Chapter 7

Novo

Hp: 100%

Mp: 52%

Lvl: 9

Guild: none

Duel wr: N / A

Team Rank matches wr: N / A

1v1 Rank matches wr: N / A

id#:***********

Introduction: This player has no introduction

CoA has no job system like other games. Your stats build and the weapons you equip determine your playstyle. Wand or staff users on the other hand can cast spells but the most potent spells require channeling so caster types need to be guarded. They also tend to be very squishy since they spend the majority of their stat points in mp and int rather than HP making them terrible for 1v1 situations. I'm aiming for a hybrid support that can dish out a bit of damage in melee combat which is why building MP for heals, strength and dex for melee damage, and stamina for longer movements is my main priority.

It means I will be extremely squishy with low hp since I will not be putting much on vitality, just the bare minimum necessary, but I probably can manage with my dodging skills. They don't call me 'the Untouchable' for nothing.

As I was pondering my stats build while mindlessly grinding the beginner area of wolves and slimes, I heard a commotion.

"Please leave me alone!" a female voice cried

"Come on just accept the duel and ill go away after that!" Another voice said

I immediately identified the man

Gurand

Hp: 91%

Mp: 84%

Lvl: 21

Guild: none

Duel wr: 100%

Wins: 27

Matches: 27

Team Rank matches wr: N / A

1v1 Rank matches wr: N / A

id#:***********

Introduction: Add me and ill carry you. I'm a PVP veteran here in CoA

I see, judging by his win rate and the fact that he is camping on newbie grounds far below his level, he's farming duel win rate just for bragging rights. He also looks like your typical bully and probably is a smurf who only fights low leveled players. Well, I'm not one to talk since I'm also using a smurf account but still!

He already has a purple-tier knight set and purple-tier knight sword which can be acquired from the main quest. His weapon set is one of the best early on in the game. So it will be impossible to beat him in a duel if you're new to the game based on stats alone.

Frankly, I don't have time to help others, I'm just gonna focus on leveling and leave them to their own business.

"I, I don't want to! I'm not good at fighting." the girl shakily replied

I took a look at where the cute voice came from and I was flabbergasted. She looks about a year younger than me if her avatar is the same as her real-life features. Golden blonde hair reaching her neck with a perfect angelic face plus a petite body covered by a beginner's coat for newbie mages, and to top it all off her demeanor exudes cuteness. I think I can understand now why girls like to hug each other cause right now, I want to hug and protect her at this very moment.

What do you mean hypocrite? It is a good virtue to help your fellow newbie players you know? If we don't support the new players, the CoA community's player base will go downhill. New players are the future of CoA.

I went to mediate

"Excuse me, sir, if you don't mind, you can just duel me instead. But promise me you'll leave her alone after the fight," I said politely

I said that, but after I kill him in a duel, he will have no choice but to go back to his respawn point.

"Huh, a level 9? Sure, sure, I promise I'll leave her alone if you fight me hehehehe." He laughed creepily.

"W-wait please, if you die here in the game, you'll get hurt, please don't mind me!" The girl pleaded

Hearing her worry for me, my cuteness sensor meter just went over 9 thousand.

"Don't worry about me, it doesn't even hurt that much," I assured her

It really doesn't, maybe she isn't just used to VR games. Usually, in the pain receptors settings, 10% of the pain is the max output you can increase it to. There is an option to turn it off so you completely don't feel anything but almost nobody does that. The main reason being is that players want full immersion in playing CoA. Another reason is so that competitive players could react better when getting hit so they can pinpoint the exact location where an arrow (for example) came from if it is a ranged attack and react faster due to adrenaline rush if it is melee combat. That is also the reason why most PVP rankers max the pain receptors in the setting.

The mental shock of dying in a virtual game is probably what also gets her since CoA is very realistic. That is why there are terms and conditions warning players of those. I'll be sure to instruct her on how to minimize the pain receptors later.

"I challenge you to a duel," Gurand said while looking at me, distracting me from my thoughts.

*Player 'Gurand' has challenged you to a death match duel, would you like to accept? Y / N

"Accept it fast!" he ordered impatiently.

".......Yes I accept" I replied.

Suddenly, there appeared a semi-invisible circle on the ground encasing us. Only the two of us can see it, and if you happen to exit the area then it is considered a loss and instant death since he opted for a deathmatch duel.

3..... 2.....1.....

Duel!

Gurand

Hp: 100%

His outline suddenly turned red, meaning I can now deal damage to him and in turn, he is now able to deal damage to me without triggering player kill (pk) mode and all its repercussions.

