Chapter 7 “Those who live and those who die”

“Such anticlimactic ending.” were Arthur’s thoughts while doing his morning exercises.

Yesterday, he had an amazing experience, in another world. He defeated a monster after impossible fight.

Back in the day, something like wolf with red eyes wouldn’t matter to him that much. He would simply kill it and move one to kill another one and then another one, endlessly until the quest was done. But that was not VRMMORPG but the game that he played on the computer. VR experience was much different than the game images that he saw on the screen. Pain in his arm, look of his enemy, moves he did, everything was so real. Although it was obvious that pain was reduced. Because if it were not, he would probably passed out on the spot if his arm was really tore off by wolf. Still, it did hurt.

“But how did they do something like that?”

It was unbelievable after all, the fight was so realistic. Also as for the game itself, it was incredibly well made and unique in its creation. NPCs were just like normal people. It was hard to spot a difference. The world was vast and so far Arata explored only one city. It was true that a man hand wouldn’t be able to create it. There were even quests that were made especially for him, and only possible in very specific circumstances. He had a quest where he had to help some other player because the crazy questgiver made a blonder on his job. That was unbelievable for a game.

“No wonder people call it a new world.”

The worst thing for Arata right now was that he still couldn’t get any information’s about the game. Arata did not know from which moment the locking based on information he got still mattered but he wanted to play it save. He definitely didn’t want to end up as some gardener.

“Profession system is also rather strange.”

He thought like that from the very beginning. From the moment that he first read basic information article. The profession was said that it is based on your actions, but how do they want to calculate that if everything happens so spontaneously.

“Well as long as I don’t end up as a healer I won’t complain.”

Healers were very important part of every group, as if not the most important. But they usually lacked combat abilities, and their job was often considered boring by everyone but healers themselves.

Arthur wasn’t very worried about his profession in the first place. On day one, he won swordsman tournament so he was sure that he should get some melee fighting class.

“It would be good if I can use two swords.”

He had somewhat faith in his fighting style with dual swords. Back in the day when he was training under his grandfather that was his most favorite style. Although grandfather wanted to teach him material arts more, the Arthur’s soul always chose bamboo blades. Back then, only during the training with them he could feel any joy at all. He also often had to fight against strongest ‘monster’ in history, his grandfather. Luckily, there also were grandfather’s trainers so it’s not like he was always losing. Number of disciples always stayed above 50. In last year after four years Arthur was even in top 10. Most of the disciples trained for tournaments, where Arthur trained without specific reason in mind. Should he find that reason he would become even better. As to why he originally started it was his grandfather idea, as this was the thing, that he knew the best. There someone else who was Arthur’s age who was also taking part in training. Similar to Arthur she didn’t do it for tournament but for a different reason. Grandfather wanted them to be friends but Arthur didn’t even think about doing so. The other party hated his attitude so they become rather opposite of friends. Fighting against each other often didn’t help their friendship either. Still with her and all other disciples even if Arthur didn’t have specific reason he at least took his training seriously and his best style was top notch.

“I never thought that I will actually end up using it in game.”

The combat system was somewhat more skill based than any other game he played. If you had any fighting experience before it was really helpful. Of course on higher level most of the players already become used to the fight as well. The more they played the more their skills become higher. After all they were fighting all day long. Originally first VR machines were made for soldiers so they can train without the risks. Then as everything that was made for army at first, it became spread across the world later. In EOA those with fighting abilities had tremendous advantage at their side. Arata already confirmed that.

“Having a fighting experience really makes it unfair. I wonder how it’s balanced.”

Was another thought of his.

“Well even so, skills won’t help you if you don’t have high level, and good head, it’s always comes to that.”

He recalled once again as he somehow managed to defeat 40 leveled wolf. It wasn’t thanks to his fighting skills but rather the solution that he made. All he needed to do is use the light. He received the orb of light after all. It should be obvious. Also no matter how evil the game was, quest in starting location wouldn’t require you to have high level or do anything too skillful in the first place. That was because no one would be able to do it and the quest itself would become useless. Still his fighting experience at least gave him a time to think up the solution. There was also a chance that the quest was created so people die on it, never to complete it.

