The Beginning - Ereas City 3nd June 25xx

[Altivarde]

As you logged in, you've been told that you'll first end up in your room. The house for now only have one kitchen set, one bed, one cabinet, one wardrobe, a table with four chairs, refrigerator with foods enough for a week and lastly a box what looks like money holder. Inside is starting pack of your character:

[OOT: For any weapon you register will have name <<Novice>> behind it. Like if you choose bow as your weapon, it's name will be <<Novice Bow>>. For any armor you register, the name would have name <<Simple>> before it. So if you have full armor registered, it'll be registered as <<Simple Full Armor>>. Visualization is up to you. Inside it, too, you'll find 1500 Eion, the money of this place]

You noticed a memo on top of it.

"Meet a veteran Player on City Gate. Follow your mini map. See your mini-map by looking at upper right corner of your vision field. You can choose to drag it to center of your vision by clicking the mini map and drag it with your finger. To close just simply snap your finger."

Looking out of the window, you see that the city is built with white bricks. The setting felt like England in pre-industrial revolution, but oddly, there's several aircrafts here that float using crystal in where the propeller or jet should be.The crystal let out faint glow of green as it burn in green light of energy. On faraway place, you can see a gigantic tree that perhaps reach even the last layer of atmosphere. The Revtheirs Tree of Life.

Welcome to Ereas City

[Bones_Yu-ri]

Flipping a few more pages of manual, Alyssa spent several minutes to read on the logging procedure. Honestly, it is a little odd, causing her to scratch her head a few times in confusion. Having no other way to ever enter the game, she could only sigh as she picked up the full body suit. Scanning over it with the touch of the texture on her hand, she could not say anything bad about it. The jewels of suitable color matching well with the base design colors made it complete. Alyssa then proceeded to wear it, stripping off her earlier clothing and fitting into the surprisingly well fitting suit. Sealing it up, Alyssa stretched around to have a feel for it.

"Not bad..."

It is actually comfortable and flexible, there are no cluttered parts and there is no thick feeling covering the skin. Movement is also no problem, as the suit simply feels like an extra piece of skin all over her body.

With further ado, Alyssa settles on her bed and closes her eyes, remembering there is one word that would bring her into ALT:VITA; "Log in."

In that instant, Alyssa's mind is taken away from the real world and brought to the world of ALT:VITA.


=
It did not take even a moment for Alyssa to realize that she is in a different place. Her eyelids opened slowly, catching the first rays of the game world in the form of a simple wooden house with a certain number of furniture within. If everything is going as planned, she should be in her character avatar now. Her hand reached towards her hair, finding it to be braided up as designated earlier during the customization sequence. Just like receiving and putting on a new piece of clothing, Alyssa began making some basic movements to get the feel of her new body before nodding in satisfaction.

Slow footsteps are made as she surveys and appraises the house, it is simple and efficient as expected of any beginner experience. The atmosphere all around carried an unsurpassed amount of realism within, it is really like... she is someone else in another world. Taking a few moments to digest that realization, her eyes slowly turned towards a box. With slight intrigue, she approached the box.

There is a note on top of it, telling her of the first instructions - to meet another player by the city gate.

It was a simple and manageable instruction, Alyssa then proceeding to open the box and finding a pack inside. With some basics knowledge of the mechanics from the manual already, Alyssa opened the pack, which revealed a menu in her vision.

It is not obstructive, conveniently hovering over her vision. Within the menu is a list of the presumably starter pack;

Code:  [ Select all ]

- Novice Long Sword
- Simple Thin Mail
- 15 Bloody Red Crystal

Using her fingers, Alyssa maneuvered them to form her personal inventory menu, which featured other information such as weight and her current equipment, which is the beginner cotton tunic that she is wearing now. Her finger then moved back to the items slowly, dragging them across and transferring. With three quick transfers, Alyssa closes the pack menu and manipulates the inventory next. Her finger hovers over the two initial equipment and sets them for equipping.

The response is quick, light forms over her body as she feels weight over her body, the mail armor burden her while a sheathed sword with a belt rests on her waist.

The simple thin mail is just knitted chain mail of cheap make, covering her torso over her tunic. Woven along with it are thin pieces of leather and leather shoulder pads. Overall, as expected of a simple mail, the protection it provides is questionable but should be able to do its job.

Next is the longsword, where Alyssa drew it from the basic scabbard. This is the same as well, it is just a piece of hammered metal placed fitted in. The edges are mildly sharp and the form is rather poor with no exact distinct line across the blade - amateur work.