"This is gonna be easy hehehehe!" He laughed maniacally.

"Yes, I completely agree," I replied.

He proceeded to rush to me in an attempt to swing his knights sword. I hit him in the head before he even swung.

whack*

"Gahh!" he growled

Gurand

Hp: 93%

"Your wind-up is too slow, it'll work against new players but more experienced ones will punish you for that mistake." I berated him.

"S-shut up!" He shouted, clearly fuming.

He attempted to do a 'quick' thrust but his lack of mastery shows. His thrust was way off the mark. It was way far off that I didn't even have to sidestep to dodge it. moved my body a little and countered with a quick neck thrust with my wooden staff

"Khack!" he choked

Gurand

Hp: 85%

"Practice your thrust more, you won't hit me with that kind of speed and accuracy."

He's pretty tanky due to the level and stats difference. This is gonna take a while.

---------------------------------------

"Please don't! I'll do anything so please!"

Gurand

Hp: 6%

My opponent suddenly kowtowed on the ground. It took a bit of time to deplete his hp considering the stats difference but in CoA, skills are what really matters.

"I'm sorry please let's end it in a draw, I can't lose my perfect 100% win rate please!" he begged.

Player Gurand offered a draw, do you accept? Yes / No

Shit, I feel bad now, he is so pathetically weak that it's like I'm the one bullying and the roles have been reversed. Should I accept his offer?

Nope, not a chance. He needs to be taught a lesson for bullying the cute- I mean the weak.

"....You should challenge stronger players next time. Your skills won't improve if you only prey on the inexperienced."

I hit him in the head with my staff with enough force to deplete his hp, effectively killing him.

"Fuck! I won't forget this!"

That was his last death cry before he vanished into small motes of blue light.

Duel ended

You won!

The girl I just helped approached me after the duel ended. I identified her as she got near.

Clarissa

Hp: 53%

Mp: 20%

Lvl: 10

Guild: none

Duel wr: 0%

wins: 0

matches: 1

Team Rank matches wr: N / A

1v1 Rank matches wr: N / A

id#:***********

Introduction: This player has no introduction

"T-that was amazing! You won and he didn't even hurt you once!" she exclaimed.

"Not really, he's just a bad player that's why he can't hit me."

"Ohh uhm, but you did challenge him to help me, so thank you very much."

She bowed slightly enunciating her cuteness. I need to get her picture somehow. So I can immortalize this view. I can take a picture using VR screenshot at this very moment but it would be rude without her permission. I'm not some voyeur who secretly takes photos of others, I have my dignity to uphold too you know?

"You look like you're not used to playing VR games?" I asked.

She seems like a complete beginner in VR games. She doesn't look like the type to enjoy battles, she doesn't even look like she could hurt a fly. And to top it off she even uses her (I presume) full name as her in-game name. At least use an alias or something.

"Uhm, not really, it is my first time playing a VR game but it's pretty scary playing it," she replied

"Why did you play CoA then?" I asked out of curiosity.

"CoA?" she tilted her head cutely

"Uhm I meant Champions of Andartha. We, veterans, use the term CoA to shorten it." I explained

"Ohh uhm, It's...... I want to play this game with my brother." She replied earnestly.

"Huh, what do you mean?" I pressed on

"My brother and I have always been close, but lately we rarely spend time together. He's too focused on playing this game and I always hear him talk about it. He even tells me stories about his adventures in this game and how many strong people he beat in PVP. That is why I thought if I learn how to play it, we can spend more time together." she confessed.

"I see......."

I kind of get where she is coming from. It was the same with my sister.

"Does your brother even knows you are playing CoA on your own?" I asked

CoA is a very challenging game for VR standards. Especially so if this girl has no experience in playing any VR games and going solo. She won't last a week by herself and quit the game with the number of deaths she is gonna rack up.

"N-not yet. I wanted to surprise him by trying the game myself first. Besides, I can't bother him right now. He is busy practicing for a tournament with his teammates and I have never seen him this focused and determined on a goal. If he knows I'm playing he would likely prioritize teaching me over his practice. I'll tell him after his tournament is over."

That would most likely happen. I mean would ignore such a cute sister?

"I guess it can't be helped then, I will always be online during this time of the day, if you want I can help you level up and teach you to play?" I offered

"R-really you'd do that for me? But won't I be a bother?"

"No, you won't. You should stop being too considerate of others and prioritize yourself more. Besides, we're in the same level range after all so you're helping me level too."

