As Yushin noticed before, Tales [Tag System] worked with player perception to adjust the labels and names of unknown origin things in the game. After Yushin obtained Kruikansian’s blood, he started calling them “Kruik’s”, so once the Old Alchemist appraised the blood he indeed saw it as “Kruik”, and not “Kruikansian”.

To that NPC, the race “kruiks” didn’t exist before, and Yushin became its discoverer. That doesn’t mean other NPCs have the same information, so if somehow that info is shared together with the original name, the label would change.

This is important because, right now, Yushin knows there are four to five Wolf Class monsters in the dark around them. But he has no idea what species they are, which means the system couldn’t label them right as he hadn’t met them before, even while exploring.

He explored a lot of the Faint Forest, saw many wolf species and others, but hadn’t come in contact with this one. To him, this spelled trouble. He soon called them “Dog 01” to “Dog 05”. While partying, the trio found out labeling things in the game made it so that other party members could also see the labels!

Before, when partying with Rain, they were in a hurry and thus not able to explore every inch of the [Party System]. This is fantastic for teamwork, as it allows Yushin to design priority targets, point out traps and formations. It only worked within a set range, so someone on the other side of the map could not use this feature to provide information. The range varied and it is possible to deduct it has something to do with [Line of Sight]. Even so, it would work wonders on a battlefield.

It is even possible to design someone to function as a [Battlefield Controller], directing targets, changing formations and issuing orders. Thinking about modern gaming, how handy would this be in Raid environment? What if it is available to entire guilds, and not only to party?

Without dwelling more on it, Yushin made his move. He shouted and both Snow and Old Man Young started gunning for the exit. By that point, all of them knew how to run on trees and avoid monsters. Yushin made sure to drill it into their brains during hunting!

Seeing the marked monsters appear gave them a scare. It’s a good thing they never doubted Yushin and started running right away. The Faint Forest is not totally covered by darkness, even though its dense foliage made light coming in pretty rare in some parts. Those beasts avoided giving themselves away, and the group only saw their shadows this entire time.

From the sides, it was impossible for more enemies not to come with such ruckus. A Jaguar ran towards Yushin, but he managed to fend him off hitting with the shaft of the spear, not slowing down in the slightest. Other monsters came in sequence, but no mistakes are made and they are repelled. In this situation, Snow was the one in most difficulty.

Her skillset didn’t allow for a quick reaction if needed. While Yushin could use [Spear Sweeping], [Spear Thrust] or fight barehanded, and the Old Man’s [Quick Release] was especially effective, however [Fireball] and [Ice Strike] are very slow!

Thankfully the enemies didn’t know better than to aim at her, otherwise, things would be much harder. Also, once the stray monsters started to realize whose prey they were trying to snatch, they quit pursuing right away!

Those wolves in the shadows are cautious and will not approach carelessly, even using the other monsters to their advantage. Experienced hunters, their gaze followed the three of them, analyzing weaknesses and gauging strength. The enemy was not easy prey.

Having failed the ambush, they soon decided to retreat even before Yushin and the others made it outside the forest. The trio sounded relieved as they fought off a few more beasts without difficulty and approached the edge.

“Why did they retreat…?” Asked Snow with a confused look.

“Would you not? Your ambush failed, you are not sure you can overtake the enemy in speed and strength. Is it worth the risk?” Yushin answered.

The Old Man agreed, “Knowing when to retreat, it’s the best move.”

“That’s… smart.” Snow could only add.

“Heh, we can’t underestimate the A.I. in this game,” Yushin looked happy, “Also, they were waiting for their boss. A bit later and we would be wiped out.”

He had the confidence in being able to survive, but the Old Man and Snow would definitely become beast food.

“Kid, you look stupid with that tattoo, but you are very clever!” Praised the Old Man.

Stupid with that tattoo, Yushin wanted to cry over the Old Man’s bluntness.

The trio finally exited the forest and sat down to rest. The barrier prevented monsters from going out, so unless some came wandering from the outside they could rest without worries. With the number of players going around, how could there even be any strays?

“What’s this level up thing?” Asked the Old Man. In fact, both he and Collapsing Snow reached level two.

Yushin explained the basics of RPGs, giving him an idea of what a level up is and how it represents a sudden rise of power after a certain amount of experience is reached.

He also focused on Tales and pointed out Skills are definitely more important than a common level up, even though balance is needed between level and skills. So far, leveling up is the only way of increasing health, mana and soul, even though stats probably have an effect on the amount increased.

