Chapter 11

They walked through the forest, following the quest marker Hert put down yesterday. Hert and Ava chatted away, relaying yesterday’s events, while Leon only came with a comment here and there. Soon, they reached the tree, and Ava stopped short, looking at the hole in the trunk and growing paler.

”You’re going in there?” she said, breaking off Hert’s retelling of a bar fight at another inn.

”That’s the plan,” Leon said.

”And you’ll be fine? The both of you?”

Hert pulled out a torch and handed it to Leon. He took it while Hert readied his hammer and shield. A message popped up.

’Item cannot be equipped by the Warrior class.’

”It shouldn’t be too serious,” Hert said. ”We’re in the Tutorial Forest.”

Ava swallowed and looked around. ”What if something happens to you down there and you can’t reach me?”

”Would you rather come with us?” Leon asked sarcasticly and reached the torch back to Hert, who put his hammer into the inventory with a frown.

”Yes.”

Leon blinked. ”You don’t have to, you’ll get your ite—”

”I’ll come with, okay? I’ll just stay back.” She grabbed a fallen branch and clutched it to her chest. ”My strength is 6, but I can at least defend myself a little.”

Hert and Leon looked at each other, then they nodded.

”If that’s what you want,” Leon said and started toward the opening. A smell of rotting flowers, dry grass, and moist dirt flooded the air. Then, an arm came over his chest, pulling him back.

”If we’re gonna do this as three, we might as well form a party,” Hert said. ”It’ll be the first time for me, but I think it will benefit us all.”

”That’s a good idea,” Leon said. ”The one that introduced the game, Ai, said that if you’re in a party, you get different boons depending on who’s in it, so let’s give it a try.”

Hert nodded. ”Then, let me send you guys an invite.”

A couple of seconds later, a blue box appeared before Leon’s eyes.

’Hert has asked you to join his party. Please accept the offer within 30 seconds. Be aware that in order to enter a party, it needs at least three players. Do you accept Hert’s invitation? [Yes] [No]’

Under the text was a timer with seconds counting back from 30. Leon said yes.

Another box appeared.

’You have joined a party.

Party name: Hert’s Party (level 1 (0%))

Party name can be changed by the group leader.

Party will last as long as there are three or more members in the group.

Current boon for each class:

Tank: (1) +5% defense

Cleric (1) +2% buff boost

Warrior (1) +1% strength, 2% vitality

Additional boon for all members of the group:

Skill cost: -1.2%

Experience gain: +0.3%

Luck: +0.2% (base: 12)

First time information: Boon stats will increase or decrease based on the classes and levels of the party’s members. Boons will scale to fit a maximum of five players, but will affect all in the group. If a party is larger than five members, the classes counted for the boon will be picked at random each time a member joins for the first time. If a member leaves, and that’s the only one of that class, the existing boons will be recalculated based on the remaining members of the party and the missing class’ boon disappears.

In a party of five or less players, the boons will be calculated from each member that is in it. Dispersed groups that assemble with the same members will regain their previous boons and group level. If the members of the group level up and a boon has come from that member, the stats for the boon will also increase.

If a member that joins a group of more than five players holds a different class than the other members, the new class will preceed another member’s class and boon, provided there are more than two of the same class in the group. The member whose boon will be discounted is picked on random. Additional boons can only level up while in the same group and cannot be transfered between groups.

A previous group member will take part of the group’s increased boon if they join again within a time limit of 90 days. In the case a group member dies, the boon belonging to the class will disappear and remaining boons will be adjusted, but not change in their natures.

Level difference can be up to 2 levels above the highest leveled player, or 5 levels below the lowest level player. Party members share the experience gained individually or as a group while in the party.’

”Wow, if I’d known about these boon things, it might have been worth it to form a party earlier,” Hert said.

Leon closed the window. ”Even though the boons are pretty low right now, they can really become powerful, based on how you build the group. That kind of explains why three mages reached the top—if they got their boons combined from being three high-level mages, they must have gotten really powerful.” Leon stroke his chin. ”Actually, it seems like the game wants you to form parties rather than to attempt to clear the tower alone. Either with the same type class, or the five different classes. A group with the same classes becomes really powerful because they boost each other’s strengths, but a more diverse group might be the safer option all-round.”

