Newfound Resolve
( Terra Nova Online, in the middle of a dense forest )
Leo was not keen on going down the path of violence, however, he was desperate to go down any path that he needed to go down to improve.
Violence was one of the central themes of Terra Nova Online.
Whether it was in the form of player versus monster, monster versus player, player versus NPC, NPC versus player, or the ever-present player versus player battles, conflict remained the only constant of this world and one’s improvement remained inextricably linked to violence.
Levelling up was a big part of the game and nobody could ignore its importance in the process of getting stronger.
Even if Leo became a saint who did not harm any human like organism, whether it be NPC or other players, he would still be forced to kill monsters that resembled animals which was still him relying on violence to improve.
Avoiding bloodshed was next to impossible and since that was the design of the game, Leo surrendered to the idea of violence and adjusted his mindset to be more accepting of this inevitability.
“Join an organisation and train? That’s what you want a player to focus on, right Cervantez?” Leo murmured to himself as he changed his clothes from the ones he was wearing to that of the fallen assassin as he clutched his examination token and his mask and started to confidently walk towards the examination arena.
“I have 185 free stat points…. Since there is no point in saving them when I’m so weak, let me allocate them to grow even a little stronger” Leo said as he distributed the 185 free stat points that he had accumulated to improve his strength to that of an actual level 32 player.
He distributed a bulk of the stats to agility, since it seemed to be the most important stat for an assassin, while evenly distributing the rest amongst the other stats for a more balanced development.
Almost instantly he felt much stronger and faster than before as it was almost dizzying as to how improved his body felt just by allocating a few stat points.
Distributing stat points was almost like applying oil to machinery parts that had too much friction and were making noise as almost instantly they began working smoothly once the oil was applied.
Something similar was felt by Leo while distributing stat points because, as soon as he distributed the stat points, not only did his body feel lighter and his muscles felt stronger, but he also felt endorphins being released all over his body which made him feel like he was on cloud nine.
“Agh, this is really rewarding-” Leo said as he enjoyed the warm sensation of growing stronger, however, he did not let it consume him as he kept moving towards his destination.
In the last 24 hours, Leo had been through a lot and the man that had came out the other side of these 24 hours was not a weak willed child, but rather a tempered man focused on his goals.
The Leo that had emerged had decided to train until his bones broke if it allowed him to improve as he was fixated on growing stronger and earning as many merit points as he could as fast as possible.
He still blamed himself for the fate of his mother, however, now that he had a chance to bring her here with him and then potentially arrange a kidney for her as well, Leo swore to himself that he would never waver, or rest until this goal was achieved.
Since he was to blame for this mess…. he felt resolute to not rest until he made it right.
************
( Meanwhile Luke )
After purchasing a long sword from the local blacksmith, Luke headed out into the outskirts of Panjim and began relentlessly hunting monsters with the singular goal of levelling up faster.
Slimes, crabs, sea-gulls. It did not matter what he killed as long as he killed them as he gained a level for every 90 minutes of hunting.
Luke was naturally talented in fighting. His stance as he swung the sword was natural and his instincts to counter and exploit an opponent’s weakness were skills that could not be taught.
For Luke, fighting felt oddly natural.
It was almost like he was meant to be a hunter, as he was calm and composed when in a fight.
For him, the bigger problem than facing a monster twice his level was finding a monster to fight as a majority of his time went in finding monsters rather than killing them.
*SHUA*
[ System Notification:- You have successfully killed a (Common)( Level 4 ) sea crab monster.
You have obtained
1x Crab meat ( Common )
+EXP ]
[ System Notification – Congratulations player ‘SkyLion’ You have levelled up! ]
” Alright level 3! Only 7 more levels to go to catch the leaders” Luke murmured to himself as he kept grinding away at those levels.
If the brothers had learnt anything from today’s incident of Cervantez’s arrival and the toxic environment of sector E, it was the fact that Terra Nova Online was a game with limitless potential.
Not only did it control their social standing, but it was also a gateway to fulfil all their wishes as with enough MP anything could be achieved.
“I must grow stronger…. I must not fail the evaluation in six days” Luke said to himself as he resolved to catch up to the ranking leaders and ensure a spot for himself amongst those that were going to be promoted to sector D, effectively dodging this mess of sector E.
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