The Initialization : Phase 008

Although Zen tried hard to run or take a stand, this pattern of re-spawning, being found out, bleeding painfully and dying continued for another six cycles. The only difference are the hunters and the method of death. Being already killed by a total of nine times put a damper in his disposition.

Another disheartening revelation is that even if Zen can perform punches and kick towards his enemy, The total maximum damage he can inflict only amounts to 1 damage point.

According to one of the hunters, unless he still haven't unlocked the 'Martial Arts' skill the damage won't increase no matter how many or hard he attacks bare handed.

Zen's mood turned from sour to even more sour and finally to sourly pissed. He may have a chance on 1 vs 1 encounter but he was severely outnumbered most of the time since most of them lies in wait to warp zones where he usually spawn.

The teen also noticed that his condition ever grew harder every time he died. His movement became more sluggish, his reaction more delayed and he it became more of a task to parry attacks as he die and respawn.

Those notifications of stat deductions he kept receiving as he died must have been the culprit.

Checking his status window, Zen's sourly pissed mood even turned more rotten if that's even remotely possible.

"No fucking way!" Zen shouted as he dodged another projectile. No wonder his body felt like its made of lead. With his stats practically diminished, running alone became a hard task in itself.

Another hunter suddenly appeared in front of him at the corner of the street. He looks to be a swordsman from his get up. The enemy call forth his sword as Zen drew close to the guy. He can hear two of his pursuers in the back laughing as they cornered him.

'Shit! I can't afford to die anymore.' Thought of the cornered newbie as he stopped on his tracks and get into a defensive stance. He was slowly getting accustomed into fighting by using his real life martial skills into this virtual den of murderers.

It was really a blessing that his fighting style focuses more on defense and requires less movements so he can still somewhat use it even with his stats taking a nosedive.

Aikido and jujuutsu specializes on grappling, deflecting, throwing and reversing attacks. With those moves on his arsenal, he could still function as a fighter even with his sluggish body.

While breathing heavily, Zen analyzed his surroundings as he anticipates their attacks.

One thing he also learned is that one could almost use every decorative objects around granted that its in a class where your throwing skill allows you to pick it up.

Thanks to that, his throwing proficiency quickly rose to beginner level five since Zen practically use every object in his surroundings as a tool. He could now use Class 2 items as a projectile.

Zen called forth his status window and pressed on the skill section.

Using his newly gained assist skill, Zen picked a stone and activated [ Aim ]

the rock emitted a faint greenish glow. He then quickly threw it with a blinding speed towards the enemy situated on the right side of his vision.

Thump!

The enemy barely parried it with his sword but Zen threw another one and rapidly dashed towards him. The black haired teen sidestepped as he dodged a linear strike then thrust his fist as if he was punching.

Zen's punch was easily dodged but he suddenly opened his fist and put a firm hold lock on the hunters left shoulder and with all his force, pulled the surprised swordsman towards him and delivered a devastating knee on the solar plexus of the enemy.

A notification suddenly emerged on his peripheral vision.

Ching!

You are fatigued! Movement reduced exponentially until you recover half your SP

Zen's orbs had risen in annoyance as he pulled back and shouted,

[ Warp of Origin ]

Zen was instantly brought back to the warp point he last respawned and surprisingly there was no hunters or red players lying in wait for him at that time so he quickly but casually walked away and blended into the crowd mostly consisting of NPC's.

Upon inspecting his surroundings, Zen noticed an inn at a distance. He slowly stopped at one of the windows of the lodging house to see if there's any hunter within the perimeters but luckily there was only few people that looks to be NPC's and nothing more.

He entered the building without much noise and quickly walked towards the person who looks to be the owner of the inn.

"Greetings traveler, what can i do for you young lad?" The middle aged 'Neuzer' asked Zen with a polite tone.

Neuzer.

It's a term Zen often heard around especially used by players. Apparently its a gaming lexicon that NOIZ players used in reference to NPC that live as a citizen within towns or cities.

"I would like to rent a room, the cheapest if it's available."

"Our cheapest accommodation cost around 50 Human cent for one day. We also accept Elven and Dwarven currency but with additional 10% tax."

Zen scratched his head. With the hunt occupying him the whole time, the teen had neglected to check his financial status. Looking around to see if he's still safe, he opened his financial window.

Unlike in most games where there's a global money schematics, seems like the currency system in Noiz are akin to real world's fiscal climate where every race has their own set of money and trade policies they use. What's more, tax are automatically deducted which made Zen cringed. Crocodile bureaucrats in the real world would sure love this world totally.

How complicated.

"Uhh, apparently i only have five Helts." Zen said in confusion.

The inn owner just laughed in response.

"Lad, are you new to this town?"

The teen nodded.

"Let me explain then," The elderly Neuzer stated. "We humans use Helt as the main mode of trade in our country. 1 Hundred cents equals to 1 Helt got it?"

"I see," Zen nodded. "So with five helts, i can rent the cheapest room in your inn for at least ten days."

"You catch on quick." The elder NPC smiled broadly. "So how's it gonna be?"

The frugal teen just sighed. "Only a day please. I have to keep my finances on a tight leash until i can find a way to earn money."

"Oh if that's the case, then how about you try to work here at my inn then? If you're interested, I could really use a helping hand since one of my workers just resigned a week ago."

Zen's facial expression brightened up instantly with the offer from the owner. Finally lady luck was going on his side.

"Are you sure old man? I'm telling you in advance so there won't gonna be problems later on but I'm kinda like a wanted man so i can't really work in public at the moment."

"Hah, boy you're on Genosia, everyone here is a wanted man or at least had a criminal background or two. It's not my first time hiring someone with a shady background. If you want you can put on a disguise while working. Just ask my daughter if you want help with that. "

chime!

Zen pressed on the yes button.

"Well then, I don't think I've introduced myself just yet," The elderly man stated with a jovial face. "I'm Grendel the owner of this Inn and the girl over there at the bars counter is my daughter Fiona."

Grendel gestured towards a petite girl not more than 5' ft in height with a blond locks. She's currently preoccupied brewing some cocktails and serving some NPC guest but the girl beamed and waved her hands as a response.

"Glad we finally had a new worker, welcome aboard newcomer!" She greeted in between her task.

Zen just simply waved back. "Uh yeah, i hope you take care of me."

"Lively girl ain't she?" Grendel commented proudly as he motioned Zen to the second floor of the Inn.

"You're free to rest up until later this evening since that's when things really get busy around here." The elderly man stated while walking upstairs. "Since you're now a worker at the inn, you can use the employees quarters free of charge.It's on the 3rd floor, the first one on the left after the stairs. You won't miss it unless your blind or visually impaired."

"Got it. First one to the left right old man?"

"Yep, I'm still gonna do somethin' on this floor so ran along now and get some shut eye cause we'll be mostly up all night later on."

Zen nodded as he moved towards the third floor of the inn. Upon reaching the floor, the first thing he'd done was scan the area. There seems to be no abnormalities. Zen then walked towards a door with a hanging plate that says 'Employees Lounge' in front of it.