Finding My Brother [Solo/Eniko]

[Lunar]

Aric didn't know what to do now. He was horrified that he and his brother are about to be separated after they spent the rest of their lives in an orphanage after they endured their father's wrath, but he managed to calm him down and told him that a new game will be released in the UK. The name of the game: Elder Tale. At first, he became excited that he can be with his brother while he play a fun game, but after he blacked out, he found himself in some kind of forest with his appearance altered to look like his own avatar that his brother made for him. And with his brother nowhere in sight, he became not only scared at his new environment, but he became very lonely as he continued to pleaded for his brother not to leave him.

But all of the sudden, 2 snake-like creatures came out from the bushes and upon they saw the young boy, they charged onto him, which Aric noticed and screamed in horror. Carrying his scythe that he didn't knew how it got there, he ran away from the snakes, only for them to chase him as they prepared their fangs to attack. And as he ran and ran, he only thought one thing as he started to cry. "Evan, where are you?! Please, get out of here!"

WORDS: 230 (October AP Bonus for Main Class: 460)

TAG: Eniko

[Eniko]

He sighed in exhaustion after that battle. It was just two boars, yet it was hard because of his level and had to learn in this new world. However, he didn't thought of it as a prison or a trap, Eniko felt that this was his getaway from his step-parents from all of that pressure. Yet, he didn't forget his biological parents, which he wanted to make sure he will do anything to remember them even in his new reality. However, his thoughts about his personal life stopped for a minutes when he decided to check on his levels, which he was surprised that his main class's levels went up to 5 and his Tracker subclass leveled up to 3.

"Huh? Looks like even this is my first MMO, I still made a very big progress." He smiled at his first accomplishment in this new world, only that he became startled by someone's scream. "Huh?! Who's there?!" When he turned around to the source of that scream, he was surprised to see a silhouette of a young boy running away from something. Even though he didn't saw it clearly, Eniko knew that he might be in trouble as he returned into the forest to save him. When he did, he not only saw the full appearance of the boy, which he has silver hair and silver and blue outfit wielded a same scythe as him, but also two snakes as they chased after him, which he saw the HP bars of those monsters.

"Garden Snakes! And they are Level 5. Guess I better eliminate them before they get to him." He thought as he gripped his scythe tightly as he focused on the snakes. And just before the snakes jumped onto the silver-haired boy, Eniko shouted, "Quick Draw!" With a quick slash to one of the snakes, he jumped in front of the boy and said to him as he pointed left, "Quick! Hide behind one of those trees and don't come out until I said so!" He then waited for the boy to hide for a few seconds and if he did, he started to attack the first snake he attacked earlier with multiple slashes and after that, he put his scythe back into his sheath to prepare another skill as he dodged some of the snakes' attacks, which some managed to hit him on the legs and arms.

Nevertheless, he continued to remain calm as he gripped his scythe tightly once again and when his eyes set on the first snake for a few seconds, he shouted once more, "Quick Draw!" With a quick swipe with his scythe, the snake exploded in items and gold, which the explosion was big enough for the boy to see. Eniko then focused on the last snake next as he made more strikes to it until the Garden Snake managed to stop his attacks by biting his arm with it's poison fangs. Because of it, Eniko suddenly felt sick all of the sudden as he noticed that his HP is going down after 10 seconds. "Drat, I better end this before both of us are dead!"

Then upon he saw the boy's HP bar, which revealed that he was an Assassin like him, he had an idea. But upon his scared reaction and his level was still one, he needed for him to work together on this while avoiding him to get killed. Because of that, he endured another pain while his HP decreased again due to the snake's another bite and the after effects of it's poison fang as he dragged the boy's HP bar to his friend's list as he remembered from the instructions from the game's official site and said, "Quick, when the window opens on your side, accept it! When you do, try to distract the snake! And don't worry, try to use normal slashes with your scythe like I do, but make sure to avoid it's attacks no matter what!"

If the boy might accept his friend request, he decided to get to work as he focused his eyes back to the snake as he dodged another bite. "Can't bite what you can't see, you stupid snake!" He insulted the monster before he kicked it's face, which even though that snakes can't close their eyes didn't mean he can cover them. This gave him 5 seconds to ran into the trees, used Silent Move to hid the sounds of his footsteps, and hid behind them in order to secretly target the snake with his next attack. "Quick Draw is good, but how about this skill next?" He tapped another skill from his skill, wanted to know how this skill works. And all of the sudden, his eyes are focused on the snake and somehow searched around it's body as he thought, "According to the skill's description, this skill needs a long preparation time since I need to find it's weak-point first. So that boy should help me by distracting the Garden Snake, but I hope he won't get bitten or he's dead for sure!"

HP: 48%

MP: 52%

QUICKSLOT: N/A

SKILL ACTIVE: Silent Move

EQUIPMENT: Starter Leather Armor, Starter Scythe

SKILLS: Quick Draw, Fatal Ambush, Quick Swap, Silent Move, Transcription

MONSTERS: Level 5 Garden Snake

WORDS: 847 (October AP Bonus for Lunar's Main Class: 1694)

TAG: Lunar

GOALS: To protect the boy from the Garden Snakes

NOTES: This takes place after First Experience in New Reality and before Treasure Ahoy, so Eniko's level should be 5 in this thread.

