1 Chapter 1 – Archer of The Fallen Village

It was a rough start. Considering all that I experienced, many people will turn solemn after hearing my story. But now is different. I'm a new guy now. I will be happy. Never will I let people ruin my life anymore, even if it makes me the loneliest person in this bizarre new world.

I came here a few months ago, bearing the memories of a man named Tom. Trust me. This is the most generic name I've ever heard since coming to this world. I don't know if it's just the author's laziness or if it's just fate but either way, I'm not using it. Let's call me my name before the transmigration.

Aztel Wayne.

You guys can call me Az. Currently 21 years old, a 'NEET', or so what people call this kind of living. As for what this internal monologue is for, it's just because this time, the start of my new journey has officially begun.

[Spirit of Immortal Champions]

This is a new game that came out. It is an all-time favorite genre, MMORPG with NeuroLinks[1[A1] ]. However, what made it a hit is that it came with a twist. On the official website, the game developers clearly emphasize a point that made the whole world excited.

"…this new world is made with an advance AI. Whatever happens in the game, is not something that we can change nor interfere with. Once the server opens, we cannot do anything but to watch and announce some special events that will happen or the start of Story Chapters."

"…the players also have a limited time of respawns. Once killed by an NPC or mob (basically anyone from inside the game with the exceptions of players.) a player can only respawn three times. If it's a PvP however, this rule doesn't apply."

…

[Spirit of Immortal Champions' Servers has officially opened!]

…

[Entering the World 50%...]

[World Load Complete!]

[Please customize your character]

[Regain original facial features?]

"Yes.", Az replied to the robotic voice.

[Enter IGN]

"Aim."

[Select Race!]

>Human – Balance type. Normal Magical Affinity. Normal Aura Enhancement.

>Elf – Agility and Stealth type. Higher Magical Affinity. Lesser Aura Enhancement.

>Orc – Defense and Strength type. Lesser Magical Affinity. Higher Aura Enhancement.

[Other races can be unlocked upon entering the game. Only Humans can switch to any species after fulfilling the necessary criteria. Elf and Orc can only switch to a higher-level type of their race.]

This message made the simple-minded Az dizzy. At first, he wanted to pick Elf without a shred of hesitation, but after reading that note he started to doubt his instincts. In his past life, he was a pure-bred human. There's a lot of other species in his past world and humans are never the race with the highest potential. Yet now, the game says that humans can evolve to any of the other races.

How questionable. He thought. Anyway, despite the hesitation he still ultimately chose Elf. He's "play style" involves speed a lot, thus to have an advantage early game he can only choose what's best for the current him.

[Spawning in a Village 69%...]

[Note: Stats is based on your real body. Weapon Affinity is also scanned and skills can be obtained through it after entering the village. If the system cannot detect an Affinity, it will instead give you three random skills instead. (All skills involve in this is Passive and Unranked[2[A2] ].)]

After the loading screen completed, Az found himself in an empty village. Houses, well, ruins are everywhere. It looked like a village that barely survived an apocalypse. There were barely people and most of them looks like they could collapse in any moment. There were no guards and the only decent clothed persons are shop owners. But even they don't look decent enough.

Az is the only one decently dressed at the moment. He wore leather armor and a black cotton pants. His ears are pointy and his skin is pale, hair is black with a decent looking face.

He stood out among the crowd but no one seemed to care to him now. He then quickly browsed his stats to see his starting point.

[Name: Aim]

[Race: Elf]

[Talents:

Sharpshooter – You are maniac when using long-ranged weapon. Every enemy in 10 meters, with you in the center, will have a chance to be inflicted with the Agitated Status (Skills has certain chance of failing and attacks aimed to you will have certain chances of missing.)]

[Skills:

Nature's Grace (Passive) – Elf will always have advantage in everywhere there nature is. Speed and Stealth is improved when there is plant nearby. Innately increases AGI, CHA, INT by 10%.

Hunter's Instinct (Passive) – Once you hit an enemy with a long-ranged weapon, they will be marked and they will not be able hide to you anymore. Effects last till enemy exits the range of the Sharpshooter(Talent).]

[Stats:

STR – 4

AGI – 9

INT – 10 (+1)

CHA – 7]

(A/N: The values inside the parenthesis are the bonuses from passive and equipment. I will not be adding those values that haven't reach +1 yet.)

[Weapon Mastery to Long-ranged weapon has reached the boundary for Talent Awakening]

[Weapon Mastery:

Long-ranged Weapon (Legendary) – Your mastery has almost reached the peak, each attack will have additional effect. Every hit will have chance to trigger a 50% slow effect.

Dagger (Master)[3[A3] ] – Enough to topple every juvenile dagger wielder. If you hit an enemy using this weapon, the attack will have an additional 5% more damage.

