End Online: Volume 2

by D Wolfin

  "I am going to call Verde, Fen. She is welcome to come with us if she wants."

  "NO!... I am... All you need..."

  "Cut it out wolf!" Using my hand, I let my anger get the better of me and karate chop her on top of the head. It is mostly due to Fen raising her voice when I already have a headache, but I still get mad.

  Fen looks down, a happy expression secretly showing on her face. I vaguely remember the last time I got angry at her, right after she left me to die via goblins. At that time, when I yelled at her, she had her tail wagging in a playful mood.

  'Don't tell me she likes it when I get mad at her!?'

  Come to think of it, I have no clue what she even likes and doesn't. All I know about her is she really does not like being dragged through small tunnels.

  "Verde, are you there. Are you coming to Forste?"

  It takes her some time to reply, and she sounds extremely nervous when she does.

  "Oh, umm... I terribly sorry. *hic* But I think I will stay here..."

  "If it's about Fen, I've already had words with her. And also... I am the one who should be sorry!"

  I finally did it! I gave her my apology for the kiss. I am feeling extremely anxious at what she will say back, but it feels relieving to get it off my chest.

  "Sorry? Why are you apologizing to me? *hic*"

  She seems to be hiccupping a fair bit, is she okay?

  "The Kiss! I got caught up in the moment and... Well... That happened."

  "W-w-what are you t-talking about! *hic* P-please don't mention such a t-thing! *hic*"

  All of a sudden her voice becomes frantic. Did she simply want to pretend like it never happened?

  "So, please come with me to Forste!"

  I'm not entirely sure why, but such a simple request sounds like some kind of love confession. My heart is even beating against my chest and my hands feel like they are sweating just like it is one too.

  "O-Okay, I will come. Shall w-we meet *hic* at the north gate?"

  "Yes, I will be there shortly."

  "A-are *hic* you sure t-that Fen is okay with me being here?"

  "Well... She is definitely, happy."

  I grab Fen by the arm and drag her along while she still seems intoxicated in her own world. I feel the hatred of all the male players around me increasing at such a scene.

  We head directly to the north gate to meet up with Verde.

  ***************************************************

  ***************************************************

  -Verde-

  The wolf was terrifying. I wanted nothing to do with it, even if it meant running away. I got overly curious about the person from the night at the inn, and it turned out I was next to her the entire time!

  After leaving her with the money Lost lent me, I went to one of the pubs and ordered a large quantity of alcohol. At five silvers each, I drank a total of four pints of ale before I felt the games effect of being 'Drunk' start to kick in.

  The only alcohol I had ever drunk before End Online was small amounts of wine with dinner. I had never even considered drinking an alcohol such as ale, for the sake of drinking it nonetheless.

  It tasted horrible at first, but the cheap wine that was served tasted even worse. A few nights and I gradually got a taste for it, even if I did not drink it very often afterwards.

  Lost sent me a private message about going to Forste while I was sitting at the bar. I was a little unsure of what to do. Should I simply ignore it?

  Only the alcohol seemed to also inhibit my decision making in the game. I replied to him and the conversation got easier from there. I even found out that he has had words with that wolf girl.

  Then he brought up the kiss. With one hand on my neck for the private message I used the other to pull my hood down over my face, trying to hide.

  I didn't think he thought about it much, but I was wrong. He had clearly been thinking about it a lot.

  After that he asked me to join him going to the Kingdom of Forste in such a way that I could not refuse him.

  ***************************************************

  Blushing, I open a private channel to Sir Laurence.

  "Sir Laurence, are you there? *hic*"

  "My lady! Yes, I am just outside of Iceridge training my dexterity so I can block and parry attacks better. I won't let you get hurt again!"

  "Oh, *hic* that's umm... Really nice *hic*. But I need you to come with me to Forste."

  "Are you okay? You have been drinking. Did you want to e-elope with me?"

  There is a considerable amount of hope in his voice, but that seems to fade with the uncomfortable silence that follows.

  "Sir Laurence... I need your *hic* protection on the journey. Mainly from Fen. *hic*"

  "T-that wolf? Don't worry! I will squash it for my lady should she desire!"

  "Umm. Please coin-*hic*-cidentally run into us as we are leaving. I think it would be best if you just happen to run into us. *hic*"

  "As you wish."

  I can imagine him bowing in front of me. The same way he does every time he speaks those words.

  I pay my bill and walk out of the pub, a few more coins in my purse than when I walked in, thanks to a few unlucky customers.

  Slightly staggering down the road, I walk towards the north gate.

  Chapter 10 – Leaz in Trouble

  -Lost-

  I arrive at the north gate with Fen in mere minutes. Although unfortunately, it appears Verde is not here yet.

  "Fen, please do at least try get along with her."

  I question whether the two of them in a party together was a good idea, but it should work out. My biggest worry is this girl in front of me, giving me a blank stare and refusing to answer.

  Turning away from the look she is giving me, I notice Verde approaching from down the path

  She is strangely wobbly on her feet, almost as if she is... Drunk.

