Ivan made his way back towards the town. The adrenaline that had fueled him during the battle had long since faded, leaving behind a bone-deep weariness that settled in his muscles like a ton of bricks. Every step felt like wading through mud, with his legs protesting with a dull ache with each labored movement.
His damaged riot gear, once a source of protection, now felt like a cumbersome second skin. The plastic, once gleaming black, was now a dull gray, battered and worn by the battle's harsh realities. Scorch marks marred the chest plate, and his visor was cracked. He slid his cracked visor up, trying to clear the fog that had settled on the inside.
Even the weapons he carried added to the oppressive weight. The two empty flamethrowers, jury-rigged together with the hastily summoned rope, felt like dead anchors, dragging him back. He'd managed to find a scrap of cloth, another desperate attempt to shroud the bulky forms of his weapons, hoping it wouldn't draw unwanted attention if he got back to the town.
Just then, a soft chime echoed in his mind, accompanied by a translucent blue screen that materialized in front of his vision. Blinking through the exhaustion, Ivan squinted at the words displayed: +229 Mana Points Acquired, Congratulations on surviving your first quest.
A jolt of surprise surged through him. Mana points? He vaguely remembered something about MP from other RPG games he'd devoured before entering this world. His gaze darted down to the bottom of the screen, where his stats were displayed.
Name: Ivan
Level: 30
MP: 230
Strength: 2
Dexterity: 3
Resistance: 1
Agility: 2;
Endurance: 3
A wry smile tugged at his lips. So, apparently, slaying hordes of goblins granted mana points. A welcome surprise, to be sure. But a new realization dawned on him. The numbers beside his stats hadn't budged. Leveling up your stats seemed like it wasn't automatic. He had to manually allocate these newly acquired mana points to strengthen his attributes.
With a sigh, Ivan sank down onto a moss-covered rock. He tapped the screen, and a detailed breakdown of each stat appeared.
Ignoring Strength for now, he divided his points between Endurance, Agility, and Dexterity, each receiving a much-needed boost to 10. The screen shimmered as the points were allocated, and a surge of renewed energy coursed through his tired body. He felt lighter and more capable, and his muscles no longer felt like they were on the verge of collapse.
A sudden rustle from behind him shattered the fragile silence. Adrenaline flooded back into his system, momentarily erasing his fatigue again. Probably some goblin stragglers fled and got separated from the retreating horde, he thought. hinking fast, Ivan reached into his back, reaching a familiar weapon—the PP-19 Bizon submachine gun he'd lost in the battle's chaos. Thankfully, he recovered it after the battle, and the goblins hadn't recognized it as a weapon amidst the smoke and flames. Despite the scratches and burns marring its plastic parts, it still felt reassuringly solid in his grasp.
He won't use his flamethrower for now, afraid that he might cause another forest fire. Instead, he would rely on the submachine gun to take out any remaining threats.
A small fireball suddenly erupted from the bushes, flying straight at him. The impact sent a jolt through him, but thankfully, his battered riot gear held. Smoke wafted from the scorched material, but the flames died out quickly. Three goblins appeared in front of him, with their guttural screeches echoing through the trees. Two charged at him, wielding crude stone axes. but Ivan raised his submachine gun and fired a few bursts, causing the goblins to crumple to the ground; they were still alive but incapacitated. They shouted like wounded animals, but the sound was muffled as Ivan silenced them with his weapon by firing two more shots in their heads to ensure they wouldn't pose a threat.
The third goblin, however, hung back. Unlike his brethren, this one wears some kind of thick animal hide and holds a staff, its rotten wood etched with strange symbols. A gleam of malevolent energy flickered in his eyes. The goblin mage began chanting in the guttural tongue, and the air cracked with unseen power, causing pebbles near the goblin to levitate and swirl around him.
Ivan knew he had to act quickly before the mage unleashed a spell that could end his life. Without hesitation, he took aim directly at the goblin's head and fired. The bullet struck true, piercing the goblin mage's skull and silencing his incantations. With a final gasp, the mage collapsed to the ground, lifeless.
"Huh?" Ivan was confused at how easy it had been to defeat the goblin mage. He had expected a much tougher battle, but one well-aimed shot had done the trick. "Well, that was anti climactic," Ivan muttered to himself as he cautiously approached the fallen goblin, still wary of any potential surprises.
As Ivan searched the mage's body for any valuable items, he noticed a cool wooden bracelet adorning the goblin's wrist. Intricate carvings adorned the bracelet, giving off an almost mystical aura.
