Open World Online (O.w.O)

• 1^st Person POV (MC)

-Present Time-

After relaxing for a couple of hours IRL, accidentally took another afternoon nap resulting in getting an early dinner and shower.

I am now feeling refreshed and energized as I come back to the game once more.

-Entering O.w.O-

Now... what should I do today? Oh! Check up on my potions again to see if it is sold.

My hand waved mid-air and a panel greeted me with its characteristic blue colour. Navigating to the inventory section, I didn’t see the potion anymore rather I gained a huge amount of Zeni.

“Wow... Who keeps buying my entire potion stock????”

I questioned it knowing, I would not get any answer. Shrugging, I silently said my thanks to whoever bought them in bulk. 70% of this will be converted into IRL money and I keep the 30% as Zeni for any kind of budget.

While scrolling the players’ market though I heard the familiar notification sounds and I swiped to the Friend List. Seeing the ones who were online that is… only him in my friend list, I knew who’s messaged me.

-Chat-

(Siegfried)

-You OL early!? Grind?

(Me)

-Sure! Usual place?

(Siegfried)

-Yep! Otw.

-Chat-

I already walked to the adventurer’s guild and arrived at the entrance. Leaning on one of its sturdy stone walls, I waited for him while scrolling through the players’ market checking on what kind of rare mats higher-level Areas provide.

Then I felt a slight nudge of pressure on my shoulder prompting me to turn my head.

“Oh!? Sieg, you’re already here!”

“Yo!” -Siegfried-

He raises his right hand in a greeting. Then has a look of curiosity before asking.

“What are you looking at? I’ve been here for good seconds.” -Siegfried-

“Hehe... just some things that players’ market sell. There are a whole lot of interesting stuff in there.”

He nods, agreeing with what I said. Oh yeah! I remember him telling me about training with his coach and not wanting to wake up late.

“Did you wake up late?”

He sheepishly rubbed the back of his head while walking with me inside the adventurer’s Guild.

“Yeah... almost got beaten up by him.” -Siegfried-

He laughs as we begin accepting requests found in the Snow Field Area.

“Oh! That reminds me, Siegfried. What is your adventure rank?”

“Hm? I’m Rank D.” -Siegfried-

Raising my eyebrows, I commented.

“We’re the same rank then. Hm... Wanna take an escort quest then?”

One of the newest requests added to the RNG pool fest of requests in the guild. Siegfried gave a deep thought then shook his head as he came closer to me and whispered.

“My ability isn’t technically welcomed by NPCs. So, uh... their ‘Affection Metre’ get lowered each time I used it and we might fail the request because of that.” -Siegfried-

He spoke as if he had experienced it before, through the dejected facial expression he had. With that in mind, I nod in return. It makes sense, to see a ‘human’ looking creature growing unnatural bony protrusion, expanding tendons and muscles. People would be terrified of it...

“Then let’s not accept it. Besides there are plenty of other requests around besides our usual slaying and gathering monster loot.”

(“Thanks...” -Siegfried-)

He seemed to mutter something under his breath while giving a small heartfelt smile.

“Hm? What?”

“Nothing... so what request did you choose? Let me match it.” -Siegfried-

As our requests are one of the same. We decided to do a quick research on the Area we’re going to tackle by delving into the books.

We learned our lesson in the Swamplands. No wonder the receptionist here in the guild always keeps saying ‘Be sure to be Well Prepared’.

While I’m reading a book regarding Snow Field Area and its gatherable mats and ingredients. Siegfried has the book talking about monsters of Snow Field.

He seems to have an interest in monsters, I remember him being all chatty regarding goblins and ambushing-type monsters in the Swamplands. I wonder what things interest him in Snow Field.

*PLAP*

I heard a book closed and Siegfried’s voice.

“Are you ready?” -Siegfried-

“Yeah, Snow Field is located north of here and it is a land of unbearable cold.”

“Ah! Do we need winter coats and stuff?” -Siegfried-

I nodded.

In a quick trip, we purchased a winter coat that gives cold weather resistance. It is an overall that covers your main gear so it isn’t counted as ‘Armour’ for Siegfried's skills which is good.