  "I-I'm here! *hic*" Verde is also talking a little loud, most definitely drunk

  "Thanks for coming, I'm sorry for the trouble!"

  "N-no not at all!" Franticly waving her hands in the air, her face turns red.

  "Mmm, shall we head off?"

  "Yes, I think that would be best, the Swords of Light guild are probably on a search for us *hic* as we speak."

  "Isn't that just great," Kneading my temples I still have the headache from earlier, and the thought of those guys chasing us did it no favours, "Do you know the way? I remember you saying that you had been up north before."

  "I actually have a map from when I went there last!"

  "Then please, I will leave you to lead the way."

  Our conversation started off a little stiff, but it eased off and we gradually became more natural talking to each other.

  My initial opinion of this girl was like a goddess. She walked passed me in the bazaar and it was like everything else was gone except her. And then she disappeared, as if she was merely a fragment of my imagination.

  After that, she appeared in front of me once again. My impression of her changed, she seemed like she had ulterior motives. Then, the kiss happened and an awkward tension separated us.

  As of right know, the awkwardness is still there, but it is slowly fading away. I am happy that Verde is coming with us. She is, after all, the closest thing to a friend I have in this game.

  Opening my menu, I know exactly what to look for this time, initiating the party invitation in only a moment.

  I would have enjoyed spending more time in Iceridge, at least to restock my herbs. However, Verde has a point about the Swords of Light finding us. The only method of losing them is to get far enough away that if they do use a locate spell on me, I will be far enough away and they won't bother chasing me.

  With Verde taking the lead, the three of us casually stroll out the north gate, putting Iceridge behind us. There is a small sense of loss, like when moving house, but there is also the excitement of exploring new areas.

  We w
alk through a wolf hunting ground full of new players, one that holds some rather nostalgic memories for me. A few wolves break off from the new players to come attack me, sensing my intimidating aura and feeling like I am the biggest threat that needs eliminating.

  Players shout at me for using an 'Aggro' skill on the wolves they are fighting, but I pay no heed to them. Any wolves that attack me receive one of my blades flashing through them.

  Most players shut their mouths after seeing me easily kill a wolf in one strike, yet there are a few that continue making a racket. Sorry, but this skill of mine did not come with an 'off' button.

  Looking at Fen next to me, it seems she has not even deemed the players worth her attention. Following suit, we pass through the area with no complications, only a few yells trailing behind us.

  Verde didn't seem to notice them much at all, still a little drunk. Considering one of this game's alcohol inhibition features, she is still a little off balance on her feet. She is most likely simply concentrating on walking straight.

  A little past the field I pick up a glint of silver coming from the trees in front of us. A player exits the particular dense crop of trees in question as we get closer, walking directly towards us. For some odd reason, Prince Charming has appeared directly in front of us.

  "My Lady," He spoke, going to one knee in front of Verde, "I was just heading back to Iceridge when I saw you. Is there anything I can do for you?"

  "Oh," She tries to sound surprised, but doesn't seem to be in the slightest, "Lost and I are currently going to the Forste, would you like to come?"

  "My lady, it would be my honour. I would happily go anywhere if it was with you."

  "Well, I guess that should be fine? Is it okay with you, Lost?"

  Verde turns to me, waiting for an answer.

  "It's fine, just give me a moment to send the party invite."

  I get the feeling that this encounter is not as coincidental as it may first seem. I only wonder because the entire conversation between Prince Charming and Verde seems scripted.

  Far too scripted.

  However, I will let Prince Charming into the party anyway. He seems rather obsessed with Verde and would probably follow us regardless. At least he can be useful as a good meat shield against the enemies.

  The prince shortly spots Fen, who is currently slightly behind me. I glimpse a strange light enter his eyes upon seeing her. Actually, it makes me feel a little scared.

  Faster than I have ever thought he could move, he circles us and approaches the wolf girl.

  "Princess," Down on one knee again, his head facing the ground with one hand clenched and held to his chest, "It is my honour to be in your presence. May I have the pleasure of knowing your name?"

  Verde and I are both stunned and gaping at the sight. I am shocked at how this guy has the nerve to shamelessly hit on two women at once. I assume Verde feels the same, who wouldn’t be after seeing such a sight?

  Fen walks around behind him, gently placing a hand on the back of his head.

  "...Idiot..."

  A small flurry of snow is raised as Prince Charming's pretty face plummets into the snow, a soft 'thud' marks his face connecting with the earth beneath. With considerably more force than when she attacks me, the victim’s health visibly drops by twenty percent with a 'stunned' status next to it.

  'No mercy!' The thought resounds through my mind.

  As soon as he can move again he stands up, pretending nothing at all happened. However, Verde whispers something into his ear and his composure breaks, a look of shock coming over his face as he looks at Fen.

  After the drama, we decide to simply continue our journey. Encountering various animals along our walk, I remember to analyse every single one. After a few kills, I even manage to gain more information about some of them.

  Name: Snow Rabbit

  Level: 2

  Health: 21

  Magic: 0

  Stamina: 0

  The snow rabbit has extremely acute senses. Its ears are capable of sensing the faintest vibrations in the air, causing it to flee at the slightest movement around it.

