Second World

Jack was not the type to push it if the other side was unwilling. He left Leavemealone alone.

He summoned Pandora again and rode her in the direction that Peniel indicated. Under the dark clouds, everything looked bleak. Jack wondered how the players adjusted to living here without any sunlight. It must be weird going on their daily routines without the cycle of night and day.

On the way, Peniel talked about some of the things she had chatted about with Carnelia. The two fairies didnʼt act like the best of friends when they met but they still chatted as if they were the best of friends while their two partners were fighting.

Peniel said Leavemealone went through a similar experience during the tutorial period, which was saving a divine being from a weird room. The one saved by him was the God of Pride. He had then bestowed Carnelia to Leavemealone and also the Seed of Thousand Forms.

Weirdly, Leavemealone had chosen a fist weapon right from the start for the weapon transformation, even when the standard basic class weapons were a sword, dagger, and magic staff. When Carnelia asked him why? He said he only know how to fight with his fists. He was not interested in the other weapons.

Luckily, he had picked the Ranger class instead of the other two basic classes. Hence, Carnelia could then point out to him the next path he needed to take to be a Battle Monk, a class that focused on fist-fighting.

From Penielʼs story, Jack surmised those rewards he got from Goddess Serenity should be the standard rewards from saving her, since they were the same as what Leavemealone received. This made these two incidents appear very much like scripted events. Which was weird, because the place where those divine beings were trapped was almost impossible to get into without the right conditions.

Thinking about it just added more questions than answers, so Jack conveniently threw all these issues to the back of his mind and asked Peniel another thing he was curious about, ”What about that Runestone of Combat he used?”

”That was one of the rare runestones usable during a battle, and the one he used is the best one there is. When it is activated, it will increase the userʼs attributes, damage, and defense. The degree of increase depends on the willpower injected into it. Similar to your other runestones.”

ʼNo wonder his strength and speed suddenly spiked,ʼ Jack thought.

Jack continued to travel and killed new monsters which were not too high in level. On the morning of the second day after meeting Leavemealone, or at least he thought it was morning because the sky was always dark, he finally saw something on the horizon that looked like a very large city.

”That is Tranviste?” Jack asked.

”It is,” Peniel confirmed.

Jack also saw more and more blue dots around the vicinity of the city. When he was close to the gate, he saw a commotion between a group and a very short man. From his radarʼs color, these people were all players. Jack looked closer and found that the short man was a dwarf. He was being pushed around by a group of players who were all consisted of the Vampire race.

”There is a dwarf player in this country?” Jack said.

”It is not a strange thing to see dwarfs inside Sangrod cities. The Republic of Palgrost where dwarfs dwell is next to this Sangrod Empire, and the dwarfs have developed some sort of train system that allowed them to travel back and forth between the two countries.”

”So even low-level players can travel in between these two countries,” Jack thought.

”Yes, but the cost of using these trains is not cheap,” Peniel said.

The confrontation between this lone dwarf was getting heated, he could hear the two sides screaming at each other already. Jack looked at the gate. It was still far away, the guards wonʼt do anything unless the commotion was very close to the city.

Spurred by his heroic impulse, Jack came down and unsummoned Pandora. He then walked towards the quarreling group. The two sides were taking out weapons already. The Dwarf was a level 36 Assassin named Sinful Pleasure, while the other side was six players with a mix of different advanced classes led by a level 36 Berserker.

”Yo, what is the problem here?” Jack asked after arriving.

The lead Berserker looked at Jack and said, ”this has got nothing to do with you!” He turned to the dwarf but seemed to realize something before turning back. He said, ”You are a human? Another lesser race. You are not welcome in this city!”

Jack turned to the dwarf, who said to Jack, ”they have also been spouting nonsenses about my race.”

Jack then turned back and said, ”the hell, man. You people are taking this role-playing business too seriously. We are all players who are originally humans. What is this crap about races?”

