Lecture

"So, we're here, in our vault A.K.A Terra-Jannah. Surrounding us is the region of which we called the Giatiii Forest or the Newbie Forest. The main monsters infesting this region are Moonewk, Celtos, and Ulo. Moonewk is a monkey-like monster with increased muscularity and heightened senses. Due to their evolved muscularity, they now walk with two feet, resembling us. They are around 170 to 200 cm tall. Their poo contains very active compounds that fertilize the soil, yet corrosive on some materials including our skin. They roam in the forest by the trees, and with their increased muscularity, their travel speed from tree to tree is fast. Their arms are their main weapons in combat, even though sometimes they use their leg. Be careful when you fight near their dung since they will throw it to you."

"Humanoid huh? So they're like the monkey kings of the myth?" Juna ask.

"More like a goblin with a monkey face and bigger muscle. Like normal monkeys, they are brown or black in color.

Celtos is a pig-like monster with a hard shell covering its body. It's an herbivore, but aggressive when it spots humans. It's easy to fight these guys since the only method of attacks they use is charging with their heads. Be careful though since it packs a punch. Celtos is our main source of meat. You can try and carve whatever you want from the monsters and bring it back down here, including their meat. Yet, my experience told me that Celtos meat is the best, the easiest to cook, and the most delicious. Celtos consume mushrooms, so they hang around in the mushrooms-infested area. They are around 100 to 120 cm tall, with a body that spans about 130 to 150 cm long.

Ulo is basically a snake, but bigger. They are purple in color, bald-headed snake that spans around 200 to 250 cm length. Be careful with their venom though. You know how deadly they are back in the old world. Now with their bigger size, comes in a pack with even deadlier venom. Thanks to our mutation we can grow ourselves to have higher immunity to this venom, but you are rookie hunters. Your resistance might not be enough to hold off their venom in a long run. They also have an ability to camouflage into their surroundings so it's hard to detect them. They usually hide on the trunk of a tree or on the ground near the bushes." Enggar explained thoroughly.

"That's all the monsters in the Newbie Forest?" Ask one of the rookies.

"That's all the main monsters infesting the Newbie Forest. But.."

"But, what?"

"Occasionally, there will be other monsters of large monster category, appearing the Newbie Forest. It could happen due to migration, or a hunting season of a specific monster. These monsters are usually of a higher level than the main monsters of the Newbie Forest."

"What do you mean by that?" Another rookie replied.

"We're lucky that the region surrounding us is infested by low-level monsters. The Guild classified monsters based on their attributes."

"You can scan others' attributes?"

"You can."

"How?" I asked.

"After reaching a certain point in Thinking & Observation skill, you will gain the 'Scan' ability. It's a multipurpose skill that could ease your fight out there on the surface. One of the capabilities of that ability is to scan the attributes of others."

"I see, interesting. So, what about the monster classification."

"We used the hunters' level to define the boundary of each class. Newbie Forest's main monsters are equal to level 1 to level 5 hunters, which means they're an equal opponent for you. We calculate this using the mean attributes points of every hunter from levels 1 to 5 and compare it to the monsters. Level 1 monsters have attributes points of around 40, level 2 is 56, level 3 is 62, et cetera."

"So, regarding these large monsters, what are they? What is their level?"

"Alpha Moonewk, which is basically a Moonewk that grow bigger due to age and experience, is one of them. This monster is around levels of 6 to 10. Be careful when you encounter them. Moonewks which are within levels 4 and 5 are in the middle of a transition. These Moonewks will have a bigger size, around 200 to 350 cm tall, but have the appearances of normal Moonewks. These Moonewks are rarely found in the Newbie Forest. Level 6 Alpha Moonewk is a fully matured Moonewks and is dangerous due to their high attributes and aggression compared to the normal and transition Moonewks. It's the final evolution of the Moonewk. They are around 350 to 500 cm tall, thicker fur, bigger fang, and the most notable difference is the horn on their head." Enggar silenced for a moment then continue his explanation. "There are many other large monsters, as well as small monsters with a level range higher than your current level range, but for now, just avoid those monsters. Celtos and Ulo are still safe since their level is around 1 to 2, and 3 to 5 respectively."

"No level 1 to 2 Ulo?" ask some other rookies.

"There is no level 1 to 2 Ulo, but there are levels 1 to 2 of their offspring. They are white in color and only spans around 100 to 150 cm in length. Their venom is not yet developed, so they're not toxic. Too bad you don't find them in the Newbie Forest, even if you did, they rarely appear since they often roam a cave area, which is unavailable in the forest."

"So, this forest, can you explain to us how it's like?" I asked again.

