You have Slain a Level 2 [Mutated Wolf]

* Gained 20 Experience

* Gained 2 White Mana Cores

* Gained Rough Wolf Fur

You have Slain a Level 1 [Mutated Boar]

* Gained 15 Experience

* Gained 1 White Mana Core

* Gained 1 Copper

As the [ Mutated Boar ] before Akuma began disappearing in a flow of green and gold particles that slowly caused the body to vanish, Akuma checked his experience bar.

Located in the corner of one’s periphery, the Character Status contained information regarding a Player’s name, class, health, energy source, stamina, and experience, floated just out of the way in an effort not to distract players. It was a useful feature, but one that would be mostly outdated in the time to come as Players would soon adapt to knowing when they are low in Stamina or Health based on how their body feels and the sensation of feeling ‘empty’.

Having finished the Quest to slay 15 mutated animals and collect their cores, Akuma’s experience had reached 235 experience of the needed 250 to level up. With the quest granting enough experience to level up, Akuma began trudging away from the plains. It was just in time too, as thousands of players were still flowing into the game at a breakneck pace. Players, overcome by adrenaline, threw themselves forward in reckless abandon as handfuls of players pounced on any wandering creature they could find.

Ignoring it all, Akuma advanced past the hordes of players that were giving him a wide berth. Many had seen his immaculate fighting, while many more heard of it through others. Already people were talking about the crippled player who killed with ease.

But such comments were beyond the ever calm Akuma. Advancing through the players, up the hill, and back through the towering trees that shaded him from the dual suns, Akuma returned the way he previously came from. However instead of continuing straight ahead to the spawn point, he veered to the right. As he cleared through another set of towering trees that loomed over 100 feet tall, Akuma found a trail and clearing that opened up to show the quaint Town of Hayton.

Home to over 10,000 residents, and now another 10,000 to 20,000 players, Hayton was nestled into a grove of trees that opened to show a magnificent view of open green plains dotted with arable farmland. Brick homes and buildings that went as high as 5 stories, dominated the edge of the forest as plums of smoke from copper and iron vents billowed out hazy grey. As Akuma moved closer, the dirt path quickly transformed to a swath of perfectly smooth stone that traversed from the outskirts of the town, directly to the middle. Wide enough for three cars to fit through, the stone path was littered with hundreds of NPCs and Players alike. Scenes of bartering, eating, crafting, and more were all on display as pale white and yellow lights from Mana Gems illuminated the activity. Already dusk was setting in.

Traveling through the crowd as best he could manage, scents of never before seen or smelled dishes wafted to encapsulate Akuma. However even as his stomach growled, he remained steadfast in his task.

After hobbling forward another twenty minutes under the now fully darkened sky, Akuma advanced to a clearing located near the rear of the town that was settled directly against the forest. Laterns of the pale white and yellow light however lit up the forest for miles to see, bathing the open dirt arena in a light as bright as the sun.

And it might as well have been midday with the sun hanging high. People, hundreds upon hundreds of Players, roved with reckless glee through the expansive arena. The same arena that Akuma stepped into. Guided by an arrow that only he could see, Akuma walked across the arena that was filled with an arsenal of class weapons, dummies, and players practicing their arms and abilities.

After crossing through three different arena’s, he came upon the Warrior's Training Grounds. Wooden dummies and iron pillar stood strong and defiant around the training ground as a storm of warriors fought with crazed determination. Every single one of them was repeating the same action again and again.

“Ah! Young Warrior, it seems you have arrived. Master Gur’it send word that you and others in my brood have received a Quest from him to staunch the assault from the horrendous mutated filth that roves out haven. It is good to see you were not met with disaster.”

To Akuma’s front right, a behemoth of a man, roughly the same height and shape as Atlas, walked forward as his mane of red hair flowed behind him.

“Have you accomplished the task that Master Gur’it has set for you?”

“I have...” Akuma paused to search above the towering man’s head, where the man’s status appeared, “Instructor Gronk.”

Reporting the Instructor, Akuma reached for his inventory. As his hand touched the small blue cloth bag, a window showing 20 square boxes with items like fur or tusks in them, appeared. In the corner, where the currency was displayed, sparkled 15 Mana Cores. After selecting the cores, the window disappeared before a flash of pale white light occurred directly over Akuma’s outstretched hand. After the light died, 15 [White Mana Core]s laid like marbles in his hand.

“Good! Good!”

As Gronk took the Mana Cores, a new notification appeared before Akuma while another flash of light, this time gold, flowed around his figure.

The Quest [ Join the Battle! ] has been completed

* You received 100 Experience

* You received 10 Copper

You’ve Reached

LEVEL 2

* New Ability available

* 5 Attribute Points available for distribution

As the change occurred, Instructor Gronk immediately regarded Akuma with an appraising look.

“Well, it appears that you have experienced a great reward. I see that you are already level 2. This is a momentous achievement! Come! Come! Let me see what skill you possess with the blade.”

Without waiting for Akuma, Gronk trundled off toward the bustling training ground. Helpless, Akuma trailed behind at a much slower pace. Minutes later, he arrived to where Gronk stood stiff near a wooden dummy. Fatigued from the constant and painstakingly draining walking, Akuma approached weary yet without showing a hint of the tiredness in him. He was never one to show such weaknesses, and wouldn’t start now.

