Content Warning:

You are advised to not read this Sidestory.

It contains Scat, excessive violence (not limited to goblins) and rivers of blood.

If you are interested how the numbers play out for everyday players. this is detailed to a reasonable degree.

Evasion and Hit, the relationship to critical percentages, Hitzones and other mechanics cannot be expounded on with the clueless low level characters and most basic of opponents portrayed.

This will however offer you a very rich context where to place the MC in the world of FIO.

Content Warning:

You are advised to not read this Sidestory.

It contains Scat, excessive violence (not limited to goblins) and rivers of blood.

If you are interested how the numbers play out for everyday players, this is detailed to a reasonable degree.

Evasion and Hit, the relationship to critical percentages, Hitzones and other mechanics cannot be expounded on with the clueless low level characters and most basic of opponents portrayed.

This will however offer you a very rich context where to place the MC in the world of 『Final Immersion Origin』.

Author's Note:

The Monster information here is not available to the Party making their trip towards 『Swordfish Den』.

They only see a rough class or type name limited to their understanding of the monster.

Ie. some would see a Goblin as 『Green Guy Lv1 [????/????]』

Then Level and a HP Bar, which gets numbers once they have hit a monster often enough to deduce that from damage done.

Consider the stats for Reference Only.

Hi! Me and Susan, my gorgeous Girlfriend, just logged in to 『F.I.O』!

I'm Jon by the way, 17 Years old, here with my friends.

We just finished creating our characters and were gathered on a beautiful field full of flowers and other newcomers like us.

"Haroold, over heere~"

The guy slowly trotting over to us is Harold, a Geek, but I never call him that.

He is cool, really.

His parents are filthy rich, they donated a lot to our community and School.

But I never regretted having him in our circle.

He does the Homework for Reese and Susan, oh, right.

"Reeese, man, come on, where are you hiding?"

Soon we were together, there were more of my friends logging in.

Ah, there he was, as usual, looking at us with contempt.

No, now that I am looking closer, he is eyeing our Ears!

Bah, just because we love Elf Ears doesn't mean he has to be like that.

"Heey, come on, I know you saw us, come here man, we could really use your help!"

Plenty of other kids around us tried claiming him, too.

He is sort of a celebrity around our little Town, tried every sport you can imagine and then some more.

Every team in our school had him as a member at some point.

Really, the guy was nuts, totally obsessive about anything he started.

Too bad that accident happened.

He looked fine enough recently, but here...

Oh man, like he's back to his best days.

Weird, he is ignoring all of us, walking and now, fuck, sprinting like a madman.

I've never ever seen a human run that fast.

That sounds like a warning, we should run?

Huh...

As I turned around I saw an incredibly large Bunny, 5 meters or more and it closed in on us!

"People, let's scram!"

We tried following that guy, but he already passed at a distance I'd never have believed, hiding in a forest nearby.

Looks safe enough there.

"Susan, be close, follow him!"

"I ... Yes Jon (wheeze)"

"Wait Guys, I'm not as fast as you!"

"Harold, move it, or I'll eat your lunch!"

"Reese, help him dammit!"

By the time we had reached the forest border, a gruesome massacre had taken place behind us.

I have never ever seen so much blood.

Bones and innards everywhere!

"This is way too realistic, uuergs"

"Eeew, Harold, man up! And don't barf at me, shoo!"

"Yeeh, I dunno, he has a point, that looks awful, way too realistic."

"What's that musclehead? I thought you were the one CAUSING carnage, not commenting on it?"

"Keep your tongue in check, Jon isn't always around.

And I really Really want to hit someone right now!"

"Reese, please calm down.

Susan, do not make him mad, this is a game and we will have fun here."

"Sure Darling, but what do we do now?"

"Let's compare our stats. we have to follow him, but he is already so far gone, we can only guess where he is off to."

『F.I.O』 must reflect our Real World competence.

My numbers do match with how I'd compare myself to the average Joe.