As Arthur was running on the sideway, he passed by someone whom he found familiar. He felt like he seen that person somewhere before. He immediately recalled his useless companion that he spend his previous day with. Both of them were awfully familiar. Still it was not about it, as it was not in the game that she met this person, but in real life, long time ago. Still he didn’t try to bother to stop. If he didn’t remember her name anyway there was little connection with her. Also Arthur didn’t plan to get too friendly with anyone in the first place. Especially with someone who could ask questions that Arthur didn’t want to hear.

After he passed by her like nothing, he heard the voice.

-Arthur, are you Arthur!?…

He looked back and took another glance at her. A girl, slim, lower in height than him. She had a brown hair and somewhat child face. She was looking directly at him.

“It’s not good to stop during training, 2 more kilometers before breakfast are left.”

As he was about to take off, the girl stopped him.

-no, Arthur wait! You are Arthur right!?

Now Arata had to stop now as it would be unkindly to just continue ignoring her. He stopped about four meters away from her and answered.

-yes my name is Arthur, do we know each other?…

Girl walked toward him and closed the distance.

-you see I just moved here few days ago so I don’t really know many people here.

He started explaining.

-but, but.

The girl started to wave and didn’t know what to say. Seeing this Arthur decided that he shouldn’t play dumb anymore and just go over it quickly.

-well, you must know me from the time when I was a child. I used to live here back in the day.

Right away all worry from girl’s face disappeared. Then she asked one of the questions that Arthur didn’t want to hear, although it was still not on the main list.

-yes! So you know who I am?

-…

Arthur at least tried to recall her. With that he would be able to finish the conversation much faster.

“Let’s see. Hmm, someone whom I used to know, and a girl at that. I used to play around with everyone around this area so she must be the one of them. She looks younger than me. Hmm… was there really someone like that?? Well, even if there was, I was always bad with names. What were the names of a girl that I knew?”

He started to ponder even more.

“Amanda? No it isn’t from that time, and this name only brings me the chills. In the first place, my memory of that time is rather bad, well I at least can remember the stats of items that I had. Wait! There was someone that I used to talk about games a lot. I think that Jimmy was the name, yes definitely good old Jimmy.”

Arata once again looked at the girl.

“She doesn’t look like Jimmy to me.”

-so have you recalled already?

“It’s nothing uncommon to forget someone’s name and I already wasted enough time.”

Arthur turned in a way where he was planning to go.

-sorry, I don’t really remember you, so who were you again?

-wawawaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!

“Why does she cry out of sudden!? Now, I can’t even run away. Grandpa always said that the man who make girl cry is a trash even if it’s not his fault.”

Arthur thought like that but it was his fault that the girl started to cry.

-wait, wait, I remember you, I remember you, just not the name!

The girl rubbed her eyes then once again she looked at Arthur.

-really?

-really, really! We used to play together all the time after all.

With this she returned to normal.

“Safe! I still have no idea who she is but saying things like we used to play together is a safe choice.”

-it is cold of you that you don’t remember my name Arthur.

-it is a nice of you, that you remember mine. It’s been more than five years already? Anyway can you remind me what your name is?

-it’s A…

“Don’t tell me it will be really Amanda. I know that it’s not that Amanda but it would be funny. Maybe I should have make a random guess.”

-ah not that… it’s Alice.

“Wait, did she just use a fake name? Not that it matter but.”

-hey?

-hmm?

-why did you change it in the middle of sentence? Is that your real name?

If she lied to him it would be really good thing as Arthur could just walk away with no regrets but girl right away explained.

-no, no, yes, yes. Waaa. My name is Alice, I just somewhat wanted to use my name from a game.

That brought little smile on Arthur’s face.

“Yes jackpot! She is playing some game, I can turn it into nice talk about present rather than the past and she won’t find out that I don’t know her.”

-oh you don’t look like someone who plays games much.

-ah I started it not so long ago. I am still a beginner, not like you.

“Hmmm, she indeed knows something about me but did I really talk with some girls about games? I don’t recall that happening.”

Arthur was still trying to recall her but without any success.

-what is the game that you play maybe I know it?

He gave up on trying to recall it and went on with his tactic.

