《Second Chance Online》
Prologue - Pulling the plug
Prologue
Bri glared at her plate of mashed potatoes. It looked like a glob of mud and probably tasted like one too. She rang the bell on her matress. Almost instantly her personal nurse, Carrie rushed into the room. Bri grabbed her notebook.
[Give me something else to eat.] she wrote.
Carrie frowned. "I''m sorry, but the doctor said that you can only eat soft foods."
Bri glowered in fustrastion. Of course she knew that she could only eat soft foods. She had been this way for 18 years and she knew that she was going to be this way for the rest of her life. She couldn''t walk, talk, move her legs, and worst of all she couldn''t even change by herself. What kind of life is this?
"Look on the bright side." Carrie said as she put the plate of mashed potatoes on a nearby table. "Your parents are coming to visit you today."
Bri rose an eyebrow. Her parents didn''t care about her at all and the last time they visted her was when she was five years old. They only cared about her twin brother, Gabriel. He had it all; amazing looks, good grades, and great health. Why in the world would they care about their daughter who barely finished her education, has horrible health, and looks like a ghost?
[Tell them to get lost.]
Carrie shook her head and grabbed the notebook from Bri. "I understand what your feeling, but it''s not your parents fault."
Bri looked away. No one could understand how she''s feeling. Not Carrie. Not her parents. And exspecially not Gabriel. The door to her hospital room opened and her parents walked in. Her mom gave her a disgusted look and her dad deeply frowned at her.
Carrie looked at Bri, then her parents. "I''ll give you guys some privacy." She handed Bri her notebook, before leaving the room. Bri ignored her parents as she took out the novel she was reading earlier.
Her mom glared at her. "Don''t you know how to greet your parents?"Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.
Bri rolled her eyes and continued to ignore her. Talking to her parents always made her lose her temper.
Her dad sighed. "Gabrielle, please don''t ignore us. We have something important to tell you."
Bri glanced at them. [If it''s about Gabriel then I don''t want to know] She wrote on her notebook.
"It''s not about Gabriel." Her dad''s eyebrows creased. "I know this will be hard for you to understand, but we decided to-"
"We''re pulling the plug on you." Her mom interupted.
Bri dropped her pencil. Her eyes widened in shock. Did her parents hate her so much that they even wanted to kill her? She might not like it in a hospital, but that doesn''t mean that she wanted to die. Tears threaten to come out of her eyes as she grabbed her pencil.
[Why?]
Her mom rolled her and put her hands on her hips. "Stop overexaggerating things."
[Overexaggerating things? It''s not like your the one who''s about to die]
Her dad frowned and was about to say something, but that was when Bri tossed the notebook at her mom''s head. It hit her right on the face.
Her mom glared at her. "What is wrong with you? Everything we do is for your health! We could use the money we''re spending on you to send twenty kids to college! Twenty! But what do we get in return? We get nothing but a spoiled brat who barely passed 12th Grade."
Bri''s face turned red in embarassment. It wasn''t her fault that she couldn''t consentrate and study hard enough. Well, it was only partial her fault. Bri swung her legs over the edge of her bed.
"What are you doing?" her dad asked slowly.
Bri ignored him and stood up on her feet. She instantly felt pain sear through her legs, but she ignored it as she tore off all the wires that were attached to her body.
"Stop Gabrielle!" Her dad shouted.
Bri felt lighthead after she tore off the last wire. She left air leaving her lungs and vision began to blur. She tried to take one last step to her parents, but she fell over. That was when everything went black.
???
It was nice in the darkness. No hospital bed. No nurses or doctors. No parents and horrible brothers. It was nice and peaceful. Bri felt that she could stay here forever. That was when she felt a tug in the back of her mind. A sharp tug that pulled her away from the darkness. Something clouded her vision. It was a small box shapped notification. Wait, were there notifications in the Afterlife? Bri concentraded on the notification and gradually it became clearer.
Chapter 1
Chapter 1 - A Second Chance at Life
Bri blinked. Second Chance Online? After what she had just did, she was so sure that she would have died. Was this a trap? Bri decided to take the risk as she tapped the notification.
This is a VR game? Bri excitedly tapped the next notification as she quickly forgot all about her previous worries. She had read many books on VR games and she had always wanted to try one. Maybe today was her lucky day.
Bri racked her brain for a good name. She eventually chose the name of the heroin of her favorite book, Favrielle
<| Humans| Dwarves| Goblins| Beastkin| Celestials| Dragon-kin| Undead| Merfolk| Alves| Elves| >
Bri glanced at all the races and eventually chose Alves. She had heard of all the other races before either in books or movies, besides the Alves. There was also no information on them unlike the other races. She always was the adventurous type, so she chose it.
An image of herself appeared and Bri was amazed with how she looked. She looked very healthy and her hair was its natural chocolate brown. Her eyes were periwinkle and her skin was a nice creamy color. She looked exactly like she did before her accident. If only she could go back to looking like that. Bri decided to change her hair color to a dark green. It was her favorite color and she thought that it complimented her eyes. She looked at herself again realized that the only thing about her appearance that changed was her height. Maybe Alves looked like humans?
Bri closed her eyes as a white light flashed into view. This was her second chance at life and she was not going to waste it.
???
Favrielle opened her eyes to see she was standing in front of a large elf village.True to elven style, all the buildings were living trees magically induced into creating hollows for rooms, bending roots to create steps, and so on. A small stream of people travelled in and out of the village and through the buildings, looking very busy.
Favrielle''s eyes widened as she looked down at her legs. She was standing! She was actually standing without her legs feeling pain! Could she talk as well?
Favrielle opened her mouth and -"I can speak as well.."
She grinned. She could talk as well. What a great VR game! She took a step and almost fell down on her face. After sitting down for so many years, she had almost forgotten how to walk. She wobbled for a few steps but she eventually got better. By the time she walked to the village tavern she was already an expert at walking. Her biggest priority was to eat something that wasn''t hospital food.
She walked inside to see a few elves and surprisingly a few humans sitting at the tables eating.The inside of the tavern was more human-looking than Favrielle had expected. The tables and benches were still grown out of the tree, but they had sharper edges and corners that made them look more furniture-like. Favrielle walked up to the counter where a middle-aged human with firery red hair was wiping a glass. The game told her that the human was named Randall and that he had lived here for ten years.
Randall looked up when he saw Favrielle walking over to the counter. "Hello traveler, what would you like to order?"
Favrielle looked up at the menu and her mouth watered when she saw a long list of meat dishes. She looked back at Randall. "I''ll take one of each meat dish."
Randall gave her a strange look as he walked into the kitchen to take her order. Favrielle walked over to a table near the counter and sat down. She decided to see her profile while she was waiting for her food.
Favrielle tapped the details button on classes and a whole paragraph on them appeared.
Favrielle decided that she was going to choose the warrior class. In order to see the world,she knew that she would have to get stronger so that she didn''t become someone''s lunch. Randall appeared with her food a few minutes later and had to go back to get the rest of it. Favrielle decided to start with a steak. She took one bit. It was soo delicious. How did she survive without meat for so long? When Randall came back with the rest of her food, she had finished the rest of her dishes.
His eyes widened as he put the rest of the dishes down. "Would you like something to drink?"
Favrielle nodded and smiled. "Yes, please."
Favrielle continued eating before he could reply. Her eating speed was one dish per minute. Randall came back with her drink to see 5 empty plates.
He placed her drink on the table and said. "That will 100g."
Favrielle nearly spit out her drink. "What?"
"100g. " Randall repeated. "Don''t tell me you thought all of this was free."
"Uh...well. " Favrielle dug into her pockets, which were empty. She had forgotten that she had no money. Didn''t VR games give players money to start off with?If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.
Disbelief covered Randall''s features. "Don''t tell me that you don''t have any money."
