Origin ARS 5

by Scottie Futch

  Scott laughed a little. "Really? Can't you just split into different Mids and shop all you want?"

  The mini-Mid in the corner of his screen tugged down the brim of her hat. "Yes, dear childe. I certainly can. But it's just not the same."

  They chatted freely for a moment until Mid said something else that was quite interesting. "Yes, you definitely want to save five silver for licensing."

  "Rhea never mentioned licensing, or did she?" Scott tried to think about what sort of specific things Rhea had said to him. She had been detailed about the game mechanics of the classic server, but most of the lore and similar things had not been discussed in detail.

  "Probably not. However, it is important that you go and have your class licensed in your home city. That will give you legal protection and allow you to hunt, rent property, and other things." said Mid.

  "Does everyone have to do that when they go to another city?" he asked.

  "Ah, no. Licenses are good throughout a given nation. You'll want a passport for international travel, but those are one hundred gold coins and must be re-issued every four years." said Mid.

  Scott blanched. "It costs a million Fayth to travel internationally?"

  Mid shrugged then smiled warmly. "If it makes you feel better, that's only a quarter million per year."

  "You have no idea how much better that makes me feel." said Scott in a sarcastic tone of voice.

  She laughed at him then shook her head. "It's expensive, but it is also globally accepted. You need to recall things like World Travel and other rapid transportation methods. When you have the power and resources, you'll literally be able to traverse the entire planet in a matter of moments."

  Scott understood it. He just did not like the idea of paying for it. His anus had clenched so hard that he might have crapped out a diamond if he had thought about it. Although, had he actually done so his monetary issues might have been solved.

  Travel expenses aside, Scott decided it was time to do some shopping. He fiddled with his Crysta-com for a moment and brought up a menu that showed the names for several stores. He immediately recognized one. "Regal Alice, huh."

  Mid's smile brightened further. "Why yes, feel free to spend all of your lovely money in my store."

  Scott laughed at the girl's blatant attempt to separate him from his funds. He clicked on her store's name and a secondary menu popped up. He read through it then blinked. "I get discounts?"

  "Why yes, dear childe. At my store you receive a base twenty percent discount and trade agreement for purchasing from you. Though, if you go to Meaden you'll receive thirty percent on trade-in goods that my store accepts."

  "My agreement for Meaden carried through? I thought that it would have stayed behind." said Scott.

  "I own the franchise. I do what I want." she said.

  Scott laughed, "Then why not thirty percent across the board?"

  "Why? You're not marrying me, you silly boy." said Mid with a twinkle in her eye.

  "Really? I'd only get a thirty percent discount if we got hitched?" asked Scott.

  Mid laughed in an absurdly adult manner. "Dear childe, even if we did get hitched a girl's still gotta eat."

  "And buy fancy hats." said Scott.

  "Indeed!" she said with a laugh. "Only the fanciest of hats, dear childe." she practically purred the words.

  "Fair enough." said Scott with a soft chuckle. He decided to steer the conversation away from the topic of marriage. He already had an engagement to think of after all.

  "So, do all of these stores give me a discount?" asked Scott.

  "Of course, they're part of the premium account holder's consortium. The largest and most dedicated businesses across ARS are added to the list, though they charge extra for delivery."

  "It would be less expensive to go in to their store." said Scott. That made sense, actually.

  "Yes, unless you absolutely need something or you see a premium item that you like, it is best not to order online if you can go into the store." said Mid.

  Scott checked out what Regal Alice had to offer. On the casual server, the store bought and sold lore crystals. What he saw on the list of online items was something different. It was mostly a selection of accessories and specialized lore crystals that taught basic information about things in the world.

  "These lore crystals don't work the same as on the casual server, right?"

  "Correct. They slowly teach you while you focus on them. It is similar to finding a tutor or trainer, but takes a lot more time and effort. If it is a skill crystal it will also grant you a skill over time, but the growth quality can be effected if the lore crystal is low-grade." said Mid.

  "I thought this sort of thing would be rare, here." Scott was fairly certain that he had been told something along those lines.

  "Well, they are rare enough aren't they? Check the prices." said Mid.

  Scott tapped on a crystal that was touted as capable of teaching gunsmithing, it was a high-grade crystal. When he saw the price, his anus clenched tight enough that it could be used to draw metal and turn it into wire! "Three hundred fourteen gold to learn gunsmithing?!"

  Mid laughed sweetly. "Dear childe, of course it is. That's a production skill. You can use it to make things that make money. The premium grade, and master grade cost several times more money than that. Though if you ever see either type of crystal in my store, I highly suggest you buy it regardless of what skill it is."

  "I see. What's so special about them?"

  The business goddess smirked in amusement. "Well, premium crystals can increase the growth rate of a skill when you learn it through the crystal by up to two letter grades. A master grade crystal allows you to learn a skill with S-ranked growth regardless of what it would normally be ranked as."

