The Beginning Of Trouble

The party returned to Silverflight's Adventurers Guild sitting around the table.

"Alright, while we search for Jarvis keep an eye out on your surroundings. We're probably going to hunted." Akiol warned.

The party disbanded, going to different towns. As Akiol returned to Goldlight he pondered on what to do. He was faced with the same issue as before. With no real objective he could only do a quest here and there.

Akiol had no intention on being number one. Levels were just there to make him stronger. He didn't need to be the strongest.

While doing a few subjugation quests he entertained the idea of there being a similar squad to his party, except stronger. In this virtual world there was no major downside to losing or dying--at least not yet. So finding more skilled players would be a great way to increase their strength. However more skilled players would probably be those who came across fortunate discoveries, rather than in skill.

Akiol had only came across one 'hidden' quest. Veryl and the bandits, which Scorpion lead him on a hunt for the remaining bandits. Which gave him a great reward. The witch really couldn't be considered 'hidden' since she would probably give the quest to anyone who helped her, as long as they weren't the race she discriminated against.

He thought, 'what if all the other beginning towns had these sorts of quests?' Could a player collect many of these quests and stack the rewards together?

It did not matter now, all Akiol knew was that he had a very good skill that would be used for most of his time playing.

Akiol's mind drifted off and he quested on autopilot. His mind became a jumbled mess, there wasn't anything important going through it. Mostly the small amount of memories he had playing this game when he realized, he still didn't know how he became the slime. The slime body had brought upon many benefits, at this rate Akiol had fully embraced his new virtual form.

However, why did the game glitch? Why was it a slime of all things? Akiol pondered this for a while. He had two possible answers, and one of them he didn't wish to fully accept.

First, it was an honest game glitch. The developers are constantly making changes and adding things. Or second, it was that 'fate twisting chance' the gods and goddesses gave him from his past world.

If it truly was that he didn't know how to feel. How would becoming a slime in a virtual world twist his fate? Sadly, deciphering what 'fate' had for one was nearly impossible.

With Akiol's moment of thought ending, he found himself with a finished quest and a few levels higher. Adding his free stat points he reviewed his status.

[ Name: Akiol ]

Level: 62

Exp: 37/100%

Race: Monster (Slime)

HP: 600/600 (Regen 10 HP per minute)

MP: 800/800(Regen 1MP every second)

Stats:

50 (+10) Strength 50 (+10) Agility

50 (+10) Dexterity 50 (+10) Defense

70 (+10) Intellect Free points: 1

Equipment:

Mantis's Scarf

Skills:

[Body Manipulation] [Roll]

[Leap] [Absorb]

[Aura Boost]

[Power Sense: (passive)]

Titles:

The People's Benefactor

The One Who Stared Back

Akiol nodded in satisfaction, improvement was always a nice thing to experience. Closing the status menu he turned towards Goldlight and trekked back.

. . .

Akiol hummed a merry tune from his world. His mother sung it to him when he was a child. It was the only song he knew completely from heart. So far he was halfway to Goldlight. As he finished he song he noticed a small group of six walk rise from the side bushes and walk onto the road.

Using their numbers to block any further progression Akiol stared at them weirdly. He knew he would be hunted ever since the issue with Pierced Moon but why was it these weird fellows?

The six were all posing in different ways. By the looks of it they were a balanced group. With a defender, priest, archer, thief, and two warrior classes. They were clearly all male, Akiol was just confused with the eccentric style.

As Akiol approached the group the priest in the back extraordinarily introduced themselves, "We are the Completed In Two mercenary squad! Our motto is that we complete a request in at least two tries!"

Akiol made a straight face, at least two tries? That sounded like they were boasting, but were saying they would try their best.

Akiol responded carefully, "Might I ask what you want with me then?"

The priest responded, "We are here to collect the bounty on your head! We ask that you do not resist, even though that never happens!"

"How much is my bounty?"

"Five hundred gold per kill! A price worthy of our attention!"

Akiol inwardly sighed, these guys were really strange. They were still posed while speaking! Didn't they feel at least a tad embarrassed doing that?

"Well I wouldn't like to die for no reason. Mind if I decline?"

The group suddenly changed poses. The priest responded, "Of course you can decline! That's a basic human right! However we do want your bounty so we will fight you anyway!"

Akiol dispelled his sword, he honestly thought he should invest in a scabbard. Slowly drawing a sword had a bit more of an imposing effect.

'Yes yes! You get it! We must truly invest in a scabbard for me!'

Akiol felt a headache coming along, now he had the sword joining in? This suddenly sparked a concerning thought.

"Can you hear all my thoughts?" Akiol asked.

'Not exactly, mainly only the ones that have something to do with me. Or have something similar to do with me. No matter how hard I try I cannot see your inner thoughts.'

A small relief, however there was another thing that Akiol had to take care of.

He focused his attention on the eccentric mercenary group. Readying a stance he challenged, "Come then, let's see if you can hold truth to your words."

The group stopped with their poses and got in a formation. The priest at the back ordered, "Formation A! We shall go with our most successful way!"

The group let out a collective 'aye' and steadily walked in Akiol's direction.

Akiol kept his eye on a particular few of them, first the thief. An invisible enemy wasn't fun to fight. Next the archer, ranged attacks were also troublesome.

When the group was two meters from Akiol. They suddenly separated, the two warriors charged towards Akiol.

Akiol was slightly baffled at the events, what was the point of a formation if you didn't use it?!

Cleanly dodging the warriors' attacks he slashed at their openings. He proceeded to dash past them towards the priest. The archer let out a flurry of arrows.

Akiol sliced and dodged some of them, most of them missed however. Akiol felt like the amount of arrows that were fired in that moment a tad ridiculous. It was around 20 arrows in less than 10 seconds!

The flurry of arrows stopped shortly though, so Akiol took it as a skill. When he made it to the priest he stabbed towards them. Something he noticed was the priests look of confidence however.

Akiol felt something was amiss, before Akiol's sword pierced the priest. They flickered and a defender was there instead.

Akiol's sword hit the defender's shield. The defender was pushed back slightly which caused him to frown. Realizing why he was pushed back he chided with a scowl, "Joe, you idiot! You forgot to buff me!"

The priest, presumably Joe, chuckled softly, "Sorry sorry, here."

Akiol saw the defender glow and sparkle a bit before the small effect vanished. He swung his sword at the defender again, which was blocked but the strength difference was negated.

This meant that the 'buff' was the real deal. Akiol found himself in a bit more of a pickle then he wanted to be.

He sighed and mumbled, "This was supposed to be a trump card."

He activated [Aura Boost] and put it towards speed. He figured speed would be a better choice for when he was outnumbered.

He backed off from the defender and readied his sword again.

This time the real showdown would happen.