The atmosphere was loud and bustling, wooden and brick buildings stretched down the main road. The air smelled of food,smoke and something faintly magical.
"Damn...this place feels incredible", Drake whispered admiring the place for the hundredth time.
Drake tapped on his inventory and found a wooden sword labeled:
[Beginner's sword]damage:5-10
durability:50/ 50
Description: [Just enough to poke a slime or swat a fly]
He let out a small laugh."well I guess it's better than bare fists"
As he continued wandering through the village,Drake passed a few players frantically swinging at small green blobs - slimes that squealed at each hit. While others were gathered near NPCs receiving directions, and quests like gathering herbs.
The words of the white gown figures echoed in his head
Level 15.....classes.....monsters....hidden quests...
Everything felt overwhelming, but strangely exciting.
"Let's not die on day one",Drake muttered to himself half laughing.
He decided to look around first before diving into any battles,it was his first time in USO after all. Rushing into combat didn't feel right - not yet
As he wandered he passed by few buildings that caught his attention. A training ground,a tavern, and a tall bulletin board with fluttering quest papers.
Curious, Drake approached the board, several quests were listed with rewards.
• Find a lost cat : 10 exp, 1 silver.
•Gather healing herbs:15 exp,basic healing potion.
•Help repair the north fence : 20 exp,villager reputation.
"So it's not all about monster slaying" Drake mused,scanning the options.
He was about to pick one when a small ding echoed in his ear.
Message from Justin:
"This place is huge,also I'm probably stuck in a haystack. Help."
Drake chuckled, already imagining Justin flailing around like an idiot.
Replying
"Explore a bit I'll find you soon".
Meanwhile elsewhere in the beginners village
Caleb wandered through a field behind the town's small inn.The grass was knee high and golden under the fading sunlight. He knelt to pick up the glowing herbs for a beginner quest.
"This should be it right".he muttered after picking it up." Well it fits the description"
Kneeling again he picked enough and placed it in a leather bag he was given when he paused. A flicker in the corner of his eyes made him turn sharply.
But he found nothing.
He could have sworn he saw someone watching him from the trees.
Trying to shake his unease,he quickly left the field.
Back at the square,Drake noticed a familiar name tag approaching.
Justin..
He was covered in hay as he wobbled his way over.
"You really got stuck in a haystack"? Drake asked trying not to laugh.
" I was testing physics" Justin replied deadpan."for science".
And that was all it took for Drake to bust out laughing." Yeah right",he snorted."let's find Caleb and regroup before exploring any further. It's best to stick together."
Justin nodded ," yeah,also something about this game feels..... a little to realistic you know? And not only that, I feel like we're being watched."
Drake didn't say anything at first.
But he felt it too.
Just then,Caleb emerged from behind the inn when he saw Drake and Justin from afar then he headed towards them, adjusting his gear," I already got a quest" he waved a slip of paper marked " Healing herb collection- 15 Exp".
Drake scanned the board again and picked out a couple of beginner friendly ones,
• Repair north fence- 20 Exp
• Find lost cat- 10 Exp, 1 silver
They divided the task quickly. Caleb went to deliver the herbs he has harvested to get his reward,Drake picked the repair quest as he was used to doing such things at home and Justin gleefully snatched the cat one." A noble mission,for a noble man",he declared." I shall return with fur and glory"
Drake and Caleb smiled at his antics then spilt up, agreeing to regroup in an hour.
Drake walked to the north side of the village, passing crops and grazing sheep,until he reached a rickety fence.
The quest interface pinged:
[Use basic tools to repair the damaged section. Time limit:15 min]
The tools were already laid out nearby. As he worked,a farmer NPC watched him silently,nodding occasionally. The entire process felt real. Sweat built up as he continued.
After completing the task,the system pinged:
[ +20 Exp]
[+1 villager reputation]
"The farmer now recognizes you".
Drake raised an eyebrow at this.As he turned to leave,he heard a faint rustling sound so he glanced towards the edge of the nearby woods.
But he found nothing only the sound of the rustling leaves were heard.
But for a second,he thought he saw a figure between the trees.
Justin as expected,chased a small white cat across rooftops,while shouting."come here,Mr fluffy buttom! You fuzzy menance".
A group of player drawn by his actions laughed from the ground below.
Eventually,the cat led him to the top of the inn where it sat beside a cloaked NPC. As he approached the NPC vanished in particles of light leaving behind a whisper.
"Five must stand, one already walks among shadows."
Justin froze."was that part of the quest....?
The cat meowed and licked his face.
Quest complete:+20 Exp, +1 silver.
Title unlocked: cat whisperer(passive bonus:+2 charm when near animals)
He grinned:" totally worth it." Then headed back to the square with Mr fluffy bottoms in hand.