* * * Back to current time * * *

Astaroth opened his eyes in-game and almost jumped up from the cot. He hurriedly ran to the barracks, excited like a kid about to go on a field trip.

Which was almost the truth. Except he would be in the danger zone, possibly surrounded by monsters over thirty levels higher than him. Pure Bliss.

He made it to the barracks in record time and ran straight to the trainer.

“Good morning, Teacher! Astaroth, reporting for patrol duty!” He yelled, cupping his fists in a martial salute.

“Pipe down, lad. I’m right in front of you.” The trainer said, chuckling.

“Grab one of each of the weapons you trained with this week and follow me.” He said, pointing at the racks.

Astaroth picked up a shortsword, a longsword, a polearm, a set of daggers, a wooden shield, a bow and quiver, and a war axe. All of which were training versions. He read their descriptions.

Basic Training Short Sword (1h):

Grade: Common

Attack Power: 1

Durability: 10/10

Description: A short sword that is good only for training.

Basic Training Longsword (1h/2h):

Grade: Common

Attack Power: 1 (1h)/2 (2h)

Durability: 10/10

Description: A longsword that is good only for training.

Basic Training War Axe (2h):

Grade: Common

Attack Power: 3

Durability 10/10

Description: A war axe that is good only for training.

Basic Training Polearm (2h):

Grade: Common

Attack Power: 1

Durability: 10/10

Description: A polearm that is good only for training.

Basic Training Daggers (2):

Grade: Common

Attack Power: 1

Durability: 10/10, 10/10

Description: A set of daggers that are only good for training.

Basic Training Wooden Shield:

Grade: Common

Defense Power: 5%

Durability: 50/50

Description: A wooden shield that is only good for training.

ƥαṇdα-ηθνε|·ƈθm

Grade: Common

Attack Power: 1

Durability: 10/10

Description: A bow and quiver that are only good for training.

These were junk items as far as he was concerned, but that was what the trainer wanted him to use, so that was what he would use. He could always enhance them with mana to deal more damage.

Kloud started walking towards the village entrance while Astaroth was inspecting the weapons, so he closed the interface and skipped to follow him. They exited the village and Astaroth got the same warning as last time.

*DING*

*You are leaving a safe zone. From here on out, creatures you meet will attack you on sight and you can die. Please be mindful of your environment and tread cautiously. Good luck adventurer!*

He swiped it away knowingly. He was with the trainer this time, so the risk was much smaller.

Although Kloud had told him about their itinerary beforehand, he still didn’t know the exact location. He had just told him they were going to clean out the local wildlife, starting with the Dire Wolves to the east.

The man had told Astaroth that, although he was with him, to be on his toes at all moments, as the lowest the wolves’ level would be, was level 30. He had tasked Astaroth with harassing only.

He could not try to confront a beast alone yet. Which was why he had trained with the bow.

Ranged attacks were his best way to harass without getting in too much danger.

They traveled for around half an hour before they started hearing howls in the distance.

“We have entered their territory. Be wary of your surroundings.” Kloud said, unsheathing his longsword.

Astaroth only nodded.

They kept walking, albeit much slower, into the wolves’ territory. It didn’t take long before they found their first prey.

Just over a ridge, there was a river. And at the river, a wolf was crouching, lapping on the water. Astaroth inspected it.

Dire Wolf:

Level: 32

Grade: Common

Health: 5’750/5’750

Kloud looked to Astaroth and motioned him to pull out his bow. Once the bow was out and an arrow nocked, he motioned to wait and started walking without a sound towards the wolf.

When Astaroth felt like Kloud was close enough to the wolf, he raised the bow and pulled the bowstring. He inhaled, exhaled half his breath, and kept the other half in his lungs.

The bow became steady. Kloud barely turned his head to see if Astaroth was ready, and then lunged at the wolf.

He stabbed at his neck to get the maximum out of this surprise attack. Astaroth loosed his arrow aiming for the body.

He wasn’t confident enough in his aim to go for the neck.

*-717!* *-15*

“Tsk!” Astaroth clicked his tongue.

He could tell which damage number was his. He nocked another arrow and used ‘Ignite on the arrow tip.

He again breathed in and out and released. The arrow flew straight and hit the wolf’s body again.

*-15* *Burn applied*

He looked at the wolf’s info again.

