Seraphim Online: Afterlife

‘Finally, my legs might fall off if I have to walk any longer! Looks like I’m not spending the night under the stars.’

After searching this gigantic valley for what might as well be hours at this point, a small opening comes into sight giving me some needed shelter from the night elements. Sure, haven’t a clue if it will rain or not, but even just to avoid the bitterness of the cold and wind will help out a load.

‘Hey guide, can you give me a brief explanation on something like stamina for example? Safe to presume it drops down just by being awake? I’m more interested in the specific numbers behind it.’

Finding a quick corner inside this dark place to curl up into, need to make some small talk to take my mind off the cold. I could do with a warm blanket at this moment in time, maybe my avatar isn’t that acclimatized to the cold? That, or is this a gender-related thing? I know females feel the cold more, but damn. That nip in the air hurts.

[The general rule for recovery and stat drain, Sera, is the number 100 like everything else. Every 24 hours, SP will drop by 100 points. The same thing applies to HP and MP, but in reverse. For health and magic, recovery is roughly 100 over 24 hours.]

‘Whoever made this system has a fetish for a hundred apparently. Obviously, the easiest way to sort it out would be to sleep?’

[Affirmative. As long as you get a minimum of 6 hours of sleep, 6 days a week, your SP will always return to 100%.]

‘Fair enough. It’s a shame it’s way too cold to sleep right no-, hang on. Did you just say six days a week? Don’t you mean seven?’

[This guide should’ve informed Sera about that. There are 6 days in a week, 24 days a month, and 240 days in a year. The world of Seraph has a different approach from the unknown world you arrived from.]

‘Huh… good to know I guess.’

The main question still plaguing my mind is regarding this world... am I still inside that VR machine or not? Obviously, not my body because I’m apparently brown bread, but could my soul have fused with it, or is this an actual afterlife? Not even gonna bother asking the guide that, it was given to me by that Goddess and if she didn’t understand my questioning. I'm doubtful this feminine sounding AI will either.

Anyway, the chill inside this place is starting to creep right down my spine and a shiver begins to grow. There’s no way I’m going to sleep like this.

‘Hey guide, do you have any idea how I can warm myself up? Like a tutorial on making a fire on something?’

[…]

‘I’m guessing that subtitled ellipsis was your way of facepalming?’

[Affirmative. Sera already has the ability to do that. Have a serious think, then get back to this guide.]

Listen okay, you put ninety-nine per cent of the population in a survival exercise, and the majority won’t be able to light a fire from scratch either. What is there to think about? I don’t know what I’m doing!

‘Guess I’m on my own then… what do you mean by having a serious think though?’

Unlike my other questions, this time I don’t even get an ellipsis, looks like I’ll just have to suffer in silence. I’ve watched the odd survival program or two, it’s not like I remember much. From what I do remember... that bear guy likes to drink his piss a lot. Heck, if stats are relevant to your actual ability in this world, five points in intelligence means I'm a moron.

‘Hmm… guess I could use some of the dried moss inside this place as kindling… carve some bark as well as gather a load of branches. Enough friction with a stick and I may be able to even make a spark… why do I even know this? Ah, maybe it’s an effect of the other ability I started with…’

__________

“*Blowww*…*blowww*… gotcha! Damn, excitement makes my voice far too cute..”

Getting the stuff required from in and around the cave, then rubbing a stick back and forth continuously for several minutes on my makeshift campfire, I nearly jump for joy when the blowing and friction cause the mossy kindling to come to life. I really gave that stick a good blow and rubbing it seems… that’s what she said.

‘Brilliant, fire and a stat increase. Guessing I won’t be levelling up from every fire I start?’

[This guide assumes so, that one may have been a pity point.]

‘Right…’

Now curling myself back up into that previous position with the fire crackling by my feet, it’s time to put an end to this strange first day. I should probably eat something beforehand but alas, all I want to do is see the night away…

Except, tonight isn’t going to end just yet…

‘Night guide… am I hearing things? Is that a squelching noise?’

Over to the other side of the cave, which I can now see due to the light, there’s a small crack where said sound is coming from.

‘Seriously, what the hell is that? The only idea I’ve got is something dirty, but why would people be doing that out here?’

Going over to investigate, I start to make my way through the split and find both my boobs and bottom are proving a right nuisance getting through this. I’m already having to press myself right into the gap to squeeze through it, and it’s only getting harder.

‘Sighhh… I think I’m over being female already.’

Once I’m out of that obvious fan service situation and partially grateful I didn’t go for anything larger, a much darker cave stands before me with something glowing ominously ahead.

