Chapter 44 - Beast Forest.

''Hmm...'' Isaac pondered where to put the Stat Points, but then his eyes lingered on the HP bar.

''I need HP...'' Isaac tapped the Vitality bar and put all 10 Stat Points on it.

[VIT: 26 -> 36]

After that, he planned to leave the library, but Krystal left the three books in front of him, and he didn't know what to do with them.

But, soon, the game chose for him.

[Terrain of Beast Forest Book Acquired!]

[Battle Tactics Book Acquired!]

[Importances of Physique Book Acquired!]

The three books glowed a few seconds longer and was soon teleported into Isaac's Inventory.

''I can keep them? Nice.'' Isaac stood up with a small smile and left the library.

He started walking in the busy streets once again, and even though he spent 5 hours with Krystal, in his opinion, it was worth it.

5 hours can be enough to level up, and Isaac managed to do that, but for some top players, getting 1500 XP in only 5 hours is terrible performance.

But Isaac also received Stat Points for Precision and Charm.

He isn't sure why he received Charm, and he doesn't know what use it has, but he is pleased to receive Stats for Precision

Also, Isaac's aiming has improved by leaps.

He is finally feeling confident in going to the Beast Forest.

There are two ways players can go to the Beast Forest. The first way is to go on foot, but it will take much longer.

The second way is to go with a Carriage, and it will be twice as fast, but it is expensive, especially for parties, but luckily Isaac is alone, and he is sure that he has enough money.

Usually, the Carriage drivers are on standby on the Gates of Stronglord— it is the easiest way to gain money. Stronglord is a very large place, and some are willing to pay for carriage drives and not spend a few hours walking.

But, after the Players' appearance, the carriage drivers' wealth has increased by miles, and that made them grow arrogant.

After all, they earn more than the soldiers, which is a big feat.

Half an hour later, Isaac saw the Gates of Stronglord and a dozen carriages waiting.

He saw Players arguing with the Carriage drivers, but they looked unfazed.

Isaac had a bad feeling about this, but he walked to the nearest carriage driver.

''Excuse me,'' Isaac said while looking at the nametag [Rufus]

''Hmm?'' Rufus opened his eyes and saw a beautiful white-haired individual looking at him.

''How much is trip to Beast Forest?'' Isaac asked.

''You are alone?'' Rufus asked with his arms crossed.

Isaac nodded.

''Hmm... Let's see.'' Rufus pondered for a moment before answering, ''1000 White Coins.''

''1000?!'' Isaac exclaimed, 'That's like two weeks of payment of my rent!'

Rufus snorted and waved his hand, ''If you don't have money, piss off.'' He smugly crossed his arms.

'Are these guys morons?!' Isaac internally screamed, 'They could earn so much more if they would actually accept customers!'

Isaac clicked his tongue and asked the prices of other drivers, but it only kept increasing.

He left the Stronglord through the Gates with his face red in anger.

''Did everyone drop their brain somewhere?'' Isaac with anger started walking towards the Beast Forest. It would take a few hours by foot, less if he ran there.

Isaac pressed a few buttons in the Interface, and the chain armor entered his Inventory.

Now he was wearing only the plain white t-shirt and brown leather pants. He started running towards the Beast Forest.

He took off the armor because it might exhaust him faster, and he doubts that there are actually animal attacks outside the forest.

The road he was using is the most used road in Stronglord, and thousands of players and NPC's alike use it every day.

He was confident enough to run without armor, even if his defense are nonexistent and if he is attacked, most likely he won't have enough time to equip the armor.

''Huff... Huff...'' After an hour of running, Isaac's forehead was drenched in sweat, and his breathing had become rough.

There was some pain in his heart, but this wasn't nothing compared to the training he did with his bodyguards, and after another ten minutes of running, he arrived at the Beast Forest.

Isaac stopped in front of the forest to catch his breath.

It took him 1 hour and 10 minutes nonstop running to get there.

By walking, it would be 2 hours, and with a carriage, it would be 1 hour.

Isaac leaned on the tree and put his chain armor on.

He didn't see any sign of Players or Beasts, but he heard distinct sounds of fighting and screams.

He didn't enter for another few minutes, not until his breathing had become stable.

Soon, the pain disappeared, and so was his exhaustion.

Isaac took his Flintlock Pistol from the Inventory and entered the forest.

The first thing he noticed in the forest was that the ground was indeed soft!

'That book was right...'

Soon, he entered the first spacious space with not that many trees, and there he saw at least 30 players fighting against three Beasts.

Isaac watched and was sure that there were at least 5 different parties trying to steal the kills.

The Beasts were suffering and couldn't do anything except being the prey.

The different parties kept arguing with each other, and after the kills happened, Isaac was sure that there will be total carnage between the Players.

If they can't get the XP from the Beast, then they will get XP from the other players!

Doesn't matter which party gets the kills— the end result will be the same.

Isaac looked thoughtful, but then he saw leaves dropping around him.

The leaves left the nearby trees and landed on the soft ground.

Isaac turned his head towards the top of the tree and saw a man with a dark cloak watching the fight like a hawk.

Isaac slowly started walking backward, trying not to make any noise— once he was far enough, he hid behind the tree and looked at the dark cloaked figure.

'Are there more players?' Isaac thought that since this was pretty much the first place in the forest, there might be more than one player looking to kill steal.

But, this place isn't only an entrance to the forest, but this is most commonly used.

'Hmm... How should I do this?' Isaac's brows furrowed, and he thought about his next course of action, but he didn't have any idea that he was the target of someone else!

Some distance away, on top of one of the trees, a man with a cold-looking face was gazing at Isaac. He had pair of revolvers strapped on his waist and a dark cloak surrounding his body.

It was the usual getup of a Hitman!