Chapter 15: Gaining Extra Rewards, Becoming A Novice
It didn't take long for Nero to arrive within the region of Winfrey Village, the sky was already dark and night had fallen. As he moved through the grass filled track, he saw bright fireflies dancing about along with unusual flowers that had glowing leaves.
The stars of the boundless heavens painted a cosmic brilliance across the night, giving breath to the distant silhouettes of tall mountains, sparse night clouds, and other regions that shone with a nightly light.
Nero could even hear the sounds of insects, along with the vague but distant sounds of the fighting occurring a distance away.
'It's so beautiful here, so much prettier than that Gutter Zone... I wish mom could be here too,' Nero thought to himself as he fell in love with the scenery.
"..." Adult Nero remained silent as he recalled having these same thoughts many years ago, but he knew that what seemed beautiful in the open, had the greatest ugliness underneath it.
Soon, Nero had arrived at the front of the village, the village now had a different kind of atmosphere. It shone with warm lights from many different lanterns from poles firmly rooted in the soil streets, and those that hung from nearby buildings.
Many individuals were currently walking about, but most of them had an air of leisure, far different from the hurriedness of the morning were everyone scampered off to do quests.
Looking around, one would notice that women were standing at corners garbed in more revealing types of armors as if trying to capture the interest of those who caught their attention. While Nero didn't want anything to do with strangers, it wasn't the same for those who saw him.
"Hmm? When did we get such a handsome boy?' A pretty woman in armor said in a strange accent; she completely ignored his beaten down appearance as if her eyes could easily see beyond the bruises and swellings.
From this alone, one could tell just how experienced this woman was in hunting prey.
"No idea, I've never seen him before, it looks like he might have just gotten back from some terrible quest. Was it a dungeon? Or was it a field monster? Oh well, let me check the lists..." A young girl said.
Soon, the girl who viewed a strange list had wide eyes as she spoke, "Wow, he's a newbie! Guess what, he's been ranked in the Novice Zone's top five handsome men. Hehe, my sister, we can't miss this chance!"
The older female's eyes shone as she asked, "What's his affiliation? What's his name?"
The younger girl hesitated for a bit before she spoke, "Err? Umm, I, I don't know,"
"What? How could he be ranked without a name or affiliation?" The woman asked with puzzlement.
"Don't ask me, you'll have to ask those who put him on the list," The girl replied with a shrug.
"..." The woman became silent, as she was speechless.
Nero heard a few similar commotions like theirs, but he paid them no mind, he was well aware of his current appearance.
After a bit of walking, Nero had arrived in the vicinity of the old lady that sat lazily before the village chief building; she seemed at ease in her chair as if she would feel content watching the world around her.
After moving through a line of other Digitizers, Nero finally stood before her with only a few others waiting behind him. As if Nero's charms were always in effect, he didn't need to speak as the old lady had spoken for him with her eyes flashing upon seeing his wounds, "Oh, little one, have you finished your quest?"
A few others couldn't help but look at Nero in shock as they never knew the Village Chief would speak in such a tone, she even went as far as to start a conversation. Nero, on the other hand, made an innocent look of a young boy returning from chores as he replied, "Grandma Pan, I did my very best to defeat that wretched monster. I was beaten black and blue, my body hurts, and I haven't had anything to eat, sigh... but after remembering Grandma Pan's wishes, I had decided then that I would never back down, I would defeat it at all cost!"
As Nero said this, he took out a token in the shape of a slime to show as proof.
Village Chief Pan waved her hand causing the token to fly to her; she scrutinized it before she smiled and replied, "Very good, you've done well, for working so hard for this old lady, I'll give you a little more extra on your reward."
The persons behind Nero looked slightly tired, some looking to have gone through a great ordeal. When they heard those words, their eyes flashed as they looked at each other knowingly.
One youth with green eyes was even more excited as he thought to himself, 'Perfect, like this, I too can achieve favor and grate things!'
Nero was excited, but he kept a humble and innocent appearance. Not long after, a notification sounded as a bright light shone over his body.
Ding!
[You have completed the Compulsive Beginner Quest: Tyrant Slayer in one day! Village Chief Pan is especially pleased with your performance and honesty, she has decided to double your rewards and increase your EXP.]
[Rewards:]
[(X2)200 EXP, (X2) Prestige 50, (x2) Common Iron Sword]
Ding!
[You have leveled up! All stats have increased as follows HP: 20, MP: 20, SA: +5, CF: +10, BT: +3, SP: +3km]
Ding!