Shaking her head in slight complaint, Alyssa sheathed the long sword and exited the wooden house, the first scenery of the land filling her eyes.


=
A city radiating in white due to its make and material of unique white bricks. The sky with aircraft roaming around the buildings of English architecture caused Alyssa to gasp in astonishment. Everything seemed grand, almost as if making her the particular defect in this scenery. "Wa...." It took a minute for Alyssa to collect herself, shaking her head to clear some of her depressing thoughts and checked the mini-map as instructed earlier. Manipulating the vision system using her fingers again, Alyssa checked the enlarged mini-map and pin-pointed her destination. With a snap of her fingers, the mini-map disappeared as she took the first steps down the streets which soon fill up with people. This game must be really popular... or are most of them created from the system?

That thought is quickly driven to the back of her head as Alyssa saw the city gate in sight, approaching it.

No, not Alyssa -

Griselda.

[Altivarde]

The gate is as grand as the city. It felt like those platinum-gates lures everyone from outside to take shelter inside this Victorian era city. While it looks magnificent, something really dreadful waiting near the entrance. No one dare to approach this one source.

Clad in her bloody red valkyrian armor, this player is the one that wait Griselda like an executioner watching criminal. If Griselda often watch the [ONLINE GAME TODAY] program, she would notice that this player is really powerful a powerful one. Her name is Hildr, the number 4 ranker of around two million arena ranker ALT:VITA players. Hildr the Bloody Valkyrie, stood with her sword stabbed in ground and both of her arm on the guard. A blade worth more than 2 million yens because it's existence is said only obtainable by player in level of 2000 or more, but with no restriction on equipping, the legendary weapon [Demon Sword Agrovertt], a two handed sword.The broken cursed sword that instill fear everytime it missed and poison everytime it hit. Blood adorned on it are all the victim of the sword's. The sword getting stronger, simply by drinking blood. The demon eye on the sword glared at Griselda wickedly.

"Griselda, I assume?" she inquired. Her blue eyes contrast with her bloody armor. Beneath that valkyrian helmet is wavy silver hair reaching her hips. Raising from that position, the scarlet knight introduce herself.

"I'm Hildr, one of senior player who works for Project Altimate, the ALT:VITA developer. I'll be your instructor for today. In next three hours, we'll be in same party. If you have question beforehand..." she almost felt like staring into Griselda's soul. "Talk."

[Bones_Yu-ri]

Griselda's head slowly tilted up, marveling at the grand city gates. Shining of platinum that radiates and reflects light from the sun, it has some come of mystical power drawing people in. What would be something to compare it to... a beacon of light? Griselda continued in smaller steps as her eyes remained glued over the gate's details. However... the radiating light from the gate seemed to be swallowed in by the darkness, so intense that other people are straying away from it.

A highly intimidating valkyrie clad in full blood red armor stood near the gate, waiting. An intense aura so strong that people are being repelled away from her presence, it is almost like the aura would slaughter every single cell if any fool approaches too close. Swallowing a little, Griselda made her way closer to the gate, only to realize that the valkyrie's powerful gaze is upon her.

Chills are sent all over her body or rather... her body is shivering like death is upon her.

Taking a deep breath, Griselda approaches the female, whom introduced herself as Hildr, the senior player whom is about to instruct Griselda for the next three hours. Griselda could not help but bite her lower lip a little, this is the first time she had ever felt such pressure from someone... just by being watched.

The ominous color of red over her valkyrian armor, the demon sword that she has that has a life of its own and giving Griselda that wicked glare. On top of that... the aura that she radiates is the true thing that made Griselda shiver all over. The equipment she carries are merely the tip to deter anyone to approach, only if you step in close enough and receptive enough, you would feel the great power that this senior player has.

"...Haha.."

Was this fear that is welling up within Griselda? Maybe.... But... what is this feeling that wants to go against this mighty force...?

Griselda slowly raised her head, looking up at those mighty eyes staring down at her. "I have no questions... Miss H-HIldr... I would p-prefer if we would proceed on as soon as possible, instructor..."

Her voice is shaking, it was inevitable, but she still continued to speak. "The clock is already ticking... right? I would prefer to use up as much time... instructor has for me as possible..." With a wavering smile, she goes.

[Altivarde]

"Hmph... wise enough." the valkyrie commented. "However, we'll see if you're wise enough to not asking me about hunting ground... follow me." with that, she walks in front of Griselda, Her black tattered cape still have faint glow of flame on it, as it's eternally in burning state. Stepping outside the gate after she greets a guarding NPC, who give her much salutation, she pointed the simplest monster to slay for Griselda. "Because you have no question, I'll first proceeds to see your combat capability. Draw your weapon and go slay that one."

