#tuk#

Something hit me. A pebble?

“You finally woke up. You do realize you are inside a dangerous forest don’t you? What are you doing sleeping in the open like this?”

“Huh?” I tried to look at my surroundings. It was still dark but the moon was no longer visible. So it was almost sunrise. There was a man looking at me very intently from cave entrance.

“KYAA!!!” I screamed with all of my power. The whole camp woke up in an instant and readied their weapons.

“Wait a sec. Chill out, I come in peace.”

“How did you pass the barrier?” I asked.

“I did not. The barrier is here, while you are there.”

I then looked at his gaze. It was true that said barrier was only 40 cm in front of me. The man stood a meter in front of me.

“Riri, Stella. Stand back!” Ragnar ordered. “He is dark aligned.”

We then fell back quickly while Ragnar and the other high leveled players came to the front while Maria casted her buff.

“Whoa. Hey. Just as I said before, I don’t mean any harm. Yes, I am a dark aligned but I have reasoning okay. I am not a beast. At least not until it is full moon” He raised his hands.

“So who are you?” Ragnar asked.

“I am known as Xmoon” He said.

“I am a werewolf so I am dark aligned. But relax, I am a law abiding werewolf.” He said with a smile.

“Do werewolves even have laws?” Hector asked.

“Can’t take a joke can you? I just said I have never done anyone harm. Except when they attacked first. I have never even left this forest.” He said while looking at Hector.

“I see. So what are you doing here?” Hasega asked still standing behind Ragnar’s back.

“Well, that’s my question. Seeing 2 beautiful girls sleeping in front of my rest spot. Why would I not be interested?” He said while winking with his left eye. I felt shivers at those remarks. He is definitely a playboy.

“Okay. We will go. We will return your spot. Is that okay?” Ragnar said.

“Nope. I intent to follow you. I am kinda bored here.”

“Well, first of all, do you know where we are?” Hasega asked.

“Rainforest of Haven.” He said. His information is no help at all.

“Do you know any towns near here?”

“To the east about a month on foot you will meet Rurin village. To the north about 6 weeks on foot you will meet Sykar City and to the south about 3 weeks on foot you will meet City of Acolyte. But that path is dangerous.”

‘Why is only our path deemed dangerous by him?!’ I thought.

“Dangerous? What’s in there?”

“Well, dark creatures. They just appear from the ground and try to kill you. Some of the werewolf tribe died there.”

“So, Ragnar. What is our choice?” Hasega asked.

“Either we circle around them or head through them.” He said “What’s your level?”

“145”

“Then that path is dangerous. Let’s circle around.”

Led by our new comrade, we hastened our pace from walking to running. As he said that he knows this forest, there was nothing to be feared. On the third day of our quest, we managed to rest at a lake.

“The lake is beautiful. It is crystal clear and there are fish swimming here and there. The fish look so cute.” Stella said. Her attitude is back to normal. She was also using her healing spell properly now even though she hadn’t battled yet.

“So, your name is Stella huh?”

“Yes. Hello Xmoon.“

“It is wonderful that such a pretty lake could be here despite the dangerous forest. I wonder if animals from the forest drink here.” I mumbled. But my whispers could be heard and everyone went silent.

“Ahh, I forgot about that. Several animals in groups do indeed drink here. But they never do me any harm as long as I keep quiet and do not disturb anyone.” Xmoon said. For fellow beasts that might happen. But what if there was a human.

“Well, let’s not overstay our welcome. Let’s move.” Ragnar commanded. But after he looked back, 25 tigers approached with a low growl.

“Aren’t they supposed to be solo monsters?” Victor commented.

“There are always exceptions in several matters” Said Ragnar.

“should I buff now?” Maria and I asked.

“That would be great.”

And so the battle began. 25+ tigers faced off with 12 people with 5 of them underleveled. Xmoon roared and transformed himself into a werewolf.

“Wow. That was cool. I think I want to be like that.” Victor mumbled.

The tiger charged but it was interrupted by Stella’s fireball.

