Arena just keeps calling!

"Your kidding right?" Vladis asked to make sure. The shopkeeper looked at him smiling. "Alright then."

(Shopkeeper's Request completed. Due to the User's actions, it spanned into an Event that later evolved into a chain Quest. Rewards upgraded as well as generating specific quests.)

(Reputation increase 200 Merfolk, 50 Arena, 300 Rikolo. Rikolo now view you as Trustworthy.)

(Studded Leather Gloves Gathering Rank III, Belt of a Warrior Gathering Rank III, 300 Mana stones.)

(Villain Quest: Turn a kind-hearted person into a Vampire to help build relations. The overall objective is to promote a peaceful environment created by Vampires. Timelimit: 5 months.)

"I will see you later. Going to head to the Training Area." Vladis left with a wave. Rikolo already back at work. He was really busy with everything going on. "Should I buy some stuff at the store or wait?" The quests available provided the majority of what was needed. No reason to waste money. The low level Elixers he started with had not even been touched yet.

"Go clear your name at the Arena first." Noin reminded him. She could tell Vladis was willing to fall out with the place-based off his past memory. He did correct the route he was taking after she said it. "Yah know, you could allow me a link and we could talk telepathically all the time."

"Fine." Vladis relaxed his guard and felt the change instantly. His mana absorption shot up a little. 'Better?'

'Yup!' Noin thought happily. 'It will help the proficiency rise quicker. That way you do not have to waste skill points. Which I doubt you would anyway.'

'You are right about that. Perfect time to go over the equipment.'

Studded Leather Gloves: Increase in Reputation gained in Beginner Villages by 3%

Gives a Friendly Aura

Attack 1

Defense 1

Durability 300

Class: Any

Belt of a Warrior: Increase in Arena Reputation gain by 5%

Resist Knockdown 20%

Defense 1

Durability 300

Class: Any

Mana stones: Currency as well as low concentration of essences. It can be used in the place of certain properties in concocting.

'A few cultivation techniques revolve around money...but hell no. I rather just use it for the basic putty inside. The natural occurring ones are better, but these can help with another plan actually. Just need the appropriate skills to make sure.' Vladis was thinking about a few mind control spells. Mana stones were used as the basis. But the technique was difficult and costly. Shaking his head wildly, he pushes the thought away. 'That is a good way to become a Villain. Can use it on bad guys though.'

'Why not use it on the thieves? If you catch a few more and turn them, well that can work in your favor. But only the low level grunts. If you do it to the high up named ones, that might be a problem.' Noin said as an afterthought.

.

-Arena-

.

"Hii.. here to clear my name.." Vladis said as neutral as possible. His face twitching as he forced the smile out. The corner of his eye, he saw Crumm standing guard not to far away. To much hope the monster was arrested. "I am sure you.."

"This way!" The Enforcer commanded. Vladis followed but was already not liking this. He was taken to the back and waited in a room with a few other Wanderers. 'This seems really iffy.'

'Yeah.. might be bad. But you should be fine.' Noin said unsure of herself. Her eyes reading code as she dived into it. A lot of it was new from the Event. So to much to go through and see what was going on quickly. 'I may have to let him kill a few people to compensate for his anger. Or just let him decide on his own. I do not want to change him too much too fast.'

"Alright, all of you have reported various incidents that happened. Some today, a few over the weeks." An Enforcer by the name of Tomlin said. He was a large Bear Beastfolk member. Level 6 in Dark Red. That was the only thing visible. Vladis could tell his Realm due to his own experience. The bear was at Gathering Realm VIII and bursting with power. Lots of mana in this one. "I apologize on the behalf of my colleagues and their terrible choices."

His tone was unreadable. A mix of sincerity and threatening.

Vladis, the Users, and Nuc's looked at each other. Vladis was the first to shrug. The others just made small pleasantries of acceptance. Paying close attention, Vladis Evaluation identified a few of their names.

A Moon Elf with daggers on the side by the name Lichty. Her fingers were about an inch from the handle as she moved her foot slowly, nervous. But Vladis caught a rhythm every now and then, she made herself to have the image of being nervous. Assassin or Nightstalker perhaps.

Another User FebTsar, that leaned against the wall had a disgruntled look from under his hood. But Vladis could tell he was a member of the Birdfolk. Could be a pure magical class or martial one. The rod next to him was wielded by way too many classes.

"We would like your help in figuring out who is working against the best interest of the Arena. We believe a criminal element has nestled in some how." Tomlin said getting to business after seeing everyone was calm enough.

"Umm sorry to interrupt, but can I go? I am really tired and had a really bad day. I have lots of things to do." Vladis said getting up. "With the problem getting taken care of, sort of, I rather get back to my own things."

"Heh, scared?" A Wolf Beastfolk snorted.

"Sure." Vladis said with a shrug. A few of them looked at him astonished he would admit it. "A criminal group dares to operate inside the Arena, Hell they most definitely have connections. If they wanted to clean up.." he pointed at the Enforcers. "..they should just bite the bullet and pay for a Confessor to help find out who is causing troubles."

