Chương 189: Chapter 183: Rewards
Drake fell backward onto the grass, looking up at the black night sky. It had been just one of the numerous sessions he had had with his training after everyone had retired for the night.
Taking a moment he looked at the timer counting down, feeling slightly less anxious about the future now that he had put the last thirty days into strict practice.
[Current Time Remaining in Tutorial: 1 Day, 23 Hours, 52 Minutes, 43 Seconds]
[Remaining Participants: 1,881]
"Only two more days huh? Time flies when you're beating the crap out of yourself repeatedly," he laughed, splashing himself with some water.
Natto rolled out of his head and onto the grass next to him.
"It would seem this part of the initiation is coming to a close. Do remember what I said about the tutorial shop? Have you thought about what you will be selecting?" she asked, pulling a bag of food from her sleeve.
"I haven't forgotten, I'm just curious to see what's in there. I know I need to get whatever quest item you were talking about or the quest itself was it? Either way, I know I'll be needing better equipment," Drake sighed looking at his tattered mess of clothes, "I'm surprised they didn't last even a year, not to mention shouldn't there be some kind of self-repair function or something?"
Natto scoffed, "No, you do not receive equipment with things like that until much later. You expect to have the best right at the beginning? Even that weapon you acquired was something special and still dissatisfied?"
"Hey, we always want the best gear. It's how we are!" Drake said defending himself.
"We?"
"Yeah, gamers. I need the next new shiny thing. More numbers, more damage, numbers go brrrrr!" Drake said, rolling the R as he threw his hands into the air.
Drake laughed to himself then quickly opened his inventory seeing the massive number of items, equipment, stones, and monster cores that filled it. And at the very bottom, he saw his current TP.
[35,723,553 Tutorial Points]
"That's a crazy number," Drake whistled, even after seeing the number several times before.
"Yes, well you did kill the technical boss monster of the tutorial. Imagine if you did not fail in killing the queen, you most likely would have more."
"Really sticking a knife where it hurts right now aren't you…" Drake chuckled wryly, "That's another thing, isn't it? We may not have rounded up all of the PKers but, at least the participants stopped dropping…" he sighed, "Just wish we could have saved more… It seems like the more I think about it, the more I should have done. I mean over half the tutorial participants we started with are gone."
"We have been over this many times Drake. They were not your responsibility. You can not save every person, nor should you require it of yourself. You may be strong, but you are not that strong," Natto explained, "If you wish so much to protect others, then create a new place where you can do so. Outside of the tutorial, I can aid you there. I am a Territory Assistant after all."
"Then, I'll work you to the bone," Drake scoffed.
"As long as I am fed. I will not disappoint you. Remember I require only the best meals and let us not forget E-Rank Cores. I expect great things."
Drake waved his hand, "Yeah, yeah. That also reminds me. What are the monster levels going to look like when we get out? There are kids who haven't even had their classes selected right? There can't be E-Ranks right off the bat can there?"
Natto looked a bit pensive before she answered, taking small bites of her food.
"It is honestly hard to say. Each area will be different. Drake, you should be prepared for what you will see when you leave. The system is not unfair, but it is unforgiving. Your priority must be to establish the first town. No matter what."
Drake turned his head looking at her curiously, "Why so serious and specific? And I won't know until we get there. You already know I won't abandon kids."
"I know… But I must say such things as an assistant regardless," Natto sighed.
"Don't worry," Drake grinned, feeling more at ease now than before thanks to her concern, "Whatever may come, it will work out. I'll make it work out."
—---------------
Drake returned to the camp a few hours before dawn, sneaking back into his own tent as he prepared a tub of hot water for both him and Claire.
The sun began to peak into the cracks of the tent just as she started to stir.
"Uunn… Are you up early again? You smell like burnt… burnt something…." she said furrowing her nose.
"I was out training again, got hit with a lightning bolt," Drake laughed.
"A-a lightning bolt? Aren't you training by yourself? How did you get hit?"
"Oh, I'm not by myself. Stevie was there."
"Who's Stevie?"
"Stevie the Elemental. Now are you going to wake up or stay in bed asking me 20 questions?"
Claire grumbled and took off the covers, revealing her in nothing but a slightly tattered t-shirt forcing a whistle from Drake.
"Wow, maybe I should stay in more often…"
Claire scoffed as she pushed him out of the tent, "Maybe you should. But then you wouldn't be you would you?"
Drake raised a brow processing her words for a bit, "Oh that's true," he admitted turning around, "Are you saying you wouldn't like me if I changed-" but she had already gone back inside the tent, the sound of water splashing reaching his ears.
"She might be the one changing… She used to get so embarrassed at me seeing her, but now she doesn't even bat an eye…. Oh well," Drake shrugged, summoning some elements to mold as he passed the time.
The few weeks until the end of the tutorial passed peacefully since Drake had killed the Ants. Whatever remained of the stragglers were hunted down quickly by the parties inside Shigure's outpost as well as Drake's own. Securing what little experience was left within the tutorial.
