Lord Of The Lost

According to Metatron, Forum Master, Gambler, and the others, talents in the game seem to mirror a player's personal strengths or characteristics. They emphasized that choosing a path that aligns with one's talent is the best way to maximize potential.

William couldn't help but notice how familiar these players were with the talent system. They spoke with a kind of ease that suggested they weren't just talking from personal experience; they must have encountered other talented players and exchanged knowledge. There was no other way they could have such a comprehensive understanding of how it worked.

It made sense, though. Their starting point had been near a border town, a hub where players often crossed paths. This gave them more opportunities to meet other players and share experiences. But William's situation was different.

He rarely interacted with others. His focus had always been on leveling up, avoiding unnecessary socializing. To date, only a few players had even seen him in-game. His path was one of solitude, and while it meant his level was significantly higher than most, it also meant he hadn't been part of the growing community of players learning from each other.

As he thought about it, William realized why there hadn't been many posts about talents on the forum. Players with talents were keeping iuiet. Talent was like a personal advantage, a small edge that could set them apart from others. Sharing it openly would only reveal their hand.

This led to a sort of collective silence, where talented players didn't want to expose themselves, and those who noticed others with talents hesitated to speak up.

But William wasn't one to dwell on secrets. From the discussions happening in the forum, he quickly grasped how to better utilize his own talent, Killing to Prove the Way. However, he knew he couldn't just take without giving back. After all, fair exchange of information was the name of the game. He thought for a moment, then began typing.

"I wonder if anyone has noticed," he posted, "that high-grade equipment has hidden power. It's only fully unleashed when the right player uses it. The key lies in the compatibility between the user and the weapon."

It didn't take long for the replies to roll in.

Forum Master: "Is that really the case?"

Metatron: "I see… it makes sense. Warrior-class weapons, for example, are clearly designed to be most effective in the hands of a warrior."

William: "That's just part of it. There are other factors too. If you meet all the right conditions, you can unlock even greater hidden effects."

Amid the more thoughtful responses, one player Yo-yo chimed in, clearly unimpressed. "Is this really the kind of conversation for a bunch of low-level trash like us?"

This sparked a wave of playful backlash from the other players.

"Hey, we might be low-level, but we don't think of ourselves as trash. Besides, you're still only level 2, cutie. Better hurry up and grind!" one teased.

"Yeah, if there's a trash can in the forum, we'll reserve it just for you!" another player joked.

Yo-yo responded with a long pause. "…It hurts, guys! Why you gotta do me like that?"

Despite the banter, the discussion about equipment continued. Other players began chiming in with their thoughts.

"Legendary equipment, hidden powerss, tuff you only hear about in stories." someone mused, clearly excited by the possibility.

William smiled at the lively exchange. While the forum was still in its early days, it was already becoming a place where valuable insights could be shared, and he felt satisfied knowing he'd added something worthwhile to the conversation.

"Alright, I won't keep it a secret any longer. I've come across two pieces of excellent equipment! I bet you're all jealous now!"

A wave of interest rippled through the chat.

"Really? There can't be too many players with excellent gear at this stage, can there?" one player chimed in, skepticism mixed with excitement.

"From what he's saying, he's got more than one piece," another added, their curiosity piqued.

Captain: "This guy is the big brother of Iron Mine Village! He's incredibly powerful!"

As players browsing other threads stumbled upon this post, it felt like they had unearthed a hidden treasure. The chat buzzed with excitement, as many players, aware of their own limitations, leaned in to catch every detail. Knowledge like this could be invaluable in their future quests.

Metatron: "What are the conditions to obtain such equipment?"

William: "You need to master at least one extraordinary skill related to that field. At least, that's my guess."

Gambler: "Wait, have you actually learned any extraordinary skills?!"

William: "Yes! In the Magic House, you can learn some basic extraordinary skills for just one gold coin."

The players' excitement surged. Extraordinary skills were a big deal, and the prospect of learning one sent them into a frenzy.

Forum Master: "Brother Wallace, where are you right now?"

William: "I'm currently in the Black Forest."

"The Black Forest? That place is massive," Metatron remarked, his tone shifting to concern. "Are you there to check on things? I've heard reports that it's not going well."

William with the tag Wallace Beethovenish: "Not exactly. Honestly, I'm just a bit rattled."

He hesitated for a moment, but there was no point in hiding the truth. Sure, it sounded embarrassing, but after battling the Black Crow King for what felt like forever, he had come out victorious. That had to count for something, right?

The players exchanged glances of disbelief. What could make a level 8 player so shaken?

Forum Master chose not to pry further. "Are you interested in coming to Border Town? It would be great to finally meet."

William: "I appreciate the offer, but I have some tasks to handle first. I'll definitely visit Border Town when I have the time; I'm curious about your place."

But next on his agenda was finding Calcifer.

Forum Master, sensing his hesitation, continued, "Actually, I wanted to invite you to form a team."

William raised an eyebrow, surprised. "You want me on your team?"

"Not just you, but Metatron and Gambler as well. I think we could make a great group."

The other players nodded in agreement. It was becoming clear that understanding the nuances of this sequential game was crucial for everyone involved. Teaming up could lead to significant advantages in their quests ahead.

The allure of sequence games is a mystery that only beta testers truly understand. In this realm, worldly power and riches fade into insignificance against the backdrop of the extraordinary. It's a temptation that no player can resist, driving everyone to race against time to level up and enhance their strength.

William had built up a significant reputation among players. As the mastermind behind the bulletin board and the forum administrator, he wielded influence in both the game and the real world, showcasing remarkable skills that players admired. His bold investments sparked discussions that still resonated today.

The forum saw an unprecedented surge today, with player logins tripling compared to yesterday. This was just a slice of the growing community, eager to engage and learn. The Forum Master, for instance, didn't hesitate to spend 10 million on just 15 silver coins; wealth was no object when it came to gaining an edge.

While William might be an unknown to many, the Forum Master was a name everyone recognized. He could easily target lesser-known players or exploit hacking methods to unearth personal identities. Yet, such actions would tarnish his reputation, proving short-sighted in the long run.

He understood that controlling all players was a pipe dream; even if he profited initially, trust once broken would be hard to regain.

His vision extended beyond mere profits. He aspired to form an organization akin to a Players Alliance, one that could wield enough influence to impact the real world significantly. If players were exposed in their everyday lives, he wanted the assurance that he could guide them against powerful entities, safeguarding their interests.

The first person he approached was William, the highest-level player in the game. He also extended invitations to Metatron and Gambler, two promising players who had already distinguished themselves. By gathering these high-ranking players around him, he hoped to harness the loyalty and strength of a significant portion of the player base.

After all, these seasoned players represented a banner under which many would rally.