[You have leveled up! All stats have increased as follows HP: 20, MP: 20, SA: +5, CF: +10, BT: +3, SP: +3km]
Ding!
[Village Prestige has achieved 100, you have achieved the status: Good Villager.]
Ding!
[Congratulations for defeating your first monster, you have unlocked the Tier System, you are now an official Novice Rank Digitizer.]
Ding!
[Now that you are a Novice Rank Digitizer, you shall have access to these features, Ranking Lists, Dungeon Raids, Event Auction, Battle Arena, Traveling Permit, Trading License, and Digitize License. To learn more about these functions, please visit the Guide at the center of the village or view them in your menu. Digitizer Nero, may the glory of promise find you.]
Nero took in all of the previous details in awe, he wanted to check everything out, but he also knew that people were waiting behind him. He bowed to Village Chief Pan and thanked her before running off.
Not long after Nero left, A skinny youth with pale skin, sly-looking eyes, and short green hair flowing over his freckled face stepped forward. He wore a beginner robe as he handed over his Tyrant Slime Quest Token. He tried to use similar words, but Grandma Pan snorted and spoke, "Hmph! Do you think I'll believe those words from a person like you? Shameful, because of this behavior; I will deduct your reward by one portion!"
The youth's face turned pale as he shouted, "Nooo! That's unfair!"
As the other's heard his shout, they halted their thoughts and looked at him with pity. Some were a bit grateful that he tested the waters for them, so they didn't jeer at him.
After leaving in disappointment, the skinny youth turned and looked around with cruelty in his green eyes, but sadly, he couldn't find Nero's trail.
He cursed out loud with a venomous look on his face, "I don't know who you are, but mark-my-words, I'll have my revenge!"
Far away from this scene, Nero didn't know that he had made a new enemy, he was happy about his achievements and went to the place he found most comfortable to arrange his thoughts.
In a pub, Nero sat with his leg placed on a tabletop when he smiled and spoke in his mind, 'Hehe, I never thought I'd level up so much! Hmm, if it's like this, won't I be able to reach Level 10 quickly?'
Adult Nero chuckled at those words, Nero hearing this frowned as he spoke inwardly, 'Hey, what's so funny?'
Adult Nero decided to speak at this time, but on a different topic, "You'll find out in time, I think you should hurry and try to understand your current state, from this point on you are no longer a simple beginner, so you'll have to treat this world more seriously."
Nero nodded at those words; he changed his mood and command in his mind, "Check status!"
[Name: Nero Valstine]
[Title - None]
[Tier - Novice Rank Digitizer]
[Level 3 | Class: None]
[Next Level EXP: 495]
[Current EXP: 125]
[Influence: None | Prestige: 100 - Good Villager]
[Health 140/140]
[Magic Power 140/140]
[Combat Power: 60(+4) stones]
[Body Tenacity: 16(+4)]
[Spiritual Awareness 20]
[Speed 56(+1) km/h]:
[Genetic Trait:]
[Grade??? Digitize Bit - Inheritance: locked (Level 10)]
[Skills:]
[Passive Techniques:]
Low-grade Skill:
[Foundation Body Refinement: Stage 1 (10/50) | 3 Stages]
[Effects: Technique is limited to 3 Stages, and each stage can increase Combat Power and Body Tenacity by a total of +5.]
---
[Foundation Weapon Control - Stage 1 (10/50) | 3 Stages]
[Effects:]
[Technique is limited to 3 Stages, and each stage can increase the Combat Power used by any weapon +5 | Current Stat Boost (+5)]
---
[Combat Techniques:]
High-Grade Skill:
[Four Point Unity Steps - Stage 1 (10/50) | 9 Stages]
[Description: This is a speed-boosting art that can increase speed allowing graceful movement and superior reaction capabilities. Each stage can grant the user and increase of 5km/h in speed.]
[Effects: MP Consumption: 30]
[User can increase speed by 5km/h]
[Requirement: User must at least have Stage 1 fitness.]
---
[Items:]
[???Special Gift - Item locked (Level10)]
[Simple Novice Stick: Combat Force +4, Indestructible]
[Simple Novice Robe: +4 Body Tenacity, Indestructible]
[Simple Wooden Sandals: +1 km/h, Indestructible]
[(x2) Common Iron Sword]
[Trading License]
[Digitize License]
....
Nero felt joy seeing his power, but his eyes soon fixed on the items called [Trading License] and [Digitize License]. He moved his finger and pressed them, opening a broader menu, but what he saw caused his expression to transform into a shock like no other.
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