*Yawn*

I don’t want to get out of bed, because it is nice and warm under the covers. Just a few more minutes of rest won't hurt.

*Uwaa*

A soft object lands on top of my face; however, since it doesn’t obstruct my rest, I choose to ignore it.

*Uggh*

This time a heavier weight lands on top of me. If this continues I am afraid of what will be next. I reluctantly remove the objects and I can see a certain red haired person staring down at me.

“Get up! We’re going to go outside of town today.”

Huh? When was this decided.

“Why?” I’m still quite groggy from yesterday.

“You said once you got to level 2 blacksmithing you would help me level.”

Did I say that? It seems without me she has gotten to level 5 while I was blacksmithing. Where did she find the time to level while making all those armours and clothes.

She is dressed in full armour and looks ready to go. I grudgingly get out of bed and equip my armour. Gem had gracefully supplied me with a premium set of leather armour, so now I at least look semi-professional. I follow her out of the room and into the main lobby of the inn.

“Oh, by the way, Meira will be joining us.”

Which one was she again? I am horrible with remembering names. As I am trying to wrap my head around it, a girl clothed in light beige coloured robes walks up behind Gem. She is a pretty girl with shoulder length, light blue hair. I recognize her face and immediately match the face with the name.

“Good morning!” She smiles brightly. “Ready to go?”

“Mhmm.” Gem nods. “Was just waiting for this one.” She motions at me.

“You are a priest if I am not mistaken.”

“That’s right! I’m a level 2 priest, but I also know [First Aid] and [Bandaging]. I’ll be in your care.”

It would be worthwhile to learn those skills since they seem likely to be useful. I wonder how much having a priest will affect the levelling rate. The amount of experience would be split between three people, but less time would be spent waiting for health to recover.

“If you don’t mind me asking. Being a priest, what spells can you use?” The only other confirmed priest I have met is Angelmaker, and I never inquired about a priest’s skills with him.

“Well, I can use two priest exclusive skills. They are [Holy Magic] and [Purification Magic] and at level 1, I have access to two spells: Lesser heal and Cleanse lesser undead.”

Shouldn’t they have access to more than just that at level 1?

“How much does the healing spell recover?”

“It costs 20 mana to heal 50 vitality, and it can also be used in combat whereas the first aid and bandaging skills cannot.”

“Isn’t that a little overpowered? I only have 180 total health, armour withstanding.”

“The cool-down is 10 seconds, so it’s not too over powered.” Yea right.

Being able to heal that much damage every 10 seconds at this stage of the game is practically cheating. Well, as long as one has the mana to support it.

“Alright you two, take these.” Gem hands out a pair of white and orange crystals to each of us. “I got these from an acquaintance last night. He said it will link up good hunting ground with a decent amount of creatures and a quick respawn time.”

Now that I look carefully, the orange crystal is glowing. This signifies that the crystal has been locked with a teleport location. The fact that teleport crystals can be locked to a location by a third party and then sold is unnerving. A malicious user could sell crystals locked to a dangerous area or an ambush and prey upon unsuspecting players.

Since I have thought of it, surely others have as well. Might as well avoid those from now on unless I personally set them, or receive them from a trustworthy source.

“Ready?”

I nod, and so does Meira.

“Let’s go.”

One by one we activate our crystals. An odd tingly feeling spreads through my body as I watch an orange glow engulfs each of us. Our bodies turn into pixels as we are teleported to this unknown location.

Notification You have arrived at the Wulyn Plains.

When the light finally subsides I am standing on a wide open plain alongside Gem and Meira. The grass beneath my feet is green and there is no cover to be seen in the nearby area.

Not too far off in the distance multiple wild boars are roaming around aimlessly. They have short stout legs with large stomachs that reach the grass. On their heads are a set of two large, intimidating tusks. A few players can be seen hunting these boars, but they are responding at the same rate as being killed.

One of the boars heads towards us. It is not an aggressive species and so I take this chance to appraise it.

Species Level Wild Boar 5 Vitality 100 Stamina 100 Strength 24 Mana 0 Defence 20 Intelligence 4 Dexterity 10 Spirit 0 Skills Charge: Level 1

“It’s only level 5.” I explain to them. ”Gem you lure it over here. Meira you provide support, and try not to get hit. I’ll act as the vanguard and attack it directly.”

