UPDATE 7: Just another day on the job

It was pitch black, I couldn't see anything, where am I?

My left hand began to glow outlining the lines of the sigil.

Seriously… What is this?

A familiar voice sounded the darkness.

"We meet again Zach"

It was the same voice from when I first came here. I didn't notice before that this voice was actually feminine.

"H-how do you know me?"

"I've known you for a very long time Zach. I know what you've been through, your struggles in school and various experiences within the world of Infinitus since the loss of your parents 8 years ago on October 16th 2062."

That is the date my parents died, she also claims she knows me and has been watching me since I was ten? This is proving to be more creepy than informative if that is what she intends it to be.

"I knew that you of all people could not bear not playing the game's new update and to think you were accepted among the millions to be here, I see my intuition was the correct. I have been waiting for this moment to talk to you."

"Then, please tell me your na-." I was about to ask her name again, but...

"I'm afraid now is not the time yet for you to know my name"

"You may ask any other question in the time being"

She can't say her name? I guess I'll ask about what she said to me when I first came here.

"During our first meeting, you told me that "I will choose the fate of this world", what did you mean by those words?"

She paused only to give me an annoying answer a few seconds later.

"What indeed, Zach"

I felt this person was making fun of me at the moment, I felt my face slowly warm up.

"Wait! You didn't answer me!" I responded.

"Fu..Fu..Fu..Fu.." She giggled at my slightly blushed face.

"It looks like our time here is up."

"I'll meet you again soon"

"Your journey in this world, has only just begun" A flash of light then lit the empty space, before I knew it was morning. I slowly opened my eyes...

The sun's gaze slowly lit my face signaling me it's morning.

"Hm...? Morning huh?"

I slowly got up from my bed. My mouth formed a gaping yawn as I stretched my arms.

Oh right, I have a job now. One that I can actually enjoy than just being a guy behind a register. Adventurer, huh? It's a dangerous job, but it fits me perfectly.

I grabbed my essentials and walked out the door.

It's been a week since I came to this new world. I've been gathering as much info as I can from the people around me and from the guild, monsters, people, places anything that'll help my stay in this world. Still no one willing to teach me how to craft though, but that'll come later. I also leveled up to Level 4 and improving myself from hunting the local wildlife. I've also been earning a substantial living thanks to the guild, but more on that later. In short I've been making good progress the past couple of days.

Paying attention to my surroundings, it wasn't only me who was awake, mostly everyone was, merchants stocking up for the day to sell on the marketplace, villagers doing their daily chores around their houses and soldiers patrolling the streets.

Some of them greeted me as I made my way to the guild, their expressions of warmth and the effort they put into their work. I could feel the early morning breeze flowing through the streets. I then gave a light scroll across my arm to where my injuries are reminiscing the past few days.

I then turned my head towards the sky. To think that a world that used to be a fictional game could be turned into this...

I arrived at the adventurer's guild after some time of walking. When I stepped inside it was almost the same as the outside, adventurer's were everywhere. Most of them were just lounging on the guilds furniture discussing matters others were on the front desk and some were on the guild's quest board looking for a quest to do.

Even in the morning it's already so busy... I was hoping there would be less, but I guess if there were too few people it would make me stand out considering my clothing and new equipment.

The new equipment I got was a new sword, not a metal one obviously. It was made of flint, I crafted it four days ago on my first day. It had the outer lining of a sword, but it had chips everywhere which detriments its attack power. It doesn't look or damage as good as a metal sword, but all the mattered was that it could cut.

It hung behind me in my makeshift holder. At my waist was a grass rope with several pouches made of the same material hanging from them as well as a backpack.

These are even worse than the standard equipment of the starters I've seen the past couple of days and some of them even make fun of me because of them. It's not like I care. They're not much, but they're the most practical things I could get my hands on with my current financial crisis.

"Hey, who the hell is this?"

"What kind of equipment is that? It's even worse than ours"

"He won't last a second out there."

They're jeering at me, everyday starts out like this… No matter.

I went straight to the front desk and unknowingly the same charming smile from a familiar woman came to greet me.

