Strong and vigilant, I keep myself on the ready! Sword and shield in hand, prepared for any attack! Wondering through the nearby forest, we proudly seek to claim a new land of our own! As a caravan of monsters, there is no method of stealth, so defense is all that can be done! I patrol around the group, keeping a sharp eye in all directions! Suddenly, a sound is heard! The ruffling of leaves?! Perhaps a savage monster! Even worse, the human Heroes seeking vengeance once more! As I ponder the different scenarios in my head, I feel a firm slap against the back of my skull, knocking my head off. “Don’t be getting’ yerself all worked up o’er every little sound!” I quickly pick my head up and slap Mange’s arm. “Ha ha ha! Oooooh~ Ouch! Ya got me repentin’ fer me crimes!”

Mange looks down at me. “Don’t you worry none! Even them idjit humans wouldn’t go challengin’ a war band. No reason to be getting’ all crazy.” Mange is a headache, but I guess he doesn’t mean any harm. I glance up at his name and level over his head. It’s still so shocking to know he’s also a Hero. I tap his arm to get his attention. Mange looks down at me as I point to my level over my head, then point at him. Mange leans down to me and whispers to me. “I’ll come clean when the time is right. Keep it under yer head fer now.” I guess that’s fine. I’m curious, but I guess it doesn’t change the situation we’re in now. I look over to see the leader with a rather distraught expression.

I walk past Mange and proceed to the leader. I walk next to the leader and bump his arm with my elbow. “I don’t understand…” he says with a disheartened expression. “I finished the Hero. Yet, why did I not become a Hero like you did?” Mange walks up behind us. “Ya can’t just kill a man an’ be a Hero fer it. Ya gotta do it fer th’ right reason.” The leader changes his tone to a much more aggressive one. “What do you mean? I helped protect the other monsters!” Mange leans down to the leader. “Did ya? Er was it fer power?” The leader quickly turns, punching Mange in the face. Mange turns his head as he’s struck, but I can tell it wasn’t genuinely because of the strike.

“Who are you to tell me what my motives are?! Who are you, in general?!” The monsters stop walking and turn to see what’s going on. “You show up out of nowhere and say you’ve been living in my dungeon, then judge me without knowledge of who I am?!” The leader pokes Mange’s chest in frustration. “You couldn’t even show up for that battle against the Heroes! You’re just a drunkard old Jackal with a little power!” The monsters silently watch. The tension is high, and it feels as though a fight could break out here that, quite frankly, I don’t think the leader could win.

Mange composes himself as he stands upright, looking down at the leader. “Ya got too much pride, dragon boy. Does it sound very Hero-like ta kill a man who lost his will ta fight?” The leader continues to try and intimidate Mange. Mange just let’s out a sigh. “The stars don’ really care why ya do things. Ya jus’ gotta do it right ta gain its favor.” Everyone watches nervously, expecting the leader to take another step forward. Shockingly enough, the leader expels smoke from his nostrils, then turns away. “Keep moving!” The Viperion nervously raises her hand. “And… where are we going?” The leader doesn’t even turn around as he snaps back at her. “West!” The people stand quietly for another moment before following the leader once more.

Mange scratches his head. “Yer dragon buddy is quite the tempered one. Looks like his heart’s in th’ right place, but he don’t fully grasp what bein’ a Hero means.” I get what Mange is saying, but I don’t think I fully understand, either. I mean, I can gather that I probably became a Hero because I chose to save the leader, but is that really it? Maybe I’ll learn more as I travel with Mange. As we continue through the forest, I take a moment to look around. It’s been so long since I’ve gotten to admire this kind of scenery. Lush, vibrant tree tops overlooking the area. Small areas of peeking light flickering through the leaves, allowing smaller plants like grass and bushes to grow on the otherwise barren ground. The sound of birds and wind blowing around the ruffling branches. Such a beautiful place.

After some time of walking, the peace is broken by the sound of someone shouting for help! The group stops and looks around. A Wolven shouts out, “They’re over that way!” Mange, the leader, and I begin running towards the sound. We arrive at a designated path through the forest that humans frequently use. There’s a horse drawn cart being surrounded by forest wolves! Mangy, savage monsters that hunt in groups! The one shouting for help is a human! The leader crosses his arms. “Oh. No need to assist. It’s simply a human.” Mange, without a second thought, rushes towards the cart, shield drawn. “Come on, skelly boy! Time ta earn some X.P.!”

