This chapter ended up being tremendous duper huge.

It was already relatively huge earlier than, being 2.3K phrases, however it has now change into 4.8K phrases lengthy!!!

Come on bros, your man is making an attempt his finest…

I hope the story has been entertaining to date.

Peace!

(PS: I needs to be dropping chapters 14 and 15 quickly, I simply wished to put up 11 to 13 first as I had already completed them, I will eat one thing first after which put up them after enhancing)

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—————

[DING!]

[Opening Beta Tester Box]

“I ponder what’ll come, I am not likely anticipating a lot…”

‘However I will take a freebie.’

/POOF!/

/Confetti!!/

The field exploded, releasing a whole lot of digital confetti round, some even fell atop Dale who watched all of it with a poker face.

[DING!]

[Thank you for participating in Azmimuth’s Beta!]

[We wish you many rewarding adventures!]

[You’ve acquired, Beta Tester Special ID effect redeem token]

[You’ve acquired, Explosive Molten Finger Emote]

[You’ve acquired, The Challenger’s Insignia]

“Hooo… That is fairly attention-grabbing.” He mumbled as he checked his reward

Merely put, the ID impact was one thing that modified the font and visuals of his character ID into one thing a bit extra attention-grabbing.

The phrases went from their orderly type to a extra ragged and even monstrous form, it was relatively cool, however Dale had no intention of utilizing it for now.

He did not need to flash the actual fact he was somebody that had performed the Beta for everybody…

Moreover, it was a token, so he may hold it in his stock perpetually till he discovered an excellent use for it.

“The subsequent one… An Emote? I did not know the sport had such issues… Although it appears odd for it to not have any.”

‘In a VR sport the place you possibly can already specific your self totally, there isn’t any want for Emotes… Regular Emotes.’

‘The Builders have to search out methods to monetize their video games… It is simply how gaming has developed to change into.’

So to try it out, Dale activated it by way of the Social Menu… And…

/Crack!/

He felt the bottom beneath him crack open as molten lava exploded outward into the sky!

“?”

And as this occurred, his hand moved up with out his consent.

As a consequence of being caught off guard, Dale’s thoughts spun till he acquired an concept…

/Increase…/

In the midst of a magma explosion, Dale raised his center finger up excessive…

This was… Explosive Molten Finger.

“Wow… I prefer it… Hahaha… It is a enjoyable Emote.” He stated as he watched the bottom and the magma vanish

They had been by no means there, it was only a visible impact

‘The issue with the emote is that it has an animation time, and I do not actually like leaving myself open like this, it is enjoyable, however I do not really feel too good now that I’ve put some thought into this…’

‘I will seemingly not use it, however it might turn out to be useful sooner or later who is aware of?…’

‘This leaves the final merchandise…’

[The Challenger’s Insignia

Type: Consumable

Description: A Special key that unlocks a greater Challenge within Babylon.

*Tradable*

]

“Hum… Babylon you say?…” Dale mumbled as he scratched his chin

‘The identify would not ring me any bells… Other than the real-life mythological affiliation in fact.’

‘That simply makes it much more attention-grabbing, it appears this Beta Field was greater than just a bit enjoyable reward from the Devs for the gamers containing miscellaneous beauty gadgets.’

‘It could be the literal holder of the important thing to this Thriller… Or give me the means to go after it… Or a clue… Or nothing in any respect.’

‘Regardless, a key that leads me to one thing else… It seems to be like I will have to attend for the fitting time to return.’

“Humble rewards, two cosmetics, and one merchandise that unlocks one thing for the long run, nothing of substance for the present me, however good both method.” He stated as he cracked his neck

‘They’re all tradable as nicely, however I will not actually do it, I see no level in gaining a pair hundred bucks for one thing solely 100 individuals have…’

And after ensuring all the things was cleaned up correctly, he began his journey.

…

“…”

‘It is fairly… Abandoned.’

As Dale walked, taking his first few steps into the world, he noticed his environment making an attempt to grasp the place he was.

And he could not assist however discover how irregular this place was.

“This place is bordering on being a wasteland… The crops are small and scarce, and even the bottom appears a bit dry as nicely…”

‘I am stunned there may be even a street, however this street is barely even standing, it appears to have been made centuries in the past…’ He thought as he tapped on the bottom along with his foot

Dale turned his head to the fitting, a number of brown mountains within the distance, then he turned his head to the left, what appeared to be a thick forest full of tall timber and thick vegetation.

