NOVEL NEXT Vol. 2 – Chapter 6 – Receiving Quests
Vol. 2 - Chapter 6 - Receiving Quests
With the Saturday arriving and Mathias starting to do his checks on his guild members, and the landscape of Satisfy, he saw the numbers in the forum grow exponentially, which gave him a shock and with the level of the rankings where the top guys who disclosed their levels for the ranking were level 7 to 9, approaching level 10 which made him question if the amount of EXP was changed from the Beta Phase.
It took some time for him to finish his menial things in the house, from washing the plates he ate and also start vacuum cleaning the carpet and all rooms.
"No need to hurry anywhere. Everything shall be played stable and logically. I made up my mind on what my path would be."
Once he was done with his cleaning and checking on his guild members' messages after logging out from the game, he wrote them a global message in their guild messenger app that they opened.
@Mathias: I took note of all of your positions. For now, we can only level individually, and once we reach Titan, we will go from there on and move around, looking for bosses to raid or quests.>
<So far, the level difference didn't show itself. Red, continue on being in the top 10 since you love so much being on that ranking ledger.>
&Red: Don't worry, man. We got ourselves covered. I'll be the advertisement board for the guild since I am about to hit level 10, and I will go to sleep. Who knows, when I wake up, the rankings will be changed, so I will leave it to you, boss, to take on the levels.
&Mathias: You know my playstyle is different from average players, and I don't try to follow the rankings that much. If it happens, it happens."
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Connecting himself back to the game, he saw himself in the Arundell Courtyard, and it was 21:20 on the 'Satisfy' timer, a notable aspect because it was night. Looking back at the house slightly illuminated by the candles, he sighed and chose not to enter inside, instead moving for the Elder's mansion.
On his way, he could see players moving in the slightly bigger than the rest houses at the center of the village.
Mathias could see a small number of guards around the house, who looked sharply at the players ordering them to stay in a line, and whenever someone would exit from the house, a group of 10 would be allowed to enter.
'Interesting approach to a starting place. The Elder choose a good strategy of giving around quests to the players without antagonizing them and keeping this place safe from their menace.'
It didn't take long for Mathias to be allowed inside by the guards following 9 other players, entering the house and being guided by a young man toward the office of an old man with short hair and a monocle on his right eye gazing forward at the newcomers.
"Greeting to you, outlanders. I hope I didn't leave you waiting for far too long at my mansion gates. I am called Erle Aridai, Elder of Cidarian Village."
Nine of the players in the room didn't care much about the Elder's introduction and pushed ahead to receive their quests.
"Don't go into a ranting old man, just give us the quests like you did others, and we will scram from this shithole."
The Elder turned his eyes at those 9 guys, and giving them a casual expression, not bothered by their comments, he told them.
"Understood. Then just for you nine, I want you to go to the outside of the village and go to Eldeyin Forest and bring the pelts of 25 Gragger Boars."
Their eyes flickered a bit, staring at the quest notification, which showed that the quest was a D graded one that gave off a decent 7000 EXP reward which had them excited. Quickly accepting the quest, they dashed out of the mansion living only Mathias inside who gazed calmly at the elder.
"Greeting to you, Elder, I am Mathias. Do you have any other troubles bothering the village people? Since I have some friends here, and because my family is from inside this village, I would like to know if there is anything I could help with?"
"Youngster, aren't you an outlander, how can you know someone from this village?"
"I wonder if you still remember Fayrene?"
"Fayrene? That little girl with violet eyes? Jasmine's daughter?"
"That's her."
"Heh, so you are from Titan. I understand the gist of it, young man. Well, if you want to give me help with this, we have some problems with the mountain bandits that are based on the Gravelmark Heights, and sometimes wild wolves and boars would descend from the mountain and make it hard for the hunters to keep things in check. Do you think you are capable of dealing with those criminals and wild beasts?"