[Lunar]

Aric ran and ran as the snakes that was somehow bigger than normal ones chased him with their fangs barred, which he repeatedly thought about his brother and mentally pleaded him to help him until he quickly tripped on a small rock, which he fell on the ground and caused his guard to go down as he watched the snakes about to attack him. "Please, help me! Someone get me out of here!" But as he was about to be bitten by the snakes, he heard a young boy's voice before a figure jumped in front of Aric and attacked the snakes with some kind of polearm. "What?" As he took a closer look at his savior, which was a 11-12 years old young boy with aqua blue hair, purple vest, grey shirt, purple scarf, and purple shorts, he was surprised that he was also a scythe user as well. He didn't picked his own weapon though, but his brother did recommended him to wield it.

Then, the boy who saved him ordered him to hide behind one of the trees, which he complied since he don't want to disobey his savior as he ran to the pointed direction of the trees and hid behind one of them before he took a peek to see the boy and the snakes. Although he was worried about him at first, Aric was shocked to saw him fought off the snakes and despite he took the bites of the snakes, he still continued to attack as his speed suddenly gone faster he shouted some kind of attack. "He looks very strong. And more importantly, he was able to fend off those snakes like it was nothing."

As the boy continued to attack the snakes, Aric grew more and more curious and awed at him as he saw the boy managed to defeat the first snake, which exploded in items and gold when it did. And when he saw the boy became injured from the multiple bites from the snakes, he shouted, "No!!!" However, the boy shrugged off the pain and told Aric to accept something when a "window" appears and distract the snake after that. "Window? What window?" His question was answered as he saw through in his eyes a menu popped up right in front of him with a window popped up next saying, "ENIKO WOULD LIKE TO BE FRIENDS WITH YOU. WILL YOU ACCEPT HIS FRIEND REQUEST?"

Aric was confused at the many windows right in front of him, as if they are from a video game. But when he saw the boy kicked the snake's face and ran into the woods, he decided to tapped "YES" on the window before he tightly gripped his scythe as he got out from his hiding place. When he saw the snake, he was scared at it as it noticed another presence and turned his attention to him. As the snake continued to glare at him, Aric froze in fear as felt that the boy who saved him abandoned him. Yet, as he continued to shivered in fear, he quickly remembered his brother's words to him. "Listen, Aric. One important thing about these heroes is that they never give in to fear. And not only that, even if their friends aren't around anymore, the knights will always have them in their heart. So in other words, even I'm not here in the flesh doesn't mean I will leave you alone. So never stop thinking about me and be brave no matter what."

"No matter what..." That's all Aric can say before his fears of the snake replaced with determination as he screamed in anger and charged onto the snake with his scythe. Mimicking the boy's moves he saw earlier, Aric tried to make multiple slashes to the snake, but it seemed that it didn't fazed a little bit as it counterattacked, which he followed the boy's warnings and dodged severral of it's bites. But despite his new determination, he felt that he won't hold it out much longer as he wished that the boy will returned soon.

WORDS: 683 (October AP Bonus for Main Class: 1366)

TAG: Eniko

[Eniko]

It didn't took very long that his friend request was accepted as he not only knew the boy's name, which was Lunar, but also he now has an ability to use telepathy to communicate with him, which allowed him to signal him without raising his voice that might caused his cover exposed. Also, he saw Lunar got out behind the tree he was hiding and lose his fear to distract the snake by attacking it despite his level will only damaged it a little. Upon he saw the boy's fear replaced with courage, Eniko became impressed at how he was able to face his fears head on. With the preparations complete, he continued to search for the Garden Snake's weakpoint and when he found it, Eniko quickly dashed out from his hiding place, dispelling his Silent Move in the process, but not before he activate the telepathy feature to Lunar and mentally said to him, "Lunar, stop attacking and move away from the Garden Snake! I'll finish it!"

With his scythe raised, he jumped in front of the snake and shouted, "Fatal Ambush!" With a powerful slash, he managed to strike to snake's weakpoint, which was it's head and landed near it before the Garden Snake exploded in items and gold, signalling it's defeat in the hands of a Level 5 Assassin. After he panted in exhaustion due to his skill, he returned his scythe to his scythe's back and turned to Lunar to check on him for injuries. "Good job on distracting the snake, Lunar. Even though you managed to deal a little damage on it, at least you're okay. My name is Eniko, by the way." He introduced himself to Lunar, not wanted to ignore his manners to a same kid like him.

HP: 48%

MP: 36%

QUICKSLOT: N/A

SKILL ACTIVE: N/A

EQUIPMENT: Starter Leather Armor, Starter Scythe

SKILLS: Quick Draw, Fatal Ambush, Quick Swap, Silent Move, Transcription

MONSTERS: N/A

WORDS: 295 (October AP Bonus for Lunar's Main Class: 590)

TAG: Lunar

[Lunar]

Despite his new determination managed to hit the snake several times, it wasn't able to damage the snake too much, which made him became scared once again. And just as his fear returned, he suddenly heard the boy's voice in his head, which he told him to stop attacking and dodge so he can finish it. And to his surprise, his savior came out from his hiding area, which Aric followed what he said before he made one strong slash, which caused the snake to explode in items and gold, much to his awe at what happened to the monsters.

After that, Aric approached to where the snake was as the boy checked up on him and checked him before he introduced himself as Eniko. And to his surprise, he called him Lunar once again. At first, Aric was confused at that name again, until he saw that same name in his menu from his vision along with a portrait similar to him, only he has silver messy hair. If he remembered, that was the name of his Elder Tale avatar that his older brother made for him, which his character is a young boy similar to him, only that his attire has a silver and blue colored scheme and his hair was silver. And upon he looked at himself to saw the changes on his appearance, he realized that he became his own avatar, thus the reason why the boy called his avatar's name.

