Tutorial II (1)
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The portal shimmered a vibrant blue, rippling like the surface of a disturbed lake.
And then, I stepped through.
[You’ve entered the Elaran Wilds!]
A rush of crisp air greeted me, brushing against my skin like a welcome after a long war.
The scent of fresh grass and wild trees filled my lungs.
The wind here was different—untamed, dancing with a wild spirit of its own.
The sun hovered low near the horizon, lazily beginning its descent.
The sky was ablaze in hues of red and orange, like a canvas painted in fire.
Shadows stretched across the ground as if reluctant to retreat.
‘Wow… what a hustle,’ I thought, my gaze sweeping the surreal landscape before settling on the real scene—them.
A crowd had gathered up ahead.
Hundreds of players, from various zones, stood in clusters, their murmurs rising like a low, chaotic hum.
“Do you think it’s over?”
“No way! It’s another tutorial!”
“When will it be over?!”
Their voices carried the weight of fatigue and uncertainty.
Some clutched their weapons tightly, others sat on rocks or collapsed in the grass.
Tired eyes, torn gear, bruised spirits—everyone looked like they’d barely crawled out of their last trial.
I noticed a group not far from me.
Familiar faces—players from my zone.
Their eyes locked onto mine.
Recognition flickered, followed by subtle shifts in expression—mockery, maybe a hint of jealousy or disdain.
Their gazes traveled across my worn-out clothes, tattered and scorched, stained with soot and dried blood.
“He must’ve survived by hiding like a rat…”
“Yeah, look at his gear. What a mess.”
I raised a hand and offered a casual wave, lips curled into a half-smile.
They turned their heads away.
Ah. Classic.
‘Quite a ruckus,’ I mused, exhaling through my nose.
Not worth the trouble.
I moved away, settling a good distance from the crowd, enjoying the momentary peace.
SWOOSH!
Without warning, three figures shimmered into existence mid-air.
The first was Fiona, fluttering with delicate butterfly wings.
Her pink hair glowed in the fading light, vibrant and mesmerizing.
Beside her floated a blue-skinned being with curly hair and a single horn curling from his forehead—Gilbert.
He wore a smug expression like it was painted on permanently.
He hovered confidently, arms crossed, clearly relishing his role.
And then came the third—Melissa, a quiet girl with soft, muddy blonde hair and pointed ears.
She looked nervous, floating slightly behind the others.
Her eyes darted around like a shy deer stepping into a clearing.
Each of them was accompanied by smaller beings.
Tiny fluttering pixies zipped around Fiona, giggling and glowing faintly.
One-horned imps hovered near Gilbert, mimicking his smirk.
Melissa’s side was filled with little pointed-ear sprites, peeking from behind her with curiosity and timidity.
“Hello, players!” Gilbert’s voice rang out, cheerful yet gratingly proud. “Welcome to the second Tutorial Zone!”
I narrowed my eyes.
'So he’s in charge, huh?'
“I am your noble guide, Gilbert! And these lovely folks are my assistants, Fiona and Melissa,” he added, gesturing dramatically.
“Assistant?” Fiona snapped, her eyes narrowing like daggers.
“Ahem! Anyways—!”
SWOOSH!
A large blue screen materialized in the sky, illuminating the faces of every player below.
It was a detailed map—intricately drawn, with terrain marks and glowing regions.
“This,” Gilbert gestured with flair, “is the map of this Zone.”
The map was segmented into five distinct regions:
- North: Jagged, shadowy mountains dotted with glowing red pits—caves dripping with magma.
- East: Towering, mist-covered hills with wind symbols swirling above them.
- South: A vast region of glittering lakes and wetlands.
- West: Dry, cracked terrain littered with stones and underground tunnels.
- Center: A wide, open plain—a safe zone untouched by monsters or bosses.
This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.
“Each direction houses various monsters and a single boss, but none of them will approach the center area,” Gilbert explained.
“This area is a neutral ground. So yes, breathe easy. No monsters here.”
A collective sigh of relief rippled through the crowd.
“Two more zones' worth of people are scheduled to arrive tomorrow. Your final quest will be assigned in exactly seven days. Until then, you are free to rest, explore, or hunt. The choice is yours.”