[Deal with the Mountain Bandits]
Difficulty Level: A
Elder Erle Aridai shared with you some of the village problems, hearing about you wanting to help the inner issues of the village. Sharing about the problem of mountain bandits who would descend on the village to steal livestock and also wishing to harm the well-being of the villagers, he managed to contain this problem with the support of the Duke Grenhal guards and the able men of the village to push them off.
Yet, it isn't enough to contain their push, starting to struggle with each day passing.
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Quest Clear Conditions: Deal with the mountain bandits.
Clear Reward: 25.000 EXP & Affinity with residents of Cidarian Village risen by 40.
Quest Failure: Level -2. The Event 'Mountain Bandits Strike Back' will be triggered.
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[Keep the Wild Beasts in Check]
Difficulty Level: B
Elder Erle Aridai shares with you another struggle of the Cidarian Village concerning an enlarging population of wild beasts that starts descending down the mountain to find food. In this manner, disturbing the lives of the people.
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Quest Clear Conditions: Lower the wild beast population of Gravelmark Mountain. Kill more than 50 wild beasts. The more your kill count passes the target mark, the more there will be a possibility for additional rewards
Clear Reward: 12.000 EXP & Affinity with Elder Erle increased by 25
Quest Failure: Level: -2
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Reading the contents of those two quests and what it implied taking them, he remained there contemplating before asking the old man with a calm voice containing some wicked intent.
"When we are talking in "dealing" with those bandits, you mean ending them for good, correct?"
"If you can do that, it would be the best outcome. Having those criminals hidden in the mountain constantly pestering and making me have migraines dead would solve my worries. As for the wild beasts, hunt as many as possible and let the carcasses there. My hunters will count your kills, but you can also bring me the trophies from the kills.
Tsk, now that I think about it, all those outlanders I gave this quest to still haven't returned to me. Could it be that they got wiped by the beasts?"
Hearing that question, Mathias just shrugged his shoulders, not bothering himself with the reason why some players didn't return to submit the quest, and instead focused on himself and the problems the village was confronting.
"Elder, I understood my task. I will not keep staying here because there might be other people wanting for your tasks."
"Hmph, young man, how long do you think I will give them tasks? Once the problems in the village are solved, I will have nothing for them."
"Who knows, just be careful and don't annoy them since they can turn unpredictable."
The Elder nodded his head at what Mathias said and watched this young man walk out from his office, and later another group of 10 people arrived inside his office, asking for tasks like most players did.
Once that new group of players was sent off, he turned to the young man not far from him, telling him with a tired voice.
"Huios, go notify Captain Odyr to have the outlanders stop entering my mansion. This will be enough for today, people also have to sleep to keep healthy, especially those my age."
"Understood, grandfather."
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Once outside with the news about the closure to the Elder quests, the players got dissatisfied, but the head guard was unflinching in those moments, brushing past the reaction of the players and once the players found out they had no choice, they walked toward the forest trying to hunt some first level monsters.
While this was happening Mathias could barely hear the players whining as he walked toward the Gravelmark Heights using a road which took him to the forest.
Before entering the forest, he could see some outposts which he chose not to explore, not wishing to disturb anyone who might be resting there.
"It is close to Empar Forest. Could this be the Eldeyin similar to Empar Forest from the opposite direction of the mountain? The only way to check is by slaying some of those beasts and hearing the notifications."
Changing his leg piece in the 'Victorian Leggings' which boosted his INT and respectively his MP, changing the amount of mana he could draw from his body compared to when he was under his naked stats.
[Health : 645/645 / Mana: 302/302]
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"Plenty of mana for a beginner without a class. I have to complete the entire set with mother, and follow up with my plan."
Taking out Ragnius who lost his luster and seemed to be rusted ready to break, he stepped inside the forest with a serene calm, using his hearing to pick on any activity while having the cover of the large trees.
Tree by tree, using their large shadow, Mathias got deeper inside the forest where he finally could hear the voices of others except for his own thoughts.
"Don't run off, you cowards. This is only a level 8 mob, we can take it down."
"This is already my second death. If I die again, I will be logged out for an entire day. No way in hell I will lag compared to others."
