Chapter 5

The Mind Killer

“Why don’t you let me fight some monsters, Yunjee?” I asked while kicking in the air.

“You think you are ready?” she asked back.

“Well, the thing is you can never really tell when you’re truly ready. Unless I try, we wouldn’t know.”

“Okay. Let’s go find some monsters then.”

We lurked in the forest for a while and two small green creature came before us. Two of their yellowish sharp teeth were visible even though their mouths were closed. They were smaller compared to us and very thin, they have no clothes in their upper sections and only rags to cover everything in waist down. They also wear pointy red hats to cover the top of their head.

Yunjee rushed to one of the foul gnomes and immediately struck the heart of one of the gnome. Yunjee quickly went back to my side. All of that happened so quick that the other gnome almost didn’t noticed that his friend was dead.

“Okay your turn, kill the other one.” Yunjee ordered.

I walked in front of Yunjee while drawing my copper sword. The other foul gnome rushed towards with his hand raised upward holding a dagger. A normal novice player wouldn’t stand a chance against a foul gnome, they’re level 12 after all, but the fact that Yunjee brought me here means she believed I can take it down somehow.

When the foul gnome rushed towards me with all of its ferocity, I felt my body go numb, both of my knees failed me and I collapse on the ground. While in my kneeled state the monster didn’t stop charging towards me. I tried to stand using my sword as a cane, but failed. My body was shaking so hard.

Yunjee hit the foul gnome with her knife and it fell down.

“What’s the problem? With your training you can kill these things easily.” asked Yunjee.

“I don’t know what happened.” I said while standing up slowly.

“Maybe your rational mind is telling you that the foul gnomes were lvl 12 and impossible to be defeated by a lvl 1 like you. And that’s what got you scared.”

“My rational mind is telling me they were only bunch of 1’s and 0’s and nothing to be scared of.” I said angrily.

“Then what happened?”

“I do not know. Please let me try again.” I said.

What happened to me? Is it fear? What am I so scared of? No, no way. Could it be a part of me, no, a greater part of me desiring this virtual reality to be real? Well, why not? This world is perfect, my family is also here and for the first time I am not a burden to them. I can walk, run, jump and even kick the ever loving shit of someone who pisses me off.

I faced greater fears. Fear of having my life will not amount to anything and fear of having to live alone. And now I am afraid of dying in this reality and reverting back to my old self. I should not let this happen. I have spent fifteen years of my life in a bed and in a wheelchair and now the thought of spending another day in those things scared the hell out of me? Pathetic. I must not forget who I am. I named myself Cripple for that singular purpose, a reminder, but it seems it wasn’t enough.

When we found a lone foul gnome and I tried to approach it YunJee stopped me.

“Wait.” She said while looking around to our surroundings. “Okay go, it seems to be alone.”

I approached it slowly while drawing my sword.

I must not fear.

The distance was closing and the foul gnome hasn’t noticed me yet.

Fear is the mind-killer.

Fear is the little death that brings total obliteration.

I stepped into something and the foul gnome heard it. It turned its attention towards me.

I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me.

We exchanged stares for a while, I can feel its blood lust as it lunged in my direction.

And when the fear is gone, there will be nothing.

I ran towards it shouting and when we were at the range of hitting each other, I deliberately dropped my sword. Yunjee was surprised and tried to ran to me and help me but I know it will be too late. The foul gnome struck my chest with his dagger and I fell down.

Only I will remain.

I used the last ounce of my strength to gaze at Yunjee but her sorrowful face appeared before me. Don't be sad. I wanted to say that to her but my vision turned black and a message appeared.

YOU HAVE DIED.

You must wait 23 : 59 : 54s before entering Lost Earth.

I removed the capsule from my head and can feel the sweat pouring down on my neck. I was lying on my bed and I was back to being a cripple again.

I needed to die to overcome my fear, to remind myself of who I am and what I am. Being engrossed with the game and forgetting what I am will only bring me a lot of pain in the future or even cost me my life.

"Ari, my mana is too low. I can't heal anymore." warned Mari.

Character Info (Mary)NAMEMariLevel25ClassPriestHP

MP440/440

50/950Physical Attack

Magical Attack5-10

18-23Stamina62/100Defense16AttributesStrength25Intelligence75+20Agility25Dexterity25Vitality13+9Wisdom19+15

*Note: Every Character starting Attribute are 5. The Training Center can give +20 to Str, Agi, Dex and Int.. 1 point of Vit is 20Hp and 1 point for Int is 10 Mp.

