Uriel had the ability to levitate and fly which surprised Michael because he chose human as his guide's race. He didn't know any human that could. Uriel traveled next to Michael as he rode through the land to reach a small village. It had a few homes made of wood and stone. As Michael approached a few soldiers wearing peasant clothes. They were waiting right outside the village for his return. Their height was above 6 feet tall and each had different facial features. Their ranks and stat power showed on their clothing once Michael focused on one.
"Is there a way to hide their rank and stats?" Michael asked Uriel as he slowed down his horse.
"I am afraid to say that only the stats would be hidden at a glance from another person, but once a report is obtained through a battle or scouting unit, then your stats are available to be seen. However, they are not all available to see right away. The Monarch needs to be at a certain level and they must have the scouting skill unlocked to its fullest to take advantage of it. Your power level can be seen if someone has their power scan on. That is something you can't hide.
Michael began to walk towards the market when a soldier of rank 1 stepped forward.
"My Liege, you have returned. Our army is small but with your command we will grow strong and large as it was destined in the chronicles of Assisi. I am and am honored to serve you." The NPC kneeled as he lowered his head. Michael looked around and as all of the other soldiers did the same.
"My liege, your soldiers are all pleased to see you return from the far lands where the sorcerer had casted you. After your father and mother perished in the great war, your dragon went into slumber and the people were unprotected. It was due to a meteor shower that broke the sorcerer's shield that was keeping you from returning. Word was sent to all neighboring kingdoms that the heirs have been freed. Everyone has been awaiting your return." Said Uriel. Michael thought to himself, the NPC looks realistic and it looks like they are following a script. He focused on the one in front of him that had wide shoulders, chestnut hair and light blue eyes. A window popped up; name was troop 1, background story was unknown, position was knight. Michael was looking at his strengths and weaknesses. It said his skills were leading an army, focus calvary, power up skills and additional functions locked. Next to the name he saw the edit button. Michael thought it was strange at first that you could rename an NPC, but the entire game was out of the ordinary. Micheal asked Uriel, can I change every soldier's name? Uriel answered, "Just the first 100 soldiers that are in front of you, but any soldier after that is purely an NPC," answered Uriel. Micheal stopped listening after the first 100 and started naming.
Michael gave names to all of them. Then he looked around and saw the names on each building behind his castle walls. That helped him find things. There was a forge, training facility, academy, storage, beast stable, rally hall, embassy, housing buildings, tavern, art hall, dining hall, garden, shrine, villager town, market place and even his very own castle to live in. Next to the inner walls were farms. Michael then ordered them to eat and return to train their skills.
At the market, checked out all the items that he could get with gems. He decided not to buy anything at the time because sometimes bosses drop items that he can use. He wasn't sure if there were going to be better quality or other items he might want in the future. He wanted to be frugal until he understood more. Then he visited the forge building. He looked through the menu and noticed that there were also requirements to unlock certain armor if he wanted to forge it. Ofcourse, why make anything easy and straight forward, he thought. He checked the art hall and noticed empty shelves with descriptions of the power boosts it provides. Then he visited the beast stable and saw doors he couldn't unlock until he reached a certain level. Another obstacle. Then he went to the academy to see if there were also requirements. In the academy he checked the aisles that were restricted until you met a certain level of research. Basically each building had a requirement. He walked around the walls of his city and noticed runes on them. He looked at Uriel and asked, "what are these for?"
Uriel replied, "they are for when you activate a shield."
Micheal asked, "how do you activate it?"
Uriel made a hand gesture where he snapped his fingers and a screen popup. He began to show him as if it was a presentation, "this screen is your menu, you select your arsenal from here and grab the protective shield. This is where you will find other items and resources you have in your possession. From this window you can also chat with alliance members in one room, privately in the other, and if you want to talk on the world chat it's this one." Uriel then flicked the screen and it popped, then he snapped his fingers but ended up pointing to Micheal. Then the screen popped up in front of Micheal where he saw others asking what was going on. That they were playing a game and they suddenly showed up in this world. Uriel added, "Only your guide can access your personal screen and hand it over to you like so." Michael was reading all the comments. People were in panic, others were already creating alliances.
"How are these alliances acquired?" asked Michael while thinking about how they could maximize their own strength individually.
"During your travels. There will be bulletin boards in the markets with alliances created or you can purchase your own banner, but that will cost coins and time for recruitment." said Uriel.
"Uriel, are you able to relay information and respond to specific questions if commanded" asked Michael with a glimmer in his eyes.
"Yes, you can request I send a message and await a response with a set of directions." Said Uriel.
Micheal then thought about his avatar picture and asked, "am I able to change my avatar skin?" Uriel nodded, "yes, you can purchase skins or win them on events."
"Can I use any special boosts if I wear different skins?" asked Michael as he thought of the possibilities, Uriel answered, "no, you can't, but you can use different boosts when you switch out your armor. You just need to say 'activate' and the name of the armor, special item or boost."
Micheal took a deep sigh as he thought about all the details he will have to memorize in order to advance. He took a second look into the market to look at the skins and didn't see anything he thought would be beneficial to buy at his current level. Then he began to walk towards the center of the village to find his inner castle in ruins and still being rebuilt. The people around were working and not making eye contact. He could tell they were following a storyline and simple commands.
Out of the 100 soldiers he promoted 5 to knight commanders, Arthur, Gabriel, Sir Lancelot, Gwaine and Sir Tristan. Michael then walked back to his horse and decided to name him Thunder. Before mounting Thunder he looked back at Uriel and issued an order, "Have the men ready for battle, we are going on a boss raid and won't return until we have enough supplies to fortify the castle." Michael didn't know the strength he needed and the amount of men for every monster or boss. This was going to be his way of testing stats and attacks.
Small reptile creatures were easy to deal with. His soldiers could manage one each. It didn't give experience points, but the rewards could be used as resources. Michael looked at the arsenal and could see it was only five percent of what was needed to complete a basic magic stone to forge a weapon or convert to 1 coin. He took a deep breath as he didn't want to lose any men to injuries or basic monsters.
They then approached a cave, Michael raised his hand up to halt. He decided to go in first, but Uriel soon chimed in. "My liege, the commander must never go in first, it is the knight's duty to scout the area ahead." Arthur, as if in a queue, stepped forward and said, "allow me." Michael was about to protest before a minotaur stepped outside the cave. It swung its blade at Arthur before he could raise his shield. As the sword dropped down with its might it met one of Michael's blades. "Attack" said Michael as he tried to hold the blade up against him. Arthur, Gabriel, Sir Lancelot, Gwaine and Sir Tristan began to charge in and were easily defeated with the swing of the minotaur's blade. Half of the troops were in critical condition. As the minotaur raised its blade to strike again Micheal said, "Uriel, collided with the minotaur." Uriel obeyed and went in swiftly. A force field shield prevented the blade from touching him and causing any damage to the minotaur because a charge of electricity stunned it in place. In that still moment, "Let's go!" yelled Michael as Thunder leaped into action. With the previous damage the minotaur was defeated.