"COWARD!"
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With those lines heard, it picked Mathias interest, creeping toward those roars, and once he got on the place of question, he could see a large boar with an Elite Mark fighting off against a group of 4 players where 2 started backing off, later excepting from the fury of this elite monster.
'Interesting. Would this make for a good fight against for the first fight since my skills got reset? I should also use Ragnius more so it could charge some experience and grow back to Normal grade.'
His thoughts kept on going as he watched the two remaining players fight with their basic weapons against the boar, who shrieked in such a manner it made Mathias remember about the Bristling Boars who had an mechanics that summoned more of their brethren.
It was precisely what he had in mind. From the deeper parts of the forest, other 2 Gragger Boars appeared, charging at the players in such a manner that the players were overwhelmed.
"FUCK! Those cowards! I will bring your name to the forums and let others see what type of people you are. Good that this is my first death. Let's deliver everything, Bandar, even if we die. At least it will not be without a fight."
"Sure thing, big brother."
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Mathias, who was hiding behind the large trees watching the last moments of the players, suddenly heard a shriek from his direction, and once he turned his head, he could see another boar move toward him with murderous intent.
[Gragger Boars - Lv. 5] [2500 HP]
"Ohh, aren't we impatient? I wanted to kill your leader after those two guys did their best, but it seems I have to act faster before more of you beasts are gathered surrounding me, turning it more of a headache in dealing with you."
Grabbing tighter on Ragnius shaft, he exited from the shadows cover and unleashed a [Piercing Rain], which all hit the boar without missing the target.
[You have dealt 168 damage to the target.]
[You have dealt 120 damage to the target.]
[You have dealt 152 damage to the target.]
The attacks that hit the boar were still on the high number because of Ragnius's quality as a weapon, even if it reached the abysmal rating. Mathias seeing this gave a small smile that shifted to a serious expression once the boar kept on charging at him with the only intent to end this human who hurt him and entered his territory.
"[Raven's Movement]"
Activating his movement speed skill, he quickly stepped out from the boar's elongated tusks like a matador before he unleashed another [Piercing Rain], which opened up the wild beast sides, gushing with blood.
The hits were on the range of [93], a critical [296] that was the hit that caused the 'Bleeding' debuff along with the last hit of [132]. After that, he stopped using his skills and only used basic attacks and his Spearmanship and agility to block and fight off the outbursts of the beast, and after one minute, the boar dropped down full of opened wounds which leaked blood before it shrieked hard, later turning to gray light.
[You have defeated one Gragger Boar of the Eldeyin Forest.]
[You earned 200 EXP, 5 silver coins, and Gragger Boar Horn Trophy]
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Clearing his notifications and also looking at the quest item, which was the trophy, he then heard the players who got closer to him after noticing his fight.
"Hey man, can you help us fight those beasts? I will pay you well?"
Mathias turned to look at the two guys who were as resilient as a mule, still alive after being attacked by 4 boars which made him curious about who those guys were [Orpheus] and [Ape Wine].
"Not interested in your enticement. However, I will give you a hand if you give me some of your boar trophies."
"Sure, I will give you 5 trophies if you help us." called out Orpheus who was defending himself with his sword.
Mathias who was recovering his MP after the fight, with each second recovering 13 MP, he sprawled into action unleashing [Sweep Thrust] which managed to capture 2 boars, the elite one and another one simple.
[You have dealt 115 AoE damage.]
Once those two boars were dropped, he quickly unleashed the thrust to the elite boar causing 195 damage, and from nowhere, this spearman drew all the aggro on himself, giving the two guys a breather.
[You have suffered 56 damage.]
[You have suffered 68 damage.]
Nevertheless, he was still hit by the two boars who escaped his 'Sweep' attack, but it was an acceptable amount of damage that Mathias just brushed past, unleashing two [Piercing Rains] for both wild beasts making them shriek in pain.
Both guys who were freed from the beast's aggro turned to look at Mathias who was dealing efficiently with the beasts by himself, keeping them at bay using draconian methods.
