“Thank you very much for giving Spokeless health potions,” I told Melonomi, a level fifty-four Healer who quit Mother Core Online a few months ago to focus on her last semester in college. She returned to the game because she couldn’t resist the new content, and she’d graduate this Spring semester.

Or so she claimed.

I thanked her on behalf of Spokeless to subliminally inject into their consciousness that I, the Great Herald Stone, was instrumental in their interaction, though I really wasn’t. Even if I weren’t here, Melonomi would’ve still given Spokeless free potions. But this way, Herald Stone, the Helper of Newbies, would be etched in their history.

“Thanks!” Spokeless chimed in.

“Don’t mention it.” Melonimi cheerily waved. “My inventory and stash are brimming with bottles from leveling my potion-brewing Ocadules. Didn’t have enough time to sell them because of school.” She sheepishly grinned. “Oh yeah, and no one wants to buy my weak potions anyway.”

“I can definitely relate,” I said.

“But how can I reach higher Ranks of my Ocadule to brew stronger potions—"

“—if we don’t make the weak ones?” I finished. We both laughed self-deprecatingly. “Just have to bite the bullet and consider them sunk cost.”

“That’s why I’m giving my weak potions away,” Melonimi said.

It was good to make friends with Melonimi. She might have some tips about health potions; I’d try asking her later. That was if I could get a brewing Ocadule for it first—a tall order given Healer Gula’s current predicament.

“See around, and thanks again, Melonomi. I’ll escort Spokeless to Kurghal Village.

Melonomi was last in the line of stalls near the new player spawn point. I galloped away, beckoning Spokeless Rado to follow me.

“This is amazing!” Spokeless excitedly yelled as we picked up speed. “This is my first time with four legs; running with them is so much fun!”

“If you think this is fast, then how about this!” I cast [Horde Stampede].

Lvl. 1 Horde Stampede: Lead a valiant charge, inspiring others to follow you to battle, increasing the movement speed of self and all nearby party members by (25%). The charge is unrelenting; affected units may not be slowed below 80% of the base speed. Passively grants self (5%) movement speed for every other Mardukryon in the party (maximum three stacks).

Cost: 35 Energy

Duration: 10 Seconds

Cooldown: 50 Seconds

We zoomed toward the Golden Forest. The sound of our hooves crunching snow multiplied as if half a dozen Mardukryons joined us. A mini-blizzard was in our wake. If we were running on hard earth, hooves beating the ground and clouds of dust would accompany the speed buff.

This was the third time today that I used this skill to bond with a newcomer. Bond? More like showing off.

“Way more amazing!” Spokeless laughed while waving his hands, savoring the movement speed buff for several seconds. “What’s this skill called? I really like its visual and sound effects.”

“Horde Stampede,” I said. “There are other skills with a higher speed boost, but I chose this one because it affects the whole party.” That’s me, a team player. Seriously though, the value of a tank increases if they have party buffs.

A column of smoke rose out of the leafy crown of the Golden Forest, indicating Mehubanarath’s little base where he eternally roasted meat so players could find him. I pointed it out to Spokeless to show that I knew much about Mardukryons.

After all, I was supposedly an honorary Expeditionary Legion member. Supposedly.

To be more accurate, SpartanDoneky and Bonk acted friendly with me to convince me to Contract away the secrets I knew.

“This Mehubanarath guy gives the difficult quest you mentioned?” asked Spokeless after I finished my explanation. “The one where I’m supposed to play solo, self-found?”

“Not exactly solo. In fact, it’s recommended to be done by a group of new players. What’s barred is getting help from the village, with ‘help’ encompassing a wide variety of things. It’s fine if everyone in the party is new.”

I didn’t elaborate that the Big M was avoiding the Ancestral Flames within him—divine energy passed down from our ancestors—getting tainted by the energy from the golden crystals of this mountain—the primary power source of Kurghal Village—hence, the quest restriction. Younglings have pure Ancestral Flames within them before coming of age, which was why the Big M was fine if a youngling went straight to him after the dream ritual by the cliffs.

Thankfully, Spokeless didn’t ask more questions about the Big M.

If he continued, I would’ve been forced to feign ignorance—very bad for my image—or teach him my path, revealing that I completed the quest alone. I’d rather not divulge secrets, especially those leading to hidden achievements, and could net a pretty penny from the Expeditionary Legion.

Two Ranks to go before I revisit the Mehubanarath, I thought as we neared the forest and the lofty trees obscured the smoke. It took quite some arguing to convince the Big M not to cut our ties if I returned to Kurghal Village.

[ Quest: Proving Your Worth! Again! And Again!]

Convince Mehubanarath, the keeper of the arts of Ancestral Flame manipulation, that he made the right choice in picking you as his student and that you can keep your Ancestral Flame burning strong and pure despite living in Kurghal Village. Return to him after sufficient time has passed to show him your growth and that you remain worthy.

Unlock five (5) skills in your Ancestral Flame Form Ocadule.

The Aritu Open-Compatibility Accessory Data Module—known as ‘Ocadule’ to the inhabitants of Hierakon, unaware of the scientifically-advanced higher beings controlling the world—that I got from Mehubanarath would soon reach Rank Four. The next Rank after would be a ways away, especially with my Mardukryon Cidule and two Ocadules—with eight unlocked skills between them—dividing the Gli I’d get from killing monsters and completing quests.

I held out my hand as I slowed down. We stopped right outside the line of trees.

“This is the Golden Forest,” I said.