"A Confessor?" One of the Users asked.

"Yeah, they have the ability to make a person answer truthfully. They are hired and able bodyworkers from the Wanderer Guild and from any Church. If the Arena really cares, they would do it to get back to gaining the people's trust." Vladis made it to the door before an Enforcer got in the way. "Haaa.. of course, this was not on the up and up. Smells like they are setting us up for a trap."

*Sching!* Several swords were drawn. The Enforcers were not happy about the accusation.

The Wanders were not taking it lightly and drew their weapons and were ready to attack. LichtY & FebTsar made it to the windows, ready to jump out.

"Stand Down!" Tomlin ordered. His voice laced with mana causing the room to turn uncomfortable. Vladis and the Wolf Beasfolk were perfectly fine. The others shivered a little. The two by the window outside the range. The Shout was in the form of a cone it seems. "Vladis, just wait a little. We can make it worth your while."

"I wanna pass. Besides, more rewards for the others if I do." Vladis turned and stared Tomlin down. "So is your guy gonna move, or do I have to fight my way out?" His mana primed and ready to strike. The effects of Bloody Body releasing a bloodthirsty aura. It did not hit any member of the Wander's Guild in a negative way. In fact, it freed them from the Shout effects.

Tomlin gave a nod, and Vladis left promptly. The others remained to take the quest on. Despite having reservations. The Wolf User gave Vladis a cautious look as he left. He would find him later to ask why he really declined. He did not miss the fact that Vladis was unaffected by the Shout from the lead Enforcer.

'I am a higher level than him, so why was he able to counteract everything?' The Wolf Beastfolk was pulled from his stupor into the conversation.

"The mayor even caught wind of this, so keep what I am about to say quiet." Tomlin said serious. Everyone in the room paid close attention as he started to speak again.

As Vladis left the building, a few people looked at him threateningly. Krumm had paid a few to deal with him.

.

-Training Hall-

.

'I need to get them levels to do some real damage! That or the stats!' Vladis thought as he entered. Seeing an open trainer he walked over. "Excuse me, I heard I can learn to wield a weapon here."

"Hmm yes, you can. May I see your Id?" The Harpy Birdfolk asked. Handing the Id over, Vladis could read the man's name. The Harpy's name was Mason. "Hmm, no bad history and fair reputation. Here you go. What weapon do you wish to learn?"

"Axe for damage." Vladis said.

It was first, since the first weapon that was taught in the training area was usable fully no matter what class you turn to. The game kept track of it and implement something that ingrained in the character. Completely ignoring class restrictions.

'I learned a lot of weapons originally for various reasons. The axe was the most used by me in the end. I will not pass it up now. I might still suffer from that degenerative disease in the future.'

If one major thing came from a high synchro rate, that was it. Mental problems in Real life could not be ignored entirely in the game. Unable to walk in the real world, passed over to the game. If you were paralyzed your entire life, it really sucked. But if you were paralyzed from an accident, when logging in you could still walk. Early data helped the mind keep calm but if you gave into the affliction it was over.

Later, with a lot of therapy the game allowed people the sensation of walking. Of course it came with a lot of medical and legal reforms. Some people refused to log out as they could do stuff in the game that was denied to their body in the real world.

Vladis gave in after everything that happened and fear of mental trouble. He made an appointment to get his hands checked out next week. Slow preventions to help. But if he still failed, no loss with the Axe as his weapon. But daggers, whips, needles, and swords were basically useless in his hands later.

"Are you sure?"

"Yup. If you have a problem with it, I can just follow some instructions. No need to learn from a busy person." Vladis said smiling. Mason summoned an Axe that was made of a dense wood. He passed it over and cast the spell on Vladis. "Thanks."

Vladis walked away and went to swinging. He used the Basic Wild Swings from what was learned in the library while moving around. It worked wonders for his Profiency and climbed really fast in his mental understanding.

Basic Wild Swings was the fighting style of the Beastfolk. It was dangerous and emitted pressure the fastest. But the mid tier is when it became dangerous to learn. Weapon Cultivation starts there and causes the body to gain traits of the weapon wielded.

*Flutter!* Vladis was underestimating his mental memory in real time. The Essences of the Axe poured in quickly.

Noin started talking to him to help pass the time.

'So a 100 swings then break. Then 300 swings then break. Then finally 500 and break to rest. That will burn up a lot of your mana the way you are doing it.'

'True, but it should help with my Telekinesis build up and I might even unlock some more stats!' Vladis knew he would on both accounts. But a "Glitch" could ruin it. 'After I do it for a bit, I will log off to go get some things from the store back home. A lot of stuff should have come in by now and need to get the things I forgot. Can you watch over my Character?'

'Not a problem. Especially since you are doing this. With the task list you set up, the bot will stay here doing it.' Noin said. Off to the side Mason watched him work. As well as someone else. It was the Red Fairy in her character. She had finished a few quests for the Thief hunting. Seeing Vladis made her happy. She just didn't know how to go and talk to him.