4 Willow's Mount

"Willow's mount...my starting village is quite small. Let's go explore! I wonder if I will find any players?" Iris was walking out of what looked to be a small hotel then she heard the landlady call from behind: "Miss Stone please wait, you don't expect to walk out like that" she stared at Iris sack-dress... Iris wasn't expecting an NPC to care about her fashion sense but she did agree with her, —their intelligence is really high, wow—

"come here I'll give you this" the NPC whose name was faintly scribed above her: Landlady Carla. Carla passed a handwritten note to her: —I can't read it?—

*ding* "hidden attribute: read

Is too low, please try again after learning to read"

Iris was shocked by the sudden system announcement

—hidden attributes? How exciting!—

"Dearie, take this to the shop up the street for some clothes, ok?"

—it seems I have to treat them like humans—

Iris thanked the landlady and strode out the door.

*ding* "you have accepted the hidden story quest: 'The Lost Dance' reward is unidentified"

—oh cool, must be thanks to the passive attribute—

Taking in the scene Iris could hardly believe she was in a game. 'Willow's Mount' was an old town. Although it was old it was still clean and cosy, the buildings were your standard NPC shops and houses: not to modern but not medieval either, Small willow trees lined the centre of the old brick road creating two-way traffic for some merchant carts. The townspeople were clothed in plain cotton with some nobles strutting the streets with their exotic pets. Walking along the street about 50% of the people were human and the other, just as confused as her, were strange and wonderful walks of life from Elves to Aliens to Catgirls. As she continued walking saw lots of players wandering around in plain clothes. Iris reached a shop called: Tom's Tailors. "This must be it" Iris walked inside and the shopkeeper took one look at her and sneered "come back when you have money".

"Umm, I have a note from Carla," Iris reluctantly slid the note to him..after he read it his face softened.

"Ah, pardon me I do owe Carla a favour"

The man stood from his chair and walked away beckoning Iris to follow. She hurried behind him to the back room. It was more of a warehouse than a room, clothing of all colours was piled on either side of her.

"So young lass what is your class, we must pick some nice clothes!"

As his faint name above his head suggested: Tom was an amazing tailor, and he seemed to be getting quite excited by this.

—My passive skill is dangerous this man is too happy, even if he owes a favour—

"My class, .. I'm not sure yet I don't have one"

Tom looked utterly stunned. "Well that would explain your clothes," He thought for a while. "You're of far heritage correct? So you must know magic, and you have wings..." He seemed to be talking to himself, "Ah! Have you ever considered being a dancer?" he looked at her with intense eyes, asking for her opinion, —Dancer? ...THATS RIGHT! A magical melee fighter!— Iris has forgotten one of the most looked over classes of this gaming era. But she didn't want to seem too excited: "... hmm, yes I think a dancer is a good choice but isn't it about seduction?" Iris was still confused about why he picked a small cute fairy to be a 'sexy dancer' for a job. Tom expression went mysterious, "Seduction? Well that's your 'choice' isn't it?"

Iris was confused by this.

—Are there other types of dance in this game—

Iris smirked at the thought of someone 'hip hop' dancing at a monster.

"Well before we pick out an outfit let's get you a class, Go to the Theatre, you can learn there. But take this: " Tom handed her another handwritten note, Iris couldn't it read again but it seemed longer than before. "It's a note for my friend, you'll find them if you look around. Now go on." Iris took the note and was directed to the door. " Young lass, I will give you a costume once you become a true adventurer". Tom waved Iris goodbye and shut the door. —I would bet my left foot that the NPCs are actors—

*ding* "hidden quest: 'the Lost Dance' part 1/2: completed

Reward: 17 exp

Part 2 activated"

*ding* "you have levelled up"

—Part 1? An ongoing quest?—

Walking down the street again there were fewer people than before:

"GET OUT, come back when you're at least level 5!" An NPC swordsman kicked out an elf player from what looked to be 'Basic Sword Training area' walking further Iris noticed this same scenario at other common class quest areas. "It seems you have to level 5 to activate a class," Iris noticed a sign above her, "perfect," she said as she turned to the 'Willow Forest' level 2-3 hunting area.