethan requested.
"I'm sure you've noticed how the system event message sounded like it would involve a race," RageHeart said, and Ethan confirmed this with a nod, all the while Mia was cautiously finding her spot at his back.
Observing Ethan's attentiveness, RageHeart continued speaking with a serious expression etched on his face.
"I believe the underlying theme of this event is centred around who can reach the golden light first and subsequently accomplish whatever tasks await beyond, all while traversing through waves of monsters. It's a test of speed and survival."