"Good morning Zach. What can I do for you?"

"Ah, Stella. Good morning, the same type, any please."

"Of course."

She then brought out a thick book onto the table and opened it up. Since I still can't understand the language she helps me translate the quests and information I receive.

"Here it is 4 gathering quests all in the safe zone."

To adventurers, quests are similar to missions. The guild assigns quests by their difficulty and is only given if the adventurer taking it is in concordance to the rank decided by the guild or is met by the person/s giving the quest to the guild. There are all sorts of quests, from typical escorts to the most popular monster slaying. Though, those two types of quests I mentioned are by the guilds and my standards are still not in my freedom to take.

Once she translated the, I wrote them down on a separate piece of paper.

Let's see… for herbs, Sun Lilies, Red Moss, and Purple Glossy Flowers, for animals Slash Rabbits.

Some of the standard wildlife in the Forest's "Safe" zone. I would take four so I could maximize my time every journey I make to the forest and at the end of the day have a nice payday to look at.

"Please present your guild card."

I took it out from my pocket and laid it on the table. Stella took it along with the 5 quests I took scribbling them down as all the details from the quests copied themselves and flew into my guild card.

"Thanks."

I took the guild card back and stared at it for a few seconds focusing on my rank.

Copper E Rank. I was able to rank up by showing my prowess to hunt monsters in the forests, it seems as though it's the lowest requirement needed to rank up for letter ranks. Though as it gets higher it's a bit tougher to show your worth.

I turned beside me, a group of people with way better equipment than me take their quest. I didn't understand what it was, but the rank for the quest should have been gold.

I sighed as I watched them walk of.

"What's wrong? You always keep giving off the same face every time I see you look at adventurers of higher rank."

"Ah, no it's just… It's going to be a long way before I get to their level."

"That's true, but you shouldn't rush it, in this kind of work you never know when you can die on a quest."

She's right, this is a dangerous job where you can die at any time. Its frustrating for me being a newbie like me who was an old pro, to see others much higher than myself and realize the effort it would take to get back up.

I paused for a few seconds and looked back at them as they sat in their booth discussing something.

I smiled. But, that's what makes the journey even more satisfying. I'll get back up there, someday.

"Zach?"

"What? Oh, yes sorry. I was a bit lost back there."

"No, it's not a problem. Only those with true ambition are able to smile like that after feeling frustration from watching those much higher than him. I don't see that a lot from some of our younger ones, but seeing that in you it makes me glad I'm working with you."

I was a bit surprised with what she said. I felt my face grew a slight heat on her compliment. I don't think she understands my frustration, but it feels nice to be complemented by a woman like her. She giggled in response to my reaction.

"I noticed your shirt is fixed and most of the blood stains are gone."

"Oh, I had a local tailor repair it for me, I tried washing the blood of, but not a lot of the first blood stains I received washed off."

"Speaking of which, I remember when you walked in here for the first time and saw it, I haven't had the chance to ask since you always storm off so quickly, whose blood was it? It wasn't yours I hope."

"It wasn't mine. I had a little trouble with a boar coming through the city when I stumbled across the forest."

"Did you fight it with that sword on your back?"

"I had a much smaller version at the time."

I reached into my pocket and grabbed my flint knife and showed it to her.

"You killed it with this?! Can I see that?"

"Um, sure."

I handed it to her. She then examined it for a few seconds while flipping it over and touching the edge of the knife.

"You killed a boar with such a primitive weapon, you must be really experienced then. I always wondered how you managed to do your quests with barely anything, seeing it now I understand you're a step above most of our newer ones. Though I advise you to get a better weapon once you start going into the deeper areas of the forest."

She handed back to me. I took it and placed it back inside my pocket.

"Thanks, and I know. I just need enough money for it."

"I'm sure you'll earn it soon enough."

"Anyway, even though I get most of the stains and the smell of my clothes, I in particular am not. I should probably visit the bath house later and maybe start looking for new clothes. I don't think people would think pleasantly of me if I walk around the city in this state."

"Really? I find it very... arousing."

"What?"

Her face began to blush and was lost on what to do next.