" Uh... " Favrielle racked her brain for a solution to this problem. "I can help out around here in exchange for the food." She suggested.
Randall gazed at her for a long time before he said anything. "If wasn''t for the fact that you look innocent, I would turn you in to the authorities for stealing."
Favrielle sighed in relief. She was never going to forget about money again. "I want you to get me the wood from 10 twiggies in exchange for the meal." Randall continued.
Favrielle hesitated before accepting the request. "What are twiggies?" She asked as she stood up.
Randall cleared the dishes on her table. "They''re small bush like creatures that live in the forest east of here. All you have to do is kill a few of them and bring me the wood."
"Okay." Favrielle nodded. "Can I borrow a kitchen knife?"
"What would you need that for?"
"To kill the twiggies." She clarified. "I can''t kill them with my bear hands."
Randall blinked in surprise. "Don''t travelers use swords to kill monsters?"
"I don''t know. " She said truthfully. "I''ve never traveled anywhere in my entire life. I''ve also never killed a monster before."
Randall nodded. "Alright, I understand." He left with her plates and came back with a knife and a small leather pouch.
He handed her both items. "Here. The bag is for putting the twiggies in."
Favrielle nodded and gave him her most confident smile. "Thanks Randall."
Randall nodded again and he left for the counter. Favrielle looked at the items in her hands. Usually in VRs there was an equip button. She didn''t see any buttons, so she decided to put on the pouch and stuff the knife in the bag.
Favrielle dismissed the notification and walked out of the tavern. She followed Randall''s directions and went east. She she saw a few newbie players playing with their friends as she traveled. Favrielle had never left the hospital after her accident, so her only friend was Carrie. Maybe she should try to make a few friends here? She continued walking until she saw a 5 small bushes slowly walking around. Favrielle blinked. She had imagined that the twiggies would be alot more...vicious.
Favrielle sighed. "I guess some monsters have to be small."
She walked over and picked up a twiggie. It was as large as a small microwave and it weighed almost nothing.She looked down at the small black eyes of the twiggie. "Your kind of cute and I would hate to kill you." While Favrielle pondered on how to complete the quest without killing it, the twiggie unexspectedly bit her on the hand. Yelping in suprise, she tossed the twiggie on the ground and stepped on it with her foot. A loud snaps was heard and the twiggie stopped moving.
Huh? I learned a skill?Opening up the skills menu, she read the description:
Favrielle picked upthe twiggie''s remains and three coins fell out. It looks like the twiggie ate some coins,She thought as she picked them up and also put them in the bag. Favrielle made her way to the other twiggies, who now knew she was going to kill them and were trying to run away. Too bad for them that she was faster. With four loud snaps, all the twiggies were in the bag along with 10 extra coins. Favrielle also leveled up.
That was easy!thought Favrielle, opening up the Attribute menu:
Considering that she was going to become a warrior, but a fast one, she put three points into strength, and one each into agility and dexterity. Favrielle was about to leave the forest when she heard something loud approach her. She turned around to see a very large twiggie. It looked at the leaves in her bag and rushed over to her. Ops...I think I killed her babies. Favrielle quickly turned around and began to run to the village. More like she tried to run to the village. After running for 5 seconds she fell on her face. She quickly stood up to see the twiggie smack her in the face. It didn''t hurt that much, but it was still painful. Favrielle fell back a few steps and grabbed her knife out of her bag.
When the twiggie attacked again, Favrielle used her knife to slash it three times in a row. The twiggie was frazed for a fews seconds then went right back to attacking her.
She contined to slash it with her knife until her wrist grew tired. She dodged another attack and took a breather while the weakened twiggie circled around her."Why won''t it die?" She muttered as she noticed the twiggie rushover again. Favrielle was too slow to dodge this time and was smacked into a tree. She felt a pounding headache as she stood up. Her vision was blurried and she saw the outline of the twiggie heading right twards her. This time, Favrielle moved to the left at the last second making the twiggie hit tree and fall on the ground.
Faverielle collapsed in exuastuion. She decieded that she was going to work very hard so that she was never in that situation again. She also decided that she should practice running as well.
***
"I can see why you didn''t go and collect the wood yourself." Favrielle said to Randall as Aerita rubbed a healing salve on her forehead. After she walked back to the tavern, Randall called the village healer,Aerita, to heal her wounds.
"What kind of trouble did you run into?" He asked couriously as the bruise on her forehead dissappeared.
"Oh, nothing much. Just a very angry twiggie, but it was nothing that I couldn''t." She replied trying to keep the sarcasum out of her voice.
Randall didn''t catch the sarcasum as he nodded. "The big twiggie will take care of the other five that you missed."
Favrielle gave a small smile."Thanks. Do you know how I can get any other quests?"
"Your going out there again?"
"A hero''s work is never done." She quoted from a movie.
Randall stiffled a laugh. "Your a very brave kid, but your certainly no hero."
Favrielle huffed. "Now that''s just mean."
Randall laughed out loud and gave her a pat on the back. "I might have a job for you young ''hero''. "
Favrielle rolled her eyes and acepted the quest. She then ignored Randall and turned toAerita. "Is there something I can help you with?"
The elf hezitated before saying. "There is something that you can help me with, but I''m not sure that you can."
<(0/2)Horned Silkweed (0/2) Hanging Berry (0/1)Pink Needle>
<(0/2) Screaming Morel (0/2)Sour Sanguinary (0/1) poison of red mushroom (0/5) Ostries (0/2) Putrid Hedge>
Favrielle looked over both quests and acepted them. "What is a a screaming morel?" She askedAerita.
"It a morel that screams."Aerita replied as she stood up and gethered all of her mendicnes in her bag.
"That was a very vauge answer." Faverielle muttered asAerita left the tavern.
"She''s always like that," Randall added as he left to go serve another customer.
Favrielle stood up fully reenergized and ready to go monster hunting. She grabbed her bag and kitchen knife, completely forgetting to give them back to Randall, and left the tavern.
Chapter 2
Chapter 2 - The Beast Tamer
When Favrielle entered the forest, she decided to be more attentive and watched her surroundings. She began to notice that the leaves on all the trees changed color depending on how far you went.
"You can earn intelligence that way?" Favrielle mused. Could she earn stamina by running? Favrielle stretched her legs and walked a little bit faster. Seeing that she didn''t fall on her face, she walked even more faster. Favrielle then began to run through the forest. After two minutes of running, she stopped to catch her breath.
"I - didn''t - earn - anything." Favrielle said as she panted. She sneezed and felt something small fall on her head. She froze and slowly moved a hand to her hair. She felt something soft and squishy; it was about the size of her hand. Favrielle put both hands on her hair and slowly pulled the thing off her head. Black beady eyes stared at her and the small red slime squeaked.
Favrielle cautiously placed the slime on the ground and took a step back from it. The last time she thought something was cute it bit her on the hand. The slime squeaked again and Favrielle decided to leave it there. Just as she turned to leave, a bush rustled and a twiggie walked out of the bush. The twiggie slowly walked over the slime and the slime squeaked again.
Favrielle stood there watching as the twiggie began to attack the slime. She began to feel sorry for the slime so she walked over and stepped on the twiggie, instantly killing it.
Favrielle sighed as she put the twiggie in her bag. "That was too easy." Favrielle left the slime as she walked deeper into the forest. Almost as soon as she left she spotted the slime in front of her. It squeaked and hopped on her head.
"A pet?" Favrielle picked the slime off her head . It squeaked and hopped back on her head. She laughed as the slime moved around on her head. "I''m going to name you Juno. She''s Jupiter''s wife and she''s as brave as you." Favrielle said, automatically assuming that the slime was a girl.