『Jon Lv1』

Exp: 0% | / 200

HP: 4,010 | +1,130 /m | +840 /m | +71 /m

Stamina: 1,220 | +800 /m

Strength: 13 | Vitality: 12 | Endurance: 14

Agility: 12 | Dexterity: 10

Intelligence: 14 | Wisdom: 12

Luck: 15 | (Growth: 5)

Attack: Physical: 228

Defense: Physical: 159 | Magic: 287

Hit: 22.8 | Evasion: 20.1

Critical %: 4.1 | Critical ×: 2.97

Skills:

Dashing Lv3 8% | reduces stamina drain -10%/s Lv. Can sprint Lv×200m with skill benefits. Increases speed and coordination while active.

Marathon Lv1 8% | reduces stamina drain -7%/s Lv. Can Marathon long distances up to Lv×15km with full benefits, halved afterwards. Increases speed and coordination while active.

Unarmed Lv1 57%

It is surprising to see my School activities as skills on my status!

Wonder why there is so little listed, I did far more than that.

Suse, my Girlfriend is a hot bombshell of a girl, if I may say so.

Never tell her that I think about her like that, though.

I am the suave cool charming guy, not the pervert!

Her stats looked decent.

『Susan Lv1』

Exp: 0% | / 200

HP: 3,430 | +1,030 /m | +720 /m | +61 /m

Stamina: 1,040 | +700 /m

Strength: 9 | Vitality: 10 | Endurance: 12

Agility: 11 | Dexterity: 14

Intelligence: 11 | Wisdom: 9

Luck: 12 | (Growth: 5)

Attack: Physical: 224

Defense: Physical: 131 | Magic: 223

Hit: 24.7 | Evasion: 18

Critical %: 5.2 | Critical ×: 2.3

Critical %: 5.2 | Critical ×: 2.3

Skills:

Acrobatics Lv2 45%

Bow Lv2 9%

She is a bit squishy, but in a good way. *cough*

Harold is really looking terrible, all out of breath and his stats, it feels like he isn't made for a game as real as this.

『Harold Lv1』

Exp: 0% | / 200

HP: 3,860 | +980 /m | +690 /m | +61 /m

Stamina: 920 | +550 /m

Strength: 8 | Vitality: 12 | Endurance: 9

Agility: 9 | Dexterity: 12

Intelligence: 15. | Wisdom: 16

Luck: 11 | (Growth: 5)

Attack: Physical: 192

Defense: Physical: 129 | Magic: 313

Hit: 23 | Evasion: 16.6

Critical %: 6.8 | Critical ×: 2.5

Skills:

Lore Lv1 30% | Locked. May unlock on meeting unspecified criteria. Unlocks Identification, improves several related skills.

Survival Lv1 49%|

Sword Lv2 60%

Maybe his Kendo lessons will pay off once we got gear.

Wonder when that'll be though.

Reese is like me a Football player, fairly well off, not terribly much so however.

Not very bright either, but that is OK, he is far more capable than his stats suggest.

I think.

『Reese Lv1』

Exp: 0% | / 200

HP: 3,700 | +1,060 /m | +750 /m | +65 /m

Stamina: 1,080 | +700 /m

Strength: 11 | Vitality: 11 | Endurance: 12

Agility: 11 | Dexterity: 9

Intelligence: 9 | Wisdom: 7

Luck: 8 | (Growth: 5)

Attack: Physical: 201

Defense: Physical: 141 | Magic: 197

Hit: 18.3 | Evasion: 15.9

Critical %: -.2 | Critical ×: 1.84

Skills:

Blunt Lv1 45%

Quarterstaff Lv1 1%

His slacker nature caught up with him here, but he will be a good addition to our team.

I will make certain we all will be!

"Ok now, we know what we're good at, Harold, don't worry, we will keep you safe, just do what you can to keep up, OK?"

"Thanks Jon, will do!"

He had recovered, but he avoided looking back at that nice field.