“Curtain bullet spell series 10# rainbow sign! Rainbow wind chime!” She shouted. Numerous balls of differently coloured light came from her body. The hundreds of balls moved by sets of patterns. Some chased the enemy, some moved randomly distracting and impeding enemy movements. Balls of light, balls of lightning, balls with the ice element. I think she has every kind of element in the book for that spell. The spell continued to hit the tigers one after another. One ball didn’t seem so dangerous. But since there were hundreds of them (and they kept multiplying) one enemy after the other went down until the last one was dead.

“Alright. Stella is back in action. Pack up and prepare to flee. Who knows whether there is another surprise waiting for us.” Ragnar commanded.

“That was overkill, cheating and overpowered. How can she have a spell like that?” Victor complained. No wonder. 25 level 120 tigers were destroyed in a mere 2 minutes without any retaliation.

“Think she will teach me that spell?” Fira asked.

“I don’t think that spell can be learnt in normal ways. I am in the dark gamers union and in D rank and no such spell has even been sighted before” Said Hasega.

“GRAGH. How dare you destroy my lake!” A voice echoed in my head. The group then instantaneously looked at the direction of the sound. A small blue haired fairy emerged from the lake. Even though she was small, her fighting spirit showed otherwise.

“She looks mad” Victor said.

“Well, we destroyed her terrace it is to be expected.” Hasega said.

“She seems an intellectual being. Do you think we can ask for forgiveness?” Iris suggested.

“Hello El. Think you can forgive us for destroying your terrace? It was that cats fault for attacking us first.” Xmoon said.

“Forgiveness? Why should I forgive humans?”

“Ahh, she would look so cute if she smiled.” I mumbled seeing her petite body as she wore a one piece dress and her size is around a fist of a girl.

#blushed#

“W-w-what are you saying?” Her intense fighting aura disappeared replaced by a flustered voice.

‘Eh?!’ I looked at the now 100% cute fairy. Everyone then looked at me with their thumbs up.

*Good job. Never thought you had it in you to seduce someone.* Fira said.

“Erm. So, to the cute fairy over there. We deeply apologize for our rude attitude. We were merely passing by your beautiful lake when those tigers showed up and threatened us. We had to retaliate or we would have been annihilated. Once again I deeply apologize for the damage to your beautiful lake.” Iris changed his speech.

“E-Erm. Well, uhm....” She is smoking red now. Does such cheap praise actually work?

“Wow. That’s a nice technique.” Xmoon whispered.

“My name is Iris. I am just a wandering swordsman.”

“I am Elkami, a fairy of this lake.”

“I see. Such a fitting name for such a wonderfully gorgeous fairy.”

“Um. Thanks.”

“So, you think you could let us go?”

“Ah, umm. Nope. Sorry. Ummm You have destroyed a sacred land. So uhmm. You have to be punished.” She said while looking guilty. Her attitude gives a feeling of déjà vu.

“So, what is the punishment?” Ragnar asked.

“Well, umm. it is either death or... a hard quest.”

‘Harder than death quest?!’ I screamed in my thoughts. ’Being in this group always brings trouble!’

“Pretty fairy. Are you sure you can’t lower the hurdle? I am sure that our deeds aren’t that evil to be granted death as punishment.” Iris said. His words became increasingly disgusting.

”Don’t tempt her Iris. If she doesn’t punish us, she will die as punishment. We definitely can’t die here. Could you tell us the quest?” xmoon asked clearly.

“Umm, to the south at the center of the dark forest. Yggdrasil sensed a great evil that could threaten this forest. If you can eliminate it, not only will you be forgiven, you will also receive a gift from him directly.”

“Great! Just as we tried to escape the danger, the danger is served to us on a silver plate.” Victor retorted.

“Well, this must be a fate. It is no coincidence that we are heading in that direction.“ Hasega said “Now, instead of circling around, let’s march straight into the lion’s den.”

‘He forced his lame lines to be cool looking!’ I thought after hearing Hasega’s words.

Quest accepted

Evil within the forest.

To the south of the Forest of Haven, lies a dark forest which is said to contain an unknown evil. Look for the source of the evil and destroy it.”

