Mike walked across the bridge leading straight to the castle gate.But just as he was about to step onto it, another notification appeared:
"Tria is starting. No turning back, warrior."
Blue pixels formed from Mike's body, breaking him down and rebuilding him on the bridge.
"Welcome to Tria."
Mike stood there, soaking in the legendary title music of the game and the rising sun.Though only a few rays of light could be seen, as the castle stood in front of it.
Next to Mike, two other blue pixel vortexes formed—Two more players.One was a warrior, the other a bowman—Mike could tell by their weapons.
The bowman was the first to speak—quickly and nervously:"Hey! I'm Dave—where the hell are we?"
"Dave… alright. I'm Rio."
"Hi, I'm Mike. Looks like this tutorial is multiplayer. Pretty cool, huh?"
Dave shrugged, shaking his head."Cool? Did you not read the message? Death means death."
"Yeah, I read it. But what are we supposed to do about it?"
The warrior was silent—clearly not the talkative type.And so, the three of them began their journey into the tutorial.
"Hey—where did you get that armor from, Mike?"Dave looked confused, clearly not recognizing the gear.
Mike paused, then muttered:"Uh… Beta tester buff."
Dave swung his fist through the air."Damn it! I started two weeks too late."
They crossed the bridge and stepped into the castle courtyard."Look!"Dave pointed with his bow.Six goblins stood in the distance—small creatures, classic starter enemies.
Mike pulled his sword from his back.Dave loaded arrows into his hand and drew his bow.Rio readied his shield and simple sword.
Fully equipped—they charged.Except for Dave, who stayed further back.
He released the arrow—It missed completely.
"Of course I can't hit—WE NEVER GOT A TUTORIAL!"
Just then, two goblins charged at Dave from the side.Rio and Mike stood side by side—three goblins each heading toward them.
One goblin leapt straight at Dave—Dave quickly raised his shield, and the goblin crashed into it with full force.The impact stunned the creature, and it fell to the ground.
In midair, Rio sliced it in two.The goblin turned to ash.
The other two goblins ran straight at Rio.He shoved his shield into his inventory, gripped his sword with both hands—One clean slice—two heads flew.
Mike watched, stunned.
"Rio must be an experienced swordsman in real life… I'll remember that."
He also noticed that Dave was in trouble."Rio! Go help Dave!I think I can handle things here!"
Rio sprinted toward Dave, who was now swatting at goblins with his bow like a club.
Mike held the silver sword in both hands.It still felt heavy—foreign.
He gripped the brown handle tight and lowered the blade slightly.Three goblins stood before him.
One of them jumped—straight at Mike.
Mike reacted fast—A clean slice through the air.The goblin was split in half before it landed.
Info:Level 1EXP +20—80 EXP needed to reach Level 2
"Hmm… looks like I'll level up during the tutorial."
But Mike's thoughts were cut short—The other two goblins rushed him.They slammed into his armor—"These things aren't to be underestimated!
The two goblins struck Mike's armor so hard that he fell to the ground.His sword slipped from his hand and landed beside him.The goblins kept hitting him.
But then—an arrow flew past the goblins.It was Dave.He hadn't hit them, but it distracted the goblins.
They turned toward the direction the arrow had come from—Then looked down at where it had landed.
Mike used the chance.He got up quickly, grabbed his sword, and slashed one goblin across the stomach.The goblin turned to ash.
+20 EXP
The second goblin raised its hand to strike—Mike stepped back.Even in his heavy armor, he was fast enough to dodge.
He aimed his sword and struck sideways—cutting the goblin clean in half.
Mike exhaled.
+20 EXPLevel 1 – 40 EXP left to level up
He looked over to Dave."Thanks, man. Without you, I'd probably be in serious trouble."
"What?" Dave nodded and loaded another arrow into his bow."Mike! Duck!"
Mike heard the words and reacted immediately.He ducked, and Dave's arrow flew overhead—hitting an approaching goblin right in the head.
Dead.
The goblin had been carrying a knife—he was armed.As the goblin turned to ash, the knife vanished too.
"Lucky I hit that one, right?"Dave let out a short laugh.
Then Rio spoke:"Since the goblins are carrying weapons, we need to stay alert.No breaks. They attack from the shadows too.Let's move on—I bet the boss is up there."
He pointed toward the highest part of the castle.His armor clinked as he raised his arm, then lowered it again.
"Alright, let's move forward," said Dave nervously.But the moment he finished his sentence—
A huge green goblin with a massive axe leapt from the castle wall.He was five times bigger than the others.
Everyone jumped back."Mike!" shouted Rio, worried, raising his sword.
But then—A red barrier surrounded Mike and the giant goblin.
A boss fight.
Worse—Rio and Dave couldn't get in.
"Mike! We can't get inside!You have to do this alone!" Rio shouted.
Mike swallowed hard, took a deep breath, and yelled:"I can do this… I… I can't die here!"
He gripped his sword tightly, readying himself."He's big… he can't be that fast."
The goblin raised his axe and slammed it into the ground.Mike dodged to the right and drove his sword into the boss's belly.He pulled it out and returned to a battle stance.
The goblin let out a disgusting sound of pain.
"Okay… it's a tutorial boss.He can't be that strong, right?"
Rio and Dave watched from outside the barrier.They shouted tips:
"Watch out, Mike—he's going to jump!"
The goblin leapt into the air—"How am I supposed to dodge that!?"Mike stepped backward.
"3…"The goblin was high above him."2…"His axe pointed down, ready to split Mike in half."1…"
"NOW!" Rio shouted.
Mike rolled forward—Just in time.
Dust exploded from the ground—A small crater appeared where the axe struck.
It took the goblin a moment to recover.Mike saw his chance.
"Phew… that was close."
"MIKE, FINISH HIM!"Rio and Dave shouted in unison.
Mike raised his sword, aimed straight ahead—and sprinted at full speed.
He rammed his sword into the goblin's back—but instead of pulling it straight out,he dragged it sideways.
Green blood burst out.The goblin collapsed and turned into black ash,blown away by the wind.
The green blood remained—a puddle beside the deep crater.
The red barrier disappeared.
Rio and Dave rushed to Mike.Rio raised his arm and clapped him on the shoulder.
"You did it, Mike."
Mike dropped his sword, still in disbelief.He stared at his hands.
A moment later—His neutral expression became a smile.
"I actually did it…I accomplished something in my life."
Rio smiled back."Yeah, you did.Now prove it again—by helping us finish this tutorial."
"I will.We're going to complete this tutorial… together."
Congratulations! Level 2 reached.
30 EXP left until Level 3
Level-up reward: +3 stat points
Current stats:
Health: 500
Strength: 5
Endurance: 5
Magic: 3
Sword: 6
-?-
Unlock at Level 10
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Which character do you like so far – Mike, Rio, or Dave?And do you want to say something about the story or the characters?Then feel free to leave a comment!And if you're enjoying it, feel free to add it to your library!
I'm trying to upload 2 chapters per day,but sometimes it might just be 1 — or even multiple chapters if it's a mass release day or the weekend!
Have fun reading!
Legends of tria