Phoenix Edge (1)

The next morning, Ray woke up early, feeling refreshed and ready. He grabbed a quick breakfast and headed back to his room, putting on the VR headset once more. The familiar virtual world enveloped him as he logged back into the game. Elric was waiting for him in the same cozy cabin, a reassuring presence.

"Good morning, Ray," Elric greeted him with a nod. "Ready to continue our training?"

"Absolutely," Ray replied, eager to get started. "I need to know how to carve materials from beasts and make clothes, how to buy elixirs that can restore my mana and HP, and anything else that might help me defeat that wolf boss."

Elric smiled, clearly pleased with Ray's determination. "Let's start with carving materials from beasts. It's a crucial skill for crafting equipment and other useful items. Follow me."

They stepped out of the cabin and into the surrounding forest. The digital sun was rising, casting a golden glow over the trees and the forest floor. Birds chirped in the branches above, and the air was crisp and fresh.

Elric led Ray to a clearing where a large, lifelike deer stood grazing. "This will be our practice target," Elric explained. "In order to carve materials, you need the right tools. Do you have a carving knife in your inventory?"

Ray opened his inventory and found a basic carving knife among his items. "Got it," he said, equipping the knife.

"Good. Approach the deer slowly and carefully. You want to make a clean kill to preserve as much of the material as possible," Elric instructed.

Ray moved forward, his movements cautious. The deer noticed him and tensed, but Ray managed to get close enough to deliver a quick, precise strike. The deer fell, and Ray knelt beside it, ready to begin carving.

"Now, use the carving knife to extract the materials. Focus on the hide, meat, and bones. Each part has different uses in crafting," Elric said, watching closely.

Ray followed the instructions, carefully slicing into the deer's hide and extracting various materials. He marveled at the realism of the process—the texture of the hide, the weight of the bones, and the rich color of the meat. As he worked, Elric offered tips and guidance, helping Ray improve his technique.

Once Ray had gathered all the materials, Elric nodded approvingly. "Well done. With practice, you'll become more efficient and precise. Now, let's move on to crafting clothes."

They returned to the cabin, where Elric showed Ray a simple workbench. "To craft clothes, you'll need a sewing kit and some thread, which you should have in your inventory. We'll start with something basic—leather gloves."

Ray opened his inventory again and found the sewing kit and thread. He placed the deer hide on the workbench and began working under Elric's watchful eye. Elric guided him through each step, from cutting the hide into the right shapes to stitching the pieces together.

It was slow, meticulous work, but Ray found it satisfying. By the end of the lesson, he had a pair of sturdy leather gloves. He put them on, flexing his fingers and admiring his handiwork.

"These gloves will offer you some protection and improve your grip on weapons," Elric said. "Crafting your own equipment is essential for survival and success in this world."

Ray nodded, feeling a sense of accomplishment. "Thanks, Elric. What's next?"

"Next, we need to discuss elixirs," Elric replied. "These potions can restore your health and mana during battles, which is crucial for facing tough enemies like the wolf boss. Follow me to the marketplace."

They walked through the forest until they reached a bustling virtual marketplace filled with vendors selling various goods. The air was filled with the sounds of merchants calling out their wares and the hum of conversation. Elric led Ray to a stall where an elderly woman sold potions and herbs.

"This is Marla," Elric said, introducing the vendor. "She sells elixirs and ingredients for making your own. Let's start by buying a few basic elixirs."

Ray greeted Marla and browsed her selection of potions. He purchased several health and mana elixirs, noting their prices and effects. Elric explained the importance of always having a good supply of elixirs on hand, especially before challenging powerful bosses.

"These should help you stay alive and maintain your abilities during tough fights," Elric said. "But you can also learn to make your own elixirs, which can be more cost-effective and allow you to customize their effects, but usually players buy instead of making due to how hard it is to make."

Marla provided Ray with a simple recipe for a basic health elixir. It required a few common herbs and a vial of water. Elric led Ray to a nearby herb garden, where they gathered the necessary ingredients.

Back at the cabin, Elric showed Ray how to use a mortar and pestle to grind the herbs into a fine powder. They then mixed the powder with water in a small cauldron, heating it over a fire until it turned into a shimmering liquid.

