Chapter 8.

I somehow keep thinking medieval whenever I think fantasy, but I suppose I need to remember this world is hardly in the medieval times, but rather in the 16th to 18th century.

The stagecoach in front of me especially so reminded me of that.

“So, you two are adventurers who would like to accompany our trade union?”

“Yes.” I reply.

“Good. We could always do with capable adventurers. Though you don’t really look like adventurers.”

I smile as a reply.

The head of the trade union, or at least the acting head here, turns back around and continues instructing the others about what they have to do.

“Shouldn’t we receive a quest about now?” Vera speaks up from behind me.

“Patience.”

You have accepted a quest

Trip to the capital.

You will be accompanying the Greater Good Trade Union on its regular route to the capital, as an adventurer. Your task to protect the union from all foes. Be aware of what you face.

Quest reward: 5000 Exp, 100 Rial. The Trade union will be favorable towards you.

There is a time limit on quest. It is a convoy type quest, you need to accompany the quest giver till the time ends.

Trip? An odd choice of words indeed.

“You received it?” I ask her as I turn around to face her.

“Yeah.”

It seems like we’ll face some opposition. Maybe I should have tested using Valentine before I fight. But oh well, too late for that now.

“Come, this one is ours.” Vera says as she hops onboard the stagecoach, quickly sitting down in place, like some noblewoman.

Did she learn etiquette? That posture is quite impressive actually.

I look around. The convoy or rather the number of people accompanying us this journey would be around 50. 10 of which are actually the merchants themselves. With 12 stagecoaches, 30 workers, and about 10 mercenaries. So, we got our own stagecoach with 1 worker acting as the driver.

It was a particular mercenary group they hired, I think. Since their outfits match somehow. They’re wearing a peculiar design on their helmets. With what seems like a fully-fledged knight, or at a person wearing full plate armor, on a partially armored horse too. The others are also mounted, though their horses don’t seem as good as his.

Mercenary Captain spotted.

Name is unknown to you.

Level, approximately 35.

The captain for a mercenary group. His full plate armor speaks of his experience as an ex-Knight.

As you see and recognize more and more people and items, your discerning ability will improve.

He’s giving a pep-talk to his comrades.

Wait… Level 35? Is that level an overkill because he’s their leader or is that a requirement for this journey to the capital?

Mercenary spotted.

Approximate level, 30.

He’s wearing a fine quality padded armour with chainmail covering the torso. Possibly skilled in using a sword and shield.

That’s… Concerning.

And these ‘mercenaries’ look quite suspicious too. I’m totally not envious or something.

But wait, players should be stronger than monsters of the same level, right? That should be the case as players are expected to be able to defeat multiple creatures of the same level as them. Yeah, I’m probably overthinking it.

I join Vera and sit down on the opposite seat. It’s basically just 2 seats opposing each other. The person who’s driving it stays outside. Apparently, the horses used are a special breed, they move quicker and have a lot more stamina.

The carriage starts moving shortly after.

We could have ridden on those horses, outside the carriage, but that would have got tiring quickly. Also, I don’t know how to ride a horse. I’ll have to learn that soon.

“Oh by the way, did you know that there are no mods in this game?”

“Mods? Aren’t mods usually just for single-player games?” At least that’s what I read on the internet a while ago. Though I can’t be sure since I never played it.

“Not those mods, dummy. I meant mods as in moderators. Dawn just said that there are no in-game mods. Apparently something to do with making the game feel fairer.”

“Does that mean they aren’t seeing the world at all?”

“No, of course they are. Just that they’ll be doing so from behind a screen, rather than from inside the game itself.”

“Ah, I see.” That would make sense why the support person I contacted said that they could see me when they weren’t in the game.

“Though they did say the classes were balanced quite nicely, apparently it only starts to show in the lategame. Then the difference in strength is mostly due to the player skill and equipment the person uses.”

“So, the early levels might not be balanced?”

“Yeah, but who really cares? The real fun lies when levels aren’t a factor anymore.” She smiles like a witch brewing a plan in her head.

Or at least the expression I suppose I’d see on a witch brewing up an evil scheme, I haven’t ever seen a witch after all.

“That’s why becoming a blacksmith is the job that will give me the most benefits at the end! AHAHAHAHAHA.”

I quickly lean forward, covering her mouth with my hand. That ridiculous laugh might unnecessarily draw attention. I’m not really shy towards people paying attention to me, but not this kind of attention.

“I get it. It’s a win-win situation for you since you were already interested in blacksmithing. So, no need to do that laugh again.” Besides, I’ll also be taking the benefits from her being a blacksmith.

“Mmph!”

She says something but I can’t make out what she’s saying.

Right, I still have my hand covering her mouth. Just as I’m about to take it back, she opens her mouth and then bites my hand. No, she missed. I was quick enough, thankfully. I get to take my hand back in one piece.

“So, as I was saying. I’ll make the best equipment in the game and then I’d be the strongest!”

“Yeah, yeah, I get that.”

Right, on that topic.

