Chapter 2 - 『Newbland』 v6

Tutorial Zone 7:57 RTC: 7:57 Ratio: 1:1 Playtime: 00:00

I woke up staring at a field full of other players, names, levels and HP bars cluttered my Field of Vision. An idyllic grassy plain, bright sunshine, azure sky and an aroma of fresh spring breeze in the air, some kilometer away or so was a forest.

'Ugh, great, spawned in Newbfields.'

I felt my heart beating calm and steady, my newly shaped packed muscles relaxed and eager to be used. My taut shoulders, trim belly, arms and legs brimming with energy. A sense of unstoppable mass at my command.

Chattering people forming parties, bullies going about their favorite pastime, same old.

'Quite a few familiar faces around, albeit their ears… No, I definitely don't know them, no need to drag them around.'

They'd grind for beginner loot, for days at worst. Not my definition of fun.

Learning Magic required funds, a lot less in here than outside the Tutorial Zones, called Newblands. There were plenty of them, differing layout, didn't know this one, but I knew the stage I was at meant trouble. Getting evicted at Level 11, I'd need to farm most efficiently to avoid hitting Lv11. Bypassing Wolves, which gave a ton of experience, the XP was balanced by meager rewards. I'd aim for an Assassin's build, favoring dexterity, agility and luck until I became a Mage. Accurate hits, positioning and becoming faster overall helped both.

I was on the clock, needed to check my stats ASAP and then get the hell out of here.

『 Lv1』

Exp: 0% | / 200

|(resting) | (busy) | (battle)

HP: 5,190 | +1,350 /m | +1,140 /m | +111 /m

Stamina: 1,660 | +1,100 /m

Strength: 19 | Vitality: 16 | Endurance: 20

Agility: 18 | Dexterity: 16

Intelligence: 17 | Wisdom: 14

Luck: 13 | (Growth: 5)

Attack: 340

Defense: 219 | Magic: 357

Hit: 30.5 | Evasion: 26.6

Critical %: 13.8 | Critical ×: 3.2

Skills:

Herbalism Lv0 86%| Recognize Herbs, bonus to effect, Harvesting included.

Mineralogy Lv0 10%|

Survival Lv1 12%|

Lore Lv6 80% | Locked. May unlock on meeting unspecified criteria. Unlocks Identification, improves several related skills.

Dashing Lv5 4% | Reduces stamina drain -10%/s Lv. Can sprint Lv×200m with skill benefits. Increases speed and coordination while active.

Marathon Lv4 67% | 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 Lv4 2%

Sword Lv2 30%

Knife Lv1 89%

Bow Lv1 60%

Holy crap, my stats at Lv1 matched an average Lv7 or even Lv8!

'That is way beyond my best shape ever, I will rush through this easily!'

Recovery rates meant I'd easily heal within minutes back to full health, even while rushing to the next encounter, with a decent recovery in battle. With 10 average, 20 superhuman, everyone here would transcend human limits before leaving. The System hadn't parsed everything I knew, but enough. I'd still be unable to discern healing herbs from potent laxatives (to sell).

'And there it is already, the accursed 『Cloud of Predation』, crap.'

The bunny shaped fluffy cloud when noticed only elicited squeals of adoration and joy… Turning grey, no time left.

"RUN for your lives!!" I sprinted at breakneck speeds near a forest in the distance.

None of us had weapons or a clue what to do, to my knowledge it was undefeated. What was to come would mop the floor with us, enforcing participation in a fully guided Tutorial on spawning again. Taking hours, all for information I already had.

Arriving at the forest border hundreds of meters away, I observed the disaster rearing its cute fluffy head. Those ignoring my warning exclaimed in joy, 4 meters tall, a humongous Bunny hopped, mashed victims to meat-paste and minced bones. Adoration turned to anger, some still didn't flee but fought, with hands and feet…

*Hop* and *SPLAT* it went, merciless.

It didn't notice, or maybe it did, but pastry made of former Kung Fu artists was quickly spreading. I shivered.

