MMORPG: Rebirth of the Shadow Mage

The building was majestic, its white, square shaped structure was nothing, but beautiful. Nearing the entrance I saw huge turrets located above it.

' Mana Turrets '

I thought while eyeing the machine. Mana turrets are weapons mainly used for defense, in my previous life Guilds built them on their guild house to defend against others.

Strolling into the building I saw many booths with curtains disallowing anyone to see what was happening inside. In every booth there was a person buying or selling stuff.

Moving into one of these booths the curtains automatically closed behind me and a system screen appeared.

< Welcome to the Auction House! >

< Purchase an Item / Sell an Item >

Letters with beautiful golden outlines appeared allowing me to either sell or buy some items.

Pressing on the Buy button I quickly filtered out all the other stuff leaving me with 3 spells that matched my description.

1️⃣ < Wind Barrier > ????

-- Gather the wind nearby to form a Wind Barrier

~ Cost 50 MP

~ 15 second cooldown

~ Can block up to 500 Damage

Spell Cost → 1250 Gold Coins

~~~~

2️⃣ < Mana Shield > ????

-- Form a shield made out of Mana

~ Cost 40 MP

~ 13 second cooldown

~ Can block up to 500 Damage

Spell Cost → 1000 Gold Coins

~~~~

3️⃣ < Earthen armor >

-- Manipulate Earth to cover your body to form an armor

~ Cost 45 MP

~ 15 second cooldown

~ Can block up to 600 Damage

Spell Cost → 1300 Gold Coins

~~~~

I was contemplating which one to buy, all of them were good, but their Mana consumption was different. Putting < Wind Barrier > to the side I started comparing the other two spells.

' This one has higher defense, but the other one has lower cooldown. '

My head was heating up from all the thinking. Taking a deep breath I suddenly noticed that one spell has no affinity, while the other was earth.

' Bingo '

I smiled and immediately bought the spell by paying some extra money.

» Purchase Completed!

» - 1250 Gold Coins!

» + New Spell!

Completing the purchase I was instantly bombarded by the system's message.

< New Spell without an attribute found... >

< Due to a Special Subclass the Spell will be upgraded... >

< UPGRADES >

1️⃣ ???? Mana Shield → ???? Shadow Protection

~~~~

1️⃣ Shadow Protection < Lv. 1 >

-- Cast a shield that is able to devour the damage

~ Cost 50 MP

~ 2 minute cooldown

~ Can block one attack no matter its damage

~~~~

I momentarily stopped breathing, I expected the upgrade to be good, but not this much. Hungry for more such skills I swiped and swiped around the shop trying to find a Skill or a Spell without an Affinity, but was unsuccessful, since they were scarce.

Having < Shadow Protection > in my arsenal I instantly felt more secure. I could now be hit by a boss once and not be punished. Rubbing my hands together I was already thinking about more ways for me to gain an upper hand against the Corrupted King.

Scrolling through the List of items an Idea came to my mind.

' Since everything is underpriced, why don't I do some flips? '

Interacting with the search bar I quickly typed in some item names.

Ding... Ding... Ding...

» Purchase Completed!

» - 375 Gold Coins!

» + 3 Mithril Bars!

» Purchase Completed!

» - 450 Gold Coins!

» + 9 Black Wood!

» Purchase Completed!

» - 1500 Gold Coins!

» + Cursed Miner's pickaxe!

~~~~

Buying some items that would rise in price I left the Auction house while humming my favorite song.

With a lot of money spent and some time to spare I decided to log off. In the game I had the whole day in my hands wherever I had way less time outside.

Taking off my headgear and climbing out of the VR pod I brushed my dark hair to the side.

' I need to get a haircut '

I thought, since my hair was obstructing my vision. Stretching my back I went to the kitchen to eat something light.

Walking across the house I couldn't help, but admire its beauty and size. Huge corridors, good lighting, and a comfortable atmosphere. Since there was so much space I could even house a few more people.

Opening the fridge I took a peek inside.

Zzzzz...

​ A fly flew past me... The fridge was completely empty.

