Eternal Empire Online: The Rise of the Mythical Detective

Chapter 3: The Castaways, The Sword Apparition, And The Recipe For Survival 1

“I can’t take it anymore, this is torture!” Yet, another disciple wheezed before emitting a golden light and disappears from the field.

‘He’s the 14th one,’ Grimm said as he continuously strikes the wooden statue in front of him.

Barely three hours had passed since the dawn of their training but more than a quarter of them were already out of commission.

Ding!

______________________________

You have entered the Cult of Illusion Training Ground

Your STAT had risen

All STATS has risen by 5 points (+5ALL)

Growth Rate: +40%

Health and Stamina Recovery: +15% Increase for 4 days

______________________________

When they first set foot inside the training ground, they were all ecstatic due to number of stat and recovery bonuses that the area provided. Many even suggested forming parties and hunting within the surrounding areas for EXP.

However, Bart stopped them by revealing that even though hunting within the forest is not prohibited during the course of his training, they must first accomplish the task that he’ll assign. Only afterwards, if everything is made and done that they can do any activity of their choosing until the next task is given.

Everyone agreed and requested the instruction from Bart, in which in return, he provided.

In the training ground, there are 50 humanoid wooden statues, one for each disciple. Bart’s task is to pick an unattended statue and hit them solely with the series of strikes that Bart instructed.

Ting!

You have received your [1st Training Instruction]

Target: Statue of a Warrior

Weapon: Wooden Sword

Time: 24 Hours

______________________________

[Tasks]

Aim above head with a downward strike.

Strike the right shoulder diagonally. [NW to SE Strike]

Strike the left shoulder diagonally. [NE to SW Strike]

Strike the right arm’s center from the side.

Strike left arm’s center from the side.

Aim the right arm’s bottom diagonally. [SW to NE Strike]

Aim the left arm’s bottom diagonally. [SE to NW Strike]

Strike the groin area from below via upward stroke.

Stab the chest.

Then repeat…The sequence must be accomplished in a 30:10 seconds fashion. Within 30 seconds, you must perform all the strikes 10 times and then 10 seconds will be given for resting, eating and drinking before resuming.

Those who’ll fail to accomplish the 10 repetition within the time limit will be punished by performing 100 thumb push-ups, also within 30 seconds, before returning to the original task.

Giving up or failing to finish the task or the punishment will result to elimination.

Food and Water will be provided by the Instructor.

[Growth Rate 2X]

______________________________

The task was ridiculously laborious and majority of the beginner exclaimed complains.

However, Bart reminded them that the exit of the forest is always open. If they believe that they are incapable of achieving his standards, then they can leave anytime.

The reiteration silenced the naggers and Bart then declared the start of the 1st training.

Grimm along with the counted few that didn’t breathe complains during the revelation of the task were the first to step forward. Clutching the wooden sword, they walked to the statues and began beating it.

The rest, though reluctant, eventually followed. After all, regardless of how realistic Eternal Empire is, this is still a game and what they physically lack in real life, they can compensate with their stats.

Or so they thought.

Due to the requirement of 10 repetitions in the course of 30 seconds, beating the statue with the nine strikes was more complex than they expected.

If one will calculate on how the task is performed. There are 9 strikes and 10 repetitions in 30 seconds. Therefore, they have to accomplish 3 strikes per second.

3 strikes per second. The number is achievable with a couple of more seconds to spare especially if they have a substantial amount of Agility points on their stats. However, that is only applicable if they are hitting the statue randomly and not with a fixed sequence of strikes.

Striking from one area to another has changing distances. Therefore, they have to strike faster in selected areas compared to the rest. They also have to bend their knees or shift their postures when hitting the lower parts, so timing is also important to prevent wasting stamina.

So more than just speed and strength, precision, resilience, balance, and quick judgment are also vital in completing the task. If they become even a split second late, they will fail to meet the quota within the time frame and will fall to the stamina draining punishment.

They are well aware how fatal it is if they get punished. There’s a 60% chance that they will fail and even if they succeed, the burden of the penalty will greatly reduce their strength, making it impossible to last for 24 hours.

