Invitations to the Beast Continent

It was roughly after three in the afternoon when Kirou finally returned home. He didn't immediately return home but instead went around town, looking for some stuff. After spending a few hours on this, Kirou finally managed to find what he was looking for and returned home. When Kirou entered his apartment, the first thing he did was unpack his stuff in his living room before heading to the bathroom for a shower. Roughly twenty minutes later, Kirou was now sitting on his couch while a few spools of wire, each of differing widths, were sitting on the small table before him.

Just like he's able to do in the game with his pickpocket skill, Kirou can also make use of Mana Control outside of the game. The only drawback is that he currently had no way of testing just how much energy is in his body and how much he's allowed to use comfortably. Unlike within Immortal Era where he's given an upper limit on mana, he has no such convenience in reality so he has to fumble his way around with the skill, just as he did the first time he learned it in his previous life.

Before even looking at the spools of wire, Kirou decided to use the Mana Control technique or Energy Control Technique as it should be called outside of the game. He first steadied his breathing and tried to sense the minute traces of the energy flow within his body. This took him over an hour since he's out of practice and was in another body. After finally being able to sense the traces of the energy flow within his body, Kirou then tried to influence this energy flow with his will. It started out slow and he failed miserably for the next twenty minutes but he did eventually get to the point of influencing the energy flow, even if it was only slightly.

After finally managing to accomplish this feat, Kirou could only open his eyes and stare at the spools of wire before him with a wry smile on his face.

"It seems that it will take a while before I can use you guys properly." Having said this, Kirou got up and left the living room, leaving the spools of wire where they were. No need to put them away since he doesn't live with anyone that would be impeded by them being on the coffee table.

Having arrived in his room, Kirou did a few of his weird stretches for a few minutes before he allowed his body to rest for a few minutes. After this was done, Kirou then took out his phone and checked the time. Seeing that it was ten minutes to five, Kirou jumped on his bed and put on his headset. After turning the headset on, Kirou allowed his mind to enter the game while his body rested.

*************

As soon as Kirou logged in, he was greeted by the sight of a bustling Elderwood Village. From as far as his eyes could see, players of all types were coming and going from the village entrance. This scene was a complete first for him from as long as he remembered since starting the game, the player population of Elderwood Village was always low. Being bewildered at the sudden increase, Kirou had no choice but to find someone to ask questions. Naturally, since this was a player thing, he made sure to call on a player he was on friendly terms. After checking his friend's list, he made sure to give a call to the one that seemed to have the most time on their hands.

[Player Reya: Hello, Mr. Wolf. To what do I owe the pleasure of you calling?]

"Hey, Ms. Elf. Quick question, any ideas as to why Elderwood Village has suddenly become so populated?" While Kirou was asking this, he started to make his way into the village."

[Player Reya: Oh, haven't you heard? The teleport points for all of the villages have been unlocked and their prices have dropped to a hundredth of the previous price. Apparently, it has to do with the new update that Immortal Era received last night.]

"Oh." That was all Kirou could say on the subject. Since this wasn't info found within the update posted on the official website, Kirou had no idea about it. It also makes sense since he has never been to SC Pier City and tried using their teleport gate before. "I guess this is what I get for being a recluse in-game."

[Player Reya: Don't worry about it. The rest of us only found out after login in as someone tried it before and made it known on the world chat.] Reya was chuckling as she said this to Kirou.

"Anyways, sorry for disturbing you while you were doing..... wait, did I disturb something important?" asked Kirou now aware that his earlier thoughts were a bit... thoughtless.

[Player Reya: No worries, Mr. Wolf. In fact, both Navi and I have been waiting for you to log on. We've both got a favor to ask you.]

When Kirou heard this, he was suddenly reminded of what he overheard on the previous day at the office but he decided to keep quiet and have her explain. "Oh? And what would that be?"

[Player Reya: How about we meet up at Thousand Wood Village after handing in our quests? Let's do so within an hour. That way we'll be able to speak properly.]

"Sure, I'm game," Kirou said with a shrug as he was now before Bladesmith's cottage.

[Player Reya: Great. I'll let Sister Navi know. See you in a bit.] Following this, Reya terminated the telepathic call from her end.

Kirou could only form a wry smile on his face before knocking on the door before him. After getting confirmation from the occupant, Kirou opened the door and entered the cottage to see both Bladesmith and Olf Wolf sitting in the lounge area of the cottage. Kirou went over to the two and it was only after they told him to have a seat did they start speaking.

"Sorry about yesterday, lad. The old man and I had some stuff to take care of as a response to the information you delivered." When Bladesmith, he had an apologetic expression on his wolfish face.

"It's no problem, Senior Bladesmith. I completely understand the need to postpone our meeting for a day while you rush off to your meeting with the others." When Kirou said this, he had a simple smile on his face but both Bladesmith and Old Wolf saw the smile of a devil.

'Yup, he truly isn't as simple as he lets on,' was the thought that both Bladesmith and Old Wolf shared while looking at Kirou's smiling face.

Old Wolf released a cough to disperse the strange atmosphere that had formed and brought Kirou's attention to him before speaking, "Well, young one. Now that you are back, I believe it's time that we reward you for completing your quest." Following his words, Kirou received a few system messages.