"You have a skill?" She asked. The slime- Juno squeaked and Favrielle felt embarrassed talking to something that didn''t understand her. "Nevermind," Favrielle sighed as she continued walking on. She continued walking until the sky slowly got dark. The only monster she met this entire time was a twiggie and all she did was step on it. Feeling depressed, Favrielle walked back to the village. She walked into the tavern and took a seat at a small table. Juno hopped off her head and curiously looked around. The slime caught the attention of a few people and Favrielle felt a few stares on her. Eventually an elf who wore mage robes came over to her table and took a seat.
"I like your slime." She said.
"Uh...thanks?" Favrielle wasn''t used to talking to strangers so she wasn''t sure what she should say.
The elf patted Juno on the head and she squeaked. The elf giggled and turned to Favrielle. "Can I have it? I need a familiar to upgrade my magic. I''ll give you 1,000g for it."
Favrielle looked at Juno. She really did like the slime. It was really cute and it had a skill. Favrielle looked back at the elf. "Sorry, but I really like her. So she''s not for sale."
"Oh," the elf said disappointingly. "How much did you pay for it?"
"I didn''t buy her." Favrielle said. "I earned a taming skill and tamed her."
The elf''s eyes widened. "You can tame monsters?"
The elf stood up and grabbed her hand before she could answer. "Can you get me one? I''ll pay you."
Favrielle felt nervous as the elf looked at her so excitedly. "Sure, why not."The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.
"Thank you!" The elf exclaimed. "I''ll never forget this!"
Favrielle gave a small smile to the elf as she walked back to her original table. Favrielle walked up to the counter and Randall greeted her.
"Have you completed your quest?" He asked. She
"Not yet.It''s really hard to find a decent monster around here." She sighed and pulled out rhe twiggie from earlier.
Randall inspected the twiggie before reaching into his pocket and giving her 10 coins. "I''ll take the twiggie for 10g."
Favrielle accepted the coins and put them in her bag. Randall nodded at the bag. "You should probably save up money for armor and a better weapon. You can''t kill big monsters with a kitchen knife."
"Good point." Favrielle paused. She hadn''t realized until now, but why did all the NPCs act so...real? In all the books she read on virtual worlds, nothing like this had ever happened.
Randall noticed her stare. "What is it?"
"It''s nothing," She quickly said. Randall obviously didn''t believe her, but he didn''t push the subject. Favrielle went back to her table to get Juno before leaving for the forest.
It wasn''t long before they spotted a few slimes. Favrielle recalled how she "tamed" Juno and patted all the slimes on the head once.
Favrielle decided to name the blue slime Neptune, the black slime Pluto, and the yellow slime Jupiter to go along with Olympian themed names. All of them were level 1 and had no skills. A thought came to mind and Favrielle placed Juno near Jupiter.
"This is your husband, Juno." Favrielle said. "You have to take good care of him, alright?"
Juno squeaked in reply and Favrielle decided to take that answer as a yes. She put all the slimes in her bag and ran back to the tavern to train her stamina. Along the way she gained 6 more slimes - Hercules, Diana, Apollo, Vulcan, Cupid, and Venus - making her taming skill level up to level 5. With a bag full of slimes, she enter the tavern to see it unusually packed. Someone pointed at her and shouted. "There she is! That''s the beast taming girl!"
Suddenly a crowd of people swarmed around Favrielle.
"Can I have a slime?" Someone asked .
"I''ll pay 1,000g just for one slime!"
"Ignore them, I''ll pay you 2,000g for one!"
People continued to swarm around her until Randall banged a wood on the table. "Keep it down everyone and line up in an orderly fashion."
The crowd dispersed and Favrielle shot a grateful look at Randall. She walked over to the counter. "Why are all these people here?" She asked.
Randall shrugged. "Someone said that you had the ability to tame slimes so a few mages came to see if they could get one."
Favrielle gestured over her shoulder. "That crowd is not a few mages."
Randall gave a half-shrug. "I suggest you have an auction and sell them off to the highest bidder."
Favrielle nodded. "That''s a good idea. Do you have any papers and pens?"
He rose an eyebrow. "What do you need them for?"
" For the auction, of course. " She said.
Favrielle walked to the center of the room and stood on the table. "Listen up everyone! If you want to buy a slime, the go to the front and write down your name and how much your willing to pay for one!"
Favrielle jumped down from the table and walked to the counter. A line soon formed and people started to bid. Favrielle nearly snorted in amusement when Randall made people pay an admission fee of 10g. Within an hour, everyone had finished bidding. Favrielle took out all the slimes in her bag except Juno and Jupiter. The slimes glowed instantly and the crowd of mages all moved closer to get a better look at them. Favrielle went through the pile of papers and picked the papers that had most useful items on them. Favrielle sold Pluto for 10,000g, Neptune for level 5 armour, Hercules for level 7 daggers, Diana for 15,000g, Vulcan for 3 attacking skills, Cupid for 3 flasks of enchanted water, Apollo for 13 heath potions, and Venus for a level 9 dual pair of rapiers.
"Look at the time." Said the human mage who bought Apollo. "I''ve got to log out."
The mage logged out along with a few other players. Soon only a few people were left in the tavern.
"Are you going to join them?" Randall asked as he collected all the money from the admission fees.
Favrielle froze. It had never once crossed her mind about what she would do when a game day ended. She had just gone with the flow that she was in a virtual world instead of a hospital bed. Now the reality of her situation was coming back at an alarming rate.
Randall noticed her hesitation. "You can stay here if you want."
"Really?"
"This is a tavern. A room will cost you 15g."
"What! Your joking, right?"
"Does it look like I''m joking?"
" ... "
***
Bri''s dad, Jamal gazed at the body of his daughter that was hooked up to many different machines. His gaze showed no warmth, only indifference like the person he was looking at wasn''t his daughter. His bodyguard entered the room.
"It''s just like you predicted, sir. She''s not logging out."
Jamal turned his icy gaze to his bodyguard , who subconsciously shivered. "Good." He said in an icy tone. "That will make moving her out alot easier."
The bodyguard nodded stiffly. "Doctor Rothwell said that he''s ready to begin the tests when she arrives."
"Good, anything else?"
"Mrs. Laurens called, she said Master Gabriel is waiting for you to pick him up from his classes."
Jamal gave a curt nod. "Any news from Caroline?" His eyes showed a bit of warmth as he mentioned the woman''s name.
"Miss Caroline is currently waiting for you at Peachwood Manor."
Jamal pinched the bridge of his nose. "Cancel my arrangements with Gabriel and tell Caroline that I''ll be right over."
The bodyguard nodded and left the room, leaving Jamal alone with his daughter again. Jamal held her hand and squeezed it. A rare look of determination filled his eyes.
"I''ll get you back, Carol. Back to your original state, I promise."
Chapter 3
Chapter 3 - Becoming a Party
Favrielle opened her eyes to feel the sun shining on her face. She sat up and her long green hair swept over her back. She looked around the room she was in. It was a small room that had a bed, dresser, and a window. So it wasn''t a dream, she actually was in a virtual world. Favrielle swept her legs off the side of the bed and stood up. She walked over to the dresser and pulled out the level 5 armour she got yesterday. The armor was light and thin, but she could feel the hardness of the level 5 steel. Favrielle put on the armour, which was easy to put on , and shook Juno and Jupiter awake.
The two slimes woke up and looked at their owner. Juno squeaked and Jupiter copied her. Favrielle smiled to see two balls of cuteness. She let Jupiter and Juno hop on her head as she took her bag (which was stuffed with all the stuff she got) and left the room. She walked down the hall and entered the tavern common room which already had a few customers. Favrielle walked up to the counter where Randall had a plate of pancakes on the table.
Favrielle reached over to grab the plate. "Thanks, you know exactly what I want to eat in the morning."
Randall moved the plate away from her hands and snorted. "Good morning to you too."
"Good morning." Favrielle gave him her brightest smile. "Now about the pancakes..."