“These trees… the boils on their trunks look repulsive,” Spokeless said. “What’s up with that liquid they’re pumping? It makes this whole place glow gold. Right, it’s in the name, Golden Forest.”

I looked up, following the flow of the golden liquid through the veins of the trees, up their branches, and into the leaves. Actually, the trees of the Golden Forest had sparse leaves, but they had many branches. Branches branching into more branches, making the canopy look like abstract weaving. These trees probably didn’t do much photosynthesizing with the golden crystals providing them nutrients.

“You’ll see the source of the liquid further ahead,” I said. “But first things first. I told you a while ago that this is a dangerous place. You’d think this is a beginner area because it’s the first place you can explore. But in truth, it isn’t safe and comfy for new players because of the Mirdabons living here. They look like white furballs the size of a basketball.”

“I think I’ve seen those Mirdabons you’re talking about. They’re cute and fluffy but turn into angry red monsters with sharp fangs when you hit them, don’t they?”

I nodded. “You’ve seen a video of them? Or did you read a guide?”

“I saw highlight reels of Eugenius playing as a Mardukryon where he got ganged up by Mirdabons. He died so many times. It was hilarious. He also posted a challenge on Missive to other MCO tourist streamers to try it.”

If more tourist streamers or those that cover MCO news like guild wars—those players also change characters frequently like the members of the Expeditionary Legion—come to Mardukryon mountain, then they better catch the bestest side of Herald Stone. It was one of the reasons why I took my time to help new players instead of leveling. I might get lucky and help a famous streamer. They’d know of my greatness and catch my Relic Quality Blighted Vinereaver’s Revenge set on camera—this set variant was probably impossible to obtain now, given how things turned out.

“Maybe I can give it a shot as well?” Spokeless scratched his horns in thought. “The challenge was to run through the forest as a level one and—”

“Better save at the village first before doing that,” I said, or you’ll be galloping all the way back here each time you die.”

“Good idea. Then I’ll post my challenge video on Missive too, and hopefully, Eugenius will notice me.”

“The Mirdabons hide in the snow. Follow the spots I tread.”

I sent Spokeless a party invite.

[ Spokeless Roda joined Herald Stone’s Party ]

“I’m going to leech you along the way,” I said. “A few levels to start your journey before you even step foot in Kurghal Village.” I had helped six other new players this way. This was community service for the greater good, the greater good being Herald Stone. “This is free, by the way,” I added, pointing to a spot above my horns. “I’m not a member of the Expeditionary Legion.”

“Thanks for the help,” Spokeless Roda said.

We barely walked a few feet when the patch of snow to our right burst into blue and violet sparkles. The blues were Essence, experience points for player levels, and the violets were Gli for Cidules and Ocadules.

The sparkles divided into two clumps as they flew toward Spokeless and me, but the cluster coming my way mostly dissipated. I absorbed only a speck of blue light. Since I was already level twenty-three, the level gap penalty was kicking in hard.

In MCO, a high-level player would still need loot from a low-level monster, whether directly or indirectly. The level gap penalty mechanic was for the protection and benefit of new players—they could participate in the game economy even if at a beginner stage, and they’d be free from competition from the stronger players pushing them out of farming spots.

I confidently strode onward, not bothering to wear my shields. My path was lit by blue and violet sparkles like I was a magical princess. Wait, what?

My [Blight Cloud] dealt a whopping thirty-seven percent of all my retribution damage to enemies inside a small area around me. And that was a damage tick per glorious second. Mirdabons died while still buried in the snow, unable to show themselves and transform into their enraged state.

“I’ve already leveled up,” Spokeless said as he closely trailed me. “Woah, and again. Really appreciate the leech.”

“It’s difficult to traverse the Golden Forest alone as a new player,” I explained, ignoring his reaction to the ongoing Mirdabon massacre. “I’ve died a few times myself back then. Our wide range of vision isn’t much help if the Mirdabons wait to ambush us, camouflaged in the snow.”

I spotted a golden radiance brighter than the trees. I veered to it, squeezing my heavily-armored ass through two thick trunks, caring not to trip over gnarled roots crawling above the ground.

“There’s the source of the golden liquid.” I gestured at a collection of golden crystals jutting out of the earth. A bouquet of smaller crystals surrounded a large one the size of my leg. Further ahead, past the trees, we could see the glow of other crystals. “They give nutrients to the plants, allowing a thriving ecosystem to survive on this harshly cold mountain.”

“It looks like the crystal on the fountain of—”

“—of Amberkeld Town,” I hurriedly supplied, propping up the illusion of being a veteran player of several races. “This mountain is full of these crystals. The Mardukryons use them like batteries and also for magic. For beginners, their main use is this.” I took out the sling that Big M had gifted me.

Mehubanarath’s Old Sling | Item Level: 1

Rare | Ranged | One-Handed

8-18 Attack Power (Neutral)

1.2 Attacks per Second

--------------------

+4-6 Physical Fire Damage

15% Chance to Burn Targets for 5 seconds

Then I hurled a stone at the golden crystals. A peculiar ringing filled the air once, so smooth that it sounded like a tuning fork. A bunch of Mirdabons outside the Area-of-Effect of my [Blight Cloud] popped out of the snow and fled.

Spokeless laughed as he chased after the Mirdabons. “They look funny as hell rolling away!”

“Don’t move far from—"

“Squeak?”

Spokeless stopped. He raised his right foreleg. The snow he had stepped on shifted, revealing two beady black eyes.