“Okay.” “Mmm.” They both nod in agreement.

Gem fires the first arrow towards it. The arrow hits the boar’s right shoulder and shaves away 10% of it’s total life. This attracts the boar’s attention and it proceeds to charge towards her. Gem manages to get another shot in before it can reach her, and then I intercept it with a horizontal slash with my bronze dagger. Taking advantage of a new opening, I stab my Soul Rapier through it’s neck until it reaches the other side.

I hadn’t taken any damage during the fight, so there was no need for healing. Meira stood there with a look of shock. We had dealt with the boar very quickly, only requiring three hits; therefore, it is understandable that she would be surprised.

“Amazing!” She finally comes out of her shock and looks at us with wide eyes. “How did you kill it so quickly?”

“Haha, the damage dealt is not equal on different parts of the body. Do you think you could live with a sword through your throat?”

“No...” She looks down in embarrassment.

Gem is standing there with a proud look on her face. She had managed to hit the moving boar twice in a row. Even I couldn’t do that right now.

Now, all we have to do is hunt wild boars until max level.

The next few hours went by in a similar fashion. Gem would lure the boars to us, using the chance as target practice, and then I would go in for the kill. Meira’s role was primarily healing us, but she managed to get in a few hits with a dagger I had given her.

It is now the mid afternoon and my swordsmanship is on the brink of levelling up. The field has become crowded with other players, but due to the almost negligent respawn time, enough boars were available for everyone.

I had managed to get to level 9 in this short amount of time, which goes to show our efficiency. Gem has reached level 6, and Meira is now level 4. This rate of improving is bugged; however, it is only level 5 creatures giving off 15 experience each. The majority of the experience was going to me due to my high damage, but the others were also improving at a quicker rate than they would have alone.

It is around this time that the spawning rates of the boars noticeably decreases. The creatures have thinned out and players have resorted to kill stealing. This doesn’t affect us immediately due to Gem’s luring abilities, but even we have noticed the length between fights increasing.

*Auuu*

*Auuuu*

Howling sounds can be heard throughout the wulyn plains hunting ground. The players halt the slaughtering of boars and begin searching for the source of the noise.

A light shines on the outskirts, signifying the spawning of creatures. The nearest players are pounced on by these new enemies without warning. Some are capable of holding off the attack and make it away with minimal injury. But, those weaker players did not stand a chance against this onslaught.

“It’s wolves!”

“Wolves are attacking!”

Nearby players begin to panic. They have grown comfortable and careless while safely hunting the boars that they are unable to cope with this new development.

Around 50 wolves have spawned by now and they start going after those on the outskirts or those in smaller groups. The players, noticing this, are creating groups of 5 or more players, but still quite a few have already lost their lives. However, the wolves are also experiencing losses and have already dwindled to half their original number.

“If it gets too dangerous I want you to use the teleport crystals.” I instruct. “Safety is the number one priority.”

Both nod without saying a word.

Gem, Meira, and I have gotten close to each other while a group of 5 wolves comes charging at us. I am not worried about myself, but Gem and Meira would not be able to handle them alone.

Gem fires shots towards the wolves, but takes out the longsword when the distance closes. From what I know, she’s not accustomed to close range fighting. Therefore, I will try to shoulder the majority of combat. I grip the rapier tight in my hand and when the first wolf comes into range I stab at it. The wolf’s defence is twice that of the boar, but the blade still pierces its skin.

Those familiar fireworks I had experienced yesterday go off, signifying I reached level 2 swordsmanship, but I only have time to quickly view the notification.

Congratulations You have reached Swordsmanship Level 2

Attacks with swords now do 10% more damage.

One-handed sword skill unlocked.

Two-handed sword skill unlocked.

You are currently the 1435th player to achieve Swordsmanship Level 2. No reward will be given.

A 10% damage bonus is much appreciated.

I cannot maneuver around too much without leaving Meira open to attacks. The wolves surround us while using caution after one of their own got injured. They launch a probing attack at Gem, but she skillfully manages to block the attack allowing Meira to swing at the wolf’s snout. The damage done is minimal, but the wolf still whimpers in pain from the sensitive area.

I take my eyes off the wolf on my side for a split second, but that was all it required. The wolf lunges at me and clamps on to my leather bracers. The damage dealt is minimal thanks to the armour and it allows me to get a clean shot at the wolf’s neck.