Can't blame him, If it weren't for the warning we'd be right there with the others.

More people have escaped it seems, but our party is fine as is.

Fiddling around with the 『F.I.O』 UI I invited everyone present to join in with me as Leader.

Then we set off into the forest, our group carefully advancing.

Reese had been practical and grabbed himself a stick, not very straight, but good enough as a crude club.

Susan looked around, perking her ears.

"Hey guys, do you hear that?"

"No, what?"

"Water, there, right behind those bushes and the 3 trees which look like a W."

"Let's check it out, I want to wash my face and mouth."

"No offense buddy, you do need it."

"Shut it Reese, I'd have almost puked myself."

"Yeah, boss. Sorry Harold, I'll keep watch."

"No problem, just couldn't help it."

He cleaned himself up well enough, looking much better.

"WOOO~"

What we saw when we turned towards that sound was terrifying.

A Big Wolf which looked like it was about to jump at us standing at the small stream beneath trees bushes and more trees.

『Wolf Lv1』

Exp: 95 | Credits: 59

HP: 4,250 | +1,130 /m | +810 /m | +86 /m

Stamina: 1,170 | +700 /m

Strength: 16 | Vitality: 13 | Endurance: 12

Agility: 19 | Dexterity: 12

Intelligence: 5 | Wisdom: 6

Luck: 12 | (Growth: 5)

Attack: Physical: 304

Defense: Physical: 163 | Magic: 177

Hit: 24.1 | Evasion: 24.9

Critical %: .4 | Critical ×: 2.22

"Get him Reese!"

"Get him yourself Susan!"

Reese didn't like Suse very much, and damn, that beast looked frightening.

"Ouch, HELP MEE!"

Before I or anyone else could react, the Wolf had tackled Susan, barely missing her throat.

Instead she somehow had sacrificed her arm and the thing tore strips out of it.

『-175』(wolf)

Susan just lost 5% of her health in one HIT!

We all started attacking the thing!

『-85』(Jon) 『-25』(Susan) 『-1』(Harold) 『-45』(Reese)

We barely did more than 3% of damage to that beast!

"Again, get off of her!"

『-172』(wolf)

"AAAAAAAH, my ARM, my AAAARM!"

"Eat that damn Beast!"

I delivered a heavy kick finally removing it from Susan.

Reese followed up with a mighty hit to its head.

『-100』(Jon) 『-56』(Reese)

Susan was crying.

"Harold, keep her safe, clean the wound!"

"Am on it!"

Reese and I struggled with the wolf, it bit each of us several times.

It was scary as hell, but it didn't really hurt, prickled is more like it.

But it looked so damn real, I felt like shitting in my pants.

I might've peed.

We finally killed it, but it took us minutes, which felt like hours.

Both Reese and I had less than 30% of our HP left, his stick had long since broken.

Bloodied as we were, we just lay there, collapsed and totally exhausted.

Susan and Harold came and started cleaning our wounds.

It felt nice, and despite the lack of pain, not seeing this much blood and other parts of you destroyed was a huge relief.

The worst thing was, while we did not really feel pain, we felt every disfigurement as if it was real, every bit of skin flapping, exposed flesh.

I might have puked, I do not remember.

We got 24 XP and 15 credits each.

After a few minutes or so most of our injuries healed, but I still felt like shit.

Reese did not look much better, and Susan shivered.

Harold had escaped unharmed so far, but he did keep Susan safe, I'm grateful for that.

Moving slowly, following the stream we came to our senses after a while.

"That wasn't so bad."

"Shut it Reese, that was HO-RI-B-LE."

"You know, that wolf knew why it got you first."

"Glad you both are ok, can't be that bad if you are at each other again.

If it helps you, get it all out.

But let's move forward, that guy must have followed this stream, too."

"I agree, I don't think I can see any tracks, but look at all the plants, so many look plucked."

"That is good Harold, didn't notice that!"

"I think I know what he did, he is collecting Herbs, I think was it."