And with the time waning he had been making sure to check in with everyone. Where they were outside the tutorial, what their plans were, and would they be coming back to rejoin Drake?
"Oh, I have to see that old man about my cut don't I? Wonder how much he got for all the stuff I gave him. Oh! That gives me an idea…" Drake mused, thinking about the tutorial shop and his inflated TP.
"Early to rise once again, my Lord?" Theodore said, shimmering into sight next to Drake.
"Morning Theo. And yup, night training has been going well. Just wake up?" Drake asked.
"Indeed, Harley and this one have just risen. Unfortunately, this one's stamina is no match for my Lord's."
"That's not exactly something you should compare, you're a pure mage class Theo. Isn't exactly fair," Drake chuckled, "But you're improving with all the sparing we've been doing, well-done man."
Theodore bowed with a smile, "It pleases this one to hear such praise. Though it pains this one to think we shall be apart for so long my Lord."
"Oh don't be like that. You're pretty close, right? Somewhere in Maine?"
"Tis indeed somewhat close, but this one fears just how far the distance will be due to the new world we face. But!" Theodore said loudly pointing a finger into the air, "This one shall not be disheartened in finding his way to his Lord! This one assures thou!"
Drake chuckled wryly, "Right, good to hear Theo."
"Theo, it's too early to be that loud…" Claire said walking out of the tent in her cleric armor.
"Forgive me, M'lady. This one was simply excited to meet his Lord in the world outside," Theodore said, bowing.
"Don't call me M'lady. We've been fighting together for months now Theo…" Claire said sheepishly.
"This one cannot! Once you have been with my Lord, it is natural that my Lady is to be seen with respect!"
"Drake…." Claire pleaded looking at him with puppy eyes and asking for help.
Drake raised his arms, "Not my problem. I'm taking a bath, I smell like burnt," Drake sniffed himself, "Burnt something, remember?"
Claire frowned and gave him a glare as he laughed and entered the tent.
A few minutes later Drake came back out revitalized, a crowd gathering in front.
"Yo," Bjorn said raising a hand.
"Yo," Drake replied.
"Same stuff different day, bro?" Bjorn asked.
"Yup. Going to see a dwarf about some loot later though. Everyone have breakfast or…?"
"Dude… Foodddddddd..." a voice growled from behind him.
"Oh Sherry… Ow! Don't bite me! I get it! I'm going! Ow! I said stop it damn it!" Drake cursed moving with the group to the kitchen area by the firepits.
"You would think you guys could do this without me at some point," Drake sighed, pointing his knife tip at the others at the table preparing food.
"We've been over this, you make the best grub. We just like to help. You should just think of it as quality time with your friends!" Chelsea snickered.
"True I guess, we will all be separated very soon… Might as well enjoy it while we can," Drake reluctantly agreed.
"I can't wait to be rid of this bloody tosser…." Jacqueline sneered.
"Awe, don't worry I'll miss you too Jacqueline," Drake smiled.
"As if! Thank god there's an ocean in between us!" she cursed.
"Oh? You're not in North America on the outside?"
"Nah, I live in the states, but I was back in my hometown in the UK when this all happened visiting… I just happened to get into the same Tutorial as everyone else…" she said looking at Megan, Chelsea, and Julia.
"Huh… that's interesting… I wonder if the system did that on purpose?" Drake thought aloud.
"Who knows," Chelsea scoffed, "I'm glad they were here, but I won't be thanking the damned system about anything."
"Well, just remember you are all welcome to come back and settle with me in the town or whatever it's going to be. I won't be hard to find," Drake said honestly, his face serious, "And if you ever need help, all you need to do is ask."
"That's sweet Drake, is that a promise?" Julia smiled.
"My party is my family, we've been through too much not to be. And I'm sure there's going to be more to come once all is said and done," Drake answered, finishing his meal prep as he slid the food into the pot.
"You all still have one day left of training, so no slacking," Drake instructed looking at the line of helpers, and to the peanut gallery waiting by the other tables for their food.
"Don't you worry about that ya idjit. Don't plan on dying anytime soon after all this!" Hudson shouted from the tables.
"Agreed, I am excited to make my way back to the party as soon as possible," Amir added.
"I just want the food that I was promised…." Sherry grumbled, rubbing her stomach.
"Yeah I'd like some food too please," Tom agreed, waving a fork in the air.
"You keep it down over there before I give yous a whoopin' Tom!" Drake shouted.
—--------------
The day continued to progress normally for the group. After eating and calming heated personalities at the table the party took to their practice area.
Drake did not observe this time around, as he needed to speak to the old Dwarf. After a bit of protest, he managed to keep Claire from joining him and skipping practice in light of her using all her available time to improve her chances of surviving.
She very much disliked him for it but he was willing to make her angry if it meant increasing her chances of staying alive without him.
Drake walked through the dirt-worn paths in the Outpost after a bit of trouble at the gate which was cleared up quickly by Shigure and Uta. People still able to recognize him from his striking mask and clearing a way for him.