"You should probably get going! Um, I'll see you later once you're finished."

"Um, Ok I'll be back later."

I said and quickly exited the guild and headed straight for the gate.

I stepped out of the guild and walked back to the gate I came in from yesterday. When I reached the gate I saw a bit of familiar faces from yesterday. They just greeted me with well, not really welcoming, but not like yesterday when I first met them at least. Sam wasn't in sight though. maybe he's doing something else.

One of the soldiers spoke to me.

"Oh, Zach. Going out again today?"

Oh, he's one of the soldiers who work with Sam on this shift.

After that time Sam slacked off, he was forced to tell the whole story to his superiors. Luckily it wasn't paid any mind and mostly the only people who know how to match my name with my face were the ones working at that time.

"Yeah. Aren't you guys going to run me through an inspection?"

Obviously this was a security measure I was told by Sam, but it seems that they just ignore me when it comes down to it.

"Well we should as part of protocol, but though Sam doesn't look it he's pretty good at what he does, both at mind and body. And if he says you're good to go then you're good to go, I don't know about the one's working later."

Wow, I knew getting to go a guy like Sam as a valuable contact in this city was good, though I didn't think it would be this good. I keep underestimating that guy.

"Other than that, you don't seem to be carrying much do you?"

"I feel offended. I'm not that poor you know."

They laughed merrily at my statement. Though seriously, it's unusual he's not here, he usually takes the morning shift so that he can be done with work and do something else maybe his co-workers have an idea.

"By the way, where's Sam? He should be here at this time with guys right?"

"He's training with the chief so he'll be working at a later shift today.."

Training? He is a knight in training after all. I'm actually curious about that, he's probably at the barracks then with his Father, I should stop by when I get the chance.

"Well, anyway. Tell him I said hi."

"Will do. Don't get yourself killed out there."

I won't. Not in this world.

"Excuse me?"

"Oh, nothing."

I began to scroll through the forest in search of my targets. Korath as a region in size was enormous and is said to have the size of four regions The Great Forest covered nearly 70% of it leaving the last thirty percent to the villages and Nara City just close by it.

To clarify, the zone that the guild calls the safe zone, isn't really what a normal person would call safe. It's safe enough for anyone who has had a their fair share of training and combat experience. Ever since I hit level 30 back in the game, I had already forgotten most of the monsters that would appear if i was just starting out. In the past four days of my job, I inclined to realign myself with the local wildlife of the so called "Safe Zone".

I asked the guild for a list of animals and wildlife that inhabited the forest in the safe zone, though that was not possible for the guild to do unless I bought the book. In the end I only got a list of creatures I should be wary of as a new adventurer. Dire wolves, Long Tusked Boars, Slimes, Needle hogs and all sorts of monsters in the forest. So far some of the monsters seem identical to my memory of low level monsters, but there are some new ones too. I should probably avoid direct confrontations with the ones I don't know.

I thread through the forest lightly as I take full notice of my surroundings. I found one of the animals on my target list.

In front of me was a Slash Rabbit. It looked like your average everyday rabbit, though it had unusually long claws. Though those claws are meant for the purpose of digging and foraging, they can also be used for self-defense if threatened. I've encountered these monsters on the past runs in the forest, incredible hearing and eyesight along with strong legs keep it away from most predators, but not afraid to fight either.

I was hiding out of it sight to avoid detection. The problem with these rabbits are their speed, I would prefer a surprise attack, but there is no way it won't hear me as I sneak up on it. Direct confrontation is inevitable in this situation...

I took a deep breath and stepped out of my cover. As soon as my feet walked on the grass the rabbit turned towards me with its claws out signalling its not afraid to fight.

I took my flint sword out and positioned my stance. We kept our eyes focused on each other as I moved slowly circling around it.

"Skreeee!"

It screeches at me as I come closer.

Once I finally got close enough. It lunged towards me in a burst of speed with its strong hind legs in an attempt the slash me at my neck.

I swerved my upper body to the left and dodged its attack just at the nick of time. Once it landed it turned around with its claws out and kicked off the ground again to issue a slash this time it was readjusted aiming for my abdomen.