Harold went around, deeper into the forest with Reese closing in rapidly on him.

He might not look it, but he is loyal to his friends.

Susan shook her head and followed, too.

"See, I think this is a Healing Herb!"

"How much does it heal?"

"I think it was 100 HP or so, or maybe 10% max over some time or was it poison?

Don't know really."

"Just get it, and give it to me when I need it."

"Sure Susan just claim them for yourself." 'bitch'

"What W A S that?"

"Nothing, (cough)"

"Not that you idiot, don't you hear that?"

'shut up!'

I was motioning them all to cut it, loosing my cool here, but seeing parts of you splattered all over and growing back after a while had been terrifying.

Not going to repeat this again.

All of us were looking around and Susan found the source of the noise.

Motioning for us to follow her we approached a Green Guy something?.

Small tiny and ugly, it had a sword or large dagger and some gear on it, looking so dirty I remembered HOBOs cleaner than that.

『Smelly Small Green Guy Lv1』 (Goblin)

Exp: 50 | Credits: 31

HP: 2,030 | +830 /m | +360 /m | +48 /m

Stamina: 580 | +350 /m

Strength: 8 | Vitality: 5 | Endurance: 5

Agility: 6 | Dexterity: 8

Intelligence: 7 | Wisdom: 4

Luck: 7 | (Growth: 5)

Attack: Physical: 186

Defense: Physical: 91 | Magic: 123

Hit: 15.2 | Evasion: 10

Critical %: -.3 | Critical ×: 1.46

'Doesn't look so tough, what do you guys think?'

'I THINK IT IS UGLY AND SMELLS TERRIBLE!'

'shhh! please suse, I don't want to be cut up again, or do you?'

'sorry jon.'

'We need its weapon, my new stick won't last longer than the other one.'

'i agree, we all jump him, maybe we can grab him and then the others kill him?.'

'ruthless harold, i like it, let's do that.'

'Who Is Gonna Do That?'

'jeez, suse, pleease. you and harold will be best. we need to kill it quickly.'

"ATTAAAAACK!"

We stormed out of the bushes, Susan tried to hit the green smelly guy in the face.

And HIT!

『-140』

Harold ran after and grabbed the green guy.

"Guys, I got him, take his weapon!"

He held the green guy, but unable to prevent the knife stabbing him.

"AAAAH"

『-50』

Susan refused to grab him and continued kicking at the green guy's face.

『-150』

Me and Reese both joined, it was clear Susan was not touching the thing, ever.

『-200』(Jon) 『-120』(Reese)

Another round, but no one had taken the weapon yet.

I wasn't about to grab a sharp blade with my hands, didn't want to feel my Fingers seperate from my Hand, again.

And it looked nasty, really.

"AAAaAH"

『-70』

"Please, it hurts, take his weapon!"

Wump!

Reese shattered his stick on the green guy's hand.

Breaking both in the process.

『-180』

"Skreeee!"

It had not made much of a sound till now, but now it screamed, damn was that loud.

"It is almost dead, ATTAACK!"

All of us pummeled the green guy and he died.

13 XP and 8 credits for each of us.

We also found his knife in the bushes nearby.

Harold and I searched the carcass, but found nothing we wanted to take.

Its armor it would keep, it stank to high heaven and the looks, ugh.

"That went well, huh!"

"Yeah Honey, we are finally getting somewhere!"

"That green guy was really weak."

Complained Reese.

He had claimed the dagger for himself, Susan wanted it, too, but only after he had cleaned it.

After collecting as many Herbs as we could find we went back to the stream but were ambushed.

5 of the small green guys had cornered us!

"Thwang"

"Hyyyyyh!"

『-50』

An arrow had just buried itself into Susan's chest, looked deadly, but the damage did not seem to be much.

She was screaming and staring at the blood running all over her.

"Get them, before they can loose any more arrows!"

Harold was right, but he also looked really green.

I wonder why?

『-20』

A small number next to him, no arrow, ...

