5 Warming up

The streets of Eternal Landing were brimming with players and NPCs alike. The settlement was divided into three parts: the piers, where supplies and reinforcements arrived onboard ships; the workshops, sheltering the craftsmen and workers; and the administration, where the settlement's development and security were the focus. In the centre of all three sectors, where all the main dirt roads converged, laid the inn which also served as the local tavern. Small houses with thatched roofs were scattered all over the settlement.

Simply made his way towards the administrative sector. Quests were after all the bread and butter of games and the best place to acquire kill quests was from the military factions. He quickly found the militia's HQ. It was the highest building in the surrounding entirely made out of wood. It rose four-story high. Flanking it were a stable and a training ground. Simply made a beeline to the training instructor, after seeing the lengthy queue. The moment the instructor saw Simply walk into the training ground, his eyes glared fiercely.

"Great, another ambitious visitor. You think you can just wander in here and join us?"

Simply nodded while observing the jet-black-haired man. Matching his hair, his armour and his hair bore the same hue, which made him stand out from the other militia soldiers. A long sword hung loosely by his left side.

"You're a silent one, aren't you? Makes no difference after all you'll be gone by the turn of the hour. Go and hit these dummies, if you can land a hundred hits within your allotted time come to me for your militia badge."

"Yes, Sir," Simply said shortly. Drawing his sword he approached the dummy standing alone in the back. Then, he began hacking at it, slashing, cutting, and stabbing. His hands were gradually getting accustomed to the weight of his sword and the sensation of hitting the dummy.

After two minutes of brutally carving the wooden dummy, Simply received two welcomed notifications just before running out of stamina.

[Quest Complete]

You have successfully passed the assignment with flying colours. All one hundred hits were completed within a single combo. Talk to Vilkas, the Head Instructor for your militia badge. Earned "Gifted Swordsman" title.

[Title Earned: "Gifted Swordsman"]

You achieved to link a hundred attacks together. Double experience gained in sword-related skill, Stamina +5%.

"Did you just see that guy striking the scarecrow?"

"Holy shit, yeah! He was so fast."

"What's his stamina??? It must be insane. "

"Looks like he's done with the quest, damn."

As soon as, Simply finished dismissing the notifications, he made his way back to Vilkas.

"I suppose you have another question?"

"Not really. I'm done with your task. Can I get my badge now?"

"Well, I don't teach non-militia members, I... DONE? You've been gone for, like 2 minutes! And you are already done! Finally a kid, not another baby. Here you go, recruit." Vilkas throws Simply a small iron badge with a dragon engraved on its surface. "If you want to learn combat skills come, find me. I can teach you sword and spear techniques. Look for Aela to learn the bow and dagger. If you want to earn some gold, pick up an assignment from the main hall. If you want to earn more, raise your rank. Let me warn you, only the first assignment is easy the rest... will separate the kids from the adults. Good Luck."

"Thanks," responded Simply with a hint of a smile, as if trying not to further startle the guard.

---

Looking up his skills, Simply discovered a pleasant surprise.

Level 0 (2100 exp)

Name Simply Umbra

Passive Skill

Swordsman Novice I

Stealth Novice I

Active Skill

Puncture Novice I

Slash Novice I

Aura of Terror Novice I

He distributed all his experience points into the swordsman skill. Thanks to the newly gained title he manages to reach the apprentice level.

Level 3 (150 exp)

Name Simply Umbra

Passive Skill

Swordsman Apprentice I

Stealth Novice I

Active Skill

Puncture Novice I

Slash Novice I

Aura of Terror Novice I

Happy with the results, he entered the main hall. It was easy to find the quest board, just looking at the highest concentration of players would do the job!

Militia quests were mostly kill quests. A few were gathering crafting supplies but came back to kill quests due to the source of these items being the corpses of monsters or beasts. Quests were separated into six different ranks based on difficulty. Being a starting settlement, the highest ranked quest was C rank, followed by D rank and Basic rank respectively. Players needed to possess a matching badge to take on a quest alone. If three to six adventurers formed a party, they could attempt a higher rank quest. But would have to equally split the rewards. Basically, the same rank when solo; the same rank or one rank higher when in a party.

Simply took on a basic rank quest and left.

"Now, all that's left is hunting"

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Level 3 (150 exp)

Name Simply Umbra

Race Human

Health 130

Mana NA

Stamina 137 (130) (+5%)

Intelligence 5

Wisdom 5

Dexterity 5

Agility 5

Vitality 5

Strength 10

Perception 0

Magic Resist 0

Defence 0

Title Gifted Swordsman

Aura 0.1(Fear)