-it’s called eye of Adventure, Arthur do you play it as well?

“Ah, poor girl, her first game turned out to be this evil thing.”

-I do actually.

-hey, can you give me some advices? No wait! I didn’t want to talk about that. Arthur where have you been? Why didn’t you say anything?

And so the question that he didn’t want to hear the most appeared. Well, he was excepting it but hoped that he will be wrong.

“And here it was going so nicely. Eh, I could explain her that I moved to grandpa but if I talk about the past she will find out that I don’t know her, which equals her crying again. It’s time to use my silver tongue to escape from that.”

-you know, stuff happened?

-what stuff? …

“It didn’t work! Where my silver tongue is when I need it?”

It turned out that Arthur’s silver tongue never existed.

-tell me! Tell me, I want to know.

The girl was not making it easy for him.

“It’s better for you that you don’t know.”

Arthur thought that it would be rather better for him, that she doesn’t know. There wouldn’t be any follow up questions and looks of pity that he didn’t want to experience, ever again.

-anyway about the game, its great isn’t it? It’s much more immersive than anything that I played before.

-yes you are right, it’s so cool! I have so much fun playing it.

-me too.

“Okay, I managed somehow.”

-anyway now that you are here we can talk about it but first tell me why did you moved out without saying anything?

“It didn’t work again! Okay time for strategic retreat.”

-hey look we can talk about it another time, you said that you wanted some advice didn’t you, I don’t have much time right now so it should be more useful to you.

-okay if you say so. I can wait a little longer. Anyway I glad I can see you again.

-yes me too.

Arthur lied without a second of thought. He definitely wasn’t glad rather he didn’t want to see her ever again.

“It’s not solved but as long as I can avoid her in future there will be no problems.”

-so what great advice do you have?

-hmm firstly, how far in game you are now.

-yesterday I fought against beast that had level 40.

“To fight against something like that she also must somewhere around this. She might actually know more about this game than me.”

-and your class?

The girl answered proudly.

-I am a wizard.

“Not bad. She got normal sounding class in that game. Maybe it’s not really that bad if someone like her can get a class like that.”

-so, are you in some guild or have some friends who you play with?

-not really. So far I mostly played alone. Also my friends from school have higher level than me because they started much earlier so I need to catch up to them first.

-hmm, it will be rather hard to play with them if they have higher level already… Maybe you should use the opportunity to meet new people. It’s even a better idea than playing with someone you know.

-really, why is that?

-in games. Who you are, doesn’t matter much and you can easily make friends with for example person who is older than you by 20 years.

-but why does it make better than playing with friends?

-in real life most of your friends are same age that you right?

-yes mostly.

-see, that’s because in real life people take into consideration things like look, age, position but in the games those things doesn’t matter. Everyone is there to enjoy the game. The inner is what matters.

-I never thought about it like that.

-see also when you play you can meet people from all around the world. On the other hand you can meet with normal friends all the time here.

-that is also true.

-just think, did you meet someone that you wouldn’t have a chance to meet without use of the game?

-I did meet someone! He was a good person!

-see, the game brings people together.

-waaa, you sure know much Arthur.

“Just as planned.”

-sure I do, anyway the best advice I can give you right now is that you should join a guild.

-join a guild? Emm… what is a guild?

-it’s not like you can understand it fully without being in one but in simple terms it’s a group of people who plays together.

Arata explained it as easy to understand as he could.

-so, it’s like friends in a game?

-more or less. Of course many people in a guild are friends but I don’t think it’s a right word. How to say it? Comrades in arms? Yes, that would be the best word to describe it.

-wawa, it does sound good.

-doesn’t it?

-so which guild should I join?

-it is a hard question to answer, finding a good guild is rather hard.

-any advices?

-hmm, you said you have friend in that game already right? Is he in any guild already?

-no, he is not.

-well, if he was in some, you could just join his guild but if that is not the case then you should at least try joining the same guild together. It should be much easier for you than joining on your own.

-waa it’s a great idea, I will make him join as well…

“Sorry man, you will soon have a hard time dealing with her.”

Arthur thought to himself, but he didn’t know that the karma for his actions will come soon.

-so what guild should I choose?

