Chapter 2

"Menu open!" Nefeli shouted in an attempt to activate the game systems.

Name: Nefeli

Bloodline: ???

Legacy: ???

Inheritance: Monarch

Benefaction: ——

Physique: average

Physical strength: 50

Mental strength: 100

Physical defense: 20

Dominion: 3,000

Natura: 200

"Now, what the hell do these numbers mean?" What he was saying was, how do these numbers influence him? Is he incredibly strong if his numbers are fifty? Is a hundred mental strength a sign of intelligence? He didn't feel any smarter. He didn't have anyone to play with at the moment, no one to show him the ropes; however, he did live in a world with the internet, so he'll find a guide online later.

The game barely told him how to play, though it did state that in the manual. "So the manual was right, you have to figure everything out yourself."

"Welp, I'm not going to get anywhere sitting here... let's go punch a tree." Near a tree, Nefeli opened and closed his hand, contemplating if this a good idea. This was the fastest way he could think of test the extent of the game. If the game was similar to reality, hitting this tree would hurt like hell. "Here goes nothing!"

BANG!

"Gooood dammit! Ahhh, that really hurt. Does it like... is this because the... game is messing with my brain, making me think this actually hurts... ahhh. It's both amazing and messed up at the same time."

If a tree had injured him that badly, he imagined what it would be like to be stabbed. What would that feel like? He preferred not to think about it, but he hoped that the game would at the very least include a suppressant.

"Ah... excuse me, the fella over there..." a sweet voice resounding from behind him, making him instinctually turn his head. "Why are you punching a tree?"

"Wha? No, no, I was just test-"

Standing behind him was a pretty woman in working garments who looked to be around his age, holding two boxes.

'How did she sneak up on me without me noticing?'Out here, he felt he was utterly alone. But she was here, that could only imply one thing: there had to be a village nearby.

"Wait, are you one of those NPC's or are you a player?" He asked, though she tilted her head sideways, appearing puzzled by the question.

"Sorry, I don't understand what you mean by NPC or player, my name is Nephinae."

"Ah, so you are a NPC... well, it'll be rude if I didn't tell you my name, it's Nefeli, nice to meet you."

"Well... Nefeli... it's rude to call people something they aren't, you should take responsibility." She said, reprimanding him for calling her an NPC.

"Ah, sorry... Um, I apologize."

With a smile, "isn't that better? But I don't think you've learned your lesson quite yet, if you help me carry a box... I'll may accept your apology."

'Yeah, no... I have better things to do.'

"Sure, why not, but I have one condition, can you tell me about where we are?"

"Why not," she said as she placed a box into Nefeli's hands. "I'll tell you whatever you want to know along the way."

As they began to walk, he contemplated on what he should ask first. What questions were more important to ask first?

"So, this forest... what's its deal?"

"And so the questions begin, I assume you mean where are we? Well..." she said as she pondered aloud with a 'hmmm'.

"The name of the forest is kind of long, Berthierriden, and it's kind of the property of my village."

If this dense forest was the property of a village and not connected to a kingdom, then this village must be wealthy. He could imagine it, he could make a lot of money there. Though, at first, it may sound unbelievable, it also explained why she would be walking alone here.

"I hope you don't mind me trespassing, it was a bit out of my control. See... there was this old man-" he tried to explain without sounding crazy. "After I'm done, I will leave immediately, so could you show me the way then?"

She shook her head," there's no problem with you being here... you wouldn't be here if it wasn't meant to be, so don't worry."

'What does she mean by that?'

"So... what about the others? Why are you out here alone?"

"Hmm... Everyone's busy doing their own thing, same as me."

"Isn't it dangerous here?" He followed up quickly, out of genuine concern."

"I'ma tough girl, I can handle myself."

"Is that so..." in a way, Nefeli felt something he couldn't describe deep in his stomach. His sister was always there for him, so he never really did anything alone. Though he can't assume it's the opposite for her, it did make him think.

"Welp, we should get these boxes to wherever we're going safely then"

"All fired up, huh?" Again, she looked at him with a warm smile on her face. And for a split second, he was reminded of his sister's smile.

/////

As Nefeli was spending time assisting a mysterious woman, other players would be spending their time leveling, strengthening themselves, and learning more of this massive world. In games, it's typical for players and friends to try and surpass each other. Especially those who wish to become professional at the game, which requires time and dedication.

Minutes turned to hours, and while everyone else was grinding in their own way, Nefeli continued his conversation with Nephinae.

"How can she not be tired at this point, we've been walking for ages, and she hasn't broken a sweat? Even her body shows no sign of fatigue." He smiled bitterly, his walking going from regularly paced to limping." It was a game, yet he was so tired. How real were they trying to make this game? As for the person he was walking with, she wasn't affected at all by the walk. It has to be a NPC thing, he thought to himself.

"You okay? You're not looking so good... are you perhaps, tired?" Nephinae words felt like a dagger going through his manly pride.

"Don't want to admit it... but yes... I am tired." He said in an exhausted voice.

After hearing his confession, she stopped in place. "No need to have you dying on me, would you like to take a break?"

"Aren't... aren't we there yet?"

"Just a little more," she chuckled.

"Haaa, then let's take a break near that tree."

He takes a seat by a nearby tree, followed by Nephinae, who sat beside him.

"Tell me, weary traveler, where are you from?"

"Hmm... someplace far away... a place you've never heard of."

"Far away, huh, interesting."

Seeing her full of interest, he smiled. "Yeah... would you like to hear about it? Although, I can't guarantee it'll be an exciting story."

"A story from a mysterious guy about a mysterious place... I just have to hear about it."

"Where should I start then..." taking the minute to think.

He began describing the city where he lived and the places he had visited. Though, the majority of the places he described were vague, she seemed to enjoyed what she heard.

After about an hour of nonstop story telling, after running out of breath and stories to tell her, Nephinae grabs the box that Nefeli was holding for her. "Since you've been so helpful in until this point, I saw it fit to gift you something," She said. "hopefully, this might show my gratitude."

'Was this like a quest! Maybe it was a secret quest, and I'm about to receive something valuable I can sell!'

He did not refuse and humbly accepted her appreciation.

What she pulled from the box he had been holding so far was a blue glowing orb with words that orbited near it.

he had chosen to play the game in his native language, the words that he saw weren't familiar. He couldn't make out one word from the multiple that floated around the orb.

"I don't know if this thing works or not, but I haven't been able to do anything with it," she told him, looking a little disappointed. "If you would like, I'll like to leave this useless item to you."

He noticed that she was trying to be funny, but the orb distracted him from replying. The longer he began to look at the orb and its words, the more it seemed he was capable of comprehending them. Suddenly, information he never knew began flowing into his head. This continued for five minutes before he was sharply awoken out of a meditative state.

"Overlord...?"

"I'm glad you've been paying attention," she admired, but unfortunately that wasn't the case.

BING!

Suddenly, in the sky for every player to witness, a grand notice appeared.

CONGRATULATIONS!>

This announcement shocked every witness there, especially taking the attentions of those at the top. Who was this player 'Nefeli', and what did he do to obtain it?