Gilbert gave a smug nod as though he’d just offered us a five-star vacation.
“In your inventory, you’ll find a New Player Guidebook—a handy manual. Read it if you’re confused, clueless, or just plain bored.”
‘Huh, he’s actually doing his job well for once,’ I thought with mild surprise.
“Also, your assigned rookie guides—our little assistants here—will help you during this period,” he added, gesturing to the fluttering minions.
The pixies, imps, and sprites all twinkled with excitement.
My own guide, Bernet, a small pixie, turned to me and gave a proud little salute.
I raised an eyebrow and nodded slightly.
“The shop system has been upgraded significantly,” Gilbert continued. “New items, weapons, and gear—some quite rare—are now available.”
The rookie lackeys beamed with pride, floating like little mascots.
“Any questions?” Gilbert asked, spreading his arms wide.
Silence.
No one spoke. Perhaps too tired. Perhaps too cautious.
“Very well. Then—good luck surviving.”
And just like that—
Poof!
The guides vanished into thin air.
Leaving behind a crowd of restless players.
“Hey, what do we do now?”
“Maybe hunt together?”
“Anyone wanna form a party?”
“We should rest. No monster attacks here, right?”
“Yeah, I’m just gonna nap…”
Some began lying down under trees, exhausted.
Others began chatting, forming teams, or moving toward different directions with weapons drawn.
‘I should also move,’ I decided.
Like before, I chose to walk alone.
Others only slowed me down.
---
Night fell.
The horizon had long swallowed the sun, and now the world was cloaked in a deep darkness.
The stars emerged like forgotten jewels across the vast sky, and the moon bathed the plains in pale silver.
I found a large, flat rock slightly elevated from the ground and sat upon it.
A cool breeze brushed my hair as I finally allowed my body to rest.
I stretched, then raised my hand.
“Status Window.”
Ding.
A soft chime. A blue panel blinked into existence before me.
Time to see how much I’ve grown… and what lies ahead.
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[Player Status Window]
Name: Rago
Class: None
Level: 25
Affiliation: None
Trait:
- Cold-blooded
Core Attributes:
- Strength (STR): 55
- Agility (AGI): 58
- Intelligence (INT): 55
- Vitality (VIT): 48
- Dexterity (DEX): 53
- Endurance (END): 52
Additional Attributes:
- Perception (PER): 22
-Willpower (WIL):17
-LUCK : 10
Combat Stats:
- HP: 1,920 / 1,920
- MP: 1,650 / 1,650
- Fatigue: 6
Skills
Innate Skill:
- Glimmering Eyes (Unique)
Passive Skills:
-Ironblood Regeneration (rare)
-Lunar nemesis (epic)
Active Skills:
-Umbral Howl
-Fall of dusk
-Eclipse
Titles: Wolfslayer, Moon eater.
Progression & Resources
- Tower Points (TP): 18,000
- Status Points: 25
---
I had risen up to Level 25.
‘Hati really gave me enormous EXP.’
The points I had gained upon leveling up were quickly invested—five into strength, five into endurance, five into Intelligence and ten into Dexterity.
Then, I began checking through the newly obtained quest, skills and titles that had been granted to me after my battle with Hati.
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[New Quest: Hati’s Vengeance]
Type: Battle
Difficulty: S
Objective: Shatter the chains of Fenrir, the Devourer, and repel the forces of Asgard.
Conditions: Player must not possess any allegiance, pact, or boon from the Asgardian Pantheon.
Time Limit: None
Description:
The gods of Asgard feared prophecy—feared the power of the great wolf Fenrir, so they bound him in enchanted chains forged by deceit and cowardice.
His sons, Hati and Sk?ll, once chased the moon and sun to shatter the heavens, but Odin struck first.
Sk?ll vanished, and Hati was imprisoned in the void between realms.
After countless ages, Hati’s shadow has reached out to you.
You, who walk beneath the moonlight without fear.
He marks you as his heir, not of blood, but of vengeance.
This is not merely a mission—it is a legacy. Free the chained wolf.
Unleash the storm that Asgard long buried.
And prepare the world for what must come.