"Harold, you are poisoned!"

"I know, I will try an Herb!"

I saw him swallow the leaves and he looked better.

『+100』

『-50』 『-19』 『-55』 『-49』 『-37』

The green guys started attacking us in earnest.

Wow, they were coordinated!

The archer continued attacking Susan, and each of us was fighting against another green guy for a while.

"HEEEELP MEEEE!!"

Susan had hit it hard, she was looking like a pincushion, the ground slippery with her blood and the damn green guy still stabbed at her whenever possible.

"I'M COMING SUSE!!"

It was difficult to shake the smelly small bastard, he always came back, no matter how hard I hit him.

"HAROLD, SHE NEEDS HEALING!!"

"Here Susan!"

Harold too had ran from the green guy attacking him.

He gave Susan some herbs then swallowed some himself.

Looking almost as bad as her and green again.

I hacked at the green guy attacking my girl, I was stupid to think it would not hurt her!

"DAMN, DIE WILL YOU!!"

It finally died and I delivered the finishing blow to the one harassing me.

I still had more than 2 thirds of my HP, but I was covered in scratches all over my body.

We did kill them all in the end, but something nasty happened before that.

Susan swallowed another Herb, she had already removed the arrows while we were killing the last green guy.

This time however, instead of a recovery effect, she turned ghastly pale.

"NOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!"

She looked terrified, contorted and squirmed.

Fell to the ground rolling all over and curled up into a ball.

"PFtFFtFF, griigriig blargblarg PSHHHSTHHH" (Fart) (Fart)

A terrible brown stream came out of her.

The noises had been, too loud.

Susan lay there still while the last green guy died.

We earned 63 XP and 39 credits each, and a memory I never wanted.

Harold looked at her with pity and very confused.

"Damn man, turn away, she don't want to be seen like that!"

'Reese, right, uhm, shit, what do I say to her?'

...

We swore to never talk about it again.

Susan had not taken it well, we lost some time while she cleaned herself and the clothes as well as possible.

Reese and Harold stood guard out of sight while I helped her.

"Babe, I am so sorry, I don't know what happened!"

"YOU!"

She turned away, livid and refused to talk, just scrubbing.

Eventually we moved on.

We all now carried a knife of the green guys and Susan got the Bow.

She was a really good archer, but we only had a few arrows.

Reese now carried two knives, comfortable with them already.

We came across another 6 man green guy group.

They had an archer again, this time Reese was rushing towards him and attacking him rapidly, two strikes at a time.

The guys around him all attacked him without mercy, he lost his HP way too quickly.

1300 HP left, in a minute he'd be dead!

"Go go go, we need to help him now!"

Susan fired her arrows at the green guys and luck had it she hit them.

Harold and I closed in and drew their attacks on us, but no one tried eating any Herbs.

We'd rather die than face that ourselves.

Again we earned 75 XP and 47 credits each, we were almost at level 2!

More arrows for Susan and a new set of Knives.

Harold claimed the Bow and the next few arrows.

Still, it felt like we had a long, long way ahead of us.

Three of those dreadful wolves attacked us, thanks to Harold we barely survived that.

Focusing our attacks had been crucial, but it was still incredibly hard to corner one.

By the end of it, only us leveling up in between killing them saved us.

They'd have killed all of us.

Not one of us felt like celebrating after that ordeal.

But we were really happy that we healed within a minute or two.

71 XP and 44 credits for three wolves which almost killed us.

"Ok, we need to get out of here, these things will kill us if we stay here any longer!"

"Yeah boss, am with you on that.

The scars on my bum will never heal."

"What scars you dolt! I see no scars there, only a lack of clothing!"

"Like what you see?"

"Reese, she's my girl, back off."

"Sorry, never mind. But she started it!

My mind scars, they hurt real bad."

"Whatever you say, buttless."

"Focus people, we barely made any progress, let's run from here on!

Everyone with me?"

Even Harold agreed, he had put some point into agility.

