12 Chapter 12
Ding!
You have completed MashaMura's test!
Gained 100 loyalty
Ding!
You have completed Keto's request!
Gained 100 loyalty
Gained 1000 experience
4]|****************************••°| [2228/2430]
MashaMura had been holding himself back, waiting and watching. Allowing me to accomplish the task in whatever way I could.
I had not seen my Sensei's Maki, until now. When he first appeared, his Maki was blue and wavy. As he turned towards the cowering boss his Maki erupted into a blazing gold that appeared as fire.
Even though the boss couldn't see it, he could feel his intensity. MashaMura raised his hand activating his God Hand ability.
Hands appeared that grabbed the boss and held him in the air by his throat.
"WHO GAVE YOU THIS POWER!" MashaMura yelled at the bald chubby man.
Keto answered the question as he entered the room. "It was Azaziel. It's good to see you again, Masha. "
Keto and a large group of villagers entered together and began to surround MashaMura.
The villagers all began to take a knee and bow to MashaMura. A large, buff man who I assumed was once the Right-Hand Rat(Kale)
) spoke first. "We owe you our lives, my lord. "
MashaMura released his hold and the man fell to the ground gasping for air.
"You owe your lives to my young apprentice. He was willing to sacrifice his life for you."
The people turned their attention to me, which made me embarrassed.
"Oh, it was nothing. " I said, turning red.
******
About four hours later we arrived at the outpost deemed "four corners".
Turns out the villagers had given most of their supplies to MashaMura, who could see they did not have any abundance. This loyalty had spurred him into investigating what was truly going on. The villagers needed to rebuild, so we left the supplies. Kale and Keto decided to come with us. Kale was adamant about repaying the " life debt" he claimed was owed to me. He had a few contacts at the outpost that he would use to help
us.
Keto and MashaMura had explained the basics of what was to come.
Based on what I had learned from the NPC's 'Four Corners' got its name from its location. There are four valleys upon this mountain, each containing a village. These are the starting zones for the classes Ninja, Samurai, Monk, and the healing class Mystic.
Each of these valleys has only one exit. The four corners outpost exists in this intersection.
There are only a few paths down the mountains, each more dangerous than the last. The greatest threat would be human ether bandits.
When MashaMura had given me the spell-book for Shadow-Jump he had been testing me. During times of crisis, this world will summon people of the ether to create balance.
According to Masha and Keto, I am from the ether as well.
Those from the ether will die and resurrect at giant indestructible rune stones spaced out across the world.
In other words, those people from the ether are players like myself.
This is why the bandits pose such a problem.
I had used the system interface to find out about bandits. Turns out, a player can start the game as a Bandit. Bandits can attack other players without incurring a red name. They can also take all of your items, not just one like a typical player kill. A player can likewise attack a bandit without incurring a red name. Defeating a Bandit will give you experience like a monster and allow you to collect the bounty.
Keto(Panther-Man) had once been companions with MashaMura as youngsters. They had another member named Azaziel. Azaziel was a Mystic who rose to strength with the others and eventually betrayed them after succumbing to corruption. Keto had been transformed using the power of corruption, which vastly limited his power. Until he regains his true form, he will be but a shadow of his previous self.
Masha had once made the journey down the mountain, so he insisted that we have at least two more members. He also insisted that they be from the ether like me.
Kale had gone ahead to gather supplies and group members.
Kale was waiting for us outside of the outpost as we arrived. He had gathered plenty of supplies and had two people with him.
He waved to us as we drew near.
"Everything is prepared. It would seem that your apprentice is quite popular among the ether. Once I mentioned his name they were lining up to join.
These two are the strongest amongst those. I want you to meet Leeroy, he is a Samurai. " Kale said as the Samurai stepped forward nodding respectfully. He wore leather armor like me and had a long Katana blade.
Kale turned to the other member," This is Jenkins, as a Mystic he will serve as your healer. "
Kale introduced the rest of us, and once we gave Kale our thanks we departed.
Once we had left the outpost, the two new members pulled me to the side to talk.
"Fox Mccloud! I can't believe the guy who killed the first field boss is in our group!" Leeroy exclaimed.
"No one has any memory, so your name is famous now. What did the boss drop? How did you kill him? How did you get the NPC's to work with you? Did you know one of them is a lord!" Jenkins asked, giving me no time to answer.
Why do their names sound so familiar?
Oh well, I'm sure I'll figure it out.