-well it’s hard to tell if the guild won’t disband next day you enter it or if there is some unpleasant atmosphere within it. Well, the best thing you can do is look at the people who are in it and how they seem to you. If they are skilled or not. If they are easy to talk to and in general if you like them. But the most important would be the guild leader.

-em… who is guild leader?

-let’s see how to explain the role of guild leader. Guild leader as the name suggests is a leader of the guild and most important person in it. If he sucks, the guild will most likely suck as well. Simple as that. He should be a person whom people gather around, in general he should be kind and calm but sometimes he has to tell everyone that they suck and his grandmother is better than them.

-waaa! Guild leader is a scary person?

-that was just an example of a guild leader that I used to know. Anyway, he can’t beat around the bush when someone is doing what he is not supposed to do. He should just yell at them but in a motivate way, so they started to do their job. He should always say what he wants to say and don’t care what people might think of it.

-I don’t think that I am cut to be guild leader.

-what, you want to be a guild leader?

-no, no please continue.

-then other good characteristic of the guild leader should be that he is knowledgeable about the game. How everything works in general so he can make good decisions.

-so are you a guild leader?

-haha me a guild leader, good joke.

-but you are knowledgeable about the game.

-wait till I finish. Some says that guild leader should be the best player in the guild, but it is not the case. Guild leader should be skilled but he doesn’t need to be the best, although there are many cases where he is. More important is however, that he have to know everyone ability so he can make the best judgment during unexpected situations.

-everyone abilities?

-yes how they play? What is their style? Or even if someone in the guild is sick today and it will affect their play.

-that much!?

-well for low level guilds it’s not that important. But in good ones he should know what he can except from everyone, so he can ask them for 120% of it in times of need.

-waa, guild leader is really important.

-I’m not done yet.

-is there more?

-yes, the things I said are more or less things that person can learn with time and yes, he would become a good guild leader but if we are talking about true guild leader of highest grade, he has to have a gift for it.

-a gift? Like what?

-a gift of leadership. If you find someone who has this gift and is respected by other members go ahead and join his guild.

-waaa Arthur that was really deep.

Arthur shared his theory about good guild leader. He actually talked for more time that he thought but when he started to remember all that he couldn’t just stop. Still now that he finished.

“Okay time to escape.”

-well Alice, it was nice talking to you but I still have two kilometers to finish, see you some other time.

“Like never.”

-Arthur?

-yes?

-do you really remember me?

Out of sudden, she asked him that question gain.

“Wait did she found out? But my act was perfect! No I can still turn it around.”

-of course I do, how I could forget my beautiful friend Alice.

“Some says that flattery can do miracles.”

-okay, now I am sure that you don’t!

Doing something out of character wasn’t the best decision. Even if he changed no matter what, Arthur wasn’t someone who complemented others.

-what, no I do remember ask me something.

Then while trying to repair the damage, Arthur digged his hole even more.

“Noooo… that was a bad move!”

-I know that you don’t remember, but have it your way. Here is a question, how did my hair look back when we were kids.

“What! Such specific question? No this is a game over for me. All that’s left is luck.”

-well they were the same as now?

-see you don’t remember, you are a bad person Arthur, and I even looked around for you!

She said to him in little higher and angry voice.

-you were looking for me?

-I was! But no more, I don’t care anymore. People who forget their childhood friends are bad people.

-but I am not a bad person.

“Oo.”

-someone told me recently that the ones who say that are bad ones!

-it happens sometimes, you forget this or that. It’s been five years after all.

Arata tried to explain himself.

-oh I understand, you just simply forgotten. Well, you didn’t think of us as friends anyway. Now that I think about it, you did leave without a word. Looks like I now know why you did that!

At that moment she touched his old wound. He tried to hold it and said in the low but somewhat angry voice.

-don’t even think that you know why.

-sure I know, I asked around, your father got proposition to become director of one hospital, so you had moved to another city, I am not angry about that, but you should at least say good bye. And also you shouldn’t forget your friends because they will feel bad if you meet them on the street and you won’t know who they are!

Alice continued to talk but Arthur reached his limit. At first he tried to just get over it quickly but he couldn’t hold it anymore. He completely stopped to care about the girl whom he forgotten and started.