Quest difficulty B+

Quest reward unknown

Quest failure all members die during the quest

Elkami has temporarily joined your party

“Umm, Yggdrasil also said to bring me along. In case you die, I could at least bring words to him about what happened there.”

‘She has already assumed we are going to fail!!!’

And so we gained yet another companion while marching from the fairy lake to the south of the dark forest. After two days of walking, I gained another 2 levels and put my stat points into wisdom. Finally I have got 300 wisdom and the magic penalty was lifted, my fireball now dealt low but acceptable damage. I also gained several masteries in magic. A level in magic mastery, light blessing, single bless, healing hand, group cure, healing area, phoenix regen and expert cure. Also 2 levels in fireball mastery.

Elkami proved to be a hardcore magic user. She specializes in lightning magic which put Baan to shame. Her lightning attacks sometimes killed an enemy in a single hit or stunned several enemies. It is fortunate that we didn’t fight her last time. We might have suffered a casualty or two if we had fought her.

“Alright. We have reached the Dark Forest.” Xmoon announced.

“Is it just me or is the name Dark Forest derived directly from its condition?” Hector commented about the forest so thick that no sunlight managed to pass through creating a dark and creepy aura.

“Somehow I don’t like it.” Elkami hid behind my head. She started to take a liking to me due to my praise earlier. It seems I gained her favor by praising her from the heart earlier.

“It is creepy alright.“ Arknum said.

“Stop complaining. All we can do now is get in.” Ragnar commanded. “Form a circle. Maria at the center. Just in case we run into nasty situations we can use her barrier.”

1 hour later.

“Umm, I think we are walking in circles.” I replied.

“How come? We are walking straight.” Stella and Xmoon replied.

“How come there are no monsters here?” Said Fira.

“So? Where are the monsters? Xmoon? Elkami?” Ragnar asked while looking at those two.

“I didn’t say monsters. I just said evil aura. But there should be some monsters here. This is weird.”

“I well, I just heard some rumors.” Xmoon replied after El.

“Don’t let your guard down. Keep the formation checked. We don’t know what will happen. Stella light our surroundings.”

“Okay. Multicast! Fireball!” 10 fireballs flied in different directions.

#Blar#

One of Stella’s fireballs hit something and exploded. At that moment the forest cracked. The space of the forest cracked and shattered with a loud shrill noise. The scenery was then replaced by the same Dark Forest with something in it. Countless dark goblins filled the ground view.

“Damn it. We are surrounded.” Xmoon said while cursing.

“Maria! Now” Said Ragnar.

“Divine barrier! Ancestral god seal activate!”

A golden barrier enveloped our group just in time before several throwing knives headed towards us. The goblins then let out a cry and rammed the barrier. Some ghouls and skeleton archers were also mixed in with them. Contrary to the agitated goblins and skeletons outside, the barrier remained calm and stood firm.

“So, Maria. How long will this barrier last?”

“Well, this barrier has health. When it runs low, I charge it using mana. At this rate we can go for somewhere along 10 hours I think. It can change if I drank a mana potion or used mana channeling.”

“Mana channeling?”

“It is a skill where you can give or take someone else’s mana.”

“How do you use it?”

“I touch someone else’s hand. I say mana channel. Then the other party just concentrates on giving mana or I concentrate on giving mana. Depends on the situation.”

“Ahh, now I remember it. In the Dark Gamer Union, some cleric player has this skill. He often used it to share his mana with mages. This way mages have more mana to spare. It is like the cleric is a substitute of a mana potion.” Hasega explained in a more detailed way.

“Cleric specialist huh?” Fira commented.

“Not really. Someone who specializes in mana such as mages or enchanters can do this too.” Hasega explained.

“Well, we have 2 mages and 2 others who are proficient in mana. Have your share Maria.” Ragnar then changed the discussion topic. “But we can’t linger here forever either right?”

“Of course not.” Elkami said.

‘I can make a hole in the barrier. This way you can attack them right? Just tell me where the hole must be.” Said Maria.

“Whew. We have got a pillbox maker here. I feel like we’re in a military bunker.” Baran said.

