[You have leveled up. 01 attribute point and 01 skill point available]
I fall to the ground, completely exhausted. My initial estimate of two hours was completely wrong, I ended up needing almost four hours to reach the second level. This was all due to tiredness.
As I repeated my magic, I realized a few things.
Firstly, my theory about the damage is correct. The damage isn't random, it's defined by how well I manage to repeat the whole 'ritual' of summoning the skill. If I make too many mistakes, the spell fails and I lose mana.
Secondly, the more spells I use, the more tired I get, and it takes longer to recover the mana and stamina spent. Yes, casting spells also uses up stamina, although not much.
Thirdly, each time I complete the 'ritual' correctly, casting the magic becomes easier and quicker; if I make a mistake, progress slows down. Apparently, there is a hidden progression bar for mastering skills and spells.
And finally, getting tired is dangerous. Killing the pigs was quite easy once I got the hang of it, but as I got tired, all my movements started to become slower and more imprecise. At first, I hardly noticed the difference, but it became obvious as the hours passed. If I were in a dungeon, or exploring a remote location, I would certainly die if I reached the same level of fatigue as I did here.
Leveling up should reduce this problem, but it's something I need to keep an eye on, so I don't end up dying and losing my progress.
Speaking of leveling up... here's another point in [magic].
Regarding the skill point, from what I've seen on the forums, I need to find an instructor, buy the magic with money and then spend the skill point to learn it... another way to spend it is to improve a skill I already know.
A skill can be upgraded 9 times, each time costing an extra point. Each upgrade increases the damage and boosts the effect, as well as adding an extra effect on the 3rd, 6th and 9th upgrade.
Anyway, I need 02 points to upgrade [black spark], so nothing new for now.
With my new level, my [hp] has gone up to 03 and [mp] to 10... killing pigs will be faster now. But before resuming the extermination of the pigs, I collect the 10 pigskins I gathered during the slaughter and return to Terhi to collect some coins and look for something to eat.
I have to say it's not easy to carry weight when I'm tired, so I drag myself to Terhi, where I quickly find a vendor and get rid of the skins in exchange for 30 bronze coins, then go to the adventurers' hall where I collect another 20 bronze coins for the 100 kills and start looking for a cheap restaurant.
[Attention!]
[There's an hour left until the immersion time limit is reached, I recommend you find a safe place].
I observed the system alert without much reaction, already knowing that the basic equipment only allows eight hours of immersion. Still, it's a little frustrating how quickly the hours have passed.
I end up renting a room in the adventurers' hall, so that part of my coins end up going back to them.
With no time to do much, I end the connection.
I take off all the paraphernalia that allows me to play, and stretch my body. After a quick shower, I put on my uniform and prepare something to eat, then head off to work.
On the way, I notice that the whole world seems to be talking about the game, from children to middle-aged adults. Some seem excited, while others are frustrated.
My mind goes over everything I've experienced in the game, even though nothing very exciting has happened, I'm still excited. The feeling of discovering new things is always rewarding... and it's not like I can just stop playing now.
My debt for the next month is 5,500 credits, and my job only pays 1600... But after seeing so many reports of teenagers getting rich selling items and information in these games, I refuse to accept that I can't do the same.
It's not like I have any other option...
I arrive at the factory where I work and start my shift.
[Starting connection]
[Welcome back, Alnair]
I ignore my boring life in the real world and take control of Alnair.
I leave the simple room where I spent the night and after spending all my coins on food supplies, I leave the village at a fast pace, trying to make the most of every second I have to kill pigs.
I notice how the difference between the players has increased while I've been away. The vast majority carry some kind of equipment, and one group even has mounts...
I leave all jealous thoughts behind when I reach the hunting ground and begin my private war against the pigs.
I pay close attention to the "ritual" of magic, always trying to cause maximum damage. I don't always succeed, and I'm often forced into a semi-desperate retreat, but some progress is being made.
I stop after a few hours for a quick lunch and continue the battle.
After killing pig number 200, I level up and increase [vigor], since it was starting to be a problem. And I improve [dark spark]
Status
Name: Alnair
Race: Half-Blood
Class: ???
Level: 03
HP: 3.5/3.5
Sp: 04/04
MP: 11/11
Attributes:
Strength: 0
Agility: 0
Vitality: 1.75
Vigor: 02
Magic: 5.5
Mind: 02
Will: 1.75
Abilities:
[Dark spark (1): fires a small spark from the tip of the finger, dealing 4-12 damage. Has a 7.5% chance of dealing corrosive damage for three seconds. Cost 1,5 pm].
With the changes made, I set off in search of level 02 and 03 enemies.
Every starting area has protection that prevents very strong enemies from approaching, so the further away from the village, the more powerful the enemies.
[You killed a boar with sharp tusks]
I liked facing pigs, they were direct and predictable, always choosing a furious attack against any enemy. Unfortunately, the boars had more vitality and vigor than their cousins, but the loot they left seemed more valuable, so I was forced to use a rather shameful strategy to face them.
[You killed...]
As an old philosopher once said, "the end justifies the means", and so I comfort myself as I try to balance myself on the branch to fire another spell.
Another philosopher also said that you shouldn't "bite off more than you can swallow", or something like that. And so I'm stuck in the branches of a tree, almost out of mana, while many boars grunt around me, with some charging directly at the trunk.
As I think of a way out of this situation before my time runs out, I see a fireball cross the forest and hit a boar, then explode into a small but furious sea of flames that engulfs everyone near it.
The wounded boars start to be hit by arrows, and a human carrying a large hammer jumps over the burning roots and starts hitting everything that moves...
From up in the tree, I see five players brutally slaughtering the defenseless boars.
The warrior with the bloody hammer looks up at me smiling and says: "Need a hand, buddy?"
I'd like to say that I'm over being embarrassed by silly things, but climbing down from a tree while a group of people are watching you made me very embarrassed.
"It seemed like a good idea at first... thanks for your help"
I say, trying to sound indifferent, but something tells me I haven't succeeded.
The group is made up of three humans, a half-elf and a forest elf. There are two warriors, two conjurers and an archer.
"It's always a pleasure to help newcomers in trouble. By the way, my name is Roni, the half elf mage is called Allfire, the elf archer is called Direth, the other girl with the staff is called Hella and the spearman is called Gil."
"Alnair"
"You don't seem to talk much... Some here could learn from you" The archer grumbled as he collected the arrows he had used.
"I thank you again for helping me, but my playing time is coming to an end... so... can I collect the loot or will you want it?"
My question causes a ripple of laughter. Roni approaches and puts his hand on my shoulder.
"You can take it all, brother. Before you go, what is your level and affinity?"
"03, dark"
"You made a bad choice"
"There's still time to redefine your character"
"..."
"What's the matter?"
I ask, more curious than offended.
"Dark is the worst choice of the basic affinities. Too slow and below average damage, you'll have trouble with more agile enemies... The right choice would be fire or lightning... If you want to progress in the game, I suggest you redo your account. Well, in any case, make sure you've reached level 10 and chosen your class before the 7th day"
"What will happen on that day?"
"You'll have to wait to find out."
Roni smiled, before continuing, "We're members of the Eternity, if you want to join, just look for me."