Dire Wolf (Burning/29s):

Level: 32

Grade: Common

Health: 5’001/5’750 (-2/s)

*Sigh*

“Only two damage per second.” He grumbled.

Kloud kept slashing at the creature a few more times, getting one more critical hit in. Astaroth fired five more arrows, all doing fifteen damage.

He lamented his damage, but there was nothing he could do about it. It took two minutes to take the wolf down, but the angle was never good enough to get a hit in because of the fast movements.

Astaroth could only do so much with the steep level difference. The wolf finally fell.

*You have helped in killing a Dire Wolf (Lvl 32). 184 Exp awarded for contribution (Bonus 300% for kill three tiers higher) (2.87% damage done)*

*Level up! Level up! You are now level 5. From leveling; you gained 2 skill points, 2 free Attribute points, and all Attributes increased by 2.*

‘Yes!’ Astaroth thought, throwing his fist in the air.

As the wolf died, they heard multiple howls at the same time in the distance. Followed by one louder howl, much graver in tone.

One could tell that the creature that howled last was bigger than the others. Probably stronger, too.

“We have to go. Now!” Kloud said, his face turning to a frown.

“Why, sir? They are just more wolves, right?” Astaroth questioned.

“We are leaving!” Kloud said again, turning around and starting a jog.

He could have run, but that would leave Astaroth alone in the woods. Astaroth just started running behind him and asked no more questions.

It didn’t take long for him to understand why the trainer wanted him to run. The ground started rumbling and the birds in the trees all took flight in the same direction the two men were running.

Kloud barely looked behind and cursed.

“Shit! Keep running lad! Unless you want to die!” He yelled, halting and turning around, sword at the ready.

Astaroth kept running but looked over his shoulder as he bypassed the trainer. What he saw froze his blood.

A wolf, four times the size of the one they had just slain, all white. A dozen more wolves followed the monstrosity not far behind, similar to the one they had killed.

Now he realized. An Alpha.

And a huge one too. Astaroth didn’t look more and turned his head back ahead.

He ran with all his might. Astaroth even opened up his status window and dumped all his free points into agility.

An exercise in futility most would think, but every point mattered.

Status:

Name: Astaroth

Race: Ash Elf

Level: 5 (54/150)

Stats:

HP: 110/110 MP: 210/210 Stamina: 100

Mana Regen: 1/second in combat, 5/second out of combat

Strength: 6 Agility: 7 Constitution: 6

Intelligence: 6 Wisdom: 6

Attack Power Str: 30 Attack Power Agi: 35 Magic Attack Power: 30 Healing Power: 30

Luck: 0 (Stat unaffected by Level up and free points)

Available stat points: 0

Available skill points: 4

Physical Condition: Fear (Fear grips at your body. Attack power -50%)

Mental Condition: Fear (Fear grips at your mind. Accuracy down)

Equipped gear:

Beginner clothes, Basic Training Short Sword, Basic Training Longsword, Basic Training War Axe, Basic Training Polearm, Basic Training Daggers (2), Basic Training Wooden Shield, Basic Training Bow and Quiver (43)

He felt his running speed get slightly faster. He looked back for a second and saw Kloud running behind him while fighting off the wolves.

The Alpha had yet to make a move. It had slowed down to follow them, but it wasn’t trying to overtake them, either.

Astaroth could see the malicious glint in its eyes. It was smart enough to be enjoying this little hunt.

The run and fight lasted for a few minutes until they could see the trees being less prevalent. They were nearing the village!

The Alpha, seeing that the forest was running thin, moved into action. It sped up blazingly fast, lunging for Kloud’s throat.

The man blocked the hit in the knick of time, and let the blow push him farther back.

They were only a few hundred meters away from the cave entrance, where the shield would protect them. They only needed one last Hail Mary.

Astaroth reached the cave entrance first, since he was further up ahead, thanks to Kloud’s efforts. He turned around and got hit with another shock.

The smaller wolves surrounded Kloud, with the Alpha walking up to him slowly while growling.

“Teacher!” Astaroth yelled in horror.

Kloud didn’t even look back. He kept his full focus on the real threat.

This would be a grand battle and an honorable death.

“Take care of yourself, lad. Become strong and avenge me.” He said, without looking back.

Astaroth couldn’t believe what he heard. This idiot wanted to sacrifice himself again.

Did he have hero syndrome or something? So he dashed into the cave.

He needed to find help quickly.