And that confusion resolved, Aric decided to ask some questions to Eniko. "Uh, nice to meet you and thanks for saving me again, Eniko. B-But why do you know my name from Elder Tale? And also, where am I? What are these windows appeared right in front of me like they're from a computer? And more importantly, how did your voice got into my head earlier?"

WORDS: 311 (October AP Bonus for Main Class: 622)

TAG: Eniko

[Eniko]

With all of the questions Lunar asked, Eniko guessed not only he's a newbie like him, but he looked like he didn't play MMORPG for his whole life. Eniko was also the same, but since he played RPG games a lot in the old world, he was able to master the "gameplay" of the new world in a matter of minutes including using skills without the skill menu. As he thought of this, Eniko then decided to speak up to answer his questions with his cold and serious demeanor retained on his face. "For your first question, I just saw your name through your HP bar, your life bar for this world. For your third question, what you saw are you main menu such as inventory, skills, and your current status. Just don't freak out on them too much since they are very important for you. As for your next question, that's called telepathy, it's sort of a whisper function, I think. It can only be used by players you've registered on your friend list, thus the reason I asked you to add to my friend list earlier."

As for Lunar's second question, Eniko still adjusted to this revelation, but upon he remembered that he logged into Elder Tale after both the game and the new patch "Novasphere Pioneers" are installed before he got blacked out and woke up in this new world, he was safe to say that this might be the world of Elder Tale, which he told him about it. And with all of those questions answered, he wanted to part ways with him, but with Lunar's lack of knowledge about this world as well as Elder Tale, he may as well teach him the tricks of the trade as well as his recent discovery. "Well, you got somewhere to go, right? Unfortunately, to get out of this forest called Windsor Greatwood, you need to try to fight as many monsters to get to your destination and since it's already night time, it's easier said than done. But don't worry, I'm willing to teach you how to get used to this reality's rules if you want."

Upon the boy's actions from the last battle, Eniko might have guess he should say yes quickly. But then again, he was still scared, so if he said otherwise, all he can do for him now is to send him to the city for safety then. But if after Lunar answer his offer, he would asked, "Well, I know that you're an Assassin like me, Lunar. But what is you subclass and your crafting class?" And since he knew Lunar might not know about them, Eniko then tried to explain about what he knew so far about them. "Subclass is another class you've picked that will give you more skills not from your main class while crafting class is where you pick what class you want to craft the whole game. My subclass is Tracker, which I heard it's for stealthy characters and it's skills mainly focused on having to travel undetected and my crafting class is Scribe, which I don't know what they do though."

HP: 48%

MP: 43%

QUICKSLOT: N/A

SKILL ACTIVE: N/A

EQUIPMENT: Starter Leather Armor, Starter Scythe

SKILLS: Quick Draw, Fatal Ambush, Quick Swap, Silent Move, Transcription

MONSTERS: N/A

WORDS: 525 (October AP Bonus for Lunar's Main Class: 1050)

TAG: Lunar

[Lunar]

Aric didn't understand all of it at first until Eniko got to a part about menus and friend list, which he realized why he got his "friend request" and forced him to accept it. If he didn't, he wouldn't be dead by now. However, what was more shocking was that Eniko told him that they are somehow in the world of Elder Tale. "But that can't be. I-I mean, everything I've touched is real a-and Evan said that the game world is not real." He didn't believe it, but if that was true and since him and his brother logged in at the same time, his eyes widened as he realized that his brother might came along for the ride to this world as well.

And when his savior asked where he will go from here now, Aric, which he decided to call himself Lunar, decided to find his brother in this new world. But before he declare it to him, Eniko gave him the bad news, which was in order to get out of Windsor Greatwood at night, he needed to learn how to fight. And as what Eniko said, it was easier said than done. Lunar don't know how to fight despite he was impressed at the Assassin's moves with his scythe earlier. And when he offered him to let him teach him how, Lunar thought of these two choices: Leave and find his brother while risking his life getting of the forest alone or let Eniko teach him what he knew so far.

"I wanted to find my brother, but I don't wanted to die. But if you promise I can do those attacks you've made earlier, I accept your offer." With that said, he looked at his scythe with his grip tightened, wondered if his brother might able to find him as well. Then, Eniko asked Lunar on what his subclass and crafting class are, which the latter was confused at those terms at first until he explained what they are, which made him realized that Evan told him about them a few hours ago. Although he understand about them, Lunar has no idea what his subclass and crafting class are. But when he looked up and saw his status screen, he saw not only the said words, but also what his classes are, which his crafting class was a Pharmacist and his subclass was a Apprentice. Upon he saw these, he remembered a conversation about them with his brother.

----

After his brother explained about subclass and crafting class to a confused Aric while they looked at their computer screens that showed the Elder Tale game was currently downloaded in their room, Aric then asked, "Hey, Evan. What can a Pharmacist class and an Apprentice class can do?" As he looked at his brother's confused expression, Evan then flipped a few pages from his game guide of Elder Tale until he found one and said, "Well, according to the guide, Pharmacist is a crafting class which you can make potions and poison. And since the class you just picked was an Assassin, I thought it should able to help you in the game. As for the Apprentice, it's a role-playing subclass and true to it's namesake, it allows you to become a real apprentice to a more experience player. I picked it just for you since this is the first real video game you will play with yourself at your new home."

