Chapter 49 - Episode 44: The Blessed Ones
“Shou-kun, aren’t you curious about the increase in selectable races during character creation?”
As I prepared food for Lupi, Mion asked, perhaps curious about the recent update’s content.
“Ah, that’s been talked about since before release. Closed Beta and Limited Open players could only choose Human.”
“I see. But don’t other races have an advantage or something?”
“Each race has different starting stat values for each category, but the total seems to be the same.”
“Huh…”
Mion didn’t seem to grasp it, so I gave a brief explanation.
Humans start with 10 in all stats.
Elves have high DEX, AGI, and INT, but low in others.
Dwarves have high STR, DEX, and VIT, but low in others.
Halflings have high DEX, AGI, and LUK, but low in others.
Well, you can freely allocate 10 points to stats during character creation, so I think the disadvantages can be negated.
“I see. It expresses racial characteristics, but in total, it’s the same.”
“Exactly. Also, humans get 10 free initial Skill Points, but Elves seem to be forced to take the Spirit Magic skill.”
Elves acquire [Spirit Magic: Lv1] automatically, and the required 4 SP for it is deducted, leaving 6 points as freely usable initial Skill Points.
Well, the information about both stats and Skill Points is secondhand from Nat, though.
“Club President Bell mentioned before that if initial characters take Holy Magic for 4 SP, it’s tough to manage later.”
“Yeah. So, unless you have a strong preference, it’s safer to choose Human.”
Japanese people really love Elves, though…
While discussing such things, our in-game mealtime also ended.
“Alright, then, let’s go check out that cave.”
“Woof!”
“Yes!”
…
…
…
“It’s still dark without a torch…”
The inside of the cave I peered into was pitch black. The goblins had night vision, so maybe they were fine?
“What could burn for a long time?”
“Hmm…”
I rummaged through my inventory… A club from a weak goblin would do. At its end…
“I’m going to throw this away anyway, so it’s fine.”
The ragged robe the Goblin Magician was wearing. It was frayed in many places, and I had no intention of repairing and wearing it.
I made a cut, ripped it, and then wrapped it tightly around the end of the club. I used the
“Alright, let’s investigate quickly.”
“Woofun.”
We carefully proceeded through the cave, which was wide enough for two people to walk abreast. There was no reaction from Presence Detection or Trap Detection.
After about 10 meters, we emerged into a slightly wider space. This must be where the goblins were spawning from.
“Ah, that’s the Safe Zone.”
The faintly glowing space deep in the right was definitely a Safe Zone. For now, I stepped inside it.
If this area and the path leading here weren’t so dark, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to remodel it into a residence.
“Shou-kun, a door in the back left.”
“Eh? Oh, what is that…”
On the opposite side of the Safe Zone, a metal door completely out of place with the cave wall was visible.
A pair of double doors, faintly reflecting the light of the makeshift torch, with intricate patterns carved onto their surface.
“It’s a door that doesn’t suit this cave at all.”
“This is a setup, isn’t it, after all?”
“Is it?”
“Destroying the goblin settlement and finding this beyond it, isn’t that practically being told to ‘go’?”
“That’s true. We talked about how to get to the north side before, but maybe this leads there?”
“Ah, Mion, you’re sharp. If so, it might be a dangerous place…”
Considering there’s a Safe Zone here, there’s a high probability of enemies appearing beyond this door.
“But first, will it even open?”
“Ah, right.”
I checked the door thoroughly without touching it directly, but the Trap Detection skill showed no reaction. Oh, maybe I can Appraise it?
[Ancient Magic Door]
“A door sealed by ancient magic.”
“I don’t get it. What’s ancient magic…?”
Even if I search for magic skills, there are only three: Elemental Magic, Spirit Magic, and Holy Magic.
“Could it be something that will be added in an update?”
“Hmm, I think it’s more likely ‘system convenience.’ Anyway, I guess I have to touch it.”
The light from my makeshift torch was also getting dim, so I’ll try to open it, hoping for the best.
I gripped the handles on each of the two doors and pushed hard…
[Access by Blessed Ones confirmed. Unlock?]
“Eh? Yes.”
When I answered, the heavy resistance suddenly lightened. It said “unlock,” so the lock must have come undone.
Opening it inwards might get caught on the cave floor, so I gently pushed it open. Beyond, a stone passage bathed in faint light appeared.
[Ancient Ruins discovered!]
[Ancient Ruins Discovery: 5 SP acquired!]
“Ah… was that a World Announcement just now?”
It felt similar to when I discovered the uninhabited island.
“I’ll go check the official forum.”
Meanwhile, I looked around at the floor, walls, and ceiling.
The light seems to be coming from the ceiling. It’s not dazzling, but faintly glowing, so it’s easy on the eyes.
The floor and walls also look like stone walls…
“It seems it was a World Announcement. Everyone is confused because they don’t know what it’s about.”
“Ugh. Well, I can’t pretend it didn’t happen now, so maybe I should disclose the information quickly.”
If such a thing can be found on this uninhabited island, there must be many more Ancient Ruins on the continent.
“Shouldn’t you try to see what’s ahead first?”
“Got it. Um…”
The interior is bright enough, so the makeshift torch doesn’t seem necessary. I placed it on the floor, extinguished the flame, and fully opened both doors.
The light spilling from the Ancient Ruins made the cave hall bright enough to see my feet.
“Lupi, if it gets dangerous, run to that Safe Zone to escape.”
“Woof.”
There was no reaction from Presence Detection or Trap Detection. Slowly advancing, I saw a door on the left, but the path ahead seemed to continue a bit further and turn left.
“The door first, maybe.”
“It would be scary if something appeared after we passed it.”
“You’re right.”
It was a single, left-opening door, but it had patterns similar to the previous one carved into it.
When I took hold of the handle, sure enough,
[Access by Blessed Ones confirmed. Unlock?]
“Yes.”
As I answered, the door lightened.
“What are the Blessed Ones?”
“Ah, that’s what players in IRO are apparently called. They’re said to be blessed by the goddesses of this world. That’s why it’s set as ‘respawn’ instead of ‘death.’”
“I see.”
Incidentally, there are multiple goddesses, and player characters are supposedly blessed by one of them. Though, they don’t know which one.
“Alright, I’m opening it, Lupi.”
“Woof!”
I pushed hard and opened the door, and then…