Walking back to the village entrance, I stopped for a while only to get pushed from behind by beserkers carrying their battleaxes. These people are too excited to kill mutated Dogs, aren't they?
Having strength that doesn't match up to others, I resisted the urge to do the same.
Looking at the stats menu, I realised the system gave mne 10 stat points at level 1. I put them all into Strength. That's right, this is my fighting style. I'll fight the world with my
ability as a healer to heal and my strength to fight. This is the true way to success!
I'll have to take it slow and wait patiently. I can't steal the mobs that the beserkers,
swordsmen etc. with stats all added to strength out there are killing. I'll look around in the village and see what quests I can get. Then I'll go kill the mutated Dogs, that's killing two birds with one stone!
In the small village, there was a well sitting right in the middle of the plaza. Beside the
well was bits and pieces of stone. Each stone was separated from the rest, but together
they lined up to form a brilliant formation.
I took a good look for a whole 5 minutes before realising - it's the Seven Star Style!
There's no mistaking it, this is the formation of the Seven Star Style. Previously, while I
was training under the old man, I had to learn the way of the Seven Star Style while
wielding a sword, which gave me heaps of suffering. In the game, there actually was a
Seven Star Style! This can only mean one thing - between the game designers, there must be an actual sword master. If not, there's no way the Seven Star Style was implemented.
As if magnetised to it, I couldn't stop myself from walking to the foot stands, facing the
shining light's mysterious form. Spontaneously, I drew my sword and starting slashing.
Clang
Although I'm a healer, I added all 10 points into strength, which gave me a decent physical strength boost. The sword was unsheathed and it carried sword energy. I have not felt this since so long ago, who knew it would be in a game that I felt this familiarity with the sword again.
My heart beated furiously. Damn, if it's really like this, plus with the info that was given in
that pamphlet, this could really be the time for me to shine!
Clang
The second time I slashed, my feel for the sword grew a little.
It was as if I was in a daze, standing there just swinging my sword over and over again. I
lost myself in the game and was slowly understanding the way of the sword. There's some pleasure to be had in this if you were a swordsman.
About an hour after I started practicing with my sword, many noobs gathered around and
watched me curiously. There was even a level 2 beserker with his battleaxe, shaking his
head while looking at me. "Oi, even if the game said that you could create your own skills, do you really think it's possible? Only an idiot like you would believe this stupid rumours. This guy looks as handsome as me, I wonder why he's so dumb though."
didn't show any expression at all and continued swinging my sword. Just like this,
everything else was swallowed away by my concentration.
In a blink of an eye, it was already afternoon. I didnt make any progress at all. I kept
feeling as if I was about to break through but it just didn't happen. I continued all the way
to 8pm at night, when the phone outside rang. It connected to the game system and
displayed Eris phone number.
"Leo, Laura and I are going offline for some dinner, you want some?"
I was very excited once I heard that. "I'll go with you guys. I haven't eaten much since
afternoon... I mean I need to protect you guys..."
Lin Wan Er giggled and then continued: "Okay, come to us and when we see you, we'll go down too,"
"Okay!"
Logging out in this some town should be fine since it was a safe zone.
Taking off my helmet, I looked above my bunk to see glasses boy shivering, as if he had a stroke or something. He should be leveling. I shouldn't disturb him, and just eat with Eris.
Outside, I reached the girl's dorm and soon after a graceful Eris arrived together
with Laura, who was carrying a white handbag. Despite the distance separating us, Laura shouts with more enthusiasm than Eris: "Hi, Leo!"
I nodded and smiled: "Good evening, where should we eat?"
"Let's go, canteen number 1 again? After we come back we can continue leveling. On
September 1st we have to start lessons already, so we should take this opportunity to
focus on the game!"
"Mm."
In the dining room, we ordered several fried dishes, and the three of us sat there facing
each other, waiting for our dinner. The two ladies were also pretty hungry, as the sound of stomachs rumbling could be heard. It was as if they were about to eat me up too.
Eris looked at her phone, resting against the back of the chair. Her long hair extended past her shoulders. In that short period of time, she captivated everyone who was looking at her. I too was looking at her and I had to tell myself: Don't forget, I need to respect Borros's orders as well.
After a while, Eris raised her head to look at me, saying: "Leo, after one whole afternoon, what level are you?"
"Level 1, I haven't had any experience fighting at all."
Eris was shocked and her mouth was gaped. "There's no way, right? Not killing mobs or gaining experience, what were you doing? Even if you become our mule1, you at least need enough stamina to run back to the capital. At this rate even the small monster
on the way back can kill you..."
I rubbed my nose, embarrassed by what she had said. I said: "Actually... actually I was just
getting used to the freedom this game had to offer, at the moment I have not gotten
completely used to the 97% realism of this game."
"Ha.. what a noob!" Eris suddenly smiled.
She should have achieved her goal and must be feeling quite satisfied right now, making
fun of me. I knew this womanbore a grudge.. or did she? That's not quite right, considering I practically saw everything that day. With this big shot's personality in mind, Eris not killing me straight away can be considered as forgiving already.
Laura also looked at me with shock. "Leo, you're really one of a kind..."
I nodded and smniled, saying: "Laura, what levels are you and Miss?