But at that moment the edge of my sword had stepped in its way and slashed it. It was like a fly being swatted with a fly swatter. It wasn't a clean cut either, it didn't create too much damage on the creature, but crimson had already began to dye its light grey fur

Since this was made of Flint and not Iron or Steel that unique slicing action I would often see in old medieval movies wasn't present and probably did less damage.

It immediately got back up and darted to a different position to strike me. Its strategy is to make a series of quick attacks aiming for different areas to confuse its opponent. If it were to miss it would find another position in an attempt to stay in its opponent's blind spot. Its speed is a problem, but my dynamic vision hasn't changed so I'm able to keep up with it.

I continued to swat it down everytime it pounced towards me keeping my distance away from its claws.

I slashed the bunny back one last time.

In its effort to get back up from its shock it frantically moved its legs about, my opportunity appeared in front of me and before long my blade had already wedged itself in its flesh. Its fur began to be dyed in red.

[23 EXP]

No stats this time….. In this world stats can be earned naturally without spending attribute points, but it doesn't come all the time. There are certain unseen walls that block progression of stats unless I put in the work for it. In the past 5 days I haven't been earning a lot, mostly because I figure out a strategy. I guess I'm going to need to workout if I really want them to increase quickly

I took my flint sword out from the rabbit's lifeless corpse and begin harvesting its pelt as apart of my quest. After a few minutes I held its pelt in my hands, it was intact. Since the last few days I've been learning the best way not to damage the condition of the materials I gather and putting them into practical use. I'm satisfied to see they haven't gone to waste.

[Skinning: LvL 3 LvL 4]

I noticed the way skills level up is only when I realize a new way of doing it or improving myself and putting it into practical use. Once I've gotten a hang of it the skill levels up. This isn't a game anymore after all, it's not dependent on level it's dependent on the player's skill to improve themselves.

I looked back at the rabbit's corpse on the ground as I placed the fur in my backpack and placed my sword back in its scabbard

Alright, only 9 more left.

About what felt like two hours later I carried 10 pelts in my backpack along with a few other parts of animals I came across. On the way I also found the 2 other herbs on my list. I trailed through the forest searching for the last item on my list while munching on some bread I packed for lunch.

God that was boring… Their movements felt so predictable, there no fun in that. I shouldn't get ahead of myself though, I should just be glad I don't have much injuries from them after all that. I should find that flower and call it a day.

I found the Purple Glossy Flower it was already noon, though something unexpected came my way.

I continued to search for my final quest item.

I found a small clearing in the forest. At its center was a small patch of purple.

Yes! I found it. Now let's start collecting and head back.

I came to the center of the clearing and began gathering the flowers after I had enough I stopped and a window appeared.

Flower Picking LVL1 LVL2

Oh that skill leveled up too.

Alright everything is done. Not so bad for a first day, not too much trouble either...?

I then heard a sound coming from behind me in the bushes. What emerged was a small green halfling like creature walking on two legs with an elongated nose, jagged teeth, pointed ears with beady eyes staring right at me wearing a piece of cloth to cover its bottom wielding what looks like a bone knife.

What the heck? Are you perhaps a Goblin?

It then snarled at me to intimidate me.

"GRAAH!"

Yup! That's a Goblin.. A window appeared.

Race Demi-Human

Type Goblin

There are two classifications for mobs in Infinitus, one are beasts, basically enemies with more animal characteristics, and second are monsters, pure abnormalities as an NPC scholar once described them. They are called so depending on their appearance, nature, and abilities.

Goblins are one of the many types of monsters that can be found in Infinitus. Treated as a low rank creatures they were easily slaughtered by prepared players for income. They were known for raiding villages and would pose a threat to settlements with low man power. They have no care for things like money or material objects of the sort all they care about is the survival of their species and would multiply quickly if left alone, this was according to the game's lore.

I placed my sword up and readied my defense.

It snarled again before it came running at me with its knife in the air.

"GRAAHH!"