What she pointed at is a flan-shaped monster with permanent like face. The blue color simply reminds you of moving water.

"That is the weakest monster here. We call those [Nyu]. Nyu's element is 100% water. Thunder attacks would work well against it. Each Nyu would give you 6 EXP. And about how to battle... Just simply come to it with your weapon out from it's sheath. However, do not think it won't attack you or run once it saw you with a weapon out. A surprise attack also would do great. Just run to it, draw your weapon when near, and slash it. Simple no?"

The Nyus nearby staring at Griselda with their face like asking "Are you that heartless?"

[Bones_Yu-ri]

"..." Griselda slowly looked away, her face showing slight uncertainty over what is about to happen next. If this were some normal tutorial... she would be fine but... this instructor will be making the experience rather uncomfortable for... a maximum of the whole three hours. Still, the fact remains that such a senior player of this sort had to teach this new player out of the millions out there, best to show proper respect and absorb as much as possible. Griselda followed Hildr as she led on, the black fiery cape held yet another mystical effect that is worn by her. It seemed so dominating.

Outside the gate, the blood red valkyrie pointed out a the most basic and weakest monster. The cliche slime or... flan... 'Nyu's.

Upon the first sight, Griselda could not help but giggle inside herself a little, but her form is strengthened up. The basic flan's appearances in countless games released throughout history is actually right before her, but she dared not reveal such an amused expression in front of her reaper-like instructor.

After some quick explanation, Griselda quickly managed the basic structure. The mechanics is actually detailed, other than the fact that it is weak to electricity... it is also made up of water. Griselda glared at the Nyus a little as she analyzed the most basic monster, before making any decision to strike - basics of engagement.

They are 100% water, meaning that any glancing blows or partial slashes would definitely be nullified, what would come next is a blast of flan right into her stomach or face.

With that in mind, Griselda held the grip of her longsword. "I will start then, instructor."

Her mind turns towards the monsters, stepping forward a random number of them. She is remaining calm, there is no need to rush directly at them. Griselda soon approached a rather isolated one, looking down from her higher form a few steps away. Confused, the Nyu's face returned the attention to Griselda. They are cute but... they will only be killed by a weak blade if it divides them into two!

With that in mind, Griselda plants her feet firmly and draws her longsword out from her sheath using her right dominant. Stretching it out arms length diagonally from her center, her left hand then grips the longsword to use both of her arms' strength. Within this quick and visibly trained motion, Griselda took a large stride and drove the sword downwards on the poor flan monster. Taking a deep breath, stepped back to check the results of her 'surprise' attack, the mechanics and current state of her low level needs much more... getting used to.

[Altivarde]

"Aaahh..." Hildr's usually stoic expression turned into a wide sly grin.

The Nyu only nearly cut by two and immediately repair itself. A cutting blow isn't the correct answer. Would this mean the being is like a cockroach? Something haven't been told by her instructor. Luckily, these Nyus are rather coward beings. It decide to take thousand steps away (read: running away) from Griselda.

"Good attack. But these monsters isn't like those starting monster of countless of RPG. In term of survival rate, you might want to compare these beings to a level 50 monster. So what should you do to defeat it? Simple. You only need to use harvest system."

The senior player walk over to a Nyu. The Valkyrie immediately punched the poor pudding. What happened next is she took what looks like jelly in shape of a ball. When it pulled, suddenly the Nyu exploded into splash of water.

"Harvest system is where you took drop forcibly from a monster, usually after it's dead. But in some case you can took the drops when it's still alive. This item is called Gleamgel. It heals a lot... around 50 HP and MP. However, you only can eat this after fifteen minutes. The reason?"

She tossed it to a body of water, where upon contact suddenly a new Nyu is formed from the jelly heart she tossed. "I hope you know what happened if it entered your stomach or even use your saliva as it's jelly mantle? Doing like what you did back then only lack finishing blow."

[Bones_Yu-ri]

"Whaa...?"

Griselda's mouth opened slightly upon the Nyu's regenerative abilities. She was sure that she placed enough force on the cut but... was it not enough to split them? She could only watch in despair as the Nyu that she just attacked speed off in fear of her hostility. A cloud as well as gloom formed over Griselda's head over her failure, such humiliation that she has not experienced for... quite a long time.

Upon Hildr the instructor's voice and explanation, Griselda immediately straightened her back up and sheathed her longsword to listen intently for the reason of her failure. She had anticipated that the Nyu should have a high amount of resistance against blow but... a harvest system?

