Currently, while the patch was applied the world still ran just inaccessible to players. This meant 3 hours passed in-game during the patch, and Corwin’s order at the smithy was now ready. He instantly raised his helmet to level 8, saving 10 helmets for future levelling. He knew 40g was a waste for these trash items, but he’d pay it again for the extra strength. Time was now of the essence.

Currently, the third princess of Orleans, Medea Orleans, was travelling by carriage to Avignguard on Royal Business. Her carriage was going to be waylaid by bandits looking for money and a ransom. Rescuing her would earn a royal favor, which could be used to claim an item from the Kingdom treasury. This was a quest that could result in growth equipment for any class. The bandit attack happened in 2 hours and it would take 1 hour to travel to where the carriage was. The bandits were low-levelled but the princess was without her customary escort due to the unofficial nature of her excursion. Because the bandits were low-levelled, someone else might complete this quest, after all someone did in a different timeline. Corwin planned to arrive early and scout the area out so he could complete the quest as soon as it existed.

This left him with about half an hour to spare and he used it to search the stalls, and the new auction house for all the array ingredients he could find. Unfortunately, arrays required some uncommon and rare ingredients so none were fully available. Corwin also bought up all the crafting ingredients he could get his hands on for the bronze and iron items he planned to make his fortune on.

He also found someone selling an uncommon skill book Swordsmanship for 5 gold. Swordsmanship was a swordsman passive that raised all sword damage by 1% at Tier 0, Level 0. Passives were hard to level since they didn’t get SP from using the skill and instead only levelled up slowly over time, or from earning SP that could be applied to any skill. Corwin bought the skill book and learnt the skill, knowing that over time this could rise to a significant damage boost.

Finally, it was time to set out. This time the path was southwards, through some scenic woods. Corwin was using a light stone and the woods had a pretty haunting quality to them. It was autumn, and the stone provided just enough light to make out the colors on the trees. Fortunately, no monsters were out on the roads and Corwin was not delayed.

When he arrived near where the bandit ambush would occur he found something unexpected. Another cloaked player was already here. Did someone know of the ambush in advance? What could he do now. Corwin contemplated killing the player. Would the bandit ambush still occur without the player here to intercept? What if it was from a quest? Was it worth the risk?

Corwin decided he wouldn’t attack the player until he could see or hear the bandit attack. Once the attack was initiated he should be able to take over the quest with the player disposed of. He just hoped he’d be quick enough to do it out of sight of the caravan, attacking their rescuer would not be looked on kindly.

Nonetheless, in Eternity’s Wake, if the player who owned the quest participated in the rescue and survived, they’d be the one to get the rewards. Taking over a quest was only possible if the player whose quest it was died in the attempt, or had fled the scene.

Corwin was usually a nice guy and felt a bit bad about his bloodthirstiness here, but he wasn’t about to let a growth equipment escape. This was especially true since he knew the equipment the royal treasury held was the main hand sword, possibly the most important growth equipment for a swordsman.

Corwin did his best to use his natural stealth to conceal himself and waited for the quest to trigger. 15 minutes later, he heard the sounds of bandits attacking. He activated wind charge and engaged the player who had just started to move towards the attack from behind. The thunder slash follow-up was enough to kill, leading to the player dropping an item, and more importantly taking them out of the quest.

Corwin picked up the dropped armor, stashing it in his inventory as he rushed towards the caravan. The bandits were basically fodder for him at this point and each one fell to a single skill. Unfortunately, they had numbers, and while he dealt with one side the bandits from the other side had reached the princesses carriage. As one of them grabbed her arm and worked to try the door open Corwin could only activate Air Manipulation and Wind Charge and hope his speed would be enough.

The door flew open and the bandit moved to hold a sword to the princess’s neck. Just as it touched it, he turned into a flash of white light. Corwin quickly closed the door and resumed fighting. Nothing else eventful happened and Corwin fought off the bandits, capturing the last one standing to have available for information. With that bandit disarmed and restrained he approached the caravan and dropped to one knee.