Old Young reaches level two, HP, Mana and Soul increased, Dexterity, Agility, and endurance also increased. [Quick Release] reached a new level, learned [Running Skill], learned [Aiming Skill] and enough experience for a new [Bow Skill]. The only skill he can create is [Strong Arrow], the opposite of [Quick Release], slower but with a lot more power. [Aiming Skill] is a passive that helps him aim faster!

[Aiming Skill] is currently the most important one to Old Man Young. Even though his mind is still very clear and efficient, old age is not to be trifled with, and his reflexes suffered a hit over time. It is not reasonable to expect an old man to perform at the same level as those young players, so having an assisted aim is definitely a huge boost!

As for his choices, [Quick Release] available modifiers are:

[Moving]: Bonus to aim while moving.

[Speed]: Bonus to drawing speed.

He chooses [Moving] after Yushin’s guidance, [Quick Release] becomes [Agile Quick Release]. For the Old Man, any precision gain is better than speed right now!

Collapsing Snow reaches level two, HP, Mana and Soul also increased. Even though she is a mage, in Tales, as long you use Martial Skills your soul will also go up. Strength, Intelligence, and Endurance increased. [Fireball] reached a new level, learned [Running Skill] and gained enough experience for a new [Fire Magic] skill.

She can create two new skills, one is [Wall of Fire], the other [Fire Spray]. As it says, wall of fire is capable of creating a small wall of fire in front of the caster, size depends on user’s magic. Fire Spray is an Area Of Effect spell, shaped in a cone, capable of blinding the enemy and causing a bit of damage.

From those you can see the system recognized her goal to use Magic as diversion and support!

Either choice is useful, she is not a newbie like the Old Man, can decide for herself, chooses [Fire Spray] so support can be more effective for now. Fire Wall looks okay, but probably won’t be very strong at her current level. As for modifiers, [Fireball] had:

[Powerful]: Longer cast, more damage.

[Extended Range]: Longer range.

She chooses [Extended Range], Fireball becomes [Long Fireball]. The extra damage isn’t worth a longer cast time, the damage would still be low anyway!

Yushin doesn’t have a level up, his progress is not slow but also insufficient. He has been training many things, trying out the system, his experience is distributed everywhere at the moment. He is wondering what to do now when Old Man Young comes forward.

Old Young says he started the game to play with his granddaughter, she is going to begin a bit later because of some circumstances. He wants to become good and surprise her a lot, but is also his first time playing modern games.

The Old Man is honest, is very blunt and disciplined, thanked Yushin a lot for teaching him, he is hoping they can play together often. From now on must see him as a grandson!

In truth Old Man Young is a loner, his wife is not alive anymore, he spends every day at home. Now he joins Tales, discovers a new world, full of possibilities and adventure. He wants to play, finds it very pleasant, like one got younger and full of vigor.

Yushin smiles, says he had a lot of fun and is also hoping they can form more parties like this. He isn’t lying, he likes hanging out with the Old Man, even though his bluntness is like playing roulette: you never know what you’re going to get!

Also, in this short time the Old Man grew a lot, his speed is still lacking, but sniping is truly first grade. He is definitely not the common potential, despite his age. Yushin explains the [Friend List System] and adds him, then teaches him how to send messages and about the different types of messages.

Grandpa Young is elated, puffs his chest proudly. In the heart is very pleased that youngster doesn’t consider him as a burden, even has hopes for him.

The Mage Collapsing Snow goes forward, wishes to take advantage of the opportunity the Old Man creates. The Old Man is blunt, is straightforward and outgoing, but she is careful, doesn’t want to impose, self-esteem has been low for a while after being shunned frequently.

“Me too.” She also asks to be friends, would like to party often as well. Deep inside is often worried no one else will accept her, or that it will take a long time to find someone again. She also enjoyed partying with them, prejudice against female players is big, but they didn’t care, are not ones to fuss over small matters.

Of course, they accepted, agreed to partying often and to message each other.

Collapsing Snow is relieved, even loses composure for a bit, thanks them time and time again. Yushin and the Old Man are very embarrassed with that exaggerated display but can understand why.

Yushin smiles, thinks no one should be regarded as trash. She must teach them, show this game and her potential are not that simple.

“You’re a good player, with a lot of potential. What you lack now, is confidence,” Yushin is often smiling, his heart is kind and somehow worries all this rejection will create a small burden in Snow’s heart.

“Em.” She nods.

Young @ Heart says goodbye, needs to rest. He is an old body after all, continuous play will affect his health. Snow also, she has a matter to attend to, cannot linger in the game for long today. They exchange farewells and log off.

Yushin smiles, to this duo he already has a lot of affection. Now thinks about everything that happened and what can be done to improve. There is a lot to learn about this mysterious game.