So we ran, tried to evade all the monsters on our path, and failed that.

18 green guys and thank god, no wolves later we still tried to run whenever possible.

The stream was still looking as small as before, traversing over stone and not very deep.

The trees became thicker and thicker though, and we heard other monsters.

Susan did, really.

She was very good at that.

We did have to stop quite often as only I could truly run for longer than a minute and not be fazed.

Harold had saved us on numerous occasions, calling him slow would diminish his contribution.

So we took short breaks, and were attacked then, usually.

We tried for a fast march, but still attracted the damned green smelly bastards.

They were still level 1, but we were level 2 still as well, and had more than 80% until we hit the next level.

Harold calculated that to be 66 of the green skinned guys, he called them Goblins.

I think I will, too.

But no way in hell will we try and actively hunt these bastards.

They were nasty and poisoned us often.

We wanted no Herbs, but almost dying from poison forced us to swallow them.

It was dreadful, luckily we were spared another episode like that.

But we always waited until a battle was over.

And went behind bushes and begged everything we believed in to spare us.

If we heard terrible noises every now and then nobody said a word.

Another 36 Goblins killed, we finally passed the thick of the woods.

The small stream joined a River, the Forest thinning visibly.

20 minutes later we finally arrived at the village that damned lucky bastard must have ran to.

We weren't the only ones either, other familiar faces loosely joined us.

There were several streams feeding the River along our path.

Noone looked any better off than us.

Some wore Goblin armor, the desperation!

All stained, half naked and some bloodied all over still.

I didn't believe what I saw, that damned lucky fellow smiled at me.

He's level 4 and looks loaded with shiny gear.

Not a scratch on him.

Not smelly, tired or beaten to death and back.

Happy.

I can see several Rings on him, too!

Fuck him, how dare he do that, look like he's completely fine.

We went through Hell!

"Hey Jon, how's going?"

I was about to murder him, but I knew I couldn't.

He'd mop the floor with me, belts and skill aplenty and no injuries stopping him.

Without the Level advantage.

"Anything you need?"

Damn him, he always was so damn lucky, why him?

He used to care more about his friends.

I guess former friends, we didn't talk much these days.

I really regret that now.

"Just fuck off man.

Leaving us to find the way on our own was a dick move!"

Ah, I finally said it, his nonchalance is really getting to me.

"Aw, come on, you know how it is.

I could have waited and risked another event like that Big Bad Bunny.

The devs don't want you to Team up here."

FUCK, HE KNEW, THAT DAMN BASTARD KNEW!!

Calm down, he did warn you, and you could have followed him.

Susan, Harold and Reese are great people.

I do not regret taking them with me.

"Uhuh, sure... anyway thanks for the warning, hadn't planned to be curb stomped today."

Good, keeping all options open, I won't ruin my chances here, he is just too good at his shit.

Breathe and be nice, you always are.

"You're welcome!"

That cursed motherfucker just ran like the wind.

He is faster than those awful wolves for god's sake, damn him, damned be damned.

Faster than he was when I last saw him.

I wonder how terrifying he will be when I next see him.

We entered 『Swordfish's Den』, although we had to ask the guard for its name.

Around 10:05 or so, really, I cannot believe that hell in game only took 2 hours.

The whole Den was well fortified, palisades, and surrounded by the River at its backside.

I think I see a bridge far in the back, a few ships.

Many people, they look like humans to me.

"Whooa, Jon look at that, real Armor!"

Harold was pointing at a store nearby.

Constructed out of wood like all the other buildings it looked still very massive.

I could see the display, and damn, I wanted that so much.

I needed clothes, armor, everything.

We all did.

I looked at Susan.

What had happened in the Forest stays in the Forest.

And in my memories.

Forever.

She looked great, almost no clothes on her, shredded and torn like we all, rags was too good a word for that.

We had spent plenty of time cleaning us.

So at least we didn't appear like complete bums.

"Ah customers!

How may I help-

Nevermind, you lot need good clothes, armor and some help urgently.