-fine say what you want! Yes I don’t remember you! You are right! I didn’t care about you at all! That’s why when I moved out, I said goodbye only to those whom, I considered friends! You were just some random person who didn’t matter at all! Don’t try to talk to me again!

Because she opened his old wound Arthur just said whatever he thought would hurt her, anything that would make her go away and never talk to him again. He then rushed away and continued his training but in truth he just ran away. Just like he always did. Somewhere in the wind he heard Alice’s last sentence.

-Arthur, you didn’t tell anyone about your move.

Arthur run and run. First he was only planning to run for another two kilometers and then eat the breakfast, but now it was already afternoon and he still run. He just sometimes did that. The main reason why he liked his training was because he could forget about the world, about his thoughts. This time however it didn’t want to leave him. He was tired already but he wanted to run until he is out of breath, lose all his strength and fall to the ground. That time finally came and then he finally realized what is he doing, he suddenly stopped, and said to himself.

-if I go like that I will soon ends up like in the game, unable to move, haha what a grown up I am. Trying to hurt someone just for my one satisfaction. Just like she said, I am a bad person.

But as he said that he recalled someone’s voice inside him, one of them were that of a player who he helped not so long ago.

“-you are Arata, a good strange hero who help those in need but also like to force girls into strange places.”

And then he recalled another two voices from deepest ends of memory. One was his and the other was.

“

-Ali, Ali, Ali, why are you such a crybaby, Ali?

-but they will laugh at me!

-who will?

-everyone!

-no they won’t.

-you can’t know that!

-true but there will be at least one person who won’t laugh at your beautiful braids. So it’s not everyone.

-who?

-me.

-waaaaaaa! Arthur, so you are a good person, after all.

-you ever thought differently?

-wawa.

”

He at least found out the answer to the question he couldn’t answer few hours before. Now he somewhat remembered a little girl with two braids that used to run after him.

“Not that it matters!”

Even though he remembered, it didn’t change much. As for him, old days where he was making friends and playing around was a thing of the past. He thought he can no longer go back to those.

Making friends and playing with them. He tried it in his grandfather’s city and it didn’t felt good at all. It was rather painful seeing so many people living their lives without the care in this world. That’s why he kept everyone at distance so no one would hurt him, and that was the reason why he decided to play the game. Like he just said to the girl. In that world it didn’t matter who you are and what happened to you, people don’t care about that in the game. What you want to show, is shown, nothing more, nothing less. That meant no background. No painful questions. No strange looks of pity from those who found out that he lost his parents. There was nothing like that. Just a world of swords, might and magic.

Arthur finally reached his house and then dropped dead on the bed.

The next day he woke up at afternoon. A new fresh day. He made himself a breakfast or rather a dinner. He passed on running as yesterday he already did a week norm that he had now. When Arthur threw away the garbage he checked his mail even though he didn’t except to find anything. But to his surprise, he found something inside it. Clean white envelop without any address written on it. Inside was only a short note which said.

[I thank you for advice about the game, I will definitely find good guild. I hope that you can give me another in the future as well.]

Arthur already decided to avoid the one that wrote it and didn’t plan to change that decision. He would rather not get too close to anyone if possible, as he knew that it would only hurt him in the end, he knew that from experience. As long as his past followed him he couldn’t simply bring himself to do that.

[The time has come for your profession to be chosen. Soon your true adventure will begin. But before that make your way to the chapel and see what destiny lies before you.]

As Arata appeared in the world he got this message right away.

“At least they tell me where to go but before that, I still have something important left to do.”

Arata made his way to a clock tower in east part of the city but as he reached the place where he wanted to go, but he found out that the secret passage did not open anymore.

-hey, you useless Wizard, open the door!…

He shouted as he reached the place.

-hey!

There was no response no matter how much Arata shouted.

“Even though he was annoying, he can’t just ignore people who come to pick up their rewards. Let me see the quest again, I sure that I got it complete when I defeated the wolf. Did it change into failure because I died?”

Arata crossed his fingers and summon quest menu. There were two quests complete. One was named The Wizard’s clue and the second one The Wizard’s Apprentice.

