The Adventure Begins!

Rhys leave out of the Kingdom of Raizen through the gates to enter the outer wilds of the Silvergrass Plateau. The sheer vision of the environment is bright and clear with such vivid display of real life mixed with the fantasy realms of an MMO. He continues to view around as much as possible while smiling lightly. He's beginning to enjoy the artwork and the visual concept of it overtime. He takes a deep breath of the air and taste the atmosphere, feeling a new sensation within the world of LEO

"Such a beautiful area. The silver grass shining from the sunlight. The inhabitants roaming about freely with no remorse of danger. And the air is crisp and vibrant. This game is growing to me more and more by the second."

He begins his quest to hunt down some warthogs by wandering around the silvergrass fields, trekking about a bit of distance within the plateau to find the quest objective. They shouldn't be too far to find since early quests are much simpler than the ones later on.

Within the beautiful and expansive field that was the Silvergrass Plateau, the sun would be setting as it was in the real world. And with the setting sun, arose new dangers within the world of Lux Eterna. But for now, those would be much farther into the area. Instead, the few trees that sat across the plains began to glow bright orange, almost like ornaments had been set in the trees. These were large insects known as Scorch Bugs that became active at night. However, inside of the Silvergrass Plateau, the Scorch Bugs were docile and did not attack anyone, beastkin, human, or monster.

If Rhys gazed at the nearest tree, he would notice that some text was displayed to his vision near the tree. He would need to approach it to read it however. If he did, he would see a small amount of wax leaking from the tree, from an indentation that looked much like a beehive, yet was part of the tree. The description of the substance would be Beeswax.

The time shift from daylight to nighttime was quite the nice touch to add upon the realistic detail of Lux Eterna. It reminded him of the Dragon Quest series when the day shifts to night so does the environment and inhabitants along with it. Seeking the warthogs may be a bit of a hassle now since they're probably resting up within groups of a family pack. The safest bet is to focus on another quest for the time being. The glow of the trees grew his interest as he travels over to one of them. Once gazing about and walking to the crimson orange trees, he notice a description more clearly. The description displays info about the leaking wax coming from the tree.

"Beeswax, huh? This looks like something I need for one of my quests."

He opens up his quest log and scrolls through to see which one was it. He then notice the 'None of Your~' quest which request one of these substance material from Gokoho the Alchemist. He nods to confirm the objective and begins to collect the material from the tree. Takes out the broadsword and carefully scrape off the substance with the edge of the blade, making sure that he doesn't cause any disturbance within the tree where the Scorch Bugs are residing.

The beeswax would glow and disappear, stating that it was added to Rhys inventory. Several of the Scorch Bugs would flutter out of the tree and away, going wherever they wanted. Afterward, Rhys would be able to continue towards whatever other goals he had.

Rhys hears a jingle within himself and opens up his quest log, signalizing that he has the necessary items collected in his inventory to turn the quest in. A simple task done, but nice to feel that satisfaction of completing a quest regardless. He search around his quest log for any possible ones that can be completed during this time. He notice the 'Intro to Alchemy' quest from the same person: Gokoho the Alchemist.

"Might as well do a two for one combo for the alchemist. Gathering quests can be a chore if left alone and stack overtime."

He closes out the quest log and begins to wander around the Silvergrass Plateau fields, searching about to find a viable spot to harvest clippings of silvergrass to collect.

(Which way are you wandering. North, South, or West. East leads back to Raizen.)

It would not take long at all, as a small glowing ring of grass would enter his view just over a small hill. The glow was defined by the large boulder that sat next to the ring of light. As noted, the Silvergrass that he needed to collect was actual silver grass. If he felt it, the grass would be almost like tiny blades of metal.

However, before he could reach the Silvergrass, a two warhogs could be seen. One was grazing by a small stream, and on the opposite side of the stream stood a lizardman, looking at the warhog as if it were dinner. The second warhog would be grazing right next to the boulder and patch of silvergrass that Rhys needed.

(Oh sorry. Was wandering North.)

As Rhys travel north to find a viable spot to snip some silvergrass, he notice a description window within his vision. It pinpoints him to the spot of where the material can be collected. However, there was a slight obstacle along his path. The first obstacle was the warthog that was right next to the patch of silvergrass. Another obstacle was another warthog and a lizardman lurking about at the warthog to feast for dinner near. This, however, gave him many options into going through this situation along with some ideas into gaining a few quest items along the way. Take out the warthog that blocks the silvergrass or aim for the warthog by surprise near the river. The first option seems best since causing a bit of a ruckus with the other could give him a disadvantage if he battles.