Rewards:
Next Quest Unlocked: Prelude to Ragnar?ark
Tower Points: +15,000
---
Well, destroying Asgardian and all mostly align with goals.
'So, no need to refuse.'
---
[Moon Eater] – (Legendary)
Effect:
Marked by the shadow of Hati, you are empowered by the night and its mysteries.
Gain 10% increased damage, cooldown reduction, and stealth effectiveness during night or in shadowed areas.
Bonus Stats (only during night or Eclipse):
+5 Agility
+5 Strength
+5 Perception
Bonus Trait:
Lunar Critical — Your Critical Attack Rate increases depending on the moon phase.
The fuller the moon, the deadlier your strikes.
On full moons, your critical chance reaches its peak.
Perks Unlocked:
[Passive Skill]
Lunar Nemesis
[Active Skill]
Umbral Howl
Fall of dusk
Eclipse
Details:
You have become the embodiment of Hati’s lunar wrath.
The night is your ally, and the shadows bend to your will.
With every phase of the moon, you grow stronger, weaving through the darkness like a phantom.
You are no longer just a player—you are a predator of the night, bound by the curse and legacy of the Moon Eater.
---
Moon Eater.
It was great title.
'As far as I remember Svarbhānu also used to have a similar title.'
No, it was stronger.
---
[Lunar Nemesis]
- Type: Passive
- Mana Consumption: None
- Cooldown: None
- Effect: During nighttime, all your Status attributes and Skill Effects are enhanced by 20%.
Additionally, Mana Consumption for all abilities is reduced by 20%, and their cooldowns are shortened.
You can emit a passive aura of Dread, causing enemies within 15 meters to suffer:
-12% Accuracy and Defense
+25% Fear buildup
You gain silent movement and +10% movement speed in shadows.
- Details:
This is the residual will of Hati, the Moon Eater, embedded into your soul.
He recognizes the hatred you carry, the thirst for strength, and the hunger for vengeance.
He has passed on a fragment of his essence, empowering your nights and cursing your days.
- Odin’s Curse: During daylight, the wrath of Odin suppresses you.
Your status and skill effects are reduced by 10%.
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[Umbral Howl]
- Type: Active
- Mana Consumption: 50 Mana to summon one wolf; 5 Mana per seconds to maintain each.
- Cooldown: None
- Max Summons: 15 (currently available)
- Effect: Allows you to summon Lower Shadow Wolves, spectral beasts forged of pure darkness.
- Details:
Born from Hati’s own shadows, these wolves move as silent killers through the night.
They serve you without question, tearing down your enemies and outnumbering them with feral speed.
Though lower in rank, they are intelligent, nimble, and can evolve through continued use and bonding.
- Odin’s Curse: Exposure to sunlight causes them to burn into ash, instantly dispelling them.
These wolves are creatures of night—fragile under the gaze of the sun.
---
[Fall of dusk]
- Type: Active
- Mana Consumption: 1 Mana per second per unit area (cm2) covered in shadow.
- Cooldown: None
- Effect: Allows you to cloak your body in living shadows, sharpening your attacks, increasing their piercing power, and amplifying critical damage.
- Details:
This skill allows you to create a shifting layer of shadow armor that adheres to your body.
The more you cover, the higher the mana cost but also the greater the damage output and critical lethality.
Cover just your arms for quick dagger strikes, or engulf your entire body for brutal melee domination.
- Odin’s Curse: Shadows disintegrate in direct sunlight, dispelling the enhancement instantly.
---
[Eclipse]
- Type: Active
- Mana Consumption: 90 Mana per second
- Cooldown: 60 Minutes
- Effect: Temporarily summons a partial lunar eclipse, dimming the sun and casting the battlefield into twilight.
- Details:
This is the most powerful ability left behind by Hati, the Moon Eater—his final defiance against the sun.
Upon activation, the sky darkens regardless of time, and for a limited duration, all your night-based skills become fully functional, even in the middle of the day.
It also weakens enemies who rely on sunlight or vision-based abilities, causing slight confusion and debuffs.
Visual Note: When Eclipse is active, the sky is cloaked in shadow, and a false moon hangs in place of the sun.
This skill gives you your battlefield. Use it wisely—it can turn the tide of war.