Ivan removed the bracelet from the wrist of the now-deceased goblin mage and gave it a critical inspection. Then he heard the same gentle, well-known chime ring in his head once more, along with the same transparent blue screen.
"Congratulations on obtaining your first item!" the message beamed. "You have been awarded a new ability: Item Box (capacity varies depending on the level)."
Below the message, the screen displayed an image of the bracelet he held, accompanied by its description.
Item name: Serpent's Sight
It grants the user the ability to see and track mana flowing from any magic-sensitive life form.
Ivan finally stopped with a satisfied sigh. No more backaches from lugging around those empty flamethrowers. With the thought of putting them into his newly acquired Item Box.
The Item Box wasn't a physical container, but a translucent blue hologram screen that materialized in front of him when activated. He gently placed the flamethrowers into the shimmering field, and with a soft chime, they dissipated into the ethereal depths of the Item Box. Intrigued, he poked the screen with a finger. It remained stubbornly intangible. A helpful message then flickered across the blue field: "Warning: The Item Box rejects all living things. Ejection is immediate if attemped."
Ivan chuckled. "That's a handy feature to have," he thought to himself, already brainstorming all the possibilities of what he could store in his new virtual storage space. He then turned his attention to the Serpent's Sight bracelet. Eager to test his new ability, he slipped it on his wrist. Then a jolt of energy was absorbed from him, momentarily activating the bracelet. It wasn't a huge chunk of mana, but it was still noticeable. The world around him shimmered, and then… everything glowed.
He saw vibrant blue lines pulsing through the air, tracing the flow of magic. Birds flitting through the trees became trails of azure light. Even the unsuspecting rats scurrying in the undergrowth were outlined in faint blue. But then something else caught his eye. Scattered across the distant wheat fields, dozens of faint blue shapes pulsed faintly—goblins! Their pointy ears, scrawny bodies, and slightly bigger than normal noses makes them easily recognizable even from a distance. He counted at least fifty of them, some huddled together in groups of five, others wandering aimlessly.
Another message materialized on the blue screen: "Serpent's Sight cools down within 3 seconds. Pulse activation alerts all sentient beings within 100 meters of your presence."
Ivan raised his eyebrow in surprise. "It never mentioned that it would alert anyone nearby," he thought. he hadn't meant to activate it continuously. Now, every three seconds, the bracelet pulsed, revealing the hidden goblins and potentially putting Ivan in imminent danger by alerting them to his presence. He removed it for a second to see if it would stop the pulsing; it worked!
He paused for a second, and then a devious smile stretched across Ivan's face. This little setback with the bracelet's activation could be turned to his advantage.
No longer constrained by the heavy flamthrowers he had been carrying, Ivan sprinted towards the golden wheat fields. The wheat in this world, unlike the crops back home, grew six feet in height, creating a golden maze that would be perfect for his little game. Visibility was close to zero, with the dense foliage creating a natural barrier between him and the goblins. But Ivan didn't need to see. He could practically feel the faint blue silhouettes of the goblins, guiding him towards the hidden enemy.
The goblins, alerted by the bracelet's activation, didn't have the same luxury as Ivan. Their guttural shouts and frantic scrabbling filled the air behind him. He could hear the frustration in their voices as they stumbled blindly through the tall wheat, unable to pinpoint his exact location. He imagined their bewildered faces, their crude weapons useless against the thick stalks.
Ivan weaved through the field with surprising agility, his enhanced stats giving him an edge. Every three seconds, the bracelet would momentarily pulse, revealing pockets of blue amidst the golden sea of wheat. He used these brief glimpses to navigate, changing directions to keep the goblins guessing. The game was on.
-
silence blanketed the town of Greenfield. Unlike the organized chaos erupting at the abandoned fort, the town itself was an island of forced calm. The townsfolk, having been evacuated to the central plaza, huddled together, their faces etched with worry as they watched the distant plume of smoke rising from the direction of the fort.
Ramset, her once pristine armor now dusted with the remnants of travel, stood at the forefront of the assembled adventurers. Unlike the others, whose postures exuded a practiced confidence, Ramset shifted nervously from foot to foot. she knew the Iron Guard was more than capable of handling a goblin horde. It wasn't the battle itself that gnawed at her, but the silence from the fort. No sounds of loud clashing steel or explotions cast by mages can be heard since the guild master left; only an unsettling silence was heard, punctuated by the occasional crackle of flames from the forrest where the abandoned fort stood.
the vile scent of burning wood and flesh reached her nostrils, carried by the wind, making her stomach churn with unease. Ramset's hand tightened around her staff as she tried to steady her nerves. But the seasoned adventurers, however, remained calm and unfazed, sharing knowing glances with each other.