“It is a makeshift fortress alright. Ragnar, take command.” Iris commanded.

“Ahh, I can’t cast any magic when I am using this barrier. All healing and buffs will be up to you, Stella and Riri.”

“Okay. Poke a hole in those 3 spots. Me with Iris, Hector with Arknum, Xmoon with Hasega and co. Poke an extra hole above us. Our mages will add some artillery.”

“Light bless, single bless.”

And so the battle began. Holes with a 40 cm diameter, enough for a goblin to hardly pass through were made. The rest was just a complete slaughter and butchery. When a goblin passed through, the team butchered its head until it was dead. One by one the brainless goblins were led into slaughter.

“Thunder shower!” Baran then casted his most powerful spell. Sparks of lighting flashed and exploded here and there causing dozens of goblins to die.

“Enigma of the thunder god! Bolt of Thor!” Elkami then poured her lightning magic into the sky. A magic circle then formed in with a 60 seconds counter.

#BLAAR BOOM BLAAR BOOM#

Huge lightning bolts struck the goblins numerous times. If Baran could hit 30 or 40 enemies at once then Elkami could hit a three digits number. Numerous thunder bolts struck the goblins and skeletons without stopping. The area within 50 meters of the barrier was now filled with barbequed goblins and skeletons.

“Whew. Thank goodness she is thunder aligned. I would be so ashamed if she was fire.” Fira commented.

“Hey you little twerp! Could you pick another spell that is not lightning based? You are killing my show here!” Baran roared at Elkami. Their friendship has been sour since we started adventuring together. It is due to Elkami always casting a spell that was higher tier than Baran in the lightning department. Baran mocked her as a show off while Elkami defended that it was necessary or it was her favourite spell or a low ranked spell.

“It can’t be helped. We need to vanquish them faster.” Elkami turned her head.

“Well, they are coming again.” Fira said.

“El, how long before you will be able to use that spell again?” Ragnar asked.

“Around 10 hours.”

“No good then. Use another spell than this one. Maria. Close all the holes except the upper one so magic spells can come out“ Ragnar gave another order.

The golden fortress was now closed with the exception of its artillery hole. Then a ramming sound could be heard as several rhinos charged and rammed at the shield while a grim reaper swung its scythe against the barrier.

“Uh-oh.” Maria sounded troubled. We quickly turned our heads towards her. Her trouble was a trouble for us all.

“What is it Maria.”

“That enemy is around lvl 200 or at least late 100. I can’t hold this barrier for longer than 4 hours at this rate.” Said Maria.

“Well, mages. What are you waiting for. Fire everything you got. Riri, try to charge Maria’s mana. Maria, open a hole that enough for a sword to pierce through. Swordsman. Try to stab them.”

“Lightning storm.” Baran said. Lightning then struck here and there causing some damage. But the enemies seemed fine.

“Enigma of the lightning god, Zeus bolt strike.” Elkami cast a large thunder towards a reaper. A crushing sound could be heard from one of the reapers and its mount. Several seconds later said enemy and its mount disintegrated into pile of loots.

“Curtain bullet series spell 9# flame sealing.” 5 streams of flame then came from her body swirled around passed through the hole and burned 3 rhinos and a grim reaper and leaving 2 heavily injured ones in 5 minutes.

“Alright. Thunder strike!” Baran then followed up with a thunder strike. Killing 1 injured enemy. “You can’t kill my prey this time little twerp.”

“Who is after your prey to begin with?” Elkami shouted at Baran. “Thunderstrike!”

“Whoa. Lowering your spell now?” Baran mocked.

“Shut up. My mana is depleted.“

"Well, mine too.” Baran said.

“There are only 2 other enemies.” Said Ragnar.

“Should I?” Asked Stella.

“No. I know your mana is nearly depleted as well. At most you are only able to cast 1 or 2 more right? We might need it if there are other reinforcements. Baran, Fira, and El. Try to spam a small spell against one of them. Maria open a hole for their spell to pass through.”

Maria then opened a hole. When fireballs and lightning bolts struck them the enemy charged at the hole but their bodies were to big for the hole. Iris, Arknum, and Hector then pierced them with their swords in turn. The big rhinos then died leaving the grim reaper behind.”