“What is that this place… I can see a thick forest within the distance additional South but when I look North the surroundings appears to worsen because it turns right into a dry wasteland…”

“I’m not that versed in geography, so I am unable to say the reason for this or if it is naturally potential, nevertheless, for me, that is clearly unnatural because the transition between a desert within the North and a thick forest within the South is a bit too sudden…”

‘I’m at the moment between the zones, and it is really relatively nice… Although I am unable to say for sure if that is because of my physique being sturdier than regular…’

‘It isn’t too onerous or dry, however neither is it the uncomfortable feeling of being inside a thick lush forest…’

“This in-between space needs to be round… One to 2 Kms?”

“At the very least that’s what I feel…”

Dale opened the sport menu and took a have a look at an image he took a minute in the past, it was the sport map.

He was good in spite of everything, because the sport gave him such an in depth map, why not make use of it?…

[Image has been deleted]

“?! Come on!” He stated in annoyance as he crossed his arms

‘Tsk. So this may not work huh… I ponder if my backup picture was deleted additionally?…’

Dale did have a working mind… More often than not, so he made certain to have his printed picture delivered to his E-mail… However given how Elden Throne intercepted them as soon as earlier than prior to now, he wasn’t too assured his picture had arrived at his E-mail…

“Effectively, it would not matter a lot, I wager I should purchase a map of the environment of the village as soon as I get there… The remainder of the Continent is not vital to me proper now.”

“Although… I actually wished to know the place this street leads… If one aspect results in the Village the opposite one ought to join some place else.”

‘This place already appeared relatively remoted within the choice Menu, so I wished to know the way a lot it actually was.’

‘I want this info if I need to plan some issues for the long run, the extra I do know of my surrounding, the higher I can plan…’

‘However that’ll have to attend for later.’

Shaking his head, Dale made his method to the village.

…

As he approached the village, its total look turned clearer.

It was protected by a relatively tall gate round 6-7 m tall made from one thing resembling steel, although Dale could not verify as a result of all the mud and sand that had been caught to it.

Its partitions had been simply as tall, being produced from a mixture of big blocks of stone and thick wooden stakes, the craftsmanship seemed wobbly, however there have been near no dents in it, the partitions stood tall and ‘clear’ for probably the most half.

It was a country feeling, however these had been the sorts of partitions that might maintain in opposition to any siege.

It appeared shabby and never so shabby on the identical time.

Dale may see a number of tall buildings inside the village from his angle, together with a small hill with a church.

General, this was fairly the massive city, it is too huge to be referred to as a easy Village, so Dale puzzled why that had been the case…

In entrance of the village’s gate had been two guards that seemed like 2 statues, they wore easy armor and weapons, however they had been fully unphased even with the solar shining atop them.

“Hm?”

One of many guards instantly seen him, pointing in his path, making an attempt to get the opposite guards’ consideration.

“…”

The opposite guard quickly seen him, nodding in understanding.

Following this, the 2 mentioned one thing with one another earlier than he proceeded to seize a bow from his again…

The bow seemed fairly rattling scary, it was thick and in addition in regards to the measurement of an average-sized individual…

“What are they… ?!”

/FWUSH!/

/BAM!/

“URG!”

Dale bent his again to the bottom, barely avoiding the arrow.

The arrow hit the bottom, elevating a big mud cloud into the air violently!

“What are these guys doing?!”

‘And this pressure… I will not die however…’

Dale cringed on the considered being hit with these arrows, extra so than something he had skilled to date.

Seeing his response, one of many guards scratched his head earlier than he seemed on the different guard for assist.

The opposite guard simply shook his head and shrugged earlier than he waved at Dale.

However he did not know how you can react, this made the 2 guards scratch their heads at one another as additionally they did not know what to do.

“…”

‘Are they anticipating me to method them after this?… As if, I solely have a single life!’

…

For the following 5 minutes, Dale and the guards stayed distant watching one another, the 2 guards appeared helpless whereas Dale was centered on making an attempt to grasp what to do…

“Child, how lengthy are you going to remain there in the course of the street?”

“?!”

Dale jumped ahead as he rolled, taking out his spear from his again.

