NOVEL NEXT V1 Chapter 13: Church
- 1st Person POV (MC)
-Present Time-
*Baaaaaa!* -Gaia-
*ZzzzZzzzzz*
Gaia after eating almost all the Vitality Herbs folded himself into a loaf and then fell asleep as I replanted those herbs.
While watching Gaia peacefully sleep, I internally chuckle seeing how cute he is. Curled to himself with a steady ups and downs rhythm of his breathing even his tail is wagging ever so gently.
...
...
Okay, enough of the sidetrack. I need to finish the adventure’s guild requests. It’s almost the end of the day IRL!!
In a hurry, I teleported to Frontera and what greeted me wasn’t something that I expected.
(“Hmm?? What’s going on?”)
There’s a commotion at the moment where many players grouping near an NPC at a building.
In the distance, the building has stained glass with elaborate carvings decorating its windows. On its top, there’s a cross ornament being displayed for all to see.
In my head, the first thing that comes to mind is ‘Church’. The building is familiar but this is my first time seeing it being filled by players.
Last time, I went by. This place was filled with NPCs wearing white robes & civilian NPCs.
(“Why now of all times?”)
In a moment of curiosity, I huddled closer until I finally nearby an NPC the centre of this commotion. He is wearing the standard priest robe but with white colour & golden highlights. From here, the priest notices & faces me.
“Welcome to our humble abode. Would you like a blessing from our Lord?” -Priest NPC-
After he said it, a prompt panel popped in front of me.
-System-
Would you like a blessing?
{Cost}: 1000 Zeni
Yes / No
-System-
Shrugging my shoulder, I tap the ‘Yes’ while simultaneously replying to the priest in front.
“Yes, I would like one.”
With a firm nod from him, he then clasped his hands together in a form of prayer.
For a split second, I can see light coming from his hands and it shoots straight towards me engulfing me in gentle light.
Once it was done, the priest gave his usual kind smile before asking other players nearby.
Backing away from the church, I was nearly smushed by the sheer amount of players around this NPC.
“Huff... Huff... Let’s see if it is all worth the effort.”
I checked on my status panel regarding what buff has been applied to me.
-System-
[Blessed]
Description: Moderately increase STR, CON, AGI, DEX, INT and WIS.
Duration: 07:52:56
-System-
That is quite a long duration, isn’t it? And based on my {Status} panel, it increases them by a percentage amount.
So because of that, my other statuses besides INT and WIS don’t rise by a lot.
Overall though, this is a good buff! No wonder why a lot of players began to huddle over here to get it.
AHHHH!!! I almost forgot!
I opened my inventory and saw a single icon that looked like a gift box wrapped in green paper.
-System-
[Goblinoid Boss Gift Box (Unique)]
Description: A box containing myriads of items for players who had slayed a Goblinoid boss monster.
-System-
I haven’t opened it so I wonder what’s inside.
By tapping the image icon of the gift box in my inventory. A prompt appeared asking for confirmation. As I press ‘Yes’.
As soon as I did it, the gift box vanished & immediately replaced by another icon.
Judging by the looks, it is a book that made me think of ‘Skill Book’ and at that moment, I tap on it for further information.
-System-
[Chant of Rejuvenation Spell Book (Rare)]
Description: A book containing knowledge of shamanic magic used by Goblin Shaman.
-System-
(“Huh....”)
I got a spell book, but oddly this item didn’t say the {Spell} Tier or its effect. Before I use it, let me try something...
“System.”
The familiar panel display appeared in front of me as I waved my hand mid-air scrolling to the section ‘Safe Points’ where I pressed the location of ‘The Temple’.
Faster than the blink of an eye, I am now in my home as Gaia’s gallops can be heard in the distance. He has woken up and begun munching on those High-Quality Vitality Herbs.
To satisfy my curiosity, I began to cast the {Spell} while resting the bottom of my staff on the soil below.
“[Chant of Rejuvenation]!!”
*HISSSSSSSSS* *BZT*
“Ah... It failed. Of course, it is a higher Tier {Spell} than what I can cast.”
“Ugh..”
Soon than I expected, an onset of fatigue suddenly engulfed my body as I decided to sit on the ground to rest.
*BAAA!!!???*
Gaia gallops to my side and leans his head to my shoulders. At first, I didn’t understand why he was like this.
(“He’s worried?”)
I gently stroke his neck as I can feel the satisfied rumble from him. Indeed, he’s worried for me.
“Thank you.”
Opening the system, I decided to use the spell book. By tapping twice, the book appeared right on the top of my hand.
It is quite hefty and... moving the book closer to my face, I sniff the scent. It has the fresh new book smell that I love.
Not wanting to delay any longer, I opened the book as it glowed in white light and fragmenting apart then absorbed into my body.
“Yup, same like others...”
I have seen other Mage players buy spell books and use them. So, this is normal.
Once the process is done, I look around my hands and body. I didn’t feel any different...
*PINGGGG*
(“Okay...”)
A red exclamation mark appeared on my system as I tapped on it revealing a new panel.
-System-
UPGRADE!! {Trait}: Light I => Light III
-System-
“OH!!??”
My eyes widened in surprise upon seeing what the system had told me. I see... that’s how I can cast higher Tier {Spell}. By learning a {Spell} coming from Spell Books.
Let’s see what that entails, I assume it would just allow me to cast Tier 3 Light based {Spell}.
Tapping on the skill’s name displays what it does. Indeed... It does say what I thought it would be.
Hmmm... I would like to increase other elements as well. As I glanced at the corner of the inventory, I checked my financial situation.
