Chapter 21 – Learning About the Internet

“The second plane is one big field with two castles positioned in opposite directions and a large forest in the middle, and you need to defend your castle before the other side breaches your walls and kills your king. Only people who started when you did can participate with you,” she explained.

“Oh, so a siege event. Interesting… What about the third?” Maximus questioned.

“The third plane is one massive city where you can stay as long as you want. It’s the first plane where people can actually live properly. Some even choose to stay there and never return home. Psychos… Anyway, the goal here is to pick one of the gates in the middle of the city and finish a dungeon behind it. Until you succeed, you cannot proceed further.” Rose said simply.

“And as a bonus, I’ll let you in on one more piece of info: the fourth and fifth are influenced by your choices on the third plane, so nobody knows what trials you get since they are all different from person to person.”

“These trials get more and more interesting, huh? I wonder what type of being made all of this and with what purpose.” Maximus mused out loud.

“Darling, that’s not something for the likes of us to know. Who cares anyway, as long as I can have fun and live an easy life back home?” she shrugged.

“Well then, if you don’t want to keep me company, it’s time I go and rest properly. I slept on the floor after all,” she chuckled. “Close the doors once you leave.” She sighed and left him alone.

He turned around, shaking his head at the young woman who had just left an unknown man in her house, and excused himself, reading the map as he made his way out.

This is useful; it shows the fastest path toward the Wildlands and even where strong beasts lie. Maximus noted it down carefully in his mind as he headed back home.

***

As he returned, Oscar was already up practicing with his spear, just like the first time he’d met him. “Morning, mate. How did it go?” Oscar shouted, smiling cheerfully.

“Morning, friend. It went… Fine.” Maximus said as he cleared his throat slightly.

“You sly dog! Something definitely went down, didn’t it? Haha, keep your secrets then, you cheeky bugger. Just know I’m proper proud of you,” Oscar roared with laughter before turning back to his training, his spear whistling through the air as he resumed his thrusts.

Maximus shook his head with a sigh and went into the house as Felix was just getting up.

“Did you earn enough?” Felix asked.

“Yes. I’ll finally be able to buy some armor.” Maximus nodded with quiet relief.

“Good, I and that fool also have some tokens saved up. We will prepare. We leave today, then?” Felix pressed.

“We are. I even got a map from Rose, with marked beast locations.” Maximus added with a small smile.

“I don’t want to know how you paid for that.” Felix cracked a faint smile.

“Oh, look at you. Mister jokester.” Maximus cackled, enjoying this rare side of Felix. “By the way, what’s with the rush anyway? Didn’t you two spend most of your time at the Resting Bench?” Maximus asked, as he didn’t really understand why they were suddenly in such a hurry to level up.

“We did. Foolishly. Edgar pressured us to stay with him and join him on the third plane. So, we took it easy, and look what happened. We would all have died if not for you. That’s when we decided to push as much as we can in this little time left.” Felix explained.

“I see. It seems that everyone is pushing for the third plane for some reason. Know anything about it?” Maximus asked, hopeful.

“I know the main premise, but not the details. It does seem like there is more to it somehow.” Felix said with a quiet exhale.

“Alright, no purpose in worrying about it now. We will learn once we reach it. We need to survive the first two planes first.” Maximus said seriously.

“I know that,” Felix replied coldly.

“I’ll go prepare; you two do what you must. Let’s leave when midday strikes.” Maximus added and went into his room.

***

Maximus sat on his bed and opened the Store. He had neither enough for a decent weapon nor to buy a full set of gear. I’ll go for the gear. My staff is good enough for now. He concluded and opened the Armor tab.

He chose the chest armor first and scrolled down until he found a solid leather vest.

[Heartwood Vestment (E)]

Chest piece crafted from supple, spirit-treated leather reinforced with flexible strips of Heartwood. Unlike dead timber, Heartwood remains “awake,” pulsing in sync with the wearer’s heartbeat.

In direct sunlight, spirit regeneration increases by 2%.

If the skill Barkskin is active, the armor hardens, increasing overall defense by +8%

General physical defense is raised by 15%.

BT: 5430

This is good, and it’s not that expensive. He bought it instantly and strapped it over his hoodie.

Sprout jumped and sank its roots into the armor covering Maximus’s upper back, taking root and standing proudly.

Maximus burst into laughter, “That’s not a plant you need to take control of, it’s armor, you silly boy.” But Sprout didn’t care; it remained rooted, clearly enjoying the spot.

Maximus ignored him and next went to check the leg armor.

[Greaves of the Gale (E)]

These greaves are etched with swirling patterns that mimic wind currents. They are made from the leather of the Gale Doe, known for its strong resistance to electricity and its innate lightning affinity.

Every 25 meters you travel on foot, charge one static rune. Up to three runes can be stored.

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