AESIR'S REVERT

Chapter 7: Stamina, Strategy and Sorcery

Aesir quietly left Amzion Crib town without saying a big goodbye. Before the upcoming update, he wisely spent his gold to make his inventory as big as possible. It cost him 50 gold, a lot for most players until the update. This showed how much of an advantage Aesir had because he remembered things from his past life. If he hadn't been reborn, the game's AI would have known exactly what would happen.

Aesir understood how his choices could cause big changes, like the butterfly effect. He knew it was crucial to build a strong foundation quickly before his 15 years of knowledge became useless due to the timeline changing.

Now he was traveling through the countryside, going through Danger Zones from level 3 to level 5. These places had smart monsters that fought back, but none could catch him because he was higher level and faster.

Before he left, Aesir had already used his skill points. Players got five points for each level from 1 to 10 to make themselves stronger. But as levels went up, they got fewer points, which made them rare.

When he reached level seven, Aesir had carefully used up 35 points to improve his skills and abilities for the challenges ahead.

Aesir knew the best way to use points for the Dark Swordsman class. He'd studied it for 15 years. Before, he was one point away from the right mix: 7 Attack, 15 Technique, 10 Defense, 10 Intellect, 10 Spiritual Energy, 5 Charm, and 5 Luck. Aesir used the points in a similar way but only put 10 in Technique.

It wasn't really his fault. Players started with one point in each stat and only got 50 points in ten levels. Even if they knew the best mix, most players would do what Aesir did. It was math, not luck. The only way to get the best mix was from outside. Aesir knew some ways, like others who used to be top players in Faction Online.

On the way, Aesir went around a level 7 Danger Zone called Dalki Forest. This area had monsters like Ogres and goblins that could think. It was a real challenge even for players the same level.

The monsters saw Aesir and went after him. When he got to the middle of the forest, they were all chasing him. Most players would be scared. Aesir was smiling. But he was in a fight and his stamina was going down fast. He had less than half left.

Aesir stayed calm. He got a bottle with green stuff in it and drank it fast. A green light went around him and his stamina came back fast. It was a special potion that worked fast and over time.

Potions like this usually worked in one way or the other. Some worked over time, fixing or hurting things slow. Some worked fast, but cost more. Aesir got one that did both, half fast and half slow. It cost a lot of money, which would surprise people who save.

Aesir's plan was easy: get all the monsters in the Danger Zone and make them go after one person in the middle. Some zones had special NPCs. They gave a reward one time if someone found them and did the right thing. Some NPCs went away after someone found them first. Some came back after some time.

Aesir got almost all the monsters fast. If anyone looked back, they would see a lot of Ogres, goblins, orcs, and other things from stories running after him. They had red eyes and looked mad, like they wanted to kill or eat him.

"I'm almost done. I don't have a lot left for this side quest. I need to save it for the end."

Aesir went deep into Dalki Forest and found a cozy cottage by a calm lake. Sunlight came through the trees, making a beautiful scene that amazed him. If someone painted it, it would be famous.

Outside the cottage, an old man in wizard clothes sat, smoking a pipe. His long blue robe, pointy hat, and knee-length beard made him look like a classic wizard. Despite his shaky rocking chair, he looked comfortable.

When he saw Aesir, the old man laughed warmly. "Hello there, young lad! Come and chat with Uncle Howa—"

His friendly greeting was interrupted by a sudden outburst, but it made sense given the situation.

"If your hard work was ruined by someone who attracts every wild beast, you'd exclaim too."

Usually, Howard could handle a few stray beasts with a wave of his hand, as most creatures respected his area. But Aesir's actions had caused a lot of anger among the forest's inhabitants. It wasn't just usual aggression; Aesir had stirred up trouble with an orc camp, causing a commotion among the villagers. The resulting anger was clear.

If it had only happened once, it might have been forgotten. But now, with enemies from every part of the forest after him, Aesir's presence was causing problems. He was focused on his mission, with no personal involvement.

Aesir's swiftness allowed him to keep his pursuers at bay, although occasionally he had to slow down to deal with them. Each time he stumbled upon a new camp, he swiftly attended to his tasks before quietly slipping away into the wilderness.

Deep within the forest, there were few who held any fondness for Aesir, except for the chieftain's daughters, who retained positive memories of him.

"Listen, boy! By the authority of Baron Howard the Great, pioneer of the future, I command you to depart so these creatures will vacate my sanctuary!" Howard's booming voice echoed through the trees as he unleashed a barrage of spells without pause.

Aesir found himself taken aback by the unexpected turn of events. The notion of departing after merely dispersing the foes with spells left him incredulous. It appeared more like a display of amusement rather than a genuine confrontation. Howard the Great, a formidable presence from Aesir's past life, commanded authority and reverence. Despite his penchant for playful antics, individuals flocked to him for the promise of invaluable rewards. These rewards ranged from coveted skillbooks, enhanced trading abilities, to formidable weapons and armor. The allure extended even to magic practitioners who sought to acquire ancient spells or elusive runes.

The prospect of gaining such valuable assets made enduring Howard's jests a trivial sacrifice. Participants willingly subjected themselves to his mischievous ways in exchange for the possibility of enhancing their skills and acquiring rare treasures. Howard's enigmatic demeanor only added to the mystique surrounding him, drawing in curious adventurers seeking to test their mettle. The atmosphere crackled with anticipation and excitement as individuals braved the challenges set forth by the enigmatic figure. The rewards, though shrouded in uncertainty, held the promise of transforming ordinary individuals into formidable contenders in the realm. Thus, the journey through Howard's trials was not merely a test of skill but a gateway to unparalleled growth and prosperity in the vast expanse of the unknown.