Many of my peers and acquaintances would quit 『F.I.O』 and opt for less immersive experiences. It was really beyond me how the game creators had managed to keep this tidbit under wraps for almost 6 weeks! Becoming a pain-free pastry ingredients might help. I didn't regret digesting infodumps the past few weeks.

As survivors of the cutest mass murdering Bunny approached I raced onwards.

Common forest trees, shrubs and earth, few unfamiliar shapes, dusky pleasant aroma. Neither dark nor ominous, much like the friendly fields I came from, very inviting. A mundane forest.

Approached a shallow stream leading to a village. Be it game or reality, follow the water to civilization.

NPCs, markets, staples games offered waited. Collecting herbs, mushrooms, curious stones, anything to trade with. 『F.I.O』 players had an unlimited Inventory, thankfully. I'd leave lugging around unwieldy trinkets to hardcore FI fanatics.

At near 20 km/h while jumping and turning, engrossed in collecting said trade goods, acrobatics exceeding human limitations! Even a Wolf couldn't catch up with me, I avoided it and its brethren along with all other hostiles. Once armed, I'd still aim for Goblins, they were marvelously loot and credit effective, not to mention much easier to kill.

Boundless energy coursing through my veins, breathing easily and flexing in angles uncomfortable not long ago, zero VR sickness, fully harmonizing with my Avatar.

'Huh, looks like my Character Creation upgrades really are within safety parameters.'

Acclimatizing to the incredible feats possible in the game the Tutorial's purpose, 1:1 ratio and everything.

The stream disembogued to a river.

Following the river, I soon arrived at 『Swordfish's Den』, encased in palisades, guarded, ships and boats in the far back. A lively settlement, unafraid of the marauding Goblins and other perils outside. I'd be gone within an hour or two and never look back and ideally be out of the Newbland with its 1:1 Ratio before lunch.

Selling my loot I didn't get cheated, the herbs even netted me an introductory course to herbalism, neat! Then bought decent leather armor, knife, sword, spear and bow with 100 far too expensive arrows, enough to train and use.

Studying a map updated my UI helping me map routes towards Magic skill trainers. The names of the settlements and their location were all the hints I needed, preparation be thanked. But I needed to earn a lot more before that.

Equipping my gear, my stats significantly improved, I'd hunt Goblins.

『 Lv1』

Exp: 0% | 0 / 200

HP: 5,190 | +1,350 /m | +1,140 /m | +111 /m

Stamina: 1,660 | +1,100 /m

Strength: 19 | Vitality: 16 | Endurance: 20

Agility: 18 | Dexterity: 16

Intelligence: 17 | Wisdom: 14

Luck: 13 | (Growth: 5)

Attack: 420

Defense: 259 | Magic: 357

Hit: 35.5 | Evasion: 28.6

Critical %: 13.8 | Critical ×: 3.2

Skills:

Herbalism Lv1 77%| Recognize herbs, bonus to effect, harvesting included.

Mineralogy Lv0 12%|

Survival Lv1 23%|

Lore Lv6 80% | Locked. May unlock on meeting unspecified criteria. Unlocks Identification, improves several related Skills.

Dashing Lv5 28% | Reduces Stamina drain -10%/s Lv. Can sprint Lv×200m with skill benefits. Increases speed and coordination while active.

Marathon Lv4 87% | 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 Lv4 2%

Sword Lv2 30%

Knife Lv1 89%

Bow Lv1 60%

Remembering their stats was well worth it, they were THE staple disposable mob, know your enemy!

『Goblin Lv1』

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: 186

Defense: Physical: 91 | Magic: 123

Hit: 15.2 | Evasion: 10

Critical %: 0 | Critical ×: 1.46

Intelligent, grouped they'd pose a serious threat especially to unarmed players. They'd fight hard and require one player per Goblin to barely survive. But I was already far beyond that, untouchable by normal monsters in the vicinity, unless I let them. I had no intention to complicate preparations, challenge and real adventures waited outside.