  "Wait, S-Rank? Wouldn't I have to give up a slot permanently to use either of those types of crystals?" asked Scott.

  "Yes. They are the only short-cut method to avoid lengthy questing. Though, some of those quests actually culminate in finding crystals like the ones mentioned."

  "I see." Scott looked through the available selections for a time, but saw no premium or master grade lore crystals. The few that he did find were all high-grade. Mid explained that she did not carry mid-tier or lower items in her store. She sold those bulk rate to artisans and production companies. Prices varied from two gold to over thirty-two thousand gold.

  Copper Fayth was the most basic medium of currency for bank balances and daily purchasing power. Gold was the standard for higher level purchases. The item that basically cost three hundred twenty million Fayth was called the [Divine Circlet of Eldritch Wisdom].

  It was a level four hundred item that was proof-tested and known to increase intellect and mana by four hundred percent. It also increased experience gains by forty percent, and provided celestial protection that was rated at three hundred eighty points. Oh, and it also allowed summoners to summon a Lesser Abomination of the Deep.

  "It's interesting that items actually do have stats. I could never see any when I analyzed things." said Scott.

  "That's because you currently suck." said Mid lightly.

  Scott laughed. "True enough, but I wonder how I can suck less at analyzing things. What is this proof-testing that I see, anyway?"

  "Items that are analyzed by masters are considered to be proof-tested. Without master level specializations in analysis and knowledge of that item type, you can't really proof-test."

  "Knowledge of the item?" asked Scott.

  "Yes. Let's say that there is a master swordsman who also has a master level specialization in weapon identification, but she is only an expert in the use of the bow. That swordsman can accurately tell you the exact stats of any sword, but put a bow in her hand and she wouldn't be able to tell you the exact stats. She would be able to guess fairly well, though."

  "Ah, so if I master boomerangs and light armor, then get master level specializations in armor and weapon identification, I can see their stats?" asked Scott
.

  "Yep!" said Mid.

  Scott smiled at the mini-Mid on his screen then left her shop and sought out a clothing store. A store called Fashion Fatale caught his interest. He would receive a ten percent discount whenever he shopped there.

  He looked through the premium selection for a moment and found a few pieces of clothing that doubled as light armor. The total cost was eighty-seven silver, after taxes and delivery fees were added on, but some of his new clothing had nice options.

  The proof-testing showed that the combined defensive boost would be twenty-nine to forty-seven points. Plus, the leather gloves and boots doubled as weapons, and would increase his attack by eight to fourteen points. He was delighted to see that he could buy and equip light armor items up to level seven due to the fact that his light armor skill was both a class skill and was high-enough to allow him to equip better equipment already.

  The level restrictions on items were based mostly on required skill to wield the item, even if it did not make sense past a certain point. One level required four skill levels in that skill. If the item related to a class specific skill then the main class level could equal the restriction level. However, if it was not an item related to a class skill then only miscellaneous skill levels applied.

  For instance, a level ten sorcerer could equip a level ten light leather vest. However, if they wanted to have a higher-level piece of equipment they would need a higher level of light armor skill. If the sorcerer had a light armor skill level of forty, they could not equip anything higher than level ten equipment. However, if they had a light armor skill level of eighty they could equip level twenty light leather armor.

  Alternatively, if the level ten sorcerer wanted to equip steel field plate that was restricted to level one hundred they would need to have a heavy armor skill level of four hundred even if their class level was one hundred. They would need to train their miscellaneous heavy armor skill at the slower growth rate as though it were a class skill just to maintain relevance at the same level.

  Acquiring higher level items did not only allow for better item stats, but a better chance of acquiring and using unique items with special options at an earlier level. His blue silk shirt, passionate red harem pants, and yellow silk sash each had special options, though his other lower level purchases did not.

  [Clothing]

  Blue Silk Shirt of the Starry Skies [Proof-Tested]

  This shirt woven from the silk of the [Shatterpillar], a common insect monster in the Valkovian region, is of medium quality and fineness. It is sleeveless in design and makes quite the bold fashion statement.

  Item Type: Clothing (Light Armor)

  Material: Cloth (silk)

  Level: 5

  Restriction: Sorcerer, Monk, Fighter

  Durability: 24/24

  Quality: Medium

  Fineness: Medium

  Defense: 8-14

  Value: 2600

  Special Option: Improved Elemental Control: Lightning

  [—]

  [Clothing]

  Yellow Silk Sash of the Elusive Wind [Proof-Tested]

  This sash woven from the silk of the [Shatterpillar], a common insect monster in the Valkovian region, is of medium quality and fineness. It is simple wrap-around design that is the perfect accessory for the discriminating monk or sorcerer.