“Both of them are green so what’s the problem? Should I read the quest again?”

[Quest “Wizard apprentice” (Completed)

Wizard felt bad about what he had done to his apprentice so he found adventurer to help her. You have helped his apprentice and complete the quest.

Reward: Magic cloak of your choice. There are three versions with different stats

You can punch Wizard in the face three times.

(You did not reach the Wizard in one day so he ran away without giving you anything.)

Rank of quest 9. ]

-WHAT!

Arata shouted surprised, where is logic in this. Shouldn’t quest reward people for their work. He should at least be notified about it.

Then Arata recalled that when he killed the wolf many messages appeared before him but he didn’t try to read them at all.

“All my effort for nothing! Well it’s always like that.”

He thought to himself, it wasn’t the first time that he lost an item.

“Item is a one thing, I would change it anyway but the other reward. Mark my words! The next time I meet you, you damn useless crazy Wizard I will have my revenge.”

Most of Arata’s motivation towards the quest was from a simple pleasure of slapping Wizard in face. But he had to keep it in him for now. With luck he will find him again someday and it will not be a simple slap at that time.

“Well, time to go to the chapel.”

He decided that but as he was walking he thought about something.

“Is there a chance to see old messages? They appear only for few seconds so there should be.”

Arata looked through a menu one more time and then he found what he was looking for. They messages were listed in order of date. The first one at the top was about going to the chapel, then about respawn position, then the one that was saying that he had died.

“Here it is, let’s see you have gained level 9, although it should decrease somewhat after I died.”

Arata check his stats.

“Yep it went back to 8, I didn’t lost much considered that I went up from level 5 at that moment. Rather than losing in the end, I gained 3 levels. Okay, what were the other messages? Oh, there it is.”

He saw the message that said that he only have one day to receive his reward.

“At least I got the experience, but it was only one level, how does it work it was Rank 9.”

Experience from quests in EOA was usually low that was because you should get experience during the quest not at the end of it. Usually quest gave only one level but no one cared about it much. The reward is important not experience, it was common knowledge. But if you don’t get the reward, what was the meaning of quest in the first place?

“The others messages mention getting items and dinging level 8. Looks like hunting wolfs is much better option than doing quests.”

The wolf was high level after all, and normally someone wouldn’t kill it on level 5 but that was special creature that took tremendous damage from holy attacks. If it wouldn’t be like that no one would be able to kill it their first month of play. That’s how Arata thought at least.

“Well let’s see what items I got, knowing my luck it’s some kind of wolf’s meat. Well meat wouldn’t be that bad. I could skill up my cooking skills a little.”

Arata checked his inventory. The wolf’s meat was indeed there but there was also another somewhat black icon.

[ Coat of night

Strength +10

Agility +15

Movement speed +1

Health +200

Stamina +100

Armor +200

No level required

The coat of night is made for those who hide in the shadow.

Type: Leather

Rare item: drop rate (13%), only from quest related monster]

“Hahaha, there is some justice in this world after all”,

Arata though as he saw that, the mood in which he was turned completely with just a single glance. His effort finally paid off, and even though he wanted to have sword fighting class, he was planning to use light armor that didn’t slow down his movements. In normal games it didn’t matter. If you could wear heavy armor you should do it, but Arata saw that in this game dodging is much more important than having a high defense, so it’s better to have a light armor.

All beginners start in the same set of armor which is different only in color. It shouldn’t be called armor in the first place but rather simple clothing. They don’t have anything else than this beginning equipment. Getting a weapon on the first month was already a large feat. So when Arata entered the main square with two swords at his right side and black long ‘coat of night’ which continued all the way to the ground everyone looked at him in instant.

-hey who is that guy?

-I don’t know but he looks somewhat high level.

-that’s probably it. I never heard that items like that can drop here.

-how do you know, shouldn’t you come here without any information?

-everyone is saying that but think about it, even if something is locked you still have advantage against other players.

-how come? You are locked, you can’t use that information.

-haha, listen and learn, if you come here with information about some class that class will get locked. I can say that it’s true because I got some of them locked right now.

-see, I was right.

-here is a trick though. I only looked up information about the classes that I didn’t want. Also I got a grand picture of how the class system works and I don’t have to worry about getting the professions that suck.