”But it’s also like they warn against forming bigger groups or changing party,” Hert mused. ”Because you have to start being careful with who you accept into the party if you don’t want to decrease the boons you have once you’ve gathered five members. Besides, the more people you are in a group, the harder it will be to level up. No wonder why the few guilds that exist aren’t popular.”

”And of course my boon is the worthless one,” Ava said. ”I mean, +2% to buffs? I don’t even have buffs to give.”

”Hey,” Leon said. ”Don’t you see? That it’s there probably means you will. You just have to level a little. Besides, we don’t know which of the additional boons comes from you being in the group, so don’t get down on yourself. Games have Clerics as a class for a reason.”

”Even if Clerics basically have been declared useless through other classes getting their skills,” Hert said. Then, he realized what he said and tried to amend it, ”All I’m saying is that there has to be a reason why Clerics have made a comeback here. None of the other classes can heal, right?” He patted Ava’s back, causing her to stumble forward.

”I’d also like to know more about luck. Because that’s something that doesn’t show as a trait.” Leon shrugged. ”But for now, I suppose we should just be happy it’s there. Shall we?”

Hert pushed the torch into Leon’s hand, prompting the message again, and Ava clutched at her branch as both gave Leon a short nod.

Leon shook his head. ”I got a message saying I can’t use this.”

”Ah, shit. I forgot. Give it here,” Hert said. ”Torches actually count as a weapon for tanks.” He sighed and turned it in his hand. ”I think I need to equip it. I was lucky to just have it laying around from my tutorial round.”

”That’s kind of inconvenient,” Leon said. ”Needing to equip it as a weapon, on one of five classes.”

”Well, as I said yesterday, all caves and dungeons I know of have ever-lights, so you don’t actually need it as a light source most of the time.”

”But how can you wield a branch, Ava? Is that part of your class? I thought you said you couldn’t protect yourself.”

Ava blushed. ”Mob Mentality.” She cleared her throat. ”It’s one of the two passives of the Scab title. That I can carry a non-weapon type item to fight. The second is that if someone hands me money, it will start the Beggar’s Curse. I can only use Mob Mentality once a week though, and only until I let it go. It has to be something that isn’t classed as a weapon, but besides that, anything goes.”

Leon blinked. ”Okay…” He turned toward the tree. Leon stepped into the darkness and the air around him grew colder.

Hert came up to his side and held the torch forward, into the shadows. It flamed up, admitting light and heat.

”I think this will work.”

Leon peered behind his shoulder. ”Ava, you coming?”

”Yeah, just… I don’t like dark places.”

”You’ll be with us. Come. We’re a party now, so let’s try this out. Unless you’ve changed your mind? It’s still okay if you want to wait.”

Hert looked like he wanted to protest, but didn’t say anything.

Ava stepped down the dirt stairs and looked around. ”Not the coziest place, but I’d rather be here than alone out there.”

Hert walked forward with slow steps and revealed a round light brown dirt tunnel, leaning slightly down. Everything was oddly smooth, considering the wear and tear of the stairs. Small shallow crevases littered the wall, and Leon examined the areas, but couldn’t see anything but the occasional lump of dirt. Whatever had taken his backpack had gone further in. But how much further, and how far did this cave-thing go?

”Wow, look at that,” Hert said and pointed ahead. A light blue group of small crystals sat in the ground a few feet ahead and emitted a soft glow in the darkness. ”Mana crystals.”

”Are those something we can use?” Leon asked.

”Yes, and no. I’ve heard that if you mine them, you can create mana potions at the crafting fountain. It’s the only way to get mana potions except for buying them, and both the crystals and the recipe are supposed to be rare. But to craft one, I think you need a bigger stack than this. I have no idea how strong or weak the potions are, though.”

Ava trotted past them and looked into the crystals’ depth. ”If only I had mana potions, I wouldn’t feel so spent every time I use my spell,” she said wistfully. ”Don’t you think we can break some off? They look so fragile.”