“This swordsman greets the honorable princess.” Corwin announced in the customary fashion of the kingdom. “Arise, brave hero.” Medea quickly replied. Sensing her comfort with dropping formality Corwin risked a more forward tone. “Are you alright, Princess?” “Yes. Thanks to you.” She started before continuing: “I have business in Avignguard today but will be returning to Edencourt tomorrow. If you wish, you can accompany my carriage to receive a reward in the capital. I unfortunately have nothing suitable to give on my person.” “I’d be honored princess. Would you allow me the honor of escorting you to the city gates before I accompany your carriage to capital?” Corwin was careful with his words, not wanting to imply anything more than the princess had said. “That would be most welcome, I had thought secrecy my shield, but have stumbled upon the most unfortunate encounter in these bandits. I feel safer with you already brave hero.” Corwin received an alert that his reputation with the princess had grown to Friendly. He was happy the exchange went so well, in the back of his mind he had been worried about the princess thinking the encounter a setup.

There was nonetheless, a hitch in the plans. To enter a city Corwin needed to be level 10. This meant in addition to what he needed to do in Avignguard before leaving, he needed to get three levels, one of which was a big step up. Level 10 required substantially more experience than the normal progression, just like level 5 had before.

Corwin decided to worry about the levels last, after all there were other quests and trials he needed to secure. This time he had to deal with a player, that meant people were close. Could he still get all the items he needed?

After arriving in Avignguard, Corwin used space manipulation to teleport back to Colmar. A quick trip through the shops and auction houses found only some crafting ingredients. Corwin hadn’t wanted to do this so early, but he knew that as he was leaving Avignguard there won’t be a choice. Corwin prepared for what was likely to be the most difficult encounter to date, a class two divine trial.

Corwin Swordborn

Spoiler : Level 7: 60% of level 8

Str: 305 (base:5)

Agi: 335 (base:35)

Con: 305 (base:5)

Int: 181 (base:5)

Cha: 181 (base:5)

Lck: 69 (base:5)

Cnc: 69 (base:5)

Sta: 69 (base: 5)

Def: 641

MDef: 387

HP: 2835/2835

MP: 2967/2967 (base: 1000)

Gear:

MW: Iron Tier Level 7 Longsword, +14 Str, +14 Agi, +14 Con

Base Damage: 56-64, Durability 24/25, Requirements: 42 Str

OW: Iron Tier, Level 7 Shortsword, +14 Str, +14Agi, +14 Con

Base Damage 42-49, Durability 25/25, Requirements: 42 Str

MA: Iron Tier Level 8 Plate, +16 Str, +16 Agi, +16 Con

64Def,32MDef, Durability 48/48, Requirements:36 Str

LA: Silver Tier Level 8 Plate Cuisse, +32Str, +32Agi, +32Con

128Def, 64MDef Durability: 64/64 Requirements: 64 Str

B: Iron Tier Level 6 Plate Gloves +12 Str, +12 Agi, +12Con

48Def,24MDef, Durability 29/30, Requirements: 36Str

G: Silver Tier Level 8 Plate Boots +32Str +32Agi +32Con

128 Def, 128MDef Durability 128/128, Requirements: 64Str

H: Silver Tier Level 8 Helm, +32 Str, +32 Agi, +32 Con

128 Def, 128MDef Durability 128/128, Requirements: 64Str

0 Def, 0 MDef durability 5/5 Requirements: 0 Str

RR: Gold Tier, Level 8 Ring of Hidden Attributes (+64 All base attributes, +64 All Hidden Attributes)

LR: Gold Tier, Level 8 Ring of Elements (+64 All base attributes,

Ignore 1.6 Levels, Ignore 1.6 Equip Levels

AM: Iron Tier, Level 8 Amulet (+16 All base attributes)

Skills:

Time Manipulation, Special, Tier 0, Level 0

Space Manipulation, Special, Tier 0, Level 0

Air Manipulation, Special, Tier 0, Level 2

Thunder Slash, Rare, Tier 0, Level 1

Wave Chop, Rare, Tier 0, Level 0

Wind Charge, Rare, Tier 0, Level 1

Disrupting Blow, Rare, Tier 0, Level 1

Double Slash, Uncommon, Tier 0, Level 1

Slash, Common, Tier 0, Level 2

Pierce, Common, Tier 0, Level 2

Parry, Common, Tier 0, Level 2