Chapter 1 (or 31)

Leon looked at his balance as he left the merchant in the square. After selling all spare loot, completing the first floor had earned him 829 coins. With the coins from before and having paid Margaret for one night’s lodgings, it stacked up to a total of 1334. A whooping amount compared to what he’d had previously, but only 1.3% of what he needed for the Beggar’s Mercy quest. And he hadn’t even taken the time to buy anything that he needed yet.

He sighed as he looked at Margaret’s inn, the Drowned Goblin. She’d been so overwhelmed to see Ava back safe and sound that she’d convinced her not to leave her side for the rest of the evening. So emotional, in fact, that she hadn’t noticed Trouble until Leon asked to rent a room for the night. Then she just gave him a curt nod and only gave the huge rabbit a quick glance.

Leon turned toward the furthest side of the square, walked into the afternoon sun and toward the tailor where he’d purchased the dress for Ava and the shirt for himself before. He’d left Trouble in the room for the time being, since the varied looks on his pet had set off a few warning bells.

No one had approached them as they’d walked through the Slums, and Leon knew it was because of Trouble. Not even the guards had said anything as Leon’s party passed them. He wondered if it might be the corrupted status that made people wary, or just the sight of a very large rabbit jumping along three rag-wearing people, one of them missing a shirt and a shoe.

The bell above the door chimed as he entered the store, and the red-nosed elderly woman behind the counter greeted him, then prompted the purchase box immediately. Leon scanned through the options.

Now that Ava could sell her items and get a personal balance, she could choose what she wished to do. So, he ended up just purchasing a white woolen shirt with long sleeves and a new pair of normal leather boots. It would be enough to get him through the day without sniggers or looks from passers-by.

Leon exited the store after having equipped the items, and looked to his left, toward the crafting fountain, and then to his right, toward one of the streets leading away from the square, weighing on his feet. It felt good to stand on even ground.

The merchants would soon pack up their stalls, and if he wanted to buy weapons today, he’d have to hurry to the general goods store. Though, since the merchant of the store had blocked him and Ava from entering for a week, he wasn’t sure if he wanted to shop there anymore. Sure, Ava’s appeal regarding the restricted entry had gone through, so it would be open for them even though they’d only been in the tower for three days, but that wouldn’t make it into a more pleasant visit.

Yung, the man he’d met before coming to this world, had said that the general goods store in the Slums was where new players bought their equipment, but the assortment hadn’t changed since the first time he’d gone there, meaning the store would only hold weapons with low durability now.

With those thoughts, he turned to his right and exited the square, into the small street that would bring him to the night market square. If he’d only been able to pick up the iron shards after he broke his weapons in the first floor, he’d have a sword soon enough. But from how fast he’d broken weapons so far, it wouldn’t take too much time to complete the class quest.

Leon entered the square, where people stood talking in groups, even though the night market wouldn’t open for another few days, and looked around for the sign for the weapons store he thought he’d spotted before. He passed a man with shoulder-length dark hair and slim features chatting about a story that made the rest of the group gasp. Leon slowed his steps to listen in.

“… and there I was, up in the tree, looking down on fangs as long as my head!” The lanky man gestured with a hand over his chin and another at the top of his scalp. He wore a long brown tunic and green tights, ending at two leather shoes with pointy tips.

“How did you get away?” a woman asked between her fingers. Her eyes were wide.

The man shrugged and put his hands on his hips. “I just kept climbing. Then I waited for it to go away. If I had my bow I could beat it, easy.”

“Smart move not to engage it,” a short, stout man said, stroking a thick black mustache. “Lions aren’t to be messed around with.”

Leon stopped. Lions? Before he could stop himself, he found himself among the group. “Where did you see a lion?”

The slim man crossed his arms. “E-rank forest. Bet you’ve never been there, huh?”

“No,” Leon said. “But why would a lion be in a forest?”

The man held up a finger. “Not just any lion. A cave lion.”

“Aha.” Leon was pretty sure it wasn’t the correct fauna for something like that, but neither was a dungeon for level 90 players in an F-ranked forest. “So you’re a higher-level player in this part of the city? At least by our standards?”

The man nodded and grinned.