”And the shards will be sharp as glass,” Hert warned. ”Besides, even if we could get some and had a shovel or good gloves, we have no way to take it with us. Leon doesn’t have his backpack, you have the smallest pouch I’ve seen on a player, and my sachel… How many slots do you have in that pouch of yours, anyway?”

”Two,” she said and sighed. ”You have a point, I suppose. How many slots do you have?”

”Seven.”

”Ten.”

Hert whistled a low tune. ”No wonder you want your backpack. Six slots is the standard for new players, from what I’ve heard.”

”So how come you only have two?” Leon asked Ava.

”I’ve had to make some difficult choices since I became a Scab.” She gestured to her pouch and overall clothing.

”Well, let’s change that,” Leon said. ”If this goes well, we can try to go here again to gather the crystals.”

Ava nodded, but was still slow to follow as they passed her.

The slope continued in a downward spiral, twisting and turning for a while, but the cold started to disappear as they walked, even though the smell of rot strengthened. If there had been more paths to follow, they surely would have lost their way when they wanted to exit.

Finally, they arrived at a globe-like room that led into three different tunnels, but didn’t contain anything else.

”Where the hell is the creature?” Leon asked, walking into the middle of the room. ”And how was it so close to the opening when we came here yesterday?”

Hert lifted the torch toward the ceiling to spread the light. ”It might have heard you when you shouted for me and stood ready. Means it’s pretty fast, whatever it was.”

Leon cupped his hands around his mouth. ”Hey!”

Ava squealed and moved closer to Hert.

Leon listened, and shone up. ”I think I heard something from the left tunnel.”

Hert nodded, and they took the lead together, with Ava on their heels muttering to herself that she was such a fool.

The corridor they entered looked the same as the one they’d left, but it was much shorter and led into a smaller circular room. There stood two small leather tents, held up by two crossed poles and had floors made with wilted flowers and dry grass. The tip of something leathery disappeared into a crevasse halfway to the ceiling, and Leon started forward. Hert followed. They stopped a few feet from the opening and Leon pointed his sword toward it. It was just high enough that he couldn’t peek into it.

”Come out,” he ordered.

No movement, no sound.

Leon cleared his throat, and hoped this wasn’t foolish. Whatever it was, it might have a strong level. He shouldn’t provoke it more than necessary. So, he backed off and pointed to the tents.

”Let’s look in there. But be careful. Two tents means at least two creatures.”

Hert nodded. ”I’ll stand here with the torch, and you go look.” He lifted the torch higher and lit up the whole room, but left the tents more shadowed. Hert’s towering figure left a giant shadow on the wall and floor.

”Okay.” Not that Leon wanted to explore alone, but from yesterday, he’d gotten a feeling that Hert wasn’t a person who wanted the front line. No wonder he didn’t feel comfortable playing as a tank. It didn’t matter, Leon had to go. It was his backpack, and he was the one who wanted to level up. He’d met a lot of wolves already, and started to get a hang of how to use the sword. Maybe that would be enough for now. If he was lucky, he might find a training area. Maybe Margaret knew of one?

He approached the tent furthest from the crevasse and lifted the flap, shooting his sword forward. It hit the air. Leon’s heart thundered in his chest. Nothing. It was empty, or almost. He crawled inside, where there was a dirt square. He poked at it with the tip of the sword and something like a lid fell back with a puff of dust. Leon took a deep breath and hoped he wouldn’t regret it when he stretched forward a hand and felt around in it. Something hard, cold, and round met his skin. He grabbed it and crawled out.

He lifted the bottle up to the torchlight and a box appeared.

’Health Potion. Restores 50 HP when consumed. Stacks up to 9 times. [Use] [Store] [Discard]’

Leon did as he’d done the day before. ”Store.”

A box appeared. ’You lack empty storage space. [Offer to party member] [Hold] [Discard]’

Leon smiled at the new option, but chose to hold it for now.

”Wow,” gasped Ava. ”A health potion. Aren’t they expensive?”

”I don’t know,” Leon said. He frowned. ”We haven’t really decided how to deal with stuff like this.”

”I’d say finders keepers.” Hert shrugged. ”As long as I get the stone if we find it, I’m happy.”

Ava nodded.

Leon looked at the bottle. ”Mind holding it for a little bit?”