“Come Akuma. Let me see what your level of skill reaches. Before one can grasp at the power instilled by the Ancient Gods, one must have a solid foundation. Only by being as steady as a mountain, can one reach the peak. Steady yourself, ready your stance, and perform a thrust.”

As Gronk spoke, he demonstrated what he wanted Akuma to do. With precise yet slowed movements, Gronk positioned himself before the training dummy. Feet hip-width apart, with his dominant foot forward, knees slightly bent, chest more forward than his knees but head up, Gronk stood calmly in a basic attacking stance. He held it for a few moments, allowing Akuma to assess his form, before he lashed out. With an explosive speed that would shock anyone watching, the behemoth warrior instructor flashes his sword sword forward in an impeccable thrust to the training dummies chest.

- 844 HP

Backing off with ease, Gronk stood to the side while motioning for Akuma to demonstrate his own thrust. Instead of jumping into the action like almost every other player of the Warrior class, Akuma paused. With a minor grimace and a ‘tsk’ of his mouth, he approached in the hobbling way that was his nature. This action wasn’t out of discomfort or unwillingness however. No, instead it was of a critique to the instructor that Akuma refrained from voicing. To Akuma, the thrust that Gronk performanced was perfect, yet it was basic. A simple, spartan thrust. One that even children could perform with practice. He himself could do it in his sleep, but instead of speaking such words, he swallowed them and approached to demonstrate the same action.

In the same stance as Gronk, Akuma let his shaking legs wobble and tremble as they moved to a position of immense mental discomfort. With an iron will that could batter back tsunami waves, Akuma remained steadfast in his action, forcefully commands his legs to remain steady. Then, once prepared, he struck.

His blade wasn’t as fast as Gronk, yet it held a beautiful grace. The blade appears as if guided by divine hands to be pulled to the training dummy. Air appeared to part before the blade as it moved like a viper through the space between Akuma and his target. In a flash, it was over and the sword drilled into the training dummy and displayed the damage done.

You dealt: -5 HP

“Well, well, well! Well done young brood of my Order. There is hope for you yet. Come! Come! Again! This time use a overhead slash to strike the head.”

Already in his stance, Akuma struck out before Gronk could demonstrate once more. The blade, crude and simple, cut through the night air with a fairy’s grace before it cut deep into the wooden dummies head.

You dealt a Critical attack: -8 HP

“Good! Good! It appears that you indeed have the qualifications to join our Order. Now remember, strikes to the vital areas of an opponent will result in a Critical attack. Such an attack with cause your attack, whether a normal strike or one powered by an Ability, to deal 50% additional damage.”

Stepping back as the man’s scarred face broke out to display yellow teeth in a grim smile, Gronk continued. “You are familiar with the blade, but that is not all a sword offers. Step closer, this time striking the head with the pommel of your sword.”

Once more, in a flash Akuma performed the basic action with a hidden skill that none would be able to notice. Even Gronk, the NPC instructor programmed to witness the movements of players, did not find anything exemplary about the well performed action.

You dealt a Critical attack: -5 HP

Your blow has crippled the target. Target stunned for .5 seconds

“Hahaha! Good! Good!” Clapping his hands together, Gronk once more spoke in a gruff voice that was hinted with amusement. “Now, while a strike by a pommel or handle of a weapon will not be as damaging as a blade or weighted object, it does allow for opportunity. For example, crippling the target can be accomplished by damaging your opponent in a specific way. A blow to the head could stun, a strike to the eyes can blind, while a cut to the throat can bring an opponent to shock, or cleaving one’s tendons can slow. These are manners in which a target can be crippled. Now, if you’re quick enough, you can launch another strike on a crippled target, dealing a Ruthless attack. If you land a Ruthless attack, your strike with experience a 50% increase in damage.”

“Furthermore, if you cripple a target and land a Critical attack to the target's crippled area, it will result in a Devastating attack. Such an attack will deal an additional 100% damage. For you Traveler’s assisted by the Ancient Gods with your ‘automatic mode’” Gronk said while spitting at the ground in disgust, “this is all up to chance. However I see that you are a true warrior, and have set forth on the path of using your own skill and strength.”

As Gronk finished speaking, he stepped forward to stand before Akuma. Beyond the mass of horrific scars that marred his face, a gleam of anticipation could be seen in his eyes.

“It appears that the Order of the Warrior is the proper fit for you, young Akuma. In celebration of such a marvelous display of skill, let me grant you your first Abilities.”

As the words land on Akuma’s ears, Gronk raised a meaty stump of a hand missing one of his fingers. Placing it dead center in Akuma’s chest, two flashes of gold light ignited between Gronk’s palm and Akuma’s chest. Immediately afterwards, two notifications appeared.

You have been granted the Warrior ability, Heavy Strike

Heavy Strike

Rank 1: 0.00%

20 Rage Melee Range

Instant Cast 3 second Cooldown

Description

Strike an opponent, dealing 200% Physical damage

You have been granted the Warrior ability, Basic Sword Mastery

Basic Sword Mastery

Rank 1: 0.00%

- -

Passive Ability -

Description

Increases damage done when wielding a sword by 1%

“Now! Now,” Gronk shouted over the flong of instructors and players all trying to progress through the strikes, “Let me see just what you can do against a true opponent! Come! Come! The fun begins!”

With a laugh more at place from a villain, Gronk stepped away from the training dummy and to a rowdy area of jeers and shouts. On his scarred face, a maniacal grin that showed only enjoyment at the show to come, appeared.