“I’m probably heading into that forest soon-ish. What other monsters can I expect to meet?”

The man’s face reddened slightly, and he crossed his arms. “Pfft. If you don’t even know that, you don’t have any business going there.”

Leon shrugged. He could always ask Margaret. “Thanks anyway.”

He walked away from the group and spotted the store in the far corner of the square. Leon pushed open the door and entered a well-lit area. Unlike its counterpart in the Slums, this one was ordered to perfection and smelled fresh of some kind of flower, as if the floors had recently been scrubbed. Weapons stood in racks along the wall, and shields of different kinds hung on the stone. In the middle of the small store stood a table with an assortment of bracers, bundles of leather, and bottles of different shapes and sizes, all sorted through a clear size or color scheme.

A muscular woman with black skin and tight braids wearing a leather apron and two thick metal bracelets stood at the counter at the end of the shop. She wrote something in a ledger and looked up as Leon approached.

“Hey. Welcome to my general goods store. What can I help you with? I’m closing up in fifteen minutes, so if you intend to only browse, I’d like to ask you to come by tomorrow instead.”

“Um, sure. I’m looking for equipment suitable for the Warrior class.”

“Alright. Coming up.”

Unlike the store in the slums, the page loaded up directly.

Iron dagger 98% 130 coins Iron short sword 96% 200 coins Iron sword 70% 215 coins

Leon raised his eyebrows as he scrolled down the list. Not only was the selection better, but she also had a slightly better price range than the rat-faced man. He gnawed on his lip, thinking he should have done some research before purchasing stuff. Yung had recommended the shop in the Slums, but he’d been here several years ago. A lot could change in that sort of time.

Leon scrolled down the list of weapons and reached the defensive items. There was painfully little that seemed to belong to the Warrior class. He looked up from the screen and to the woman, who had returned to writing in the ledger.

“I’m kind of interested in defensive stuff for Warriors. What can you tell me about them?”

She looked at the ceiling and pursed her lips. A moment later, she met his eyes. “Honestly, there’s not much. I’m not sure you’ve noticed, but this game has a thing for collaborations. A side effect of that is that each class has weaknesses that other classes make up for.” She shrugged. “A Warrior will be the main damage dealer, but won’t deal true damage without the help of a Tank who takes the brunt of the counter attacks or allows for opportunities to meet single opponents.”

“So what I’m seeing in the shop is basically what’s available?” Leon looked at the box in front of him again.

Leather bracers 80% 250 coins Iron bracers 75% 315 coins Leather stunt gloves (thin) 96% 270 coins Iron stunt gloves (thin) 100% 350 coins Leather shin guards 54% 210 coins Iron shin guards 60% 285 coins

“The defensive items in front of you can also be used offensively. Please have a close look at the items there. Those are the best in my stock right now, but if you don’t have the budget for it, let me know and I’ll adjust the list. The durability on the items that don’t show isn’t great, so I wouldn’t recommend looking at them unless you have a tight budget or just want them for their broken parts.”

Leon nodded. “So, in what way do the defensive items work offensively? I get the iron gloves part, punching harder, but the bracers and the shin guards?”

“Well, Warriors are basically damage dealers in of themselves. Equip anything, and it can be used in close combat. With certain skill trees, the defensive type weapons, or armor, are very beneficial. The downside is that you’ll still be vulnerable to attacks, even if you stand your ground for longer.”

“There’s nothing for chest and shoulders? Like a breastplate or something like that?” Leon rubbed his back with a hand under the pack. The backpack had remained unharmed throughout all the battles, and even though fangs and claws had ripped at his Leon’s back, they hadn’t gone through it. Sometimes, it was as if the impervious thing became see-through and passable, which was a shame. If it didn’t allow for attacks, it would have been great to purchase something like it to make a makeshift armor.

The shopkeeper shook her head. “If there’s anything like that for a Warrior, I haven’t seen or heard of it. There really should be, but I think the closest you will come to protection is to buy shirts with defense stats, at least here in the lower parts of the city. Those are pretty bad, too, when compared to a Tank’s assets. So, if you decide to venture somewhere where you’d fight, I suggest you find someone to join you if you can’t take the enemy out quickly.” She pointed at him. “But now I have to close up. Will you make a purchase?”