With a slash, blood flows from the wolf and it turns into pixelated dust. Meira, noticing my wound, uses her healing spell to recover my health.

“Thank you.” She gives a nod in acknowledgement and returns her vigilance to the wolves.

The encirclement is less effective now that one has died, and this allows us to take out the remaining wolves one by one.

Looking around the field, all of the wolves have perished. The players are rejoicing and have looks of relief upon their faces. This event was not without its losses, but those who remain are thankful to be alive.

It is at this moment, before we could catch our breath, that a giant light appears in the centre of the field. The nearest players back away, but it is too late. A giant paw swipes out and they are caught up and thrown away before their health plummets to the bottom of the red zone.

The blood rushes out of my head as I watch them get knocked around like rag dolls. One of the players was knocked in my direction, and the look on his face was of pure terror. Of not wanting to die; however, it was too late.

The newly spawned wolf is three times larger than the wolves we had just been fighting. It’s fur was a dirty white colour with patches of grey and its eyes were a deep crimson. One of it’s paws had bright red blood dripping down, and it lowers it’s head down to lick the blood clean.

It is clearly unsatisfied with that measly amount of blood and begins looking for new targets. Unfortunately, it has set it’s eyes upon Gem, Meira, and I.

I try using my appraisal skill on the wolf, but get nothing other than it’s name and level. A level 10 Alpha Wolf.

It slowly walks in our direction. It’s gaze is that of one looking at a chicken ready for slaughter. The other teams take the opportunity to run away. Meira casts heal on me before the fight begins, allowing me to start off at full health.

“You two stay behind me. Gem, focus on aiming at it’s eyes. Meira, stay at a distance and provide healing whenever you can.”

“What about you?”

“I’m going to meet this big guy head on. I will not die on this day!” I charge at the wolf with all my might.

Before the wolf bites down, I activate my cloaking and disappear from sight. The effect does not last due to the wolf’s heightened sense of smell, but it is enough to confuse it. While Gem is busy firing arrows, I strike at the wolf’s stomach. The wolf’s skin on it’s flanks and back would be too difficult to effectively pierce, but the stomach is markedly thinner.

“Aargh!” I am smashed away by it’s hind legs.

It was unable to use full power due to my close proximity, but the damage it dealt is no laughing matter. That one hit took away 1/3rd of my life, but thankfully the armour held up.

“Meira!”

Meira looks like a deer in headlights.

“Umm, right.” She regains her senses and uses her holy magic.

After 15 minutes and many close calls, we managed to whittle it’s health down to the red zone, which is at 10%. Gem has almost exhausted her supply of arrows, but the wolf’s face now resembles a pincushion.

I had avoided most of it's attacks, but those that managed to hit were brutal. Meira has run out of mana and is unable to cast anymore healing, so the risk of death has significantly increased. No matter what, I want to kill this bastard. This is a trial to test my willpower, and I will not give in. I will fight until the end!

After five minutes that seemed like an eternity, the wolf finally dies. The amount of experience gained from that kill is enough to boost me straight up to level 10.

Congratulations You have reached Level 10. You are currently the 87th player to reach Level 10. You will receive: 3000 Tor.

My inventory has just gotten 3000 Tor richer. I decide to look at my character page. Rather than the usual 10 skill points I have 50 points to spend. I am not satisfied with my defence, so I put half into there and the remaining ones into strength.

Player Status

Player Name Quinn Class: Assassin Level: 10 Guild None Experience 984/1240 Stats Vitality 215/215 Stamina: 215/215 Strength 155 Mana 280/280 Defence 70 Intelligence 10 Dexterity 80 Spirit 10 Skills Active Passive Appraisal Level: 1 145xp Archery Level: 1 46xp Cloaking Level: 1 206xp Backstab Level: 1 245xp Blacksmithing Level: 2 1015xp Cooking Level: 1 182xp One-Handed Sword Level:1 89xp Swordsmanship Level: 2 1047xp Two-Handed Sword Level: 1 0xp

Satisfied, I close the menu and turn to Gem and Meira.

“Let’s take tomorrow off.” I suggest.

“I agree.”

“No complaint here.”

They immediately agree to my suggestion. After looting the items, we each teleport back using the white crystals. A crazy, but exciting day.