"Sit down for a while and take cover Mari-chan. Nature's Blessings." Rin cast her spell.

Nature's Blessings

Your affinity with nature allows you to affect the creation of life.

Party's Health Regeneration increased by 7%.

Party's Armors were imbued by nature magic, Party's Defenses increased by 3%.

Character Info (Rin)NAMERinneLevel25ClassDruidHP

MP490/500

200/900Physical Attack

Magical Attack6-8

22-26Stamina61/100Defense14AttributesStrength25Intelligence72+18Agility25Dexterity25Vitality15+10Wisdom20+16

Valen rushed to the giant monster while bumping both of his fists with each other. Both of his fists were armed with heavy knuckles . "Come on, you fucking overgrown cow! Nail Punch!" His right arm clad with a big gauntlet and a knuckle started to emit a blue aura. The aura started to gather around his fist and a sharp and pointed figure was formed. When the punch connected, the monster wasn't stunned but turned his attention to Valen.

Nail Punch

After a harsh training, your fist became as sharp as spear and as heavy as axe.

Threat generation: 50%

Stun chance: 5% for Stronger monsters and 100% for weaker monsters.

Character Info (Van)NAMEValenLevel25ClassMonkHP

MP1000/1620

170/300Physical Attack

Magical Attack25-32

14-20Stamina65/100Defense35AttributesStrength40+12Intelligence30Agility33+5Dexterity33+12Vitality61+20Wisdom10+12

The monster was now distracted and is attacking Valen. Even without their squad leader's order. Ronne knew he shouldn't waste the chance Valen created and cast his strongest offensive spells to the monster.

"O' God of Roaring Lights grant me thy powers. Lightning Bolt." Lightning emerged at Ronne's staff and went straight to the monster. The monster took the spell and wasn't affected by the paralysis effect.

Lightning Bolt

You take command of every electric charges in the area and use it to your own will.

Deals wind and electric damage to the target.

Paralysis Chance: 5% for Stronger Targets and 100% for Weaker Targets.

Character Info (Ron)NAMERonneLevel25ClassWizardHP

MP300/480

140/850Physical Attack

Magical Attack9-13

38-41Stamina78/100Defense12AttributesStrength25Intelligence61+24Agility25Dexterity25Vitality14Wisdom37+19

Erica cast also her spell. "Voodoo Restoration Magic: Healing doll." All of a sudden, a man size weird voodoo doll appeared right beside Erica.

Voodoo Restoration Magic

A dabbler in Voodoo Magic has enough knowledge to destroy or restore a physical body

Increased HP Regeneration by 7%

Reduced the Effects of Curses by 20%

Character Info (Erica)NAMEReicaLevel25ClassWitch DoctorHP

MP500/520

220/840Physical Attack

Magical Attack6-13

23-29Stamina69/100Defense13AttributesStrength25Intelligence66+18Agility25Dexterity25Vitality14+12Wisdom27+13

Ari ran towards the monster waving his two swords. "Get back." he shouted. The monster swing his giant axe horizontally towards the Tankers and judging from the direction of the swing, it will converge with Ari.

Ari did a knee slide with his arms wide open, to avoid the incoming swing. When the Giant Axe get past him, he stood up and stepped to the monster's right knee and took another step in the monster's bicep and used it as a foothold to jump into the air. In a matter of seconds, Ari was in the air above the monsters head and started to initiate his attack.

"Crosswind Slash" A light in a cross pattern appeared and hit the monster in the head.

Crosswind Slash

Your mastery in sword allows you to move like a wind. Note: This move is only available to Dual-Wield Blade Masters.

Deals Wind and Slashing Damage to the target.

The boss monster shrugged the attack and raised his giant axe and a blinding light appeared. The monster's spell blinded everyone in the dungeon.

When the party regained their sight. They have realized the lost of their healers. The dungeon boss ignored everyone near it and attacked those who are not in his Axe's Range.

With the lost of the healers, the surviving members also lost their life.

I was revived at the City. Maybe I should try to do some quests before Yunjee knows I am back into the game.

I rushed to the first NPC merchant I saw in the city.

“Mister, do you need help delivering that box over there?” I asked while pointing at the box behind the merchant.

The merchant dropped his jaw and stared at me.

