4 P'ker to P'ked

I can see the high walls of the city and it must be at most 200 meters. I am at least 2 kilometers away from the city but the sight of its heights is really fascinating. I just turned level 15 from the fights I had along the way form the forest. First, the giant warthog, 2 plant-trap monsters and a monster called Ascavarian; a monster with tentacles and a sharp razor in each end of it. Those fights weren't rich with loot however I was able to learn that I can cast spells without using the menu button. I was able to learn another spell buff and it was for a "Mana Bless" heal" which I managed to level it up to its maximum.

It was already 10:30 and I feel hungry when I was able to find the main road that leads to the fortress. I opened my menu to see if I can make food from the materials I got from the monster drop. Following the instructions in the recipe window, I was able to make a simple sandwich which looks tasty. One thing after another, I found myself disgusted with the tasteless bolus and my unlucky strike with meeting danger. A group of handful looking thugs are approaching with smirk on their armor-clad facade and they even have a good number with them. The person with an axe on front seemed to be their leader and came near.

"Hey chick, where are you heading to? Are you an adventurer?" asked the axe guy.

I don't know what is he talking about but I replied anyway, "Yes. I am heading towards that fortress. "

I heard some laughter and whispering from the other men saying something like "newbie","noob" and other things I can't comprehend. Their leader tried to get my attention and asked, "What's your level lady?"

I felt puking when he called me lady but I hold back my reaction. It is best I won't get excited and be the "agitator" I was back then. Better be safe than sorry as they say.

"I'm just a level 30 mage, mister axe guy. Do you need something from me?" I asked. Of course, that level 30 was a lie. I want them to think that I am in that level so they might think I'm not that something easy.

Confusion was displayed in their eyes as the other members looked at each other and then suddenly their leader blurted a laugh.

"Hahaha. You are one smart aleck but you can't fool me, the leader" the leader pronounced.

One of their members asked the leader the reason why was he laughing but he responded pointing at the weapon I am carrying. He said "Look at what she is holding. There is no way she is at level 30 with that beginner's weapon."

I never really thought my weapon would give away my cover about being a high level. I noticed one of their members came closer as he look at me with terror. He looks like a swordsman with his get-up.

"Hey lady. If you don't want to be in trouble, better not lie to us and just give anything we ask", says the swordsman.

"Look, I'm terribly sorry for lying but I'm only a level 15 mage without anything I my inventory. What can you possibly get from someone like me?" I asked.

"I don't think so, young lady. You know low level players are given something free, am I wrong?" the leader said with malice on his eyes.

I checked my item storage, there was a blue potion which I don't even know when it appeared and where it came from. I remember when I was playing some RPG games back in the real world, experience boosters are given to low level characters and some players even buy them with real money. This is something I can't easily give specially that I learned that it is an exp potion. I counted all of them and there were eight of them. There were four guys with swords with them and I can tell they are swordsmen, at the back there are two guys who seemed to be healers by the looks of their outfits, at the center is a guy with full armor, a short sword on his right hand and a shield on his left and the last member, their leader in front with an axe. Escaping was only my option considering I don't want to give what they wanted. While the others were busy talking with each other, I grab the chance for a run however the armoured man activated a skill and shouted "Anchor howl". I unconsciously looked back and stopped from running and it is probably the effect of the guy's skill. This time I run out of choice. It is either be harassed or get killed so I chose to face them head on. With my ice staff on my right hand, I made an attacking position but seemingly, they all laugh at my gesture about fighting all of them. No second spared, I dashed on the guy who look strongest and gave a good smash but before I was able to give a hit, he activated his skill "castle of stone". He was just on the same position taking my beating and he won't even move an inch. All the members were laughing at the scene but I didn't stop my attack. As the guy's skill is fading of, I continued my attack until the second I was able to give him a good critical damage when his skill wore off. That attack took half of the guy's hit points and that gave them a good scare. It was probably a wrong idea scaring them because they just turned serious. The leader ordered his men to attack mercilessly all at once but thanks to my high AGI stats I was able to dodge most of their attacks. My hit points dropped half of my HP gauge so I casted my healing buff. My hit points went back to full however the fact that I am still outnumbered puts me into the worst position. I noticed the two spell casters at the back preparing for a spell so I dashed quickly behind them and struck one of the two. Losing his balance, the spell was cancelled out and without time to think about the others, I delivered 3 consecutive hits. Suddenly the guy was screaming like he was in agony and disappeared like how monsters disappear but with different effects. I tried to run away from the group but I was too late. The other spell caster activated "bind" on me and I tripped instead. The other members started running towards me to attack and they were getting close. Three meters...two meters... one meter and I closed my eyes so I won't see my horrible state being beaten by these thugs but suddenly I heard an explosion. When I opened my eyes I saw a giant bird-like creature descending from above with a lady on glasses on its back. The assailants were knocked back and the bind spell casted on me was gone. As the bird-like creature landed, the group were horrified and ran on their own. I don't know if this is another trouble but after the place cleared out the woman gave me a smile and asked if I was alright. I felt relieved I thought I would be dealing with something even more dangerous but then the woman even introduced herself.

"Are you alright? I'm Roe II and you can call me sister Roe" she said with a smile.

"Thank you for the help. I thought I was a goner that very second before you came. My registered name is Joker of Spades but you can call me Spade. I'm actually new to this game so I don't know a lot of stuff in here. I was heading to that fortress to gather information about this place when I got harassed by those thugs. Thanks again", I replied in relief.

"Is that so? I am actually an Observer who came from the moon of this world and I travel to seek for something. I'm travelling along this border to the south to gather information. If you want, you can come with me until you decide what to do. What do you think?"

"She is offering generously and she doesn't seem to be suspicious. Maybe I should take her offer. I can learn about a lot with someone who knows about this world" I said in my mind.

"I would like to come with you sister Roe but won't I be a bother to you instead?" I asked.

"Don't worry, your sister will help you with all her might" she said. "For our first order of business, let's find a place to rest in the city then we can talk with each other about ourselves. Let's go", Roe II said in excitement.