"They''re for me," a voice said from behind.
Favrielle turn to see the elf from yesterday who she promised a slime. The elf''s eyes widened in recognition and she gave her a small smile. "So we meet again." The elf looked over at Randall. "I''ll pay for anything she wants to order."
Not skipping a beat, Randall nodded and walked into the kitchen without taking her order. Favrielle didn''t say anything and hoped that he went to get her something to eat.
The elf gestured for Favrielle to follow her as she walked to her table. Favrielle followed her and took the chair across from her. Juno hopped unto the table and Jupiter followed her.
The elf swooned when she saw Juno and Jupiter on the table. "You got another one already? Yesterday, I heard that you had a pet auction. How do you tame pets so fast?"
Favrielle was surprised to hear that news of her beast taming had spead out that much. "When I went to get your slime, I picked up a few others. All the ones that were sold yesterday were extras." She picked up Jupiter and placed him in front of the elf. "Here, for you."
The elf squealed as she picked up Jupiter and gave him a big hug. The slime blinked at her and squeaked. The elf looked up and smiled at her. " Thank you. I''m Trixie."
"Favrielle."
Trixie regarded her carefully. "What would you like in exchange for Juppie?"
Favrielle faintly smiled at Trixie''s nickname for Jupiter. She hadn''t decided on what she wanted as she had never been thinking about it. "Just paying for the meal is good enough."
Trixie frowned and dismissed her idea. "I can''t do just that. So many mages spent a couple thousand on one if these. There''s no way that I''m getting one for free."
Randall luckily came at that moment with their, saving Favrielle from answering. Trixie got her original order of pancakes while Favrielle got pancakes, two hash browns, 4 sausage links, 3 bacon strips, scrambled eggs, and a glass of orange juice.
Favrielle put down a mental note to thank Randall for the big meal as she began to eat. Trixie finished her pancakes before her and was waiting for her to finish eating.
"What level are you on?" Trixie suddenly asked.
Favrielle paused. "Level 2."
"How about you join my party and level up in exchange for Juppie?"
Favrielle tilted her head and considered what Trixie said. It would be nice to fight along side with someone who actually knew where challenging monsters were. And she wouldn''t have to worry so much about getting in a bad situation.
"Alright." Favrielle agreed.
Favrielle dismissed all the notifications. She was surprised. She had only been in party for 5 seconds and she had gone up two levels. It seemed that this was a good choice.
< Lancelot: Trixie, who is Favrielle?>
Favrielle closed the party chat and took a bite out of her hash browns. Juno hopped over and took one of her sausage links. The sausage link floated around in the slime for a few seconds before it disappeared.
"That''s a good skill, Juno." Favrielle said as she rubbed the slime''s head. Juno gave a loud squeak and Favrielle gave her another sausage link. Trixie stood up as soon as Favrielle finished her last plate. She dropped a pile of coins on the table and pulled her to her feet.
"We''ve wasted enough time here. Come on, hurry up!"
Favrielle waved goodbye to Randall as she followed the excited mage out of the tavern.
"I like your armor." Trixie said as they began walking to the weapons store.
"Thanks, It''s the only armor I have. " She replied.
"Why is that? Armor isn''t that expensive." Trixie said as her brows furrowed .
"I didn''t have any money." Favrielle clarified.
Trixie looked confused as she gazed at her. "Then why didn''t you log out buy some with real money?"
Favrielle froze momentarily , but recovered the next second. "I never thought of that."
Trixie didn''t notice anything as they walked into the store. The game told her that the elf who owned the store was namedFerios. He was a handsome and tall elf with light hair.
The elf smiled at them as they entered. "Hello, what can I get for you?"
"Do you have any fire affinity wands?" Trixie asked as she looked around.
Ferios'' gaze looked distant as he said, "We have 3 wands that would be perfect for your level."Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.
Ferios reached behind the counter and pulled out three long wands. Favrielle left them there as she walked to the back of the store to find a bag. She found one that had 5,000 spaces and took it to the front where Trixie was paying for ger wand.
Trixie took the bag from her hand and gave it toFerios. "I''ll pay for this as well."
"No need." Favrielle said as she took out 100g.
Trixie moved her hand to the side. "I already said that I''m going to pay for it."
Favrielle sighed and let Trixie pay for the bag. Trixie smiled as she handed the bag back to her. She wore an "I won" look on her face and Favrielle couldn''t resist the urge to roll her eyes.
"Where are we going?" Favrielle asked as they walked out of the store.
"The eastern forest." Trixie said as she skipped around waving her wand. " The other members of our party are waiting there." Jupiter, who was on Trixie''s head, squeaked and Trixie erupted into giggles.
Favrielle followed the giggling Trixie outside the village. She took out the level 7 daggers out of her bag. She was probably going to be a dual weilder, because she was left and right handed. Favrielle held the daggers in her hand and tried them out.
"Great form!" Trixie praised.
"Thanks." Favrielle said. She glaced over at Trixie. "Do you think your party members will be okay with me joining you all?"
Trixie snorted. "It dosen''t matter if they like it or not. I''m the party leader, so I''m in charge."
Favrielle shook her head as she began to feel sorry for the other party members. They finally reached a clearing where three people were waiting.
Trixie waved at them. "I''m back!"
The three people looked over at them. There were two guys and one girl. As they came closer, Favrielle could tell that both of the guys were human and the girl was...a beast-kin.
"Did you guys miss me?" Trixie asked.
"You were only gone for a hour." One of the guys said. The guy who spoke had short cropped blonde hair and green eyes. He wore thick armor and had a lance in his hand.
Trixie pouted for three seconds before turning to the other guy. "Did you miss me, Rave?" She asked eagerly.
Rave barely glanced at her. "No." Rave had long black hair that was pulled into a ponytail. His eyes were an icy blue and he wore all black clothing.
Trixie sulked and Jupiter hopped into her embrace. "Your the only who cares about me, Juppie." Trixie said as she rubbed her face on Jupiter''s body.
Favrielle stood there awkwardly as 3 gazes met hers. She gave a small wave. "Hi, I''m Favrielle."
"You don''t look like a beast tamer." The guy with blonde hair said as he gazed at her in a disapproving way.
"Uh..." Favrielle slightly frowned as she didn''t know how she should reply.
The beast-kin girl elbowed the guy and gave her a smile. "It''s nice to meet you, Favrielle. I''m Avel and this rude guy is Lancelot. The other guy is Rave and you''ve already met Trixie." Avel had bright orange hair and green eyes. Her skin looked alot like a leopard''s and she had leopard ears on her head and a long tail. She wore green mage robes and carried a thick wooden staff that had a green orb as a centerpiece.
"It''s nice to meet you all."
Avel nodded and she squinted at Favrielle''s head. "Is that a slime?" She asked.
Favrielle nodded as she took Juno off her head. "This is Juno, she''s my pet."
Trixie, who had at some point stopped sulking, grinned as she said. "And this is my pet, Jupiter!"
Rave glanced at her. "Weren''t you sulking?"
Trixie rolled her eyes at him. "Of course I wasn''t. You must be seeing things."
Rave rose an eyebrow and Trixie turned back to the conversation. "Anyway, as party leader, I say that our newest mission is to level up."
Lancelot frowned. "That''s what we did all last week, can''t we do something else?"
Trixie shook her head. "No. We''re too low levelled compared to the other players. If any of them wanted to take something from us, we wouldn''t be able to put up much of a fight."
"Speak for yourself." Avel muttered.
Trixie ignored her and took out her wand. "We''re all going to try our best, alright?"
No one answered her as she walked into the forest. Rave and Lancelot soon followed her and Favrielle took up the rear with Avel.
"How long have you been playing?" Avel asked as she curiously regarded her.
"About a day." Favrielle replied.
