Jake was thankful classes were finally over. He could now immerse himself in all his classmates' conversations, but was still too scared to approach them. Even more so, they would probably get even more scared if he did approach them...

"At least my eyes are less mean in real life. Never thought I'd be saying that." Chuckled Jake.

"Still though, I should attempt to slowly work my way into talking to people and show them I am not scary." Sighed Jake.

Jake was in his last year of college. He had gained most of his credits and luckily only had classes on Monday and Friday.

"That decides it, I will spend all my time off attempting to converse in Royal Road! If my mean ass looking avatar can make friends, so can I!" Yelled Jake triumphantly.

As Jake finally reached his home, he saw Amanda starting to come out of her front door, so he hurried inside like the roach he is.

Amanda let out a chuckle and headed down the street.

"I need to start at least greeting her." Sighed Jake.

Jake finally felt like doing some real cooking today! Thus, he began to boil some water. After the water was boiling, he poured it into his cup of ramen...

"Ah, it's nice to have a hot meal." Said Jake...

(Such a sad, sad man...)

After attending to his needs, Jake hopped in the capsule.

Upon logging back in, Jake was at a loss for what to do. He was back to square one...Sitting on the fountain in front of the training hall, chewing a rock.

"What am I going to do for the last three weeks?" Thought Jake as he checked to see if his teeth were still intact.

Shortly thereafter, he pulled out the wooden sword and was surprised that he could heft it with ease and no longer had to drag it! It was then he recalled he gained a good amount of stats working for the shifty codger! Jake then started swinging the sword excitedly.

"It feels so light now! Thanks Horrick, you weird ol' bast..." Jake started.

"Oi, you!" Yelled a nearby guard.

As Jake was reveling in his progress, he was approached by the same guard from the first week.

"You better stop swinging around that piece of crap in the streets like an idiot, or I'll have you fined and and jailed." Stated the guard, in an angry tone.

"Yes sir..." Said Jake apologetically.

Jake sat back on the fountain, mood turned to crap.

"That guard must be following me..." Said Jake in a paranoid tone.

As Jake sat, he was once again approached by a shady cloaked figure.

"Sir I simply wish to relax, please leave me alone" Said Jake, with a feeling of Déjà vu.

Upon further inspection, Jake could tell that the cloaked figure was a young boy of around eleven or twelve years of age. No...This boy was something different, something ominous. He had snow white hair, and pale red eyes. His face showed no emotion and he exuded a killing intent that almost made Jake add a couple ounces of liquid to the fountain. On the boy's back was a sword taller than Jake. It was more an iron slab than a sword, except it was jet black and covered in runes.

"What...are you?" Jake finally managed to get out.

The boy replied, "There are forces in this world that should not be sought, I am one who seeks them. We seek them."

"Ehh...Forces? We? We who?" Said Jake.

"That is for another time. I saw you at Horrick's and thought you had potential. I simply wish to extend to you a trial." Stated the boy.

"Damn it! More crap from Horrick! I should have known. Wait! Why does that codger know a kid your age? This just doesn't add up!"

"My name is Auruk. Will you take my trial, or not?" Stated Auruk, without emotion.

T-ting

Trial of the Slayer

Auruk has offered to train you for four weeks, and will then send you to the ancient grounds of his people. You must reach the end of the temple, and retrieve the item within two months. This will complete the rite of passage.

You may not receive any assistance with this quest.

Difficulty level: C

Quest requirements

Must be friends with Horrick.

Must have declined Shady Forester.

Must have interest in two handed weaponry.

Must look weak.

Failure if you die, or fail to retrieve the item within two months time.

Jake hurried accepted, as he would never forego a chance to become stronger.

"HEY! I DO NOT LOOK WEAK DAMN IT!" Shouted Jake.

You have accepted the quest.

Auruk nodded and said, "Good, let us get started immediately. Follow me."

As Jake followed Auruk, he was led into a less than appealing part of town. There was a wide assortment of ramshackle buildings, coupled with seedy characters wherever you looked.

"Eh...Auruk, are you sure we are going the right way? Said Jake.

Auruk did not respond.

"Are...Are you going to mug me?" Stammered Jake.