Griselda observed as Hildr punched the poor pudding with a blow, she then extracted a jelly shaped like a ball. That must be... the core of the Nyu? Reaction to that extraction, the former body exploded into water, returning to the ground.

"Ahh..."

What an extensively thought out harvest system, being able to implement this into a VRMMORPG must be quite a feat to include all the various parts and effects of extraction and possibly even damage to monsters during battle. Griselda could not help but feel drawn closer to the system that built this whole game. Still... what happened next surprised Griselda further.

The Gleamgel which was the heart of the Nyu that was extracted was thrown into a body of water, forming a Nyu again. Items now have this kind of effect? Not to mention... time also affects them, only after fifteen minutes the Gleamgel could be consumed for healing. Also....being able to form in bodily fluids.... that thought sent unnatural shivers down Grimselda's spine. "Aha... that would be most unpleasant... I will keep that in mind, Instructor."

Griselda turned towards another isolated Nyu that drifted out of a pack mindlessly, "I will try again then, Instructor." She reported. Approaching the Nyu like before with her longsword sheathed, she then drew it like before but now drove the edge down on the flan. Using the impact and sudden attack to distract the Nyu and extracted the Gleamgel from it. Separated from its heart, the Nyu bursts into water as Griselda rose with her first catch of the day. "I did it, Instructor." Griselda spoke as she turned towards her stoic instructor.

[Altivarde]

"Good job." she nodded, although with stoic expression. Still, from the senior itself, less menacing aura is produced, which usually people would think as she's pleased. Hildr ordered Griselda to sit on the ground as she start to explain further.

"You should aware although this is MMO, we also use energy in here. Your energy in here stems from your virtual body. Everyone have amount of energy that is unpredictable. However, for you, you can see the four bars by looking at top left of your vision field. The green bar is HP bar. The blue one is MP bar. The Purple one is SP bar and lastly, the orange-ish red one is your stamina bar. I can see it of course. These bars will be enabled to other person in same party when you're in party. You can look at their four bars below your bar along with their name and level."

As she said that, below Griselda's bars is Hildr's, which list her name and her level, a gigantic amount of level 4000 with HP about six digits. The MP and SP is short by one digit. Her stamina does not have any number attached, the same like Griselda's. The bar, however, is full.

"Be careful. If your Stamina goes lower than 50%, your movement will be cut by 1/3. If your stamina is down by 25%, you won't execute skills well and your move will be really slow and uncoordinated. If your stamina is 0... force faint. Mostly you'll still awake, but can't move until your stamina goes up back to 50%. That's why I order you sit down. It will restore stamina slowly. Mostly 30 seconds is enough to restore 5% stamina if you're not too tired."

Hildr swing her cursed sword and prepare a battle pose.

"Next, we'll start learning about skill creating. Open main menu and press [Create Skill] button. A count down will appear. When it reach 0, then prepare to use your skill. If you stop moving, it will considered that the skill has been fully executed. Let me show you."

Doing exactly of what she said, Hildr wait until the timer goes off to 0. With a ferocious battle cry, she cut downward, doing an uppercut, then do a heavy horizontal slash followed by speed-breaking combo that made her looks like circled by three circles made of blood, which probably three full circle cut done in really high speed continuously. She finished the long tiring combo with a slam to the ground with her sword, which made a column of blood sparks from the ground.

"That is 11 comboes skill [Scarlet Cry]. The system will grant it element and effect it deems fit. For like mine, it gives 70% darkness 30% physical as attribute. If your skill is too strong for your level, system will reject and force your skill forming to stop midway. The rules of this skill making is [Keep moving]."

Hildr finished her explanation and give Griselda a questioning glance like asking "do you have any question?"

[Bones_Yu-ri]

A small compliment, followed by an order that Griselda obeyed by sitting down. ...Why sit? The question is then answered through the next explanation by the bloody red instructor. The further mechanics of the system that this game applies surprises Griselda again. More and more the game reveals itself as... 'realistic'. A stamina system has been implemented. Normally, releasing physical skills would deplete it, but there is also a Mana gauge as well... so... what is the purpose?

Body fatigue; for every action, stamina is reduced as a result. Prompted by her instructor, Griselda looks up on her upper left vision, noticing the status gauges. HP, MP, SP and lastly, Stamina. Griselda's eyes hopped from her own status to her instructor's. The first instance, she noticed the difference in levels. An abyssal level 4000 instructor is actually giving time to teach this microscopic level 1 who is... of course Griselda herself.