"Congratulations, Ray," Elric said as Ray bottled the elixir. "You've made your first health potion. With practice, you can create more potent and specialized elixirs."

Ray held the vial up, feeling a sense of pride. "Thanks, Elric. This will definitely come in handy."

Elric smiled. "Now, let's review everything you've learned today. Carving materials, crafting equipment, and making elixirs are all essential skills. But remember, each skill takes time to master. Practice regularly, and don't hesitate to ask for help when you need it."

Ray nodded, feeling more confident and prepared. "I appreciate all your help, Elric. I'm ready to take on that wolf boss again."

"Good. But remember, rest and preparation are just as important as skill. Take breaks, keep yourself well-equipped, and always have a plan. With determination and perseverance, you'll succeed."

Ray logged out of the game, feeling a renewed sense of purpose. He removed the VR headset and stretched, savoring the feeling of a productive day. As he looked around his room, he noticed how much more organized it seemed after his virtual adventures.

His sister, Lily, knocked on his door again and peeked inside. "Hey, Ray. How's the game going?"

Ray frowned. "How did you get in? I thought I locked the door."

Lily smiled. "Oh yeah, I forgot to tell you I have one of your spare keys."

"Oh, so you stole it from me. Wait, how long have you been around?"

"For some time now, but you were playing, and I didn't want to disturb you."

He spent the rest of the evening talking with his sister and reflecting on his virtual journey. As he lay in bed that night, he thought about his next steps in the game. With Elric's guidance and his newfound skills, he felt ready to face the challenges ahead.

The next morning, Ray woke up early again, eager to continue his adventure. He logged back into the game and met Elric at their usual spot.

"Ready for another day of training?" Elric asked.

"Absolutely," Ray replied. "Let's get to it."

Over the next few days, Ray and Elric worked together to refine his skills. Ray practiced carving materials from various beasts, learning to extract the most valuable parts efficiently. He crafted new pieces of equipment, each more intricate and useful than the last. And he became proficient in brewing a variety of elixirs, each tailored to his specific needs in battle.

Elric also taught Ray about the importance of strategy and tactics in combat. They sparred regularly, with Elric providing feedback and tips to help Ray improve his technique. Ray learned to anticipate his opponent's moves, exploit weaknesses, and use his environment to his advantage.

One afternoon, as they took a break from training, Elric turned to Ray with a serious expression. "You've made great progress, Ray. I think you're ready to face the wolf boss again. But remember, it's not just about brute strength. Use everything you've learned—your skills, your equipment, your elixirs, and your strategy."

Ray declined to the surprise of Elric. "I'm not ready yet."

Elric was surprised. "You know, Ray, I think you have been in the tutorial for too long. People usually spend just a few hours here at most before they move on."

"Yeah, but I don't think I've learned everything I need."

"In fact, I need to go somewhere right now, so I have to log out."

"Where are you going?" asked Elric.

"I'm going somewhere to get stronger."

Logging out of the game, the first thing he saw was his sister eating a bag of chips while using her phone. She wasn't even startled that he had logged out.

Getting out of bed, he didn't heed his sister any attention. He went and cleaned himself up. Checking his phone, he saw it was still pretty early.

"Where are you going?" asked Lily.

"Somewhere you don't need to know, so can you leave my apartment?" replied Ray.

"Fine."

"Oh, and don't forget to drop my keys."

"I wonder why she didn't argue with me." thought Ray.

Walking a bit away from her brother's apartment she had a smile on her face that she was trying to hide.

"Too bad for him he doesn't know i have another key" she thought of this as she chuckled.

Walking a bit of some distance, he came to a rundown place that read Phoenix Edge Dojo. Entering inside, he saw a man who looked no older than 25 years with black hair and brown eyes. He was quite a looker, just like Ray.

"What the hell do you want?" asked the man with a muffled voice due to his cigar.

"I want to learn how to fight."

"No."

(Author here, guys i just hit 10k words today, i hope you like the chapter and the new book cover a friend made it for me, i'm still currently trying to get a contract with webnovel, if you guys like it please review. Bye and see you till the next chapter)