Laura pursed her lips a little: "We're alright, I'm level 7 and Wan Er is level 6. Tobe honest you don't have to call her Miss, Eris doesn't really mind. Just call her Eris."
Eris stared at me: "No! He's not allowed to call me Eris!"
"I understood, I won't call you that, Miss." I replied.
Laura looked at me, then at Leo. After that, she seemed to have understood something, and covered her mouth while laughing: "Oh, looks like something must have happen between the two of you. There's no way it would be like this if that's not the case... Ahhhh, Eris, stop pinching me, I'l stop!"
The two beautiful ladies were messing around and several males that were eating were stunned. Even the noodles that were in their mouth dropped out.
Not long after, the dishes arrived. I didn't take much, only the food in front of me. I also ate three bowls of rice though. Eris looked at me with surprise. That'sno expression to have, she must think I eat too much while only being level 1. I guess she thinks I am a good-for-nothing.
At 10pm that night, the phone sounded and Borros's number showed up.
"Leo, how was today? Eris didn't trouble you much, did she?" Borros asked.
I shaked my head, saying: "How can that be, Miss has treated me well. Mr Borros, you can rest assured!"
Borros smiled. "Mm, Eris personality is actually gentle, but.. regarding the situation of having a bodyguard around to protect her, she has always been non-compliant. The several bodyguards' I've hired before you couldn't take it any more and gave up. I hope you can perservere and continue on.."
I smiled lighty and said: "To be frank with you, it's not that tough. It's just accompanying her for meals, playing games, little stuff like that. I can handle that much, at least."
Borros laughed heartily at my response, saying: "That's great, then. How's your
aptitude in gaming? What rank were you in the previous game?"
"About 3 million plus."
"Wow, that's really noob.."
''…''
Hanging up the phone, I realised that glasses boy logged off and cooked himself some
instant noodles. He was very excited, saying: "Little Lee, how is it, this 97% realism game?
It's awesome, isn't it? I'm already level 4, not bad right? What level are you?"
I said with an expressionless face: "Level 1, how did you get..."
"Haha, level 1? Wow, how many times did you get killed by monsters, to only be at level 1?"
"There's nothing I can do, level 1 it is. I'm a healer anyway so I have no attack power.." |
calmly replied.
"Healer, this breast milk class? Although you can't kill anything, but you can heal yourself.
Surely you couldn't be killed back to level 1, right? Lee Boy, you're a special kind of noob. No worries though, with your brother over here, I can return and help you level. I'll definitely make you one of the top ten in Eternal Requiem!"
"You idiot! Will you die if you stop bragging?"
"Haha!"
At night, I played a little over an hour more, returning to try and find the special sword skill feeling, but again, there was no progress. I'm not worried though. It's only a game anyway. Even if I don't break through, there's no rush. At 12, I logged off and slept. This was the schedule given to me by Eris.
The next day, I got up at 7am, went out to get some snacks, and wanted to give them to
Eris and Laura. It's a pity I couldn't go up, as the dorm lady fiercely shouted: "You rascal, if you want to get into the female dorms, you'll have to get past me!"
I quickly left and at the same time, I found out there were two other young bodyguards in the dorm main office. From their movements, I can tell they know martial arts. Mm, this must be Borros arrangement. For his daughter, he hired other bodyguards besides me.
Returning to my dorm, I continued practicing the sword.
In a flash, it was late morning again. I had to repair the sword as I practiced with it but as
usual there wasn't any break through.
Though, I felt like it was very close, an imminent and intense feeling of breaking through.
In the afternoon, I was in the dining room with Eris and Laura again for lunch.
"24 hours already.." Laura smiled and said: "Apparently, most of the players have left their respective beginner villages and the highest level achieved so far is level 12."
Eris held her hair as she ate, saying happily: "I'm m at level 11!"
"After this, all I need is 2 more hours to reach level 11. I'm a spiritualist and yet my
training speed is slower than an assassin. Eris, you're giving me too much stress..."
said Laura.
Eris smiled, pointed at me and said: "Its alright, that person over there can give you some solace. Leo, what level are you? Oh and, what rank are you?"
I hesitated a little before saying: "Level 1, I'm exactly 1, 000, 000th place."
Eris's pretty face turned to stone, staring at me completely shocked. "There's only a million players in the opening of the game.. You.. you're really a disgrace to Eternal Requiem"
I scratch my nose silently.
Laura smiled as she ate: "lIt's fine, when I have a break I'll come back and carry you through."
I nodded my head, saying: "Thanks a lot, Laura, you're a lot more caring and sincere than our Miss over here..."
Eris immediately shot a glance at me, killing intent awaiting: "Oh, can you repeat that?"
I tightly grasp my chopsticks, saying: "Come on, let's eat. Once we finish eating we can go
back and level more.
1pm, at the Grass Dog Village.
Clang
I slashed for the Nth time. At that moment, the sword surged with a formless energy. At
the same time, my body shivered. A gold color rose from my feet and the system sound played.
Ting
System Notice: Congratulations, you have completed the proficiency training! You have
created a skill. As a result, when you have a sword equipped and drawn, your attack power is increased by 10%. Please choose a name for your skill!