Aofeadale was completely different from the first city that Disava had set foot in. While Iacreumor welcomed players with a bustling crowd of newcomers, grass-covered avenues, and small rays of sunlight, the atmosphere here was entirely different.
As soon as you entered the location, it became clear that the sun never made it through the canopy.
The towering trees reached so high that their intertwined branches formed a dense canopy, completely obscuring the sky's light. It seemed that the whole day was frozen in eternal twilight, and the concepts of "morning" and "evening" simply didn't exist.
But the darkness wasn't dead. Instead of the sun, the city was illuminated by millions of strange mushrooms growing all over the forest and the walls.
Their caps glowed softly with a pink light that resembled distant stars. It made Aofeadale look as if someone had scattered an entire night sky over it, but the stars were not above the head, but right under the feet and all around.
The center of the city was particularly noteworthy. There stood a massive petrified tree, so ancient that its roots and trunk had long since lost their vitality and turned to stone.
But even in death, it retained its grandeur. The players and residents had transformed this colossal trunk into a veritable castle.
Bridges, staircases, and platforms stretched across its surface, while hollows and cracks served as halls, shops, and homes. Inside, music played, footsteps echoed, and voices filled the air, as if the very forest had come to life.
For me, this city was like another world, both frightening and beautiful. Unlike the welcoming atmosphere of the starting city, Aofeadale held a sense of mystery and grandeur. It almost resembled the Realm of the Fae.
It promised new dangers, new challenges, but also new opportunities for those who dared to venture into its "eternal night."
There was a castle on that tree, and it was more than just a stone monolith. He was enveloped by a giant luminescent mushroom, so large that its cap and growth plates formed a dome over the entire fortress.
It shimmered with a soft pink glow that spread over the walls and bridges, creating the illusion that the castle was not on the ground, but inside a huge crystal.
From a distance, the sight reminded me of scenes from science fiction movies, where entire worlds existed under the light of alien stars. I lingered for a moment, caught myself thinking, "Fans of old fantasy movies with vivid, alien landscapes would love this place. It's like a game, but you feel like you're inside a foreign fairy tale."
I shared my thoughts with Fritte. The little fairy, perched on her shoulder, gazed intently at the shimmering mushroom, then narrowed her eyes and replied softly.
—It looks like the Blue Willow, where the Fairy Queen sits.
—The Fairy Queen, that's what I thought at first. So you think this mushroom is a reflection of her?
Fritte smiled with the corner of his mouth and shrugged his wings slightly.
—Perhaps...Sometimes, miracles can be found in unexpected places.
I walked slowly through the winding streets of Aofeadale with Fritte. Under the dome of a giant mushroom, there was a gloomy but cozy atmosphere.
Pink light flowed down the stone pavement, and the dark shop windows reflected it as if in water.
However, the tranquility was disrupted by the stares. People turned to look at me, talking and frowning at each other.
I may have looked normal to the local NPCs, but to the players, my toad-like figure with its bold gait was much more noticeable.
For some reason, some people recognized me immediately. Just yesterday, a topic arose in the forum discussions about a mysterious video: a toad girl fighting off flying creatures alone near the Eichhel tavern.
Some people said it was a hidden quest. Others said it was a bug. But almost everyone remembered the character's face, and they were whispering among themselves.
—She's her...
—The one from the video...
A few curious people followed me from a distance, but they didn't dare approach me. No one asked for an autograph, and I knew perfectly well that she wasn't a star in this game yet.
Moreover, those who were in the know knew about my difficult situation. Rumors that the Coyotes guild had set a bounty on my head spread far and wide. And while many players would have been happy to earn some money, they were unaware of her combat abilities and strange allies.
As a result, the street reacted to me with a mix of curiosity and caution.
Some turned away, pretending not to notice me, others only stole glances, and still others watched with obvious interest, as if waiting for the right moment.
Fritte was the first to notice this, and he said quietly, leaning close to my ear:
—It seems you've become a legend faster than I thought. But it's not the kind of fame most people seek.
I chuckled at the corner of my mouth, but inside, I knew he was right. Every step I took in this city could be the beginning of a new hunt.
Just as I was about to turn down an alley to escape the persistent stares, a polite voice spoke behind me.
