Chapter 14: Overwhelmed by Happiness

Kodo Beast Valley lies two miles south of Frostveil City, nestled between Blackwind Forest and the White Cloud Mining District.

Much like the Krinn Plains, Kodo Beast Valley is a hotspot for newcomers to Frostveil City—one of those bustling training grounds teeming with activity. Unlike the monotonous Slime Plain, however, the monsters here are varied: from the Level 1 Infant Kodo Beast to the Level 7 Silver Kodo Beast. Nearly all commoner-class players can train here, making it a favorite among novices. From dawn till dusk, the valley and its outskirts are crowded with fresh adventurers from Frostveil and even other cities.

As night descends, the fervor wanes, though a new wave of training surges at the valley’s edge, albeit with only a fraction of the daytime crowd.

With the hush of night, several magical candles, each worth a gold coin, flicker to life. Their brilliant white flames carve twenty-meter circles of light along the valley’s rim. These pools of illumination are spaced deliberately apart; once their territory is established, each group sends out a warrior or two to lure Infant Kodo Beasts, Young Kodo Beasts, and Fat Kodo Beasts from the valley into the light, where they surround and slay them.

Though there are pauses, compared to the chaotic daytime scramble for monsters, this pace is more than sufficient for satisfaction.

“Do you always hunt like this at night?”

Watching their seamless cooperation, I couldn’t help but frown, turning to White Valentine and Red Tea at my side—they had insisted on coming, claiming they wouldn’t leave the game and had no party of their own. I could only acquiesce and accept their protection.

Both shook their heads.

“This is the lowest-level monster zone,” said one. “The beasts here are weak and slow, so as long as you have decent gear, they’re easy prey. But in higher-level areas… well, it’s hard to explain. I’ll just say this: once you face monsters above Level 10, you’ll realize they’re a whole different breed. You’ll understand after you change class.”

The answer left me exasperated—no clearer than before.

Red Tea caught my expression and couldn’t help but laugh softly.

“He’s always like that—never clear with his words. But he’s right about one thing: once you advance, you’ll see things aren’t so simple.” She paused, then asked, “So, do you want to train out here, or venture inside?”

“Is there a difference?” I asked, puzzled.

“Of course! Out here, you hunt just like everyone else—pulling monsters one at a time. The beasts outside are all Level 1 to 3 Kodo Beasts, easy to handle. But deeper in, you’ll find Level 4 Green Kodo Beasts, Level 5 Adult Kodo Beasts, Level 6 Stone Kodo Beasts, and Level 7 Silver Kodo Beasts. Right now, you’re Level 3—killing a Level 3 Fat Kodo nets you 30 experience points; a Level 4 Green Kodo gives 42. Take down twenty or thirty, and you’ll level up quickly.”

Her words lit up my eyes—I hadn’t realized each level meant about ten more experience points. Had I known, I would have come straight to Kodo Beast Valley instead of wasting time on the Slime Plain.

I wanted to suggest going in, but by the light ahead, I could just make out the dense mass of Kodo Beasts crowding the valley. I hesitated, unsure if White Valentine and Red Tea could protect me inside. So I said, “Since we’re here, let’s start outside.”

They nodded in agreement. In truth, it was their first time here at night, and the sheer numbers of Kodo Beasts left them uneasy as well. With only second-tier strength, neither could defeat Level 5 monsters with a single blow, and mages—once out of mana—could hardly defend themselves (there was no mana potion for sale in the shops). Seeing I wasn’t set on going deeper, they breathed a quiet sigh of relief.

So, we settled on a corner at the valley’s edge. Red Tea lit a magical candle that would last three hours.

The glow immediately drew the attention of some nearby commoners hunting monsters. I noticed that most in the neighboring party wielded short daggers, axes, longswords, long knives, or even heavy wooden clubs.

When they saw White Valentine and Red Tea flanking a commoner with a short dagger—me—their eyes filled with admiration and envy.

Especially when White Valentine strode into the valley, swiftly luring a dozen Level 1 to 3 Kodo Beasts before standing motionless in the candlelight, letting them butt, prod, and bite him to no effect. Admiration quickly turned to jealousy, all of it directed at me—the lucky commoner at his side.

“Who is that kid? Living the dream!”

Feeling the intensity of their stares, I allowed myself a brief moment of pride before regaining my composure. Watching the Kodo Beasts crowding around White Valentine, I observed their every move under Red Tea’s curious gaze.

There were three kinds, each differing in size. The first was the Infant Kodo Beast, only slightly larger than a puppy, moving on all fours, half a meter tall, covered in gray fur with a sharp little horn on its head. Its sole attack was to butt with its head.

Unfortunately, it had chosen the wrong opponent; its tiny horn couldn’t even make White Valentine flinch, let alone cause harm.

The second was the Young Kodo Beast, still on all fours but larger, with a longer horn and a pair of sharp fangs revealed when it opened its mouth—like a fierce hound. But biting metal surely wasn’t pleasant.

The last were two Fat Kodo Beasts, with black fur, sturdy and massive—each as big as two Young Kodo Beasts, baring full sets of fangs, their claws gouging deep tracks in the ground. Yet even claws that could tear earth were useless against White Valentine’s silver armor.

Having observed the three types, I told White Valentine to clear the Infant Kodo Beasts away—monsters worth only six experience points were a waste of time.

Without a word, White Valentine wielded his broad sword, ten centimeters wide, and skewered them one after another. With a chorus of pitiful cries, only six Young Kodo Beasts and two Fat Kodo Beasts remained by his side.

As the last Infant Kodo Beast fell, my short dagger struck one of the Young Kodo Beasts amid a dozen watchful eyes.