"Leader, that man is rambling weird stuff", one of the bandits said.
"Don't worry, get him!" he shouted as the bandits leapt towards David. Two bandits dashed towards David with a sword while the archer behind shot a quick flurry of arrows, making it challenging for him to evade the swords.
David gripped his staff tightly as one of the bandits aimed straight for his head. He parried the attack using his staff, utilising its long length to maintain some distance between the bandits. With a quick spin, he countered with a forceful smack to the bandit's arm, forcing the bandit to momentarily retreat. The other bandit quickly lunged at David, successful in landing a slash at David's chest.
"Kugh", David groaned as he stepped back.
"Give up. You still have time; just give us your items, and we will set you free", the leader grinned.
"Let's do this again." David smiled as he went on the offensive against the bandits this time. He leapt at the swordsman, who successfully damaged him as he smashed his staff against the bandit's sword with all his strength. He lunged a powerful kick at the bandit, successfully disarming him before landing a heavy smack on the enemy's head, knocking him out.
"Kerim! Heal him", the leader shouted as he leapt towards David, but David had already dashed past him, heading for the supports first. The archer came in his way, trying to shoot an arrow. Still, David threw his staff towards the archer with all his strength, causing the weapon to plunge into the enemy's stomach, knocking him down. Meanwhile, David leapt towards the healer and smiled, "Good luck healing this", before kicking the bandit's groin.
Only the bandits' leader and David were still standing on the field.
"Attacking a man's jewel? Even bandits don't go that low. You have no pride", the leader said, gritting his teeth.
"Really? And here I was thinking of letting you go. I guess I am taking care of two pairs of jewels." David grinned as he punched his fists together.
"No! I was kidding, sire. A warrior of your stature has no business with a pity bandit like me." the bandit suddenly changed his tone, "in fact, I will leave you right this instant", he said and ran away.
David didn't chase after him; instead, he stood on the spot as if waiting for something.
"Any moment now!"
Suddenly, his system rang, and he quickly checked it.
[ You have mocked the bandits of the area ]
[ You have unlocked a new stat: Fame]
[Fame can improve the NPC's opinion of the player, making it easier for the player to gain quests from that NPC]
[Fame cannot be increased through stat points]
[ You have received 100 fame ]
"Good", David thought as he quickly equipped the Beginner's Medallion and again checked his Fame.
[ Fame: 300 ]
David still stood there, waiting for another notification to appear, and it did.
[ You have gained the attention of Bandit King ]
[ Favourability with all bandits reduced to -1000]
[ All Bandits now consider you as an enemy]
[ New Quest Obtained]
"Finally", he quickly opened the quest window, checking the new quest.
==========
Name: Shadows of the Outlaw King I (Rare)
**Objective:** After making a mockery of the bandits in the Beginner's Town, you have gained the attention of the Bandit King, who believes you are trying to undermine his authority in the town. Destroy all bandit hideouts in the Beginner Town to show him who the boss is.(1/3)
Reward: 1000 exp, +100 Fame, +1x Rare Weapon, +1x Rare Item
==========
"hehehehe, now that what I say is a good and easy quest", David smiled. He knew that quests were considered one of the easiest ways to level up, but that was only when the quests were smartly chosen.
"I remember a few players gained popularity because they had gained a quest where they had to slay a dragon, but those quests were so inefficient as they always lost a few levels defeating the foe, plus the time it took to complete all the subquests was way too much. In that time, some other player could achieve the same stuff just by cooking more food, like that chef guy", David muttered.
He quickly checked the time in the system and realised he would have to exit the game in a few hours.
"I need to check the effects of healing potion on my mom", David thought, as he quickly rushed towards James house.
He knocked on the door, "It's me, David. I need help!"
"What now?" James' coarse voice rang from behind the door.
"I got the quest from Rowe",
Suddenly, the door opened.
"Really?" James asked with a shocked expression.
"Werent you the one who recommended me to him? Why the shocked expression?" David enquired.
"I didn't think you would pass", James muttered.
"Well, now I did. Let me come in; I need your help." David smiled. With an unwilling expression, James opened the door, and David rushed in. "So, what do you need help with?" James asked as he flicked his fingers, causing his cloak to fly from the other room and hand itself on James' back.
"You are just trying to be cool", David grinned. "Okay, I need your help studying the effects of a healing potion on a human who doesn't have his or her mana awakened."
"interesting. I never thought you would ask me something that isn't pointless." James had an even more surprised expression now, and David had a big urge to punch it.
James quietly sat opposite David and thought about it. "Healing potions use the mana present in the body to accelerate the human body's regeneration rate. "
"It's the same way Healers work. When a healer uses their skill on you, they increase the player's regeneration rate. A healer can never heal you indefinitely because your body will break down from the inside."
"A body without mana will explode if you try to use a healing potion on it."