He quietly began to sneak over to the Warthog by the boulder with the best of his abilities, crouching down to reduce the sounds of his movements. Unsheathes his broadsword as he creeps slowly behind the creature. If he was able to get close enough without getting caught, he would attempt a sneak attack from the side, slashing on its side in a upward motion.

Sneak Roll (Light Armor Bonus)

Random number (1,20) :

19

The Warhog was blissfully unaware of Rhys' presence and it continued to enjoy its meal. It was just about to start its second course on the glowing silver grass. That is, until a searing pain erupted up its side.

(Roll for crit)

Rhys sneak attack successfully connects as he slashes upward on the warthog's side, causing a nice blow to the beast. He quickly hops back a bit of distance to keep himself in combat stance for any kind of action that it may try to come at him with. He kept his broadsword ready while waiting for the boar to come at him 

Critical Roll from attack:

Random number (1,100) :

61

The slash would deal critical damage on the Warhog, and rip open a gash in its side. The startled Warhog would be lifted up partially and slam into the boulder before falling to the ground. It was bleeding. The startled creature would shakily get back on its legs, but the sneak attacks rate of success left it unable to act for a moment.

Warhog (Standby)
HP: 22/35 (Bleeding)

Rhys (Pending Action)
HP: 75/75

Seeing that the the gash and the collision with the boulder became a chain combo allowed Rhys to attempt into doing another strike against the warthog. He takes his blade once more and jumps towards it for a leaping slash attack at it face, keeping the flow going with the action upon the battle to assure that the beast won't have any time to retaliate once more. The excitement and adrenaline pumps up greatly for Rhys rapidly.

Random number (1,100) :

21

The Warhog would squeal loudly but be unable to escape the falling slash of Rhys. It would feel the full power of Rhys slash since its bleeding status made its Defense an absolute 0. Plus, the strike would push even more blood out of the creature to splatter the ground around it, making it take additional bleeding damage. However, it was still on its feet after the assault. And with Rhys right in front of it, it would rear up its head and headbutt Rhys, dealing a normal melee damage attack. The attack would actually hurt Rhys, but thankfully it wasn't nearly as bad as the Warhogs Tackle attack or Gore attack.

Warhog (Standby)
HP: 5/35 (Bleeding)

Rhys (Standby)
HP: 74/75

Meanwhile, nearby the Warhog grazing by the river would be alerted to the scuffle going on by the rock a bit ways away. Hearing its comrade in danger, it made to charge Rhys. However, a screeching sound from above echoed loudly before a blur of orange was seen and a bird like woman collided down onto the Warhog.

Seeing its dinner about to be taken, the Lizardman hissed out, done with watching. With a louder roar/hiss cry it rose its rusty dagger in hand and charged across the river, the water not slowing it down a bit as it would any other traveler. Once the Lizardman was on the opposite side of the water, to its surprise, it would be blindsided by another lesser Harpy!

Warhog B
HP: 22/35

Lesser Harpy A
HP: 20/20

Lesser Harpy B
HP: 20/20

Lizardman
HP: 19/30

Rhys took the tackle in return as a result from his own attack, getting pushed back from the impact of the blow. Surprisingly, the hit wasn't that painful at all. An annoyance of a hit, but nothing to cry over about. He groan lightly from the impact while still holding his blade.

"Damn, that felt irritating! .....Wait a second....!"

And on that moment, after taking a quick remembrance on how the game looks, feels, and smells like throughout his entire time of playing he realizes that LEO isn't you're ordinary run of the block MMO. Rhys realize that the realism implanted in LEO is the real deal. Normally, one wouldn't even feel any kind of pain or emotion from a MMO or RPG except when a storyline plot hits or a battle engages between victory or defeat. His face was quite in shock from it all.

"H-holy crap! This game got too real! The only difference is that you can't go around slaying beasts like this in the real world!"

His face turns from shock into pure excitement, filled with adrenaline and anticipation upon the fight even more. His attention continues upon the weakened warthog to finish him off with a dashing diagonal slash right at it. His peripheral vision took notice upon the other side where the Lizardman was under attack by the other group of monsters about. This only adds to the excitement of testing his luck upon as many enemies as possible during the moment to spare.

Random number (1,100) :

27

The warhog had no time to do anything as its eyes were blurring from blood loss anyway. Rhys last strike would simply put the creature out of its misery.

