[Armor set no. 100 (Uncommon)
Level requirement: None
Stats:
- Constitution +5
- Damage reduction +0.5%
Durability: 300/300
Description: An armor set mass-produced to be sold to wealthy nobodies. Created by a Master, but made without any passion.]
[Steel spear (Uncommon)
Level requirement: None
Stats:
- Damage +5%
- Armor piercing +0.5%
Durability: 300/300
Description: A basic steel spear. Nothing much else to say.]
Julian checked all his equipment and items to ensure that everything was in order.
Along with the basic health and mana potions he bought from the alchemy store, which restored 50 points of health and mana respectively, he was set to finally head out.
Most players had already ventured into the wilds outside their starting village the moment they began the game, making it seem laughable that Julian was just now going out.
However, as he was about to step beyond the village's borders, he had a nagging feeling that he was forgetting something.
It was akin to the feeling of wondering whether you had remembered to turn off the stove.
He checked everything over again and realized he hadn't opened his starter kit. It was still sitting in his inventory, waiting for him to open it.
[Open starter kit?]
[10x gold coins
1x Letter of noble recommendation
1x Skill scroll 'Command']
The contents of the starter kit were much more generous than Julian had ever expected.
He assumed it was due to his uncommon starting class that his benefits were greater than the general majority.
While the class system of Alpha had similarities to other games, the main difference they advertised was the evolution of classes.
Every person would begin with a common class that could evolve into Uncommon, Rare, Epic, and beyond by fulfilling certain requirements.
Each increase in class rarity granted a flat bonus to certain stats, increased stat points per level, and possibly titles or skills.
Julian's uncommon 'Fallen Noble' class was an anomaly, likely originating from his other future self.
The command skill scroll he received in his starter kit was also likely the skill he would have gained had he evolved his class normally.
[Skill unlocked: Command]
[Command (Active skill - Uncommon)
Class requirement: Fallen Noble
Proficiency: 0%
Effect: Compel others to obey your command.
Cost: 20 mana
Cooldown: 30 seconds]
The system was quite precise and to the point, providing only the raw data.
Besides the single sentence on its usage, it gave nothing else.
Even still, it added a skill to Julian's once-empty arsenal. It wasn't purely a battle skill, but Julian had already imagined many uses for it.
Checking through everything again, he reassured himself that he hadn't overlooked anything.
Though there was still the letter of noble recommendation, the name of the item basically spoke for itself.
Julian looked out at the forest that bordered Limillion village and finally stepped outside its borders.
As unfortunate as it was, he hadn't heard a single thing from 'Oblivion' about the cords to the leveling spot.
So, with his armor equipped and spear at his side, he began walking cautiously through the forest.
Unlike other players who ran through the forest, throwing caution to the wind, Julian didn't have such luxury.
He was reminded of his limitations when he stubbed his toe on one of the alchemy store's shelves.
Each strike pained him as if it were real; he didn't have the luxury of having his pain reduced.
Though it was still a game, he felt his heartbeat quicken when he saw signs of animal tracks.
As he followed the fresh tracks, he eventually found himself outside what seemed to be a small den.
With a single step into the radius of the den, he heard the sound of hooves rushing toward him.
A wild boar was charging at him, tusks ready to pounce. Julian quickly readied his spear, but without any training, he was left fumbling as the boar smashed into his thighs.
-60
The pain was sharp and quick as Julian let out a loud groan. He felt a bone in his leg fracture upon impact.
But as quickly as the pain appeared, adrenaline rushed to his brain, alleviating some of the pain.
His mind was hazy from the shock, but he gripped his spear tightly as the boar began its second charge.
He readied his stance before shouting, "Stop!"
Using command, he ordered the boar to stop, causing it to pause for just a single moment.
It wasn't a full stop, nor did the boar comply fully, but it was enough for Julian to get his first real hit on the boar.
-40
The boar's skin was tough, much tougher than Julian had expected, but the excellent craftsmanship of the spear carried its damage.
The boar was no longer as feisty; its right side had been pierced, but even still, it didn't run.
It positioned itself between Julian and the den, seemingly protecting what resided inside.
Julian didn't take notice, as he was solely focused on the enemy in front of him.
His leg still ached from the initial impact, but he was determined to end this boar's life.
The boar understood that in its condition, it wouldn't be able to survive another strike.
So, in a last-ditch attempt, it began to run, leading the predator away from its home.
But Julian had no issue stopping the boar, as even though command was still on cooldown, he forced the mana to flow.
"Halt!"
[Cooldown bypass!]
[Over use of Mana channels!]
This time, the boar came to a full stop, unable to move as Julian delivered the final blow.
-50
[+20 exp]
Unlike other games, the body of the boar didn't disappear. It lay there motionless, bleeding from the wounds Julian had inflicted.
Perhaps if he were an NPC, he'd haul the boar back and butcher it for dinner, but as a player, he had no such desire.
Julian tried to sigh, but he felt his throat grow coarse and extremely dry.
It hurt to swallow and there was a sting of pain when he breathed through his mouth.
It was as if his airways had been damaged from his excessive use of the skill.
He didn't exactly know how he had used the skill since it was still on cooldown, but it was clear it had its consequences.
Twenty experience points, however, were still a good amount for a single kill. He was a fifth of the way done with leveling up.
He turned his back on the dead boar and headed toward the den it had stormed out of.
It was dark, but when he squinted his eyes there was enough light to see two little piglets huddled in the back of the den.
His eyes softened at the sight.
This game was too realistic, he thought.
Could he bring himself to kill piglets? No, Julian knew he couldn't.
Even if they were wild animals, and even if he could receive experience points, he wouldn't.
Even if they were just simple 1s and 0s, killing a baby wasn't something he could bring himself to do.
He stepped back from the den, and stored the corpse of the mother inside his inventory before walking away in a random direction.
Unbeknownst to him, his actions were being monitored by the mysterious entity that governed the game of 'Alpha.'
[Player Julian Caesar's choice has been recognized. Class path chosen…]