"That''s impressive." Avel said as she looked at Juno who was currently sitting on Favrielle''s shoulder.
"What''s impressive about that?" Favrielle asked.
"Oh, nothing really. It''s just your armor is level 5. My robes are only a level 3 and I''ve been playing for a week." Avel huffed .
"Why is that?"
"Trixie is very stingy about money. She says that we shouldn''t buy useless things. But how are new robes use-" Avel suddenly stopped as she stared at Juno. "Why is your pet glowing?"
Favrielle looked over at her shoulder. Juno was glowing a bright red. Juno suddenly hopped of her shoulder and hopped over towards a large thicket of trees.
"Come back, Juno." Favrielle said as she ran after her pet.
Avel looked at her companions, who were unaware of their falling behind, then the distant Favrielle. She sighed and chased after Favrielle.
***
Favrielle dismissed this notification as she finally spotted Juno. She panted for a few seconds before walking over to her pet.
"Why - did you - run away?" Favrielle asked as she panted.
The slime gave three squeaks and Favrielle followed her gaze to a huge moving slime behind a few trees. Without any warning, Juno turned into a hard ball and smacked up against the huge slime. Juno bounced off of the slime and a small hole formed where she hit it. The huge slime turned around and tired to smack the Juno away.
Favrielle couldn''t standby as her pet was attacked, so she ran over and pushed Juno away before she was smacked. Unfortunately, Favrielle was hit with the attack instead and She felt something crack inside her. Favrielle forced herself to stand up and she took out her daggers. There was a slim possibility that she was actually going to survive so decided to take her chances and attack the huge slime.
Favrielle usedTriple Slash to create a large hole in the slime.
Slime gushed out the hole and the slime slightly deflated. Juno turned into a ball again and started to continuously smack the slime. Favrielle used the distraction to create holes on the slime, making is slowly deflate. With their progress, it would take all day to kill the slime.
When Favrielle tried to create another hole, the slime smacked her into a tree and Favrielle felt like her chest was going to burst open in pain. The slime slowly approached her, ignoring Juno who was no longer doing much damage, and was about to smack her when-
"Sword Storm!"
Ten swords flew in from the right and pierced the slime. The slime shrank a bit and slime gushed out of the ten new holes. Favrielle looked over at where the swords had appeared from and saw Avel running over. Her staff glowed green and turned into a mace which Avel used to create a big hole in the slime.
Favrielle stood up slowly and ran over to help Avel out. She used Bleed to create a medium sized whole in the slime. The slime shrank even more and within a minute it was almost the size of Juno. Favrielle stabbed it one last time and it deflated into a puddle.
Favrielle collapsed on the ground and her chest felt like it was ready to burst. Avel knelt down next to her and cast a healing spell. "Are you okay?"
"No, " Favrielle said truthfully. "I feel like I cracked my ribs."
" I think you did. " Avel said when she saw that the wound on Favrielle''s chest wasn''t healing. "Your HP is restored, but I can''t do anything about cracked ribs."
Favrielle nodded and winced as she felt a sharp pain. She wasn''t in much pain and it hurt to sit up. Other than that, she was completely fine. If she had cracked her ribs in real life, she knew that she would be ina lotmore pain.
Avel sat her up against a tree and Favrielle watching as Juno somehow put all the loot that dropped from the monster in her bag, which she hadn''t noticed disappear. Finished with her task, Juno hopped back with the bag.
Avel helped Favrielle stand up and allowed her to lean on her shoulder. "Your pet is very smart."
Favrielle was about to nod in agreement when Avel said: "But she''s also pretty dumb."
Stunned, Favrielle allowed Juno to hop on her head as Avel walked them back to the village.
***
Trixie stopped walking as many notifications clouded her view. Rave and Lancelot stopped beside her. She noticed that Favrielle and Avel weren''t behind them.
"Where are Favrielle and Avel?" She asked Rave and Lancelot .
Lancelot shrugged. "Probably lost or- I levelled!" Lancelot suddenly exclaimed.
Trixie frowned. "When did you level up?"
"Just now. " Lancelot said looking excited. "It looks like we all did."
"Your new friend successfully killed a level 10 king slime. " Rave added sounding, surprisingly, impressed.
Trixie tried not to think too much about what Rave said as she PMed (Private Messaged) Avel.
After a few seconds, Trixie saw a reply.
Rielle? When did the two of them get so close? Trixie took a deep breath and tried to focus on the matters at hand.
"That was odd." Trixie muttered. Avel never usually rushes through conversations.
"What''s odd?" Lancelot asked.
"Nothing!" Trixie said quickly. Maybe a bit too quickly by the way Rave and Lancelot were looking at her.
Trixie tried her best to ignore the looks. "Come on, let''s go to the healing center."
Lancelot was about to ask why when Trixie suddenly walked away. He and Rave exchanged glances as they hurried to catch up with her.
***
Favrielle nearly snorted in amusement as Avel tried to copy Aerita''s movements on healing broken bones. So far, Avel could only get half of the spell right and had accidentally broken 3 bones.
Avel plopped down on the chair next to Favrielle''s and glared at her. "Don''t you dare start laughing at me ,Rielle." Avel had started to call her that ever since she killed the king slime.Favrielle didn''t mind and had accepted Avel''s friend request.
"I''m not laughing." Favrielle denied as Aerita healed Avel''s broken shoulder blade.
"Of course your not." Avel said sarcastically.
"I''m really not." Favrielle said as she hid a smile and Juno squeaked as if to back her up.
Avel rolled her eyes and stood up, wincing at the pain in her shoulder blade.
"Sit down so I can treat you." Aerita said as she tried to get Avel to sit down.
Avel shook her head. "I can''t. It''s about for me to log out."
Aerita stepped aside and Avel gave Favrielle a small wave as she logged out.
"Have you finished your quest?" Aerita asked.
Favrielle shook her head. "Not yet. Do you -"
Favrielle was interrupted by the door opening. Trixie, Jupiter, Rave, and Lancelot came into the healing center.
"Where is Avel?" Trixie asked as she looked around. Favrielle noticed that the usually peppy elf seemed a bit down.
"She logged out." Favrielle replied as she noticed Lancelot staring at her intently.
"Oh," Trixie said disappointingly. "How are-"
"How did you level so fast?" Lancelot asked as he stared at Favrielle like she was a mystical being.
Favrielle shrugged. "All I did was kill a king slime-"
"Which was level 10," Rave said interrupting her. His eyes narrowed at her. "Very mysterious. Very mysterious indeed."
He looked like he was going to say more when Trixie interrupted him. "Guys, it''s about time we log out as well. It''s almost seven in the morning."
Rave rose an eyebrow at Trixie before he logged out.
"Is he always like that?" Favrielle asked Trixie.
When Trixie didn''t answer, Favrielle turned to Lancelot. Surprisingly, she got an answer. Ever since they met, Favrielle had a feeling that Lancelot disliked her. She had felt this for a while, until now.
"Mysterious? Yes. Talkative? No." Lancelot shrugged.
Trixie frowned and suddenly logged out.
"What happened to her?" Favrielle asked.
Lancelot frowned. "I don''t know." He logged out.
Favrielle sat there trying to figure out what was wrong with Trixie.
Chapter 4
Chapter 4 - Choosing a Class
Favrielle ducked as the huge level 10 hawk tried to stab at her with its beak. Her agility was high enough that her back no longer pained when she bent back all the way. It had been a week, in the game, since Favrielle joined Trixie''s party. She got along with everyone in the party and they fought well together. They had each gone up a few levels except for Favrielle who was now level 9 and Avel who reached level 15. Even Juno and Jupiter had gone up a few levels. Favrielle had also improved her fighting skills with her daggers. Rave helped her out under the scrutinizing of Trixie who insisted on being there for every lesson. He seemed to think that she was very mysterious and continued to pester her about it, which Avel said was very unlike him. Favrielle and Avel were on very friendly terms and even Lancelot was friendly in his own type of way. The only one Favrielle felt distant from was Trixie. She tried to make an effort of working together, but the elf seemed to not trust her for some unknown reason.