“Shouldn’t we join the same party?” Not that it’s particularly necessary, but maybe this way I’d be able to see her level at least. Since I found out quite early that while it’s possible to inspect a player. It wouldn’t show anything other than their name.

“Yeah, but I’m not sure how to do it.”

“Invite Vera to party.” I say, hoping that it won’t let me down.

“Oh! Nice!” She exclaims, and soon a message pops up in front of me.

Vera Marconi has accepted your party request.

You are now the party leader.

Vera Marconi (Level 28)

Class type: Guardian(attack+defence)

HP: Full.

“… You’re just level 20?! Chris! Explain this!”

“What about it? I just happen to be that level, anything wrong with it? And, how exactly did you level up so fast?”

“… Nothing wrong per se but it’s certainly odd that if you can use that weapon, you shouldn’t be this weak, yet you are. What is your class, really?”

“How about I tell you that later. What do you see it as right now?”

“It says ‘Versatile’ though I don’t really get what it means.”

Hmm, versatile, quite a good way to describe it I’d say. Though I have yet to experience all of my class, it does seem like it’s quite versatile indeed.

“Oh, and I got to this level by doing blacksmith quests. It sure seems like you can play the game using just a profession to level up.”

Sounds believable. Dawn did say that it was possible to just play the game entirely fishing or crafting items and the like. I suppose there’s where the freedom of choice part comes in, for people who don’t really want the game for combat.

I open up the stats menu then select the Class.

Enigmatic Killer

Perhaps an expert on something while also being a complete novice in it. A person whose next move in combat might as well be unpredictable.

More details in the class description will become visible as you experience it or level up.

Skills:

Not Weakness.

Eccentric.

Class abilities:

Enigmatic.

Stats are randomized. They cannot be allotted by the player.

Skill tree is also randomized.

Gain only 2 stats per level.

Amused Mastery.

Item equipping conditions are lessened. The player will be able to equip some items even if he doesn’t meet all the requirements.

Right, the skill tree, I should look into it more later.

I’m curious about what class she has. It said a guardian type, and hinted attack and defense. So, I’m guessing a sword and shield combo.

But I don’t suppose I should ask her that now, since I didn’t tell her about mine.

You have received a message.

It has an item with it.

“Congratulations on finally leaving the starter town. Here is the item compensation for the minor bug you faced.”

You have received a Feather of Revival.

Feather of Revival? I take it out from my inventory to inspect it more.

Feather of Revival

(Consumable item.)

If certain conditions are met, this feather has the power to bring creatures back to life.

Use: Allows the player to revive immediately (on the same location) on death, not losing any progress in-game.

Also has some other possible uses in alchemy and the like.

“Oh! What’s this?” Vera suddenly says as she quickly snatches the feather out of my hand.

It’s pink in color and has a light glow around it. It’s about the size of my palm, not too large. It’s also quite… Feathery. In the small amount of time I was able to hold it, it felt very soft to touch.

But it’s a consumable item. I suppose that suits what the person said, when I contacted support. It’s surely not a sword.

It would be quite handy in certain situations.

Like if I’m interpreting this correctly, then perhaps when in a dungeon raid and the boss is almost dead, but then suddenly I get killed, I could revive on the spot without losing progress against the boss or the boss resetting or something like that.

“Hey! This is quite nice. I just might use it as a decoration or hairpin.”

“No, it won’t look good with your hair.”

“Come on, what would you know about it.” She says with a tone as if just now she's remembering to act as if she's entitled to something.

“It would also be a really wasteful use of such an item.”

“But you owe me one for that dress.”

I suppose she’s kinda right.

Letting out a sigh, I reply, “Just give it back when you feel like it.”

“Aw come on, you’re no fun.” She says as she brings the feather close to my face.

Wait, no, the feather-

*Sneeze*

Your stats have been randomized.

It’s tickling my nose…

I felt it was about time that happened.

I snatch the feather out of her hand.

“Enough.”

“Fine…”

And as if with perfect timing, the carriage stops.

The driver shouts from the outside.

“We’re under attack from bandits!”

And my stats just reset. Giving me no time to analyze them and come up with an appropriate strategy. Give me a break for once…

“Finally, some action.” At least she seems excited about it.

“Go out but don’t attack anything, yet.” I whisper to her.

“Why?”

“Just do as I say.”

We both quickly get out of the carriage. It’s already late in the night. At least guessing from the darkness that surrounds us. The moonlight making it possible to see the surroundings.

The group of carriages is surrounded, or rather, the path is blocked by a barricade with dark figures beyond it. The front has about 20 of these so-called bandits, while the back has just about 5. The mercenary group is at the front too. With our carriage being at the rear.

“You adventurers handle the rear! We’ll handle the front! Let’s show these bandits we aren’t someone to mess with!” The mercenary leader’s shout reaches us.

Once again, saying it multiple times won’t make it legitimate. It just makes me even more certain of my initial guess.

“Come on, what are we waiting for?” Vera speaks up as the 5 shadowy figures start moving towards us.

“We don’t need to attack.”

“What?!”

“I’m pretty sure these people aren’t bandits.”

Taking a pause for a bit more dramatic effect, I continue.

“They’re from the police.”