Warrior’s Initiation

Vecna couldn't contain a sly smile, not taking his eyes off the face of the tanned beauty for even a second. Even in the face of her decline, he started rubbing his chin in a pondering expression, and before he opened his mouth he started chuckling.

"Offer."

#Jishuka: I know the history of the item, and how much it cost the first owner of the item. I'm asking you to not be too greedy if you want the deal to go smoothly.

Vecna, who watched the video call with his legs crossed, relaxed as he was, put on a surprised expression, immediately laughing in Jishuka's face when he comprehended the situation he was in.

'She isn't't stupid. I give her that. Usually rich kids are maggots who can't do jack without the support of their families.'

"Interesting. You know about the Mutts item. Okay, let's go for 650.000 since its value dropped by the previous owner."

The red-haired beauty frowned when hearing the sum of money, and with a shake of her head she offered without a hint of shamelessness.

#Jishuka: That's too much, I can give you 300.000 gold for the Sword.

"Huhuhu, that's quite the drop. And she says I'm the crazy one." murmured Vecna while his crimson eyes started shining with blood magic, making Jishuka wonder about his identity.

"I did say it can be negotiated. If I put the Sword on the Auction House, I estimate a value of 400.000 or maybe higher if Bloodhound is as retarded as I believe him to be.

Nonetheless, there is a 15% tax of the profits to the Auction House for unaffiliated people. I'm sure I'll be forced to pay them a hefty sum for an uncertain profit."

Jishuka fronted Vecna with a calm expression, understanding of what the guy murmured in correlation to the profits he could make with the auction house process. Still, there were wins and losses in this approach unlike a direct deal with a customer interested.

Remaining in her position, Jishuka expected yet another high price from the blonde newbie.

#Jishuka: Offer. We'll get to a price eventually.

"Certainly. I don't want to be bothered with negotiating everything to the bone. I have other things to attend to."

"I'll give you an honest price without much bullshitting since you buying the Sword from me will make your guild a target for that Bloodhound."

"480.000 gold. No more price cuts."

She heard how his voice shifted as it grew lower on her ears, while his crimson eyes also morphed into a serious, predatory side.

It made her remember an encounter she had with a notorious player that was like the scourge of many players, a crazed Necromancer capable of handling entire leveling grounds by himself.

'Just like the eyes of that guy Agnus.'

'I'm sure he killed the Black Fang members. Probably before gaining his new class and getting his level reset. I'll not be shocked if this guy was level 220 or higher.'

#Toban: How much is he asking the Leader?

#Jishuka: 480.000 gold without any price cuts.

#Toban: From what starting price? 700.000 gold like what Bloodhound bought it?

#Jishuka: Far worse. This guy was trying to rip me off. A bold newb with only 1 level asked for 750.000 gold. Does my forehead have the word "IDIOT" written on it?

#Toban: 480.000 gold is even cheaper than I prepared myself to buy the item. Buy it! I will put all my money on it.

#Jishuka: Is anyone else interested in the items this Vecna guy offers? If you don't know what I am talking about, go look on the Forum for Pinned Advertisement.

#Vantner: There is a Plate piece that has Epic Rating, is an upgrade to mines. Leader, ask how much he wants for the Armor.

#Jishuka: Anyone else?

#Ibellin: I want the shoulders he put on the post. But I only have 35.000 gold…

#Jeep: The Boots are nice. I wonder how much he sells them for.

Slowly the players of Tzedakah Guild shared their desires to get the items Vecna put on display, turning the serious atmosphere of the guild chat into a Marketplace Gathering, where the NPC Vendor remained patient, expecting for a great sale.

Nonetheless, Vecna watched the expressions of the Rankers from the popup window for the Video Call.

'Who would expect that earning money would get so easy once you get your hands on something of desire.'

'Those spoiled kids can afford my items… Then I shouldn't be too picky and give those guys a favor.'

'Besides, I really want them to take care of Bloodhound and his goons before I get to their level once I go all-out into this game. Should take me less than a month to get to level 100 with the strategy I cooked.'

His patient waiting didn't disappoint him when the archer inquired about the status of the rest of his loot.

#Jishuka: What about the rest of the items? Willing to sell them to my guild?