In the meantime, the outdated girl simply checked out him with an smile, discovering all of it relatively amusing.

She had a basket of issues on her again lined by a white material and her again was curved as she walked with a wood cane.

(Picture?)

“Did I startle you? Oh my, that wasn’t my intention younger one.” She stated with a smile as she put her cane down

“… Who…”

However the outdated girl interrupted him.

“You have to be from very distant seeing how confused you might be, so let me clarify a number of issues first.”

She pointed on the guards.

“They attacked you with an arrow as a result of outsiders are very very uncommon, simply have a look round, there’s nothing for Kms on finish…”

She then pointed on the forest and the desert.

“On one aspect now we have an almost impossible-to-cross desert, and on the opposite aspect now we have an equally impossible-to-cross forest stuffed with horrible beasts…”

“It is relatively onerous to say which is worse.”

“Guests are uncommon, so uncommon that 9/10 instances, somebody coming is definitely a Mirage Yirg.”

Dale was confused, but he felt oddly fascinated about all of it.

“What’s a Mirage Yirg?”

“It is a horrible creature that prowls these lands, it is relatively unusual and I’d even say it is uncommon to see one, albeit it has change into orthodox to see them in comparison with a traveler equivalent to you.

“As for why they’re harmful… They’ve the power to disguise themselves as another person in some ways, however once they accomplish that, they change into actually motionless and rigid, so throwing an arrow like that is oftentimes one of the best ways to find out if it is an individual or a monster.”

When he heard that, Dale scratched his head and stated in a low tone:

“However they geared toward my head…”

/Step step step…/

Sadly, the outdated girl ignored him as she walked previous him…

“It is sizzling and there is sand getting in my sandals, we should not discuss a lot out right here.”

“Include me, we are able to discuss on the best way…”

The outdated girl began to stroll away at a relatively uncommon pace, it made him query if she was actually an outdated girl…

“… What if I hadn’t evaded the arrow…” Dale whispered as his temper fell

“Life is not honest, child…” She stated with out turning round, persevering with on her method with out an inkling of guilt

“…”

Dale checked out her, she appeared innocent, however he was certain there was no method for an outdated girl to simply sneak up on him like this, particularly deeming her present pace…

Did she even want a strolling cane?…

Was she maybe a robust grasp in disguise?

…

Dale and the outdated girl ultimately arrived in entrance of the village gates after a minute of strolling.

“Welcome again Miss Eino.” Mentioned one of many guards as he bowed barely

Granny Eino nodded barely, saying as she took one thing from her basket:

“Thanks on your work, right here, take an apple.”

The apple was fairly unusual, being fully clean and its coloration made it look as if the apple had been chromed…

(Picture)

“Th-Th-Thanks…” The guard replied awkwardly as he grabbed the apple with a darkish expression

They checked out Dale and stated:

“It’s extremely uncommon to see outsiders, and usually we would not enable you in, we aren’t sorry for what we did, you might be solely right here due to Miss Eino.” He stated rudely with out an oz of guilt as nicely

“##!”

‘I do know that, however was there a have to say that like that? I did not even say something but!’

Dale acquired relatively pissed, however he did not actually care, as long as he may enter and be taught extra about this place, then it was high quality.

This was his Spawn location, and there weren’t every other acceptable places for him to retreat to if he was exiled from this place.

So he would tolerate somewhat impolite conduct if it meant being allowed inside with none issues.

The outdated girl stated nothing and so they ultimately acquired inside.

/Creak…/

With the gates closing in behind them, Dale understood he had taken one other main step on his journey.

Operation ‘Get contained in the Village’ was full earlier than it even correctly started…

“Do not allow them to get to you, that is simply how everybody finally ends up after spending their lives on this place… It hasn’t been straightforward for them.” Eino stated as she walked as much as the entrance

Dale however seemed across the place with curiosity, a lot of the village homes had been really 2M above the bottom, suspended by wooden beams and stones.

The homes had been really relatively handsome, though they’d a grim look to them… Dale could not clarify why.

(Picture)

Seeing his infantile curiosity, the outdated girl stated:

“Guess there was no want to fret, you appear high quality…”

“! Sorry, I used to be too distracted.”

She let loose a sigh as he considered some issues…

“It is okay, I can perceive that our village will be complicated… Deeming our circumstances.”