That very fact caused Griselda to lower her head a little upon realization, but there are more explanations to listen. Looking back up, her stamina have already been used up a partial amount, slowly rising as she observed it. The next explanation signifies the whole importance that Stamina carries. Affecting skills, orientation and speed. The stamina gauge is a true function of knowing someone's own body condition.

Complicated... should take awhile to take awhile to get used to.

The next explanation covers a whole major part of any mmorpg - skills.

Free skill creation is implemented into this game, within the character limits, skills can be made in any form. Her level 4000 instructor then drew the demon sword, ready for a demonstration. Without needing any cue, Griselda sat up straight to observe her instructor in the personal skill demonstration that this overpowering veteran is about to unveil.

The result:

"W-wa..."

Griselda could only gape speechlessly.The execution was flawless and packing immense power in them. For every wave of attack, each is deadly. In all her experience... there has never been such a high leveled execution that she has seen before... everything behind pales in comparison. Her mouth still open, Griselda took a minute to collect herself after the presentation. In that daze and moment of trying to understand the flurry of 11 comboes, she snaps awake upon the instructor asking if there were any questions.

"A-ahh..! well uhm..!" Griselda fumbles a little, stiffening up.

"..."

"I do have one... after I try executing it once...?" Griselda cringes a little for not asking immediately upon the question, she bows a little and approaches another Nyu which is situated on top of a rock. Understanding this monster a little more, it should be inattentive as well so...

Unsheathing and gripping her cheap longsword out, Griselda manipulates the menu and starts the countdown for the skill. Using that time, she held her longsword behind her back to conceal it, her eyes glancing a few times to check the seconds left. After an appropriate distance, she then takes a deep breath and reveals her longsword just before the counter reaches 0.

" Haaa!" Taking a step forward and planting her left foot firmly on the ground, Griselda takes a quick step forward using forces from her body, thrusting her longsword right at the Nyu with amplified force. The tip plunges through the pudding and stabs right at the Gleamgel within, pushing it out of the watery body while still skewered by the longsword. After the burst of water, Griselda steps back and pants, noticing a chunk of stamina depleted after that move, but the question comes next.

"S-So... instructor... my question is... other than offensive attacks... what defensive and movement abilities using skills..? haa... like parrying and quick stepping...? Huff huff..." She managed to complete her question while still panting, heat rising a little as well from the rather strenuous skill that she just applied.

[Altivarde]

"None." come the answer as fast as lightning. "Sidestepping and parrying are done manually, therefore, these isn't counted as skill despite there's mastery on it. Try to check your Status Menu. Go to [Mastery] page. I assume now your longsword skill is nearly filled to level two."

Among the list appeared on Griselda's view is manufacturing mastery, weapon mastery, dodge mastery, parrying mastery and so much more.

"Although if you talk about if it is possible to apply skill to them... well, long dash itself is already part of the skill. If you target an enemy while preparing your skill, your body will automatically charge to the enemy. You can break it midway, sure, but it's straining. Sidestepping is manual movement. Parrying with shield could be boosted by using skill. Like my [Front Guard] would increase my parrying success and lessen damage dealt to the shield. Oh, there's one task I shall give to you... let's see... this is the first hour of gameplay so... what about you try to kill 13 more Nyus?"

Hildr's stoic face once again turned into wicked grin. There must be SOMETHING behind this.

[Bones_Yu-ri]

Griselda returned back to the instructor and sat down, to gain both her breath and stamina back by sitting. According to Hildr, her stamina should fill up by 5% every 30 seconds. At the current state, her stamina reduced about 20 percent, so 2 minutes of rest should be able to fill it back up. The answer for the earlier question before came quick with a firm 'None' from the instructor. As instructed, Griselda opened her status menu and checked on the mastery list.

Complex again!

There are numerous amounts of mastery and professions anyone could undertake. From her experience earlier, Griselda's longsword mastery bar has filled up close to the limit, where she would step into level 2 once it fills up. The next set of explanations came again, listening intently, Griselda caught that skills usually result in charging right at the enemy, most others are manually controlled. That means... she has to use her own abilities and skills to effectively battle in this game. A great feat to climb but...

Excitement slowly rose up within Griselda, her interest deepens. Everything is based on personal skill and talent! What is there not to love about this!

"Alright!" Griselda let out her first positive response ever since she met Hildr, even with the wicked grin that is painted on her face. If a challenge comes beyond... why not?

