The sweet aroma of the beans and pastries welcomed me as I push open the door of the cafe. Marco greeted me instantly as he saw me come in.
"Yo!"
I lifted a hand in reply, hoping that was enough, but of course Marco wasn't letting me off that easy. As soon as I passed the counter, he swooped in and locked an arm around my neck, grinding his knuckles into my head.
"Hey! Ow!" I protested, swatting at his arm.
"You lucky dog!" he laughed, finally letting go.
I quickly smoothed my hair back into place and shot him a glare. "What's that even for?"
He just shrugged, that smug grin never leaving his face. "C'mon, Dani. Mr. Han told us with your special 'assignment'." while doing some air quotations.
"I was in there for over an hour. Needed a breather," I muttered, grabbing a plate and mug from the shelf. A slice of cake and some coffee wouldn't hurt—even if I knew it would be coming out of my paycheck. I sighed and cut myself a piece.
Across the counter, a tall, lean figure straightened up from wiping glasses. His black hair was a little messy, and a pair of round glasses framed sharp, observant eyes that seemed to take in everything at once. Seojoon wasn't flashy like Marco—he had this calm, grounded presence, the kind of guy who could make a simple hoodie look like it belonged in a catalog.
He raised an eyebrow, lips curving into the faintest smirk. "Over an hour in there, huh?" His tone was teasing but casual. "You know time runs different in Aetherion, right?"
I paused mid-bite. "What do you mean?"
Marco leaned on the counter, eyes gleaming with mischief. "Bro, you really didn't know?"
Seojoon chuckled, sliding the glass onto the rack. "One hour inside the game… is only thirty minutes out here. Time flows at twice the pace."
I froze, fork halfway to my mouth. "Wait—you're telling me I could've stayed longer?"
"Exactly!" Marco barked a laugh, slapping my shoulder. "And here you are wasting your break on cake."
I glanced down at my plate, then shoveled a quick bite into my mouth, washing it down with a gulp of coffee. "Then I better hurry, huh?"
Seojoon smirked. "Take your time, man. You'll burn out fast if you don't pace yourself."
"Yeah, yeah," I muttered, scarfing the rest anyway. My pulse was already quickening at the thought of logging back in.
The café buzzed with the usual clinking of cups and low chatter, but my mind was already elsewhere. Just the thought of diving back into Aetherion sent a thrill curling through my chest. I thanked Marco with a half-smile, pushed open the café doors, and for a heartbeat, the real world seemed to shimmer—as if eager to let me go.
When my vision cleared, I was standing at the edge of Braunheit. Stone buildings with timbered roofs lined cobbled streets, and the market overflowed with colorful fruits, fabrics, and exotic trinkets. The townsfolk moved about, chatting, laughing, their voices blending with the clip-clop of horses' hooves and the faint hum of magic in the air.
I walked through the streets, taking it all in. The sunlight bounced off the rooftops, the faint shimmer around a vendor's enchanted wares, the distant hum of magic threading through the air—it all felt alive. I couldn't help but smile.
I've played a lot of single-player games, I thought: souls-like worlds where every step counts, every encounter demands attention; open-world RPGs, puzzle-heavy adventures… rhythm games too. I like challenge, but I like depth even more. This… this feels like all of that rolled together.
I ran my fingers over the hilt of my shortsword. The Beginner's Kingdom might seem calm now, but I knew there'd be challenges ahead. Fields outside the city were probably crawling with low-level monsters—perfect for practice. I made a mental note to explore them soon, maybe find a spot to level up safely and test out combat combinations.
As I turned a corner toward the edge of the city, I almost bumped into someone.
"Oh—sorry!" I said, stepping back quickly.
The man I'd nearly collided with smiled warmly, tilting his head slightly. He looked… startlingly real. Not the usual stiff NPC model you see in most games. His eyes held subtle expressions, shifting naturally as he blinked and frowned, and the way he shifted his weight on his feet felt fluid.
"It's alright," he replied, his voice smooth, almost casual. "Not often someone comes rushing out here without looking where they're going."
I couldn't hide a small laugh. Even the NPCs feel alive. "Guess I'm still getting used to the city," I said.
The man—who introduced himself as Eldrin, a young city aide—smiled. "You look capable. If you want to get your bearings, I can give you a few tasks around Braunheit. Nothing dangerous, just errands. It'll help you get used to the city… and the locals."
I raised an eyebrow. "Errands? You mean like fetch quests?"
Eldrin chuckled. "Call them what you want. They're practical. And you'll earn some experience while doing them. Shall we start?"
I nodded. "Sure. I could use a way to get familiar with the place."
[Quest Created] – Braunheit Beginnings
Difficulty: FQuest Type: City Reputation / Tutorial
Eldrin, an aide of Braunheit, has asked you to help several townsfolk.By completing their requests, you will gain familiarity with the city, its people, and its systems.Small deeds can build trust — and trust often opens unexpected doors.
Objectives:
Forge – Brom Ironhand
Mine twenty pieces of iron from the Northern Mines and deliver it to the blacksmith.
Reward: 50 EXP, 10 Coins, Minor Repair Kit
Herbalist – Milla Thorne...
Library – Seraphine Quill...
Courier's Loft – Lira...
Market – Tallo Fenrick...