“Oh my, yes.” He picked up the box. “If you deliver this to Hamlek near the South Gate, I would be very grateful to you young man.”

Ting.

QUEST RECEIVED: Package Delivery to Hamlek

Merchant Luye asked you to deliver a package to Hamlek.

Quest Difficulty: F

“My pleasure, Mr. Luye.”

As I thought. Flattery and high fame are not the only ways to get a quests. Observation and anticipation of the NPC’s needs seems to work just fine.

I went to the South Gate and asked for a Mr. Hamlek.

"Mr. Hamlek, Mr. Luye asked me to deliver this to you."

"Oh Blessed the Maker, finally. Good job young man, here take this."

Ting.

QUEST COMPLETED: Package Delivery to Mr. Hamlek

Reward: 20 Copper

Only 20 copper, what a cheapskate. Oh, well it was only a simple delivery after all.

Ting.

Yunjee: If you're in the game already, come back to the Birek Mountain Range.

I went to the west gate and an adventurer with a leather armor approached me.

"Are you Cripple?"

"Nope, can't you see I am moving perfectly fine." I know what he meant, but I can't help myself.

"Woah relax mate. Yes you are. Side swept hair and blue eyes. Also a newbie who is heading outside using west gate. You fit the description very well. Here take it."

He handed me a rusty sword, a copper sword and he left before I can even ask any questions.

Now they want me to fight my way through the Birek Mountain Range. Okay let's do it.

The first monster I spotted was a lvl 7 Scorpion. Its body length was at least 1 meter long and its tail was probably longer.

Even though the scorpion could kill me in a single attack I wasn't afraid anymore. It's time to put my training into use.

The scorpion used it's tail to stab my face. I used the sidestepping technique Yunjee taught me and dodged it perfectly.Sweet Move.I raised my sword and struck the tail. The scorpion was hurt and took a step backwards. I lunged at it, but it was only a feint. The scorpion fell for it and attack me again using its tail. This time I cut the tail in half.

Now I have reduced his fighting capability to a half or a third. The scorpion let out a hiss. I used multiple feints to see if the scorpion can use both of its arms. But in the end, it was only capable of using its right arm. I charged at it and it raised his right arm to attack but I sidestepped to my right and swing my sword to its head.

Your enemy has been defeated.

You have leveled up.

You have leveled up.

I killed 10 more scorpions in various methods. I tried severing its right arm first before going for a kill but it took me more time since the scorpion's exoskeleton in his right arm is a lot thicker than its tail.

I have gained 3 more levels and haven't distributed any of my attribute points yet. The attributes I gained in the training center was seem to be enough for now. Besides I am reserving them for that special quest.

I was now a lvl 10 Novice when I finally reached Birek Mountain Range.

Cripple: Where are you?

Yunjee: Your 10 o'clock.

I looked hard to my left and saw her in one of the hills. I went to where she is.

"Hey there, So how's hunting?" She asked when I reached the hill.

"Going good so far, I gained nine levels." I said.

"Okay, nice job. Here eat it." She handed me some bread.

Satiety Increased by 20.

It tasted good. "Thanks."

"Let's go hunt some foul gnomes." she said. "Lead the way."

She is unusually happy. I wondered what happened. I went to where I died to hunt some gnomes.

There's a heavy feeling in my chest. A feeling that I had hurt someone. Maybe Yunjee? Anyway I should apologize to her for wasting her time. I stopped.

"Uhmm, Yunjee about earlier....."

Something hit my back, when I turned my head to see what it was, I saw Yunjee's head. Her forehead was leaning at my back and she was crying.

Yunjee was sobbing. "Please don't do that ever again. What will happen to your loved ones when you die? You're being selfish."

I felt guilty and an unexplainable pain in my heart for making her cry. Maybe she was traumatized in her past and forget that we were only on a game. My suicide must have brought some painful memories of her past.

I want to turn around but her head was leaning hard on my back and I got this feeling that she wouldn't want me to see her current state.

We stayed like this for a while. I wanted to say something to her, wanted to promise her that I wouldn't do it again, that everything will be alright. But people with disabilities like me, making promises were not really our strong points.

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I don't know if I did a good job on Character Info Windows. I can sure use some suggestions.

I usually read my chapters twice or thrice before pressing Post Thread but sometimes when I read it again after a day, I still spot grammar errors. That's why I am grateful to anyone who spots my mistakes.

Thank you.