I stowed away my beautiful blade and popped open one of the Faulty Potions. It tasted pretty crappy, like grape juice and vinegar. At least it was a small vial, and it worked; within a second, my HP was back to full.
After I consumed the contents, the empty container vanished into small light particles. 'That's a nifty way to dispose of garbage,' I thought.
"Well, a deal bet is a bet, so you choose. Would you like to be compensated with coins or materials?"
I didn't even have to think of an answer to that question. It is the start of the game, money is far more precious than materials. "I'll take the coin."
"Very well. Take this and come back when you can afford something on the second floor."
Decaprion threw a small bag at me, and when it landed in my palm, I was enveloped in white light, and the nausea hit me. I was on the street before the alchemist guild when the light faded. My knees didn't buckle this time, but I still threw up. Nothing was left to come back up, so I bent over, dry heaving for a good minute.
When I was finally able to stop dry heaving, I stood up. I still felt like crap, but the bag's weight in my hand filled me with happiness. My plan worked perfectly! I made away with a ring, a reforged sword and a bag of gold, all without burning any bridges.
I still had the taste of bile in my mouth, so I headed to the closest tavern. They didn't sell bottled water in this world, so there was only liquor to rinse my mouth.
I entered this place called the Broken Barrel. I took a seat at the bar. it wasn't crowded, but most spots there were full. The stool was too small for my butt, and the bar was too low, but it was good enough. I drew several pairs of eyes with my stature, but I was getting used to it.
When the bartender walked over, I ordered a small glass of his most potent liquor and something sweet. While he fulfilled my order, I placed the bag in my inventory and let the system's magic sort the contents for me.
My eyes popped open, and I began laughing like a madman when I saw the coins I received.
{{Money: 22P, 21LG, 0 sg, 10 S, 5 C (241,105)}}
24 Platinum Coins! And that wasn't the only thing that was in the bag. There was a silver token that I pulled out, and the information that came with it made me the happiest man alive.
{{Alchemist Guild Platinum Pass: A highly sought-after membership card. A branch manager of the Alchemist guild can give out two passes per year. This pass gives you a 30% discount on first-floor potions and 10% off on all second-floor items. It also exempts you from the fee to enter the second floor.}}
I tucked it away as soon as I realized its value. This thing was practically priceless! A second prompt from the system appeared in front of me.
{{Congratulations, Player HEran, for becoming the First Platinum Guild Member!}}
{{Share this achievement?}}
{{Yes, No}}
I selected yes, and a system announcement sounded.
A follow-up prompt appeared.
{{Do you wish to claim your achievement reward?}}
{{Yes, No}}
Of course, I hit yes; what kind of dummy would say no?
{{You have received 1000 Platinum.}}
{{You have received 1 Legendary Skill}}
{{You have received 10,000 EXP}}
{{Your Skill, Lake's Blessing has Doubles your Experience.}}
I was completely shocked, to the point I could barely form any thoughts. Is this real? This has to be from the sword.
I was about to pull it out when the bartender returned with my drinks. I rinsed my mouth with the strong liquor and spat it back into the mug.
With my mood soaring higher and higher I figured it was a good time to share the joy.
I waved over the bartender and set a stack of 5 platinum on the counter. "Fix up the place and make it nicer. It's time for this establishment to cater to the high class."
The bartender froze and couldn't speak.
I stood up while picking up my mug of a sweet fruit drink. "LISTEN UP EVERYBODY! I NEED YOU ALL TO SPREAD THE WORD! DRINKS ARE ALL ON ME! GET YOUR FRIENDS AND DRINK THIS PLACE DRY!"
I downed the contents of the mug to a chorus of cheers. I sat back down afterwards and slid another stack of coins over, double the size of the last. "Make a private room fit for royalty, it'll be for me whenever I visit."
At this point the bartender was finally able to take a few shaky steps forward. With tears pooling in his eyes and voice breaking he asked the question on his mind.