Upon he heard all about these classes, Aric became more excited at his character's new subclasses as he said, "So cool! Will you let me be your apprentice, Evan?" However, his brother nodded no and said, "Unfortunately, no. To be honest, even I've played a lot of MMORPGs like this, this is the first time I ever heard of these, so I'm afraid you better find some other players online to help you."

"B-But you said..." Evan stopped him from talking as he looked at him in an assured expression. "Don't worry. Even I won't let you be my apprentice doesn't mean I will teach you how to play the game as well as playing them together. As long as you promise to be brave and be independent in your new family, I will always see you around in-game." However, Aric became depressed and declared that he didn't want his new family and he wanted to stay with him forever. "I'm sorry, Aric. But it won't happen since our adoptions are final. But I'll promise you that I will never forget you no matter how far away we are. And so do you."

"I-I guess." His brother then showed his pinky finger and asked, "Pinky swear?" Knowing that he will never ever forget him, Aric accepted his pinky swear. "Okay. I promise I won't forget you, too."

----

After he remembered his tearful memory of his brother, Lunar then thought, "Evan, I hope you kept your promise as well. I-I miss you very much..." With his thoughts on his brother broken after realizing he was still in a conversation with Eniko, he then explained his subclasses and what they are as he tried to hide a tear from his memory of Evan.

HP: 100%
MP: 100%

QUICKSLOT: N/A

SKILL ACTIVE: N/A

EQUIPMENT: Starter Cloth Armor, Starter Scythe

SKILLS: Malicious Intent, Hiding Entry, Accel Dance, Orientation, Detox

MONSTERS: N/A

WORDS: 867 (October AP Bonus for Apprentice subclass: 1300)

TAG: Eniko

[Eniko]

"So Lunar has a brother, huh? Makes me wish I wasn't an only child before my parents died." Mentioning about his parents was another thing Eniko felt sad about. Sure, he found some upsides about trapped in this new reality, but thinking about them made him think he wanted to go back to his happy days with them. But with that subject aside, he guessed that Lunar was very dependent to his brother and wanted to get back to him in the real world. And when he noticed Lunar was lost in thought after he asked him about his subclass and crafting class, he was surprised that he shed a tear after he recovered his senses, which proved that he really don't want to be alone without his brother.

Temporarily setting his family aside, Lunar explained about his subclass and his crafting class, which he was surprised at them. He was interested at Pharmacist, but he wanted to try out Scribe first, since it reminded him of a conversation he had with his mother a few years ago. And also, he has an Apprentice subclass, which often used by inexperience players of Elder Tale. Sure, Eniko was a new player, too. But with his RPG knowledge as well as his discovery on using skills with a skill menu, he could be called a prodigy at any moment. However, he felt he was still inexperienced due to his level. But upon he compared it with Lunar's, he felt he might need a battling and skill teacher like him, but he wanted to learn more about the world before he can.

Then, their conversation was interrupted when two Dull Green Slimes crawled into the area, which Eniko noticed. It was his first monster he fought and upon he noticed their movements on those battles, he felt it might be the easiest if his level wasn't 1. Yet, it might be suitable for Lunar's first monster to fight as he saw that their levels are the same ones as his level. "These Dull Green Slimes have the same levels as you do, Lunar. They might be good for your first monsters to train on. Why don't you try to fight them?" He knew that he has a lot to learn, but for now, he might need to teach Lunar about the basics.

"Numbers aren't everything for now. Right now, try to attack them with your scythe by slashing them like I did earlier." Eniko explained in a serious manner. "Also, try to dodge their attacks. Their attacks might be weak, but their residue-like skin can burn you if they tried to slap you. Don't worry, try to focus on the first one first, then I'll tell you what to do next on the second Dull Green Slime."

HP: 57%

MP:59%

QUICKSLOT: N/A

SKILL ACTIVE: N/A

EQUIPMENT: Starter Leather Armor, Starter Scythe

SKILLS: Quick Draw, Fatal Ambush, Quick Swap, Silent Move, Transcription

MONSTERS: N/A

WORDS: 464 (October AP Bonus for Lunar's Main Class: 988)

TAG: Lunar

[Lunar]

During their conversation, it was interrupted when Eniko noticed some monsters prowled into the area, which made Lunar scared to them as he hid behind the Level 5 Assassin. However, he told him that the monsters called Dull Green Slime are only Level 1, which he thought they are perfect for the newcomer like Lunar to fight them first. "I-I don't know if I can fight that many." However, Eniko reassured him that the number of the monsters aren't important and he should focus on using his scythe to attack with the same moves that he used earlier. And to make it more simple, Eniko allowed him to fight one of them first and focus on the other one later.

"Okay, I'll try." Despite his reluctance to battling the slimes, Lunar decided to charged onto one of them and remembering the moves Eniko made, he repeatedly slashed the Dull Green Slime many times. He thought of this as part of the game, yet the more he moved around with his scythe, the more he felt he was really tired. Then, the slime managed to avoid one of his slashes before it slapped him with it's skin, which Eniko's words came true as Lunar screamed in pain. "D-Did I felt that?!" When the slime slapped him for the second time, the memories of his former father resurfaced, which made him more panicked and traumatized by it. "No, I don't want to feel pain! I don't wanna! I DON'T WANNA!!!" This caused him to turn aggressive and quickly made more attacks in anger to the slime until it exploded in items and gold, only that he continued to slash the ground where the slime was in rage.