  Item Type: Clothing (Light Armor)

  Material: Cloth (silk)

  Level: 7

  Restriction: Sorcerer, Monk

  Durability: 16/16

  Quality: Medium

  Fineness: Medium

  Defense: 4-9

  Value: 1700

  Special Option: Increased Agility [+2]

  [—]

  [Clothing]

  Passionate Red Pants of the Fire Dancer [Proof-Tested]

  This set of pants woven from the silk of the [Shatterpillar], a common insect monster in the Valkovian region, is of medium quality and fineness. It is a harem style design and makes quite the bold fashion statement for the agile and evocative.

  Item Type: Clothing (Light Armor)

  Material: Cloth (silk)

  Level: 6

  Restriction: Sorcerer, Monk, Fighter

  Durability: 25/25

  Quality: Medium

  Fineness: Medium

  Defense: 9-14

  Value: 3300

  Special Option: Flame Dance

  [—]

  Scott looked over the proof-testing of his items for a moment. His other purchases; the underwear, socks, boots, and gloves did not have anything special about them. They also did not provide much additional protection. Their only good quality was that they were not particularly expensive.

  He had a little over one gold coin left that he could spend since he needed to buy his license, so he looked through a few other shops while chatting with Mid. He noticed that items such as the bag that he had before were easy to buy in stores, but they were rather expensive. A simple space bag cost five gold Fayth. He settled for purchasing a money pouch for forty-five silver. It only held five hundred coins of any denomination, but it was better than walking around with an arm load of money.

  Scott decided to save his money after that. If he needed anything else he could buy it in a store. There was also the fact that he needed to live off of what he had in his pocket for a while. He spent some time chatting with Mid then shut down his Crysta-com.

  A few minutes passed as the naked man made his way over to the mailbox on the first floor. It was close to the exit, but not close enough that he could not resist the urge to tempt fate by opening the door.

  Scott found several small boxes sitting next to the mailbox, each of which was addressed to him. He opened them up and donned his attire. After he finished getting dressed, he glanced at the double doors that led outside, but he opted to return to the salvation mirror first.

  Inside his safe room Scott gazed upon his himself in the mirror. He blinked twice then placed his hands upon his hips. He then threw back his head, flashed a smug manly smile, and laughed like a barrel-chested he-man from an old adventure novel. "I look like a circus freak. Ah. Ha-ha-ha. Ha-ha."

  The colorfully clad man checked his stats and skills one last time before he headed out.

  [Status]

  Scott Jacobs

  Race: Lunarii | Class: Twilight Master

  Age: 18 | Max Lifespan: Ageless

  Level: 5 | Title: The Reborn

  Attack:140[193-199] | Defense: 141[232-250]

  Strength: 100 | Agility: 100[102] | Vitality: 100

  Intellect: 100 | Charisma: 100 | Attunement: 100

  [—]

  [Class Skills]

  Unarmed Combat: 32

  Twilight Sorcery: 31

  Primordial Magic: 1

  Sense Life: 30

  Arcane Lore: 1

  Arcane Mastery: 30

  Light Armor: 30

  Analyze: 31

  [—]

  [Miscellaneous Skills]

  Survival Lore: 30

  Boomerang Mastery: 1

  [—]

  "Colorful... and a badass." said Scott with a grin. His grin faded after a moment then a slight sadness overcame him. He sighed loudly then left the safe room for the final time. He had become strangely attached to the place. It was his immortal refuge from the hellions outside his door.

  He strolled through the tutorial dungeon and headed for the front door. Once he reached it, he took a deep breath then slowly released it. "This is really happening, huh? I'm really leaving this place?"

  Scott turned back one last time in order to give the tutorial dungeon its proper consideration. He could not know the exact amount of time that he had spent there, but he felt as though he had made something of a life for himself within the confines of the subterranean transit authority building.

  Nostalgia was a funny thing. The building and everything in it had sucked big hairy demonic ogre balls. Yet, he could not help but feel a little odd when he walked through that door. He might
still be a noob, honestly he probably would be a noob in the world to come long after whatever happened with the Lords of Destruction, happened. He was an outsider, a non-entity who had crossed worlds. His place was not set, nor was it something that could be decided easily. His purpose was to become strong, have fun with his friends, and possibly save the world.

  The blue-haired master of the twilight smiled softly as the door closed behind him. He walked forward a few steps then he faded away. Not long after, the world itself faded away and it became as though it had never existed in the first place.

  When Scott next opened his eyes it was in the strange black void that he experienced whenever he had died recently. In front of him flashed the words important message. He tapped the air before him to open up the message and he smiled broadly.

  [Message]

  It's about time you finished playing with those hellions. How long do you expect a girl to wait, huh? No consideration at all! Well, I'll have you know that I'm fine with that.

  I'll see you soon, Scott.

  Oh, and I made a teensy, tiny, little mistake with the time-dilation. It's nothing major, but Ero and Herbert won't be joining you for at least nine hours if not a little longer. Time has to resync properly.

  Anyway, I have a few other things to tell you but they can wait till we meet up in a few hours.