The first impression I left behind, was a crater in human shape. After crashing into the ground thanks to the Observer, I pushed up my worn-out body and removed the dust from my clothes. "Ta-dah here I am, the great Moirai"
The idea of using that introduction was directly discarded from my brain. Even I have some sense of shame and that image would be stuck with me as long as I stay by his side. I moved my body around and started to crack all the bones who had still not healed fully after that previous fight. Luckily no enemy was in sight who was out for my blood.
After satisfying my cracking addiction, I took a closer look at the lunatic who had stopped throwing attacks at those poor young wolves. He stared at me with big eyes wondering what in Gods name just happened.
I wanted to introduce myself by simply shaking his hand but I felt something gnawing on my flesh. Yeah, exactly what I wanted a low-level wolf biting me. This wolf found itself launched into the air after it met my feet. Finally the soccer lessons I had paid off. The pained howl could be heard for quite some time before it came to an end after bouncing on the ground several times
I held in for a while admiring the distance I was able to kick the wolf before turning back and I wanted to raise my voice to give him my name. Only to notice, that another wolf had taken over the job of the previous wolf. Their small teeth did not deal any lasting damage but it was without a doubt annoying.
Suppressing my desire to turn this wolf into yet another projectile I began to introduce myself.
" Hello, I am Moirai. I was given the task to be your aid. I am here to help you in achieving greatness."
What a corny speech luckily he does not seem to mind, as his expression was delightful as he saw me speaking to him. Almost too delightful, it felt like I was something akin to rain after a long drought.
" My title is " Hero of war" but I would prefer it if you call me Tom"
I had not expected a treatment like this. Instead of arrogance and scorn, I was given respect and humility. Whether it was caused by the lack of contact with other players or not I felt truly appreciated.
" Hello Tom, it is nice to make your acquaintance. How can I be of assistance?"
Tom was smiling brightly upon hearing my words and he began to speak with a cheerful voice.
" Finally something different. I swear If I have to see even one more wolf I am going to burn everything down. So please just get me out of here."
I could understand him wholeheartedly, but I was just as illiterate with this kind of technology as he. I doubt that turn it off and turn it back on again is a good piece of advice.
" I am afraid I do not have the qualifications to answer this kind of demand. But I am sure that this tutorial could only be left after proving their abilities. "
His expression turned downcast but he could follow the logic behind my words and he thought about how he could prove his worth. While he was at it he threw a small fireball at the wolf that was still happily chewing on me and incinerated it.
" Those wolves do not pose a threat and should be used to showcase your unique strengths. Just after you have bested one another one appears. This just means that the qualifications have not been met."
I threw the wolf towards in the air and waited how he would react to something like this. I did not have to wait before a quick attack managed to finish it off. Its charred body just dropped down in an anticlimactic fashion.
How am I supposed to gauge your abilities if that's his understanding of proving his prowess? What about saving your strength and not using so much power against a fucking young wolf.
" A splendid display of your might. Shall we repeat the process and muster the least amount of magic this time?"
I grabbed another poor wolf who just had been born into this world and launched it into the air just like his brethren. This time around I saw a minuscule amount of magic moving towards the wolf at high speed. But after the magic hit its target the effect had even worsened and its body had turned into ashes.
Well even though he followed my advice this was not the thing I had hoped for. Despite limiting the amount of mana he used the magic he used this time around was a lot more potent. This kind of flame directly erased its body from existence.
Without saying another word I turned around and grabbed the next subject for my little period of testing. Once again it flew through the air not knowing what cruel fate was lying ahead of it. Without much suspense, its life came to an abrupt end as another concentrated small fireball directly penetrated its brain before the entire body was consumed by the flames.
I was left with no choice but to ask for every single thing I wanted to see from him. I could not expect him to read my thoughts and do exactly what I want from him.
" Show your control and only incapacitate the target so it can not move."
Another wolf and another failure. The target's body had been badly mutilated by the flames which burned away all of his limbs, while the rest of the body was suffering from the side effects. Technically it was still alive, but it would not take more than 10 seconds before it succumb to its heavy injuries.
" Aim for the right leg."
This time he managed to hit the right leg of the wolf, which was fortunate enough to spawn right in front of me. His precision is really good though he still should work on controlling his flames judging by the missing head of the wolf.