Soon enough the clever guy ended up as butler but for now, he was sure of his plan.

-so what can you tell about that guy?

-I tell you high level, that’s all.

-lame he came to show off in the first city, but now that I think about it I didn’t see anyone else here.

-strange. I didn’t see anyone either. But now we had, it’s not a problem anyway. Anyway, I need to think up the plan for my class.

Arata became somewhat a celebrity in the square when people seen him, he was the only one that stood out from the crown. Well his hair alone was enough to get this effect. Everyone was looking at him some were talking.

“Look while you can, because I will leave you behind in dust.”

Arata was at least sure of his knowledge about the games. Even though he was on a break, he already proved that old skill never dies, and they were waiting for five years just to be used again.

At some point when he was half way through the square, which was the biggest place in the city, three girls come to him and asked.

-hey what is your level?

-you look somewhat strong do you have any advices?

-what is your profession?

-want to play together?

Arata didn’t stop nor did he change his directions and planned to ignore them. Still the girls were following him. So because he had enough time he decided to tell them one important thing before entering the chapel.

-note it down, because it’s most important thing in this game. With this advice your chances of survival in first few days will increase by 100%.

-wow thanks! So what is it?

-eat when you are hungry.

Unfortunately, they didn’t understand him and looked somewhat surprised. They were excepting some great advice but soon enough they would find out how precious would be that advice would be should they listened to it.

Arata finally entered the chapel as he did that one of the priestess that was inside it spoke to him.

-are you there to seek your destiny?

-nah, I just came to find out what is my profession, that’s all.

-profession is also destiny, but it doesn’t matter what you believe, you have come to the right place. Come with me, I will show you the way.

She showed him a way but at some point Arata had to jump to the side and hide behind one pillar.

-good morning priestess, what are you doing here?

Said a tall and muscular man in silver plate armor.

-I am showing the way to adventurer that has come here, commander.

The priestess answered.

-ah another one that thinks that with a profession they will become somewhat stronger. Hahaha, kids those days never learn.

-I think that this one shows great promise, commander.

-a great promise you say? But where is he anyway. I don’t see him.

-maybe he went inside already, but I will wait just in case.

-right, continue with your duty.

-yes commander.

When the big Paladin went away Arata come back to the priestess.

-sorry, I lost the way.

-that is why I am here, to show the way.

-yes thanks for a good work.

-but you just lost a chance to speak with commander of our order because of that. He is a great man and would definitely be happy to meet you.

“Yep, he would be definitely be happy. Especially if he found out that I am the one he was trying to catch the other day.”

Few days back Arata climbed the cross of this very chapel, and Paladins weren’t happy that someone desecrated their holy place.

-anyway, which way is it now?

-just follow me.

They reached ‘the white room’ with an altar inside it altar. Inside that room there was an old, small and fat old man in white-red clothing.

“Looks like someone important, an Archbishop?”

Arata could recognize a NPC like him in one glance, as they always looked the same in the game.

“But what is wrong with this room. It’s seems like developers forgot to finish this part.”

If Arata saw this room in any other game he would thought that it was not finished, still this time it probably was not the case, especially when it seemed that every player would have to visit this room at least once.

The Archbishop started.

-as many before you and many will after you, you too have come here to see your destiny…

“They really like word destiny in this game.”

-…destiny is an interesting thing. Some says that it’s a fate and unchanged road that everyone must follow. Others think that destiny doesn’t even exist and they on their own make their way in life.

“I heard something like that already, who was it? Ah yes the training Instructor. This guy stole his quotes.”

-…Some says that profession is just like destiny, it’s written down in the blood. Others say that profession is granted only based on your actions…

“They really should add a skip button when NPC wants to harp about something. It would save a lot of time.”

-…I think that both opinions have some truth within them, but it’s not a time to be philosophical is it? So are you ready to find out what is there for you.

“Finally!”

-yes, I am ready.

-I see that you do not have any doubts. Goddess Elssa answer my call and enlight the one that came here.

“What, they are still not done yet?”

The interior become somewhat brighter rather than white, the room turned yellow. Then it was filled with warm but strong woman voice.

