(Joat’s POV)

“Mmm is that grilled monkey I smell?” Immediately after logging in, the salty smell of the sea wafts and mixes with the scent of charring monkey, almost making a meal for my nose.

Gosh to think I’m eating monkey.

Clambering over to the small fire that Derek has going, I immediately notice a lack of Nightbir-

*BOOM*

WHAT WAS THAT?

“Nightbird” Derek just shrugs towards my jumpy self, offering a stick of monkey at the same time.

Grabbing it, I plop down and give him an inquisitive look. Nightbird may be a walking death machine but he shouldn’t be making that much noise.

He simply shrugs.

“Good mor-”

*BOOM*

SirStripy jumps with me, both freaking at the explosive sound coming from within the jungle.

After a few tense seconds of waiting…no more explosions happen, so we breathe easy. I mean it may be just Nightbird but it’s still makes me jump.

“So what’s the plan?” SirStripy swallows a small bite, looking at me with a small reverence.

Why reverence? I’m not your leader or anything!

“Don’t know, Joat?” Not you too Derek.

Jeesh “Well…we’ve only got 2 options really. First is go further into the jungle in hopes of finding Trish and Kruush but that means we need to deal with so many monkeys. The second is to cut down some trees and build a boat”

“…” Both think silently. Yeah it is a hard choice. It is important to find Trish and Kruush, but we’re not exactly able to fight as many monkeys as there are, and if we do build a boat and leave it’s possible to return when we’re stronger.

It’s not like it’ll be impossible to fight the monkeys, but I’m not sure what dying would do for SirStripy and me, much less Nightbird. And I’m definitely not sure about testing it out.

“Really the only option would be to go find them” Derek agrees with SirStripy’s statement.

Hah fine, we’ll tempt death to save some ungrateful Npc’s. Plus it’d leave a bad taste in my mouth if we just left them.

“We must hurry” Nightbird appears out of the jungle, almost shimmering into existence, holding a small leather satchel like a handbag.

That’s Trish’s satchel if I remember correctly.

“You find their bodies?” A satchel doesn’t mean much by itself

He shakes his head.

Damn, so it is still possible for them to be alive.

“Right. We’re going into the forest and we’re going to search for them, but we’re going to be doing it safely”

“That’s unusual” SirStripy, look I know most of my plans have been hey-ho from what you’ve seen but we can’t afford death here.

Nightbird, did you gain xp when you killed the monkeys?

Xp?....no

Seems like he’s still learning what the character sheet is. And hmm so he really is like a player.

“First off, we all need to learn eachother’s skills, or at least be aware of them so we can figure out how to work better together. The aim is to be able to kill 30 monkeys between us” plus free skills!

“And here is the suicidal planning that I’m used to” Is that a dig at me or DillyDally? “I can deal with 2 at most, but 3 if we’re going suicidal”

“if we must fight, I can take at least 6 down with me”

“I can take on all 30”

…

..

.

I guess there’s no point for me to say I can take on 1…

“Nightbird, that seems a bit excessive, especially since you’re an archer” Even though Derek has seen a little bit of Nightbird’s OPness he doesn’t quite understand just how overpowered Nightbird really is.

Not that I don’t believe him buuut it is our lives at stake, well sort of.

“So how can you deal with 30 monkeys?” I eye him curiously, you know if I can take some of his power it’ll be awesome.

He simply raises the satchel.

…

..

.

Oh, well that explains the booming sounds?

“Alrighty then. So basically what’s going to happen is Nightbird takes point, tanks for us. The rest of us focus on picking off monkeys that aim for his back and keep the retreating path open for use”

“So we’re relying on Nightbird to tank 30 monkeys…Sounds like a plan” He seems convinced? Not sure why but hey less arguments the better.

“Tank?”

“Jet fuel” What are you talking about SirStripy?

“What’s jet fuel”

I had Zzoid fill me in on the whole Npc’s don’t understand real life things. And that ‘rule’ has just been completely obliterated

“What are you guys saying?” Derek still being a normal Npc looks at us funny

“I don’t know what jet fuel is either”

“It’s a special language just for us”

I think it’s god speech or something

Look, there’s no need to talk about it being a game, since apparently his title says demi-god. Soooo I assume that that’s what he thinks he is instead of it being a game?

But won’t he just realise it’s a game after being round players?