Grimm grasped these impediments and executed the appropriate measures. Some also noticed the hitch and organize something to do about it. However, the rest were oblivious and rely solely on the number of their stats. So it didn’t come as a surprise that during the first hour, five were immediately covered with golden lights and forcefully transported out of the training ground.

The succeeding two hours were no different. Another five were eliminated on the second hour and four on the third.

Ding!

______________________________

Your continuously improve your power, speed, and precision. Your growth is outstanding.

Your STATS had risen

Strength has risen by 1 point (+1STR)

Agility has risen by 2 point (+2AGI)

Dexterity has risen by 1 point (+1DEX)

______________________________

During the fourth hour, the first alert message for stat enhancement appeared for Grimm.

The training ground has a 40% growth rate and during the course of the training task, that growth rate is raised to 80%. That is 4 times faster compared to when he was training inside the Dojo in Latona. The stats obtainable back then after 16 hours of physical activity are now acquirable in 4.

‘This sort of chances rarely comes. I must get the best out of it.’

Thanks to the added effect of Unbreakable Body and Sword Mastery, he can meet the required striking speed without suffering a rapid drop on his stamina and satiety. But also due to that, his vitality is not challenged, thus, its growth is hindered.

With his current pace, he can surely receive 4x the growth in strength, agility, and dexterity but due to the methods that he’s applying to conserve energy, the same thing does not apply to his vitality and tenacity.

If that were the case, he has 2 options to tap his vitality and tenacity stats during the drill.

1. Double his workload during the 30 seconds time frame or,

2. Skip three of his 10 seconds break.

Both could deliver the result that he desires. However, the second option will surely attract attentions from the other disciples, so the first option is more convenient.

And as expected, his stamina and satiety dropped faster due to the double workload. He also ate and relaxes less during his breaks.

Thanks to that, two hours later, the message alert that Grimm desires appear.

Ding!

______________________________

You pushed yourself to the limit to accomplish your task. Your determination is admirable.

Your STATS had risen

Vitality has risen by 1 point (+1VIT)

Tenacity has risen by 2 point (+2TEN)

______________________________

With a satisfied smile, Grimm gripped the wooden sword tighter and pushed through.

◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇

Twenty four hours finally passed, signifying the end of Bart’s first training.

And from the starting number of 50 beginners that followed the Wandering Warrior to the Forest of Illusion, the ruthless culling had only retained 9 tough disciples.

“That ends everything for today. Next training will be held after four days. Until then, you kids are free to do as you please but leaving the forest is prohibited.” Bart announced to the wheezing disciples before disappearing to the darkness of the night.

“So…what now?” Someone voices out after minutes of long silence.

“I’m logging out. Master Bart said that the next training is in four days. That’s 24 hours in the real world. I’m gonna go home and take some rest.”

“Me too.”

Several had readied themselves to exit the game but an emergence of another voice stopped them.

“Wait!”

The voice belonged to the only surviving female in the group. She’s an attractive dark skinned, silver haired young woman who belongs to the fey race.

“Before we separate, I would like to suggest a few things first to the group.”

‘Damn!’ Grimm cursed under his breath.

One glance and Grimm could read her intention and for him, it’s going to be a nuisance.

Unfortunately, aside from Grimm, the rest bares themselves as typical hot blooded males that easily get charmed by an attractive woman. With ears wide open, they immediately agreed to listen to what she got to say.

“First is for us to be acquainted. Way back during our initial assembly, our number makes it an inconvenience. But now that only few of us remain, I believe it’s about time to give a formal introduction.”

It’s a normal human mentality that when placed in a crowd, they would not mind knowing the identity of the person next them. But once placed in a group with a countable number, they all become thorough.

However, on their case, it’s weightier than that. They are not just a bunch of disciples learning under a master. They are also contenders that are fighting against each other to inherit their master’s sword. Bart never utters a word about it yet but there’s a high chance that he might just choose one among them.

From the very beginning, Grimm had been fully aware about that and he is certain that so does this fey.

That’s why she’s luring them into these introductions. Her aim is to find out more about them, her rivals. And through the way that the others are reacting, she’s doing it perfectly.