-Arata, I saw your path and I know many things about you…

“Another long talk, just give me the class. Also skip button for the win!!”

-…but I also something unusual about you, your different life…

“And now what is she about again?”

-… you were once the champion of light and savior of many people. You still have some abilities from your past self…

“Hey, hey, hey, did they hack my account to get this information. Ah, I finally know what those questions were for.”

-…you have won the swordsman tournament on your first day so you are born warrior…

“Good, warrior class it is then.”

-you have also managed to use strong magic to enchant your weapon to fight against enemy. You have used some ancient spell that you have known from your previous life.

“They have a sentence even for something as unregularly as that, hey wait I won’t end up as Paladin class for that, will I?”

-but I see that the Paladin way is not for you, and for your own safety I won’t say why.

“Safe. My trip at the top of that cross finally paid of”

-I hereby award you with double class as your talents are not only in sword but also in magic. Your main title is “The Twilight Swordsman” you have a dark side within you that make you strong but you should look for your own light as only that can enlight your heart. Your other title is “Sword Enchanter” you will be able to use magic that will help you fight against the enemy, it has many useful skills but remember that the magic is the expression of the thought with strong image you can use stronger magic than even greatest Wizard. Dual class is very unique so you should fell proud. Here are the books that will help you understand your powers better. But it’s not over yet as I still have something I want to reward you about…

“Additional reward? I already happy enough that I have a dual class, I don’t need anything anymore, what I will get a third class or what, wasn’t the whole thing only about the profession. Or maybe I will get my quest reward because I still didn’t get it. That would be nice.”

-…even though you may have dark side within you, you are righteous and help those in need, I am little upset about your attitude towards the church so I can’t change your title…

“No no no, the twilight swordsman even though little silly sound good to me. I think a simple swordsman would do. Also she came up with that name on the spot when she saw color of my coat, didn’t she? I am sure of it.”

-…but as I said, I saw your path, you didn’t think twice about defending the others, and that are the qualities of servant of Justice…

“So it’s a paladin after all, Nooo! My dual class!”

-… many have tried to do the same as you and died in vain, but you have defended the one that you swore to protect…

“It’s not like I swore anything. I just wanted to punch Wizard in the face. Right, I can swear that I will do this one day for sure!”

-… although you died in the end, your sacrifice was not in vain, you have found the way in the time of need…

“I wouldn’t have to do that if that idiot didn’t pick up the staff in the first place, free treasure always equals trap.”

-… but if you did only that I wouldn’t give you this reward as I would need better proof that you deserve it…

“Better proof? Let’s see what else did I do, solving the crazy Wizard puzzle probably won’t count if she needs a proof.”

-… you also helped normal people without a hope for reward. You didn’t turn your eyes when kids asked you for help, even when normal person in your condition would just walk away…

“Was there something like that? Ah yes, those kids and the cat ‘momo’, now that I think about it. It was really stupid trying to climb a tree when I could barely move. I should eat something before that at least. But the strangest thing though is how did I remember that’s cat name? I am so bad with remembering other’s name.”

-…and so I hereby give you an ability that will help you if you want to continue that road.

[New Skill Acquired]

[Sacrifice

Many die without achieving anything. For the whole life, people struggle against the fate to change that. Some people try to achieve something with their death, but it still mostly ends up meaningless. Sacrifice doesn’t mean anything if you die and after your death the comrades that you tried to save, die as well. True sacrifice can be only achieved when you succeed in your goal.

Passive effect: Dying does not reduce your level.]

-with that the ceremony is completed…

[Achievement: You got dual profession]

[Achievement: You got unique Profession of rank 2]

[Achievement: You got rare Profession of rank 4]

[You have completed the first trial, and now that you have a profession your true journey will finally begin]

-I wish you luck on your future journey and I hope that one day someone will find the light within you just as you have found it in that Citadel. Farewell the twilight swordsman Arata.

In this moment Arata disappeared from the chapel in flash of light, he would no longer be able to come back to this city. It was a special city only for those who were looking for their path. But Arata already found his and with his new title he was send to where new adventures awaited him. New people and new places but also people who he already knew and places that would fell familiar to him. He was send away to a new world.

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