6 A Helping Hand (1/2)

*Huff* *Huff*

”Urlgan...I…can't… run anymore.”

Completely exhausted, I collapse to the ground, not caring how I look. I see some notifications flashing, and with a grunt and shaky hand, I open them up.

You have learned a new skill!

Sprint [Rank E] (Active) Increases your movement speed by x2. Uses 20 Stamina/second

You have learned a new skill!

Endurance [Rank E] (Passive) Reduces stamina usage by 2%

You have 2 skills available for rank up.

I had run for an hour and a half. I wasn't the best runner, and I was regretting it. Now that I think about it, I don't even know if real-life endurance would even come over into the game. Urlgan walked over to me, laughing. He held out his and helped me up and gave me a leather pouch with water.

”Not bad rookie. I didn't expect you to make it that far. Rest up for a bit, next I'll teach you some hand to hand combat. You may not always have a weapon on you, so sometimes you have to engage with your fists.

Ten minutes later, I was sparring with Urlgan.

”Remember, when striking with a fist, you have to keep your wrist straight. You might end up injuring it if you don't do it correctly.

”Don't lock your knees and bounce on the balls of your feet. This will allow you to move better.”

You have learned a new skill!

Martial Arts Mastery [Rank E] (Passive) Increases martial art skill XP gain by x1 and increases martial art damage by x1.

I spent a while training and called it a day as the sun was starting to set. I decided to walk around town and get a better lay of the area just so I don't get lost. As I was walking around, I caught a conversation between two players.

Player 1: ”So I heard that when you logout, you have to do it someplace like and inn.”

Player 2: ”You do? Whys that?”

Player 1: ”Its because your body stays in-game and you have to log out in a safe area else people can loot you. But I also heard towns count as safe places too.”

After hearing this, I decided I should log out at an inn. I continued my exploration while also looking for a place to log out. I found some restaurants that looked good and would check out later. After some time, I found an inn that looked decent enough.

Walking inside, I found the first floor to some sort of dining area as what looked like waitresses walked around serving food. I walked up to one of them asked them about a room. Paying 7 gold, I was handed a key to a room on the third floor.

”We also have a bathhouse outback you can relax in as well.”

”Ok. Thank you.”

I head upstairs and find my room. I don't actually need to use the key to unlock as I found it just does it for you. I walk inside and sit on the bed and look around the room.

(A little small, but it is very homely.)

I then realize that I don't actually have anything to unpack as I can use the inventory feature. With that, I take off the leather parts of my armor and store them in my inventory. I decided this would be an excellent time to check out the baths.

Arriving inside the bath, I am greeted by an elderly woman. She seems to be keeping watch at the baths as they are separated by gender. I begin to move towards the female side but then stop as I remember my gender.

”Excuse me, miss?”

I speak to the woman to get her attention as I don't know what side I need to use.

”Hello dearie. Ah, I see you are an elf. Well you are free to choose either side. Can't really restrict your kind unless we built a third bath.”

”Oh, I see. Well, then, thank you.”

I decided to go to the female side to bathe. It was set up like the bathhouses in Japan. I did enjoy those when I used to live there. I am glad to experience it again, even if it is in a game. I undress and put my clothes up, then I grab a towel and go to the washing area.