She stopped strolling, they’d arrived at a plaza the place a number of soiled roads intersected.

It was at this second that Dale seen this place was really larger than it appeared…

“Let me first introduce myself, I’m Tina Eino, one of many aged residents of Resko.”

Dale smiled and nodded, saying:

“I’m Dale Houston… I got here from…”

However the outdated girl stated with a smile.

“Very distant, I can inform out of your voice, expression, actions… Power.”

/THUD!/

“!!!”

She used her outdated cane to hit his leg, virtually making him flinch as a result of its pressure and pace as she stated:

“You’ve gotten fairly the sturdy physique for a younger lad your age, how outdated are you?”

“M-Me? I simply turned 19…” Mentioned Dale as he held within the ache in his leg with a small tear within the nook of his eye

‘Ouch, that hurts…’

She appeared a bit stunned.

“Did you prepare rather a lot? What was your occupation?”

Dale was fairly stunned by this query so he needed to assume deeply.

“It is onerous to say…”

‘My occupation? I performed video games and studied for a college…’

“I spent most of my life learning and prior to now few years, I’ve been relatively misplaced as to what I wished to do, though I’ve discovered solace in coaching and…”

“And by some means, I sort of simply acquired right here.” He stated with an ungainly smile

‘Not a nasty rationalization, my life was all about learning and gaming in my free time, and now, the rationale I’m right here… it was all due to this sport…’

‘So yeah, I sort of simply acquired right here by probability and destiny…’

Listening to his reply, the outdated girl stayed silent for a while earlier than she lifted her cane and pointed to a street on the fitting.

“Albeit this city was larger, our village is small and as such, everybody is aware of one another.”

“We constructed our residence within the husk of one thing higher, so do not get too confused.”

“Observe this street and discuss with Outdated Misgurd, he was an outdated mercenary and is the only one in our village now.”

“Simply be affected person along with his character, as though I think about he’s going to love you fairly a bit… He nonetheless is a retired veteran, a grumpy one.”

“He’s at the moment the pinnacle of the Mercenary guild department… Or what stays of it.”

She pointed in the direction of one other street, the one on the far left.

“Should you observe that street you’re going to discover an ‘Inn’.”

“Though to be trustworthy, that was solely an Inn through the time after I was only a baby, now it is nothing however a giant home the place Illia and her household dwell.”

“Inform them I despatched you and they’ll most likely take you in… You’ve gotten ‘coin’ proper?”

Dale scratched his head and requested:

“How a lot would an evening value right here?”

The outdated girl smiled and stated:

“Round one Zull of Iron per night time.”

“…”

Dale checked out her with a poker face.

“That is rather a lot…”

‘I haven’t got that a lot with me proper now, all the processing payment of all my gadgets within the store was 0.1 Zulls of Iron, and also you inform me the night time on this place is 10 instances that?’

‘At the very least it is from the night time, till then I ought to be capable of collect sufficient.’

“Are you saying we aren’t value such an quantity?” She requested with a half smile

However Dale shook his head.

“I’ll undoubtedly pay, I’m simply saying it is quite a bit for what I am used to.”

‘And I’m certain there’s a cause, this can be a excessive Stage space, so there have to be a cause why it is so costly only for the sake of it…’

“Proceed with that pondering course of and you will match proper in.” She stated with a smile as she rotated, waving her proper hand to him

“Till subsequent time younger Dale, I hope you’ll find your calling inside this place on the finish of the world…”

However Dale replied:

“Thanks on your assist… However is not that basket too heavy for you? Do you want some assist?”

Dale was typically frightened, and albeit he did have some underlying intentions, Dale got here to this Village with a mindset prepared:

The Villagers’ AI was extraordinarily superior, so if he wished to mix in, he needed to deal with them like individuals!

And an outdated girl carrying such an enormous basket on her again would undoubtedly admire some assist!

From his perspective, the sport was begging him to assist her, it is like a quest that fell proper in entrance of his foot.

Was it actually a coincidence that Eino appeared in entrance of him simply when he logged?

Maybe… But when not…

“…”

She stopped and checked out him in surprise.

“Ho?… It has been some time since somebody supplied to assist me, so lengthy I’ve stopped asking for it as nicely…” She stated in an oddly deep and melancholic tone

“Thats… Fairly unhappy.” Dale replied with a heavy expression

‘Are individuals within the village that self-centered and merciless?’