I was hoping for it to be a challenge and I already see an opening at the start. I know I remember saying that everything has some sort of intelligence now and I couldn't compare before since it was an animal. Now that I'm seeing a monster just charge with its weapon in the air exposing its chest, its just like the regular low level monsters I've been fighting, weak and predictable.

Well maybe I can still find some use for him, as a test dummy. Seeing that its weapon was too short to parry as well as the number of openings it reveals to me it was easier for me to go aggressive. After I crafted my flint sword I made it a point to re-learn some of the basic straight sword techniques I used before.

I narrowed my sights on the Goblin. I spread my legs apart and held my sword at my side to form my battle stance.

When the Goblin was close enough I issued one of the classic sword techniques, Cross Slash.

Two slashes then sliced through the goblin's skin in an X formation. The goblin noticed it was hit and immediately hopped back. As it attempted to make distance my legs moved reflexively and dashed to its position, holding my sword back in a straight position and stretched forward performing another classic technique, Lunge.

The Goblin was thrown even farther and was knocked off its feet.

I could have easily killed it right then and there, but I figured that since this is the first opponent that's big enough to test my skills on I figured I'd let it live to see how much damage I could make without holding back.

I looked back at the green midget and there was a cut on the right side of its chest, though it wasn't deep, but it was bleeding and that was all that matters.

The Goblin placed its hand on its bleeding chest with a surprised look as to the sight of its own blood, it then looked back at me while grinding its teeth in anger whilst gripping its knife.

"GRAAHH!"

It snarled again at me in anger as it ran at me for another attack.

The Goblin cut down the distance in a matter of seconds. This Goblin doesn't seem like its experienced fighting before, its agility may be higher than mine, but if it's a contest of skill, I am at an advantage.

I continued to cut down the Goblin as more and more wounds on its body degrade its strength and speed.

From my observation, I've already deduced that this Goblin isn't experienced. Its regular attack interval to make a swing is way too long. It would make a few fast cuts to try and catch me off guard, just not at the right time. During that time it takes to make a strike, I would make one or two cuts on a blind spot.

It would hop back in an attempt to reassess itself, however before it even could, the distance was shortened by my quick lunge.

The battle was short lived and after 10 minutes of fighting the Goblin's body was covered in wounds. Since I was at a complete advantage, I made every strike as hard as I could to compensate for my sword's material.

There was blood coming out from each of the wounds I had made, it had started to take heavy breaths from exhaustion and probably the blood loss.

I guess this is the end, but I can't be too cautious...

I slowly walked towards the Goblin with my sword ready and my stance locked

Its eyes menacingly watch me as I came closer to it. I thought that this mob was as simple as it should be when this used to be a game, but what happened next turned to be much more complicated than I imagined.

"GRAAAAAAH!"

The Goblin Shrieked like a war cry before finally making one last charge towards me. It then jumped towards me with its knife in its hand attempting to make a thrust, but it was a fatal mistake as it's chest was wide open. I thrust my sword in its chest, before it could place its knife forward.

It didn't go all the way through on the initial strike like I expected, only a few inches of the sword's tip had sunk into its flesh and was probably stopped by the Goblin's flesh. Though the sword hadn't gone all the way through it was still enough to stop the Goblin from moving, the light in its eyes soon faded away as it fell to the ground lifeless.

[+30 EXP]

[+2 DEX]

I then approached its bloody body inspecting it.

There's no doubt about it, its dead. Maybe if it had just been a bit more experienced it could have put up more of fight.

Well, it can't do anything about it now. I took my flint knife out for harvesting.

There are a lot of parts I can get from this Goblin, however I only need to collect their ears as means of proof for killing them. I doubt many people would opt to buying other organs though probably having more value than ears, collecting more than what is necessary may not be suitable for the moment.

It's not part of my job for the day, the Guild will give me a 10% increase on their regular market price along with paying me for subjugating them anyway. Seems like today is going to be a bigger payday than usual.

I look back at its dead corpse and felt slight pity for the now dead midget.

"*sigh* I don't like corpse robbing, but I need to do this."

Before I could even begin harvesting. In the next second 4 more figures appeared on the other side of the clearing. I looked closely, they were Goblins, all in their own hideous forms.

[END OF UPDATE]