" Right leg"
" Left hindleg."
" Right hindleg"
After using 3 more test subjects I noticed that he started to get better at this. This is pure talent, but what else would I expect from someone coming from the Church? Some knowledge about the technology would have been quite nice. Or at the least enough intelligence to be able to leave this tutorial.
Though I could not complain about it too much because I would not be able to check out so much about his magic. Though I had to restrain my interest a bit, as to not give away my special status or worsen his opinion of me.
" Your performance is breathtaking, the precision and control required to hit the target is something enviable. Sir's reputation must have spread widely."
He looked a bit ashamed after hearing my words. Did not expect him to be that conscious about it. He is part of the Church, so he should be far more confident than the average Joe.
" While I am certainly not weak, my talent is just pale in comparison to the people surrounding me. No matter how hard I tried no matter how much I endured the gap just widened. "
He created a small flame in his hand and looked at it with a bit of disappointment.
" I started to resent myself, wondered if I did not pray enough or what I did wrong. At this time I refused to believe the situation and did not want to realize, that it would never be enough.
He threw the small fire at the wolf, that had just returned from its grave.
" Even to this day, deep down I still wish, I was strong enough to fight on the frontlines. But if I am not strong enough on my own, I will do my utmost to support those who are. Becoming a tactician enables me to help them.
I had not expected him to let down his guard and tell me about his insecurities. Well in his eyes I am just an NPC, who won't judge him. Growing up in such an environment is truly not healthy in many ways. IF you only look up to others you look down on yourself.
I knew that firsthand. Comparing myself with others did not make me happy nor did I ever end, there was always another target someone better. I learned that the hard way.
" Sir, please consider the value of your work. Those who seek strength do it for themselves, they will be fighting monsters fighting for glory and fame. Tacticians plan not for themselves but for everyone. "
A small smile became visible on his downcast expression.
" Please don't call me Sir. I do not need any pleasantries, just Tom is fine."
" Tom, don't asses your worth on something like strength alone. Even the mightiest magician is defenceless when he is sleeping. Even the fiercest monsters have a weakness. All you have to do is grasp it"
Although Tom was smiling at me, I did not think he was believing my words. This words must have sounded like I was trying to comfort him. Well if positive reinforcement does not work, I will have to give him a practical demonstration.
" Take a look at these young wolves. They keep running at us and get killed over and over again. They are no threat to either of us, but what changes when you are exhausted from using too much mana and lose focus? You are worn down by their constant sacrifices until you make a fatal mistake and fall prey to this bunch of weaklings."
Tom shook his head vehemently.
" Stuff like that can not happen, monsters don't act within reason, they would be never capable of forming plans like this. They are just vile creatures who act on their urges."
I walked up to him still holding the young wolf in my hands.
" But what if the young wolves are not using the strategy but are being used? If an intelligent monster does exist it would not sacrifice itself but those mindless creatures until it can get rid of you."
I had to make sure not to say something too outlandish because the scenario still has to seem as somewhat feasible. I could hardly talk about assault rifles or missiles, so I had to find an example that would explain my concept to him. that somewhat fits his world view.
" Of course, an intelligent monster does not exist, but if it did you would have been toyed with, because you did not consider the possibility of something like that existing. A good tactician accounts for even the slightest possibilities or he only throws away the lives of the ones under him."
Tom still looked at me dejected, my example was not enough to convince him otherwise. Looking at his expression I have to show something more to widen his horizons.
The wolf I still held in my hand was thrown directly onto this face, catching him off guard just barely managing to throw a fire spell onto it to get rid of it. It might not be enough to hurt him directly, but it buys me enough time to close in on him.
Before he could realize what I was trying to do it was already too late and his neck was grabbed lightly by me.
" War is so much more than just strength alone. Deception, deceit everything can be used to get the desired results. You do what has to be done, not do what you would like to."
I gave him a soft push before I returned to my previous spot and resumed talking.
" Sorry Tom for startling you like that, but that attitude of yours has to change if you want to succeed. "
Tom was laughing as he shook his head. He muttered something to himself as he glanced into my general direction.
