Among the excited dozens, there stood a single soul wearing a heavy expression on his face. An oddity among the kids that looked forward to the adventures and magic that were to come, he stood there observing the buildings around him.
A white coloured nickname, the [MoonKnight Lvl 1] floated above his head, denoting his nickname that he had chosen and the current level he was at. His brown hair fluttered against the light breezes, while his gaze shifted from one person to another, and then from one building to another.
He first analysed the small shop selling an unfamiliar fish, his eyes concentrating on the young NPC kid who was trying to barter another batch of fish his father caught two days ago. A flicker appeared in the eye of [MoonKnight] before he focused on the bread shop beside it. A momentary pause at the maroon-haired lady and his plump chest before he embarrassingly looked away. Focusing his gaze back to the next NPC, this time a random passerby with a sword hanging on his waist, he observed that NPC a bit more than the others.
"Rei? What are you daydreaming about?" Disturbing him from his analysis, a slightly high-pitched voice came from his left side, making him turn to his partner with whom he entered the game.
[White Rabbit Lvl 1]
Just like her name, she had medium-length white hair that reached slightly below her shoulders, and her red eyes, as she had customised her character to be, followed her partner with a curious gaze. She had an inkling of what he was trying to do, but still she decided to ask him out directly. Not because she wanted to know about it, but because explaining his thoughts is something that [MoonKnight] always liked to do. It was a habit he had but didn't know he did.
"I was observing the NPCs to see if there was something important about them. You know their habits and such? Maybe I can get some clues to a quest or something. You see that NPC?" MoonKnight pointed at a bulky NPC with slightly curled long black hair. His defined yet bulging muscles attracted a lot of players but because he was seemingly dangerous, as if he would simply kill you if you approached him, the players maintained a fair distance from him.
"He is probably a strong adventurer, but that strange blue insignia on his armband and his sword make me think that he might be a high-level soldier too. Right now, if we are to approach him, there is a high chance that we might be neglected because of our low level, but perhaps after a certain threshold we can get some important quests from him," MoonKnight spoke out his thoughts in a low, hushed voice, barely enough for White Rabbit to hear him.
Rivas, huh? His level is high enough to be in question marks so that makes him one of the stronger NPCs. I guess it would make sense if we were to come back to him when we get stronger. White Rabbit pondered his explanation before nodding at him. But that was something they had to consider for the future. For now, they had to decide what direction they were going to take.
White Rabbit looked at MoonKnight who was seemingly interested in quests, and then from that point of view, she presented her words to him.
"We can try to search for more potential quests within the city. Perhaps we might end up stumbling upon something interesting?"
Hearing her words, MoonKnight nodded before pondering about something else. His gaze focused on the sword that the bulky black haired NPC was carrying on his waist, and then with a slight idea he added,
"We can do that. Also, since we lack weapons, how about we ask the NPCs where we can buy the weapons? Since it mimics the real world, maybe they will guide us?" (White Rabbit Lvl 1)
"Sure." (Moon Knight Lvl 1)
The duo slowly began moving to the nearest shop, beginning to ask for any weapon or blacksmith shop that this city had. Meanwhile, the bulky black haired NPC, Rivas, observing the players was having his own thoughts about the players that had just arrived in the city.
"Shouldn't you not scare the kids? Though, I guess it would be a bit difficult given your appearance," provoking him a bit, a feminine voice came from behind. Rivas slowly turned to find a woman with long crimson hair that was tied up neatly, reaching up to her waist. Her fiery red eyes had a slight tinge of brown, as she chuckled at the irked expression of Rivas before she stood behind him.
[Mira Lvl 53]
She was Mira, one of the adventurers from Rivas' party that Adam had met during his first day in this world. This slightly over 20-year-old girl had blossomed much more than the last time, having a cheery expression that seemed to increase the warmth of her surroundings wherever she went. If only the words that came out of her mouth were toned down a bit, she would have been quite a lovable girl at her adventurer party.
"I am telling you, you should comb your hair more nicely, and try to wear some bright outfits. We can't really do much about your face, but maybe try to smile a little?" She added with a serious deep thought making Rivas narrow his eyes at her with a slight glare before he asked,
"Are you one with your work?"
"Nope."
Hearing the answer, Rivas was almost prepared to hit her once, but then she continued,
"I understand that you are being careful, but it is 'him' who asked us this request. He asked us not to interfere much in this and even to help the kids if it is possible. I respect you a lot, Captain, but this time, I am not going to do anything. And even the mayor asked us to just be careful and try not to interfere, right?"
Rivas turned silent as he looked at Mira before he asked,
"But what if it brings doom to this city? I have almost lost everything once by not being able to do anything, Mira. I don't want to repeat the same mistakes. I understand why you want to follow his words but… is it really okay?"