Still, Mathias' voice rang truth in their ears when he said casually.
"I will not team up with you so you better also start doing damage or you will lose from the EXP once I kill those beasts."
They woke up from their stupor and charged at the normal-rated boars lifting some weight from Mathias's shoulders who began decimating those boars.
[You have defeated one Gragger Boar of the Eldeyin Forest.]
[You have defeated one Gragger Boar of the Eldeyin Forest.]
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With only the elite and the average boar, the three players returned the favor and ganged on them, unleashing a storm of hits and so also killing along with the last remaining average boars, leaving only the elite who roared enraged.
"He is summoning his friends, brother. Let's end him." said Orpheus to his teammate Ape Wine who nodded, confirming the plan, with only Mathias stopping from his attacks, wanting to draw more boars for his quest.
"What are you doing, man!! Let's end this beast once and for all."
"Let him summon more boars. It will be more efficient to hunt like this compared to searching inside the forest and knowing on what you will stumble."
"No way! I am on low resources. I can't fight on like this. Sorry dude, no offense, but this fight will end here."
"I see, there's nothing I can do about it. [Piercing Rain]"
Unleashing his skills on the elite boar along with the two players, the large boar later turned into gray light similar to his brethren.
[Congratulations, you have defeated the Elite Gragger Boar of the Eldeyin Forest]
[You are the one causing the most damage against the Gragger Boar, and so earnings the entire rewards of the kill, gaining the following.]
[1000 EXP, 50 silver coin, Gragger Boar Leather Armor, Gragger Boar Leather Leggings, Gragger Boar Boots, Elite Beast Trophy]
"Where's the reward? We only got EXP. Why haven't we gotten the rewards for the hunt?"
"I've done more damage than you, that's why. Anyway, here receive this from me, it is your part for the hunt with except to the EXP." explained Mathias to those guys before using the exchange system.
"You want the trophies for your help?"
"Yes, but before that, let me share with you the reward for the boar. It will be fair, I promise."
They had nothing to lose and so accepted the request for the trading system, which made them see on their individual windows the chest piece which was of a Rare Grade, respectively the leggings who were too of a Rare Grade, followed by 10 silver coins individually.
"Man, were there armor pieces dropped by that elite beast? Who could imagine it? Thanks a lot for the gesture, we will not forget your help and the items. Here let me give you my trophies."
"Same."
Looking calmly at the two guys and seeing the 10 trophies, the quest items required for the Elder Quest, he walked to another direction of the forest, trying to move deeper and also exit to reach the Gravelmark Heights.
"Bro, could that guy be a pro player or a beta stage player?"
"No idea. But if I would be made to guess from his skills and the way he fights, knowing his reach with the spear, he is a beta player. Only those lucky bastards have a headstart in the game.
"Indeed, but I doubt it is that big. We will be able to catch up with those guys soon, brother. We'll just have to stick together or find one of the strongest guilds to team up with other players like us."
"That's exactly what we should do. Let's test those items that Mathias gave us. The chest piece even gives STR and has double the defense my chest piece would offer."
"The leggings also give me STR and high defense, it also gives an effect when the entire set is completed, which is way too good. Stamina Recovery and a lot of STR."
"We'll resume the hunt after we recover the stamina. However, let's not go in the direction that guy went. We'll probably not find anything after him."
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On Mathias' side, he was moving around the goods he received from his boar hunt and also checked the boots he received, which were rather good.
[Gragger Boar Boots]
Rating: Rare
Durability: 160/160 / Defense: 35 / Movement Speed: +2%
* Gain 10 STR points
User Restriction: Level 5 or higher
Set Bonus:
* When all 4 set pieces are equipped, the user recieved 50 STR / 20 STA/ and 15% Stamina Recovery Speed
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"Good one. The full set would be able to take any starting level player to the level 20 range easily. If I get those armor pieces, I might sell them around since I don't have a need for them, especially after completing the 'Victorian Set'.
Now, let's level up since I am 300 EXP away from hitting level 7.