At the moment, I have around 238000 Zeni. I believe this is enough for a couple of Spell Books in The Academy.
My lips curved upward as my hands continued to scratch Gaia’s head. He rumbles with satisfaction while my mind thinks elsewhere.
(“I will go and take a look. I hope they have a summoning type of {Spell}.”)
With that in mind, I stopped my constant scratching much to Gaia’s dismay. As I teleported back to Frontera.
--
Hmmm... Browsing on each of the books displayed here, I have decided to buy 3 of the {Spell} I was looking for.
First is the {Spell} [Summon Golem]. In its description, that spell allows me to choose a pre-determined structure as a servant. They have their own {Status} corresponding with my level and {Status}. For me, this would serve as a good front liner when I’m doing things solo.
Second is the {Spell} [Mending]. Based on the description, this spell will complement summoned golems as I can ‘Heal’ them plus I can restore the durability of my gear if it gets damaged.
Third is the {Spell} [Freezing Field]. An offensive spell used to inflict the [Frozen] de-buff in an area of effect (AoE) of my choosing. This would tremendously help my crowd control capabilities in battle.
All of these cost around 150k Zeni as a result I’m now somewhat broke.
“Haaa...”
Sighing and sitting on one of the provided benches. I stare at my inventory.
Nevertheless, these will all be worth the effort. As I used them all.
-System-
UPGRADE!! {Trait}: Earth I => Earth II
UPGRADE!! {Trait}: Water I => Water II
-System-
Ah... By the process of elimination, [Mending] is a light-based {Spell} so it means that I do not need to ‘Consume’ lower tier Spell Books. Though... how do you know they are light-based spells in the first place?
“Interesting...”
I smirked as I exited ‘The Academy’ and went straight to the Deep Woods. While walking, I checked my friend list.
Huh... he’s still off-line. Oh well, it is high time for me to try these new spells in my arsenal.
--
Arriving at an empty spot in the depths of Deep Woods. I looked to my left and right, sensing that there was no sound of players roaming around.
Heh...
I begin casting the {Spell} with a flair of my own.
“[Summon Golem]!!”
Twirling my staff around like a fan as the visual effects of the spell have begun including the cast bar.
It filled up rather slowly while the dust picked up by the wind and the force generated from it coalesced and solidified right in front of me into a congealed sphere made out of mud.
It spins around collecting more and more until the cast bar finally fills up then a panel appears in front of me. Listing a set of golem modes I can pick to summon and their type.
(“Yup, the {Spell} has long cast time. Not fit if you’re in the middle of combat.”)
“Let me read the panel for a bit...”
Ah... I see...
At the moment, due to my Level, I can only summon a ‘Mud’ type of golem. The basic of the basic hmmmm...
...
...
...
Oh? My eyes looked down to the end of the list as I noticed there was an option to ‘Build’ your own Golem.
(“What does this mean?”)
Tapping on it, another panel appeared, and I recognised it as my inventory. Unfortunately, I already store most of my things in my Safe.
So the other things can’t be used to ‘Build’ such as the potions, indicated by the ‘X’ icon on top of the items.
(“Oh well, let’s discover them later at Home”)
Shrugging I checked the list of Golem modes that I can use, and so far there are 4 modes.
First is the Attacker Golem. This golem mode is used when the summoner needs a bit more attacking power, it deals physical damage. At the moment, I don’t think I need offensive strength as I can use my damaging spells.
Second is the Defender Golem. The golem boasts high defensive capabilities magical and physical. But have almost no offensive capabilities. Commonly used to defend their summoner. Oh... This might be the golem mode I’m looking for but just in case let’s check the other modes.
Third is the Supporter Golem. Capable to use buffing and de-buffing {Spell} including some offensive {Spell}. Well, it would be redundant for me to have this golem as I can use those {Spell} on my own.
Fourth is the Utility Golem. Which has none of the attacking, or defensive power of Attacker & Defender Golem. But having {Spell} used for quality of life?
(“What does that mean?”)
My mind wanders for a bit, intrigued by the prospect of using the Utility Golem but knowing where I am at the moment.
Haa... I decided to use this one, as it is safer. Once I tapped on the name, it needed a voice command.
“Summon! Defender Mud Golem!!!”
The congealed sphere of mud began to protrude from each of its ends. Before dividing into what looked like a humanoid kind of body.
This golem looked like a bulky and stocky human but without any facial characteristics and the muddy brown body it has would give away that this is a golem.
The mud soon hardened and it began to move close to me. Like my own personal bodyguard.
“Hehe...”
Let’s go!
-Depths of Deep Woods-
*WHOOOSH*
There’s a metallic glint at the corner of my eye as my vision is promptly blocked by the brown colour of mud.
*CRACK* *BAM*
I see fragments of soil and mud fall to the ground as I turn around seeing the golem use its body to protect me.
Quickly I changed my view to the offending Goblin Archer. Aiming my staff in that direction...
“[Lightning Bolt]!!!”
The tip of my staff crackles with electricity before it jolts straight forward in that direction.
“KIEEE!!!-“ -Goblin Archer-
So far so good! This defender golem reaction is quicker than I am. Putting my hand on top of its injured hand, I began to cast.
“[Mending]!!”
The palms of my hands glow in white light and those broken fragments begin to revert themselves into the golem, the cast time is akin to the [Heal] spell.
It starts restoring the cracks made by that archer as I can see its HP returned to full.
“Fancy effects...”
Unintentionally I chuckled as we moved forth. When I took a step the golem did the same matching my pace and always beside me.