Progress Report

While the meat cooked, Markus took out the strange coin and inspected it. From just looking at the exterior, the coin seemed to be made from bronze. It had a minting that he didn't recognize in an unknown language. Fortunately, the omnipotent system would solve his problems. At least, it should have.

[Mysterious Coin

Rank: ???

Effect: ???

Message: I'm sure someone would accept it.]

Since the system didn't reveal any information about it, Markus assumed that it was an item that wouldn't come into play until after the tutorial, or during the main quest. Technically, he hadn't even began the main quest yet. The spoiler video showed that there would be a special system prompt for the main tutorial quest. The video also explained that, due to the nature of the main quest, everyone would receive the notification if someone in their instance acquired it.

The reason for this was because it was a world-changing quest, so it could only be completed in its full state once. The first complete received the full reward. Subsequent completions only received a partial reward, but the requirement to complete drops in proportion to the reward change. This was why being the pioneer in the tutorial was so important. This was also why many companies were willing to fork out big dollars to get their players in for the launch event.

A lot of casual players that have the money to play around were mostly waiting for one of the 'professionals' to complete the main story once so they could then complete the easier conditions after. They were less interested in being the first since fame and money weren't important to them. They just wanted to enjoy themselves. Unfortunately for Markus, this was his job.

While he sat there thinking deeply about his life and career, the smell of his meat became more intense. He refocused and saw that they were nicely cooked, although slightly charred. He brought them away from the flames to cool down and let the meat rest. This was the optimal way to ensure maximum juiciness. Once he couldn't wait any longer, he took one of the pieces and started biting into it.

[Cooked Meat

Rank: Mortal

Effect: After consumption, heal 5 hit points over 15 minutes.

Message: It's all the same to me.]

Markus inspected the other meat as well. The description was nearly identical, except that the healing value was 6 instead of 5. Seeing that, Markus understood that the quality of the meat and likely how well it was cooked played a role in healing. He felt that the healing time was reasonable, and it coincided well with how long he needed to rest.

About 10 minutes into his rest, and after he finished his meal, Markus saw his group chat blowing up. Once he opened it and saw the time stamps, he realized what was going on. He scrolled up and saw Leona posting at {02:00} server time.

Leona: "Hey guys, it's been two hours, I need a progress check-in."

ShanaWild: "Three level 1 skills, 8 exp."

Squid: "Two level 1 skills, one level 2 skill, 6 exp."

LennYing: "Five level 1 skills, 2 exp."

ColdMentos: "One level 1 skill, two level 2 skills, level 2, 0 exp. Heh, beat that."

StephenBlues: "Two level 1 skills, 0 exp. Sorry captain, I got PKed!"

Leona: "Don't worry about it, Stephen. You're support Caster so its expected to be a bit slower. We'll catch you up once we group up! I've got three level 2 skills, and I'm level 2 with 1 exp."

Squid: "Wow captain, you're killing it!"

PastaPlease: "Sorry, I was in the middle of a fight. Three level 1 skills, and I just got enough exp for level 2!"

ThreeBit: "Ah, I just got PKed. Sigh, two level 1 skills, 4 exp."

Squid: "Hang in there, skeleton!"

DirktheJerk: "I spiritually avenged my comrades, just killed a group of PKers! One level 3 skill, and I'm level 2 with 0 exp."

ColdMentos: "Oi, oi, why is Markus quiet? It's already been so long."

Markus: "Sorry, I was setting up a campfire. Six level 1 skills, level 2, 1 exp."

Markus decided to lie a bit because the truth was simply too unbelievable. He already claimed he had a growth-based talent, so having many level 1 skills shouldn't be too strange. Also, he made sure to stick himself in the top 3 of the group but still below Leona overall. Although he wanted to regain his fame, he would do it in a more shocking manner. For now, he kept a low profile.

ColdMentos: "Bullshit! Prove it. Screenshot or it didn't happen."

Markus: "I am not obligated to prove anything to you."

ColdMentos: "Oh-ho high and mighty Markus swinging his big epeen around. I definitely know you're lying now."

Leona: "Carlos, that's enough. I demand you give Markus the respect he deserves. Although he is no longer the captain, he has put more time and effort into this team than you. Not only was he the previous captain, but he's also your senior! As the youngest member, you need to show a better attitude. Am I clear?"

ColdMentos: "Whatever."

Markus raised an eyebrow. He closed the chat and thought about what Leona had said. He always assumed that she held a grudge against him and sought his position. The nice gestures she gave him were always interpreted as gloating. But maybe, she was being genuine. He was confused for a while but decided to just put it in the back of his mind and focus on the game. Regardless of what she thought of him, he would figure it out eventually. Once he took back his prestige as a top player, everything would fall back into place.

After closing the group chat, he figured out that he was really far ahead. He suddenly thought of something. Markus never checked what his teammates talents were. He reopened the chat and scrolled all the way to the top. He read Leona's talent and smacked his lips. This was an enviable talent. If not for his cheat-like talent, he would likely get indigestion from the unfairness.

Leona: "My talent is called indominable. I can ignore the suppression effect from enemies 1 level higher than me, and I get bonus health every level up."

This kind of talent was a Fighters dream. Leona played as a Guardian, so she wouldn't get the full benefit from the first effect, but the second effect was the dream for Guardians. Markus was only envious for a moment. His talent, although having a huge drawback, was simply hacking. With 8 skills and abilities with varying levels, he could easily simulate high ranking talents. In fact, his combat power may even be at level 3 already.

If he followed this trend of growth, he could potentially face the boss of the tutorial area at level 8! The difference between beating the boss at level 8 versus level 10 was enormous. No one in the forums had claimed to see an enemy higher than level 3. Either they haven't spawned yet, they are ignoring the players, or they simply don't exist! If level 3 is the highest enemy, then reaching level 10 would be a slow and arduous grind.

At that stage, people would start PKing more often. Getting experience from players is more reliable. Also, stronger teams will form. Markus imagined that a solid group of level 5's could potentially fight the boss. It would be difficult with a lot of deaths, but it was possible to slowly whittle it down with enough players. The player-wave technique was very famous for this. Not enough strength? Just keep sending players to chip away at the enemy's health.

[You have become Rested. Regaining all lost stamina and removing abnormal conditions.]

[You have become [Nourished] due to excess food.]

[Nourished

Rank: Mortal

Effect: Temporary health increase of 2.

Message: I shouldn't eat another bite!]

'A new condition! I wonder what would happen if I kept eating… The message seems to hint at something. I probably should let someone else test the waters and report about it on the forums.'

Markus looked at a nearby tree that was oozing with resin. He had noticed the sky getting darker and had an idea while sitting and reading for forums. Once it turned dark, the game would become much more dangerous. He remembered seeing a survivalist TV show where the person made a simple torch with tree resin, a branch, and a pinecone. He went around to look for a suitable pinecone and branch.

After some careful searching, he split the branch down the middle with his sword and a rock, and then again to make a cross shaped cut. Then he covered the pinecone in tree resin, jammed the pinecone between the four sections of the branch, and lit it on fire.

[Crude Torch

Rank: Mortal

Effect: Provides torchlight in a 5-meter radius.

Message: Let there be light!]

Markus frowned. He was happy that the system recognized his crafting, but he didn't receive a skill. This made him more and more suspicious that there were hidden conditions to activating his skill. Thinking of the process he went through to make the torch, it took him a lot of time and sweat. The section about harder work increases difficulty stood out to him.

'It's already taken me a while to make the torch, I should rest again…'

The laziness was already setting in.