He wanted to try to kill the next slime, but if Eniko can stop him, he realized what he has done and dropped his scythe before he started to cry at the memory of that revelation while he muttered his brother's name many times.

HP: 94%
MP: 100%

QUICKSLOT: N/A

SKILL ACTIVE: N/A

EQUIPMENT: Starter Cloth Armor, Starter Scythe

SKILLS: Malicious Intent, Hiding Entry, Accel Dance, Orientation, Detox

MONSTERS: Level 1 Dull Green Slime

WORDS: 329 (October AP Bonus for Main Class: 658)

TAG: Eniko

[Eniko]

As he observed Lunar's fight against the first Dull Green Slime, he was impressed at his movements with his scythe. Although his copy of his own fighting style still needed work, Eniko knew that Lunar was a fast learner. However, his observation was put into a halt when Lunar suddenly became aggressive as he beat up the slime multiple times and even it was killed, he continued to slashed the ground where the slime was before he turned his attention to the last slime, now consumed in rage.

Not wanted to leave him like this, Eniko charged onto him and used his scythe's staff to hold Lunar down. "Stop, Lunar! I wanted you to defeat that slime with regular attacks slowly, not aggressively! What's with you?!" However, when he successfully subdued him, he saw him dropped his scythe and started to cry and muttered something. Eniko can't hear it clearly, but he knew that he must have a tragic past. He also had a tragic past with his parents passed away from a car accident, but judging from his reaction after he was hurt from the Dull Green Slime's attack, Eniko knew something's up. "Lunar, tell me something. Did something happened that lost your parents? I can tell because I lost my own parents years ago."

He wasn't the type to tell anyone his past, but with Lunar's aggression from the pain, Eniko knew that if he won't told him about it, he won't able to reach into him. "Look, I won't try to make fun of you, but I wanted to help. If you let your rage of your tragic past take over, then you will never find your brother or survive in this world. Sure, I'm not your brother, but I have lost my parents. But I know that no matter where they are, they are still in my heart." With that said, he decided to let the slime go around the area in curiosity while he continued to comfort the Level 1 Assassin, hoped that his words reached to him.

HP: 63%

MP: 67%

QUICKSLOT: N/A

SKILL ACTIVE: N/A

EQUIPMENT: Starter Leather Armor, Starter Scythe

SKILLS: Quick Draw, Fatal Ambush, Quick Swap, Silent Move, Transcription

MONSTERS: Level 1 Dull Green Slime

WORDS: 343 (October AP Bonus for Lunar's Main Class: 686)

TAG: Lunar

[Lunar]

With Eniko successfully subdued him, Lunar finally dropped down to his knees and cried, realized what he had done. He knew he should have done that since that pain reminded him so much about his former father. He cried and cried until Eniko told him that he lost his parents as well. At first, he was just mocking him, but when his tone of voice became solemn, he realized he was serious about his parents' fate. Wiping his tears off from his face after he stopped crying, he decided to explain everything about his past to Eniko, not wanted to keep this tragedy all by himself other than his brother. It was very hard for him to explain to him about his father used his mother like that and threw her away like she was trash, but upon he saw his face, he slowly lose his rage and sadness as he continued his tale.

And after he explained everything, he saw the slime slithered to him, which it was still angry for hitting it. When he did, he realized that the only thing he didn't able to conquer was his fear of pain as he remembered that his brother told him that this game was also focused on defeating monsters, which he needed to endure any pain from any of their attacks. As he continued to stare at the monster, he wondered that Eniko might give him a second chance on teaching him how to fight after what he had been through a few minutes ago. Yet, he felt he might say no and instead send him where he will be safe.

HP: 99%
MP: 100%

QUICKSLOT: N/A

SKILL ACTIVE: N/A

EQUIPMENT: Starter Cloth Armor, Starter Scythe

SKILLS: Malicious Intent, Hiding Entry, Accel Dance, Orientation, Detox

MONSTERS: Level 1 Dull Green Slime

WORDS: 272

TAG: Eniko

[Eniko]

Upon he listened to Lunar's past, Eniko now realized why did he got easily enraged by that pain. He felt sympathy on the horrors he had to endure plus the fact that his father show no regret or sympathy after his true colors was revealed to him and his brother. Although it didn't happened with him and his parents, but he knew what would happen if he suffered the same fate as him. "Man, I'm sorry about what you had been through, Lunar. But you can't let your past injuries lingered you forever. You have to learn to forget that pain and control your anger from the past." He also knew that Lunar can't rely on his brother or him forever, so teaching him the basics wasn't his only reason to help him survive anymore, but to help him grow a better person.

Then, when he saw Lunar stared at the Dull Green Slime as if he was interested, Eniko knew he wanted a second chance. "Well, if you can try controlling it this time, then I suggest you can try another go with that slime. But on one condition: You already learned how to attack, now you need to use nothing but your skills." He then "clicked" his own skill menu and said, "First, open your skill menu and tapped one of the icons to execute one. You have to remember the skill's description to your own advantage." Then, he then left the area, but not before he said, "I'll try to find some more monsters for you to fight in the nearby area. Remember what I said before and be careful." He then left the area to start his search, wondered if Lunar can fight on his own while following his instructions.