---
‘Huh? These skills are insanely strong!’
Umbral Howl would allow me to swarm enemies, increasing my hunting efficiency and crowd control potential.
Though they're labeled “lower” shadow wolves for now, I could feel it—they would evolve.
Everything in this system hinted at growth.
Fall of dusk gave me the flexibility to fight aggressively, especially during ambushes or boss fights.
Like wielding a set of shadow claws, or reinforcing my limbs for enhanced striking power.
A dark assassin's dream.
But these blessings weren’t without a cost—the ever-present Odin’s Curse lingered over each skill.
And that’s where Eclipse came into play.
A god-tier skill—literally flipping day into night, unlocking my true potential.
‘Of course, the Mana Consumption for all these skills is no joke.’
Even with my growing Intelligence stat, I’d have to learn mana control, resource management, and efficient burst timing.
The passive skill and title were blessings in disguise.
Constantly active, reliable boosts—especially under moonlight.
With this power set, I could say it without arrogance—night is truly my domain.
‘Just wish my mana pool was bigger.’
I glanced down and frowned.
My clothes were an absolute mess—torn, burnt at the edges, and soaked in blood both mine and that of the monsters I had just fought.
It looked like I had crawled out of a battlefield, which, to be fair, wasn’t far from the truth.
“Rookie Guide.”
My voice echoed slightly through the air.
Within seconds, a shimmer rippled in the space beside me, and Bernet, my ethereal guide, appeared with his usual composed demeanor.
“How may I assist you?” he asked, bowing slightly, his translucent blue form glowing faintly.
“Open the shop.”
“Certainly. Displaying now.”
A blue screen expanded before my eyes, lined with tabs, categories, and subcategories of items ranging from beginner potions to exotic gear.
I scrolled through the Apparel section, my finger sliding down the menu until I found something that looked decent—a dark combat-fit shirt, slightly enchanted for durability and resistance to wear.
After that, I had a sudden craving.
“Let’s see… Coffee…”
I typed it into the search bar. Nothing. Not even a hint of it.
“...What kind of cursed world doesn’t have coffee?” I muttered under my breath, suppressing the sudden surge of disappointment.
Grinding my teeth a little, I selected the items I actually needed and tapped purchase.
[Your items have been transferred to your inventory!]
“Alright. That’s all. You can go now.”
“Very well.”
Bernet bowed again, then vanished into a small burst of light.
I took out the new shirt, slipped it on, and adjusted it neatly.
It felt good to be clean again—or at least not look like I’d been chewed up and spit out by a monster.
‘Alright. Time to test out those new skills…’
I flexed my hands, ready to move into the nearby lake or plains to experiment, when—
“Hey! Hello! Excuse me!”
A voice called out behind me.
I turned, instinctively placing a hand near my belt.
A group was approaching—five players, to be exact.
Their gear looked organized but well-worn, a sign of intermediate experience.
They were moving casually, but their formation told me they’d done this sort of thing many times before.
There was one tank, a large guy clad in solid iron armor; a swordsman, slender but sharp-eyed with a broadblade on his back; two archers, twin sibling by the looks of it, light on their feet with shortbows slung over their shoulders; and finally, a mage, robes fluttering faintly with some kind of wind spell around her.
‘Hmm, not a bad party composition,’ I thought. Tank up front, flanks supported by range, and magical backup. Solid synergy.
The tank stepped forward with a friendly smile, extending his gauntlet-covered hand.
“Hey there. We were planning to go monster hunting, but we’re one short. Would you mind joining us?”
‘Would you look at these bastards? Let’s see what you’re really after…’
I returned his smile with one of my own—polished, pleasant, and thoroughly professional.
“Sure. Why not? I could use some warm-up.”
“Great! Let’s do our best out there,” the tank said, clasping his hands together.
“Yeah,” I said with a nod, still smiling. “Let’s do well.”
‘Let’s see where this goes…’
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Note: Svarbhānu is an asura in vedic mythology.
He is somewhat immortal but his head and body are separated by Vishnu's (one of three principal deities of Hinduism) Sudarshan Chakra.
His head is Rahu who chases moon and body is Ketu who is after sun.
Source: Wikipedia.