/Chuckles/

“I will not refuse if that’s the case… My home is correct on the finish of the street…” She stated as she pointed on the street within the center

Dale tried to look, however he could not see the top…

She took her basket and gave it to Dale.

“So assist me carry it there… Should you can.”

She dropped the basket on his arms!

/THUD!/

“!”

‘WOW!!’

However nothing a lot occurred, and the outdated girl smiled cheekily.

“That is fairly heavy, madam…”

‘Are you telling me this outdated girl was carrying this? One thing that appears to weigh round 200 kg?! Additionally… How did this basket survive?!’

‘Is she a type of disguised masters?’

Taking a look at his confused eyes, she shook her head, utilizing her cane to frivolously bump his head.

“One thing I’ve seen to date is that you just assume an excessive amount of… Loosen up, some issues in life simply have to be appreciated, let it movement, nothing else.”

“Letting go of 1’s worries can oftentimes assist one overcome them.”

“So chop chop! If we take any longer my home goes to depart by itself.”

[DING]

[You have received the quest, Old lady of the countryside village]

[Old lady of the countryside village

Quest Type: Miscellaneous (Common)

You offered help to an elderly resident of the Village of Resko in the hopes of getting to know them better while leaving a good first impression at the same time.

Requirements:

Help Lady Eino carry her basket to her home 0/1

*Optional* Arrive at Lady Eino’s home within 5 minutes 0/1

]

“…”

Dale however thought deeply:

‘I see it now… It is coming collectively…’

‘If that is the extent of a miscellaneous quest… A Regular grade Miscellaneous Quest, then this place is a deathbed for any new gamers…’

‘I can even see the Grade and Kind of quest, that is seemingly as a result of my privilege, nicely, all the higher for me.’

/Step step step!/

It was then Dale seen she was already a number of dozen ft away from him, prompting him to hurry after her…

Regardless of all the things, this was no drawback for him as he adopted the outdated girl whereas carrying the basket simply with one hand…

…

/3 minutes later…/

“Thanks, me and my again admire your little motion.” Eino stated with a small smile

[Quest completed!]

[10% Level xp

Resko Reputation +1]

“Right here, on your troubles.” She stated as she threw him one of many objects inside her basket

“?… An apple… Huh?!”

‘T-This Apple! It weighs over 10 Kg?!’

‘I did not take a correct have a look at it earlier than since I used to be busy observing town… However I by no means thought she could be carrying such issues…’

‘It is even shining somewhat? What is that this unique object?’

“By no means seen an Iron Apple earlier than?” She requested with some curiosity upon noticing his expression

“Actually, from how distant are you child? How come you’ve got by no means ever held an Iron Apple in your life? How did you develop such muscle tissue?”

“I uh… Very far…” He stated with a poker face

“Effectively then, do not be shy, take a chew.” She stated with a teasing smile as she checked out him

“…”

‘I really feel like one thing is improper… Mom advised me to by no means settle for meals from strangers…’

‘However this seems to be to be a part of the Quest… Rattling, fuck it!’

/Cruch!/

Dale took a chew of the apple with problem, it was very very onerous… Like ice earlier than it breaks.

However he ate the half after munching on it, and surprisingly, it tasted heavenly!!

/Crunch!/

So he took one other chew as he checked out her with a confused expression, why did she appear to be that?

Tina checked out him with a humorous expression.

“How does it style?”

/Chomp chomp…/

“I do not know… I really feel like I’ve eaten charcoal… But it surely tastes extraordinarily candy…” Dale stated as he tried to explain it

“Wahahaha…”

Tina let loose a hearty giggle.

“Certainly… You might be fairly the attention-grabbing child aren’t you?”

“After you discuss with Misgurd and hopefully go his check, go and discuss with Outdated Testros. It is fairly straightforward to search out him, he’s at all times within the coaching camp close to the Mercenary Guild.”

[DING]

[Chain Quest activated]

[Welcome to Resko!

Quest type: Chain Quest (Slightly Rare)

Requirements:

Pass the Mercenary Guild’s test 0/1

Become a Mercenary 0/1

Talk with Testros 0/1

*Optional* Impress both Misgurd and Testros with an outstanding performance 0/1

]

‘A sequence quest?! These usually have good rewards… Alright!’