Others cannot be displayed due to insufficient mastery.]

Currently, equipment isn't displayed because he obviously doesn't have one.

"Well, that is for a start. In a gamer's term, I might be called OP. I can only blame my past self for being so much of an enthusiast of long-ranged warfare.", he muttered to himself.

"Now, what important is to find a weapon and a class for any long-ranged fighting styles. I curse the game developer for not giving instructions on how to get a class!"

He then stood up and headed to where most people are currently. The town plaza. Or what it seems to be.

It's completely dilapidated. Several logs for sitting is scattered around a bonfire. People are staring at it with eyes devoid of emotion, it was clear that a disaster just happened a few hours ago here.

The atmosphere is really solemn. The only sound that could be heard is the calming sound of the bonfire and a man talking to a little girl. His voice is gentle and is currently painting a picture to the girl's head to lessen the burden weighing on her little shoulder.

The man looks like the only one who handles the situation very calmly. His build and the sword on his back indicates that he is soldier, while the dried blood visible from the bandages on his body says that a battle just ended a few hours ago.

What someone needs in a situation when you don't know where and what to do is information. And he seems to be the man who can provide those to Az.

"Hey man, can you spare me some time?", Az approached.

The man stopped what his doing and looked at Az dubiously. For a soldier like him, who just came out of bloody battle, to see someone who is smiling like a fool, able-bodied, and not injured even a bit, it would be hard not to want to punch him in the face. Luckily, he could tell that Az did not come from here and has probably no idea of what happened.

He hesitantly said goodbye to the little kid and replied with a kind yet tired smile, "Greetings Traveler. The name is Artie."

Az replied with a kind smile, "Call me Aim. Excuse me for prying, but what happened here?"

"Well, this village is called Lucros. We can be considered to be renting this piece of land to the king. Aside from tax, we take some of our income to pay tribute to His Highness each year, this is the third year we haven't paid. I cannot blame my people though as the beasts living in the forest has increased since the first year and now it has double the amount before.

Now, the king was enraged about it. As his subjects, we can only lower our head in shame and accept his words and punishment. The king said that if we survive the coming beast waves without the help of the kingdom, he will give this piece of land to us. Or specifically speaking, to the one who manages the village.

Due to this our previous Village Chief succumbed to his greed and rashly led his men to clear some beast in the forest only to return here as a cold corpse. Because of this many people fled from here and our men are now lacking and we can barely defend the village."

From that alone Az managed to sum up some points. First, interracial interactions are normal here since there wasn't any reverie or disgust in Artie's eyes when looking at him. Second, this village is a complete treasure trove for players. Beasts' waves are just an open-field dungeon for them. Lastly, Lucros Village needed soldiers for help!

Hurriedly, Az asked, "I admired your determination brother Artie. There are few people I know that has that kind unyielding personality. I came from a land where people fight for themselves and for themselves only. I would like to offer some help. Is there something I can do?"

Artie frowned at Az's enthusiasm. Not many aims to help a fallen village, especially those you cannot gain any penny from. If only he knows how Az mind works then he might've stab this greedy person to death.

"Brother, I know you just want to help but it's really dangerous in this village. I advise you to go on with your journey instead. Besides, we cannot pay you anything."

"Oh brother. I insist. I am a good fighter and you badly need someone who can fight now. In terms of compensation, I'm happy to see everyone in the village having a life full of emotion and not like warm corpses moving around. No offense of course."

After some hesitation, Artie ask," I cannot risk a life that is not ours. I can only accept your help if you keep your distance in the battlefield. Do you know how to use a bow?"

[ Mission Prompt: The Archer of the Fallen Village]

[Description: Artie accepts your help only if you know how to use a bow!]

[Difficulty – D]

[Rewards – Class Selection(Long-ranged weaponry), 1000 EXP, 100 BC(Bronze Coins), Bow Selection, Arrow Crafting Formula Selection]

[Note: The options from Class Selection are not completely random. The class that you have the most compatibility will have priority.]

This mission is basically compensation to someone who spawn in a fallen village, doesn't have any mentor, and any other players that he could form party with. Yet it is very advantageous for him as he is a long-ranged specialist. If it's an Orc that spawned here, he might cry while running back home because they have no long-range advantage against the horde nor are they qualified for the quest.

[A1]This device "links virtual reality to the user thorough the nerves". As for how it really works, it will be explained in the later chapters.

[A2]Passive and Active Skills has the probability to evolve, and most can be levelled up. Unranked Category can do neither.

[A3]Mastery Ranks: Beginner, Intermediate, Master, Grandmaster, Legendary, Mythical, and the "rumoured" Sage Rank.