HP: 73%

MP: 75%

QUICKSLOT: N/A

SKILL ACTIVE: N/A

EQUIPMENT: Starter Leather Armor, Starter Scythe

SKILLS: Quick Draw, Fatal Ambush, Quick Swap, Silent Move, Transcription

MONSTERS: Level 1 Dull Green Slime

WORDS: 294

TAG: Lunar

[Lunar]

With Eniko's approval, Lunar smiled in relief since he was forgiven on his blind actions. However, he was given a condition to use only his skills to defeat the slime. Luckily, he gave him instructions on how to execute them by opening his skill menu and choose what skill he should use as long as he read the skill description, which Lunar tried the same thing as Eniko's, which he was surprised that it worked when a skill menu appeared right in front of him. Then after Eniko left to look for more monsters, Lunar decided to start the fight once again as he thought, "All right, I can do this. But which one of these skills should I use?"

He first looked at the skill called Malicious Intent, which was supposed to release an invisible aura to attract monsters, but he didn't need to use it since the slime was right near him. Next, he looked at Hiding Entry, which was a basic Assassin stealth skill so he didn't need to use it for this situation. With those two skills down, he looked at the last skill, Accel Dance, which allowed him to enter a state of mind that removed his limiters that caused him to move faster than normal. Upon he read the description, Lunar became curious. If he use that skill, does it mean that he can fight faster?

With that thought, he decided to go for it as he made a slash to the slime with his scythe, which attracted his attention as the Dull Green Slime angrily slapped him on his arm. At first, Lunar was about to snap, but upon he remembered Eniko's words, he slowly calmed down and thought, "No, Lunar. I won't let my past hurt me any longer. I need to stay strong." As he repeated that thought, he clicked on the skill he wanted and with a sudden burst of speed in his mind, he shouted, "Accel Dance!" Now moving faster, Lunar silently made multiple slashes to the slime while enduring the acid slaps until he finished it off with a downward slash, which before he knew it, it exploded in items and gold as his Accel Dance buff expired, much to the young Assassin's shock as he muttered, "No way..."

HP: 96%
MP: 94%

QUICKSLOT: N/A

SKILL ACTIVE: N/A

EQUIPMENT: Starter Cloth Armor, Starter Scythe

SKILLS: Malicious Intent, Hiding Entry, Accel Dance, Orientation, Detox

MONSTERS: Level 1 Dull Green Slime

WORDS: 381

TAG: Eniko

[Eniko]

Meanwhile after he left Lunar to search more monsters, Eniko went into the deeper parts of the forest while avoiding himself from losing Lunar's current location. As he did, he wondered how Lunar was doing and was a little worried that Lunar might snapped like last time. But after he managed to help him recover his senses and let him discover his courage, Eniko felt he might able to fight by himself just fine. And before he can thought anything else about Lunar, he then saw two Young Pittered Boars and 2 more Dull Green Slimes, which they are Level 1 and Level 2 respectively. Upon he saw those levels of the monsters, Eniko knew they would be perfect for Lunar's next targets.

But the next question was to how he will lure them to him without hurting them as he opened his skill menu and searched which one he will use. But to his dismay, one of his skills can only hide his footsteps while most of them are offensive. This made him realized that most of the skills he choose isn't suited for luring enemies or "aggro" as MMO players called it. With no choice but to escort Lunar to this spot, he left some stones to mark some trail to the monsters he saw before he returned to Lunar.

----

And as he returned, Eniko saw Lunar, who wasn't snapped as he used to earlier, but shocked at something, which he deduced that he successfully defeated his first monster without a problem upon he saw a pile of gold and items on the ground. "Looks like you got the hang of your skills, huh?" Eniko said to the new Assassin, wanted to know what skill he used to defeat the slime. "I think it's time for the next step on battling. But unfortunately, I can't lure the monsters in here. So I better take you where the monsters are instead." With that said, he was ready to escort Lunar to help him on the next step on fighting, which was a technique he discovered: Using skills without using the skill menu.

HP: 89%

MP: 84%

QUICKSLOT: N/A

SKILL ACTIVE: N/A

EQUIPMENT: Starter Leather Armor, Starter Scythe

SKILLS: Quick Draw, Fatal Ambush, Quick Swap, Silent Move, Transcription

MONSTERS: N/A

WORDS: 353

TAG: Lunar

[Lunar]

Lunar was still completely shocked at his first win as a pile of gold and items still lied down on the ground. And before he can still sat there any longer, Eniko arrived and was impressed at his actions upon he saw the area and the items, much to Lunar's surprise. "Well, I only used this skill called Accel Dance and all of the sudden, I can move really fast when I was fighting. Although, it somehow wore off by the time I was finished." Lunar explained as much as he can, trying to remember how he killed the slime. "Then even though I got hurt several times, I didn't snapped and continued slashing it until it somehow exploded. Is that normal?"

After that, Eniko explained that there's another set of monsters he can fight, but they have to go there instead since he can't lure them to him, which didn't bother Lunar a little. He wanted to learn how to fight, so it was okay for him to leave this area as he followed the Level 5 Assassin to where he found the monster. As they were walking, Lunar became curious about Eniko's past, namely about losing his family in the process and the reason why he sympathized his loss of his mother as well. He wondered what happened after that as he asked, "Um, Eniko... When you learned about your parents in a car accident, how did you felt and what happened after that?"

