Chapter 4: The Weight of the World
The first rays of dawn pierced through the misty air, casting a golden hue over the starter village. Liam stood at the edge of the forest, his newly acquired Moonlit Fang glinting faintly in the light. He had spent the previous day leveling faster than he had ever imagined possible, thanks to his absurd hidden-class perks. Yet, despite his rapid progress, there was an odd sense of unease bubbling beneath the surface.
"Why me?" he murmured, his breath visible in the chilly air.
The question had haunted him all night. Hidden classes were rare, and the odds of drawing a talent or skill ranked EX were so astronomical they were practically impossible. Yet, he had defied all probability. Twenty EX skills and talents, a class no one had ever seen or heard of, and a growth curve that shattered the game's balance.
For a brief moment, he wondered if the system had made a mistake—or worse, if someone had intentionally orchestrated it. But the thought was fleeting. This world, despite being virtual, felt so alive, so immersive, that the logic of the real world seemed to fade.
The faint chiming of the village bell snapped Liam out of his thoughts. The villagers were waking up, and the day's activities were beginning. Merchants called out their wares, adventurers gathered near the village gate, and NPC children chased one another through the cobbled streets.
Liam pulled up his game panel, reviewing his progress.
Name: Liam
Class: Primordial Sovereign (Hidden)
Level: 6
Stats:
• Strength: 100
• Dexterity: 90
• Intelligence: 120
• Endurance: 70
• Luck: ???
• Free Attribute Points: 40
Skills:
• Phantom Strike (Level 2, Rank EX)
• Chaos Manifest (Level 1, Rank EX)
• Dual Wielding (Level 1, Rank F)
Quests:
• [Explore the Starter Forest: Complete]
• [The Village Elder's Request: Incomplete]
Liam's eyes lingered on the incomplete quest. He'd picked it up from the elder the previous evening, just before heading to the inn. It was a simple task: deliver a package of herbs to an apothecary in a neighboring village. The quest didn't offer much in terms of rewards—just 10 silver and a small amount of EXP—but it was the first quest that took him beyond the confines of the starter village.
He decided it was a good opportunity to explore more of the world. Besides, the road to the next village would likely be filled with monsters and events that could further boost his level.
He made his way to the elder's house, a modest wooden structure nestled near the village center. The elder, a frail-looking man with a long white beard, was already waiting for him on the porch.
"Ah, young adventurer," the elder said, his voice warm yet tinged with weariness. "I trust you're ready for your journey?"
"Yes, Elder," Liam replied, bowing slightly out of respect.
The elder handed him a small, leather-bound satchel. It smelled faintly of mint and lavender.
"These herbs are essential for the apothecary's remedies," the elder explained. "The path to the next village is not without its dangers. Be cautious."
[Quest Updated: The Village Elder's Request]
Objective: Deliver the herb satchel to the apothecary in Greenleaf Village.
Liam accepted the quest and set off, leaving the bustling village behind. The road to Greenleaf Village wound through dense forests and rolling hills, the scenery breathtakingly vibrant. Birds chirped overhead, and the rustling of leaves created a calming background melody.
But Liam knew better than to let his guard down. He gripped his weapons tightly, his eyes scanning the surroundings for any signs of danger.
After about ten minutes of walking, his caution was rewarded. A growl echoed from the underbrush, and moments later, a pair of Forest Wolves emerged. Their yellow eyes glinted with hunger, and their sleek, gray fur bristled as they prepared to attack.
Liam activated Phantom Strike, his movements blurring as three shadowy forms of himself appeared. The wolves barely had time to react before the shadows struck, their coordinated attacks leaving deep wounds. One wolf fell instantly, while the other staggered back, blood dripping from its side.
Liam finished the second wolf with a quick slash from his Moonlit Fang, its critical damage bonus making short work of the creature.
[You have defeated 2 Forest Wolves.]
EXP gained: 200 (x1000 multiplier applied: 200,000 EXP)
[Level Up!]
[You have reached Level 7.]
Liam's progress was staggering, but with it came a growing sense of responsibility. The stronger he became, the more he felt the weight of his hidden class. The game world was vast, filled with countless players and challenges, yet he had been given a unique advantage that could change everything.
After collecting the wolves' pelts and claws as loot, Liam continued on his journey.
The sun was high in the sky by the time Greenleaf Village came into view. It was smaller than the starter village, with only a handful of buildings clustered around a central well. The apothecary's shop was easy to spot, its sign adorned with an image of a mortar and pestle.
Liam entered the shop, the faint scent of herbs and spices greeting him. A middle-aged woman with sharp features and keen green eyes stood behind the counter.
"Welcome, traveler," she said, eyeing him curiously. "What brings you to my shop?"
"I have a delivery from the elder of Oakridge Village," Liam replied, handing her the satchel.
The woman's expression softened as she took the package. "Ah, these herbs are just what I needed. Thank you, young man."
[Quest Complete: The Village Elder's Request]
Reward: 10 Silver, 500 EXP (x1000 multiplier applied: 500,000 EXP)
"Is there anything else I can help with?" Liam asked, hoping to pick up another quest.
The apothecary hesitated, then nodded. "Actually, there is. Lately, a group of bandits has been harassing travelers on the road between here and Oakridge. If you could deal with them, I'd be most grateful."
[New Quest: Bandit Trouble]
Objective: Defeat the bandits troubling the road between Greenleaf and Oakridge.
"I'll take care of it," Liam said, his determination growing.
As he left the apothecary's shop, he felt a renewed sense of purpose. The journey ahead would be long and filled with challenges, but Liam was ready. He had been given an extraordinary gift, and it was time to prove that he could wield it wisely.
The road back to Oakridge awaited, and with it, a new chapter of his adventure.