“I will do it… However there may be one factor I have been eager to ask…”

“Say it, the factor I lack the least is time.”

“So uh… I’ve seen actually nobody… And the few individuals you talked about are outdated individuals… The place are the younger?” He requested fastidiously

Dale didn’t know something in regards to the Village, so he needed to converse fastidiously else he may invoke the improper feelings from them.

“That’s easy, did you discover how the soil was comparatively barren round our village?”

Dale nodded.

“This has fairly the deep story however that does not matter proper now, what matter is how we get our meals.”

She pointed in the direction of the South.

“Should you go South, you will note that the surroundings tremendously modifications and that thick forests quickly rise from seemingly nowhere, that is linked with the desert however once more, it doesn’t concern us proper now.”

“The one place the place we are able to farm and procure sources is over there, so each morning, virtually everybody from the village leaves and goes to work within the fields close to the forest.”

“The youngsters are left with Illia at her Inn, whereas we outdated of us keep behind to maintain all the things in test, though I’m a little bit of a busybody as I wish to enterprise out infrequently to forage…”

“As for the hazards, this is the reason most of our guard pressure goes with them, to maintain a watch out since they’re our lifeline, however do not you assume we’re unprotected… That may be a really horrible mistake.”

Listening to this Dale nodded in understanding.

‘It is fairly the dynamic village, no surprise this can be a high-level zone, it is extremely harmful and in the event that they managed to dwell right here for thus lengthy then it means they’re removed from abnormal… Everybody more than likely.’

‘Like this outdated girl over right here carrying over a dozen metallic apples… I am even impressed at myself for having the ability to eat one, although I really feel tremendous full proper now…’

“I see, issues are fairly tough over right here. However why not simply transfer the village?”

The outdated girl shook her head with a tragic face earlier than she stated:

“It isn’t so simple as it sounds…”

“Our village is positioned on the border… It is the one protected place for a very long time…”

“And between transferring issues and preserving it right here, it is a lot safer to remain on this place.”

“It was less complicated to dwell right here, as a result of as you possibly can see, Resko nonetheless has many timber and crops rising inside it, albeit now the soil is not adequate to provide sufficient meals anymore, even the timber barely produce any fruits…”

“However prior to now, we had no have to get out of the Village’s partitions for something.”

“It wasn’t at all times this fashion, that we needed to enterprise exterior to acquire meals…”

“However the desert is slowly rising in measurement, and 20 or so years in the past, it turned inconceivable to farm within the quick neighborhood of the village and we have been transferring nearer and nearer to the forest… Meals is changing into tougher and tougher to get.”

“In the future, we’d have to begin venturing into the forest, reduce the timber down for area… And abandon the Village… Although it was the rationale why we managed to final this lengthy within the first place.”

“That’s the reason you could strive your finest to earn your hold, or else we’ll kick you out.” She stated as her temper all of the sudden shifted

“… Sure…”

Dale gave her a slight nod earlier than he rotated and left in the direction of the Mercenary Guild, waving at her as he left into the gap…

Tina however checked out him as she whispered to herself:

“Physique Reformation… What a child… But it surely’s no surprise he got here to this place, solely round right here would such a toddler discover the problem he must develop stronger…”

‘Although I can’t assist however query his determination of coming right here regardless, there may be nothing however demise and decay on this forgotten land…’

“Testros, I’ve despatched you the rookie you at all times desired, so ensure to not ship him away just like the others…”

‘No matter his causes could also be… I’ll go away it to you to evaluate.’

With a skinny smile and a mysterious gaze, the outdated girl simply grabbed the basket and went again to her residence.

…

.

.

.

Notes

As you possibly can see in case you might be an outdated reader, I modified this introduction by rather a lot!

I added much more content material and just about doubled the chapter’s size because it’s at the moment 4.7K phrases lengthy.

It was beforehand 2.2K phrases lengthy.

Anyway, we noticed for the primary time how Resko seems to be with the photographs and the descriptions, it is time for the legend to restart!

Let’s examine the place it’s going to lead us, hum?

See you all later!

PS: We’re now Vetted! This implies we are able to get energy stones!

So drop them like water oh yeah!!!

Cough… I acquired a bit too excited there, my dangerous.