Amidst lush green hills and clear waters, with flowers in full bloom, lay a somewhat dilapidated village that resembled a paradise on earth.
Upon entering the game, the first thing John did was check his own attributes.
ID: Godslayer
Level: 1 (0/100)
Class: Apprentice Mage
Talent: Plunder; Unique SSS-Level
Effect 1: Killing ordinary monsters has a 10% chance to plunder their attribute points.
Effect 2: Killing boss-level elites can permanently gain one of their skills, talents, or special attributes.
Effect 3: Killing monsters grants slaughter points; the stronger the monster, the more points. When slaughter points reach a threshold, talent effects can be enhanced or new special effects unlocked.
Health Points: 50 (Constitution * 10)
Mana Points: 80 (Spirit * 10)
Base Physical Damage: 5 (Strength * 1)
Base Magic Damage: 8+1 (Spirit * 1)
Speed: 6 (Agility * 1)
Physical Resistance: 5+1 (Constitution * 1)
Magic Resistance: 8 (Spirit * 1)
Constitution: 5; Strength: 5; Spirit: 8; Agility: 6
Luck: 1
Skills: Fireball Level 1; Deals 50% of Spirit as fire magic damage to the target; Consumes 5 mana, 3-second cooldown.
Free Attribute Points: 0
Skill Points: 0
Equipment: Wooden Staff (Common), Magic Damage +1; Novice Robe, Physical Resistance +1
John's attributes were almost the same as in his previous life, except for one significant difference... he now had an SSS-level Plunder talent!
He believed that with the Plunder talent, he could grow much faster.
John closed the attribute panel. White light flickered around him as countless players poured into the game.
Although it was just the beginning, the novice village he was in was already nearly full.
The chatter around him was incessant.
"Wow, this game is so realistic!"
"No wonder it's 100% real; I can even smell the earthy fragrance."
"The feel is so real..."
A sleazy voice emerged from the crowd, followed by a loud slap.
"Pervert, get lost! If you want to touch, touch your own chest."
A girl squeezed out of the crowd in panic. This was the game world, without any legal constraints.
"I wonder if such a realistic game allows for deeper interactions?"
"My friend wants to know too."
...
The crowd was bustling and noisy, with conflicts even breaking out.
John squeezed out of the crowd directly. The early stages were crucial, and he had to seize the opportunities in the novice village.
Many players rushed into the novice village, either to pick up quests or head out to the wild to hunt Level 1 Demonize Hares.
John, however, did not pick up any quests nor did he hunt monsters to level up. Instead, he headed into the forest ahead.
He remembered there was a hidden quest in the forest.
In his previous life, Aron had completed this hidden quest, obtained a low-grade divine artifact, and quickly grew stronger.
As a result, Aron's Wind and Cloud Guild became a top-tier guild.
But this time, the hidden quest would be his.
John entered the area outside the novice village, where the Level 1 Demonize Hares roamed.
Screams echoed around him, and occasionally there were flashes of white light—players being killed and revived by the Demonize Hares.
"Are these powerful monsters really Level 1?"
"Damn, this game is not meant for humans."
"Forming a team, need a tanky knight and strong DPS."
"Healer girl looking for a team, I have ample healing powers!"
"I'm 18, awakened a D-level water talent, experienced in combat. Any big brothers want to level up together?"
"Any assassins? I'm a knight and love being sneak attacked from behind."
"Strong team looking for teammates. Four girls: innocent school beauty, cute loli, cold mature woman, and girl-next-door type. Seeking a warrior with stamina, must last at least two hours…"
"Ladies, look at me. Strong and sturdy, guaranteed to last three hours!"
"ED man, go away."
"Any big players willing to help a newbie level up? I'm diligent and obedient, will even open back doors for you."
"Looking for four strong teammates with C-level talent or above. Ten thousand dollars reward for each level up!"
"Eternal Guild recruiting members, D-level talent and above, many benefits."
Players soon realized soloing wasn't an option against the Demonize Hares and began forming teams.
But were these teams really for serious leveling?
John glanced at the team advertisement with the four girls and muttered to himself, "I wonder if I could last three hours?"
What was he thinking? Early game leveling and power were crucial.
Women would only slow him down.
"Hey buddy, we need a mage for our team. Want to join?"
[Player Fatty has sent you a party invitation]
A man dressed as an archer blocked John and extended an invitation.
John declined immediately, "No thanks, I prefer to go solo."
"Damn, who does he think he is, a hero?"
"He'll see how tough these monsters are once he gets killed by a Demonize Hare."