Facepalming, I quickly took out my phone and contacted my parents to tell them to buy some food products. I could order them to be delivered, but that would be expensive, since the delivery to this area costs above the norm.

Looking through the cupboards and shelves I finally found a box with some slices of pizza left.

Devouring all the food and throwing the box in the bin I did a few exercises and went back to my room.

Logging back into the game this time I didn't feel any discomfort while losing my consciousness.

' My body is adapting '

I closed and reopened my eyes to adapt to the light. In the game the sun was already rising and illuminating the whole city.

' I have a few more hours '

I thought while slowly moving along the relatively quiet street, since it was the morning most of the NPCs were sleeping and Players don't usually overstay in cities, but explore the wilderness or kill monsters outside the city area.

Shifting my gaze from right to left I noticed some people peeking in my direction.

' I'm getting recognized with the hood on... What is this '

I sneered begrudgingly recalling how I was found out after demolishing a house's wall.

' Maybe I need to remove my hood and reconsider wearing the crown '

My rational mind gave me an easy way out, but I just couldn't allow such a useful item to rot in my inventory.

Ignoring the stares I walked into a more empty street only to be followed by another person.

' If you ignore the problem long enough, it'll disappear '

I incited a famous quote I heard a long time ago. Unfortunately the stalker kept following me throughout my tour around the city. He was already on my nerves.

Hiding my arm in the Cloak I conjured A lightning bolt without stopping to walk.

Turning around the corner I waited for the stalker to emerge from his hiding spot. As soon as I saw his head appear behind a corner I threw my newly upgraded spell.

Whoosh...

The Bolt flew so fast that it was even hard for me to follow its movements. The Lightning projectile hit the head of the Stalker piercing his head.

- 512 Magical Damage!

< You've Killed a Player Theo! >

< LOOT >

1️⃣ 500 EXP

2️⃣ 1232 Gold Coins

...

~~~~

The system message alerted me of the stalker's death. Looking at his name I suddenly started giggling uncontrollably. It was Angry Bird that was tailing me.

' How fortunate to meet him here '

Still giggling I grinned at the amount of gold he dropped.

' Well, His parents sure are rich '

I smiled at my fortunate encounter. Now I wasn't regretting drawing his attention.

' Come after me more! '

I even pleaded thinking about the potential of making him a money farm. Well in the long run he and his group will surpass my individual strength, but I'm not planning to play this game alone.

Scratching my neck I recalled the only friend I've had in my previous life. His harsh yet reassuring words and emotional support he gave me after my parents death.

I wanted to shed tears recalling the past, but since my mind was reinforced by all the rebirth stuff I held myself together.

As I was thinking about the past I didn't even notice Theo's body becoming light particles giving me no second opportunity to let the Demonic Flame devour it.

Shaking my head at my forgetfulness I lowered my body and burnt all his stuff that was dropped on the ground.

I was contemplating why developers would only make the Starting villages territories safe zones, but I didn't mind it.

After finishing my business with the Angry bird I left towards the castle. Seeing the sun right above me I picked up my pace.

' Can't be late! '

~~~~

Walking into the castle I saw many groups gathering around the entrance to the Raid room, but one of the groups was different from others.

This group consisted a Muscular Female orc wielding an Axe, a human Monk with knuckles wearing an orange robe and an Elf who's beauty attracted everyone's gaze.

Spotting me in the crowd the Elf approached me, taking hold of my hand and pulling me towards the other group members.

Momentarily flustered I suddenly felt a shiver run down my back.

' What the Fuck! '

I cursed feeling intense gazes piercing me from all the sides.

' Beauty sure is a weapon '

Trying to act as calm as possible I grumbled under my nose, so only I could hear. Unfortunately I forgot that elves had heightened sense of hearing allowing the elf to hear my mumbling.

Slightly turning her head to look at me she was about to say something, but a soft voice, not suited for a giant like her, rang out from the female orc's mouth.

" Nice to meet you! My name is Eli "

Extending her hand forward she greeted me with a huge smile.