Knowing the questions by heart from reading forums, he answered in quick succession-"yes, yes, my name is Creon, male, human, as I am, random city, skip tutorial." Soon after, he was enveloped in bright white light which made him close his eyes. when they opened again he was standing in front of a huge fountain, surrounded by people whom he assumed were fellow newbies. He immediately walked off quickly, hoping to gain an advantage over the others somehow. The other players soon did the same. After all, those who could obtain skills and weapons first, could begin training and become stronger first. Nobody wanted to be just an average player, at least no one who actually wanted to conquer the game. Some went off in search of the library, others went to the churches, but most went to the intelligence guild. Everyone had heard the rumors of the nasty bread in the game and quickly sought to earn money to avoid eating it.

Jameson, or rather Creon, went in search of the training hall. He knew he would need strength for fighting, even more than a swordsman. They had swords, which would enhance their damage wore than gauntlets could, so he knew he would need to drastically improve his strength if he wanted to actually matter in-game. Upon reaching the training hall, he realized he didn't know any of his stats. In this game, if you choose the option 'as I am' for the appearance, some of the traits from your real body are transferred over in the form of stats. He quickly whispered, "Status Window"

NameCreonClassN/AHealth120Mana150Level1Health Regen/Sec1Mana Regen/Sec1Strength20Agility7Wisdom10Intelligence15Stamina200Vitality12Dexterity5

"Muahahahahaha", he chuckled with an evil grin upon his face. With this he was already ahead of the others, who chose to make changes like making themselves taller or more handsome. Looks aren't everything you fools!, he thought to himself. He was only above average in the looks department, he wasn't quite on the level of being handsome. He didn't mind it though, and now everyone who minded their own looks were paying the price! Thinking these things, he strolled gleefully into the training hall. He noticed that there were a quite few npc soldiers and EA's already there. Cursing, he began beating on the free scarecrow he had located in the back of the room. He began by throwing several punch combinations at it, then he switched to kicks. He begal alternating between high, mid, and low kick, then switched to open-handed strikes. Around this time stat messages began to show up.

+1 str

+1 str

+1 str

+1 str

+1 str

New Stat:Endurance

Endurance +12

New Skill: Palm Strike. does triple the damage for the amount of mana you apply to the attack. 30% chance to stun for 3 seconds

After around 7 hours he gained around 10 STR, a new stat, END with about 15 stat points, and a new skill. All in all, he felt he had done a good job. as he sat down to eat the disgusting bread and drink his water, Creon noticed that the people in the hall were all shooting him looks of disdain. Used to such situations, he simply continued to eat while being aware of his surroundings. After 7 hours, there were around 50 people in the hall, and 15 of them were glaring at him, mostly npcs, and surprisingly the training instructor. After eating and fully recovering, Creon stood up slowly stood upand asked in a calm but strong voice, "Is there a problem?" while looking into the eyes of each one staring at him. A few looked away.

New Stat:Fighting Spirit +15

One of the few players stepped forward. "This is a place for swordsmen. Leave now. Can you not see the honourable instructor is displeased" Ahh so that's it, huh? Creon looked at the player who demanded that he leave. Hmmm definitely an EA, higher level than me, but judging from his gear... still low leveled? Must not be a serious gamer. Probably weak. While analyzing this new threat, he had began to resume his training, infuriating the men confronting him. " Usually people introduce themselves before they make requests", said Creon, buying time while planning for an inevitable fight. " I am Musashi of the Suigami-ryu style!" Shouted the Angry EA. ohhh that explains his level. he must be too busy in the dojo or whatever to play often. that or this guy is really serious about his roleplay, probably not even Japanese ahahahahah Creon had accidentally let a chuckle slip during Musashi's introduction, infuriating him further. "I challenge you to a duel!" he roared.Wow, somebody must've enjoyed their Yugioh as a kid haha. He probably has never been in a fight outside a friendly sparring match. But whatever let me knock him back on his pompous ass really quick so I can hurry up and continue my training. He'll make a good example and the others will back off too. Sighing deeply, Creon turned to face Musashi and said "I accept".

Musashi promptly drew his blade and took a stance. Creon took a sloppy one, to trick his adversary into thinking he was inexperienced and weak. Musashi, not seeing through the feint, snickered and lunged in for an attack. once he closed a considerable distance, was surprised that instead of backing up suddenly launched himself forward, striking him hard in the face before his sword was ready. Creon tried to follow up with several combinations, but after a few hits, Musashi was able to successfully back up out of his range. Musashi had regained his stance and began using foot work augmented by the skill: [shadow steps] to approach Creon from the side rather than the front. Due to his superior agility he was able to move around Creon's guard, and with the superior reach of his sword, he began striking him and moving back fluidly. This was the true skill of the Suigami-ryu swordsmanhip. At this rate i really will die!, thought Creon. He was at 18% health, and it wasn't looking good from his position. He remembered a trick from middle school he used when fighting a bigger, stronger highschooler. Well I'm the bigger one now, but lets hope it works. He began retreating from Musashi, who took it as a sign that his victory was nigh, and rushed in to perform the finishing blow, looking Creon directly in his eyes. But what he found there wasn't fear. Before he could wonder what exactly was going on, he had some how ended up falling face first towards the floor. Creon had kicked his leading leg, causing him trip. He never met the floor however as Creon's hands immediately closed around the back of his head, and a knee rose to meet his face, again and again, stunning him and causing him immense pain, each more intense than the last. Creon pushed Musashi back on to the floor, and quickly planted a knee on each wrist then began beating him mercilessly, spamming his [palm strike] skill until he ran out of mana. He continued punching until Musashi's health reached zero and he vanished into grey smoke, leaving a gold behind.

This being a duel, Creon didn't gain a PK mark, and Musashi didn't lose a level (though he still couldn't log back in for a day). More importantly, everyone was wary of him now, even those who had not been involved. everyone in the training hall had came to watch the fight, and many had called their new friends over to watch the fight. But everyone was surprised at the newbie's victory, and even more so at his brutality towards the end. In the same calm voice as before he asked "Anyone Else?" Everyone quickly dispersed, other than the training instructor. " Never come here again" he said with an expressionless face. "Why, this is training hall. not WEAPONS training hall, I want to get stronger like everyone else" replied Creon. " That boy you killed was one of the best pupils I ever had, he trained steadily, and was honourable! But you killed him as if he were a common knave without even giving your name OR DRAWING A SWORD!" "He started it you know, and actually he's just fine, you see when our people die-" " THAT'S NOT THE POINT! GET OUT AND NEXT TIME YOU COME I'LL KILL YOU MYSELF!!!!" Knowing he couldn't win against a level 200 training instructor, Creon left promptly. Must be some Boys Love going on in there, he thought, considering the relationship of the two. Then a more pressing thought entered his mind. How did I almost lose to a brat who doesn't even stray out of the dojo? Was I wrong about them being weak? hmmm he may see me out for vengeance, and he wont take me lightly next time, I dont know if I could win. I need to think. He soon reached an Oak tree in the middle of the city and began meditating under it. Little did he know he had been followed...