—Excuse me... Are you Disava?
I whipped around, ready to face a threat or a mockery. In front of me stood a short-haired guy with golden hair that looked almost white in the light of the mushroom lights.
His smile was absurdly wide, as if he was used to greeting everyone with genuine joy, rather than the caution that the others displayed.
He raised his hand slightly in greeting, as if he was afraid that she would draw her weapon:
—It's a pleasure to meet you. You can call me Deer Horns 444, but if you prefer, you can simply refer to me as Elk.
I frowned. The name seemed ridiculous to me, but at the same time, there was no falsehood in his voice. I knew for sure that I had never met him before, either in the forums, in the game, or in the rumors.
— Do we know each other?
I asked coldly, slightly squeezing the hilt of one of the daggers.
The moose shook his head, still smiling, as if this was not a tense meeting, but a friendly conversation at a fair:
— Not yet...But I know you. And I know that this is all wrong. Hunting players outside of official events is too much. The Coyotes have gone too far. I'm here to... how can I put this... to help you out. Or at least offer a helping hand.
Fritte, who was sitting on my shoulder, narrowed his eyes as he studied the guy. His wings fluttered, as if to warn his owner that it was foolish to trust just anyone.
I didn't respond immediately. I had seen hundreds of players who could smile so easily and openly, only to stab you in the back a minute later. But there was something different about Elk.
Maybe it was his ridiculous nickname.
Maybe it was the strange confidence in his voice. Or the fact that he addressed me respectfully, using the "you" form, rather than treating me like just another target.
—Why would you do that?
I finally asked, staring into his eyes.
—Are you trying to play the hero?
The moose shrugged his shoulders:
—Let's just say... I don't like injustice. And I also don't like the Coyotes. I think we have a common interest.
Fritte chuckled quietly, and I thought about it. For the first time in a long time, someone wasn't just whispering behind my back; they were approaching me openly.
I didn't know what to say. I couldn't understand what this guy was doing in Aofeadale. It wasn't the kind of place where casual players or pros hung out, it was mostly seasoned players and new recruits.
And his appearance spoke for itself: sturdy, obviously expensive armor adorned with engraved symbols, a shiny spear reflecting the mushroom lights, and confidence in every move.
This man had clearly been through many locations and raids.
Why does he need me? I thought. I'm not even a top player, just a... player who's been awarded a prize.
The moose stepped closer, and before I could pull away, he grabbed my wrist gently but firmly. His smile faded, and for the first time, his eyes showed a hint of seriousness.
—Tell me straight...
He spoke softly, so that his words were drowned out by the hum of the city.
— Would you like to join my team for a while? Until we resolve the issue with the Coyotes. It will be difficult for you to go it alone.
A mixture of irritation and doubt stirred in my chest. I always thought that it was better to handle things on my own at this stage, without any outside interference.
It was easier to be alone: no one to bother me, no one to let me down, no one to betray me. But now... now my face was known to many, and the reward on my head was too generous to stay away.
Fritte twitched slightly on my shoulder, his wings trembling nervously, as if to warn me. I clenched my teeth, my greatest concern not the Moose's offer, but what I didn't know for sure.
If I agreed... would he see Fritte? And if so, what would it mean? The fairy has been invisible to everyone but me. And if she suddenly appears... how will it affect the game? The plot? Or even myself?
My gaze flicked to the golden-eyed boy, who was waiting for an answer, his hand still wrapped around her wrist. The moose didn't look like an enemy, but there were still too many uncertainties.
—Do you think I can't handle this on my own?
I asked coldly, and Fritte could feel my voice trembling, not with anger, but with an internal struggle.
The moose didn't blink or back down.
—I think you can handle it. But the question is, at what cost?
These words stuck in my head like a jagged dagger.
I frowned, feeling the tension building up. I didn't want anyone to know that I had a Fritte, a rare and unique companion that other players could only dream of.
If word got out, I'd be on the hunt, even worse than the Coyotes.
I was about to pull my hand out of Elk's grip and walk away when I heard a familiar voice behind me, sending chills down my spine.
—You should listen.
I turned around quickly, and my heart almost leapt into my throat. Standing in front of me was Zikei, the green-eyed samurai.