Mira smiled at the perplexed look on Rivas before she sighed. She almost wanted to pat the head of her captain but because he was almost twice as tall as her, it would be awkward if she tried to do that.
She simply gave a small smile before pointing out another important point,
"Captain. If that guy is involved, do you really think you and I can make a difference?"
Hearing that, Rivas could only give a helpless sigh before he began walking towards the nearest adventurers' guild. His eyes observed the players from time to time, but since there was little he could do, he decided to do the next best thing he was capable of. That is to train in the guild's training area, making himself stronger than yesterday. Watching his determined expression, Mira simply kept a slight smile before slowly following behind him without uttering any words.
…
[Falcon's Weapon Shop and Training Arena!]
The brown haired boy stood along with his white haired companion, observing the fancy weapon shop that seemed to be selling what many beginner adventurers and some high-end ones would seek. A green coloured slate with an 'OPEN' sign written in white was hung outside the shop denoting that it was currently active, and the weapons and shields were open for purchase.
From the outside, the shop looked like any average shop that you may or may not have heard of in fantasy stories. There was a fragrance of moss coming from the fancy vines around the shop, mixed in with strange smells from strange flowers that seemed both normal and abnormal at the same time. Vividly pleasant to look at but there was a strange feeling that made one feel not to touch the flowers.
White Rabbit observed the interior of the shop through the window, finding a few varieties of weapons that they could buy. Whether they can afford it or not, it was something that they had yet to find and calculate.
I should mark the location of this shop. We are probably going to come here many times over until we leave the starter town. MoonKnight reminded himself before moving towards the shop's door, and then pulling it towards himself to open it.
-Ring! Ring!
The doorbell rang, gathering the attention of the orange-haired employee who seemed to be reading an old book of sorts. Because he had prepared himself a few dozen times for the last few minutes, he seemed to be pretty professional, but if one were to look at the drops of water on his unkempt hair, and the upside-down book he was holding, it would have been pretty easy to find out how shaken he was right now.
They are here! They are really here! Are they really undying?!! Should I kill them and check? No, that would be really bad! Just why am I here? I want to run away! Mom! Your precious and kind son might not be able to return! Oh Goddess of Fire, please have mercy on this soul! Please bless me to survive this insanity that I have been put into!!! Linc prayed to the best of his ability as he tried his best to ignore the duo of players who had their eyes widened.
White Rabbit gawked at the interior of the shop, dazed for a few seconds, before running out to check if they were in the shop that seemed barely average from the outside. And the more she confirmed it, the more her eyes widened before she started to get mesmerised by the 'fantasy' and 'magical' stuff that she was living through.
MoonKnight wanted to do exactly what White Rabbit was doing, but given how awkward it seemed when she was doing it, he kept his dignity in check while maintaining his calm persona. His eyes looked at the shelves of weapons and shields that were in the middle, and then at the moving hologram images that were within portraits on the wall of the shop.
Truly… a fantasy world! MoonKnight's eyes glistened as he felt thrilled observing the near magical feeling he was going through. He waited for White Rabbit to finish the oscillation that she was doing, before she noticed her actions, and with a slightly embarrassed look, she composed herself before reaching beside MoonKnight as if she did nothing.
"If you tell a soul what just happened. I will cut your weiner and choke you with it," she turned to MoonKnight and then said with a bright smile on her face. Erasing the memories of before, he turned to White Rabbit and asked with a serious look,
"What happened?"
"Nothing. Let's go check the prices of the weapons," White Rabbit said, maintaining the same smile as she simply hummed and began walking toward the counter. Wiping the few beads of sweat on his forehead, MoonKnight also tagged along behind her.
"Ummm… excuse me. We are looking for a weapon. Preferably something strong enough to kill a goblin," MoonKnight approached Linc, observing the orange-haired NPC. An air of mystery surrounded the NPC as he silently kept 'reading' the book for a few seconds before he slowly took out a thin dark brown wooden plate with pictures and numbers written on it. On a closer look, there were prices of the weapons, armours and other utilities written on it with a brief description of the item beside it.
And at the top of the page, a brief label was written catching the attention of the two players.
[All Basic Wooden Weapons: 10 Irons
All Basic Wooden Armour: 10 Irons
All Basic Potions: 100 Irons
All Iron Weapons: 100 Irons
All Iron Armours: 100 Irons
All Low-Grade Potions: 1000 Irons or 10 Coppers]
MoonKnight and White Rabbit saw the general price written at the top before they both looked at each other for a few seconds. Looking at the 100 iron coins they each received in the beginning, summing up to a total of 200 coins, they could buy two iron-grade items.
