High-Quality Human Players
In countless novice villages, while the majority of players were worrying about defeating slimes, Jiang Han already felt that success was within his reach.
"I hope to receive your benevolent teachings!" Jiang Han said, trying to maintain composure to avoid revealing any flaws.
"...Certainly!"
After some consideration, the novice village soldier agreed.
"Ding!~"
System prompt: You have received the teachings of [Novice Village Soldier·Kairo] and acquired [Basic Swordsmanship] (D-rank)!
"Ding!~"
System prompt: You have received the teachings of [Novice Village Soldier·Kairo] and acquired [Basic Combo] (C-rank)!
Although these were two seemingly "basic" skills, Jiang Han's mood improved significantly. Eager to go out and find trouble with slimes again, he believed that with these two skills, his strength had indeed improved.
[Basic Swordsmanship] (Passive) (D-rank)
Introduction: Master the basics of swordsmanship to refine your skills in swordplay.
Effect: +5 to Attack!
Limitation: Only 100% effective when using sword-type weapons; other weapons receive only 50% of the effect.
[Basic Combo] (Active) (C-rank)
Introduction: Just a straightforward double combo, no need for excessive fantasies.
Effect: Rapidly inflicts two instances of damage based on your own attack on a single enemy. The first hit deals 75% damage, and the second hit deals 80% damage!
Cooldown: 20 seconds.
Kairo exhaled deeply, appearing exhausted. However, he stared at Jiang Han intently. "I have imparted my knowledge; now you should form a covenant with me!"
"Very well!"
Jiang Han nodded in agreement, realizing that it was not the time to turn hostile.
"Ding!~"
System prompt: You have formed a covenant with [Novice Village Soldier·Kairo], pledging to repay Kairo's benevolent teachings with ten thousand gold coins within a week. Violating this agreement will result in the entire novice village hunting you down, with no peace to be found.
Jiang Han furrowed his brow. "Why one week?"
In reality, he wasn't necessarily planning to breach the contract. After all, he proposed the conditions himself, and in the future, when his level was higher, returning the amount could be manageable. However, the other party's demand for one week was genuinely imposing.
"If you don't hand over ten thousand gold coins within a week, don't think about leaving the novice village." Kairo grinned, his eyes carrying a hint of warning.
Indeed, quite intelligent!
Jiang Han couldn't help but sigh internally, smiling as he nodded. "Alright, but you must provide me with suitable weapons and attire!"
"Why?"
"For the same reason I got two basic skills for ten thousand gold coins," Jiang Han replied coldly.
Kairo shrugged, indicating helplessness. "But I have indeed imparted my knowledge."
"Add another ten thousand gold coins!" Jiang Han raised two fingers, despite the rising anger, calmly speaking.
Playing this game, huh?
Hunting down the entire village is nothing to fear!
Since he wanted excitement, he would pursue it to the end!
"...Fine, you have successfully convinced me." True to expectations, Kairo was enticed by the money, taking out worn leather armor and a rusted iron sword from his backpack and handing them to Jiang Han.
[Soldier's Leather Armor] (Common-grade)
Defense: 2-2
Introduction: Uniform of the novice village soldier.
[Soldier's Iron Sword] (Common-grade)
Attack: 3-3
Introduction: Weapon carried by novice village soldiers.
Common-grade, undoubtedly the most basic weapon grade. According to the official explanation, the equipment on the Tianheng Continent ranges from Common-grade, Bronze-grade, Silver-grade, Gold-grade, Dark Gold-grade, Spirit-grade, Earth-grade, to Heaven-grade...
The official did not elaborate on equipment tiers beyond Heaven-grade, seemingly leaving it for players to explore.
"Ding!~"
System prompt: The covenant you formed with [Novice Village Soldier·Kairo] has changed; an additional ten thousand gold coins have been added to the conditions.
Ignoring the system information, Jiang Han immediately put on the two pieces of equipment, significantly boosting the data on his character panel.
[One Jiang Han]
Level: 1
Health: 100
Attack: 9-9
Defense: 3-3
Reputation: 0
Luck: 0
...
"I take my leave!"
Having achieved his goal, Jiang Han didn't waste words, turning and leaving directly, heading outside the novice village to find trouble with slimes.
"Young man, take me with you!"
Seeing Jiang Han's success, a delicate-looking young female player approached, wanting guidance.
A serious player doesn't start by bringing a 'vase' along!
As a high-quality human player, Jiang Han decisively and firmly rejected, "Sorry, ma'am, I am an emotionless slime-slaying machine."
...
At this moment, many players who witnessed Jiang Han receiving the "guidance" of the novice village soldier were also tempted, attempting to use money to open the door to convenience with Kairo. However, Kairo's words left them regretful and frustrated.
"The indigenous people only share their skills with adventurers once a week, and there are no spare uniforms for replacement."
...
Stepping out of the novice village, Jiang Han immediately confronted a slime!
He had already checked the slime's information panel: Level 3, with a solid 300 health points, but only 5 attack points. It possessed a remarkable defense of 3 points, enough to endure.
-21!
A vivid red damage number emerged, finally no longer just a single digit.
Simultaneously, the slime was infuriated, bouncing up and charging towards Jiang Han's chest. However, the latter reacted swiftly, dodging to the side and stabbing it in the back, or more accurately, twice.
Basic Combo!
-32!
-38!
Large numbers appeared, surprisingly triggering a critical hit. The slime's health visibly decreased by one-third.
After that, Jiang Han quickly dispatched the slime in three swift moves, successfully completing the game's first monster defeat and the task given by the village elder.
"Ding!~"
System prompt: Congratulations on killing [Blue Slime], earning 10 experience points.
Onward!
Jiang Han didn't return to the novice village, immediately seeking trouble with the next slime.
It might be hard to believe, but relying on bluffs and nonsense, he had taken a significant lead over numerous players.
Since that was the case, he naturally wanted to quickly widen the gap and strive to be one of the first players to leave the novice village.
In just five minutes, Jiang Han killed over ten slimes, suddenly feeling a warmth throughout his body as golden light scattered, successfully reaching Level 2.
Glancing at the attribute panel, Jiang Han didn't find any free attribute points, but the only advantage of leveling up was an increase of 1 in both attack and defense, and an additional 100 health points.
Hmm...
Very good!
At least the efficiency of killing slimes has improved!
"The game designer is truly a genius." Jiang Han glanced at the players in the village who were in distress, silently admiring.
He had never seen such bizarre settings. If not for successfully tempting Kairo,
he might be like other players, unable to take a step out of the village.
Subsequently, after spending two hours, as a sentimentless slime killer, Jiang Han reached Level 3, advancing his strength once again!
Of course, if he were only killing slimes, Jiang Han wouldn't need to spend so much time to level up. The issue was, at the beginning of the game, with no money, no medicine, and insufficient health, he needed to rest in place, relying on passive recovery to slowly replenish his health.
"Hmm?"
Suddenly, Jiang Han felt something was off. Pondering for a moment, he suddenly realized, "Good heavens, after over two hours of grinding, these slimes haven't dropped a single copper coin for me!"
Not even a copper coin, let alone the so-called equipment. This starting with a stick and expecting adventurers to conquer the world? Jiang Han lowered his head, looking at the iron sword in his hand, which was not much different from a piece of scrap metal. Leading by who knows how much already, he was momentarily speechless.
Damn, I find myself utterly speechless.