I glance at the leader. He gives me a look that questions my loyalty. I… I want to stay here… but… I don’t think I should! I charge towards the cart behind Mange. “If anyone is out there, please! I need help!” the human shouts out. As we approach, he notices us, and immediately begins yelling even more. “Monsters! Big monsters in the forest! Someone! Help! Please!” Mange charges to the front of the cart, stepping between the horses and the wolves. “Skelly boy! I got the front! Start pickin’ them dogs off!” The objective is to take down the wolves, but not harm the cart. I might have a plan!

I charge at one wolf, slashing it with my sword, then immediately dash to the next, slashing it as well! I run around the cart, making the wolves follow me as they run around the others, alerting them that I am a threat and making them all chase me. As soon as the wolves are all chasing me, I run quickly from the cart. The wolves are so much faster than me! I suddenly remember that I have another ability point available! I quickly open my skill tree as I run. I check the different abilities available. I see one that could help immensely right now! Mighty Leap let’s me move distances while inflicting damage on targets I land on!

I select it and close my skill tree before quickly leaping forward, jumping several feet ahead of the wolves! As I land, the ground trembles at my feet! I assumed my legs would take damage, but I suppose that’s part of being a Heroic ability! I turn around and raise my shield! The moment the wolves are all in my radius, I slam my shield forward, striking down all the wolves at once! I see the multiple experience point groupings flash across my vision, but I didn’t grow any levels. It seems like it takes more to grow levels each time I gain one. Maybe I shouldn’t be relying on gaining a new skill when the situation gets difficult.

“Keep yer eyes open, skelly boy!” As I hear Mange shout that, I hear the snarling of a wolf behind me! I quickly turn to see a very large wolf lunging forward! With no time to react, I raised my arm, letting the wolf bite it! The wolf shakes it’s head around, causing me to take more damage than a standard bite! It’s so painful! I release the tension to my forearm so it would fall off from the upper arm bone. The wolf leaps back, still holding my arm with my sword in hand! I open my armor panel and see that this has caused my statistics to lower drastically! However, my health is no longer reducing without the arm.

This wolf must be the alpha of the pack I just eliminated! Significantly larger with even longer, more savagely shaped teeth! The wolf begins pacing. I move with my shield raised so it doesn’t have an opportunity to attack the cart. The wolf begins sprinting towards me! I hold my position, preparing to use my Impactful Strike! As the wolf jumps towards me, it drops my arm! The moment before unleashing my attack, Mange charges at the wolf, smashing it violently with his shield! The sound of bone cracking and shattering against steel quickly sounds as the wolf’s limp body rolls across the ground!

“C’mon, skelly boy! Y’gotta keep yer guard up!” Mange picks my arm up and slaps it against the upper arm bone aggressively! The pain from the arm floods through the rest of my body! Mange holds my arm up, opening my statistics panel. He touches an image of my face which leaves floating red and blue bars in my vision. The red bar is missing a substantial amount, while the blue bar is full. Mange points at the bars. “Y’gotta keep this open so ya know when yer life an’ mana is goin’ low, an’ so ya can see if ye still got enemies on ya!”

While I can understand why Mange is mad, it’s not like I knew about this! Seems pretty useful, though. I wish I knew about this sooner! Mange shakes his head “ *Sigh* Look. I know yer new ta this, but ya gotta start lookin’ into what ye can do!” I look up at Mange for a moment, then look away. It’s almost embarrassing to look him in the eyes since he’s completely right. I haven’t explored into the statistics panel much. I guess I should explore more into the features of becoming a Hero rather than just worry about the combat part. Mange pats my back softly. “C’mon, skelly boy. Let’s get back ta th’ others.”

As we begin heading back to the woods, the human calls put to us. “Hey! That’s it?” Mange and I turn back. Mange has a confused look. “Ya. I-I think thas all we got. Good luck to ya.” As we turn around again, the human calls to us again. “Well…perhaps I could… maybe give you a reward, or something?” We turn back to him. “I mean, you did save me and my cart.” Mange glances down at me. I shake my head, telling him that I don’t think it’s a good idea. Mange nods at me. “Know what? Yer right.” He walks back to the cart. “Oi! What ya got on that cart?” I slap my hand against my head. He really doesn’t understand anything I say!