For solo plays, it would be better to buy multiple wooden weapons and armour and use them to hunt monsters. Though they would probably break within a few turns, one can easily switch to iron armour as they gain level, experience and money. Though… if we can take a bit of risk, we can hunt with iron weapons to improve faster. MoonKnight was contemplating the path he should take. The safe path would surely help him reach a high level with certainty, but if he can take a bit of risk, he also has a chance to be one of the top players and change his fate completely.
"We will take an iron dagger and an iron chest plate," White Rabbit, who understood what Moonknight was thinking, said without any hesitation, a smile was placed on her face while she took out her 100 iron coins and turned to Moonknight, waiting for his turn.
"But-" MoonKnight almost raised his hand to stop her but looking at the stubborn gaze in her eyes, he could only sigh. He knew that once she was determined to do something, it would be nigh impossible for anyone to stop her. He took out his 100 iron coins before passing them to her, which she passed to the orange-haired NPC, Linc.
Linc observed the iron coins for a few seconds, before he put the red-covered book down at the counter. And then standing up he went back to the warehouse where stacks of ironwares were placed neatly against each other, their numbers reaching at least 100. According to what he knew, there were even more, at least 1000 copies each were present within small subspaces within the shop.
If they are really undying, why are they even using swords and such? It will only break for them to buy it again… perhaps that's the reason Sir Falcon made so many spares. He really is visionary. Linc thought before he braced himself and picked up an iron chest plate along with an iron dagger before taking them out and placing them at the counter.
He saw the undying duo checking through the catalogue, going through the swords, weapons and potions. Their eyes seemed to be a bit disappointed before White Rabbit thought of something and turned to Linc and asked,
"Are these all the weapons this shop has?"
Many VR Games had this secret step that made players initiate conversation or perhaps fulfil some criteria before they unlocked more weapons. And as an avid Gamer, White Rabbit certainly was familiar with this, hence she probed Linc, wondering if there were some weapons that they weren't showing to the general players.
I guess, so? Hmmm… Sir Falcon did say that he would bring more special weapons today later but only place them later when the customers can afford it. Back then I did not understand what he meant by that, but now looking at these kids. I think he meant to show the weapons to only those who can afford them. Linc pondered before speaking,
"A few more weapons are supposed to come in today's batch, but for affordability, it's better if you bring a silver coin if you want to buy anything."
He then picked up the book again, this time correctly, before he began 'focusing' on the contents of the book. His gaze observed the kids from sideways from time to time, their excited look as if they found some sort of treasure, before they both picked up the weapons and prepared to leave the shop.
At that moment, MoonKnight stopped for a brief moment. Halfway through the shop, he suddenly paused before turning back to the counter, raising Linc's pulse rate by at least 10. He then pondered before speaking,
"Is there anything we can do to help you out? Something that can help us earn some money. We are new to the town."
It was the usual question that most players would ask an NPC in hopes of getting a quest. A simple question whose answer could be a simple 'no' or it could take you to the main quest that would turn the entire game world upside down. You never know! But the reality, as often, landed somewhere in the middle of the two extremes, usually tending to be nearer the former than the latter.
Slowly lowering the book, Linc turned to face the two players. His first thought was to reject them without any explanation but then he paused for a brief moment. His concentrated eyes slowly dilated as he began pondering the pros and cons of taking these undying, blessed, kids that may or may not bring trouble to him.
Honestly, I would rather not meet them again but… given how Sir Falcon was preparing for them, it seems like there will be more of them coming to this shop. It could get dangerous getting in contact with them, but if it is for something menial, perhaps I can learn more about them through these exchanges? It will help me increase my odds of survival later as well!!! Linc finalised his thoughts before he convinced himself one more time that this was the right choice.
"Since you seem like nice kids, I suppose I can help you out a bit," Linc adjusted his speech as his brain racked for some work. Any work. As he spoke slowly, creating an air of mysteriousness, he kept thinking of dozens of tasks that would be appropriate for the kids to do. And then, as he finally found the best one, he added,
"There are a few souvenirs that I need to buy before I leave this town. Though I'm busy as it is, I don't have enough time to go buy myself. Would it be all right to ask you both to help me out with this?"
[Quest: Souvenirs
Grade: Uncommon
Description: Linc, the alchemist shopkeeper, is too busy to buy souvenirs for his family. He is looking for a way to get everything on his list before he departs from this city. Help him out by finding everything that is mentioned on the list.
Objectives:
10 Moonlight Flowers
10 Desert Grass
10 Cleave Stone
10 Purple Shroom
10 Mud Ore
Rewards:
+200 Copper Coins
+500 Exp
+5 Favorability with Linc]