Chapter 14 : Tailing Targets
Eileen was most certainly impressed; swept off her feet by Nash's skill as a gamer.
She did not expect that Nash, as a level 2 player, would defeat someone that was higher than him.
Off a surface assessment, it looked like the berserker player would snap Nash in two as easily as a twig but the latter proved her wrong by killing his opponent.
Eileen couldn't help but applaud how good he was. "I didn't think you were that good enough to kill someone higher than you."
Nash chuckled, shaking his head at her ignorance. He was flattered but that was just about it.
Nash patted his chest and boasted shamelessly. "He wasn't much of a difficulty to defeat. I already knew that I could beat him even when he was a level above me."
"Is that so?" said Eileen, even more impressed by the confidence that Nash was oozing right now.
Nash bobbed his head in affirmation.
"That's nice to know," Eileen smiled, allowing Nash to bask in his well deserved moment.
"I'm strong, Senior Eileen," Nash said as he walked with her into the [Animal Farm], "that's all I can say for now."
They both entered the [Animal Farm] and after some rounds of clearing the dungeon, Eileen was able to farm enough experience, under Nash's guidance, to advance to level 2 as a player.
"Yes!" she exclaimed with profound joy and a sense of fulfilment overwhelming her heart as she was almost drawn to tears.
As soon as she confirmed that she was truly now a level 2 player, Eileen rushed Nash and gave him a heartwarming hug.
"Thank you," she said with a sincere voice. "Thank you so much."
Nash was taken aback, wondering what would get her so dramatic and emotional. After all, it was just a level up like almost everyone else may have practically experienced at this stage in the game.
Eileen wiped her eyes and started to tell her story. "You know I used to be part of a group before you met me in the village."
Nash's eyebrows arched with surprise. He definitely did not know that about Eileen, but he was willing to listen regardless.
"Hehehe! Surprising, I guess," she continued. "I was quite clumsy and after just a few days with them, I left the group and decided to try my hand at playing by myself."
"Why?" Nash cut in with a question.
Eileen's face flushed and she turned away. "They did not exactly like me."
Nash was not surprised by her response.
'Well, most people don't have the patience for a weak link in their group. Either you level up your game fast or they drop you so they don't lag behind. That's understandable,' he thought, but he dared not voice his true opinion out to Eileen.
If he ever did, it would be similar to driving his bone dagger right into her chest.
While Eileen's story seemed to be a touching one, she held back the complete truth about her time with her former group.
In the true event of things, the leader of her previous group had picked interest in her, chasing after her and often showing clear favouritism for her among other members of the group.
As time passed, the rest of the group were fed up with this behaviour and started to speak up. This eventually led to Eileen quitting the team and going off on her own.
"Well, for what's it worth, I don't hate you," Nash said, trying to comfort her.
Eileen managed to force a smile on her face and they both chuckled, lightening up the atmosphere.
******
Now that Nash has succeeded in bringing Eileen up to level 2, what was left was to get her an item that offered some resistance to fire in any way.
"Why do we need one so much?" Eileen asked about the fire resistance item.
"Just get one first and you will see," Nash said. "We will use it inside an actual dungeon."
Eileen was speechless.
Nash had berated the [Animal Farm] because it was a novice dungeon and one that was too easy to clear.
Nash needed her to meet the requirement of entering the [Fiery Marsh].
It was an elemental type dungeon where fire reigned supreme and without having any form of fire resistance, anybody who attempted to clear it was bound to fail.
Reaching the village, Nash was done explaining everything he wanted Eileen to do to her and they parted ways.
He headed towards a certain location in search of something that could help have a chance at gaining the sort of item they sought after.
Nash took time to rack his memory before he recalled this information and it was something he rushed to get before it was too late.
He made his way hastily towards the hills that were situated west of the village.
As he moved towards his decided location, so also did a group of three move with him but slowly in order not to make themselves noticeable.
******
Nash had been careful as he left the village since he was still a tagged player.
Half of the time for his punishment had passed but that did not mean he would relent.
Behind him, at a distance, was a trio that had been monitoring him—a group in which he had offended one of their members.
At the centre of the trio was the berserker class player he had killed to get red flagged.
Being killed by Nash and suffering the repercussions of death in the game got the best of his mental state.
Now, he held an immense grudge towards Nash.
According to his original plan, he had his group members tail Nash and Eileen, giving him information so that he could find them and teach Nash a lesson.
Unfortunately, that did not go as he planned but this did not stop his lackeys from finding Nash.
Knowing their leader, that was the first person he would want his head after he returned, especially now that he was forced to start afresh and with their help, he hoped to exact his vengeance on the level 2 assassin.