Return Of Aegis

While waiting for the meat to cook, ZeRen took a peek at his stats and skills.

Character Name: ZeRen

Level: 5 ( 255 / 500 )

Title: Surpassor (All Stats +10%)

Stats:

Strength = 24 (22+2)

Dexterity = 18 (5+1+12)

Intelligence = 6 (5+1)

Luck = 1

Stamina: 50 / 360

{ Slyph & Sif's Blessing (Lv MAX) }

{ Observe (Lv 2/5) }

{ Precise Shot (Lv 3/10) }

{ Spiral Shot (Lv 1/5) }

{Observe} at Level 2 gave him extra information when he used it to watch his targets. At level 2, he could discern one or two weak points on the target. {Precise Shot} had extra 50% critical damage bringing it to 250%, but the stamina requirement became 7.

Created skills could not be leveled up with skill points that players were awarded through quests or once every 10 levels. Skill points were an expensive commodity, most players wouldn't simply spend them.

Closing his stats and skill windows, ZeRen flipped the meat to cook the other side. A sweet aroma of cooking meat soon wafted off the meat, its juices sizzling as it hit the fire. It's description was rather accurate, it did make a good BBQ.

ZeRen wasn't afraid of attracting fiercer creatures with the aroma of the meats, there simply wasn't any around. Unless he went further, he would not meet any. But then, even if he wanted to venture further, he could not. The village barrier would only let players leave if they were level 10.

Stuck here in the safe zone, where only the Rodent King would be a problem, ZeRen picked up a stick of meat, then bit into it.

The meat was juicy, but at the same time a little chewy. In Aegis, eating was not necessary; the player could not feel hungry in game. But in reality if you were, you'd have to leave the game and go eat.

Those gaming pods that would feed the user was only a fantasy, not yet available in real life.

ZeRen ate two pieces and then kept the rest for later. He had to get back to hunting more deer. ZeRen grinded throughout the night, it was almost dawn when he finally filled up his inventory with antlers, meats and leathers.

ZeRen headed for the marketplace to sell his wares, as he entered the gates, he saw a very dejected Slyph. "Must be a quest I can get." he thought.

"Hey Slyph, why so down? Is there anything I can help you with?" asked ZeRen.

"Oh hey, it's you. No. You won't be able to help. You're just level 8." said Slyph, looking further gloomy still.

"Come on, never try never know, you said so yourself, I was special, like no other you've ever met!" ZeRen said indignantly.

"Fine! If you can get me 20 antlers and 20 leathers, I'll acknowledge that you may be able to help me." Slyph threw out a random quest, knowing that it was impossible for someone who just reach level 8 to be able to hunt the forest deer.

[Ding! You received a Quest! Collect 20 antlers and 20 leathers and return to Slyph.]

"Here you go," said ZeRen as he split what he had in his inventory and gave 20 antlers and leathers to Slyph.

[Ding! You've completed the Quest! Rewards: 200 EXP | 20 Silver]

The exp was way too low. Each deer gave him 30 EXP, 20 antlers meant 20 deer, that alone was already 600 EXP. Slyph was really stingy!

"This shouldn't be possible! I need to report this to the Archer Devs!" thought Slyph. Not willing to concede that ZeRen was this good, he gave another quest.

[Ding! You received a Quest! Collect 40 antlers and 50 leathers and return to Slyph.]

This time he was sure it would not be possible for ZeRen to have collected 40 antlers and 50 leathers. But seeing ZeRen's expression, it dawned on Slyph that he had underestimated this youth.

ZeRen was inwardly cursing Slyph, "you'd better give me something worthwhile, otherwise I'll skin you alive!" ZeRen handed over 40 antlers and 50 leathers. That was all that he got.

[Ding! You've completed the Quest! Rewards: 400 EXP | 50 Silver]

"Great, I'm now level 9! Slyph! Now do you believe I may be able to help you?" ZeRen said proudly, all traces of anger dissipated.

At this point, Slyph was already numb to whatever surprises ZeRen could throw at him. "Yes, I think you may just be the one to help me." said Slyph.

"I've received reports that a Rodent King has appeared in the beginner zone of the village. I can't leave the village to deal with it. As the report from the patrol unit mentions, 4 players have repeatedly died to this menace. We can't spare anyone to go deal with it at this point. Could you assist to eliminate it? You will be awarded for your services." continued Slyph.

"So it was those 4 idiots. They died so many times that even the NPCs are aware of it. How many times had they have to die?" wondered ZeRen.

[Ding! Quest Available: Eliminate Rodent King. Will you accept?]

"Sure Slyph, leave this menace to me." ZeRen was confident he could handle the level 8 Rodent King.

ZeRen turned around and exited the gate he just came in awhile ago. Checking his map, he marked the location he last noted down where the Rodent King was.

Due to repeated the fights with the Rodent King, the 4 idiots somehow made an area of 10 meters around the Rodent King completely b.a.r.e, not a blade of grass nor trees remained. Using {Observe} ZeRen took a look at the Rodent King, causing him to almost fall out of a tree in shock!

The Rodent King had changed!