"Why are you doing this? What did I do to deserve this kindness?"
I just shrugged. "I don't know, I just felt like sharing."
Thinking this wealth could also cause a problem for the guy, I stood up again. This time, I picked up the stool and slammed it on the floor.
The room went quiet, and all the eyes went to me. "LAST ANNOUNCEMENT AND THEN THE DRINKS ARE FREE! THIS PLACE IS NOW UNDER THE PROTECTION OF THE MANAGER OF THE ALCHEMIST GUILD, ETHEREAL SAGE DICAPRION. ANYONE CAUSING TROUBLE FOR HIM WILL HAVE THEIR ORGANIZATION BLACKLISTED FROM THE GUILD. AND IF THAT ISN'T ENOUGH, THEY WILL BE HUNTED BY AN IMMORTAL PLAYER!"
I pulled out my Excalibur and stabbed the ceiling with it. "SPREAD THE WORD THROUGHOUT THE CITY. THE BROKEN BARREL WILL BE A HAVEN FOR ENTERTAINMENT AND GOOD BOOZE!"
Retracting my sword, I set my mug on the counter and left the baffled bartender in his establishment. With my good deed of the day done, I picked a place to sit and checked out my new status.
{{Name: HEran Chronological Age: 16
Titles: Cat Hunter
Exp: 21,080/100 Money: 1007P, 21LG, 0 sg, 10 S, 5 C (10,071,105)
Class: Swordsman HP: 30/30
Strength: 4+5 Dexterity: 8+10
Constitution: 2+2+2 Ethereal Influence: 0
Magic Resistance: 0 Physical Resistance: 0+2
Luck: 5 Artifact slot: Empty
Skills:
????: for a 1 hour period, all skills have their cooldown reduced to 0. Cooldown: 24 hours.
Slash: Deal an additional 30% Slashing damage. Cooldown: 45 seconds.
Stab: Deal an additional 30% Piercing damage, 30% chance to cause bleeding for 5 seconds. Cooldown: 60 seconds.
Parry: reduce incoming damage by 30%. Increased chance based on strength, constitution and luck, +10% per higher attribute. Cooldown: 20 seconds.
Cleave: deliver a powerful blow to a single target dealing both slashing and bludgeoning damage. +50% damage and causes bleeding for 5 seconds. Cooldown: 5 minutes.
Last Resort: Consumes a large amount of HP and unleashes a powerful physical attack. Attack strength is proportional to the HP consumed, 1/1%. HP cannot be reduced below 1. Cooldown: 96 Hour
Excalibur Exclusive, Lakes Blessing (Passive): Doubles Experience gained from all sources.
Excalibur Exclusive, Soul Bonded (Passive): Excalibur cannot be dropped when killed.
Excalibur Exclusive, Damage Conversion: Converts the type of damage from the next skill used to its opposite type (Physical to Magical). Cooldown: 60 Minutes.
Excalibur Exclusive, Fire's Fang: Coats one edge of Excalibur in fire for 2 minutes, adding burning damage to your attacks. Has a high chance of causing severe burns. Cooldown: 5 Hours.
Excalibur Exclusive, Winter's Bite: Coats one edge of Excalibur in ice for 2 minutes, adding cold damage to your attacks. Has a high chance to leave the opponent bleeding. Cooldown: 5 Hours.
Equipment:
Excalibur: A once great sword which has been repaired with the power of fire and ice. Its legend begins once more. Provides +125% strength, +125% Dexterity and +125% Constitution as well as five skills.
Equipment: Light Chainmail: a light chainmail made for beginner soldiers. Provides +2 Constitution and +2 Physical Resistance
Ring of Elemental Nullification: Provides immunity to all basic terrain damage. Prevents damage and negative status effects from 10 Elemental Attacks. Uses left: 1/10
Paupers clothes - (trash) A cheap pair of clothes which covers yourself, but you would be hard-pressed to find something worse.}}