Rave shot an arrow at the hawk right on the neck. As a sniper, Rave always waited for the best time to make a shot. The hawk yelled and Favrielle felt like her eardrums were going to burst.
Lancelot glared at Rave as he stuck his lance on the bird''s left wing. "Watch it with the arrows!"
Rave ignored him as he readied another arrow. Favrielle used Triple Slash to create a big slash on the bird''s chest. The hawk attacked her with its claws and she had to fall back in order to not be squished.
"Your supposed to be a tank, Lance!" Favrielle yelled as she ran to the rear and used Triple Slash. Rave shot 3 arrows at the hawk''s neck and it was temporarily paralyzed.
Lancelot pierced the hawk in the heart and it fell on the ground. He then glared at her. "I told you, cavaliers aren''t tanks."
Favrielle snorted. "There is no difference between a cavalier and a tank."
"Of course there is." Lancelot frowned. "I don''t see why you continue to say otherwise."
Favrielle rolled her eyes and let Juno hop unto her hands. The slime had been in charge of getting all the loot recently after it absorbed the king slime energy orb. Aerita said that Juno would be able to fight after she finished absorbing the orb completely. Rave quickly jumped down from the tree he was on and walked over to them.
"Good work," He said. As temporary leader, he was in charge of making sure we all leveled up. Before she and Avel logged out for the day, Trixie said that she wanted all of us to continue leveling up.
"Can''t we do something else?" Lancelot complained as he leaned against his lance.
Rave, as usual, didn''t answer and pretended that Lancelot hadn''t said anything. Lancelot glowered at him and Favrielle racked her head for something to change the subject.
"You guys wouldn''t mind if I quickly drop this off at the tavern?" Favrielle asked she gestured at the hawk''s body. Whenever they killed a monster, Favrielle would always take it to the tavern to sell it off. They split the money and Favrielle would use her share to pay for boarding at the tavern.
Lancelot and Rave ignored her as they continued in what looked like a staring contest. Favrielle decided to take their silence as a yes. She put the bird''s body in her bag (which amazed her everytime the items shrunk) and left with Juno on her head. She knew the way to the tavern like the back of her hand and she was getting used to living in a game.
Favrielle entered the tavern and walked up to the counter where Randall was wiping a glass.
"Are you always doing that?" She asked curiously.
"Doing what?"
"Wiping a glass." She clarified.
Randall chuckled. "It''s an old habit I have. It makes me feel calm and relaxed."
"Huh," was the only thing that felt right to say.
"Enough about me." Randall put down the glass and peered at her. "What have you got for me today?"
Favrielle pulled out the big bird and it covered the entire counter. She had to move back in order to see Randall clearly.
He stroked his chin. "This is one big bird." He examined it, then pulled out one of it''s feathers. "The feathers will be great for pillows." He glanced over at her. "I''ll pay you 500g for it."
Favrielle nodded and Randall handed her the gold coins. "What are you going to do with all that money?" He asked.
"I don''t know." She simply replied. Her armor and weapons were good for now and the only thing that she really needed money for was for food and boarding.
Randall was silent for a moment, before he said. "Maybe you should buy a house?"
Favrielle rose an eyebrow and he continued. "Your not like the other travelers who disappear all the time, instead you stay here. You might as well buy a house instead of pay boarding if you are going to live here permanently."
Favrielle tilted her head. "You know, I might just do that."
Randall nodded and left to go serve another customer. Favrielle left the tavern and wandered around the large village. "Where do you think I should go, Juno?" She asked, knowing that the slime couldn''t possibly understand her.
Juno squeaked and Favrielle stopped in front of the weapons shop. She entered the shop and was greeted by a smiling Ferios.
"Hello again." He greeted. "How can I help you this time?"
Favrielle took out her twin level 9 raspiers. "I would like to sell these." It''s not like she used them anyway.
Ferios studied the raspiers before accepting them. "I''ll give you 100g for them."
Favrielle frowned. "100g? Are you sure it''s not worth more than that?"
Ferios nodded. "Nowadays, people want more higher leveled weapons and armour. It makes the prices for the lower leveled ones to drop."
"What is the highest level weapon you''ve seen?"
The elf thought for a moment, before answering. "A level 20, but that''s no surprise. Most of the higher leveled people go to the humanlands for weapons and armor. The humanlands has the best materials for those kind of things." He sighed. "But they''re so expensive to buy."
"Hmm..." Favrielle muttered thoughtfully.
Ferios studied her armour. "That level 5 armour is going to make your defense worse in battle. I would personally recommend getting a new set before battling any higher leveled monsters."
"What is your highest level set and how much is it?"
"Hmm...the highest leveled set I have is a level 15 and it''s 35,000g."
"..." Favrielle''s expression went blank. It was only a level 15 and yet it cost a fortune!
"Uh...I think I''m good for now." She hurriedly said.
"Oh," He said looking disappointed. "Well if you ever need new armour, you know where to go."
Favrielle gave him a thumbs up and was rewarded with a confused look. Shaking her head, Favrielle left the shop.
Favrielle shook her head as walked back to the tavern.
***
Trixie logged into SCO (Second Chance Online for all you boring people) and appeared near an empty grove of trees. None of her party members were there and she guessed that they were leveling up. Avel had logged on earlier than her and Lancelot and Rave had the luxury of playing though the night. As for Favrielle... Trixie frowned. She didn''t know why, but she felt uneasy whenever Favrielle talked to Rave. She could barely get him to say a few words, while Favrielle could get him to talk for a whole conversation. Did he like her? Trixie dismissed that thought. They had only known each other for a few days, how could he possibly like her.
Jupiter squeaked and hopped in her arms, distracting her from her gloomy thoughts. "Let''s go find our team mates." She used her wand to give herself a speed buff and she sped of into the village to find them. She found them near the quest board talking about a skill Favrielle gained.
"It''s really cool." Avel commented.
"It could help us out in this herb gathering quest." Lancelot said with a rare tone of impressment.
Trixie bit her lip. Everyone now was impressed with Favrielle. All the attention that used to belong with her was now Favrielle''s. It felt like she was taking all of her friends away.
"We can all spit up and find the herbs." Trixie suggested, startling everyone except Rave.
Avel looked over at her. "Oh, Trixie. I didn''t see you over there."
"We can''t split up. None of us have the identification skill except for Favrielle." Lancelot said cutting off any reply she was going to give.
Feeling annoyed, Trixie said. "Then learn it. As party leader, I say we all split up and find the herbs."
"Who made you party leader?" Lancelot muttered as he scowled at her.
"I don''t think we should do that either." Avel said as she glanced at Trixie. "I agree with Lance and it might also get a little bit tricky getting the herbs."
Favrielle frowned and asked, "Why would it get tricky?"
"Well-" Avel began.
"We''re not arguing about this." Trixie firmly said. "I make the decisions as party leader, right Rave?"
Rave didn''t say anything at first. He gazed at her for a long time before nodding.
Trixie breathed a sigh in relief. At least Rave was still on her side.
The quest called for 16 different herbs so they decided that each person would search for 4. They parted ways and all went into different forests.
***
Favrielle chose to go into the eastern forest. Lesmelle (the village) was surrounded by four forests. She had been told that the eastern forest had the most herbs in it. Her identify skill should help her identify the herbs they were looking for, so she wasn''t concerned. She took a bite out of a raisin cookie and gave one to the slime on her head.
Favrielle smiled and wondered if Juno might be able to reproduce a cookie. She took the slime off her head. "Juno, recreate a raisin cookie."