And it helps heal my soul too on top of it all. Like 2 birds with 1 stone.

"Thank you very much! Is.... is there any way I can repay you for helping me?"

She asked with such purity and innocence that it made my heart skip a beat. That was dangerous!

"I....... could I take a picture of you?"

"S-sure, but may I ask what is it for?" she asked hesitantly.

Shit. I just blurted out my deepest thoughts. I have to salvage this somehow.

"No, it's to um.... er.... so that I could place a picture in the friend list contact next to your profile after we add each other. So that I won't mix up the contacts since I have so many." I lied.

Who am I kidding, I have exactly 0 friends on my friend list right now. How depressing.

"Ohh if it's just that then sure!" She beamed at me which made me instinctively hold out my nose.

I don't know if online avatars could have a nosebleed, but I'm not taking any risk to find out.

"Y-yeah thanks, but before that, let me add you to my friend list first".

I focused on her which prompted her information feature to show up in front of me. Then I tapped the 'Add Friend' button. She looked at some notification screen that popped out of nowhere, probably the friend request I made then she tapped on it.

You added 'Clarissa' to your friend list.

Finally made my first friend on this account! Someone so cute and kind at that. I would consider this a huge accomplishment in my books.

After taking a picture of her while doing my best not to fawn over her cuteness, we spend most of the time grinding and me showing her the ropes. Then we finally part ways with a promise to meet again tomorrow.

---------------------------------------

The trees sway in the summer winds. I am currently in the school courtyard, a somewhat popular spot for the relaxation of students. I was sitting in a fairly large bench that can accommodate up to 3 people while overseeing the courtyard. as for why I'm here, it is close to the building of my next class.

I'm waiting for my next subject which will start in about 20 min.

looking at my surroundings, I hear college students talk about different things, minding their own circles. Some talk boisterously loud while others laugh uncontrollably at jokes that I didn't get to hear. Others for the most part just listen to the ramblings of their friend. Most have accustomed to the new semester in just a few days. Almost all have cliques of their own save for a few, including me. How depressing.

Just as I was having my thoughts I heard a familiar voice.

"Kat!" Said a cheerful voice.

I looked at the source and what greeted me was Liz along with Lenna standing next to her.

"You alone here? Are you waiting for someone?" She asked curiously.

That question hit me like a truck. I know I'm not good at socializing but you don't have to rub it in! I know she was just being polite in case I did have a friend and doesn't want to be bothered but still!

"She just left earlier, feel free to sit," I told a white lie to make it not look like I'm a loner.

Well, it wasn't technically a lie, some random girl was sitting here before and she did leave earlier. I just omitted the fact that we do not even know each other and haven't had any interaction whatsoever besides me asking if I could sit here and her nodding.

"Ohh good, you look like you're in your own world and I don't want to be a bother so I'm glad." She smiled in relief.

Do I really look that unapproachable?

Liz sat directly in the middle with Lenna following suit after we had a nod of acknowledgment from each other.

The bench was a great fit for the three of us. Having two people in it that I DO know and was quite fond of makes me a bit comfortable in these semi-crowded places.

"The other guys not with you two?" I asked just to start a topic.

"Rommel and Liz are having a fight." Lenna suddenly drops a bombshell out of the blue while giving me a conniving smile.

"What! What happened?" I asked with a mix of curiosity and worry.

"We are not having a fight!" Liz vehemently denied it.

"It's just that Rommel invited me to join his team with Beny and Reynolds for the under-20 tournament and I declined since I am also planning to make my very own team." She continued.

"And Rommel took it personally, saying that he will beat whatever team she makes," Lenna added cheerily

"Yeah, that guy hates losing. That is why he barred me from their 'secret team strategy meeting' saying that we might face each other on the elimination and that I could find out their weakness if I listen to them." She said wearily.

Huh, I can relate to that. I was the same back then. The thought of losing infuriates me. I want to prove that I'm the best to my sister and that she can always rely on me. That is why I spent all my time outside school practicing hard, resulting in me not having a social life outside CoA. How depressing.

"Ohh" Liz continued. "And don't worry about them recruiting you, I already said you're a part of my team. You should've seen the look on their faces when they heard that," She giggled.

"Well, it IS their fault for being too slow to talk to Katherine," Lenna added.

We spent the time talking about nonsensical stuff, mainly gossip that Lenna shares with us both about different students(mostly first years) that I didn't know but pretended that I do. It was quite enjoyable listening to the gossip though and time went by quickly until our conversation ended when I needed to go to my next class.