" Great, an NPC who tells me how I should live my life. I should evaluate my life choices." The tone is his voice was slightly mocking but still had a serious vibe attached to it. Though I still could not be entirely sure if he believed my words.
" So what should we do next? I do not want to waste my time here anymore."
For the time being, we did not have any other choice but to search for a possibility to get out this space. Killing those young wolves until the end of time was not a good alternative.
I walked forwards and reached out with my right hand to shake his hand. I have yet to receive a notification that I had become his aid, so I wanted to get that out of the way.
" This is part of the summoning process. Please accept me as your aid."
[Your request to become the aid of player "Hero of War" has been noted.]
[ If player "Hero of War" accepts, your affiliation shall change. Affiliations with other players will furthermore be disabled and your entire status will become visible to player " Hero of War"]
[Experience and gold gained will be partially given away]
[Do you still wish to proceed?]
I accept.
I did not have to wait before his hand came into contact with mine and the contract had been sealed. I had no use for experience and gold and I was rather glad about not being able to be enslaved by other players.
[You have become the aid of player "Hero of War"]
All of a sudden I saw his face change and shock was written all over it. What happened to cause such a reaction? Even after my display of strength did he not appear that surprised. It must be related to accepting me as his aid. Does he get any kind of privileges as a player that I do not possess?
" What, what are you?" he stuttered full of disbelief. I could not fathom what he must have seen that caused this kind of question. Is my status really that messed up? The last time I saw it, it was just beyond sad what could be found there.
My level has not increased, otherwise, I would have received some sort of notification. Since my system can not assess my strength I can also conclude, that they are not the reason. This leaves only my titles or my traits as possibilities. Since I also did not receive any notification about being awarded new titles or getting a new achievement, I can safely tell that it is also not the reason.
Meaning, the cause for the shock on his face must be related to reading about my traits. Did something change in that regard? At the last time I was still an inferior human, but what am I now? I have to proceed with caution.
" Is something wrong?" Playing dumb may not be the best tactic but it is enough to force him to give away more information.
" Your stats they are so low. Why could I not get anyone better?"
I would like to retract my previous assessment of him. I truly seem to attract assholes.
" Tom, how could I compare to someone like you. It is obvious that someone like me is truly weak."
As if I would give him the chance to lure me and to show him how strong I truly am. He already should know, that he could not kick a wolf that far even if he stats are vastly superior to mine.
" You are too weak, you are of no use to me."
The same mind games, if he thinks this will be enough then he truly underestimates my intelligence. I am not a small child and this is not my lollipop.
" But Sir should your biggest concern not be how to get out of here?
Well look at that, just throwing this kind of cheap bait and his facade is already crumbling. He is hesitant, wondering what I am referring to. His desire to escape from this prison of boredom should have an easy battle against the curiosity dwelling inside of him.
" You said you have been summoned here? How did you know that?"
Oh, he was not tempted enough and is still asking for knowledge about me and my circumstances. Truly interesting, he has next to no knowledge about this world, yet has is trying to get as much knowledge as possible.
" I answered your calling, only someone special would be able to make me appear here. There is no one like you in the small village I grew up. The aura of strength surrounding you is overwhelming."
This little information should be enough to keep the direction of his thoughts away from coming closer to the truth. My origin will likely be enough to guide him into a false conclusion.
" Seems to me that our little talk came to an untimely end we will have to continue it at another time"
Tom was not willing to let the discussion end he nearly screamed at me.
" Why are you avoiding the subject? What are you hiding?"
" You got too emotional, you neither noticed that all the animal remains have disappeared and any trail of combat is nowhere to be found. Furthermore, no wolf has reappeared since I killed the last one."
" Something must have changed after I threw that wolf at you. You might not have noticed it due to the aftermath, but you should check if a change of some kind occurred"
Visible confusion spread all over his face as his mind began to work. In theory, the last kill should have triggered some sort of event. Maybe he killed a set amount of wolves or he gathered enough gold or experience to trigger a special event. Though this eerie calm was not something I liked too much.
" Wait since when am I level 2? And what the hell does " Survival" mean?"
I laughed after hearing these words, so that's what is waiting for us.
" Tom, I will make a man out of you. So prepare yourself this one is going to be interesting"