“So where can I find this Ayrsted guy?” Although Wraith had already accepted the quest, he was starting to regret it when he thought about how little he did know about this mysterious fighter. Since this quest didn't say what the rewards were, all he had to go on was hope. Since it was a beginner's training quest, the rewards normally wouldn't be that high, but given the requirements to obtain the quest, It would be fair to assume that it would lead to a hidden class.

The instructor then took out a piece of paper covered with strange symbols and diagrams, with a small circle in the centre. “This is a written spell that will take you where you need to go. It works by tracing the location of a person through the energy the left behind on an object. In this case just put the ring on the circle and shout 'teleport'. It's a one-time use, so getting back is up to you.”

“But I thought I wasn't allowed to leave the kingdom for another two weeks.”

“Normally that's true, but since this is part of training that doesn't apply to you. Ah, I almost forgot, wait here for a minute.” The instructor left the room to look for something. When he came back he had a pack in his hands. “I took the liberty of making some food for your journey. I also included several rolls of bandages a few silvers.”

Wraith took the pack and looked up gratefully at the instructor, touched by his generosity. “Thank you so much for what you've done and given me. I won't forget your kindness.”

The instructor rubbed his neck abashedly, embarrassed at the praise. “Well, if you want to thank me, just prove me right and grow stronger.”

Wraith smiled, put on the instructor's pack and shouted “teleport!”

After being enveloped in an opaque blue light he disappeared from the training hall.

The instructor stared mournfully at the place Wraith had been, saddened that his skills weren't enough to teach him himself. “I hope you become someone great.”

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Wraith found himself in the middle of a forest. The trees were enormous, almost one hundred metres high and fifteen metres wide. Looking around he saw a lake a couple hundred feet from where he was standing, and only fifty metres away he saw a small log house. When he listened closely he heard a thunking sound, which seemed to be coming from behind the house.

He followed the small dirt path around to the back of the house. In front of him he saw an old man with wrinkles lining his face, his hair was long and white that fell below his shoulders, and was held back by a cord of leather. His beard and moustache were also long and reached his chest. Shirtless, he was swinging an axe and splitting wood. Although he was so old, Wraith judged him to be in his sixties, he had a youthful body, with a slim muscular frame and old scars covering his body.

To Wraith, this old man was the embodiment of a reclusive hermit that has perfected and honed his skills. This was Ayrsted of the Empty Fist. Especially given his age, His fighting spirit was immense, sharp and heavy like a broadsword.

Wraith walked closer to him and Ayrsted put down his axe. “Welcome young one, what brings you all the way out here?”

“Master, I have come here to learn from you,” and with that he handed over the ring and the letter to Ayrsted.

After reading the letter, Ayrsted looked up with surprise evident in his eyes. “I didn't expect anyone to come to learn from me. I'm surprised he even managed to find me.”

“So will you teach me?”

“Alright, let's see what you can do. First I want you to cut down that tree over there,” he said while pointing to a solitary tree about one kilometre away.

Though he thought there would be actual combat taught like the instructor said, he held his tongue and instead took the axe from Ayrsted. Maybe after doing this my strikes will have the chopping power of an axe, he thought to himself.

Unlike the other trees in the forest, the tree he had to chop down was considerably smaller, though it was still the bigger he ever saw. Sighing at the monumental task ahead of him, he took his stance. He planted feet into the ground shoulder-width apart, lifted the axe above his shoulder and swung. The axe cut cleanly through the air and buried itself deep within the bark of the tree. By any standard it was a good swing, however the resulting cut was barely a scratch when looking at the scale of the tree.

For the next six hours he kept swinging single-mindedly at the tree. After all that work he finally cut through about a quarter of the way through. Exhausted, he took a sip of water and ate some jerky the instructor packed for him. After the short break he picked up the axe once again and got ready to swing.

This time on the first swing, a system message popped up.



He was pleasantly surprised that his stats could rise even when chopping down a tree. So it's not just through battle, stats can rise no matter the activity, as long as the task uses it. Bolstered by this piece of news he worked even harder. He kept swinging until sundown, bringing the total time he worked to fourteen solid hours. Finally he had cut deep enough for the tree to lean over, groaning and splintering where it was still attached to the base. He then went around to the other side of the tree and pushed on it. Eventually the tree gave way and came crashing down onto the ground. Incidentally It was accompanied by a rise in strength and endurance.

Weary from cutting down the tree he trudged along to the log cabin to see Ayrsted. “I've done it, I chopped it down.”

“Nicely done, that ends part one of your training. For now get some rest, we'll start the next part in the morning. You can sleep here, I've set up a place for you.” Though he did say that, for a second Wraith got the impression that Ayrsted was actually dismayed by his progress. He quickly put such thoughts out of his mind, attributing them to his mental and physical exhaustion.