Stamina refilled over the course of the explanation, Griselda stood up and approaches the Nyus with a passive stance like before. The sequence to killing them is simple - to distract them as long as possible and extracting the Gleamgel from them. Griselda proceeded on this way, dropping a few more Gleamgels into her inventory menu to add them for counting. As soon as the count reaches 7, the Nyus... seem to be more wary of her now?

As she approached the 8th one, the Nyu instantly darted off upon seeing Griselda, this prompted one close by to escape as well. Frowning slightly, Griselda rubbed her chin, deducing that approaching them simply is out of the question now. With that conclusion in mind, Griselda draws her longsword and grips it. Her body turned towards another Nyu that is looking away.

Checking her stamina gauge, which has dropped again, Griselda proceeds with a dash towards the 8th Nyu to hunt. Lumbering from their simple mass of water, the Nyu had no time to react and got pierced by the cheap metal of the longsword. Reaching again into the Nyu, Griselda extracted the Gleamgel and placed it into the inventory.

"Thats... eight."

[Altivarde]

"Eight... supposedly, that's about... ten..." Griselda could heard Hildr muttering something.

At the same time, a sudden spark of "Mastery Level Up!" appeared on top of Griselda's head with energizing bell SFX.

Upon seeing the splash of their comrade's former body, the Nyus's expression changed from =< into >=< as if they're angry. Their previously orange HP bar, which mean they're passive turns red. three of them charged to Griselda, turning their body into ball of jelly, equivalent to a punch of an amateur fighter. One by one, they start raining her with attack. Stomach! Face! Legs! Any visible body part of Griselda is attacked. However, their attack is uncoordinated.

Hildr, once in a while use a magic scroll to cast something like blood barrier to help Griselda. She's lucky that this senior is quite merciful, especially when the gang attack of these Nyus would most likely kill her in less than 20 hits. They attack once per second, thanks to their docile nature that actually make them sort of unused to battle like these.

[Bones_Yu-ri]

Griselda noticed the spark of her mastery level being increased, most likely her longsword mastery. Gripping the longsword, she could definitely feel a slight change as well. Even though it is only a little, the long sword is now easier to wield than before. Nodding to herself, Griselda turned to face three more.... hostile Nyus? Their expressions have changed into an angry one, most probably provoked by Griselda's merciless slaying of their kin. Orange bars turning to red, the Nyu attack! Turning into balls and launching right at Griselda.

"H-hwahh!" Sustaining the first attack on her in this game, Griselda barely dodged the first one before the second slammed right on her body. "Gwah..!" She groined in pain as the last one struck her leg, causing her to fall in disgrace. Pain spreads through her body as the Nyus rolled away. Gritting her teeth, Griselda stood up and tightened her grip on her longsword, blood boiling over the pain and humiliation she suffered from those two sudden blows. Each of the those strikes took out a portion of her HP, especially the one that landed square on her body.

"T-these things...!"

Griselda took a deep breath as the Nyus prepared to launch themselves again, her eyes glanced at her instructor as she noticed a blood barrier being cast over her body. Nodding in thanks, she held her long sword in front of her, ready to strike as she takes a few steps to prepare herself for the attacks. Suddenly, two of them launched forward at Griselda. Responding quickly, she took a wide step to the side to dodge the pair as the last one launched itself after. Sharpening her eyes, Griselda thrusts her longsword forward at the Nyu, plunging and skewering the core out of the Nyu.

That was not the end, as a Nyu from before slammed to Griselda's side and bounces away, causing her to stumble slightly.

" K-kuh...! These things really...!" Taking a few steps back, Griselda pulls out the Gleamgel she just skewered and drops it on dry ground, read for the next one. With an odd pause, both of them jump together from two directions, instead colliding into each other and falling down, stunned. Seizing the chance, Griselda rushes forward and drives a horizontal slash towards one and extracts its core. She then leaps towards the next one and plunges her longsword with one hand and extracts with the other. That is 3 more down.

Panting, Griselda rubs her side which was just hit. "The pa--- Gah!"

Another Nyu has arrived, slamming right into Griselda's face and throwing her onto the floor.

"...aah..."

Her face starts to turn red, boiling in rage over the second humiliation of falling down by these... puddings.

"THIS THING---!!!!" Shouting in a rage, Griselda quickly got up and targets the Nyu that just slapped her right in the face, using her skill and plunging through the Nyu's body and core with force.

[Altivarde]

"Oh my..." Hildr let out a voice of amusement. Indeed, this girl's reaction is same as her back then. Hildr's smile grow in amusement. As the fourth attacking Nyu skewered, the other Nyus felt like almost growing red. "...Let's see... that's 14... oops I forgot I killed one... so that supposed to be... 15."