”Hmph! We have been chosen to be the superior Vampire race. This city is for us only, other racesʼ players are not welcomed!”

”Do you think you are the mayor of the city? The city belonged to the natives, you freaks! We are all just guests in this world,” Jack scolded out.

”You lowly people who are chosen to be of lowly races do not worth our time. Leave now! Or we will send you back to your previous registered city.”

”Well, I was originally trying to help resolve this peacefully. But after listening to your craps, it really pisses me off,” Jack equipped both his swords and used Shooting Dash.

”Wa–Wait…!” The lead Berserker seemed to be taken aback by Jackʼs sudden aggressiveness.

Jackʼs Shooting Dash brought him into the center of the vampire group. His hands were covered by a red aura, signifying the Adrenaline Rush skill. His two swords then spun around at high speed. The Whirlwind Slash claimed all the advanced class playersʼ lives. The lead Berserker survived this one hit but his life was very low.

”Yo–You…!”

Jack used Cross Slash on him, and he also fell.

”Damn! I hate these prejudiced types of people.” Jack cursed as he sheathed his swords. He looked at the dwarf who was watching with his mouth gaping. ”Are you all right?” Jack asked him.

”Ye… Yes… Thank you for the help…,” the dwarf said. ”You are a pretty violent one…”

”You all were already pulling out your weapons. Ainʼt it showing you all are about to resolve to violence?”

The dwarf looked at his hand which was still holding a dagger. ”I suppose so,” he said. ”Well, anyway, thanks again for the assist! I am Sinful Pleasure. I canʼt inspect your name.”

”Storm Wind,” Jack introduced himself.

”First time here?” Sinful asked.

”Yes. Have you ever seen any human player?”

”Nope. You are the first. Since you have saved me. Come! Let me show you the city.”

Jack didnʼt decline. This is his first time in another countryʼs city. Having a guide would be beneficial. The soldiers at the gate didnʼt stop Sinful, but they halted Jack.

”This is the first time you visit a different raceʼs main city, they are simply registering your identity,” Peniel explained.

Jack was taken to a guard post next to the gate. He was told to put his hand onto a device.

”Are you a member of a kingdom faction?” The soldier asked.

”Yes, I am a member of Themisphere Kingdom faction,” Jack answered.

”Let me check the badge please.”

Jack handed it to him. The soldier used the same device to check the badge.

”A viscount. I must advise you, though, your privilege as a Themisphere Viscount is not valid here. So donʼt act like one when you are in this city.”

Jack nodded.

”Stay out of trouble,” the soldier said as he gave the badge back to Jack.

”I will. Do you mind telling me where I can find Caleb Lucien?” Jack asked.

The soldier raised his eyebrows. ”You should address him as Master Caleb Lucien. What is your business with His Lordship?”

”I am on an official trip tasked by Themisphere royal family. I have a letter that I must pass to Master Caleb.”

”You can find him at the City Hall. It was the largest building at the center of the city. Hard to miss.”

Jack thanked the soldier and left. Sinful was waiting outside.

”You are taking your time in there, I thought you have a problem,” Sinful said.

”No, no problem. Iʼm simply asking for direction,” Jack replied

”Why did you bother asking? You have me!” Sinful declared. ”By the way, Where did you get that informative fairy?” Sinful had heard Peniel explain when Jack was held by the soldiers.

”From a quest,” Jack answered simply. More players had become Archmages, but not many passed at their first try so not many knew yet about the Call Familiar spell. Jack didnʼt feel like explaining, he said, ”How about showing me around the city? My destination is the city hall but I guess I can spend some time sightseeing first.”

”Sure, follow me,” Sinful said. Then to Peniel, he said, ”Itʼs nice to meet you, miss. Never seen a fairy before, or any creatures other than vampire, dwarf, and human that can talk like you.”

”Tee-hee, I am special,” Peniel replied.

”Yes, I can see that. All right, letʼs go this way first!”

😉