I don't know if I like this attention or not. On the one hand, it's nice people don't bother me, I'm an introvert at heart. But on the other, I'd rather not have people look at me with such fear… He thought.
"Well, it was bound to happen. You are simply in a different league of strength than most people being a dual class. I would venture that only very specific Epic Classes and above would be able to compete with you at the moment if at all in the same Rank. But that should be for the best for when the t- Damn it!" Natto snapped, clicking her tongue.
System stopping you again?
Drake felt her nod affirming his suspicion.
Can't you just ya know, ignore it?
"If I wished to be harmed as well as placed within a debuff penalty for my trouble, yes… But you will know once we have left the tutorial so it is not urgent."
Drake was reminded of the Dragon Bitch after Natto mentioned the debuff.
Speaking of that. Drake thought walking towards the crafter's district of the Outpost. What do you suppose the penalties will be for the Dragon Lady?
Natto scoffed, "Nothing pleasant that is certain. But when you are at the apex of Rank, the system does treat you more favorably. She will most likely receive a stat debuff that will be inconvenient for her for many years, as well as a large portion of her experience will be taken from her."
Large portion huh?
"Yes, around 5%."
Really? Only 5%?
"5% at S-Rank is equivalent to dropping from B-Rank to F-Rank you mongrel. If not more depending on how far she has progressed into the Rank, which I assume is quite far as she is one of the oldest Primordials in existence."
Good. Fuck her. And not in the good way. Drake spat, his face grimacing.
"What's with the sour face there youngin?"
Drake stopped his face relaxing as he saw the old Dwarf at the stall.
"Nothing important. Just thinking about a woman who did me dirty," Drake chuckled.
"Ain't that always what it is. Ah, to be young again!" the old dwarf smiled.
"Yeah, I'm having a blast… So what about my cut?" Drake asked.
"Cut? Oh! You're that guy who gave me all that stuff to sell aren't ya! I hardly recognized ya with the long hair and the, well, darker skin."
"Yeah, I had an upgrade. Longer hair means stronger right?" Drake laughed.
"Where did you hear such nonsense? Either way, I didn't get all of it sold, but that's because no one could pay what it was worth. I did get a bit from the leader of the camp though!"
Drake smiled, "You don't say?"
"Darn tootin! Milked that youngin for all he was worth for some of those accessories you gave me. Made most of the profit there. Give me just one second."
The Dwarf turned around pulling some things from under the counter and placed them in front of Drake.
"Here's the unsold stuff, and here's your cut. I know we agreed on 50% but you sure you alright with this?"
Drake smiled pulling the items, skill stones, and cores into his inventory.
"Yup. Glad you could get a good chunk out of it old man. Stay safe out there, hope to see you again," Drake said, waving to him.
"Strange kid," the dwarf shrugged.
—--------
Drake chuckled to himself, happy to make a good amount from the stuff he wasn't using. Which also gave validity to his later plan.
He had taken a good amount of time casually walking the Outpost and decided it was time to get back to their camp.
Walking back, he eventually made his way to their practice area in time. He spotted Shigure and Uta training as well, coming from their duties to improve with the others, making Drake smile again thinking about how he took so many Monster Cores from him for his accessories.
Drake eventually turned to Claire and called in the rest of everyone now that the time was coming up.
"Alright, we only have a few minutes, but I'll be going for the last day. There's somewhere I want to be when this is all over. So this is finally goodbye," Drake said solemnly, "At least for now. May we meet again! And be ReUnited!" Drake shouted.
"I still think that name is lame," Jacqueline sighed.
"Yeah, it isn't the best is it…" Megan agreed.
Drake tried to ignore them as he kept his raised fist, his eye twitching.
"It's ok Drake. The name isn't…. Well, it isn't too bad…" Claire said, trying to console him.
"Damn it… I like the name though!" he screamed.
Before the rest of the party could pile on him the voice from the introduction along with a high-pitched ring reverberated inside their heads.
[Tutorial #1,294,007 has completed. Rewards will be calculated based on current Ladder positions.]
[You have been awarded title 'First Completionist']
[You have been granted early access to the Tutorial Shop.]
[Ladder Positions Calculated.]
[You have finished #3 on the Level Ladder]
[Experience has been awarded. Title 'Top 3' has been awarded. 3,000,000 TP has been awarded]
[You have finished #1 on the Tutorial Point Ladder]
[Experience has been awarded. Title 'Top 1' has been awarded. 10,000,000 TP has been awarded]
[Extra Title 'Top FInisher' has been awarded. Extra Title 'Lucrative' has been awarded.]
[Overall Placement has been assessed.]
[Overall Tutorial Contribution has been assessed.]
[Extra rewards are being distributed.]
[You have received an Epic Armor Box x2. You have received an Epic Weapon Box x2. You have received 20x Strength, Intelligence, Vitality, Stamina, Wisdom, and Dexterity Pills. You have received 5,000,000 TP.]
[This concludes the Tutorial. May you gain insight, power, and renown. And most importantly, survive.]
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Arthur_Inverse
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