Chapter 04 ~ Royal Fantasy Elixir.
The town of Maria was alive with sound.
Footsteps echoed against the cobblestone roads as traders barked prices and villagers meandered between stalls. Laughter spilled from a nearby tavern, mingling with the clanging of metal from a forge tucked between two brick buildings. Somewhere, a lute played softly, its mellow notes winding through the bustle like a thread of calm. The scent of roasted meat, fresh fruit, and hot bread swirled through the air with every shifting breeze.
Hikari walked beside the girl with brown hair and a black-and-white maid-style uniform. Her light brown eyes flicked toward him as she spoke, her voice clear but soft over the ambient murmur of the market.
She gestured loosely with one gloved hand as they passed through the crowd.
"The full title of this game is Royal Fantasy Elixir," she said, her posture upright, steps modest and composed. "The word Royal… it was borrowed from Battle Royale, you know. For example, look around you." She nodded slightly to the players with floating numbers above their heads. "There's no law stopping you from fighting them. And no rule that forces you to."
She looked forward again.
"But every action has consequences. Always."
Hikari's eyes—calm and blue, almost glacial—trailed across a nearby player with a glowing Lv. 10 floating above his head.
"What happens if a player dies?" he asked. "Do they just… start over?"
She hesitated for a moment, her fingers brushing her skirt as if in nervous habit.
"I'm not allowed to speak about that. They believe it's better if each player discovers that reality for themselves," she said with a faint downward glance. "All I'll say is—ask yourself: what would happen to this world if you killed someone in it?" Her voice lowered. "Death… is not something I enjoy discussing, Rising Star."
She took a breath, recovering her gentle tone.
"Now then. Fantasy refers, quite clearly, to the open-world magic and wonders surrounding us. But Elixir… that's the core of the entire game."
Hikari tilted his head, golden strands catching the afternoon light. "The core?"
"Yes," she nodded. "The elixirs are everything. They are the foundation of power. Did you notice?" She pointed toward a fruit stall. "At the start, you weren't asked to pick a class—no swordsman, no mage, no assassin. Nothing."
He blinked. "You're right… now that you mention it."
She smiled lightly, her eyes flicking toward a vendor selling red fruits. "Elixirs can grant you a wide range of fantasy-based abilities. There are many—far too many to count. Some boost speed. Others strengthen your body. Some even unleash raw elemental forces."
"They are," she added, "what sets this game apart from every other one out there."
They stopped in front of the fruit stall. The vendor behind it was stout and warm-faced, his gray hair a cloud of soft curls, apron smeared with flour and fruit stains.
"Six red apples, please," she said kindly.
The vendor grunted a friendly "Sure thing," and began placing apples into a folded paper pouch.
Hikari watched, then asked, "How do I even get elixirs?"
The girl turned slightly toward him. A blue interface shimmered into existence in front of her, displaying her personal menu. With delicate movements, she typed his name—Rising Star.
"Each player is given 500 Diamo at the beginning," she explained, "along with three starter elixirs."
Once she confirmed his name, the screen dissolved.
A coin pouch shimmered into existence in her hand, then she extended it to Hikari.
He took it, slightly puzzled.
A few heads in the crowd turned, eyes narrowing toward the shimmer of the bag. Quiet, subtle tension stirred in the air.
"Put that in your inventory immediately," she said under her breath. "Diamo attracts attention."
He looked around—dozens of eyes, some curious, others… calculating.
"Is this really that much money?" he asked. "Their eyes say it is…"
"Seniora," he murmured. "Store this item."
The pouch disintegrated in a twirl of soft blue sparks.
500 Diamo acquired.
Your current Diamo balance now appears in your player profile.
(Other players cannot view your currency balance—only your name and level are visible.)
Another set of sparks glowed between the guide's hands.
Three slim elixirs materialized—each housed in a small, round-bottomed glass vial with a long neck and wooden stopper. One gleamed clear and crystalline. Another pulsed with a gradient of golden orange. The third was pale, electric blue.
She handed them over carefully.
"These are the only free elixirs you'll receive. Occasionally, seasonal events or updates may offer more—but this is all for now."
He held them in his hands, admiring the way light refracted through the thick glass.
"Seniora," he said. "Store them in my inventory."
The bottles vanished in tiny threads of light.
"Open the Elixirs tab."
Elixirs (3 items):
Quick Rush
Amber Stamina
Blue Bolt
Each rested in its own neat square, marked with a glowing D—the lowest rarity rank.
"Show me details for the blue one."
Blue Bolt – Rank D
Shimmer Duration: 15 seconds
A basic offensive elixir. Grants the user the ability to dash in bolt-like bursts. Effective for ranged attacks from long distances if aim is precise.
He nodded slowly, eyes calm.
"I like how detailed this is."
The guide took the apple pouch from the vendor and looked at Hikari, tilting her head slightly.
"Do I not deserve to be the first person you ever spend money on?"
He raised a brow, then smirked faintly.
The vendor looked between them with a chuckle. "Three Diamo."
Hikari glanced at his open palm.
"I suppose… three should be enough."
Three silver Diamo coins formed between his fingers in a quiet arc of light. He handed them over.
3 Diamo spent. Remaining balance: 497 Diamo.
The girl accepted the pouch, then turned on her heel and continued walking, her skirt brushing the road.
Hikari followed, the market continuing to pulse around them.
Behind them, another player stepped up to the apple stand—Lv. 9, silver-gray hair tousled, eyes matching in shade. He watched Hikari and the maid walking ahead with a faint, nostalgic smile.
"So he's learning the basics…" the man said to himself. "That brings back memories."
The vendor looked up with a tired squint. "Rentarou? You again?"
The silver-haired player rubbed the back of his neck, grinning sheepishly.
"Please, I'm almost out of HP and broke. I have no one else to turn to."
"Spare me," the vendor sighed. "You're going to bankrupt me, man. Just leave."
"Come on!" Rentarou begged. "If I die, I'll get a 75 Diamo bonus! I'll pay you back the moment I respawn!"
The vendor groaned. "They'll only give you 50 this time. And you know it. Every death subtracts 25 from the previous bonus. Just quit already. You don't belong in this game."
Rentarou laughed, reaching for the fruit anyway.
"But I love it, Jan. I love it, I love you, and I love this world."
The vendor's eyes glistened for a brief second—then he quickly turned away, stuffing apples into a sack.
"You damn fool. Take these. You owe me 60 now!"
Rentarou grinned and snatched the bag. "Thanks! Once I heal, I'm gonna smash that stone Gorilla boss and bring you your money!"
He darted away, apple in hand, cape fluttering behind him.
Jan the vendor watched him go, shaking his head with a smile he pretended not to have.