The slime blinked at her and glowed slightly. She stopped glowing a few seconds later. "Where''s the cookie?" Favrielle asked.
The slime hopped on her head and Favrielle saw a raisin cookie in her hands. Her eyes lit up. If she allowed Juno to absorb all the foods she bought, she would never have to buy food again. Favrielle snapped out of her thoughts when she noticed a white plant with brown...horns growing on its sides.
"That was easy," she muttered as she pulled the plant out of the ground.
That was when Favrielle felt something big poke her hand. She dropped the plant and saw a small hole on her hand. Naturally, her first reaction was to freak out. She didn''t have time to do that because she felt something poke her foot. She moved away and looked down to see the plant...moving. She shrieked and pulled out her dagger. She could only use her left-hand because her right had a hole that luckily was not bleeding.
The plant moved very slowly so all she really had to do was pierce it with her dagger. It stopped moving and she hoped that it was dead. Or maybe that wasn''t the right word for this situation. She put the plant in her bag and was going to leave when she felt 10 more pokes on her feet. Favrielle looked down to see 10 horned plants. She leaped away from them and Juno hopped off her head.
Juno activated Bubble Smack and she began to smack all the horned plants. Favrielle let her ''fight'' all of the plants by herself. Though, it actually wasn''t a fight. It was more of a one side beating. Favrielle gathered all the plants and put them in her bag. Juno hopped on her head and they continued their walk in the forest. This time they were more cautious and moved aside when they saw 10 pink thin skikes heading their way. Favrielle looked over at the direction that the spikes came from and saw a pink spiky bush.
How am I supposed to beat that?
The bush sent out waves of spikes and she nimbly dodged them as she tried to figure out a way to beat it.
Favrielle kicked the bush and groaned as pain grew in her leg. Her armour barely protected her from the spikes. Ferios was right about her armour. The bush tried to climb on her leg, but Favrielle moved back. Wait, she was supposed to get it''s needles, not the entire thing. She made a not very grand escape and tried to take the needles out of her leg. A horrible pain grew on her leg and the area where the needle was began to swell.
The pain all over her body began to numb and Favrielle winced as she walked deeper into the forest. Only two more to go. That is if I don''t die first. She only had to find a hanging berry and a screaming morel. Favrielle hoped that none of them were hard to beat, but the name screaming morel sounded pretty dangerous. She looked around and saw a tall mushroom in a clearing. No other plants grew near it and Favrielle studied it.
Huh. She walked over and poked it. Nothing. She poked it again. Nothing. She poked it for the third time because the third time''s a charm. Still nothing. She sighed in relief and took out her dagger and-Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author''s preferred platform and support their work!
Heard the loudest and most terrifying scream in her entire life.
Favrielle couldn''t be bothered by the notification. Her ears were paining her and she felt the pain tolerance skill deactivate. She reached into her bag and took out a health potion. Her HP was 15 and it was getting lower by the minute. She drank the entire bottle and grimace at the sour taste. Her HP went back up to 175 and she felt her pain fade away slightly. Favrielle glared at the morel and used her dagger to behead it before it caused anymore pain. She was about to walk away when she saw five more morels. She quickly cut them all up and put them in her bag.
Juno hopped off her head and somehow slid in the health potion bottle. Favrielle wasn''t sure what the slime was doing, but she put the bottle in her bag as well. Only one more thing to do before I go see a healer.
The name hanging berry didn''t sound very terrifying, so she wasn''t surprised when she saw a berry hanging from a vine. She walked over and plucked the berry. "That was easy-"
The ground opened and a big plant swallowed her up. Favrielle began to breathe heavily and her mouth began to dry. She felt a pain in her chest and she began to feel light headed. She had never like being in tight spaces. It always made her think that she would never be able to escape. She felt like she was ready to faint when the plant suddenly opened. The sudden brightness made her feel dizzy and faint.
***
Axelant poked the fainted girl with his arrow tip. He had been trying to find some hanging berries when he saw a huge plant. He sliced it open and saw the fainted girl. Axelant examined to wounds on the girl. She had a hole in her right hand and her legs were covered in pink needles. He couldn''t tell what race the girl was. She wasn''t a human by her height. She wasn''t an elf because she didn''t have pointed ears. And the other races had distinguishing features. The girl had long dark green hair and she looked distressed. Axelant didn''t know why, but he felt the urge to help her. He sighed. He was probably going to regret this. He noticed the girl''s bag and decided to help her by putting all his hanging berries in her bag. He then picked up both her and her bag and took them to the village healer.
***
Favrielle felt something cool on her forehead. She opened her eyes to see Aerita removing a wet cloth from her forehead. The elf seemed to be saying something, but it took awhile for her to hear her correctly.
"What did you say?" She asked as she sat up.
"I asked if you could hear me." Aerita put the wet cloth on a table near her. "Though it seems that you can''t."
"I can hear you now." Favrielle said as she looked around. She was in a large room on one of the beds in the healing center. How did I get in the healing center?
Aerita nodded at her and gestured for her to stand up. Favrielle swung her legs over the side of the bed and stood up. She realized that she was no longer wearing her armour and was now wear a white flowy blouse and leather trousers. Her hair no longer fell at her back, but was braided back into a very complicated braid. Favrielle curiously looked over at the healer. Aeritha either didn''t catch her gaze or was ignoring her as she pulled out a paper from her bag.
"So your the one who took the quest." Aeritha said as she put the paper down.
Farielle paused mid-step. "That was your quest?"
Aeritha nodded. "I needed a few ingredients to finish a potion."
"Hmm..." Favrielle muttered as she took out all the morels, horned plants, and berries out of her bag. Wait...berries? She pulled out ten red berries.
Favrielle frowned. She had never put the berry in her bag and how did one berry become ten?
Aeritha accessed all the herbs."I can give you one-fifth of the money for the quest on the board and 5g for every additional herb."
Favrielle nodded at her, not really paying attention to what she was saying.
Aeritha handed her 262g and Favrielle asked her, "How did I get to the healing center?"
Aeritha paused. "Someone brought you over here. I''m not sure who he is though, but he should be waiting in the next room."
Favrielle nodded and left the room. She walked in the next room to see a tall elf with dark hair and brown eyes standing near the door. He looked up when he saw her approach him.
"Hey," Favrielle said. "Were you the one who helped me out of the forest?"
The elf had a very serious and intimidating face. He looked alot like Rave except that he wore the armour of an archer. The elf nodded, but didn''t say anything.
Favrielle smiled. "Thank you, I''m not sure what I would have done without you."
The elf nodded and Favrielle noticed many new messages on the party chat.
Favrielle hadn''t realized that she had been gone for so long.
Favrielle looked away from her messages and noticed that the elf who helped her was gone. I didn''t even get his name.
***
Favrielle slashed the big frog in its stomach. Water gushed out of the large wound and Favrielle barely avoided being sprayed by the acid water. One drop of that on your skin and it was instant death. Avel, Lancelot, and Rave had each died and respawned at the healing center. Now it was just her and Trixie fighting the fog by themselves. Trixie hit the frog with another flame spell which was doing no damage. Favrielle glanced back at the mage as she used her daggers to activate Triple Slash and a new skill she learned Scar Slash. The frog ribitted and squirted out water at her. Favrielle jumped left and tossed her dagger at the frog''s heart. The frog''s attack stopped and Trixie burnt the frog to a cinder.
Favrielle frowned at the burnt frog. "I could''ve sold that for good money."
"It doesn''t matter." Trixie frowned at her. "Is all you care about money?"
"No, but that was such a waste." Favrielle sighed and put her daggers in her bag. Juno was still inside the empty heath bottle and didn''t want to come out. Favrielle didn''t understand what her pet wanted, but she left her there.
Trixie rolled her eyes at her and Favrielle didn''t understand why the elf seemed to be angry at her.