"All the items I posted on the forum are up for grabs. I don't need them."

#Jishuka: If you sell them at a reasonable price I will agree to your offer for the Blade.

She could see how his crimson eyes shined brightly like rubies under the light, making her question what were those aesthetic effects, beauty skins? Also his eyes weren't of a natural color.

"You make it sound as if I'm trying to scam you. That's low for the Guildmaster of Tzedakah. Anyway, let me hear what items your guys want and I'll consider the price."

Jishuka's temper got stroked a bit when Vecna jabbed at her mistrust, but for the sake of a lucrative deal that would considerably strengthen her guild, she started telling this mysterious newbie all the items on her list.

After the listing of the items, Vecna turned silent, watching his prey with his predatory eyes.

Minutes passed since the request was made, but no price came along. It was until Vecna began to state the price of each item, all based on their correct value from what he saw in the Auction House and other Forum Posts.

"Overall, your Tzedakah Guild will be required to pay me 565.000 gold."

#Jishuka: How will we do the trade? Want to meet up on Titan?"

"No need. There's the C.O.D mailing system."

#Jishuka: You sure not a scam? Only scams use cash-on-delivery.

"Really? That the people who accept those ways should be fools. No pun intended. If I would make you buy some useless items first for the half or full value of the offered item, that would be a scam."

"Don't you think?"

#Jishuka: … Indeed. You're genuine on this deal.

"My, my, to think I would have to teach a Hardcore Lady on how this mercantile shit works."

#Jishuka: Crazy bastard. Don't look down on me, you, nobody with level 1.

"Sure. A pleasure doing business, Guildmaster. Ahh, I guess I have to go to the Office Post and send your stuff."

"We'll not accept any refunds."

Jishuka could see how the environment behind Vecna shifted, from the garden to a bustling city.

"That would be all on my end. You can pay me whenever you have the funds to get your items."

[Call has ended.]

Jishuka missed to have a final word for the conservation which frustrated her enough to stomp on the ground, making her guildmates believe the deal with Vecna derailed.

"Leader, don't tell me the deal was called off?" asked a worried Toban who from the moment Jishuka mentioned Vecna's agreement to the offer started fantasizing about how OP his Paladin abilities would get.

"The Boots…. They were at a good price." cried a teen with a disappointed face, as if he already considered the deal canceled.

The atmosphere in Tzedakah Guild collapsed, only the individuals who didn't require Vecna's items seemed fine, unbothered by the pathetic acts of the rest.

"Can you quiet down you fools? There's no problem with our deal. Stop acting so pathetically!"

"Ahhh! Thank God! Leader, you shouldn't act so hot-headed when doing business. Let me conduct them instead." called the bald middle-aged guy, appearing like an heroic knight, with an overly confident face.

Jishuka frowned, and snapped at Vantner. "If I do as you want, our Guild Funds will go down the drain! Once you're dealing with a girl in a deal, you'll give in to their requests just like this."

--Finger-snap--

Shaking her head, she was expecting anytime soon for a notification to pop-up in her vision.

[You have received an mail!]

'There we go. Mhmm, better climb down the mountain and reach an mail office to get the items. Besides, I have to repair my items.'

[You have received an mail!]

[You have received an mail!]

-

-

[You have received an mail!]

[You have received an mail!]

'Easy! This guy is really something.'

On the other hand, Vecna held his discussion close to the Post Office in a location that players tended to not approach since it was closer to the Barracks of the Knights, a hot-spot for unfortunate events in the case of players.

It was similar to relaxing next to a police station. You had no reason to worry about some murderer picking on you from nowhere.

That was Vecna who was expecting the Black Fang guild to strike him down since he made that forum post, advertising for the selling of their own items.

Reaching an agreement with Jishuka as he kept a calm persona, he started moving toward the Post Office.

Wanting to keep the final word with a psychological advantage against his possible enemy, he closed the call after saying what was on his mind.

'Close Call'

"Phew."

Breathing out in relief, his calm expression crumbled into a malicious smile that morphed next into a genuine happy smile as he began chuckling with his first clenched hard.

'I've fucking done it. This much would last for a lifetime if you spend smartly.'