GP Drop: 10 gp
Exp Drop: 15

Items

Random number (1,100) :

69

With the other battle ensuing, the Lizardman would have regained its bearings after being side swiped by the Less Harpy. The pretty bird girl would giggle before conjuring up some wind. However, the Lizardman didn't give her the chance to finish as it jumped up and slammed its shield into her, getting a cute cry from her. The Lesser Harpy hit the ground and opened its eyes with tears in them. She was fragile.

The other Harpy would have heard its sisters cry and gasped. She growled deeply before flapping her wings and darting towards the Lizardman.

"Yo bastard!"

She cried and slashed right past the Lizardman with her Talon Strike ability. The Warhog, having been injured by the Harpy, flailed to its feet and was about to flee the area, forgetting all about Rhys. It was going to run right past him without even attacking.

Warhog B
HP: 22/35

Lesser Harpy A
HP: 5/20

Lesser Harpy B
HP: 20/20

Lizardman
HP: 8/30

(Items received)

Healing Seed x1
Hog Tusk x1

Rhys went over to obtain the spoils of war from the defeated warthog and switches his focus over to the group of enemies fighting against one another. The scene shows that the Lesser Harpies were giving the Lizardman and the Warthog hell. Yet, the Lizard wasn't going down without a fight. The second warthog rushes past towards him to keep his hide from being turned into bacon by the harpies. Rhys could run into the brawl and join in with the antics, but that would cause all of them to focus him instead. Yet, there is another way he could easily reduce the amount of enemies to focus.

Remaining in combat stance, Rhys dash towards the nearby location and kept his own distance close enough to use one of his magic abilities. He raise out his palm and aims at the one who has very little health left within them: The Lesser Harpy A. The palm begins to charge up for a brief moment until it glows brightly, calling out the name of his ability.

"Bright Burst!"

Once called, his palm would unleash a beam of light energy towards the unaware harpy attacking her target. This would attempt to easily knock her out completely and easily obtain some loot along the way. If he were to create a hostile situation upon himself against two or all three of them, then that is the risk he is willing to take.

Critical:

Random number (1,100) :

41

Blind:

Random number (1,100) :

48

Exp: 5/60 >>> 20/60

The Harpy that was still on her feet was facing the Lizardman in anger for having harmed her sister. However, before she could attack again, a bright light would flash from behind her and her sister would howl out in pain again before falling silent. The Harpy turned in shock to see her sister with her eyes wide open, yet lifeless.

"S-sis..."

She whispered out before the body of the Harpy burst and the light flew off towards her right. Her gaze would follow the light and she would see Rhys a bit ways away, his hand still outstretched from his spell. She would shed a single tear at her sisters demise before her sadness suddenly turned to fury. And that fury quickly turned to pain as she was struck in the side by the Lizardman's shield, just like her sister had been. The Harpy was knocked to the ground, writhing in pain and crying out tears of both physical and emotional pain. She was sad, angry, and confused all at once. With a war cry befitting her race, she would jump up and fly upwards, out of reach of the Lizardman before conjuring up powerful winds around her, tears streaming down her face.

"I'll kill you...I'll kill you all!"

She screeched out.

Rhys (Standby)
HP: 74/75

Lesser Harpy B (Pending Spell)
HP: 5/20

Lizardman (Standby)
HP: 8/30

=============
Defeated Lesser Harpy!

GP Drop: 5 gp
Exp Drop: 20 exp

Item Drop

Random number (1,100) :

76

"That can't be good..."

Rhys said from seeing his attack successfully defeated the first Lesser Harpy, but only enraging the second one into summoning powerful wings around her. The gust of winds increase drastically as he tries to stand his ground, covering his face with his arms while keeping a gap to have a small vision on what is going on. This has became quite problematic from how most games go when you take down one duo partner enemies. However, there is no time to compare the reactions of video games. Rhys quickly attempt to open up his palm towards her and yells out his ability again.

"Bright Burst!"

The palm would glow brightly, but the move fails to execute due to it being on the cooldown timer. He shook his arm and hand wondering why it won't come out, but then realized that cooldowns still apply even in LEO.

"Oh shit! Brace for impact!"

He said with a slight coward remark in his tone as he took his blade and made a defensive stance upon himself. Standing his ground while remaining cautious upon the impact that awaits him. This may hurt a little....Or a lot!

Random number (1,100) :

59

Exp 20/60 >>> 40/60

With the lizardman still jumping up and trying to reach the Harpy, she would focus her rage on him, the initial reason her sister was dead to begin with. With a great cry, showing all of her sorrow, the Harpy would unleash the spell she was building.

"Gust Strike!"