"They're taking their time," muttered a grizzled adventurer beside her, with a beaten-up shield slung over his back, stroking his beard thoughtfully.
"The Iron Guard doesn't mess around; they have faced far worse than those," another chuckled, leaning on his sword. "Those goblins won't stand a chance."
"Aye," the grizzled adventurer rumbled, his voice now laced with a hint of cynicism, "the Iron Guard will probably claim all the glory. 'Twas ever their way. The King's golden guard, swooping in at the last moment to steal the credit from those who've done the real fighting."
A young mage piped up, his voice filled with naive admiration. "But surely, they've earned their reputation. They are the King's elite, are they not?"
The grizzled adventurer snorted. "Elite, perhaps, but glory hounds as well. They care little for the struggles of the common folk, only for polishing their armor and basking in the King's favor. Mark my words, young lad, once the goblins are routed, they'll be back in the capital before the smoke clears, spinning tales of their heroic deeds."
A stocky dwarf with a bushy red beard chimed in, his booming voice echoing through the plaza. "There's some truth to that, laddie. The Iron Guard does have a flair for the dramatic. But underestimate them at your peril. They are well-trained and well-equipped, and they fight with a discipline most of us can only dream of."
Ramset forced a smile upon seeing the confidence in their eyes, but it felt hollow. Her mind, however, was a whirlwind of conflicting emotions. She shook her head, trying to push away the thoughts. Yet a nagging guilt gnawed at her. The memory of his face and his willingness to stay behind and fight the horde while they escaped still flickered in her mind. Why should she worry about Ivan? A nobody, a low-ranking adventurer who had only recently joined the guild. He didn't even see her as a nobility, just another member of the party. But despite her efforts to dismiss him from her thoughts, a part of her couldn't shake the feeling that she owed him something. He may have been insolent and annoying, but undeniable bravery shone through his facade. The way he acts towards her and her new party members, the way he is always in a good mood, even if she is being harsh on him, and even the way he teases her made her remember someone from her past—someone she had once cared deeply about.
She looked into the afternoon sky, wondering if there was more to him than met the eye. Perhaps there was a reason for his behavior that she had yet to uncover. But the rustle of adventurers at the edge of the clearing interrupted her thoughts.
As Ramset turned her gaze towards the commotion, the clatter of metal filled the air, drawing her attention to adventurers rushing towards the fields. They faced goblins, who had managed to escape the battle at the fort and were now threatening the town. However, something strange immediately caught Ramset's eye—the goblins numbers were noticeably smaller than she expected.
Among the goblins, she saw signs of their recent encounter with the guild's forces. Some limped, with their movements hindered by wounds inflicted in the earlier skirmish. Others bore visible burns on their skin, evidence of the intense battle that had taken place.
These goblins whimpered and snarled, brandishing crude weapons in a pathetic display of defiance. This change in behavior spoke volumes about the impact of the recent battle on the goblin horde as well as the effectiveness of the guild's defense.
The gathered adventurers didn't even break a sweat. With practiced efficiency, the adventurers dispatched the already weakened force of goblins with a swift and decisive move. The townsfolk, witnessing the one-sided skirmish inside their houses, were silent as they watched the adventurers effortlessly handle the threat.
half an hour has passed since the goblin skirmish ended. Ramset tapped her foot impatiently, the opposite of the unsettling silence emanating from the distant forest where the abandoned fort resides. Every fiber of her being itched to see what was happening.
She couldn't stand it any longer. With a huff, she rushed forward, brushing past the bewildered townsfolk and ignoring the curious glances of the other adventurers, her noble blood boiling with impatience. As she approached, a pulse of mana whipped through the air from the direction of the feilds, causing Ramset and the other adventurers to freeze in their tracks, followed by five consecutive explosions that even made the experienced adventurers flinch in surprise.
The other adventurers tensed at the sudden noise; they didn't know who or what made the sound, but Ramset knew it was Ivan's weapon that caused the noise. The adventurers took a stance, pointing their weapons in the direction of the noise, ready for whatever threat may emerge. The adventurers are not reckless. It's too risky to just dash into the fields, knowing that their enemies are goblins known for their cunning and unpredictable nature.
As Ramset was about to warn the others to stand down, she heard a woman's voice calling out among the adventurers.
"Lower your weapons; that's a person," a mage commanded, sensing mana emanating from the source of the gunfire. Ramset noticed the mage's appearance. She was dressed in flowing robes with deep purple and silver accents, with detailed symbols sewn into the fabric at the hem. Her long, dark hair cascaded down her back in loose waves, framing a face that held a serene and graceful presence. The adventurers hesitated at the mage's words, but upon recognizing her rank, they lowered their weapons and turned their attention back to the scattered remnants of the goblin horde.