“I shall start then,” said the fey after receiving everyone’s approval. “My name is Deidre and I’m level 21.”

“You probably all knew me and my group but let me introduce myself again. I am Trevol, my level is 27.”

“I’m Basche, level 25.”

The next to introduce their selves were the other two surviving members of Trevol’s group.

“Name is Kylo, level 23.”

“Louie, also level 23.”

And then the last three;

“I’m Gambit and my level is 28.”

“Ecks, level 26.”

“*yawn* My name is Gust and I am level 24.”

They shared their names and levels, and now it was Grimm’s turn.

“My name’s Grimm. Level 1.”

“…………”

Everyone fell into an awkward silence.

Gambit manned up the courage and asked, “Did I just inaccurately heard what you just said or did you really say that you’re level 1?”

“You’re hearing is just fine. My level is really just 1.”

“Hey now, how’s that possible?” Trevol asked.

“Well, before I could get the chance to gain a level, your friend over there,” indicating Basche, “dragged me all the way here.”

“Basche, do you know about this?”

The young Elf shook his head. “I was anxious to complete the quest, so I simply took the first viable person I can find, and I got him.”

“But if you’re only level 1, then how are you able to last this long?” Deidre asked. “All of my colleagues that joined into this quest had higher levels than mine but as you can see, I’m the only one left.”

“You’ll be surprise how persistent I can get,” was Grimm’s simple answer.

◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇

The entire group gave Grimm a dubious look. But as they examine him closer, starting from his default gears and the kitchen knife sheathed on his waist, their doubts immediately faded and dismissed his survival as mere luck.

There is no way that a shabby looking kid like him is hiding something.

All of them might be jobless beginners but they had at least hunted and purchased better gears and weapons to face the cruel world of the game instead of relying on the default gears provided by the system.

And if they also consider Basche’s story on how he recruited him, it tells that he got dragged here before he got the chance to upgrade his gears and level up.

“Anyway, enough about that and let us hear what Deidre is about to say next. I’m sure its content is the true goal of this meeting. Am I right?” Trevol said, firing a meaningful look towards her.

‘So someone actually noticed.’ Deidre nodded admittedly but only after giving Trevol a brief glare. “Yes. As what Trevol mentioned, there are some matters that we needed to discuss in order secure something.”

“What’s that?” Basche asked.

“Our survival.”

“…………”

“Before I continue, let’s admit this first. All of us here are contenders and we are all fighting against one another to win Sir Bart’s approval, complete this quest and gain the reward.”

All of them nodded. There’s no point of denying the obvious.

“However, that’s only applicable during our trainings when Sir Bart is around and our safety is secured. But the moment that he departs and leave us on our own, we become castaways. Nine people, left in the middle of an uncharted territory. We are prohibited to leave and we have no idea about the place’s landscape or what kind of creatures lurks around here especially at night. Whenever that happened, in order to survive, helping each other will be necessary.”

“Wait,” said Kylo. “Are you suggesting about working together despite the fact that you’d just bared about the nine of us being competitors, rivals?”

Deidre nodded. Despite being skeptical about this whole idea, she can’t endanger her life in this place.

If she dies, her level and skill masteries will suffer a decline and her items and equipment might get dropped too. However, those are nothing compared to the penalty of 24 hours login ban. If that happens, she won’t be able to login during the next training, thus, eliminating her from the quest.

So despite the threat of working side by side with her competitors, she needed to do it to ensure that she will make it until the next training.

“There is a gap of four days before the start of the next training. During that time, the nine of us needed to explore the forest, find food, and gain levels. And to accomplish that with a high probability of survival, all of us must work together.”

“But isn’t it more convenient if we just logged out while waiting for the next training,” Basche suggested.

“That won’t be wise,” said Gambit.

“Why’s that?”

“You’re forgetting that this hellish training is a Chain Quest that your group had acquired through mere coincidence, which means that in an overall view, this is a quest with a ridiculously low triggering chance. Not to mention that it also required 50 players with no profession for it to be fully functional. The way I see it, aside from stat boosts and some neat gears or weapons, this quest might lead into unlocking a Hidden Profession.”