"We don't need him anyway. Let's find another mage."
Ignoring the chatter behind him, John skillfully avoided the Demonize Hares and entered the forest.
Demonize Hares were passive monsters and wouldn't attack unless approached.
"I remember it's hidden in a cave," John thought as he cautiously ventured deeper into the forest.
The forest was silent and eerie, filled with hidden dangers.
The weakest monsters here were Level 3 Tusked Wild Boars, which were aggressive.
Back then, when Aron took on this quest, he was only Level 3, nowhere near strong enough to handle the Tusked Wild Boars, and thus didn't dare venture deep into the forest.
This cave should be at the edge of the forest.
John carefully searched the forest perimeter.
Soon, he discovered a concealed cave hidden among dense brambles.
"This must be it," John thought, gripping his staff tightly as he took a deep breath and cautiously entered the cave.
"Who's there?"
A cold voice echoed, and a fireball illuminated the cave.
The cave wasn't large; an elderly man with a pale face sat cross-legged in the open space, a fireball in his hand, ready to attack at any moment.
"An adventurer?" The old man recognized John's identity and visibly relaxed.
He was severely injured and would be doomed if discovered by an enemy.
However, a Level 1 adventurer could be easily killed.
John examined the old man and confirmed his identity: the Seventh-Rank Grand Mage, Dino.
"Sorry for intruding. Is there anything I can help you with?" John asked sincerely, his tone respectful.
Dino was about to kill John, but upon hearing his words, he hesitated.
A cunning smile appeared on his lips as he sized John up and said, "I do have a task for you. If you can get me a Life-Sustaining Pill, I can reward you with a low-grade divine artifact."
[Ding! You have triggered the S-Level hidden novice village quest: Help Dino find the Life-Sustaining Pill. Reward: Low-grade divine artifact. Accept?]
So, it was this guy! John knew Dino was setting him up.
The Life-Sustaining Pill was a high-level and rare elixir that could instantly heal any injury as long as the person was still breathing.
In the novice village, only the alchemist Enzo had the Life-Sustaining Pill.
Dino had already asked Enzo for it but was refused and even attacked.
Left with no choice, he hid in the cave outside the novice village, barely clinging to life.
"Agree."
John accepted the quest without hesitation.
[Ding! You have accepted the S-Level hidden novice village quest: Help Dino find the Life-Sustaining Pill. Quest duration: Four days. Reward: Low-grade divine artifact. Failure: You will be cursed by Dino and unable to leave the novice village.]
Unable to leave the novice village... This guy was really devious! John wasn't surprised.
The quest duration of four days meant Dino had about four days left to live.
John could refuse the quest and wait for Dino to die, then loot his belongings.
But John wasn't after Dino's belongings;
he wanted Dino's skills and talents.
In his previous life, Dino had brought devastating destruction to humanity on Earth during the gods' descent.
John suspected Dino had an SS or even SSS-level talent.
His goal was to kill Dino and plunder his talent.
Even severely injured and dying, a Grand Mage could easily kill John. He had to tamper with the Life-Sustaining Pill.
John looked at Dino with a troubled expression. "Finding a Life-Sustaining Pill in four days without any leads is impossible. I suspect you're trying to harm me."
Dino's face maintained a friendly smile. "Adventurer, we have no grievances. Why would I harm you? The alchemist Enzo in the novice village has the Life-Sustaining Pill. He won't give it to you willingly, so you'll have to find a way to steal it."
"Remember, you only have four days." Dino held up four fingers to remind John.
John nodded and confidently assured, "I will get the Life-Sustaining Pill for you within four days."
With that, he turned and left the cave.
Dino watched John's departing figure, his expression growing darker.
"Such naive and adorable humans. I almost feel bad for what I'll do to you. Hehe..."
The flames extinguished, and sinister laughter echoed through the cave.
…
John returned to the novice village and headed straight to the apothecary.
Stealing the Life-Sustaining Pill outright would be difficult. He needed to earn the alchemist's trust first.
The apothecary was stocked with an array of medicines, but their prices were prohibitively high.
The cheapest low-level magic and health recovery potions cost 10 copper coins each, a fortune for players at this stage.
"Hello, adventurer. Are you here to buy potions?" A frail old man with a white beard appeared out of nowhere, smiling as he inquired.
This was the alchemist Enzo, a Third-Rank Mage and an invincible presence to the players in the novice village.
Of course, Enzo's greatest strength was his alchemy talent. As a high-level alchemist, he could already concoct rare elixirs like the Life-Sustaining Pill.