  Name: Thèr Deer

  Level: 4

  Health: 29

  Magic: 0

  Stamina: 10

  The antlers of this deer are highly valued by poachers all over the continent. However they must be cut off while the Thèr Deer is still alive, else the creatures essence is drained from them and they lost their value.

  The Thèr Deer is extremely agile and the density of their antlers is incredibly tough

  They were not very strong and dropped next to no experience,. A single throwing knife from a discreet location was usually enough to kill one.

  While I did try and cut off some Thèr Deer's antlers once the information of their value was revealed to me, I could not even manage to remove a single one. They were not only incredibly tough, but more so they were classed as shields for the deer. Meaning, no amount of speed to negate their defence, I needed brute strength to break them off.

  I was quite surprised at first. In the loot menu of these animals, I had the option of using my cooking skills to harvest the corpses for meat. Eventually, I had managed to secure a decent amount of both 'Snow Rabbit Meat' and 'Thèr Deer Venison'.

  We crossed paths with only a few players. Some were in parties that offered for us to join them and form a bigger party, discouraging any potential player killers. Others practically begged to join our party, after seeing Verde and Fen that is.

  Prince Charming was always alert of these kinds of people and would usually chase them away, shouting out ridiculous lines such as, "You should be beheaded, laying your filthy eyes all over my lady in such a way!"

  Fen on the other hand, didn't even notice them! Sticking relatively close to me, I did not see her spare each any more than a glance. Occasionally, while hanging off my arm, she would gaze up at me with hungry eyes.

  As the sun begins to sink on the horizon, vibrant hues of red and orange lighting the sky, I spot a small thicket of trees together. There is nothing different about the trees themselves, but something about how they were placed seems to attract my attention.

  'That's it! It has a similar feeling to the parks back in Iceridge!'

  Leading the party to the spot, I inspect the area by brushing the snow aside at various spots. Fen joins me in brushes aside snow in random spots and surely soon enough, I find a green medicinal herb.

  Delighted at my find, I got Fen's help with finding a large amount of various herbs in the area. I am forced to prevent her from actually pulling out the herbs from the ground, considering she destroys them every time she tries.

  Behind a tree, I also discover some kind of strange blue berry bush. It only stands about half way up my shins, and has a mere three bunches of berries attached to it. From the bush, I collect a total of forty five berries.

  "Analyse!"

  Winter Berry

  ??

  Requirements for Use:

  - Adequate Herb/Cooking Knowledge

  Item Type: Berry

  Effects:

  ??

  'Orange! It's a rare item!'

  I tried eating one to test the effects and I felt like there was a cube of ice travelling down my throat. Coughing a few times, a chill spread throughout my body, freezing me from the inside out.

  Fen puts one in her mouth too and also starts coughing shortly after swallowing it.

  "Analyse!"

  Winter Berry

  A rare berry that is sometimes found in cold or icy climates.

  Drops the temperature of the body from the inside out

  Requirements for Use:

  - Adequate Herb/Cooking Knowledge

  Item Type: Berry

  Effects:

  - +7% Ice Resistance

  - 20% Chance of contracting a cold.

  The amount of information revealed by eating a single berry was incredible, although I did just experience the effect of the berry with my own body
. Placing the rest in my inventory I decide to try the rest of my unknown herbs.

  In turn, I broke into a fever, suffered a full body paralysis, and the 'Black N' herb has caused my vision to corrode for a full five minutes!

  Having herbal proficiencies in a legendary skill is definitely devastating when even eating herbs raw. A single green medicinal herb would currently heal about forty health in ten seconds, just as useful as my original potions.

  Verde and Prince Charming come over as the sky fades into night.

  "Lost," Verde spoke to me first, "it's about time for dinner. All of our hunger should be pretty low now as well. Sir Laurence has a large amount of bread we can eat for tonight. I doubt it is very nice but it's something."

  "Actually, thanks to all the meat I collected today, I thought we could have something cooked."

  "Oh, you managed to buy the cooking skill?!"

  "Mmm, well, not exactly. I kind of got it elsewhere."

  "You must tell me where!"

  "Forgive me, but it would be useless to you."

  Apologizing to Verde, she and the prince silently agreed we would have proper cooking tonight.

  Nearly Every production skill, from crafting weapons to creating potions, was extremely simplified in order to avoid teaching actual skills people may be able to use outside of the game to harm others.

  Other skills, such as tailoring, were more in depth and often requiring manuals to learn how to do properly. Cooking was possibly the most advanced skill in that regard, aiming to imitate real life cooking in the game. It not only taught fantastic skills, but allowed people to bring their skills in to the game as well.

  In the real world, I am quite the formidable chef

  Opening my inventory, I place a few wooden boards down on the ground. Removing a large portion of each meat out of my inventory, I begin cutting them up into slices and laying them out on the boards. Naturally, I ensure to cut off the excess fat as I go.

  Recruiting Fen, she may not be able to do any cooking but I have her clear a large area of snow for us to cook and sleep on. Meanwhile, the other two party members leave to collect firewood.