Astaroth was about to speak to Kloud, but the man was quicker than him, beating him to the punch.

“I see you like the armor on display, young man. How about trying it on, and seeing if it fits?” Kloud said to Astaroth, motioning to the armor.

“Are you sure, sir? Isn’t this someone’s armor?” Astaroth asked, unsure he could put it on.

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Astaroth looked around, trying to see who else was looking at the armor. He couldn’t see anyone looking at it specifically.

Then he heard a loud laugh beside him.

“BWAHAHAHAHA! I meant YOU, young man. That armor is yours.” Kloud bellowed out, slapping his thigh and laughing.

“Consider it a gift for saving my life, and making sure this village stay’s safe.” He then added, patting Astaroth on the shoulder.

Astaroth could feel emotions welling up inside him. Happiness, relief, and a tinge of pride all mixed up together.

The corner of his eyes slightly watered.

“Are you sure, sir?” Astaroth asked again, his hand trailing the details on the leather of the armor.

“Yes, now hurry and equip it. I want to see if it needs adjusting.” The instructor insisted.

Astaroth no longer hesitated. He tapped each piece one by one and tapped equip.

The armor was a perfect fit. He could already feel so much stronger.

He opened up his stats.

Status:

Name: Astaroth

Race: Ash Elf

Level: 7 (168/280)

Stats:

HP: 800/800 MP: 385/385 Stamina: 100

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

Strength: 9 (+20) Agility: 9 Constitution: 8 (+20)

Intelligence: 9 Wisdom: 8

Attack Power Str: 145 Attack Power Agi: 45 Magic Attack Power: 45 Healing Power: 40

Natural Defense: 2.8% Armor Defense: 14%

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

Available stat points: 0

Available skill points: 2

Physical Condition: Normal

Mental Condition: Normal

Equipped gear:

Ursid Leather Cheastguard, Ursid Leather Vambraces, Ursid Leather Leggings, Ursid Leather Boots, Basic Short Sword, Basic Longsword, Basic War Axe, Basic Polearm, Basic Daggers (2), Basic Wooden Shield, Basic Bow and Quiver (50)

Looking at his stats, Astaroth’s mouth gaped.

‘Such a tremendous leap!’ He thought.

He instantly knew that with these stats, he could solo a Dire Wolf with the help of his spirit summon. He would not have as much trouble against one opponent and that would make his leveling speed soar.

Although he still couldn’t leave the village alone, of fear of getting surrounded by creatures, he now had a better chance during a brawl. He no longer had to cower behind someone!

He turned around to face Kloud.

“Thank you, sir Kloud! Thank you so much for this gift!” Astaroth said, bowing repeatedly.

“Stop bowing, young one.” Kloud said, scratching the back of his head in embarrassment.

What was he, his sugar daddy?

“Do you want to go test that new armor out?” He then asked Astaroth.

“I would love to, sir. But what about your condition?” Astaroth replied.

He could tell the trainer was in no shape to go fight right now.

“I won’t be accompanying you, but I have planned a patrol route for a squad, and you can join them. What say you?” Kloud asked Astaroth.

“I will gladly go with them!” Astaroth instantly answered.

How could he ever let go of such an opportunity? They went over the route together before Astaroth, and the warriors going on patrol with him readied to head out.

The squad was composed of one person he knew, Chris Pentalogius, and three people he had seen in the barrack building a few times but didn’t know. He inspected all of them to know their party composition.

Chris Pentalogius:

Level: 32

Grade: Common

Class: Warrior

Health: 4’150 Mana: 680

Korin Swiftpaw:

Level: 28

Grade Common

Class: Rogue

Health: 750 Mana: 540

I’dril Duskveil:

Level: 29

Grade: Common

Class: Reaver

Health: 800 Mana: 1’920

Aj’axx Sote’ria:

Level: 30

Grade: Common

Class: Defender

Health: 5’350 Mana: 600

From what little he could glean from their gear and stats, Chris was a warrior with a broadaxe, probably the off-tank type. Korin was a typical rogue, with dual daggers.

I’dril looked like a caster, with his staff and high mana, and Aj’axx was a textbook tank, with high health, sturdy plate armor, and a big tower shield.

This seemed like a perfect team composition for patrolling, although he wondered how they managed their health with no healer in the group. Not that it mattered to him that much.

He only needed to take care of himself. They got acquainted with each other and then left for the patrol with well-being wishes from the rest of the warriors in the barracks.

Astaroth could tell that this community was a tight-knit one. He had not once seen someone fight with anyone in all his stay here, aside from training and drunken brawls that always ended in laughter and more drinking.

Shortly after leaving the village barrier, Astaroth saw the rogue in their party, Korin, skip ahead and crouch to the ground.

‘A tracker’ He deduced.

The rogue ruffled aside leaves and twigs from the ground and found a trail. He pointed north to the group and they started heading that way, with the rogue always ahead of them to act as the tracker and a scout.

It didn’t take long for Astaroth to see where they were headed to. He recognized the trail well enough since he had run it not so long ago.

They were heading right for the Dire Wolves’ territory. He hoped they hadn’t got another Alpha, because they were not strong enough to tackle it, in his opinion.

They trekked slowly into wolf territory until they started hearing howling in the distance. Astaroth smiled nervously.

‘The grind begins’ He thought to himself, pulling out his longsword.