Baran and Elkami then casted lightning strikes effectively killing that grim reaper.

“So, what are we going to do with that one?”

“Riri, cast a healing spell on the reaper. It might affect him since he is part of the undead.” Ragnar suggested. I then casted many of the healing spells I had while circling through them. Some 20 minutes later the grim reaper died. Without a master the rhinos escaped.

Even though I did almost nothing, I gained 3 level ups. I put the stat points I gained in dexterity and strength. I just put it there just in case I needed to quickly dodge or block. In addition to that I gained a level in light bless and single bless. The healing spells also gained a lot of proficiency but not enough to grant a level up.

“Think anymore surprises will catch us?” Ragnar said.

10 minutes later nothing happened.

“Alright. You can bring down your barrier. We will continue our job.” Ragnar said.

“But...” Iris interrupted.

“Maria can only last for another 4 hours. It is better to fight with her buff later right? We can’t afford to deplete her mana now.” Ragnar said. ”But we might be able to wait for another 20 minutes for the mages to replenish some of their mana.”

After said 20 minutes, the group continued to venture through the forest. After several hours the group then met an altar with a black gem on it. The gem was exuding a black fog and the fog seeped through the roots and soiled of the forest. It was like the black gem on the altar is force feeding the entire forest.

“Well, no further check is needed right? This thing is literally screaming it is the source of evil right?” Hasega asked Elkami.

“Umm. Yes. Maybe. Let me check” Elkami then carefully flew towards the gem, she looked at the gem from various angles. Her flying while examining the gem curiously looked very cute. I almost couldn’t resist the urge to hug her.

Then suddenly a hand covered with armor grabbed her.

http://www.royalroadl.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=350&t=3644&p=23269#p23269http://www.royalroadl.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=350&t=3669

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Author note- comment critics and suggestions are welcome. tell me about our new character okay?

- here is our MC stat at that time

Spoiler : Status window

Name Riri class performers

Health 2325 mana 1875 (+200)

Fame 200

Level 55

Title manager, the white rider

Job tantalus performer

Health regen/sec 7.3 mana regen/sec 23.4

Strength 83 dexterity 162

Wisdom 302 (+4) intelect 71 (+4)

Stamina 260 vitality 93

Art 64 charisma 87 (+110)

Leadership. 80(+30) charm 95(+100)

Fighting spirit 70 faith 20 (+62)

Magic resistance

Fire water

Earth wind

Thunder ice

Dark 41%(E) light 41%(E)

Unused points 0

Bonuses

all stat +10 except dex and charm

Dex +50 charm +40

Stamina +40

Magic will be reduced by 90%. unless you meet normal requirement of 300 wisdom

weapon will be reduced by 90% unless have intermediate blacksmith

Leather armor will not be penalized

iron armor will have it’s movement speed reduced by 30% and increased stamina consumption by 20%. Only if you meet the equipment requirement

movement reduced by 30% (E)

healing spell increased by 41% (E)

While riding horse the movement speed increased by 10%

Bag 1

Water canteen

Rye bread (6)

Ring of mana(E)

Ring of leadership(E)

Staff of white cleric

Circlet of purity.

White high heel shoes

White dress of purity

Autographed Beginner’s cloth

Beginner’s pant

Beginner’s shoes

Silver coin (10)

Gold coins (130)

Skill list

Speed reading beginner’s lvl 2

Manage beginner’s lvl 5(

Magic mastery beginner lvl 9

Acrobatic beginner lvl 7

Multitasking beginner lvl 7

Sword mastery beginner lvl 4

Ambidextrous beginner lvl 2

Bullet deflector beginner lvl 8

Sneak beginner level 2

Horseriding beginner lvl 2

Sub skill

light blessing beginner lvl 8

phoenix regen beginner lvl 7

healing hand beginner lvl 8

Healing Area beginner lvl 8

Group cure beginner lvl 8

Expert cure beginner lvl 8

Single bless beginner lvl 7

Fireball beginner lvl 4