An overall is a slot for gear, commonly used for combating environmental effects like hot or cold, dry or humid. In this case, it is cold so a winter coat will work wonders.

Some {Trait}, {Skill}, or {Spell} eliminate the use of overall since it made players unaffected by the environment. I don’t have any of those I still use the overall slot.

-North of Frontera (Snow Field LV20-30)-

It took twice as long as a trip to Swamplands through walking. Haaa... we should’ve hired a wagon but horses were trembling near Siegfried making them not want to move. They seem to have a sixth sense regarding Siegfried’s race and become terrified.

Not wanting to ‘Alert’ the Coachman and stable person. We changed our minds and decided to walk instead. Maybe there is a {Spell} that helps with transport, I am just not lucky enough to find it in The Academy’s Library. RNG huhuhu...

My woes are instantly silenced upon arriving at the destination. A land of white with mountain tops akin to a natural wall far in the distance. Snow-covered trees and multitudes of players far more than Swamlands are here.

I can see what they are fighting during that time. A biped monster covered with thick white furs and icicles forming at their arms being used as weapons.

Siegfried’s lips gave out a smirk since he was excited to battle it. But I have other things to be excited about.

Looking down to the ground a sheet of snow greeted me.

“SNOWWWWWW!!!”

Excitedly, I shouted while making small snowballs. I have never touched one IRL, the winter in my place is just cold rain. Are they really this soft? They are so fluffy and a little chilly. Hehehehe...

“BUH! Hahahahahahahha” -Siegfried-

He snorted trying to hold a laugh back but failed miserably.

“What!”

I balled up one and threw it at Siegfried who took it like a champ.

“Ow! Stop! Stop!” -Siegfried-

He still giggled, the snowballs didn’t do as much damage contrary to what he said. I sighed in defeat.

“Shall we?”

Siegfried wipes something beneath his bangs probably a single tear from laughing too much before nodding.

--

“Oh!!! They are weak to wind element.”

Normally one would think they are weak to fire but it seems elements in O.w.O work differently.

Light is weak against Dark and vice versa. They are in their group. Meanwhile, the four major elements; Earth is weak against Fire, Fire is weak against Water, Water is weak against Wind, and Wind is weak against Earth.

“[Extend: Lightning Enchant]”

Siegfried’s bony blades are engulfed by electricity as it sparks and jolts yet it didn’t harm him.

“Thanks!!!” -Siegfried-

He has a ‘different’ look on his slashing type of protrusion now. Along his forearm is a crescent blade made from bones tied by ligaments and tendons.

By flinging his arm, he can make a 360-degree slash and spin as well. While I am at the back providing buffs and occasional offensive {Spell}.

“Hmmm... Say, Mag.” -Siegfried-

“Yeah?”

He rubbed his chin before asking.

“Do you have AoE {Spell} beside Fireball?” -Siegfried-

“I do. I don’t use it knowing friendly fire exists.”

He starts thinking a bit deeper.

“What if I move fast enough?” -Siegfried-

I mean... theoretically, you can avoid it but baiting a lot of Yetis while trying to avoid a {Spell} slinging at you is hard. Hold on... hmmm with enough teamwork, I can make it work.

“Well, you can. I’ll tell you the cast bar when it’s done and pretty sure you can see the AoE visual for [Lightning Strike].”

A look of surprise dawned on Siegfried’s face.

“That {Spell} is a monster spell, isn’t it? How?” -Siegfried-

“Ah... It is my ability.”

Siegfried nods, unsure but it seems he gets the hint of what my ability is.

--

“[Maximize: Lightning Strike]”

The cast bar appears once I say the keyword. To add an extra flair. I raised my staff high up in the air.

A spot on the snowy field turns electric blue, accompanied by small sparks here and there while the cast bar fills up.

“GRAAAAAAA!!!!!!” -Yeti-

Siegfried comes from somewhere, leading three yetis behind him. His legs are thin as a twig and malformed into the shape of a digitigrade. That is his ‘Speed’ mode if I remember.

I have a gist of what kind of ability he has. In Speed mode, I think he gained a significant increase in AGI and DEX stats during his bulky mode or ‘Strength’ mode. He gained a lot of STR and CON stats.