For a while now a weird feeling surges when using Soul to activate skills, even though he can’t precisely pinpoint what it is. Back there in the woods, he was able to sense enemies that even his passive tracking skill was incapable of finding. This is very weird in a game, but with Tales Neuro Linking, thought that anything is possible.

Also, what about Faint Forest? It changed so much in only a day. Monster patterns and behavior are hard to predict. In every game before the bosses stood in a fixed territory, so players had an easier time finding and killing them. From what happened before, bosses can go out of their way to find and hunt players!

He is pretty sure they didn’t unknowingly wander into the boss territory. He already mapped that area several times and is very careful when leading other people. The minions showed first in clear proof they were hunting for game. If the Boss moved together with them, how could they have escaped without a fierce struggle?

This barrier that surrounds the forest, Yushin thinks it has something to do with the [Raibyr]. If it was made to keep the monsters there, doesn’t that mean it can also break or be deactivated? If so, wouldn’t the monsters become like raiding pirates, destroying all the surrounding villages and rushing towards a big city like Red Clay?

Their behavior is very aggressive, regarding adventurers as food. He has no proof right now, only his instinct, but something tells him the answer lies in the accepted quest to find the [Mystery of the Forest]. Too bad he found no more clues so far!

Looking at spear in hand, this time is still on the first one and the damage is not big. Comboing with the others made it so he didn’t need to overuse it in battle. To calm himself down and think, Yushin started to maneuver the spear around his body and strike continuously, like practicing in real life.

Not knowing if this would have any effect on the game, it helped calm his mind and decide what to do. The [Flow Of Soul] in his body is faint, is very hard to grasp. It is easy to activate a skill, since the system assists, but somehow he has this idea that with more effort and time one can control the Flow of Soul into his weapon and out as easily as breathing!

‘Is this another type of skill?’ Yushin smiles. Right now, instead of chasing theoretical gains, he needed to press forward and do some more hunting. First, a trip is needed back to Red Clay to get rid of this loot!

Compared to his solo haul, the loot isn’t much bigger, even though they killed many more monsters. No type of new rare materials dropped either, only a few Rare Ratre and Ranroth’s blood. Once again, he got skins, furs, fangs, claws and monster blood in his inventory.

Still, it bothered him how a single useful herb couldn’t be picked without the appropriate skill. One couldn’t help but sigh every time, thinking what could be missed. For meat, he will eventually get advanced skinning, but for herbs, it is a whole new skill. As soon as possible the herbalist skill should be bought or at least bring along someone with it. Too bad Old Man Young had chosen [Fletching], [Hunting] and [Trap making] skill, and Collapsing Snow [Jeweler] and [Scribing], since she picked two Magic Masteries.

Yushin is rushing back to Red Clay City, suddenly a message comes:

“Hey, big news!” This young, vibrant voice, is Rain Falls!

Yushin’s eyes quickly lit up. Now everywhere in Red Clay City mourns, from the [Three Big Guilds] commanders that left on the expedition, two unexpectedly died, only Golden Rose Guild Leader returned alive from exploration!

Of course, this by itself causes a huge commotion, many screams of betrayal and foul play. About 20 Elite NPCs from each guild left according to Rain, plus the three Guild Leaders. Now, from Red Clay Guild, only a couple returned, Free Forest has been entirely wiped out and from Golden Rose returned about 15!

This, to Red Clay City Lord, is a huge headache. Suddenly two-thirds of his city’s elite strength is gone!

The City Lord asks for an explanation, sends for a thorough investigation. Learns they have encountered a big danger outside, fell into an ambush by an unknown origin monster after the [Frontier] in a [Fallen Kingdom] area. The reason Golden Rose elites survived is their commander, he is a [Mighty General Class], focus on shield skills and defense.

The couple of survivors from Red Clay work as witnesses, corroborates with Golden Rose’s history. In the end, the biggest loser is Free Forest! Since none of theirs returned, they could not verify what happened.

Their share of the rewards is much smaller and loss of equipment by itself is devastating. What sort of equipment would elites carry? Only the very best!

Besides, they couldn’t even investigate. How can they send people to where twenty of their elites plus Guild Leader died?

They can only grit their teeth and curse!

The City Lord, although may not believe that is really what happened, has no way to check and no power to pressure Red Clay and Golden Rose too much. Now, his position depends only on them to survive external threats. Free Forest and Red Clay lost prestige, in the future, Golden Rose might dominate Red Clay City!

However, now in Red Clay City, everywhere also has the news, the two big guilds must raise a new commander, the ones with the greatest contribution will become leaders and candidates!