Investigate the Forest

"Ready for a new adventure?" Mayor Whitlock's question rang through Arsen's ears, sparking his curiosity. As a seasoned quest-taker, Arsen knew the mayor only allotted ten quests per day - six of ordinary difficulty, and four uncommon quests. So what was the reason for this unexpected offer?

Arsen's mind raced with possibilities. Was this a trap? Or perhaps the mayor had a special task that required a skilled adventurer like himself. Whatever the case, Arsen couldn't resist the call of a new quest.

As he stood before the mayor, Arsen's heart pounded with anticipation. He was ready for whatever challenge lay ahead - whether it was battling fierce monsters or retrieving valuable treasures. With his dagger at his side and his wits about him, Arsen was prepared to embark on a journey that would test his skills and courage.

And so, with a nod of his head, Arsen accepted the mayor's offer. He knew that the road ahead would be treacherous, but he was ready to face whatever dangers lurked in the shadows. For Arsen, the thrill of the quest was worth any risk - and he was about to embark on the adventure of a lifetime.

Arsen couldn't help but feel a tinge of disappointment as he heard the mayor's words. Hard and Inferno difficulties were currently unavailable, and the reason was clear - most players simply couldn't handle the challenge. And for those who dared to try, the consequences could be severe.

But Arsen wasn't one to shy away from a challenge. He relished the opportunity to test his skills against the toughest foes, to push himself to his limits and beyond. And while he understood the risks involved, the reward was worth the danger.

Still, he couldn't help but wonder what lay ahead. What kind of challenges awaited him on the harder difficulties? Would he be able to withstand the trials, or would he fall like so many others before him?

_

Arsen blinked in confusion, caught off guard by the unexpected quest. Hunting monsters was his preferred method of leveling up, but the promise of a bountiful reward made it difficult to refuse. He knew he wasn't in a position to turn it down.

Arsen nodded slowly, accepting the request. "Can you tell me more about the quest?" he asked, sounding perplexed.

Mayor Whitlock rolled his eyes at the question, wary of potential eavesdroppers. In this game, players could steal quests as long as they knew the details and completed the task themselves, even if they hadn't been officially assigned it.

"Follow me."

Look at that guy!

Who is he? 

Why is Mayor Whitlock inviting him to his room?

Respect for non-player characters (NPCs) who held a reputation or role in the virtual world was a common understanding among players. This was especially true for Mayor Whitlock, who always kept his distance and avoided interacting with players. As a result, the players were surprised when he saw Arsen and Mayor Whitlock together.

It's important to note that the virtual world in question likely had a complex social structure, with NPCs holding different positions of power and influence. The fact that completing a quest and earning favorability from a high-ranking NPC could improve a player's standing within the world highlights the significance of these virtual social dynamics. This also suggests that players may have had to navigate not only the game mechanics but also a complex social hierarchy in order to succeed within the game.

_

The two entered the room, and Arsen took in the elegant chandelier hanging from the ceiling, the shiny brown table, and a single chair. Without hesitation, Mayor Whitlock got straight to the point.

"I have another job for you," he said, his voice low and serious. "But I must warn you, this one will be much more difficult than the last. Are you willing to accept the risk?"

The mayor watched closely for any change in Arsen's expression, knowing that the task ahead would require someone brave and skilled.

Arsen met the mayor's gaze with a resolute expression and nodded without hesitation. "I'm ready to face any challenges that come with the job," he said in a serious tone, leaning forward. "Please, tell me what I need to do."

Mayor Whitlock's broad smile confirmed his intuition that Arsen was the right person for the job. "I received a report about strange events in the Enchanted Grove Forest," he said, his tone growing more serious. "Animals like deer and cows have been disappearing without explanation, and an alchemist searching for herbs has also gone missing. I need you to investigate the situation."

Ding!

And all of a sudden, a blue screen appeared on his screen.

System Quest: Investigate the Enchanted Grove Forest (Uncommon Quest)

The Enchanted Grove Forest was a farming area for players between levels 1 and 10 and was twice the size of Riverside Town. It was also known for its abundant population of harmless animals, although it was also home to dangerous monsters such as wolves and bears.

Reward(s): 2000 EXP, +1 to all attributes, +15 free attributes, +5 Skill points, +100 Mayor's favorability, and item depending on your choice.

The forest was only 15 kilometers away from Riverside Town, making it easily accessible. Arsen accepted the quest without hesitation. "I'll do everything in my power to investigate this matter," he said determinedly.

-

Is he that person, right?

Perhaps.

Do you think he received a quest from the mayor?

Possible. Since he managed to have a conversation with Mayor Whitlock.

