Ryu holds the Ancient Scroll of Instructions, clues from Elara, and information about the Ethereal Explorer Network in Silverwood.The urge to go there immediately was strong, but his shrewd instincts reminded him of his bitter experience with Brutus.
Level 6 versus Level 2 is a huge difference.If he wanted to face the deeper secrets of Aethelgard, let alone a society like the Ethereal Explorers Network, he couldn't go empty-handed and low-level.
The target is clear: Level 5.
Ryu knew what that meant: grinding. He re-entered the Whisperingwood Forest, but this time with a more focused purpose. He was no longer just wandering aimlessly.Every Forest Rabbit, every Little Goblin, was now a target. He used every fight as practice, honing his Short Sword skills, practicing Evasion, and perfecting Sneaking.
Ryu's days in Aethelgard Online turned into a hunting cycle. He spent most of his time in the Whisperingwood, moving like a shadow.With the passive 'Silent Steps', he could approach the Goblin horde without being detected.
He often uses his newly acquired 'Reconnaissance' ability to scan the area ahead, detecting danger and planning his attack route.
When he faces a group of monsters, Ryu no longer relies on courage alone. His clever nature makes him think of strategies.Occasionally, he would lure one or two Goblins away from the group to be finished off separately.
At other times, he will seek out favorable conditions, such as narrow rock crevices or cliffs that he can exploit to trap an enemy.The Healing Potion from Aldus' mission came in handy when the fight got a little tougher than he expected.
He also started collecting every bit of loot that dropped from monsters—Gold Coins, Rabbit Teeth, Raw Rabbit Hide, and even the occasional Basic Tier item that was better than his beginner gear.Every piece of loot feels precious.
After each intense grinding session, Ryu will return to Eldoria.He would sell unused items to General Merchants in the market, keeping an eye on prices, and occasionally purchasing additional Healing Potions.He also regularly checked the leaderboard, seeing Brutus' name at the top of the PK list, which was a constant reminder of his motivation.
During this period, Ryu often felt a familiar warm sensation when the [Level Up!] notification appeared.
At Level 3, he allocates his Skill Points to Agility, speeding up his movements and increasing the accuracy of his attacks.
At Level 4, he chose to enhance Stealth, making his steps nearly undetectable even on rough surfaces.
Finally, after days (or maybe it feels like weeks in-game) of relentless hunting, as the body of the last Goblin fades into pixels, the long-awaited notification sounds:
[Congratulations! You have reached Level 5!]
[Available Skill Points: 1]
[New Class Ability Unlocked: 'Dark Crevice' (Active) - Perform a quick, stealthy attack that deals extra damage. (Requires Stamina)]
Ryu clenched his fists. Level 5! And the Dark Rift skill is now unlocked!This was the skill he had been waiting for, which would greatly increase his attack potential as a Thief.He immediately allocated his newly acquired Skill Points to increase Strength, ensuring his attacks had greater impact.
With Level 5, a powerful new skill, and a better understanding of the fighting mechanics in Aethelgard, Ryu feels much more confident.He had overcome his first challenge beyond mere survival. Now, Silverwood and the Ethereal Explorer Network no longer felt so far away.