Chapter 16 - Money matters

Comparing activity within the special game forum to outside world activities is like comparing a small snow flake to downpour of 6 inches of snow. Inside the forum, they behaved decently, the questions or doubts or conjectures were all within the limits. But somehow, the same people behaved completely different outside of the forum.

Saachi just saw the ever rising stats of the game, 'shown and updated in real time' ,and went on see other news. Same old postering, same old exaggerations, same old promotions. Faces were different. This time the players who had played the game in VR head gear or pod had come up to talk and promote themselves, their group and finally the game.

Suddenly he had a light bulb moment. He could start collecting some details of these groups. Granted most would fade away or become assimilated, but having some background would help him when he started having collaboration with them. He had vague idea of becoming hoarder of important resources but he had no path in front. He had to try blindly.

He checked the time, pestered college office for scholarship money, checked for new updates in study group or class group, called father to inform him that he sent some money, so that they could spend on health without worry. His mother was still recovering nicely. Did not call home, his siblings would be in school, having self study class.

Making sure that he would not be disturbed again in between, he entered the world of ASTORIA again. He was in the dormitory from where he had logged off. He had planned nicely. It was just shy of dawn in game. He did a stint in Smithy and understood that buffing and increasing durability of low level common weapons were the only suitable things for him. But he got few quests there, including one from tiny tot playing in backyard who wanted some shiny stones to play with.

Next, to field of monsters with wild dogs and their friends near Village border. Another excellent site for foraging and learning how to fight. The only reason why Saachi survived till now was high magical attack rate. His manual control was still poor. He tried fire, water, earth, lightning - all sorts of basic spells, each with their own advantage and disadvantage. Understanding the principles behind the spells were very much necessary to use the spell.

Till he was shooed off by bunch of warriors backed by priests, he happily worked on his manual control and foraging in that map.

Why was that map sought after suddenly? Well, the groups started having sub professions as life style workers and they discovered many raw ingredients were needed. Few were available only with NPCs like viva water or binding powder. Few were inside monster maps. Only few had to be foraged from forests. And from now on, foraging in these areas would be circulated in these groups and they could effectively alter the market as they wished. But of course, they won't do that. Unless they had to sell or storing these ingredients was cumbersome, the groups or guilds would hog on these ingredients.

This group had come to strong arm other players. Next, after some time, another group would come with stronger force to claim the field. Few patches with slower monster respawn or less foraging areas would be left for other players all the time, to prevent the label of unfairness.

That was the reason why solo players sought forests and other areas which could not be chorded off. You could go solo or with party, find some faraway place to grind.

He was not in mood for alchemy which needed intense concentration. He was feeling out of sorts due to eviction. So after finishing some quests, he pestered few NPCs good-naturedly. He wanted some AoE attacks. He had high HP and MP, thanks to high constitution and wisdom attributes. Even a weak AoE would cause high damage and he could use it in forests. AoE had added advantage that he did not have to be very precise when casting. If the spell hit next to monster, then also the AoE effect would engulf it and cause damage.

Generally, there would be level capping in use of weapons, armours, accessories, even spells and skills. The premise is that a higher level weapon would be hefty enough for low levelled player to pick it up, let alone use it. Likewise, the spells would need a lot more MP than low levelled players.

Saachi was special case, his total attributes were like higher level player, thanks to attribute points multiplier bonus when he levelled up to two.(Levelling upto third level gave Skill points -3X bonus).

As these NPCs had good impression on him, they decided to teach him but learning skills beyond his level meant paying bribe to NPCs. No, no, no....not bribe but penalty. So the money he earned thanks to Multiplier bonus was used up completely.

Even inside the game, money was main driver for many - players or NPCs.