Leon nodded, even though he wished he had more time to decide what to do. He didn’t know what the others planned for tomorrow, and in retrospect, they should have decided that before they parted ways. Maybe it would be better to head toward the second floor of the tower as soon as possible, in case the difficulty reflected on how many monsters they had fought again. Leon doubted it, but better safe than sorry. But to enter the tower again, they needed to reach level 10 and pass the arch to the main parts of the city.

“So the items above have both defensive and offensive stats?”

She shook her head. “No, only defensive. But they can be very useful offensively, too. If you unlock the right skills for it.” Leon looked at his balance. He could, if he wished for it, buy all three types of defensive gear and a sword, but that would land him pretty low on coins again. But then, if he could beat monsters more quickly, he’d stack it up. Maybe it would be good to do now that he had the funds for it? But of what quality?

Leon chewed on his lips and went to the sword selection. He chose the iron short sword. He’d looked up his new skill—double wield—which allowed him to wield two weapons of the same type, no matter their size. That opened up an opportunity to use two swords at once, but not a normal length sword and a dagger. Even though he liked the extra length a normal sword would give him, he was still too new at sword fighting to use it efficiently, especially if he would combine it with one more weapon. Better to keep at it with the smaller ones until he got more control.

With that thought, he scanned the defensive collection. The pain he’d suffered through in the first floor was something he never wanted to experience again. The thoughts of no armor for his class was ridiculous. He was supposed to be a melee fighter, but couldn’t buy something to protect him at close range? What was the sense behind that?

Muttering to himself, Leon chose the leather bracers, iron gloves, and the iron shin guards. He hadn’t really been hit on his lower arms, so leather would probably do for now, but the shin guards would protect his legs—no more fangs biting into him, trying to drag him along. The iron gloves would do for a better chance at striking if his weapons failed him again, and the punches he dealt took less fatigue, making it a good option.

Leon confirmed the choices and the option to equip all items. They materialized and formed pixels around his arms and legs that tightened upon his skin.

Leon’s account balance sunk to 194 coins. He hoped this would be worth it. He read the box as he walked out of the store, and the merchant locked the door behind him.

You have equipped:

Leather Bracers +1 defense

Iron Stunt Gloves (thin) +1 defense

Iron Shin Guards +2 defense

Cost: -1 agility

First time information: Defense

The defensive stats are only available through wearable items or buffs. It decreases the hit points lost when in battle and can sometimes have extra effects, such as protecting you from enemies inflicting bleed or poison. The cost of using items with defensive traits varies depending on the amount of points gained through the items. Most often, your vitality and/or agility will suffer because of heavy gear.

Leon sighed, not feeling as pleased with the purchase anymore. But hopefully, he’d be able to make up for it. The extra point he’d earned through running every day for a month wouldn’t benefit him anymore, but then again, the items would have taken the point, anyway.

He looked at his status page as he stood outside the store.

Name: Leon Level: 9, 21% Class: Warrior Title: NooB Guild: None HP: 290 Fatigue: 0% MP: 12 Coins: 194 Strength: 15 Agility: 11 Vitality: 10 Intelligence: 9 Sense: 10 Status Points available: 20 Skills Passive: Warrior’s Build Passive: Lumberjack 1 Passive: Lumberjack 2 Insight (Rank F, Leader Skill Tree) Passive: Loyalty ((U) Rank F, Leader Skill Tree) NEW: Your skills have reached the maximum display capacity and will now be available for further scrutiny under the unlocked tab: Skills.

Leon frowned at the last part. Skills. He wondered how many more he’d unlock during the game. He’d only been here for a little over eight weeks, and he already had nine skills. Leon thought back to Yung and the ability to walk through solid things like doors or walls. If this amount of skills existed this early, how many did Yung have when he completed the game? He must be way more powerful than Leon thought. The three who’d cleared the tower must have an immense list of skills that they brought with them. Wonder what effect that would have on the world, if they used them all.