HP: 100%
MP: 99%

QUICKSLOT: N/A

SKILL ACTIVE: N/A

EQUIPMENT: Starter Cloth Armor, Starter Scythe

SKILLS: Malicious Intent, Hiding Entry, Accel Dance, Orientation, Detox

MONSTERS: N/A

WORDS: 246

TAG: Eniko

[Eniko]

"Accel Dance, huh?" Eniko said, now interested at the skill Lunar used to defeat the slime and hoped if he can add it when he level up some more. "And don't worry, the monster didn't explode, it's just defeated that way because that's how the items and gold came out. Weird, but somehow works in this world." And while he escorted Lunar to the monsters, he then asked to Eniko what happened during and after the accident, which made him felt uncomfortable. Yet, he lost his mother because of his abusive mother. Maybe he should share it just for his sake. "I don't know, it happened so fast. I was 6 years old when it happened. I tried not to think about and prayed that my parents came home, but they didn't. The police told me they passed away. I cried and cried, trying to accuse them that they are lying. But it didn't change everything, my parents are gone and I was alone."

He didn't want to believe it when the news came out, but he knew they were dead. And when he then told him about how he was adopted in an orphanage, his sadness briefly turned into anger. It was the worst years of his life, being pressured on his grades, not allowed to make friends, and being forced to be tutored everyday. Eniko wanted his own future, not the ones his step-parents wanted him to be. But he decided to skip the subject as he saw the same slimes and boars from earlier, which he then started his next lesson. "Well, since you now learn how to execute skills, I think you'll be ready on using them without the skill menu." Knowing that Lunar might be confused at this strange "feature", Eniko then explained how he discover this feature by accident and then taught him how to use it by mimicking what Lunar did when he activated the skill. After that, Eniko then just stand back and watched Lunar about to fight, but not before he said, "Okay, now try it. But I'll be here just in case you're in trouble."

HP: 98%

MP: 95%

QUICKSLOT: N/A

SKILL ACTIVE: N/A

EQUIPMENT: Starter Leather Armor, Starter Scythe

SKILLS: Quick Draw, Fatal Ambush, Quick Swap, Silent Move, Transcription

MONSTERS: N/A

WORDS: 355

TAG: Lunar

[Lunar]

As he listened more about Eniko's past, Lunar never knew how his life changed after his parents' passing had changed for a worst. From forced to not having friends to not letting him choose his own future. Compared to what he and Evan been through before they learned their ex-father's true colors, he had to endure the abuse from his father everyday while he was forced to be alone just for his grades to go up. Nonetheless, he knew that being in this Elder Tale world was a way to escape their troubles. But for Lunar, he needed to find his brother first before he can do anything.

Back to the subject in hand, he then noticed another set of slimes and to his surprise, some sort of boars wandered around with them. "So uh... What am I going to do again?" Eniko then started to explain that he should use his skills without the skill menu, much to his shock and before he can protest about this, the Level 5 Assassin explained how it works, such mimicking on a stance he did from the skill and execute it as well. Not only that, he explained he discovered this method by accident, which Lunar was surprised that he wanted him to try out a method that he just discovered. Then as Eniko backed away so he can let him start, Lunar became nervous as usual, as he tried to figure out what to do first.

"So I have to do a skill by trying to do the same actions when I activate it from my skill menu, right?" Lunar thought as he stared at the monster wandering around. "Well, I tried that Accel Dance skill earlier. So I might as well do it again." With that said, he gripped his scythe tightly as he remembered how he used it. First, he screamed the name of the skill, then all of the sudden, he felt like his limits in his mind suddenly unlocked as he felt like he can run and fight faster. Remembered the same feeling, he shouted, "Accel Dance!" And to his surprise, he suddenly felt the same exhilaration as before, which he now felt excited to this as he charged onto one of the slimes and slashed it with his scythe. And remembered the other monsters, he used his enhanced speed to slashed the remaining slime and the boars to attract his attention.

Now determined about this battle, Lunar proceeded to make continuous slashes to one of the slimes first while endured the attacks of the four monsters before he finally killed it. Although the slimes are easy, their levels are tough enough to kill them with a few attacks, which didn't faze Lunar a little bit. And just before he can move on to the other monsters, his Accel Dance faded, which he managed to re-activate it like before, allowing him to continue slashing the other slime. And as he cast it again when it faded, Lunar realized why Eniko wanted to teach him this method. With it, he can able to fight without the skill menu bugging him. And despite he felt a little fatigue due the attacks he took from the slime's acidic slaps, he never stopped fighting as he made a downward slash to the slime, eliminated it to submission as it exploded in items and gold.

"Two down, two to go. Accel Dance!" He shouted again as he re-activated his skill for the third time as he proceeded on slashing one of the Level 1 Young Pittered Boars.

HP: 78%
MP: 61%

QUICKSLOT: N/A

SKILL ACTIVE: Accel Dance

EQUIPMENT: Starter Cloth Armor, Starter Scythe

SKILLS: Malicious Intent, Hiding Entry, Accel Dance, Orientation, Detox

MONSTERS: 2x Level 1 Young Pittered Boars

WORDS: 595

TAG: Eniko

[Eniko]

As Lunar started fighting against 2 Dull Green Slimes and 2 Young Pittered Boars, Eniko watched his progress as he sat on the large rock near some bushes. Then, as he saw the Level 1 Assassin managed to execute the said Accel Dance, he became impressed for his quick learning. Despite he only discovered this recently, he never knew how easy Lunar was able to use the method. Because of this, he thought that if he keep this up, he might able to fight alone or fight equally with his older brother. But now he thought about this, Eniko felt that Lunar would be better if he can change from his Apprentice subclass to something else. With how much he will progress, he knew he can learn without any mentor or him.