[System Message: You have completed the quest <The Dark Continent's Traces>]

[You have received the following items: Random Level 20 Rare Weapon (Untradeable), Random Level 20 Skill (Untradeable), Rare Mount (Untradeable), +2 levels.]

Following those prompts, Kirou was enveloped in a mass of white light, signifying that he has leveled up. Noticing that he was now level 17, Kirou opened up his menu to take a look at his stats.

{Name: Kirou}

{Race: Werewolf(Lycan/Human)}

{Class: Weapon Master}

{Subclass: Crafting Master}

{Traits: Lycan Transformation(Minor), Keen Senses(Minor), Adaptability(Minor), Information Analysis (Minor), Man-at-Arms(Class), Forge Your Own Path(Class), Fast Hands(Class), <Chimera Creation>(Incomplete)}

{Weapons: Gunblade Tonfas, Wolf Claws, Enchanted Steel Chain, Threaded Wires, Metal Spike Boots, Fighter Gloves}

{Armor: Swampland Leather Armor Set (vest, pants, gloves, boots, crocodile helmet), Mysterious Bead(???)}

{Level: 17}

{HP: 804/804 (504+100+200)}

{MP: 670/670 (420+100+150)}

{Str: 101 (31+<50>+10+10)}

{Int: 34 (29+5)}

{Def: 115 (30+<50>+10+10+5+5+5)}

{Const: 42 (32+10)}

{Dex: 32 (27+5)}

{Agi: 82 (27+<50>+5)}

{Luck: 55/100}

{Skill Points: 44}

Looking over his stats, Kirou nodded as he felt the increase in strength. After tightening and releasing his fist a few times for confirmation, Kirou once again turned his sights back to the two senior wolves sitting before him. He would check out his other rewards another time as the duo looked like they have more to say to him.

"Now that we've gotten that out of the way, both junior Bladesmith and I have a quest for you, young one. It has to do with the four continents that have begun to open their borders to us once again. Will you take on our quests, you one?" When Old Wolf asked this, he had an elderly smile on his wolf-like face.

Seeing it, Kirou wasn't sure if the old Lycan was genuinely being friendly or plotting something that he wasn't aware of. Taking a few seconds to think it over, Kirou shrugged before replying, "As long as it is something that this junior can take care of, I have no problems in taking on your quests, Seniors."

Hearing this, both Bladesmith and Old Wolf adopted a wolfish smile on their faces. Kirou could already feel the dread just by looking at them but he couldn't take back his words so quickly after he had just said them. Instead, Kirou opted to see what their quests were about first before saying anything else on the topic. Following this, Kirou was given a few more system prompts.

[System Message: You have been assigned the quests <Delivery to the Viahnland Republic> and <Delivery to the Shura Kingdom>]

Quest: <Delivery to the Viahnland Republic>

Rank: C

Level: Any (Recommended 20+)

Description: The Four Kingdom Continents have opened their borders to all outsiders for the first time in decades. Deliver a letter from Old Wolf to the Crafting Guild Alliance HQ located in the western kingdom of the Beast Continent, Viahnland Republic, to inform them of the state of the crafting guilds in the Southern Continent.

Crafting Guild Alliance- 0/1

Rewards: *Invitation to the Crafting Guild Alliance, Crafting Guild Alliance Favorability +500, Random Crafting Blueprint(Uncommon).

Quest: <Delivery to the Shura Kingdom>

Rank: C

Level: Any (Recommended 20+)

Description: The Four Kingdom Continents have opened their borders to all outsiders for the first time in decades. Deliver a letter from Bladesmith the Weapon Master Guild HQ located in the eastern kingdom of the Beast Continent, Shura Kingdom, to inform them of the new innovations and members of the Weapon Master Branch in the Southern Continent.

Weapon Master Guild- 0/1

Rewards: *Invitation to the Weapon Master Guild, Weapon Master Guild Favorability +500, Random Weapon/Armor Blueprint(Uncommon).

Kirou looked at both quests with squinted eyes. While they seemed very simple at first glance, Kirou was suspicious of how both Bladesmith and Old Wolf were looking at him at the moment. Not finding any visible traps in the words of the quests or finding any clue from the two seniors in question, Kirou accepted both quests.

"Very good, young one. May your journey be a smooth one." When Old Wolf said this, a chill traveled down Kirou's spine but he had no idea why.

"Exactly, lad. Be sure to have fun along the way." Another chill went down Kirou's back when Bladesmith said that. Feeling that both had trapped him but he had no idea how or for what reason, Kirou quickly bid farewell to both before fleeing from Bladesmith's cottage at his quickest.

Seeing Kirou flee from the window, both Bladesmith and Old Wolf shared a laugh before Bladesmith spoke up, "You think those two will accept him?"

"I'm not sure about your sister, but he'll be in good hands on my grand daughter's side." When Old Wolf said this, he did so with a sly chuckle. Seeing this, Bladesmith could only form a wry smile on his face as he knew both he and Old Wolf set up Kirou to meet two scary women.

"Well, it's his problem to win them over. It's either he succeeds or he doesn't. I'll get back to my stuff now, old man." Bladesmith said this as he got up. Old Wolf joined him as they both walked over to the door.

"Well, allow this old man to leave you to your duties, junior. I can't take too much time off from my post as well." Following this, Old Wolf left the cottage and went back to his usual area while Bladesmith went back over to his forge and started warming up the furnace.