‘Oh, it was a slimy boy… that glows in the dark. I’m going to feel bad if this ends up being that tempest one.’

You know, that time a slime decided to befriend a dragon and turn a goblin tribe into slaves? I’m paraphrasing it a bit, that’s the gist of that story. Regardless, this is my world to enslav-, I mean rule over!

Without even giving the slime a second to think, I’ve already drawn my shitty iron sword and am staring it down with eyes of deadly intent. These are always easy-starting mobs, right? If I seriously can’t take on a single slime, what’s even the point?

Palms sweaty, knees weak, arms heavy… mom’s spaghetti, I position my sword over my shoulder and charge at that destructive force of nature! Regardless or not if I’m taking the piss out of this early encounter, I’m still going to take this seriously.

Rushing towards the blob like a junkie hooked on whatever concoction they’ve brewed up; I use momentum and gravity to full effect, slicing downwards at the wild slime, making precise contact through him.

‘That was… unexpected. Oh well, no point red-flagging myself just yet.’

The slime itself just turns to liquid from my hit and dies in one hit. I know slimes are notoriously low-level mobs, but considering how hardcore everything else has been hinting at, I was honestly expecting it to be like a souls-like boss.

Delving further into the cave, another lonesome slime stands ahead of me, ready to attack at a moment’s notice, so it must also be purged. Maybe this one may be a tad more worthy.

For this fight, I’ll take more of a diagonal run-up and try to slash sideways at the creature, testing more to see if I can keep this blade in my grasp or not. My form must appear awful to anyone with any combat experience, but I’m trying my best considering how difficult it is to hold a sword. Might be better to use a lighter dagger, it’s the lowered range of that weapon that concerns me though.

Putting a good amount of energy into the swing, but in no way comparable to the first, I slash at the next slime and this one melts into a puddle as well. This is way easier than I expected.

‘At least I'm getting the EXP. Hey guide, are these slimes actually low-level trash?’

[Affirmative Sera, did this guide ever imply otherwise? Slimes are supposed to be weakened trash mobs providing little EXP, this should be expected.]

‘Fair point, you did make that slime-dragon EXP comparison earlier.’

The third encounter comes around briefly after the second and this time around, I try a light stabbing and volare! Another dead slime… and a stat upgrade. Sweet.

‘And here I thought this sword would count as a two-handed weapon. I am holding it with two hands, after all.’

You know, the stat table earlier on that said something about two-handed warriors being based on strength? Both my hands are firmly on this old piece of junk, so shouldn’t I be getting strength instead of dexterity for combat?

[Nobody likes people who are pedantic, Sera. Any weapon weighing 1.5 and under, excluding bows, they can be categorised as one-handed weapons. Under these current conditions, DEX is increased.]

‘So, my grip is basically irrelevant? Fair enough, what is the actual weight unit though? Are we using the metric or imperial system? There’s a big difference between pounds and kilograms.’

[…]

Lightly chuckling to myself, it appears my pedantic nature has gotten the system facepalming again. This world could be fun.

Moving along , another two slimes come into sight, ready and ripe to become numbers in my journey!

Like everything else in this location, this old blade has no problem popping them like bubbles, just from one trusty swing into the both of them. That’s now halfway to level two, this is going to be a breeze.

‘Hey guide, do I have any way of viewing the enemy’s stats or health? Like a status check for others?’

[Does Sera really need to view the life force of a slime?]

‘Yes. It may be pointless for now, but may be lifesaving against a harder foe.’

There’s got to be a way of viewing the enemy’s stats, right? I get the difficulty aspect of it, but in a world of numbered damage like this, an opposing HP bar is a must.

[Maybe there’s an ability to be unlocked that provides Sera the knowledge on how to do it? Everything within this system is like that.]

‘Oh, I get it. This place is one of those games, the type where it puts basic features behind abilities and becomes a must-buy, regardless of build. Shitty game design and all that.’

Eh, at least we’re not dealing with gacha or surprise mechanics… yet. I’m going to be pissed if I need to purchase the loot box DLC for a one per cent chance at obtaining the permission to level up.

‘Last question tonight, for now at least. You think I can farm some endurance?’

Presumably, endurance can be obtained by getting hit, so wouldn’t it make sense to try? Another lone slime has come into sight and it’s making me wonder if I can exploit the levelling mechanic a little, a low levelled mob seems like the best thing to try on.

[Try it and find out?]