*BZZZZTTTTTT*

Ah...

“It is almost done!”

With my shout, Siegfried simply dashed to the circle of electric blue and timed it just right when the yetis stepped on it as he jumped using his malformed legs to avoid the incoming magic.

*BLAAAARRRRRR*

Precisely in the nick of time, a large bolt of lightning strikes from above electrocuting those three yetis. Even if it directly hit them and enhanced with Maximize meta magic. Their HP still has a sliver of it left.

Before they can change agro to me, Siegfried has already jumped back and finished them off. As their body vanished leaving behind glimmering orbs.

“Good work!”

“Let’s use this strategy from now on.” -Siegfried-

I nodded, it was faster.

-Grind Fest-

“Fiuf... you done?”

I asked Siegfried referring to gathering the rare drop from Snow Field monsters.

“Yup, the last one luckily dropped it.” -Siegfried-

“Nice~ Shall we try to find a Field Boss then?”

“Yeah... I think I saw one north of here near the mountains.” -Siegfried-

He points in a direction excitedly and I follow him there. But...

We arrived at an empty field of snow, there were some igloo-looking buildings but they were destroyed.

“*Tch* Someone got to it first.” -Siegfried-

He spat, irritated by what happened before letting out a huge sigh of disappointment while I gave him a reassuring pat. He commented ‘Thanks’ as we travelled further into the depths of Snow Field

“Oh! Another Field.”

I gleefully commented, and immediately Siegfried sprung on top of my head. Using it as a headrest again...

“Where?!” -Siegfried-

His voice was high-pitched and excited as he scouted the direction I was pointing.

A cluster of igloos can be seen amidst the pure white field. From there, several Yetis came out and wandered to other places.

At its centre, a larger yeti towered above everyone else. Probably has a height of around 4 to 5 metres. Carrying some kind of club made from ice, its fearsome fanged mouth is covered by icicles.

I can tell, there are players also coming closer wanting to tackle this Field Boss.

“Shall we?”

I referred to the person who was using my head as a headrest.

“Let’s GO!!!” -Siegfried-

He dashed forward and I followed suit. Joining on the flashy chaos of battling a field boss.

“[Extend: Lightning Enchant]”

Siegfried’s arms and legs were covered by sparking electricity as he waved his hand as a gesture of thanks.

“[Lightning Burst]!!!”

“[Lightning Bolt]!” -Mage Player-

“[Lightning Lance]!!” -Mage Player-

“[Divine Smite]!!” -Priest Player-

“<Snipe>” -Archer Player-

“<Backstab>” -Roque Player-

There are a lot of sound effects cluttering the field and the boss upon taking that much damage. It inhales a large amount of air and faces in the direction of a shield-bearing knight.

“Dodge!!!!” -Shield Knight Player-

He is more experienced in knowing the boss’ pattern as I move sideways. Some players didn’t listen as the boss exhaled a breath of unbridled cold. Leaving a trail of icy sheets and ice crystals in its wake.

Players who got caught up in it were all turned into chunks of ice while the shield bearer knight survived although his shield had sheets of ice growing on top.

The boss simply slammed the ground with its ice club and those frozen players shatter. A few of them promptly got defeated, but the rest survived and chugged potions like there was no tomorrow.

“GRAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!” -Elder Yeti-

It roared, signifying a second phase had begun knowing its HP already reduced to half.

Its thick white fur turns sharp and pointy coated with icicles. The club it held began to have spikes as it swung heavily to the shield bearer knight. He dunks another potion and resumes his posture again.

We... well me, other mages, and archers give ranged DPS while the priests give support. It feels exhilarating each time you battle a big boss amidst the chaos.

Siegfried seemed to be having fun but I can tell he’s not using his ability to the fullest. Same... I’m not using any priestly {Spell} at all.

Once the elder yeti had been defeated, we collected the glimmering orbs and got our contributors' chests as the Field was now disabled for half an hour.

Both, Siegfried and I got a notification from the system telling us that we have levelled up.

-System-

Congratulations!! You have reached LV 25 another threshold has been passed.