"Is there something bothering you?" She asked as she sat down on the grass near the pond.
"No." Trixie said blandly.
"Why are you upset?" Favrielle asked again.
Trixie scowled at her. "I''m not upset at anyone! Stop bothering me already!"
Favrielle rose an eyebrow and that seemed to make Trixie even more upset. "What is bothering me is you!"
"Alright, what about me is bothering you?" Favrielle asked calmly.
Trixie''s face turned red in anger. "Everything about you! Your very existence is bothersome! Your like a fly! A moth! An..."
"Enigma." Favrielle added helpfully.
"Yes! An enigma!" Trixie stopped then glared at her.
Favrielle just smiled at her. She still didn''t understand what was wrong with the elf, but the whole thing was kind of amusing.
Favrielle stood up and stretched. "If that''s everything, I''m going to-" She froze when she noticed another frog appear out of the water. It squirted acid water at Trixie. Favrielle knew that it would be too late to warn her. She pushed Trixie out of the way and felt the spay of acid all over her. Everything went black and she could faintly hear the sound of someone screaming.
***
Favrielle opened her eyes to see a crying Trixie. Trixie''s eyes widened when she noticed that she was awake.
"Your awake..." She softly said before crying again.
Favrielle sat up and noticed that they were still at the pond. A few feet away from them was a chared frog. Favrielle tried to put the pieces together, but she couldn''t concentrate with Trixie''s crying.
"Why are you crying?" She asked.
Trixie rubbed her eyes and suddenly hugged her by the shoulders. Favrielle was thoroughly confused but she patted the girl on the back. Trixie continued to cry until she had n more tears left. She let go of Favrielle''s shoulders.
"Thank you for saving me." She softly said.
"It was nothing." Favrielle said. "It''s just a game after all."
"No, you don''t understand." Trixie looked at the ground. "I...I have a fear of death...."
Favrielle frowned. "Doesn''t everyone?"
"Yeah, but...I even fear death in virtual reality games." Trixie looked back up at her. "Whenever I end up dying in a virtual reality, I have a panic attack in the real world. That''s why the others don''t let me fight up close." She began to tear up again.
"Uh. Your welcome?" Favrielle didn''t really know what to say at this point. "How come I didn''t die?"
"I used a healing spell. It allows someone to instantly gain all their health and heals any wounds." She sniffled.
"Oh, thank you."
They sat there in silence.
"I''m sorry for how I acted." Trixie quietly said. "I didn''t mean anything I said. I was just upset that...I thought that..." She trailed off.
"You thought what?" Favrielle asked.
"I...thought that you were taking away my friends." She looked guiltily at the ground.
Favrielle wasn''t the best at giving advice, seeing that she had never tried to. She coughed. "It''s alright. I understand." I think.
Trixie look up at her and gave her a small smile before looking back at the ground. "And also..." Trixie''s face flushed a bit. "I know you like Rave...you can have him if you want. Rave probably doesn''t like girls like me.."
"..." Faverielle''s expression went blank. The whole reason she was upset was because she thought I like Rave?
Faverielle burst into laughter, startling Trixie. She continued laughing until she noticed Trixie''s confused looks.
Favrielle patted Trixie on the back. "Don''t worry, I don''t like Rave. Well, not in that sense. He''s a nice guy and all, but he''s not my type."
Trixie curiously looked at her. "Really? Then what is your type?"
Favrielle thought for a moment. "My type would be tall, elegant, and gentlemanly. He would always think about me first and would be a hopeless romantic."
Trixie blinked. "That''s a lot of requirements."
"I know."
"No offence, but that sounds like the kind of guy that would only exist in fairy tales." Trixie said as she stood up.
Favrielle stood up as well. "I know. I got my inspiration from Levi. He''s the main character''s husband in The Legacy of the Key."
Trixie''s eyes lit up. "You like that series as well."
"Yeah, it was a shame that it ended."
They began walking to the healing center. "Yeah, but I like Harrison better than Levi."
"How can you?" Favrielle said looking horrified. "Levi was the perfect image of a knight in shining armour."
"I know that, but I still prefer Harrison. He might not be a knight in shining armour, but at least he''s amusing."
Both of them laughed and they walked to the heal center while talking about their favorite books. They met the others at the quest board.
Lancelot studied Favrielle. "So you''ve leveled up."
Favrielle nodded. "I have indeed."
"What are you going to chose as your class?" Avel asked.
"You should chose mage." Trixie said. "Then we could be the twin mage sisters."
Avel frowned. "What about me? I''m a mage as well."
"Battle mages don''t count." Trixie pointed out.
"I think she should be a rouge." Lancelot said. "By the way she gla-" He stopped when he noticed three piercing glares.
"What do you think Rielle should be?" Trixie asked Rave.
Rave didn''t answer. He just continued to look at her bow like it was the most important thing in the world. Trixie rolled her eyes at him. "Hello? This is an important question."
"She should be whatever she wants." Rave said simply.
"I''m going to chose something in the warrior class." Favrielle said before Trixie could say anything.
Trixie frowned. "How are we supposed to be the twin mage sisters if we both don''t have the same class?" She held up Jupiter. "We both even have the same pet."
"Don''t force your ideas into her head." Rave gently scolded.
Trixie glared at him. "So now you speak."
Rave didn''t reply, as usual. He just patted her on the head before logging out. Trixie stood there stunned. Lancelot logged out while muttering about someone needing to get a room and Avel coughed before logging out.
Trixie touched her head. "He patted me on the head..."
Favrielle coughed. "Uh...yes, he did."
"He patted my head! I''m never washing my hair again!" Trixie laughed before she logged out.
"I hope she doesn''t do that," Favrielle muttered as she wandered around the village. She stopped in front of a large treehouse where a human boy sat on the ground in thought. The game told her that this boy was named Henry and that he was an orphan who was trying to move in with his uncle.
The boy - Henry looked up at her and stood up. "Hello, miss. Would you like to buy this house?"
Favrielle looked at the house then the boy. "Your selling this?"
"Yes, miss." Henry nodded. "I really need the money. I''ve been trying to sell it for days, but most people around here already have a house."
"Huh. What do you need the money for?"
Henry blinked. "For my uncle. He said that he needs some money to build me a room in his house, so I decided to sell my house in order to get the money."
What a thoughtful kid. "How much are you willing to sell it for?" Favrielle asked. Randall had already said that she should get a house. Why waste such a good opportunity?
"Umm... 10,000g." Henry said looking askance at her.
Faverielle nodded. "I''ll buy it."
Favrielle reached into her bag and took out 10,000g. It was a slightly difficult task, but she counted out 10,000g at the end.
Henry put all the gold in a large bag. "Thank you very much, miss. I''ll be sure to remember you."
"You can have all furniture in there as well." He said handing her the key to the house.
He thanked her again, before he ran off. Favrielle used the key to enter the house. She opened the door to see a furnished living room. It had 3 windows, a few sofas, and a table in the center. Favrielle explored the rest of the house. On the ground level, besides the living room, there was a kitchen, dining room, and a bath that looked like a hot spring. A large bedroom took up the entire second floor. It was furnished with a large bed, a desk, a closet, a few sofas, and a door that led to a balcony.
Favrielle hopped on the bed and opened up her stats list.
Favrielle added 6 attribute points to willpower, 4 points to agility, 2 points to intelligence, 9 points to dexterity, 9 points to strength, and 8 points to vitality. She then opened her classes menu.
Favrielle chose the warrior class.
Favrielle frowned. An alf can''t be a warrior? Did every race have class restrictions? Favrielle sighed and chose the mage class.
I can''t even be a mage? Favrilelle''s brows furrowed and she chose the archer class.
Favrielle''s mind went blank. The only class left was rouge. Resigning to her fate, Favrielle chose the rogue class.