“Well I understood that last part. Damn, is there any way you could teach me and not leave me out of it?” Derek pouts slightly.

“Sorry, it’s extremely complicated to learn. Like jesus I don’t even know how Nightbird actually learnt it but hey coincidences” I can feel your quizzical eyes Nightbird, juuust go with the flow. “SO back to tanking. It’s a term we use for someone who takes all the hits, basically the meat shield”

“But he’s an archer” Derek obviously points out the strange fact that we’re all trying to ignore.

“He literally went out and killed god knows how many monkeys at once, he’s perfect for a tank”

Derek just nods silently at that, taking it all in.

“So you want me to make all the monkeys attack me?”

“Yep” And with your horrible reputation, titles and skills that shouldn’t be too hard.

Everyone nods once and silently sit down for some breakfast.

Finishing off my last bite of monkey, we start on learning combat skills, or well the ones that we can. Because I seriously need some sort of firepower.

Turns out I can’t learn any archery skills as of yet due to a lack of bows present (save Nightbirds) so we focus on other combat skills.

SirStripy turns out to have quite a few; Impale, Stand ground, Block, Deflect, Parry, Riposte, Counter-Riposte, Push, Disarm, Power Strike, Sweeping Strike, Pommel Smash, Brace, Feint, Sneak attack, Charge, Critical strike, Multi-attack, Bash, Brace, Slice, Chop and Thrust.

Quite a few is an understatement.

So starting with the basics, Bash, Slice, Chop and Thrust. One for each type of weapon.

How I haven’t learnt these before I have no idea.

You do not have the required Stat (Strength) to learn this skill

-

Turns out, I don’t fit the required prerequisites…this is new. Or maybe I just haven’t noticed it before.

But then again the system never told me about prerequisites before. Does that mean unless we don’t fit the prerequisite we cant get the skill.

Acutally that’s a lie, I failed the prerequisites when learning a spell. So ok the system will give us hints if we’re close to getting something but are lacking. Interesting.

Being without Strength as a stat means I’m literally unable to do any of the basic combat skills though.

But I still have charging power attack…maybe that worked because it didn’t use strength, rather momentum? It also explains how I could parry, deflect and block since they’re not strength based (well I would argue block is but then again cowering behind my shield literally plastered against my body doesn’t take strength…).

So now I have to focus on the combat skills that require agility to pull off...somehow. So now begins the morning routine of sparring against SirStripy until I get skills.

…

Turns out I opened up a can of whoopass…myself being the one who got his ass whooped over and over.

Not having any bonuses on agility and no strength against a 60 60 really was not the best decision this morning.

Buuut I did learn a whole tiny bunch of skills (really sucks I didn’t get most of them):

Charge, Disarm, Riposte, Counter-riposte and Brace appear to be the only ones I can learn. In all fairness it’s better that I hoped for.

Charge gives me bonus damage for every % above 100 my speed is (so higher sprint the better charge damage apparently), Disarm just needed me to stab his hand and drop the weapon. Riposte and Counter-Riposte was just awful to do since I can to thrust back after parrying and then after he re-parries and attacks I have to re-parry and thrust etc etc. And that little cycle continued for multiple times until I got the skill and multiple holes in my body.

Brace was by far the easiest though, all I had to do was lodge the spear in the sand and point it at SirStripy, who charged straight into the spear. Took 5 tries to learn that skill.

All in all about 2 hours was used up with Derek and Nightbird learning the more complicated skills that I could not while I learnt some of the basics.

Moving on to Derek though, I got a fantastic little shock at the skills he has (well ok I’m not that shocked since it does beget his fighting style but still for a lawyer it’s still disturbing

NAME: Derek/Kered [lvl41], Human male

Hp:

420/420

Attack:

381-460

Stats:

Strength, Brutality, Rage, Fury, Endurance, Tenacity, Stamina, Darkness, Perception, Charisma, Eloquency, Faith, Communication, Vigour, Intelligence

Defence:

14

Combat Skills:

Smash, Bone-break, Crush, Rip, Bite, Berserk, Brutal Strike, Limit Break, Second Wind,

Relationship:

10

…

..

.

I take back everything I said about him being a normal npc.

He’s got 15 stats…15 freaking stats. HOW IN THE HELL DO YOU GET 5 MORE STATS THAN PLAYERS!? WHAT IS GOING ON WITH THESE NPC’S??