How much can you spare?

I will also buy Goblin Gear, Wolf Fangs, Pelts and anything else useful you may have on you."

"Wolf Fangs, do they sell for a lot?"

"Depends, but usually, around 30 or so per piece, if it isn't badly broken."

"Damn, anyone of you got that?"

"Sorry Jon, we had no knives when the first-"

"Forget it, we do have some extra Goblin Knives and Bows."

"Those I will buy for 66 a piece, half for the Bows."

"We all need some clean clothes, a place to rest and something to eat first.

How much for all of that?"

"If you buy armor, I will throw in fitting clothes for each of you free of charge!

Consider it a gift from my humble store.

Come back often and tell your friends of my offerings!"

"Then how much for the Armor?"

"Again, this depends on what you can afford and what suits you.

I would not recommend a Heavy Armor to any of you.

They will slow you down and make you miss everything you try to attack.

You best learn from some of our Masters, they teach young Adventurers enough to survive for a decent penny."

"We really need some clothes first."

"In that case may I recommend this Leather Armor Outfit, it is very well suited to any beginner and will protect most spots, it is really cheap, too, just 900 credits for a complete Outfit!"

"We will buy that now, please prepare them for us, kindly.

Do you have clothes for me, too?"

"Why yes young misses, we carry a wide selection, you can choose any of what is offered in the back."

"No peeking guys, I will get dressed and then you can bring me the armor, I want food next!"

"You are able to pay?"

"Yes, all of us have more than 1500 credits now, and enough to sell for another 800 or so for each of us. Will that be enough for a decent weapon?

These gree- Goblin daggers or short swords, doesn't matter how you call them, are crap."

"I am not a weapons salesman, but I think 400 credits and up will suffice for a vastly better weapon."

"Susan, are you done yet?"

"No, I need help putting on the Armor!"

"Just use the UI!"

"Oh, right, thanks~, works!"

Susan came out, looking like a new woman.

Her beauty again mesmerizing me.

Almost making me forget.

"Tehe~"

Twirling around she enjoyed the attention.

"That will be 900 credits Miss."

"There you go, thank you soo much, you're a Lifesaver!"

A small peck on the cheek for the Shopkeeper got the man even more helpful.

We left the store with a Map of our surroundings, the Village and some snacks.

And our Armor, minus all the crap he bought off of us.

We still had around 1400 credits each, though Harold had managed to earn more as did Susan.

Not sure how that went but If it helped the group I wasn't complaining.

The Weapon Store was Huge, really.

The Armor Store was a small shack against it.

And that House was larger than our local Fast Food Joint.

Small Town and all that, but yeah.

This Village had great stores!

"Look at that Sword! +1000 damage, I do not believe this, that is 50 times what those Goblin Daggers do.

I can kill them in one Strike!"

"We won't lend you money to buy that, forget it now!

That thing costs 50 thousands, and the accuracy penalty is way too high."

"But Harol-"

"No Reese, I know this much, you need a weapon you can hit with, don't be fooled by the big numbers!

...

Besides, do you think we could afford 50 grand?"

"He is right Reese, we all need better weapons, let's look at the other end."

"I give, you guys just promise me I can wear a godslayer like that some day!"

"Forget it, I will not play this game once we need to pay for it!"

"Suse-"

"NO, I WI-LL N-OT! It is bad enough what happened today, but I want my summer spent on the Beach. Not standing in a Tube pretending to be Xena."

"Nobody would-"

"Shut it buttless, I am not."

"Go at it you two, I will borrow Harold and look at the wares over there."

We left the two.

I had enough of Susan's tirades.

Agreed with her wholeheartedly, but enough of her attitude, so shrill she could be.

"What Sword do you want Harold?"

"I don't think I am that well suited for close combat really."

"But you know the most about Swords among us!"

"Yeah, enough that I don't cut myself using one.

I lack the strength and agility to truly make much out of that weapon here.