Hint! Magic Casters can now use Meta Magic

Hint! The Academy might have something new to look at.

UPGRADE {Trait}: Primordial Body II (Aspect of Creation) -> Primordial Body III (Aspect of Creation)

UPGRADE {Trait}: Words of Power II -> Words of Power III

NEW {Trait}: [Star Burst]

-System-

Not too eager to check, I told Siegfried.

“Fiuf, that was fun.”

“Hahaha... Yeah, it was.” -Siegfried-

He rubbed the imaginary sweat from his bang-covered forehead while taking steady breaths. Similar to me sitting on the snow to recuperate.

“By the way, it is still a day cycle. Do you mind if I gather some ingredients?”

“I don’t mind let’s go together. I am thinking of asking a blacksmith to make fist weapons.” -Siegfried-

Immediately, I am reminded of something like a bolt of lightning and with it. Comes regret as I left it in my safe and where we are, I couldn’t access my Safe.

(“Hmm... I’ll give him when we report back I guess.”)

Glancing at my side, I saw Siegfried reading in mid-air. Probably the system notification, let me check mine as well. I want to read the new upgrade I have! I have a lot of tasks to do too when we get back to Frontera.

I smiled in delight.

-System-

{Trait}: [Primordial Body III (Aspect of Creation)]

Effect: Your body doesn’t age. You do not need to eat, sleep, drink, and breathe. You are immune to poison and diseases.

Moderately decrease damage taken from magical sources. You have a moderate chance to resist hostile magical effects.

Moderately increased damage taken from physical sources.

Requirement: Primordial Race (Aspect of Creation) Level: 25

{Trait}: [Words of Power III]

Effects: Changes the way {Spell} works and you can influence a {Spell} cast. {Spell} cast this way ignore restrictions. {Spell} you cast will be upcasted to the utmost limit of your known elemental {Trait}.

Requirement: Primordial Race (Aspect of Creation) Level: 25

{Trait}: Star Burst

Effects: Choose a target or targets, then sacrifice a set percentage of your max MP to unleash a devastating power dealing True damage based on how much MP is used.

If multiple targets are chosen, equally divide the damage to all targets. The sacrificed maximum MP will not recover until a full-day cycle has passed.

Requirement: Primordial Race (Aspect of Creation) Level: 25

-System-

Oh? Not a lot of change to my [Primordial Body] {Trait} only an addition of poison and disease immunity. Still, it is a good addition.

I have an offensive {Trait} now. True damage eh? But the downside of reducing my max MP until tomorrow is quite hard. I guess I’ll use it as a last resort.

Now...

What is it with Upcast? I have heard the term in other games. Let’s just hope it is the same as I heard before.

By clicking the word Upcast, the system panel opened up another sub-panel that describes what ‘Upcast’ is.

-System-

Upcast is a term used by magic casters to cast {Spell} from a lower tier into a higher tier.

For example; a [Fire Bolt] is a Tier 1 Fire-Element {Spell}. Can be upcasted into a Tier 2 or even higher.

The reason is that upcasting a {Spell} increases its potency, range, and many more. Some may add additional effects. Players! Feel free to discover what they do~

-System-

“Ohohohohoooo?!?!?!?”

I couldn’t help but let out an excited voice. Alerting Siegfried who had an amused smirk on his face.

This begs the question, if I upcasted the {Spell} [Summon Golem] does that mean I can summon 2 or 3 golems at once?

I rubbed my hands together as if planning an evil scheme and...

“What did you get that made you turn funny like that.” -Siegfried-

“Hehehehe... It is a secret! You’ll see later.”

With a shrug, I laughed as we left the field to explore the area a bit more.

--

“Hmm... I think that’s the ingredient.”

In one of the snow mounds, although slightly hidden I can see a big leaf sticking out. Once I shake off the snow, I finally see the plant.

“Ginger?” -Siegfried-

He commented seeing the plant. I mean, he’s not wrong... It does look exactly like a ginger.

Picking the plant up, the usual notification of obtaining the ingredients plus its seeds filled my vision.

This plant can be used to make ice resistance potions and it has a common rarity.

I just need to find the uncommon and rare variant of this plant then.