Just looking at his stats they are split between the talking, rather illustrious Derek and then the raging hulk…

Oh my Aiag, has he got a like a jekyll and hyde complex? That’s awesome, ish, I’m not sure it does actually sound pretty bad.

Though ignoring all mighty interesting speculations, let us look at all the cool skills.

Limit break? And second wind? Both sounds pretty damn useful.

Brutal strike? Is that like critical strike but just better.

And by the sounds of it, some of these don’t use strength, but brutality as a prerequisite (please don’t let it need strength).

Totally ignoring his level 41 status which just means he’s got so many skills. Oh I am making sure I get to see his whole character sheet. Just need to somehow raise reputation.

“Ok, so from what you’ve told me…” Yeah he still does the whole talking in the background nonsense, and Nightbird freaked out a little as the window came up explaining everything with numbers.

Though it came up as like a global thing so we could all see the same window, kind of weird to be honest actually being able to see the same window. Since anyone elses is blank usually. So strange.

“…From what you told me there’s a couple of things you could teach us to make our little adventure a little less dangerous”

“Ah well, although I know what’s going on…I don’t really know how to explain it”

“Is there any way to get the Hulk out?”

“The what? Argulalash? What’s that?” Oh damn translate

“Your angry self”

“Oh Kered” Wait he’s not even going to try and play dumb to the whole Jekyll and Hyde?

“So…you’re not even denying it” I mean it’s kind of a big thing

“We’re on a deserted island, I think it’s best you knew that my brother is rather…brutal for better lack of a dangerous word. We must build trust with one another so no fights break out and Kered doesn’t break out either”

“Definitely listen to him Joat. From what he’s told me Kered is constant berserk mode and don’t even begin with the whole brother business” Huh, nice to know SirStripy, and why whisper that last part, dammit I’m more curious than ever now!

Still it’s not something you just tell people about. Seriously how does he trust us so much?

...Well anywho, since we can’t get Kered out without him killing us if I caught the conversation correctly, let’s continue with learning skills!

Or well in this case teaching Nightbird all about his skills while I watch and you know learn about them too.

And so begins the routine of trying to do a front flip…

*Pah*

And so ends the routine of trying to do a front flip…well that was easy.

Since that didn’t get me the acrobatics skill, I end up doing backflips, tree running and some dives on the edge of the jungle (so much better than the sand).

Took me a whole 5 minutes to get that skill

Congratulations! Through Agile movements you have learnt a new skill

SKILL: Acrobatics, Beginner [lvl1] (0%) (Active)

Acrobatics is a form of movement stylized for both show and mobility

When doing an acrobatic stunt:

+1% bonus to the appropriate skill

Cost: variable, Duration: instantaneous, Cooldown: none

For learning this skill you have gained 5% xp

Sweet!

While I climb up a tree and stand on a branch, I begin my teachings on how the system works, mainly with whatever questions he asks.

Turns out he spent the entire night learning about all his skills, using them and even added to his mana stat.

Possibly not the best choice, since regeneration would’ve been my first, but then again after seeing his new spells at work yesterday I definitely consider more mana good.

Though that amount of mana points gained at once is stil insane since for me 20 points would only be worth 5/6 since it’s a 4:1 but then again I do have a good…jesus how have I got so many stat points!? I’m only level 5 (Well 8 with the perma +3 levels) but I’ve got 85 stat points!?

…Does this mean that I can re-level and get stat points again? This just means I can meet a level one who could essentially be a level 100 but due to titles and such it doesn’t show that. SCARY.

While I have an existential crisis on my lack of knowledge about this game, Nightbird tries to learn some of the skills I’ve given him. Since now he knows the whole gain stats business, he’s one of the needy for skills.

…

Over the past 2 to 3 hours, I’ve once again made quite a headway on skills:

Balance took no time whatsoever with me already walking on the branches. Disguise did take a little longer with SirStripy and I dressing up in leaves and asking Derek to say who is who. Not the most effective but we got there in the end.

Hide too was quite fun, playing hide and seek with Derek and SirStripy in the bushes on the outskirt of the jungle. Although in one game I dug and hid under the sand. Turns out we also got the Observation skill, which at the moment doesn’t do much, but I imagine it’ll become helpful at a higher level (like everything else will to be honest).

Also, Tracking was gained when we played hide and seek as I used disturbed leaves and grass to find them. 3 skills for playing a game? Absolutely loved it!

