The game clock had ticked forward by a day and a half since Rai and his team had cleared the dungeon near Elorin's Rest. In that time, Rai had pushed himself much harder than most of the other players, both regular and professional, dared. By now, he had already reached Level 11, a feat that placed him firmly among the top 0.1% of the current playerbase. His tactics had become sharper, his timing more precise, and his understanding of this world even more invaluable. Not only this, he also had that sigil that was meant to go to Lyra Moonveil.
Today was a quiet morning in the forest's deeper region, bathed in golden sunlight that passed through the dense trees. Birds were chirpiing in the distance, unaware of the beasts that lurked beneath the bushes. Rai crouched near the body of a defeated Thornhide Brute, panting slightly. The beast had been a Level 15 elite mob, far beyond what normal solo players could handle at this stage.
Level up
Chimed the system quietly.
You have reached Level 11.
Minor Advancement Unlocked.
You have gained 5 stat points and are eligible to learn a new skill.
In his past life, this would've meant choosing one out of three mediocre options based on his class as a rogue. But things were different now.
Legacy Class Bonus Activated: The Fallen Blade
You may select 2 out of 5 advanced skills.
Rai smirked.
'So even minor advancements are buffed under this class… This is good,really good.'
He didn't choose the skills immediately. Instead, he leaned against a tree, catching his breath. His cloak, still dusty from combat, fluttered slightly in the breeze.
Soon enough, he opened his party interface. Both Alex and Eron had gained significant exp and were now nearing Level 10.
'They're catching up faster than I expected. Eron should be able to receive his Blacksmith Class transfer quest as soon as he gets entry into the city… No worries there. He's already taken a liking to forging during downtime, even without realizing that it's his calling. Hell, I nevver thought something like that was possible. Even without the class he still is able to somewhat repair our weapons.'
Rai's eyes flicked to Alex's name in the status bar.
'Alex though… His path is still unclear. He's got raw potential, sure and he is doing quite good for now with the priest class. But I'm not seeing a clear direction will he be able to fight against future legend level priests and there is no real need for a priest in our guild to be honest. Once i gain proof against the major gods, Aelina will certainly support me and who is a better healer/supporter than her in this regard, after all she was a goddess at her peak. Alex is also not bad in combat. He is a jack of all trades but not committed to any. He'll have to figure it out soon or I'll have to nudge him into something that synergizes with our plans.'
His mind wandered briefly as he recalled his warnings to them after the dungeon-clear announcement.
"Keep your usernames hidden until we reach Velondar. You might think I am being paranoid. It's not paranoia, it's just some common sense. Now that players know someone cleared a mid-tier dungeon at this stage, opportunists will come hunting. Especially those from rival guilds who want the loot."
The advice had been accepted without question, though Alex did raise an eyebrow at how serious Rai had sounded.
Now, Rai stood and began walking toward the meeting point. They had agreed to regroup near a hill just east of the village to plan their next move.
When he reached the clearing, he found Eron practicing swings with his sword—and still using it like a makeshift axe.
"Still doing that, huh?" Rai teased.
Eron turned, sweat glistening on his eyebrows. "Hey, it's working for now, isn't it?"
"For now." Rai chuckled. "But trust me, once you get that class transfer, you'll realize how much better you are with a hammer than a blade."
Alex arrived shortly after, a bit scuffed up but grinning.
"I have reached Level 9!" he declared. "Only a few more packs and then I'll hit 10."
"Good," Rai nodded. "We'll hold back the next dungeon until you're ready."
Alex paused. "So… What now?"
Rai smiled faintly and gestured toward the horizon. "Now we discuss are future, Velondar."
Both of them looked toward the distant mountain range, beyond which lay the city.
Eron tilted his head. "You've mentioned it before. Why Velondar? Is there something special about it. Isn't it just another starting city?"
Rai shook his head. "No. Velondar isn't just a city. it's the merchant capital of the Valoria kingdom. Every skilled merchant, crafter, trader, and even some black-market brokers find their way there eventually. If you have even a hint of business sense, you can turn silver into gold there. And if you're a craftsman with rare skills…"
He turned toward Eron, eyes gleaming with intention. "...you can turn your name into a brand."
Eron looked thoughtful, his fingers unconsciously curling like they were already grasping the handle of a forging hammer.
"And what about me?" Alex asked.
Rai glanced at him but didn't answer directly. "Velondar has opportunities for everyone. It's not just commerce, it's where information, power and path flows. Spies, mercenaries, guild agents… Even assassins. You'll find your path, I promise."
Alex frowned but said nothing.
As they began packing up for there next hunt, Rai mulled over his earlier thoughts. The first update was nearing its end, and with it, their grace period. Soon, PvP zones would become more active, early guilds would start forming their dominance, and players would clash for territory and loot.
"I need to be Level 15 before the week ends. They need to be there too. We can't afford to lag behind—not when I know what's coming."
He checked his map and marked a path to Velondar, one that avoided the high-traffic areas likely to be crawling with aggressive players.
Before they moved out, Rai brought them to a halt.
"One last thing," he said. "Once we reach Velondar, I'll be registering us officially. Our guild."
Eron grinned. "Oblivion's Ascent, right?"
Rai nodded.
Alex raised a brow. "Still sounds… dramatic."
Rai smirked. "It is. But it means something. From nothing, we rise. It's what this is about."
They began walking again, the road to Velondar stretching out before them like a promise.
As they began progressing forward onto their last few hunts before they reached level 15, Rai still had some thoughts about that message of fate divergence. The truth was that he last night had a dream in the real world, one he can't remember at all. But, he was sure that it had something to do with the Sigil of Verdance, his relation with Lyra Moonveil and the Minor goddess of moon.
He didn't know what exactly was going on. But, he did know one thing for sure and that was that he was not going to be the loser in this life.
He was gonna win it all.