"How can we help you, dear customer?" asked an NPC clerk at the Post-Office.

"I wish to send a Cash-On-Delivery mail to a friend." responded Vecna calmly, returning to a persona he used when dealing professionally, giving the impression to the clerk who approached Vecna that the murderous monster he saw at the entrance was just a visage.

A visage caused by exhausting through the NPC as he observed the handsome man.

The clerk nodded and before Vecna the Mailing Interface opened, an easy to understand system that made it easier for players to communicate or send money and items between friends or partners.

'When I get home, it is a must that I search for Coin Exchange Shops that received the stamp authorization from S.A Group.'

'I can't be messing around with my lifeline.'

His fingers moved quickly into tapping the icons of his items, dragging them in the mail interface and setting up the claim for them, beginning with 480.000 gold, an exorbitant sum of money, and ending with an 15.000 gold.

"This should be all. Take this, for the Post-Office services."

Vecna placed a small bag of coins on the clerks counter, about 10 gold coins and departed from the building, blending along with the flow of players and NPC. He was moving like a shadow compared to the slow players, and his next direction was from the first sight a Training Ground.

'This place has a hidden quest. The user who brought this info up didn't share in detail what it entails. It's related to the view the NPC trainer has on you.'

Looking at the players hitting the Training Dummies that amounted to only taking the figure of wooden scarecrows, he continued wondering deep down about peculiar stuff regarding his Class.

'My Sword Mastery is at Intermediate Level 1. Since I'm doing quests that I haven't done before, it shouldn't affect my skill level acquisition.'

'I even have the Passives from the Book.'

Approaching the location ignored by the vast majority of players for being a waste of time, he sensed a presence breathing not far from his behind.

--Breath-- "Hey, you there. Do you want to become stronger?"

The voice sounded manly and aged, and when Vecna turned his head a bit, he noticed a muscular old man wearing a Mercenary Attire, bold, with a long mustache and shaved beard.

[Alistar](Silver)

'Isn't this a semi-named NPC? While Valoria is filled with Semi-named NPCs and even Named NPCs I didn't expect one to be at this insignificant location.'

"Then come here! You'll be able to get strong just like me!" remarked the older mercenary without a hint of shame that he was doing advertisement for his services.

Vecna had his mask placed on, veiling himself from his true emotions and intentions as he watched the old man with his fingers rubbing his chin.

"Hmm…" As if the choice was hard, he let the instructor wait.

"Sure, I want to use the Training Grounds."

"Ohh, for certain. I can see the potential in you. Your appearance is also decent enough to attract additional customers, especially ladies."

"I can't make a future bigshot pay the standard price. It'll be 30 copper coins for you!" said the trainer with a sly smile, placing his palms together before showing the way to Vecna, inviting him inside.

"Take it."

Vecna flicked a silver coin at the Mercenary, placing some strength into it, yet the old man caught it effortlessly, nodding at the generous player.

"I don't have change for the coin."

"Keep the rest. If I break some of your crows, don't ask for payment."

He followed along, entering the Training Grounds where 15 players, all beginners, hit the living hell out of the blameless Target Dummies.

'You'll get more experience by killing chickens and rats. Well, who am I to judge those newbs? I was also clueless at the start.'

"Boy, you can pick any one of the available Target Dummies. Also, what weapon do you want to pursue?"

"Give me a sword if you have any."

"A sword, with your height and build. Good choice. Here, make good use of it, young man."

The old man handed Vecna a wooden sword that looked to be close to breaking, how it held on, it was a mystery for many, especially Vecna who expected this item.

[Wooden Sword]

Rating: Rare

Durability: 43/100 Attack Power: 5-8 Attack Speed: +10%

* The passive skill 'Practice Efficiency' is generated when in use

The Wooden Sword has a rich history in the world of combat training. It is believed that renowned warriors of the past used similar wooden weapons during their early years to master the art of combat.

The Wooden Sword symbolizes the humble beginnings of countless warriors who started their journey by honing their skills with a simple wooden blade. It is often passed down through generations of trainers and serves as a rite of passage for aspiring warriors.