But as he continued to watch Lunar, he noticed from his HP bar since he was in the same party as him, his MP was starting to drain due to his constant use of Accel Dance. Sure, he can able to fight faster when he activate it, but he became worried that he might ran out in case of a tough fight. Nevertheless, he decided to tell him while he continued fighting against the two boars as the two slimes are defeated earlier. "Lunar, I know you were able to use skills without the menu now. But try to watch out for your MP." Eniko said to the low leveled Assassin. "If you ran out of it, you can't use your skills until they are restored gradually."

After he said this, he looked up to the sky and realized how late it was when he saw the dark skies and the moon shining on them. "Oh boy, after this, I better help this kid find his brother back in the city. Otherwise, he might snapped if we didn't." But as he said the word "kid", he realized something. As he compared to his height to him, he noticed that they are the same height, which he questioned how old was he.

HP: 100%

MP: 100%

QUICKSLOT: N/A

SKILL ACTIVE: N/A

EQUIPMENT: Starter Leather Armor, Starter Scythe

SKILLS: Quick Draw, Fatal Ambush, Quick Swap, Silent Move, Transcription

MONSTERS: N/A

WORDS: 343

TAG: Lunar

[Lunar]

As Lunar continued to attack one of the slimes with his scythe, he suddenly felt a rush of adrenaline, as if he suddenly woke up from his nightmare and jumped into the world where he can do anything. Anything that he can put his mind to. Not only that, it felt like his brother was with him fighting along side with him, as if even he wasn't really here, he was able to aid him in spirit. "So... Is this what playing an MMO feels like? Where I can be the hero like in those stories?" He thought as made four slashes to one of the boars with his scythe before he took another tackle from the other one. "And even if I get hit all the time, I somehow had the power to get back up and not being afraid of being hurt."

Lunar then attacked the boar that just tackled him a few seconds ago with a downward slash followed by a kick and a horizontal slash before he looked at Eniko, who was still watching his fight. "Maybe it's because of Eniko, he was able to let me calm down, just like Evan. Not only that, it's because of him, I can not only fight like him, but I can also fight alongside him and maybe my brother as well. Maybe..." With another downward slash, the boar was quickly eliminated as his Accel Dance's effects disappeared. But just as he was about to re-activate it, he heard the Level 5 Assassin told him to watch out for his MP or he won't able to cast his skills.

Although he didn't knew about the game's terminology along with MP, he did saw his status menu and saw the said MP bar gone down to 61%. Nevertheless, he decided to go on as he re-activated Accel Dance once more and charged onto the last boar again to hit it with a fast two slash combo before he said, "Don't worry about me! Thanks to you, I'm not scared anymore!" With that last statement, he took a blow from the boar before he made a final horizontal slash to the boar, which it exploded in items and gold as he finally killed the last boar. He then panted in exhaustion after the battle before he turned to Eniko and said, "Is that okay, Eniko? Did I use my skills correctly?"

HP: 61%
MP: 54%

QUICKSLOT: N/A

SKILL ACTIVE: Accel Dance

EQUIPMENT: Starter Cloth Armor, Starter Scythe

SKILLS: Malicious Intent, Hiding Entry, Accel Dance, Orientation, Detox

MONSTERS: N/A

WORDS: 400

TAG: Eniko

[Eniko]

Eniko was not only impressed, but also shocked in awe after the last boar was defeated. He never knew he can fight that fast. Because of this, he not only thought that he might get that skill by the time he leveled up again, but he knew Lunar was able to conquer his mental obstacles if he can just believe in himself. But with the forest grew darker, he knew it was time for him to not only return to the city, but to find Lunar's brother before he became more worried. However, he still needed to loose up a few ends before they go as he approached the Level 1 Assassin and said, "Nice job, Lunar. If you keep that up, you will able to develop your own fighting style in no time. However, you really need to be careful on your MP. But since your crafting class is a Pharmacist, you should try making a mana potion to restore your MP in a critical moments in combat."

While he at it, with his level enough to upgrade his equipment, he decided to tell him more about it along with his roleplay subclass. "Also, I have a feeling you might outgrow your scythe and clothes. If you try to check on the weapon and armory shop, they might able to give you a higher level armor and scythe to help you out. Not only that, I recommend you should switch subclasses. With the way you fight, I doubt an Apprentice subclass would be perfect for you." That might be a little blunt to the shy Adventurer, but he knew that if he can just learn through experience all by himself, he can truly conquer his fears and his tragic past. As for the subclass, he decided on a class that works for him. "I recommend the Tracker subclass, which I'm using right now. It could help you on your stealth abilities. Trust me, it works for me on my first excursion in here."

Then as night time continued to plunge Windsor Greatwood in darkness, Eniko knew it was time to go. But just in case, he sent out a friend request to Lunar, which he knew that he might need his help once again if his brother wasn't around to help him out. After that, he said, "Come on, I think you're brother might in the city by now." He then waited for Lunar to come and when he did, he will follow him back to the city, his new home.

HP: 100%

MP: 100%

QUICKSLOT: N/A

SKILL ACTIVE: N/A

EQUIPMENT: Starter Leather Armor, Starter Scythe

SKILLS: Quick Draw, Fatal Ambush, Quick Swap, Silent Move, Transcription

MONSTERS: N/A

WORDS: 422

TAG: Lunar