The other Nyu populations glow red. As they merge together, they form a huge puddle with one gigantic core as the center. "Stay back." she ordered. Hildr take out her beloved sword. What appear in front of Griselda is a monster that able to shape itself in any form. This dreadful monster... a level 90, made out of 5 Nyus. "Level 90 monster, Jell. Revenge system is really scary, eh?" she chuckled. "Revenge system is built for overly strong players to not grind too much on lower level area. Although that's highly... let's say... inefficient. Low player like you who is not assigned to an instructor generally would die in Nyu onslaught, so they won't form Jell like this one. These system work for most monster in ALT:VITA."

Hildr explanation cut short when the puddle of jelly raise to form a really massive creature with hulking body feature. The blade laughed upon glaring at the monster. "Yes, my partner... this is only water o--" her dialogue stopped midway when suddenly a bullet shoot through the jell, dividing it back to five Nyus that quickly scramble. A brown haired boy with heterochromatic eyes staring at Hildr and Griselda in unamused expression.

"You." Hildr spoke in much hostility.

"I told you that monsters here isn't your play. If you did want to help, then at least learn population control." the boy spat out venomously as his red left eye turn to sky blue, following his deep blue right eye that turns lighter.

"I'm teaching new adventurer. It's not something an NPC like you should bother."

Of course that's highly doubtful. The boy have below his right eye rune tattoo, which should mark that he's a player. However, heterochromatic eyes and it's color change in-game so far haven't been included within the character creation page nor system... so... who is this guy?

[Bones_Yu-ri]

"Huff.. huff..." Being drained of stamina excessively, Griselda pants again as she takes out the gleamgel that is skewered by her sword and placing it into her inventory. Her body turns around, only to notice a bunch of Nyus glowing red in... excessive anger?

"W-waa...?"

Taking a step back as they merged together to form a gigantic... pudding or flan... thing, Griselda watches as it grows. Just from its sheer size, Griselda could tell that she would be flattened instantly by this massive Nyu right now. With a simple order from the instructor, Griselda complied and moved back behind Hildr. Apparently... these five Nyus actually merged to become a level 90 Jell. That is mathematically wrong! How could five level 1's merge and actually shoot all the way up to 90!? The next explanation is the revenge system-- how many systems are there now?!

Griselda scratched her head as she thought as the system is explained. This is like a population control system, where if too many are killed... something crazy like this would appear?

That is... confusing... does that mean that people have to relocate everytime they kill a certain amount?

"That is... err..." Griselda looks up as the flan changes its form with ba-- hulking muscle. Despite that form, it should still be only made up of water, it is merely intimidating but... It is still level 90. The instructor on the other hand, is level 4000, there is still no contest. Just as the encounter is about to start, the demon sword spoke... is it an AI or scripted...? It seems to have its own will to be able to sp--

WOOSH!

With a powerful shot, something hits the Jell and causes it to explode back into the initial five Nyus that now scatter all over the place. The person most likely responsible steps up, revealing himself as a brown haired boy with heterochromia. Hildr... seems to be not pleased at all. Instructor? Griselda looked at both Hildr and the boy as they exchanged words in a rather... tense situation. Is this another abnormally high leveled veteran or--

"I'm teaching new adventurer. It's not something an NPC like you should bother." These words came out of Hildr's mouth personally.

"Eh?" Griselda returned her attention towards the boy, there is a noticable tattoo below his right eye, why does the instructor say that? Characters which are human with should have some sort of tattoo to tell them apart from the others so... why? "I-Instructor, what do you mean... 'NPC'..? He has that tattoo of a... human character there."

[Altivarde]

"Among players, there should be none that care about population. The answer would be, this guy is an NPC! Plus, that one tattoo isn't player tattoo... it's a rune. Several inhabitants of this world have those located on their body. Furthermore... That one guy always disturb me!"

Upon accusative remark Hildr make, the boy sneered. "Barbarian like you wouldn't know how it feel when the nature goes off balance anyway, so you does not care. Like I say, birdbrains, you should try to understand the mechanic first! This population control is a way so you'll leave time for these monster to reproduce once more!"

"Hah! Your explanation does not make sense! Even if it takes a year, they will spawn back eventually!"

"Thanks to us forcing the rebirth cycle, yes. Now off with you!"

The two locked in murderous glare. From the boy, even Griselda could felt something... unearthly. Something far more grandioso than Hildr's level 4000, especially that crystalline sword that seem a lot rarer than Hildr's weapon. Could this NPC reach such level that it shrunk Hildr's level as something nonexistent? His eyes, too, is not eyes of a normal player or veteran.