I will go with a real Bow and Knives and keep my Goblin Dagger until I can afford a decent Blade just in case."

"You can afford that?"

"Just about so, but I will need to retrieve the throwing Knives if I use them, they are so damned expensive."

"Why buy them then?"

"Oh, I don't know, to hit a Goblin too close before he can skewer me, perhaps?"

"Sorry, dumb question, what do you recommend?"

"The +80 +5 Hit Sword looks really decent for 500c, the next best weapon has 100 -3 Hit for 800.

Get the cheaper one now and start saving up for the +200 +15 Hit Sword for 10 grand over there."

"Will do, thanks Harold, I'd be lost without you."

"Don't sweat it big guy, thanks for dragging a slowpoke like me along.

I know you could've followed that genius and ditched us."

"Never, I am loyal to my friends!"

『Jon Lv2』

Exp: 84.25% | 722 / 857

HP: 4,665 | +1,665 /m | +915 /m | +84 /m

Stamina: 1,340 | +900 /m

Strength: 14 | Vitality: 12.5 | Endurance: 15

Agility: 12.5 | Dexterity: 11

Intelligence: 14 | Wisdom: 12

Luck: 16 | (Growth: 5)

Attack: 328

Defense: Physical: 212 | Magic: 296

Hit: 30.3 | Evasion: 24

Critical %: 5.3 | Critical ×: 3.12

My stats were nice, but I wished I had more oomph somewhere.

Fully equipped I was looking forward to giving the Goblins and hopefully wolves no more pieces of me.

『Susan Lv2』

Exp: 84.25% | 722 / 857

HP: 4,190 | +1,550 /m | +780 /m | +74 /m

Stamina: 1,120 | +750 /m

Strength: 10 | Vitality: 11 | Endurance: 12

Agility: 11 | Dexterity: 16

Intelligence: 11. | Wisdom: 9

Luck: 13 | (Growth: 5)

Attack: 293

Defense: Physical: 183 | Magic: 231

Hit: 33.1 | Evasion: 21.5

Critical %: 7.5 | Critical ×: 2.45

Susan had potential to be a real good archer, but she needed a much better bow, so she started saving money.

Also her 100 arrows had cost 800 credits, a total ripoff.

『Harold Lv2』

Exp: 84.25% | 722 / 857

HP: 4,640 | +1,520 /m | +780 /m | +75 /m

Stamina: 1,050 | +650 /m

Strength: 9 | Vitality: 13 | Endurance: 10

Agility: 10 | Dexterity: 13

Intelligence: 15 | Wisdom: 16

Luck: 11 | (Growth: 5)

Attack: 256

Defense: Physical: 185 | Magic: 323

Hit: 30.3 | Evasion: 20.7

Critical %: 7.9 | Critical ×: 2.55

Harold had decided to not be squishy anymore, but I think he should focus on his strengths.

I will convince him to not waste his potential out of false pride.

『Reese Lv2』

Exp: 84.25% | 722 / 857

HP: 4,730 | +1,610 /m | +840 /m | +82 /m

Stamina: 1,200 | +750 /m

Strength: 14 | Vitality: 13 | Endurance: 12

Agility: 11 | Dexterity: 9

Intelligence: 9 | Wisdom: 7

Luck: 8 | (Growth: 5)

Attack: 335

Defense: Physical: 203 | Magic: 211

Hit: 16.6 | Evasion: 18.9

Critical %: -.2 | Critical ×: 1.97

Reese hadn't listened to Harolds advice and bought the much heavier weapon, but his Hit was terrible.

I will have to make him understand how much trouble that can be.

He will never hit a wolf like that.

I can tell that much just by our past few battles.

We were all pretty much broke after we rested some.

Logging out at 11:00 we would also eat out and get a grip on this horrible experience.

We will not be beat, we will not fall back!

We will catch up, no matter what!

Author's Note:

It is recommended to read Chapter 2 again.

This Sidestory makes it obvious why Chapter 2 is short and to the point.