Auruk still said nothing.

As Jake grew more paranoid by the second, the pair stopped at a poorly constructed old building. Approaching the door, Auruk simply waved his hand and muttered. The door creaked open without assistance, and inside was a clean white space.

"What the hell do you call this? Spatial distortion? I don't even..." Said Jake, as he stared in awe.

His view was met with a spotless marble floor and giant pillars. Each pillar was etched with a different beast, and there was various training stations and rings wherever you looked.

"This is my personal training area. We must get your body and spirit into shape." Said Auruk...With as little emotion as usual.

"Well...I suppose that sounds fine. I do love progressing...I suppose." Said Jake with a slightly worried tone.

"Then, let us begin." Said Auruk.

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For the next four weeks, Jake could hardly keep up. His schedule consisted of two handed sword training, normal physical training, and sharpening his reflexes. The hours of constant fighting had blessed him with a new skill, and a new stat as well.

New Skill: Two Handed Sword Mastery - Beginner 1 - 17%Increased damage and speed with a two handed sword.

+10% DMG

+3% SPD

New Stat: Fighting Spirit

You can call on superhuman strength temporarily, or bring weaker monsters to their knees with a force in your eyes alone. You are prohibited from distributing stat bonus points to this stat, and it rises spontaneously, depending on the avatar’s action, especially if you fight monsters for a long time, or often confront monsters stronger than your current level.

When Jake finally finished the arduous task, he had gained a staggering 34 STR, 28 AGI, 24 VIT, 34 Stamina, and 22 Fighting Spirit. His two handed sword mastery also saw a significant rise.

Two Handed Sword Mastery - Beginner 4 - 72%Increased damage and speed with a two handed sword.

+40% DMG

+12% SPD

The four weeks were definitely hell, but they were also definitely worth it.

Auruk gave a nod of approval and said, "You have done well. I understand this was not easy for one as weak as yourself."

"I AM NOT WEAK!" Screamed Jake.

"Yes, now you are not. Thanks to me." Said Auruk, With the closest thing to a smile Jake has ever seen on the creepy little ba...nevermind.

"For completing the training, I gift you with this sword. It was the first sword I used when I started training. Also, here is the map to where you will take part in your trial." Stated Auruk proudly.

Gained Item: Auruk's Old 2h Sword

"Stats!" Yelled Jake.

Auruk's Old 2h SwordDurability35/35Damage13-17Auruk's old sword. This bad boy has seen a lot of use, and not a lot of emotion...

It isn't much more than a slab of grey on a stick, but it'll do some damage!

+5 STR

+5 VITRequires: 30 STR, 30 AGI

Jake was impressed by the sword. It was immensely better than the wooden one. The true test was...well...could he lift it. Jake hoisted the sword into the air with ease, and almost drooled over the sound it made slicing through the air.

After he was done goofing off, Auruk approached him once more.

"Here's the map to the location of the trial. It's about five days on foot. Good luck over the next month. If you succeed, you will find me here. If you fail, it will be like I never existed. Once again, good luck." Auruk said, as he ushered Jake out.

"Okay...recap...I am level three, with a class C quest...I myself am classless and lacking the bonuses that come with one, and I gained an insane amount of stats by busting my ass...I wonder if this is a normal experience for most players? I sure hope I can finish the quest though...otherwise all will be for naught..." Pondered Jake, as he walked down the street.

"Stats!" Jake yelled.

NameAzraelPrimary ClassNoneHealth1060Mana100Level3Health Regen/Sec3.2Mana Regen/Sec.2Strength63(+5)Agility44Wisdom10Intelligence10Stamina115Vitality46(+5)Attack26-30Defense0Fighting Spirit22Magic ResistanceFire0%Water0%Earth4%Electric0%Dark0%N/ASkill points left to distribute: 10

"Well now, I look to be in pretty good shape! Unless, of course, I wanted to be a mage...Nah...Screw those squishies. Huzzah, who's weak now!" Proclaimed Jake, as he walked through the seedy area once more.

Except now, none of the seedy street urchins looked at him as prey, but as the hunter.

Jake had finally made his way to the front gate, and was quivering with excitement as he was about to take his first steps out of the town.

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