She called out and the wind that was conjuring around her would visibly soar down at the Lizardman, impacting with him and the ground and creating a loud boom, like the sound barrier being broken. The wind made a small crater around the lizardman as it crushed its body into the ground. Unfortunately, since Rhys didn't attack the lizardman at all, he did not receive any exp from its demise.

With the lizardman taken care of, her sister dead, and their prey gone, the Lesser Harpy would look towards Rhys with tears in her eyes. She glared at him before landing back on the ground.

"You'll pay for this...I swear on my sister that you will pay for this!"

She did not attack however, opting instead to flap her wings wildly, scattering feathers about. She leaned her head back and let out an ear piercing screech. However, the underlying tone of it was sorrowful and quite beautiful to hear.

Rhys
HP: 74/75

Lesser Harpy B
HP: 5/20

Rhys lowers the defensive stance and switch into his combat stance once more after the attack was unleashed, noticing that he wasn't targeted this time for now. His mind and emotions suddenly gets mixed up once he saw the emotions expressed by the Lesser Harpy. Sadness and anger shown in her tears and aggression of her magic. His state is now unsure whether or not to keep fighting any longer. The adrenaline that was pumping within him turns ice cold while the excitement crumbles into dust. His mind was racing with two choices: Battle with guilt or flee with cowardice. The situation became surreal for the warrior to even decide himself. Is the game really suppose to make a person feel this way for such an artificial intelligence like this? To build such a mixed bag of emotions similar to that in the real world? All of these questions just grew Rhys tired from just thinking about it.

"Do I really have to? W-with warthogs it wasn't too bad to obliterate to a certain extent. B-but this....This really makes me feel sick..."

His body almost vomit from overextending his thoughts and feelings all at once. He tries to keep his posture while the body trembles lightly, in a state of panic and confusion on what to do. He rush towards the Lesser Harpy yelling at her along the same way without thinking twice and aiming to end her misery. To let her rest in peace and be with her sister once more in the afterlife. He leaps and slash downward to end it all.

Random number (1,100) :

78

With Rhys coming at her, the Harpy knew she would die. Which is why she had already pushed her feathers out. This was a marker for the other Harpy of her hunting group. They would see her feathers and would know what had happened. The higher classed Harpy would be able to use the feathers to see what had been done. And then they would hunt him. They would hunt Rhys down until he was dead, or had redeemed himself in their eyes. With a last war cry before her death, she would fly upwards and slash across Rhys' as his sword cleaved her body in two. It would feel like cutting through a bag of thin twigs, showing exactly how fragile the Harpies bodies were.

"Avenge me...sisters..."

The Harpy rasped out as her two halves hit the ground and then burst into light.

Critical

Random number (1,100) :

6

Items

Random number (1,100) :

69

(XD No items from either Harpy.)

GP Drop: 5 gp

Exp Drop: 20 exp

The deed was done. The harpy defeated and the victor goes to Rhys. Yet, it didn't feel like a victory at all to him for what his actions have accumulated. He slain two sisters that were just living in their natural habitat and going on their own actions. The emotions, expressions, and torment that he'd saw from that hybrid creature being slain already made him purge from his mouth afterwards. His facial expression shown anxiety, fear, and grief for such a feat. This game, Lux Eterna Online, wasn't your mill of the market MMO where killing things just only earn you closer to the next level. No, this game connects itself to real life situations in its own fantasy realm. The 'Level Up' jingle began to play for a few seconds to congratulate him on reaching level two. To many players, leveling up in LEO only made them strive for the next level. But for Rhys, it was only a chime of regret for the price of another life, artificial or not.

".....That is enough online gaming for one night. Let me collect these items and turn in these quest....."

He said in shame while going over to the Silvergrass to clip off and obtain the materials required for the alchemist. Once obtained, he searched around to seek out any fresh source of spring water.

Exp 40/60 >>> 60/130 (Level 2)
+2 HP (75 HP)
+1 ATK (11)
+2 DEF (15)
+1 M.DEF (11)

With the battle over, a small glow would shine before a common treasure chest appeared before Rhys. As well, he would notice that the river next to him was pure spring water.

Inside of the chest would be a Wolf's pelt. Being not too far from the entrance to Raizen, Rhys could easily return to the city without any more incidents.

Rhys began to collect some of the spring water from the river to finish up the remaining quest on his agenda. He heads over to the common treasure chest to obtain the Wolf's Pelt out of it. A jingle plays to update that he's completed another quest on his log once more. After all of that is done, he heads back to the gates of Raizen to turn in his quest at the guild hall and obtain his rewards.