Taking the guide’s question as confirmation, I head up to the next slime and allow it to hop happily towards my free arm, waiting for it to make contact with me.

Once it makes contact however, a light rubbing against my arm, that’s when immediate regret hits me like a freight train.

“Argh! You little fucker!”

Instinctively upon receiving the hit, my other hand holding the blade swings to destroy the agony-inducing slime. There is no way it should hurt that badly…

‘Guide, what the fuck? Shouldn’t you have warned me they’re made of pure acid!?’

Comparable to a horror movie, my arm looks like it’s ended up in a peeler or something. I’m exaggerating a bit; the injury is more comparable to a burn wound, but the pain is excruciating! It’s so bad in fact, I’ve even gotten out my spare waterskin and I’m making sure to pour it all over.

[Honestly Sera, I was expecting a slight tingling sensation, nothing that extreme. Maybe if your endurance was higher from receiving enough attacks, the acid would hurt less. Next time around, it may be more bearable.]

‘So, your suggestion after seeing my arm like this is to try it again? Did my pedantic nature annoy you that much?’

[Negative. My suggestion still holds merit regardless of any previous annoying conversation.]

Turns out, I may have been given a guide that might be trying to kill me, and another stark reflection of how low my stats are. Oh well, at least this gives the trash mobs some character. Underestimate a slime and your arm melts off, what’s the bet typical trashy goblins in this world are the hardcore versions as well? You know exactly the ones I’m referring to... need to give that famous silver-ranked adventurer a call.

‘On one hand, I should probably force myself to withstand the pain. On the other, fuck no! I just want these little bastards to suffer now…’

__________

“Ho ho ho… Looks like I’ve finally found the nest. You little fucks are going to splatter for this!”

Little further in and I’ve arrived at the glowing puddle these mobs seem to be manifesting from, five of them ripe for the execution that must be inflicted upon the buggers. I think it’s safe to say I’m a little rattled after what that cretin did to my arm, so I’m going to take my vengeance out on his family. It’s a shame slimes can’t scream because I’d love to hear it.

Two of the blobs hop towards me, obviously in an attempt to burn even more flesh, so they receive a quick slice and a one-way visit to the Underworld.

‘Huh, guess the acid effect only applies if a hit is taken.’

Some of the slimy fluid spatters onto me there, but doesn't burn away my clothing… much to any onlooker's disdain. I’m yet to see myself naked, so all these make-believe voices in my head will have to wait before acid burns these clothes away. I’ve already lost one sleeve so we’re not far off getting there.

Continuing with my brief massacre, the remaining three hop at me like rabbits born within the fiery depths of hell, just begging for the sweet release of death. I’ll stop overplaying this combat encounter shortly, just let me have this because I’ll never know when a fight this easy comes up again.

They all go down with no issues whatsoever, one of which ends up stabbed and the other two receiving the same slash. I’m going to end up a battle junkie if these experiences are this exhilarating, that was brilliant!

Once that brief encounter is over and I feel rejuvenated getting my revenge, two messages pop up while I’m shaking off the slime from my trusty shortsword. Sure, it may be old, worn and heavy, but this guy got me through that without a scratch. Everyone knows burns don't count.

[Level 2 has now been reached. Sera has the option of investing 10 points into either HP, SP or MP. Make your decision wisely as these only come once per level.]

Decisions to make… this could be a matter of life and death. Putting points into magic fornow seems redundant, so it’s just an option for health or stamina.

‘Why am I even pondering this? My inner hoarder overrules my need for self-preservation, stamina please.’

[Status has now been adjusted accordingly.]

Despite the overwhelming excitement from knowing I can now hold an entire extra point of weight, probably need to cut it with the sarcasm, something else has caught my eye down in these caves. The way forward seems to be glowing a very different colour to the greenish-blue the slimes give off.

Right at the very ending of the cave, it appears to have some sort of steampunk looking box of sorts, equipped with all kinds gadgets you’d never think to see in a world like this. That’s if I’m assuming we’re in a medieval setting of course, Seraphim Online was supposed to be that kind of medieval fantasy, just with all the magical additions.

‘If this ends up being a trap, I’m goin-… crap…’

Just placing a single finger on it, the entire thing sparks to life, shooting steam all around the room and glowing like it’s about to explode. This is a prime example of why curiosity can buzz off!

‘Guide, you need to warn me if I’m going to do something stupid! I barely even touched it.’

[Sera doesn’t appear to have done anything stupid. Just give it a second and see what happens.]

Through the steam and inside the now-opening machine, the silhouette of a person can be seen…