Chapter 3: 3 I'm a natural

Upon receiving their ID crystals, the players headed off to explore this new world. Some off them went to find beginner quests in the settlement, while others approached NPCs to inquire about this mysterious land.

Simply (Alex's character) strolled into the settlement taking note of the current situation. His tactician side kicked in, noticing the scars left by beasts on the outpost's wooden palisade and the empty raw materials in the craftsmen's workshops. Overall there was a lot to be done before this place could become a true town. Having arrived at what seemed like the local inn, from the outside it looked pleasant, humble and clean. Oak and stone pillars make up most of the building's outer structure. Simply entered.

"Two pints and be quick about it!"

"Coming up"

"So I look up and there was your uncle, he had finished the repairs. I tell you, that man is talented."

"Ah, Uncle Trimei! He loves his hammer so much that his wife has threatened to divorce him. Haha."

As Simply stepped into the inn through the oak door, he was welcomed by a friendly nod from the bartender and the strong smell of alcohol washed over him. Wooden beams supported the upper floor and the sconces attached to them. The walls were bare except for the one behind the bar counter.

The tavern itself was packed. Workers, soldiers and craftsmen occupied several long tables in the centre of the room. The other, smaller tables were left empty. Judging by the smells of grilled and cooked food coming from the kitchen, it must be lunchtime. Simply managed to find an empty sit by the bar and ordered a pint.

"Here you go. Are you one of them adventurers? Got a name?"

"Thank you, sir. Yeah, I just got here. The name's Simply Umbra. On the way here I noticed the damaged palisade, how's the situation here? Wild beast attacks?"

"Ha. Yes, well... Every night the village is assaulted. Not by beasts. But goblins. Nasty bunch, weak individually but they got numbers... The militia is too small to investigate the goblin's camp location. It's a shame."

"Well, I could look into it. But first I would need a weapon. I don't want to end up dead after all."

A soldier overhearing the conversation spoke out.

"Ahahah guys hear this kid out hahaha... He... wants to go out into the wilderness."

"Haha, good joke kid!"

At that moment a man in his forties walked into the room from within a side room. Grayish-blonde, wavy hair slightly reveals a lean, rigid face. His piercing ice blue eyes halted the soldiers' laughter with a single glance before studying the white-haired youth before him.

"Are you serious about what you said?"

"Give me a sword, and I'll get you the information."

After a moment of contemplating, the man ordered a soldier to hand over his sword to the youth.

"I'll be back then." Fastening his newly acquired sword to his waist, Simply left the inn after paying his due to the innkeeper.

After his departure, the soldiers regained their composure.

"Sir, goblins are quite a challenge for us. He is just a beginner, he hasn't even learned a combat profession. Furthermore, you've sent him to find their forward bases. It will be crawling with goblins! You've basically sent him to his doom!"

"True... But there's something special with him. I couldn't see through him."

"WHAT! Your insight skill failed! That's only possible if, if, if he is higher level than you."

"But my inspection showed that he was level 0. Either he possesses a high-level magic item... Or he has an absurdly high mental strength." Disclosing his thoughts to his men, he left to report his finding to his higher-ups.

---

Alex was quite happy after this encounter, after all, he had just received a quest. Not just a random quest but a colony quest.

[Quest Received: Find the goblin's camp]

The militia captain of the settlement Eternal Landing desires the goblins' camp location. It is situated in the vicinity of Eternal Landing. Find the source that has been plaguing the development of the settlement.

This is a Colony Quest, your actions will have a direct impact on the growth of the Eternal Empire's colony. Having accepted this quest without proper qualifications you will be subjected to a harsher penalty if the quest failed.

"Status." Appearing before him his stats were displayed.

Level 0

Name Simply Umbra

Race Human

Health 100

Mana NA

Stamina 100

Intelligence 5

Wisdom 5

Dexterity 5

Agility 5

Vitality 5

Strength 5

Perception 0

Magic Resist 0

Defence 0

Title NA

Equipment Crude Iron sword; Jute tunic; Jute breeches; Sandals

{Please note:

Intelligence is knowing Frankenstein wasn't the monster. It affects the speed of learning new things. Wisdom is knowing Frankenstein WAS the monster. It affects the creation of spells for example. Both contribute to Magical Damage and Defense.

Agility is the combination of balance, coordination, speed, and reflexes. It affects the way a character is able to move in the environment. Dexterity is the measure of fine motor skills which include the coordination of small muscle movements like the fingers. It affects the reaction speeds of characters. Both contribute to the character's way of interacting with the world both in and out of combat. However they do not add to the damage, they simply aid in whether an attack hits or not.}

With a smile, Alex made his way toward the forest.

---

Unlike Alex who had chosen to head straight toward the inn for a drink, the rest of the players had rushed to discover the NPCs responsible for giving out profession quests in the militia HQ. The militia clerks had been overrun by the sheer volume of player characters 'demanding' to be taught a profession. This angered the guards who chased the players away to help out with the construction of the settlement and gave them a reporting time at the training grounds to receive their military certificate. A few players who were more interested in crafting managed to secure a few crafting professions by becoming an apprentice to different NPCs.

Simply reached the settlement's exit. A group of players had been rejected exit by the guards for their wellbeing. Seeing Simply approaching, the player stopped to watch the show.

"STOP. Exiting the settlement is forbidden to non-military personnel." Proclaimed the guard.

"I am on a mission which requires me to travel outside of these walls. It was given by your captain, this sword should prove my claim."

A quick look at it and the guards opened the gate, letting Simply continue on his way.

The observing players copied his actions and words but were rejected by the guards. When asked why they had allowed the other player through, the guard replied by drawing his sword. He pointed at the blade and informed them that all Military weapons had an identification code engraved into their blades. The weapons sold to the public had none.

---

In the forest, the sky had vanished almost completely, only fragments of blue remained. The air was rich with the fragrance of leaves. It was damp, even after so many hours after the rain had passed, the soil remained wet to the touch. The afternoon rays of early summer reign unchallenged outside, but here everything was cool with the lighting of twilight. The sound of running water in the small river that passed by the settlement before reaching the ocean served as music.

Ten minutes into the forest, Simply drew his sword in a smooth motion following with a slash towards his right side without looking. When he felt his blade bit into flesh a playful smirk graced his face. On the other hand look of surprise appeared on the ambusher, while its head rolled off his shoulders.

[You have countered and sneak attack. Increase damaged dealt.]

[Critical Hit. Increase damaged dealt.]

[You have killed a goblin. EXP +25]

[Achievement unlocked: "Seriously..."]

Kill an enemy by dealing more than twice his HP in one shot while being five levels under him. STR +5.

"Seriously! Double its hp! Well, that's quite hard when I think about especially if the enemy is five levels higher than you. Hmm, that critical hit should be related to the fact that I slashed the goblin's neck. But damn that decapitation felt awesome."

Three more goblins emerged from behind the trees. This time making sure not to get one shotted like their former colleague.