I locked on to a band of 6 Goblins not far from 『Swordfish's Den』, sparse trees and shrubs covered my approach. Half my size, moving coherently with individual traits, the animations were top notch. Circling to their back I attacked their rearguard, overly excited for my first battle.

Chopping at the back of the closest Goblin neck.

5 left, lunging I slashed the next, a mere meter ahead, another head watering the greens. *ding* My will instantly dismissed further pop-ups before they even appeared, making the most of sweet Ambush Bonus while it lasted.

4, bisected the next Goblin turning my way in slow motion.

'Ew, innards everywhere!'

Yet another critical!

'Ambush Bonus has to run out soon.'

On to the next, an arm and part of its head dropped. The visceral attention to detail was blood-curdling.

2 left, still in slow motion, I dashed in between the 2, a steel enhanced roundhouse swing later it was over.

'Well, this could not have worked with normal stats. But much better than running away. Been a while since I could cut loose.'

Looking at my log, I had leveled up and was 50% to the next level.

Quickly looting I got 6 shabby short swords, sellable, extra coins, smelly armor pieces and unidentified potions. After cleaning and equipping two rings (strength and luck +2) and assigning my stats the result pleased me.

『 Lv2』

Exp: 46.67% | 400 / 857

HP: 5,710 | +1,870 /m | +1,170 /m | +123 /m

Stamina: 1,730 | +1,150 /m

Strength: 21 | Vitality: 16 | Endurance: 20

Agility: 20 | Dexterity: 19

Intelligence: 17 | Wisdom: 14

Luck: 15 | (Growth: 5)

Attack: 470

Defense: 267 | Magic: 365

Hit: 40.7 | Evasion: 32.5

Critical %: 17.4 | Critical ×: 3.49

The ring saved me from investing points into luck, you do wonder why you start within a deathtrap, could've started in the village, or anywhere. Dexterity and agility boosted hit, eva and critical parameters, stats 66% above average I'd kill higher level mobs consistently.

Goblins start out with insanely bad stats, my hit rating made it very easy to crit them relentlessly. Especially aiming at their vital spots, arteries, eyes and so on.

Even without armor I'd probably shrug off any but the most inopportune Lv1 Goblin hits. But I'd not test that, it was just counter-intuitive and bad form trusting weeks old info to that degree.

'A few more and I can afford to leave.'

I quickly eliminated all the other 32 Lv1 Goblins around the village, netting me another +2 luck ring and common spoils. Even picked up Dual-wielding while improving my knife mastery.

The Goblins went in teams of 6, hunting took minutes, but looting was hard. Good thing I wasn't queasy, they were just so smelly and dirty, not to mention bloody and dead. Too much time was spent on animating their innards, smell and realism. Suffice to say I harvested herbs and everything else valuable along the way.

Hunting might have taken an average Joe a few respawns if he tried it solo. Not that tragic in the Newblands, except for the extra tutorial and penalties. An Avatar matching my recuperating body could not have rushed and dispatched Goblins whenever, would require premeditated Assassination tactics I had prepared going into Final Immersion Origin. Acting as carelessly as before I got broken, I was grateful to skip a few steps.

My Avatar easily allowed killing Goblin Archers well before they even nicked an arrow, without ambushing! They all moved in slow motion, were inept handling their weapons. It was like walking through paper.

'If FIC just hadn't made that paper so smelly and visceral I'd be really happy now.'

I returned to 『Swordfish's Den』 and sold my spoils, except unidentified potions. Bought a few supplies, then came a good round of combat training. Players could hit themselves to death, axe or sword swung to split their own skull or other valuable parts. My training in the real world, reading your opponents, handling all sorts of weapons, yourself, prevented that to begin with. This was none of that, done in 30 minutes, a lot faster than in reality, thankfully.

+2 for every mastery taught, excellent trainers ensured System Assist safely handling weapons and boosted damage. Beyond a Lv10 mastery active abilities and more unlocked, but by then you'd be above Lv10. Evicted at Lv11 the Newblands were inaccessible to anyone afterwards. Too bad, they'd teach many useful abilities, then.