He closed the window and looked at his gloved hand. Even though the glove was of metal, it moved smoothly and fit his hands perfectly. The knuckles had small raised surfaces with a thicker layer, and the same covered the top part of his fingers. Like padding, but of iron.

Leon opened up the new Skills tab. The only one he’d taken the time to read of the newly acquired skills was Double Wield, since he was going to purchase weapons. He glanced over the names, and when he almost bumped into a woman carrying a basket, he shut it down. There would be time to have a look at it later. Same with distributing skill points.

Leon sucked in a breath and turned to the street that would take him to the first square, and each footstep felt heavy. If he was completely honest, he half-dreaded going back to the inn. Because without something else to occupy his mind, he knew what would.

The memories would fling themself at him, like hurling daggers that he couldn’t hope to avoid. His sister knowing of his suicide. Her having to lie to their mother about it. Sarah, watching her childhood friend jump to his death. How much pain he had caused, just because he hadn’t been careful enough.

He spun around and swung his arm as someone touched his shoulder.

The man behind him ducked, his shoulder-length dark hair catching in one of the extra paddings of the glove. The man winced.

“Man, come on! You a psycho or something?” He gently pulled the strands from the glove.

“You’re that guy from the square,” Leon said. “Why are you following me?”

They had come to a stop in the middle of the road, between two narrow rows of stone houses in need of repair.

“Well,” he huffed, combing through the hair with thin fingers. “I just thought you’d like help.”

Leon frowned. “Help with…”

“You’re going into the E-ranked forest, aren’t you?” The thin man mimicked pulling a bowstring. “I could help you out.” He opened his back hand. “Pew!” He gestured a circle with his arms. “Boom!”

“You’re a ranger, I assume.”

“Yeah.” He chuckled and put his hands on his hips. “So, how about it?”

Leon crossed his arms. If he’d liken the man to anything, it was a willow tree. He wouldn’t have the means to defend himself. But then again, he had been into the E-ranked forest. Even if Leon hadn’t thought of going in there until he heard about it earlier, he’d get there within a week. He’d have to, in order to level up. Eighty monsters had taken him from level six to level nine, but the faster he could level up, the faster he could get back to the real world. The only real way to evolve was to strive for new things.

“What do you get out of it? Why do you want to follow along?”

The man shrugged. “Just helping a fellow player. Maybe a few coins, if you’re feeling generous.” He glanced at Leon’s new items.

Ah, so it was a money grab. Leon shook his head to himself. This was what it meant to be in the lower part of the city. It seemed like most players here had more than a few agendas of their own. Not that he’d call Ava and Hert the scrapings of the bottom of the barrel, but what had come out during the first floor showed that both of them had quite a few personal issues to deal with. Could he really handle another like them? He gave the man a once-over again. What problems would this guy bring? To him, or his party?

“Man, stop the silent game. You in or not?”

Leon bit the inside of his cheek. “What happened to you when you entered the first floor of the tower, and how did you die?”

At least the experiences in the tower had made it clear what to trust in his current companions. Those facts could benefit them all, because they knew more about each other.

“You know one can’t talk about the first floor,” the man said. He grinned. “I died during a concert. It was epic!”

“Yeah, you know, I think I’ll pass.” Leon continued down the street, but was forced to stop as a hand latched onto his arm.

“Nah, come on,” the man said. “I’m a reliable guy. I can hit anything with my bow.”

“No.” Leon kept walking.

Well, if Leon’s Sense stat was reliable, or if it was his gut speaking; he had a bad feeling about this man. Not that he’d be much trouble, but people like him tended to bring trouble with them. Before Leon ventured into the first floor, he probably would have said yes. But a realization was still dawning on him, bit by bit.

Usually, if a person died between the ages of 25 and 40, something had gone wrong. Often something they themselves had set in motion. Like Hert taking on dangerous assignments from an early age, Ava being egotistic and manipulative, and Leon, who’d killed himself to get here. This person probably died from mouthing off to someone, bragging about the wrong things, or through sheer stupidity.

Leon entered the square as the merchants rolled away their carts and turned around. “Stop following me. Why do you want to join me, anyway?”

“Well…” The man stopped, and a redness crept up his neck as he pointed above Leon’s head. “You’ve got a tag.”