Those eyes only could be found in someone who killed a million by themselves

"...Che, we're retreating for today, Griselda. We're done on field lesson. Now let's learn social lesson. Before, you just must know that in order to hunt here safely, you must not kill so many in short interval. Try resting an hour after you killed eight or so..."

[Bones_Yu-ri]

"A-an NPC...?" Griselda looks at the tattoo again, which happens to be a rune rather than a player tattoo... Wait... why is an NPC interfering then? Locked within murderous glares, it seem sthat both of them are quite antagonistic with each other. A NPC and a player as bitter rivals... perhaps? The level of antagonism between them is sky high as Griselda could only cringe as their conversation continued.

Population control, opinions from a NPC and a player.

Why is the NPC... supporting the monster population so much? Is it because he is part of the system as well, so... anyway, what is forced rebirth as well?

Bombarded by questions in her head, Griselda shook her head and looked at the boy again. Her eyes soon noticed his eyes, that very sight sent a great chill down her spine as her breath is taken away for a second. "A-ahh...?" What are those eyes?! The aura about him, his sword, everything is odd about him. For a being created for a game, he is way to unnatural to believe. People said you can discern someone by looking at their eyes but this NPC... What is this void and merciless that held within? That very appearance took away weak Griselda's breath away, whom is still rock bottom in terms of level.

Luckily, it was Hildr that brought Griselda out of her semi-trance. Ending the field lesson and about to start the social lessons. A nice advice is also thrown in.

"Y-yes.. instructor..." Griselda took a deep breath as they both turn around to walk towards the city. She then took one last glance back at the NPC boy before walking by Hildr's side back to the city. "I-instructor... is it just me or... that NPC over there is... odd..?"

"He showed great concern over the population and...."

Her voice fades away a little.

"Maybe I am still far too early for this but... what is this... feeling I get from him...?"

[Altivarde]

Hildr took a single long breath and start to talk bitterly. "I... am used to be a group player. We hunt in group of 4, with our leader is the strongest among us... level 110. After knowing revenge system, he tried that himself... Until suddenly that NPC come. They call him [Sora]. If you're normal player, he looks like a brat not knowing much of his place... but upon closer inspection of his level..."

Hildr turn into a pause and gulped.

"...Let me tell you the story... So... we furiously charged at him... however, our leader that time decide that it'll be unfair... so he duelled this NPC one versus one... And from there we can see his level and HP... That...NPC... Sora..."

Her voice trembled. Beads of cold sweat formed on her forehead.

"...A freaking level of impossible eight quadrallion... I still remember... How he cut our leader clean into two parts! Despite the said person come back next day... it was a traumatic experience... he claimed no pain... no feeling, only... sheer terror from those two blue eyes of that NPC... I don't get the motive... but for us PCs... he's like some great boss... or maybe correctly... Immortal one."

[Bones_Yu-ri]

A little worry settled upon Griselda as she noticed Hildr wavering a little after she asked that question. What could this mean? That NPC from before had such a great impact on this strong blood colored valkyrie that is now her instructor? Hildr then started recounting the past, from when she used to be in a group. Her leader was level 110 then, so she should be about the 90-100 range during the time, it must have been quite awhile back. As she recounted, her voice wavers even further as her seems seem to shake, Griselda could not comprehend what had happened during that time.

She then mentioned about that NPC from before, the boy [Sora].

Both Hildr and Griselda stopped walking as cold sweat formed on her head. What is it about his level? It should be about the thousands... Eight Quadtrillion?!

Griselda's mouth opened slightly in unbelief, trying to make sense of what she heard. A quadrillion should be about... about... there are fifteen zeroes, right? How is that even possible? The better question is... what is the purpose of having such a high level? There is no sense in having that high of a capability.

Hildr continued on, in a tone that seemed like her soul is being sucked out. What kind of trauma someone could get from this VRMMORPG? For it to affect this level 4000 strong valkyrie in such a way... that, Griselda could probably never know untill she faces that Sora's might herself. Now, Hildr seems to be quite unlike herself... there is only her and Griselda now.

Hesitating a little, Griselda reached her hand and gently placed it on Hildr's shoulder. "Instructor... are you alright...?" Griselda asked in concern before continuing.

"You are going to bring me to the next step, right...? I will begin with this step of level 1 and rise up the unlimited barriers." This may be ignorance but... Griselda grins a little, filled with challenge. "I am strong, you know?"