My stats at Lv4 about matched an average Lv10 player's performance. Huge pastry maker Bunnies aside, common mobs weren't a challenge, all below Lv11, supposedly. But that margin would evaporate rapidly once gear and classes and so forth came into play.

『 Lv4』

Exp: 19.97% | 734 / 3,676

HP: 6,710 | +2,870 /m | +1,230 /m | +143 /m

Stamina: 1,830 | +1,250 /m

Strength: 21 | Vitality: 16 | Endurance: 20

Agility: 24 | Dexterity: 25

Intelligence: 17 | Wisdom: 14

Luck: 17 | (Growth: 5)

Attack: 546

Defense: Physical: 275 | Magic: 373

Hit: 50.1 | Evasion: 39.7

Critical %: 24.4 | Critical ×: 3.71

Skills:

Herbalism Lv2 89%|

Mineralogy Lv0 12%|

Survival Lv1 63%|

Lore Lv6 80% |

Dashing Lv6 8% |

Marathon Lv4 87%|

Unarmed Lv6 2%

Sword Lv5 3%

Knife Lv4 9%

Axe Lv2 0%

Blunt Lv2 0%

Spear Lv2 0%

Quarterstaff Lv2 0%

Throwing Weapons Lv2 0%

Bow Lv3 4%

Dual-wielding Lv1 54% | DW penalty reduction -12% × Lv. Higher levels award accuracy and damage Boni.

My departure followed, there was no point grinding for better gear, it'd drop soon anyway.

At 9:50 I had been in 『F.I.O』 for 2 hours, I'd clear my Newbland before lunch. Then enable time compression, as all players in a Newbland were stuck at a 1:1 ratio. I wasn't addicted mind you, merely aiming for efficiency, *cough*.

Anyway, on leaving 『Swordfish Den』 I saw some familiar faces approach. It seems like Bunny McPastry had indeed been merciful, or just sloppy. There were a good dozen or so people closing in.

They did look terrible, each and every one of them. Dirty and bloodied, not to mention hungry, none beyond Lv2. They had wasted the past 2 hours fighting their way here barehanded, quite a few probably died, too. All of that in the span of a few kilometers, a distance you easily exceed just going shopping!

"Hey Jon, how's going?" I smiled.

He was not amused.

"Anything you need?" I knew Jon from school and past hobbies shared.

Good grades, athletic and a people person.

Jon: "Just fuck off man. Leaving us to find the way on our own was a dick move!"

"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."

'Did he buy that?'

Jon: "Uhuh, sure… anyway thanks for the warning, hadn't planned to be curb stomped today." Grumpy still, but his good nature was incontestable.

"You're welcome!" I said and sped on my way.

Followed by hostile stares I hurried onwards. I trusted Jon, but I didn't owe him or his baggage.

'My time is valuable.'

Still had to cover a few miles today if I wanted to reach a Magic skill trainer. Learning Magic in 『F.I.O』 was expensive to the point that some surveys put the Magic wielders at best below 5%. Though not at my destination. Almost all known Magic users got it there. They described the experience wielding it to be unlike anything attainable in real life.

So far this experience had been amazing. The fidelity of the surroundings matched if not surpassed reality. It was quite eerie to see lifelike Goblins, smelling so bad you could hear fleas fleeing the horrid odor. The NPCs were lifelike, although they did exhibit game like quirks. Like a near infinite patience. Well, some did.

I was looking forward to exploring 『F.I.O』 unhurriedly. The most difficult part had to be the distractions. Plenty of clueless Goblins, some Wolves and other run-of-the-mill critters. Individuals were distinct and insanely detailed to their innards, even moving fluidly and intelligently. Well they didn't get stuck or fell over their feet so far, which was unheard of in FI gaming to date.

According to my rough calculations I'd have 90k experience to play with before getting evicted from here. Better make the most of it. Rushing towards Magic and beyond!

Swordfish Den 9:57 RTC: 9:57 Ratio: 1:1 Playtime: 02:00