Condition of Use: Level 1

[Practice Efficiency]

Type: Passive

Enhances the efficiency of training sessions, allowing users to gain experience and improve their proficiency at a faster rate compared to other training methods. It helps in developing muscle memory, reflexes, and precision in strikes.

* Increases Sword Mastery Experience generated by 15%, until Intermediate Sword Mastery Level 6

,

'Wow. The old man is showing favoritism after I gave him a silver coin? Huhuhu, interesting.'

'I'll make good use of this sword before it breaks.'

"You got good eyes." remarked Alistar with a mysterious expression that didn't tell much on his emotional state, but it was clear that he noticed the shift in Vecna's temperament.

"Do you have any other pointers, mister?"

"I'm not a paid tutor, figure it out by yourself."

[Ding!]

[You have gained the quest 'Warrior's Initiation']

'This one is a generic quest. Doesn't have a unique flavor to it.'

'Check Quest Log'

[Warrior's Initiation (E)]

The local trainer seeks brave individuals willing to learn the basics of combat. Prove your mettle by defeating a series of training dummies. Once completed, return to the trainer for further instructions.

Engage in combat with a set of training dummies, demonstrating your mastery of basic attacks and movements.

Quest Clear Condition: Deliver 100 hits to the Target Dummy

Clear Rewards: 50 Experience points.

.

Nodding at the free experience he could land from Alistar, he didn't even care that he was forced onto doing the quest.

There were other plans playing deeper in his mind, and the required hits amounted to nothing unlike what he planned to commit.

"Good enough. I'll see you by afternoon or evening."

Vecna held the Wooden Sword casually waiting for Alistar to distance himself from him, a disposition of his to not work with people breathing behind his head. A mistrust in strangers that couldn't be solved with some smiles since it had origins that could scar anyone.

'To think I'll get to this point. I learned to wield the sword by watching HEMA tutorials and practicing on those poor green rats.'

'For now, let's ease my mind. The money situation has been solved. Let's just enjoy life with its ups and downs.'

Forcing himself to smile, as he held the sword to the throat of the Target Dummy, his expression eased up into a calm one, later on beginning his target practice.

Attack after attack, he moved with ease, his steps had dignity into them while his sword strikes were graceful, a display of swordsmanship only for himself.

'Huh, this is fun.'

"Huhuhu, not bad. Who would think I can have fun hitting a piece of wood."

Quest Clear Mark: [65/100]

The hits flowed like water without Vecna caring about the quest, he was for once having fun in life.

His bubble only contained his body, the sword and crow that at times would bend in an attempt at striking down the impertinent human desiring its collapse.

"Slow, crow. I can see even the smallest splint on your body."

His attack continued on until the ding of the quest clearly managed to snap him back from his delirious enjoyment.

'Finished already? Well, I'll not bother with the old man. I still got too much on my mind to take off.'

[Status Window]

User: Vecna / Class: Caine's Reincarnate / Race: Low-Grade Vampire

Level: 1(14/100)

'Hmm, normally it should be 1 EXP per 10 hits on the Crow, but because of the Enlightened Passive, I gain some 2 EXP occasionally.'

'Is understandable why people don't bother with the Training Ground. The EXP acquisition is shit for the amount of effort.'

The scarecrows were one of the many ways to earn experience as a beginner player, especially in the early stages of the game when the competition for reaching the higher levels faster was rabid.

You gain experience from hitting the scarecrow, as simple as that, but compared to the amount of experience you could gain by killing low level wild beasts or doing errands for NPCs, this method was inefficient and chronophage.

Aside from the fact you had to eat food to replenish your stamina and hunger meters, which was an additional expense for early players, you'd still have to pay the usage fee and eat food if you opted for the Training Grounds.

All in all, you would have to keep on spending money, something low levels couldn't afford.

While for Vecna this worry was nonexistent. His inventory was full with food and water, he had a decent treasury for his former level, managing to gather about 1507 gold.

After a worthed break, where he found out that water tasted different with this effort, which he couldn't get used to.

Water was water, how could it taste different after many months of playing Satisfy.

Were his taste buds dulled after the race change? It was a question that arose in his mind as he continued his workout on the Target Dummies, all to the delight of an old man who began rubbing his palms in a strange way.