”Sure, I’ll do that,” Ava said. ”Then I’m of use, anyway.”

”Thanks.” Leon handed it to her and walked over to the next tent. He lifted the flap with the tip of his sword and peered inside. ”There it is!”

He crawled in and grabbed the backpack. The dagger laid half outside the lid, but the backpack itself looked undamaged. Leon pulled the pack over his shoulders.

”Inventory.” He looked it through and breathed a sigh of relief. ”Only the wolf’s fangs I had are gone.”

”Great. Now, get out of there so we can continue to search for the stone,” Hert said.

Leon almost pulled out the baby rabbit, but decided it would have to wait until they reached a safer area, where it could feel cared for. He put the wooden sword into the inventory and drew out the dagger instead. It felt good to have a sharp weapon. He backed out of the tent and sat down on his knees, examining the blade. It didn’t seem damaged.

”Shriii!”

Leon looked up just as a mold-green leathery figure with pointed ears and knife-like teeth bolted toward him from the crevasse. He scrambled back, but not in time to avoid the hit. The thing tudded into his chest and pulled at the strings of his backpack with claw-like hands. With each tug came a nauseating waft of rotten flowers and mildew.

Leon slashed toward the creature’s round head, but the blade hit lower and didn’t go completely through. The creature’s red eyes widened and it hissed into Leon’s face and leapt back. Bleak orange text shone over its head. From this distance, it looked like the creature had been made from twined branches and turned into a grotesque blend between a small child and a tree. It scuttled over the floor and climbed the wall broad-legged with sharp claws, into the crevasse again. A wound shone on the creature’s back as if filled with embers and a smell of burnt flesh mixed with the already horrid air. In its hiding place, it turned to look at them, with only the red eyes betraying its presence.

Ava rushed to him and landed on her knees, feeling over Leon’s chest. ”The claws didn’t go through, right? You’re not bleeding?”

Leon shook his head.

”Imps. Should have known,” Hert said, not letting his eyes wander from the creature’s hiding place. ”Nasty little things. Usually not aggressive, but mischevious and can be dangerous. Their weakness is iron.”

”That explains it,” Leon said. ”Why the wound glowed like it did, and why it didn’t take more from my backpack. It couldn’t.”

”Yup. Did you find anything else in there?”

”No, not that I could see. So, do you want to keep going, or do you think it will be too dangerous?”

”You kidding?” Hert scoffed. ”As long as we have that dagger of yours we should be safe. But you should kill the little sucker before we move. Remember, they’re quick, and if they want something, they’ll go for it until they are forced to stop.”

Leon didn’t know if they would be safe, but he’d only been here three days. A second when compared to Hert’s two years and the information he seemed to have gathered. ”So, how would you do it?”

Hert shrugged. ”Stick the dagger in there and wave around a little. Bound to do something, right?”

Somehow, that suggestion sounded like it would end with a bloody hand or arm. The thing had claws. But in what other way could he reach it?

”You could try to stick the torch in there,” Leon said. ”I mean, the wound looked like it was burning when I hit it, and your torch has a longer reach. Not to mention that it resembles a bunch of branches. Should work, right?”

”And if it doesn’t? I mean, you have a sure way of defeating it. And if you don’t do it immediately, there’s a healing potion.”

”Here,” Ava said and pushed it into his backpack.

Leon rolled his shoulders. Okay, seemed it was up to him. He held the blade in front of him and approached with careful steps. The creature’s gleaming eyes disappeared into the shadows. He pointed the tip toward the opening and listened to the soft hiss. The crevasse couldn’t be that deep. Hopefully, he could deal a swift death.

He came closer and stood on his toes to look inside. The moss-green imp flew over the blade into Leon’s face. The claws tore into his shoulders, and he cried out in disgust and pain. The imp launched itself into the room and landed by Hert’s feet. Instead of attacking, Hert jumped back with a squeal and waved the torch in front of his shield. Leon groaned, got up to his feet and threw himself toward the level 4 imp. The imp cast itself to the side. Ava’s stick hit it in the head, dealing 0 damage but knocking it back. Leon slammed the dagger into its chest and the imp shattered into pixels. It left a small pile behind.