As the players continued to chat outside the mayor's hall, they knew better than to tail the unknown man. They had no way of knowing what risks it might entail, so they left the town and returned to their own business.

After leaving the mayor's hall, Arsen knew better than to rush into the perilous forest without proper preparation. He decided to increase his proficiency with the new skills he had acquired before venturing into the area. Given the dangerous creatures that might approach him in the Enchanted Grove Forest, he wanted to increase his chances of survival. However, before he could begin training, he needed to find a suitable location where he could learn his new skills comfortably.

Well, the town offered a Training Room where players could practice and improve their skills. The room was divided into three categories: White, Gold, and Silver. Renting the White Room cost 10 bronze coins per hour and could increase a player's skill proficiency by 10%. The Gold Room, costing 1 gold and 30 bronze coins per hour, increased proficiency by 15%, while the Silver Room, costing 2 silver coins per hour, provided a whopping 25% proficiency increase.

As of now, Arsen only had 2 bronze coins in his bag. Hmm... Even though he had 10 bronze coins, he had no intention to rent even a single white room despite the fact it could give benefits to the players. Why? He has to pay the $500 first before anything else.

Arsen ended up in an open place where no one could see him. Right after, he played a video skill demonstration of a Chain Lightning skill.

•Chain Lightning: skill proficiency 2.1%

As Arsen gazed intently at the holographic player that materialized before him, he couldn't help but feel a thrill of excitement. With a flick of his wrist, the player sprang to life, activating the powerful Shock Surge Ring on his finger. The ring shimmered with an otherworldly blue-white light before unleashing a surge of electricity that crackled menacingly in Arsen's hand.

Arsen's keen eye quickly assessed the power and potential of the Shock Surge Ring's stunning effect. With a shrewd grin, he knew immediately that this skill would prove invaluable for trapping unsuspecting foes.

Arsen wasted no time in moving on to the next video demonstration - Static Shield. As the holographic player activated the skill, a shimmering barrier of magical electricity enveloped it, crackling with power. Even standing at a safe distance, Arsen could feel the dangerous energy emanating from the shield, and he knew it was not to be trifled with.

Moving on to the next skill with a sense of excitement, Arsen activated the Power Surge skill. The holographic player crackled with electricity, its body wreathed in arcs of crackling energy that seemed to dance and pulse with power.

Arsen couldn't help but feel a rush of adrenaline as he watched the player's electric aura grow stronger and more intense. With this kind of power at his disposal, he knew that he could face any challenge head-on, confident in his ability to overcome even the most formidable opponents.

"So it this the Power Surge skill..." Arsen muttered as he noticed the changes in the Holographic player.

After watching the demonstration a couple of times, Arsen proceeded to train his skill and increase his proficiency. The main reason why he watched the skill demonstration first was so that he can train his other skill while waiting for the cooldown. 

Three hours flew by as Arsen poured his all into practicing the three skills, pushing himself to raise his proficiency by 5%. Despite his determination, he faced numerous challenges along the way. The crackling electricity from the Chain Lightning skill caused narrow damage to his body, leaving him reeling with pain. However, he persevered and managed to harness the Electric element to help dissipate the damage, slowly building up his resistance.

As he continued to practice, he felt his mana deplete rapidly, leaving him drained and exhausted. With a frustrated sigh, he knew it was time to rest and consume some Orange Juice to replenish his energy reserves. As he sipped the sweet, tangy juice, he couldn't help but feel grateful for its restorative properties.

Finally, after three grueling hours, Arsen turned his attention to the Freeze skill. Despite the fatigue that was setting in, he refused to give up, pushing himself to spend an extra 30 minutes learning the intricacies of the skill. With each passing moment, he felt himself growing stronger, more adept at using his newfound abilities to achieve his goals.

_

Alas, Arsen settled all the things he needed to. He then headed to the Enchanted Grove Forest. At this point, he was forced to travel for another hour.

Enchanted Grove Forest.

Arsen paused for a moment to survey his surroundings. The forest was dense with towering trees, their leafy branches rustling gently in the breeze. He could hear the soothing sound of flowing water nearby, adding to the peaceful ambiance of the area.

With a deep breath, he focused on the task at hand. He knew he had a job to do, and he wasn't about to let anything stand in his way. Stepping forward with a sense of purpose, he made his way deeper into the forest, determined to uncover the truth about the strange occurrences that had been reported.

As he ventured further into the woods, Arsen couldn't help but notice that the animals here were acting strangely. They seemed agitated, lashing out at anything in their path and attacking other animals with reckless abandon. Something was clearly amiss, and Arsen knew he needed to be careful if he hoped to survive.

"The hell? What's going on here?"