He then logged off to have a quick meal, then logged back in so that he could sleep in-game. After he went to the den, he flopped onto the blankets and promptly fell asleep.

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Six hours later he woke up just as the sun was rising. It was slightly less sleep than he was used to, but it was still above the bare minimum he needed to function properly. This was also the time when Ayrsted was getting up. “Oh, so you're still here,” Ayrsted remarked with a friendly expression on his face, suggesting that he thought Wraith wouldn't have been able to handle it.

When Wraith looked at his face, although he was smiling, there was the distinct impression that the smile was being forced. This time he didn't completely dismiss the apprehensions he had about Ayrsted. If Ayrsted did want him gone, the most likely explanation was that he just didn't want to impart his skills. As such Wraith resolved to work even harder to prove himself.

“The next task I have for you is to drag the fallen log over here, and then cut it into even smaller pieces. There's a saw in the back that you can use. Shape each piece into a rectangular block twenty feet long and six inches wide. ”

It was another physical task where he would gain a few stats but that's all. Wraith personally felt that this was wasting time, but he held it in at the prospect of learning Ayrsted's true power. He took a long piece of rope and tied it around the tree. He pushed against the ground, straining to drag the log. After a slow start the log started to move faster, picking speed and momentum. In real life attempting this would have given Wraith a hernia, regardless of his young age. Thankfully Royal Road lets you transcend the limits of the frail human body.

After three hours he had finally managed to drag the log near the house. He also gained one stat in stamina, strength and endurance. When he went and picked up the saw, he saw that it was small, thin and completely unsuitable for the task at hand. What was supposed to be a long and tedious process was made ten times worse. The only thing he could do was to take it slowly and deliberately.

It took an entire week in-game, the only breaks being the times he ate both in and out of the game, and when he went to sleep. It was exhausting work, and beyond the physical exhaustion, the mind-numbing repetitive actions were what drained his mental strength. The only thing he had to show for it was an increase of seven points of strength, eight points of stamina, and six points of endurance.

With the job finally done, he went to Ayrsted, hoping against all hope that he might teach him something, anything useful. “I've finally finished cutting the log into pieces, now will you please teach my some skills and techniques? I mean I'm tired of these pointless tasks.” He didn't mean to say that last part, but once he got started, he couldn't stop himself. “At the very least let me test myself against you.”

Ayrsted quickly dismissed that idea, “it's not yet time for you to try your strength against someone of my calibre. It could be dangerous.”

“I know you're worried, but I have complete faith that you won't harm me. I know that you're concerned since I used up almost all my stamina and am only at level one, but I wanted to fight you at least once. I beg of you master, please reconsider.”

Ayrsted looked at the boy. He truly does seem exhausted, and if he truly is at level one, it should be okay. “Very well boy, take your stance.”

Finally, Wraith thought to himself. Maybe I'll learn something from him after all.

The two faced off against each other, both taking their stance to balance themselves and to launch themselves into combat. For the first time Wraith felt the full force of Ayrsted's fighting spirit weakening his own. He saw Ayrsted move forward with his arms brought up but held loosely. He saw his arms start to tense up and his body twist slightly to the right. When his body twisted back to the left, his right arm which was drawn back shot forwards towards his face.

Though he was worried about the force behind the blow, he managed to dodge easily, a little too easily in his opinion. While Ayrsted's body was still moving forwards, Wraith brought his left fist down and into his stomach. After hitting him, he drew back immediately to get ready to defend himself against the onslaught that was to come. After all, such a weak punch should have done nothing more than to antagonize him.

He was waiting for Ayrsted's to unleash his fury and pound him to the ground, but Ayrsted just stood there. Is he trying to restrain himself, or is he going through all the non-lethal ways he can beat me through his head? Confused, Wraith ran all the possible reasons through his head. He was prepared for every scenario. What he wasn't prepared for was Ayrsted to come crashing to the ground while clutching his stomach crying out “It hurts, oh god, it hurts!”

Wraith waited for Ayrsted to stop moaning, then slowly walked over to him. “Master, do you have something to tell me?”

“...” Ayrsted realized just what had happened and what he had shown Wraith. He coughed and said, “congratulations, the student has bested the master.”

“I don't think that's what happened mast-Ayrsted,” he said softly, his quiet tone hiding a rising anger. “Perhaps you should tell the truth, they say it's quite liberating to do so.”

“Well, you know how they say I'm so strong that it's terrifying?”

“Yes...”

“That's a bit of an exaggeration.”

“And how big is 'a bit'?”

“...A complete lie?”