Eldrin folded a parchment in his hands with practiced ease. "Also, it might as well increase your reputation." he said casually.
"Reputation?" I asked, curiosity piqued.
"People notice helpful adventurers. The more you assist them, the more they trust you. You might even earn discounts, favors, or tips on hidden locations. It's a small start, but it matters."
Eldrin pointed down the cobbled street. "First, the blacksmith's forge. Brom needs some help with mining some ores and needed it delivered from the northern mines outside the city. The path is safe, and he appreciates punctuality."
The forge loomed ahead, smoke curling from its chimney, and the scent of molten metal hit me immediately. Inside, Brom Ironhand, a burly man with soot-streaked arms and a booming voice, waved me over.
"Ah, you must be the new adventurer Eldrin mentioned," he said, wiping his hands on a rag. "Got some iron from the mines for me?"
I hesitated. "Uh… not yet. I was just about to head there."
Brom grinned, revealing a gold tooth. "Good lad. It's simple—head to the northern mines. Grab a pickaxe from the storage shed here and mine a chunk of iron. Easy enough, eh? Just watch your footing."
I picked up the sturdy iron pickaxe from the shed, feeling its weight and balance. Stepping out of Braunheit, I followed the dirt path north. The city faded behind me, replaced by gently rolling fields dotted with wildflowers swaying in the breeze. Birds chirped lazily, and the faint glint of a distant river caught my eye.
The northern mines were modest—a series of stone tunnels dug into the base of a low hill. Wooden supports lined the entrances, and the earthy smell of damp stone and mineral greeted me. A single lantern flickered outside, swinging gently in the wind.
I swung the pickaxe experimentally, striking the rock walls near the entrance. Small chips flew at first, but soon a rhythm formed. One strike… two strikes… the iron veins were denser than I expected. Sweat began to bead on my forehead, but I felt alive. Even something as mundane as mining… it had its own rhythm. Timing mattered.
I dug carefully, chipping away at the rock. The sound of metal against stone echoed faintly in the tunnel, a satisfying percussion that seemed to sync with my heartbeat. Step back, strike again—each motion flowed naturally.
After a while, I had gathered a substantial pile of iron, the pickaxe heavy but comfortable in my grip. Wiping the sweat from my brow, I grinned. This—gathering, working with your hands, understanding materials—it all felt… satisfying.
As I was tidying up, a faint chime echoed in my ears and a translucent window appeared before me.
[Skill Unlocked – Beginner Mining Lv.1]
Your strikes are more efficient. Basic ores can now be gathered with less stamina consumption. Slight chance to discover higher-quality minerals.
I blinked at the glowing text, my grin widening. "So even this counts, huh?"
The system wasn't just rewarding combat—it was rewarding the work. The system they developed is really advanced huh.
The walk back to Braunheit was quiet, the soft crunch of dirt under my boots the only sound. The sun had dipped slightly, casting long shadows over the fields. Arriving at Brom's forge, I presented the iron, and his eyes lit up.
"Good lad! Quick and careful—just how I like it. Here, arrange these tools and tidy up the workspace while I finish the forge. Don't touch the molten metal unless I say so, eh?"
I moved around, arranging hammers, tongs, and scattered ingots with precision. Brom nodded approvingly as I worked.
When I finished, he clapped me on the shoulder. "Well done! Take this," he said, handing me a few coins and a minor repair kit for my equipment.
[Quest Complete – Brom Ironhand's Errand]
Reward Acquired: +50 EXP, +10 Coins, Minor Repair Kit.
A familiar chime rang in my ears as golden motes wrapped around me before fading.
[Level Up!]
Current Level: 1→ 2Rewards: +5 Stat Points, HP and MP fully restored.
As I waved goodbye to Brom, I looked at the quest that Eldrin had given me.
Eldrin had warned the next stop would be the herbalist, Milla Thorne. Her shop was tucked into a quiet alley, a warm, earthy scent drifting through the doorway. Unlike the city errands so far, this task would take me beyond the bustling streets of Braunheit—but nothing dangerous, at least according to Eldrin.
...
...
...
Nothing dangerous, he said.
I pressed my back against the rough bark of a tree, lungs burning as I tried to steady my breath. Branches rustled nearby—too close—and the guttural chatter of goblins echoed through the forest. Peeking out, I barely had a second before an arrow whistled past my cheek, forcing me to duck back with a curse.
"Damn it…" I muttered under my breath.
New adventurers start with three health potions. I had already downed two. My belt was lighter now, the last vial of crimson liquid clinking against the glass as if mocking me. My shield arm trembled, not from fear but exhaustion. Still, when the first goblin leapt at me with a jagged blade, instinct kicked in.
"Kiek!"
I raised my shield just in time, the impact jarring my arm. I staggered back, ready to counter, but another arrow zipped through the air. I twisted, batting it aside with my shortsword in a sloppy deflection before bolting deeper into the trees. My boots thudded against the dirt, every step accompanied by the pounding of goblin feet behind me.
This wasn't what I signed up for.
I stumbled into a clearing, heart hammering, and in the distance—through the blur of trees—I spotted a lone figure. Desperation drowned out any hesitation.
"HELP!" My voice cracked as I sprinted, scrambling away from the mob of snarling goblins closing in on me.
Why am I even in this situation?