I follow Mange over to the cart. “That’s the spirit! I should have just about anything you could want!” The human says with this energetic tone. Just standing near a human like this feels so… illogical! “I assumed you planned to rob me after beating the wolves, but you seem different than most monsters!” The human lowers his hand to Mange. “My name's Gibson. How about you?” Mange shakes the human’s hand. “Mange. M’ skelly friend doesn’ have a name.” The human looks at me. “Huh. I heard monsters didn’t name themselves. Never got to see any proof on that, though. Interesting!” The human sits up. “Well, I’m a traveling merchant! Not much business out in these parts, so I got a full supply! Anything you need?”

Mange leans on the cart. “Well, ya got somethin’ ta patch up th’ skelly boy?” The human claps his hands. “I got just the thing!” He climbs into the back area of his cart. The sound of objects and glass can be heard as he searches for something. After a short moment, he comes back out holding a red bottle. “Here you go! One healing potion! Though, I’m not sure how a skeleton will drink it.” Mange takes the potion from the human and hands it to me. I look at the deep red liquid in the bottle. I guess if I have to drink it, maybe my filter feed will absorb it. I open the bottle and dump it over my head. Almost immediately, my body feels warm! I look to the two bars floating in front of me. The red one is filling up rapidly.

As the warmth fades, my body feels comfortable, as if all my pain has cleared up in an instant! These “potions” are amazing! Mange pats my back. “Ha ha ha! Bet yer feelin’ like a stack’a gold!” The human looks back at Mange. “What about you? Anything you want?” Mange grabs the cart. “Ya got anythin’ a little stronger in there?” The human chuckles. “Ho ho ho! You want stronger? I got exactly what you’re looking for!” The human rummages around for another moment before stepping out with a brown bottle. He holds it out to Mange. “This one here suit your taste?” Mange’s face suddenly lights up as he grabs the bottle. “ Ooohhhh~! Issat Dolly’s?!”

The human leans down. “Only the best, my friend!” Mange reaches up, pulling the human in close, hugging him with one arm. “Ha ha ha! I like this one! Seeds from th’ same tree! Yer a good one, Gibs!” The two seem to get along very well. Such an odd thing to see. A monster and human so… in sync with one another. “That’s a thanks… and an apology…” Mange and I turn to the human. Mange looks confused. “You’re from Scovir, right? I can tell by your accent.” Mange suddenly looks sad as he takes a heavy drink from the bottle. “Don’t worry about all that. Ya ain’t got nothin’ ta do with it.”  We stand in a moment of awkward silence. I’m curious about this Scovir place, and what involvement Mange had.

Mange looks up at the human. “I know ya already did so much, but can ya do one more thing fer me?” Gibs gives a soft smile. “Anything you need.” Mange points to me. “Skelly boy needs a name, and monsters can’t do it right.” I look at them both with a confused look. Why does it matter? Do I need a name? The human looks confused. “I don’t understand.” Mange grabs my shoulder. “Ya know why monsters don’ name each other? It don’ mean anythin’. A human has th’ power ta give us strength with a name.” I don’t understand what he’s talking about, but… he seems confident.

Mange turns back to the human. “I got a name fer ‘im. Ya just gotta say it.” The human shrugs. “I mean, I still don’t get it, but if you’re asking, then I guess I can help out.” Mange looks to me again. “Call ‘im Laoch. Means Hero where I’m from.” The human looks at us both, as if he’s trying to understand the situation. “I guess… I’ll just say it.” The human looks at me. “You’re name’s Laoch from now on.” A burst of light shines around me like when I grow a level! I feel… stronger! I open my statistics panel to see that I now have increased in power! I also… have a name! Laoch! This is incredible!

The human is very clearly as shocked as I am. “Woah! I’m not sure what just happened, but I guess it helped!” Mange takes another drink from the bottle before holding his hand out to the human. “Hey! Thanks fer that! Ya really helped us more than I could ever tell ya!” The human shakes Mange’s hand. “That’s the least I could do! You both saved my life today!” As he released Mange’s hand, he reaches towards me to shake my hand. I look at him for a moment. While I can’t say I trust humans just because of this, I guess… I can trust this one at least. I take his hand and shake it. “Hope you two stay safe, Mange and Laoch.”

As we walk away, I turn back to watch the human’s cart roll away. Gibson… I’ll remember that name. Humans… I guess they’re not all bad. Let's just hope we meet more like him, and less like those Heroes.