Over the past few weeks, Broken’s leveling progress had been quite steady. Perhaps it was because he dedicated all his time to the Smithy, avoiding encounters with monsters altogether. He had managed to climb up by 12 levels! Admittedly, it was a significant leap considering his still-low level and the relatively low experience points required. Yet, he was starting to feel a sense of relief, now sitting comfortably at level 45.
It wouldn’t be long before he reached level 50, unlocking access to level 150 equipment and dungeons. It was a high-level dungeon compared to his level, but the idea filled him with excitement.
He decided to spend 100 of his stat points to increase his Strength and the rest for Intelligence. He knew he needed more Weight Capacity to wear his new armor set and sword.
[Name: Broken
Level: 45
Classes: Super Novice | Royal Blacksmith
Health: 1,780 Mana: 1,428
Strength: 300 Agility: 119 Intelligence: 124 Constitution: 128 Stamina: 130
Charisma: 50 Luck: 25 Dexterity: 40
Available Stat Points: 0
Weight: 1,780/,1800]
Early in the morning, just outside the city walls of Deadbay City, Broken stood donning his new armor, its dark black hue with bold patterns gleaming under the morning’s orange sunlight. Little Polly darted around him, frolicking amidst the grass, occasionally diving into the tall blades.
Glancing towards the city gate, Broken he the figure he had been waiting for that morning. Ivana, looking enthusiastic, waved from a distance, hastening her steps towards him.
“Broken…” she called out, stopping before him with a warm smile. “I’m sorry for being late… I prepared lunch for the two of us.”
“No…” He replied, returning her smile. “I enjoy the outskirts of Deadbay, the grasslands are soothing. Plus, I was playing with Polly.”
They walked side by side as Ivana carried a wooden basket filled with food.
“She’s Polly,” Broken introduced.
Ivana beamed and quickly sat down on the grass, Polly responding by gazing back at her with her big round eyes.
“Hi… Can I get to know you? My name is Ivana…” she said eagerly, then reached for the food basket. “I am… a chef… but I heard spirit beasts don’t eat human food, right?” she said, giggling.
“Hi… I’m Polly…” Polly replied softly.
Ivana then extended her hand. “May I touch you?” she asked, Polly, showing no signs of resistance as her eyes closed while Ivana caressed the fox’s head.
Broken then joined Ivana on the grass. “Polly is actually a battle spirit beast; she can transform into a larger form. I’ll take you on a ride with Polly to our destination today, interested Ivana?”
Ivana looked at him with enthusiasm. “Yes…” she then looked back at Polly. “Can I ride you too, Polly?”
Polly nodded softly. “Yes…” she closed her eyes again as Ivana continued to stroke her fox’s head.
On that day, Broken intended to accompany Ivana in searching for some food ingredients in the forest. Usually, she would buy these ingredients at high prices, but this time, Broken aimed to help her find them on their own, hoping to gather many high-quality ingredients in large quantities.
“Allow me to store this food in my inventory,” he said, taking the wooden basket from Ivana. “Sure,” she replied with a warm smile.
As Polly transformed into her larger form, she swayed her head from side to side, then approached Broken, resting her head against him as he stroked the fox’s head. Broken then leaped up and mounted Polly.
He reached out his hand to Ivana, and she smiled, grasping Broken’s hand as he lifted her, and she hopped onto the back of the fox.
“Make yourself comfortable. It might be a bit tricky to maintain balance at first, but you can hold onto me if you have trouble,” he said.
Ivana smiled and nodded.
“Okay, Let’s go Polly,” he said, and Polly swiftly dashed through the grass.
The wind suddenly hit their bodies, brightening Broken’s face as well as Ivana’s, who was starting to enjoy the ride. She slowly leaned against him, wrapping her right arm around Broken’s waist. He glanced at her briefly before turning his gaze forward.
“Enjoying it?” he asked.
“Uh-huh!” she said, nodding.
Polly dashed even faster through the grassy field towards the forest area where they would hunt monsters. Ivana’s dress billowed in the wind, while Broken resembled a black knight on a white horse – well, a white fox with three tails to be exact. Ivana may not have been a princess, but she was a talented and stunning chef, and she sat behind Broken with grace and kindness.
Entering the forest and reaching their intended location, they found themselves in a part of the woods relatively open from the towering trees. However, scattered around were peculiar flowers unknown to Broken, and large mushrooms clung to the trees.
Helping Ivana off Polly, Broken dismounted as well. Ivana’s face lit up with excitement as she ran towards the flowers, glancing back at Broken with a giggle. “Thanks, Broken… I’d never dare to come here alone. But today, I can harvest as much as possible to cook delicious meals for my mother, Mr. Fokil, and you too. You don’t need to worry while in Deadbay; I’ll always cook tasty meals for you,” she said.
Broken nodded, following Ivana as she examined the plants and flowers around them. In reality, his thoughts were occupied by his imminent departure from Deadbay. He needed to hunt for the materials to craft the Moonvine Knuckles and the Unseen Universe Necklace, even though he didn’t yet know how to obtain them.
They ventured further into the forest, searching for some plant-type monsters. These creatures resembled mushrooms as tall as a three-year-old child, hiding behind trees, pretending to be fungi, and scurrying away when approached. Polly swiftly darted forward, striking the mushroom-like monsters with her claws, causing several materials to drop from the small creatures.
Ivana sighed, “What poor mushroom monsters… but I know I can cook something delicious from them,” she said, turning to Broken.
He thoroughly enjoyed the hunt. After spending weeks cooped up in the cramped, fiery, dimly lit smithy, he felt a sense of relief as he wandered through the forest with the fresh air. Ivana’s constant positive vibes made him feel comfortable being around her.
They spent almost the entire day in the forest, hunting monsters and gathering plenty of materials. They even managed to enjoy a meal together amidst the trees.
Ivana brought grilled meat, which tasted incredibly tempting to Broken’s palate.
“I’m starting to find other foods bland after getting used to your cooking, Ivana,” he said,
giggling.
“Really? Well… It’s okay then. You can keep eating my cooking, so you’ll get used to it,” she
replied.
“Do you know that I have my own world outside, right?” he asked.
Ivana nodded, curious. “Are you a soldier, a knight? Or a magician there, Broken?”
“No… my world is not what you might think. There’s no magic, no stats, no levels. Everyone is
the same,” he explained.
“The same?” she said, puzzled.
“Yes… There’s no status screen we can access, so everyone just practices and learns without knowing their specific level. And we don’t fight monsters either,” he elaborated.
Ivana smiled warmly. “Sounds like a comfortable and safe world… Do you know how we, the Yunateans, can travel to your world, Broken?”
He shook his head and smiled. “I don’t think that’s possible.”