The sound of gunfire was still echoing in the field, with each crack growing closer and louder. Despite the chaos around them, the mage remained composed. Using her left hand as a focal point, she silently cast an observation spell, causing runes to glow in the air around her hand, improving her ability to sense mana. She cannot physically see the person, but using her psyke to focus her mana detection in one direction, she was able to pinpoint their location, know their movements, and determine what life forms were present in the vicinity.
Every living thing in this world always has some sort of magical aura, from the largest creature to the tiniest bug. A highly skilled mage reaching the rank of class C or an S-class adventurer could easily sense mana radiating from every living thing around them without the need for special items. But in some cases, this skill can remain dormant until it is awakened through intense training. But on rare occasions, this sixth sense can activate early, sometimes triggered by a life-threatening situation or an intense emotional experience. Predators and prey use this magical presence to their advantage, whether it be for hunting or evading capture. and this also includes other magic-sensitive beings like humans.
The woman's name was Leyli, a C class adventurer and a mage from the scouting party named Solas. It was unfortunate that she arrived late to join her scouting party, missing out on the crucial moments where her mana-sensing abilities could have been truly useful. Despite her skills as a mage, Leyli knew that timing was everything in battle.
Since she was late, she continued to observe the stranger who caused the disturbance from a distance, just for her knack of watching adventurers fight and seeing how new adventurers handled themselves in combat situations.
There, weaving through the golden sea of wheat, she felt a faint but distinct mana pulse emanating every three seconds. then a flicker of recognition sparked in her mind. This pulsating signature was exactly like the Serpent's Sight during her training with the elves in the Mage Guild. this item was used by Elven border guards to detect and warn intruders in their territory; they also used it as a key for elves to enter their hidden sanctuaries. Yet, its presence here in human lands was highly unusual.
As she focused further, she observed the young man. Unlike seasoned adventurers who often wore armor that had runes carved in the opposite end to mask their magical presence, this boy was a blank canvas as far as mana sensitivity went. He was clearly a low-ranking adventurer, new to the world of magic.
But what he lacked in magical prowess, he compensated for with his weapon. His movements were swift and precise, and his hands were free and unencumbered. The strange weapon he clutched in his grip, a loud, rapid-fire version of a crossbow, cut down goblins with deadly accuracy.
Leyli watched, a slow smile creeping across her face. She never recognized his tactic: using the Serpent's Sight's pulses to alert the goblins while simultaneously firing his weapon, effectively thinning their ranks and drawing them into his trap. It was a clever, odd approach that she had never seen before.
Despite his lack of formal magical training, this young man was a force to be reckoned with. His unique weapon and sharp reflexes made him a potential asset to her party. A thrill of anticipation coursed through her. Leyli had seen her fair share of skilled adventurers, but none quite like him. He was different; he knew when to pounce and when to retreat. Know what targets to prioritize and how to exploit their weaknesses through quick experience.
During the span of seconds, he had already killed half of the goblins that were lost in the field. "Quite resourceful," she murmured to herself, her eyes gleaming with intrigue. "I definitely want to meet him after this is over." In her mind, she already envisioned introducing him to their scouting party. A young adventurer with such talent and and quick thinking would be a valuable addition to their team.
The gunfire finally ceased. And Ivan emerged from the tall feilds. and his strange armor was covered in scratches and dust from the tall wheatfield he emerged from. She was able to see a clear glimpse of his strage and loud weapon hanging limply in his hand, with its barrel smoking faintly.
"Strange," she thought as she approached him. she could see that he wasn't born in this part of the world, as evident in his eyes. Indeed, foreign adventurers were quite rare in these parts, but this boy was a gem worth discovering. With a smile on her face, she stepped forward to greet him and learn more about his extraordinary journey.
A woman approached Ivan. "Quite resourceful," she remarked, her voice smooth and melodic. "You seem to have handled yourself admirably out there. Would you be interested in joining our scouting party-?"
Just as Leyli extended the invitation, a young woman with fiery red hair and elaborate silver and crimson armor burst onto the scene, interrupting her mid-sentence.
"Well, well, well," Ramset scoffed, crossing her arms and blocking Ivan's path. "Look who finally decided to show up."
Ivan rolled his eyes, momentarily forgetting his exhaustion. "Here we go again," he muttered under his breath. Aloud, he said in a sickly-sweet tone, "Oh Ramset, did you miss me terribly?"
