Chapter Fifteen -Gather, Gather

Silent Night now had a new mission. Get Artha. Better yet would be learning his secret of getting some many potions so early in the game and trying to replicate the same. Failing that, Sun Lord would be happy if Artha joined the guild or work for the club as an employee. If all failed, minimum the temporary head of Dragon Slayers guild in the village expected was steady and possibly exclusive supply of potions, preferably payable in credits.

So Silent Night turned into a tutor and explaing certain nuances in the game, tips and tricks in it. For example, using skill identify. It could be used not just on monsters and others, it could be also used on other players and even NPCs. Of course in cases of NPCs, the identify skill might fail, especially if the said NPC is stronger or had more levels than the player. But on players, you don't have to squint to seen their levels etched in the bead hiding as hair accessory. You just used the skill, 'Identify', unless the player is very high leveled or was using special props, you would definitely see the level of that player. As for as the name, most would allow their name to be visible, so they would definitely be seen when used the skill.

Did you know, the cloaks sold in Rumi's place (NPC shop in the village) could block the skill 'Identify' to certain extent? Though many thought that the skill would upgraded to 'Appraisal' in later time, his boss (Sun Lord )was not sure.

Silent night shared some more small titbits with Artha. These things were collected from various guild members and shared, one of the perks working for guilds. These things would be known to others within a day or two, so no harm in letting this one know sooner. They reached the chick monsters map as Artha thought of it.

Artha had to start all over again. This is the burden he could bear again and again if it meant he could earn more and more. After watching mana ball blast hitting other monsters by accident few times, Silent Night was sure that this player was a noob. A noob with less than basic level of expertise. So, these potions were due to his talent? Unless he could get higher level potions, it would not be worthwhile to poach him. As he still had to wait for next batch of potions, he decided to help the noob.

Artha was happy for help. But he didn't want to join party with him though. He had used 'Identify' skill and found that the thief was level 2 already. Level 2 killing level 0 monster would not get much XP. So if he joined party, XP gained would be calculated based on highest level player in the party. Artha, who got multipler added to every XP he got while battling monsters was so stingy that he didn't want to waste some XP. Wasn't he worried that sudden rise in level would beget suspicions? Stop joking. Unless they were from the guilds or experts themselves, most of the early gamers were already level 1. But the chances of reaching level 2 before the day's end was doubtful. Amount of XP needed to go to level 2 was more than double of what it took to reach level 1.

Silent Night was a good player. Not expert player but an elite. So Artha killed more monsters than needed before the time stipulated for potion transfer arrived. Silent Night didn't stay in the map after recieving this batch. He rushed out immediately.

Artha on other hand was now interested in gathering the resources. Easiest was of course the flowers and herbs growing in the map.

Keensi flower level 0. Can be used in Mana potion, stamina potion.

Rumila leaf - old. Can be used in health potion.

Rumila leaf - young. Can be used in stamina potion, health potion.

Cincoya bark - can be used in health potion.

Perella root - can be used in Mana potion, Revive potion

Perella leaf - can be used to make antidote potion.

Calatropa sap- used for basic runes.

Artha's gather skill was basic. He could collect only few items. The cursory glance before was nothing. Best way to use skill 'Identify' was to use it with his title of 'Nitpicker'. It would show which items he could gather. Also, it would give hints on its usage. How many knew of revive potion, stamina potion or even antidote potions. By the time players learnt of these potions and started collecting them, he could hoard enough and sell at slightly higher price. He carefully collected each leaf, flower etc. Each time, his harvest increased, sometimes by 50, sometimes by 100 or 200. Better the care and concentration during gathering, more was the yield. Soon, his bags were full and he had to walk back. He checked at the timer he had set for himself. He had set aside nearly an hour at end of the day to buy and sell. Still a long way to go. Good. Let's gather and gather. Who cares about the next map. After talking with Silent Night, he had thought of various ways he could proceed. He didn't have to worry about death penalty while fighting the monsters.

As he walked towards the village, he started calling some people. They were clearly at par with Silent Night, but they were in different guilds. Other than publicity and marketing, many guilds would not get in the way of others. Even they knew these villages were transit place. No need to settle down and make oneself at home. There would be even better resources in towns and cities. They just have to win the race and reach highest level possible to become eligible to go to towns.