Sadly that was the only skills we really could learn off Nightbird without taking too much time and effort. So with my slightly more buffed self, to the jungle!

Taking foot into the oddly silent green wave of grass and trees I immediately take the middle, leaving SirStripy behind me with Derek and Nightbird up front.

Oh what’s that smell…oh it’s me. Wow I do not smell nice, whoo. I think I might take a dip in the water, or Aiag please make it rain for a shower.

Luckily we get through the 12 monkey zone with Derek’s animal speech and now hell truly begi-

“OOAHAH AHHHH” And here we g-

*BOOM*

…

..

.

Well I regret asking for a shower now.

“…That was…effective” Thank you Derek for summing up the explosion of around 30 monkeys into a splatter of skin, innards and blood.

“What was THAT?” I turn towards Nightbird as I wipe what I hope isn’t some intestine off my face. Jesus there’s like a hole in the jungle, like a crater in the air kind.

“Fusion of explosion and explosion”

“Have you slept?”

“…” He must’ve been really into learning about his ‘new’ spells. But at least we all know he’s literally a monster.

“I believe that was overkill. How much damage did you do?”

“Four hundred and sixty two each”

He’s literally a boss monster. Wait no he’s named, he’s probably above that.

At least we know 30 monkeys is no problem.

Walking non-chalantly now through the jungle, hordes attack us every couple of minutes. Yeah minutes.

Luckily Nightbird is a monster who can apparently blow all of them to smithereens on a good shot, but still kill at least a dozen on a bad one.

Though the mana use is a bit insane; takes out his whole mana pool each shot. Might have to ask him about that to see what’s going on.

I mean I’ve got a super powerful Npc, might as well make sure he’s on the track of becoming god-like.

Sadly he is not yet god-like so our little, well acutally it was about an hour, trek finally came to a stop when we reached the next level of monkey zones.

Apparently all there is on this freaking island is mahoosive amounts of monkeys.

Still the same level, nothing different at all with them…you know except that by a quick glance I’d say there’s about 100 appearing from the trees at once.

…

Sprint has levelled up

*poof*

Safe!

Just like old times. Though this time it’s hordes and hordes of monkeys.

“Well we’re definitely not going to be able to get through that” SirStripy speaks up, still standing of course blimming fitness freak.

“So plan number two?” I give everyone a quizzing look.

“It’s wrong to leave them behind” I can feel him judging me from behind that hood.

“Though Sire Joat isn’t incorrect in his thinking. If the four of us cannot get past those monkeys, it’s highly doubtful the two of them would be able to” Derek gives me a hand to my feet.

“And if they have then I trust they can survive until we leave and get help. Since we aren’t enough”

“And what if they woke up?” Nightbird points at the sleeping horse and Curry.

“Pfffft” As if sensing someone talking about her, Filly the horse opens one eye, staring straight at us.

“Filly” With utter happiness Nightbird jumps at her, coddling her and totally breaking his rather cool, apart from everyone persona.

“Did she take the weed too?” Derek asks me as we all start at the intimate moment between Nightbird and his stout and wild yet well groomed horse.

“Apparently” Though why did she stay so long? “Hey Nightbird can you find out what she was doing all this time?”

He stops cuddling Filly and stands up as if he wasn’t rolling around the sand cuddling his horse a few seconds ago and begins his strange horse speech (no stranger than Derek’s monkey communication mind you).

After a few minutes he turns round, patting Filly on the head as it takes a bite of grilled monkey. It’s clear blue eyes darting around each of us almost analyzing.

“She says she was drinking with Devil and Angel and they passed out before her so she woke up here”

Wait…she was drinking with Devil and Angel? Why? Wait, I think I’ve got a memory of her drinking in the Dirty Duck. So maybe they were interested to see if they could be outdrunk?

I have no idea but then again I guess they just wanted to enjoy the time. But this might explain some of the flavourful description from my unique title…

Well now that we’ve got Filly and her surprisingly muscular legs; like she’s got quite a thick torso but the stout legs are massive with muscles carved like granite, we can hopefully take a few more trees down quicker than usual.

Although how we’re going to actually cut the wood is er…I did not plan this. Well whatever, everything will be figured out as I go!

“Alright everyone. Let’s get to building boats!”

Ah what kind of skills will I learn doing this! Oh I can feel the xp rushing through my veins already.