Ramset's cheeks flushed a faint pink for a brief moment, but she quickly schooled her features, hardening her expression. "Miss you? Why would I miss some low-ranking dummy? You look like you wrestled a particularly pungent skunk rat and lost."
Ivan winced, sniffing himself hesitantly. He wouldn't argue with that. The stench of burned flesh and fuel clung to him like a second skin. "Thanks for the lovely welcome," he said with a sarcastic bow. "But let me remind you, this 'low-ranking dummy' just saved your dear life from those goblins back there." He pointed at himself with a smug grin. "So maybe next time you'll think twice before insulting someone who just risked his life for you."
Ramset's eyes widened in surprise, a flicker of gratitude crossing her face before she quickly masked it with a scowl. "Don't get cocky, Ivan. You may have saved me this time, but that doesn't mean I owe you anything," she retorted, defiantly crossing her arms.
Ivan chuckled, shaking his head in amusement at her stubbornness. Despite her attempt at a harsh scolding, Ramset's voice held a hint of relief, evident even through her attempt at a facade. She couldn't help but steal another glance at Ivan, taking in the scorch marks on his armor and the smudges of grime on his face. He looked a mess, but there was a spark of joy still burning in his eyes—a spark that made her heart swell.
"Whatever," she mumbled, redirecting her gaze. "Just… try not to scare the townsfolk with your… appearance." Ramset's cheeks flushed a faint pink again. She wouldn't admit it out loud, but a sliver of begrudging respect had bloomed within her for the low-ranking adventurer. He may have been a constant source of annoyance, but he had proven himself to be more than just an irritating warrior.
A grin stretched across Ivan's face. He knew Ramset well enough to see through her tsundere-like act. "Fine," he replied, a hint of amusement in his voice. "Also, I have a message from the Guild Master," he added. "She says the situation is under control. The goblins have retreated, and they're currently chasing the remaining force of the horde for good measure. Fortunately, no casualties suffered from the recent attack. All you need to do now is guard the town and wait for them to return."
"Off I go then," Ivan said, turning on his heel and heading towards the town square, leaving Ramset speechless in his wake. The audacity! Dumping an important message on her like that just to avoid a crowd?
"Hey!" Ramset called out to Ivan's retreating back. "You can't just leave me here with this responsibility! Come back here and take care of this yourself!"
"You can do it all by yourself, Ramset. I have full faith in your abilities." Ivan's voice drifted back, laced with giggles. "Bye, have a great time~, I will be waiting back at the truck if you want to find me."
Ramset couldn't help but roll her eyes in anger at his teasing tone. Ivan always knew how to push her buttons and leave her flustered, even though they had just met the previous day. "Honestly, the nerve of that… that… low-ranking…" She trailed off with a sigh, unable to muster a truly scathing insult.
Ivan weaved through the quiet streets, the only sounds accompanying him being the rhythmic clinking of his gear and the occasional creak of a wooden tavern sign. The town was very quiet. It was a welcome respite after the chaos of the wheat field. He needed a moment to catch his breath; his muscles were screaming again in protest.
Spotting a quiet corner nestled within the sprawling courtyard of a monastery, Ivan made his way towards it. A lone Nasone, a public water fountain sculpted in the likeness of a lion's head, stood sentinel against the sun-baked wall. Relief washed over him as he removed his helmet and cupped his hands under the cool stream, letting the water splash his sweat-streaked face and rinse away the grime of battle.
Ivan let out a sigh. Now came the real task—his newly acquired Mana points. Tapping the familiar blue screen that shimmered into existence with a thought, Ivan accessed his stats.
Name: Ivan
Level: 30
MP: 200
Strength: 2
Dexterity: 10
Resistance: 1
Agility: 10
Endurance: 10
A thoughtful frown creased his brow. "How would I distribute these points?" he thought as he envisioned himself as fast, agile, and resilient enough to deal decent damage. Strength, he decided, wouldn't be his primary focus. With a decisive tap, he allocated 18 points to it, the lowest of the bunch. The prospect of becoming a more powerful and versatile advenuter spurred him on to carefully consider each allocation.
After a few minutes of deliberation, Ivan finally settled on distributing a chunk of his Mana points between Agility and Resistance, ensuring he would be able to both dodge attacks and withstand damage. With his body now optimized for his liking, Ivan couldn't wait to see how his choices would impact his adventures in this world as he made a satisfying grin.
Name: Ivan
Level: 30
MP: 20
Strength: 20
Dexterity: 10
Resistance: 50
Agility: 60
Endurance: 40