"The Newbie Forest is a vast area that is filled with giant trees, outlandish to our familiarities with trees in the old world, yet fascinating. We called them the Giatii tree due to the strength and size of its' trunk, which spans about 3 to 5 meters in diameter and grows about 20 to 25 meters high. The space between the trees is wide, so the area is good for combat. The other name for the Newbie Forest, the Giatii Forest also comes from this tree. You will encounter Moonewks most of the time within this area, as the trees are full of big vines and branches which is a perfect habitat for them. Some of the Celtos are also found roaming here, and even some of the Ulos. Going to the west side you will find a river which is the first boundary of this Newbie Forest. This area has less Giatii trees but is infested with Bonano trees. It's a mutated banana tree that not only bears a sweeter banana fruit with pink colors but also has a solid trunk which grows to about 2.5 to 3.5 meters high. It looks like a coconut tree with pink banana leaves on top of it. Careful tho', as Ulos for some reason love to hide on these trees. Hey, you should try fishing in the river. Many great fishes can be found there."

Hearing Enggar said that I can't help but swallow my saliva imagining the taste of roasted fish. It must be tasted really good.

"To the north is the second boundary of Newbie Forest, the exalted mountain of Gunga. It's the habitat of not only high leveled small monsters, but also mostly infested by large monsters. The average level of monsters up there is about 20 to 30. This is also the reason why we don't recommend you exploring the north, as the chance of encountering large monsters crossing the Newbie Forest is high. Beyond the west side river, the Silly Voong river is an area called the Rocking Hills. The monsters there ranging from level 3 to 7 for the small monsters, and 10 to 15 for the large ones. Though it has a lower risk than the north boundary, we don't recommend strolling around that boundary for too long, let alone crossing it, at least not on your current level."

"East and South?" Jani asks this time.

"East-side can be said to be the largest area of the Giatii Forest. Although the boundary is another grassland called the Hollow Swamp. Hollow Swamp is an area filled with monsters ranging from Lv 10 to 20. As for the south, you know that our vault, Terra-Jannah, is built under a high rocky area. So south of here, nobody has ever venture there. It's still unknown."

"I see. So, we just need to avoid venturing too far to the north and just focus on going east. Got it." I replied.

After the lecture from Enggar, he dismissed us and point us to the guild counter to receive our hunter badge, then introduces us to the rest of the guild facility.

From what I learn, we can take a quest by applying through the quest board. Although, the quest board is actually a virtual touch-sensitive projection. The process of applying a quest is simple. All we need to do is just scroll the projection to find our desired quest, click it, then apply it by synchronizing it with our hunter badge. The badge itself serves more than just an identification trinket, but more as a utility tool for the guild administration.

After finishing our orientation of the guild. Enggar dismissed us and we are all back to our chamber. The guild told us that we are allowed to either keep our training weapons for hunting or just return it to the training area in the substitution of bits and provisions.

Well, that is kinda cruel.

Swapping our weapons for provisions. Choosing between going out with no supply, or just go charge unarmed with backups. But how about the rations? Can we bring that as a sufficient provision? I don't know the effect of rations as I never keep an eye on my health as I chew them down. Maybe if I just have the 'Scan' ability I can understand more about what it does.

Before getting back to our chamber, I, Juna, and Jani hold a small meeting to discuss what to do for our first quest. We decided which quest to choose, as to whether to keep our weapons or swap it for provisions.

"So, which quest should we take tomorrow?" Ask Juna.

"I don't know. The most urgent thing, for now, is whether we should trade in our weapons or keep it? I just suggest we should keep the weapons, only one should trade-in. That should be me." I replied.

"What?? Don't make a one-sided choice. We're a team, aren't we?" Jani furiously scold me.

"I'm sorry, but I've thought about this. Between us, I'm the best at unarmed combat right?"

"Yeah, but.. Still.." Jani frowningly replied to me.

"Besides, we can't just go to a hunt without good preparation, can't we? Don't worry, I can handle myself."

"Ghhhh.. Fine, then. Now, since you're unarmed, what would be the quest that we shall take? I don't wanna go take the Moonewk quest or even any hunting quest since it would be difficult without a full weaponized party. Any quest that can be done without combat." Juna answered.

"Just take the gathering quest. We just have to collect the required items. There is also the tracking quest. It can be done harmlessly should we be really careful. Besides, should we choose these quests, there's no need for us to trade for provisions, as the number of us encountering monsters would not be much." Jani enthusiastically gives her opinion.

"Yeah, you're right Jani," Juna said in a high pitch, supporting his sisters' idea.

"Right, noted. We can just choose between those quests, right? As for which one, we can do it tomorrow? Let's take a day, friends. We're gonna have a rough day tomorrow." I replied, ended the discussion hurriedly. I just can't take another load today. My eyes are too heavy.

We finally get back to our chamber. The thoughts of tomorrow really pump me up. I'm thrilled, yet scared at the same time. I really wanna see what have the world become, yet it would be a real life-death situation out there once we get ourselves in combat.

To be honest, I'm not sure if I can even handle myself dealing a hand to hand with, not humans, but monsters. I just think that this is the best decision to be made. Besides, I still feel guilty about them. So, perhaps this is what I should do for my redemption.

Before long, I fall asleep, and in just a blink, another day has already started with a banging on my door.