I approached the shop, the bell above the door jingling as I entered. Shelves lined with jars of dried herbs and neatly labeled bundles of roots filled the cozy space. Milla, a woman in her late thirties with sharp green eyes and a kind, steady demeanor, looked up from her workbench.
"Ah, you must be the new adventurer Eldrin mentioned," she said, offering a small smile. "I need you to gather some herbs for me. Most of them are in the fields outside the city."
I nodded, resting my hand on the hilt of my shortsword. "Outside the city, huh? That sounds… peaceful enough."
Milla chuckled. "Don't worry, it's not dangerous. Just take this list and collect the herbs carefully. Some are delicate and must be handled gently. Bring them back, and I'll reward you with potions and a small boost to your experience."
I accepted the parchment, my curiosity piqued. The fields outside Braunheit had yet to reveal themselves to me, and I could feel the faint hum of magic drifting in from the outskirts. Looks like this errand might be more interesting than it sounds, I thought, stepping out of the shop and heading toward the city gates.
The gates opened to reveal rolling fields bathed in golden sunlight. The air smelled of grass, earth, and the faint, lingering scent of flowers. Gentle breezes made the tall grass sway like waves, and here and there, small clusters of herbs glimmered faintly with magical energy.
I checked the quest Milla had given me and studied the list:
[Herbalist – Milla Thorne]
Collect five Sunleaf Herb, five Silverstem Root, and five Bluepetal FlowerReward: Minor Healing Potions x5, 50 EXP
"Simple enough," I muttered, closing the screen in front of me. But even as I said it, a small thrill ran through me. I'm setting myself up for a downfall, aren't I?
The first stop was Sunleaf Herbs. Crouching among the waving grass, I carefully plucked the yellow leaves, placing each one gently in my inventory. The plants felt almost alive under my fingers, delicate yet vibrant. I paused to inhale the sweet, earthy aroma, marveling at how even the simplest herb carried so much detail.
Next came the Silverstem Roots, hidden near a small stream. As I dug carefully, I noticed a few small green slimes bouncing lazily nearby. Classic beginner mobs: gelatinous, simple, but annoying if they blocked the spot. I raised my shortsword. They wobbled slowly, barely threatening. Timing my strikes, I split one that had gotten in the way. The soft plop as it dissipated made me grin. Even a little EXP was satisfying.
I didn't expect combat to feel this… meditative, I realized. The swings, the timing, even the way the slimes bounced—it all required attention. Not challenging yet, but it was learning, and learning had its own satisfaction.
The fields weren't empty. A handful of other players wandered around, some plucking herbs, others practicing quick swings on passing slimes. A girl in a green cloak waved at me briefly as she collected Sunleaf.
"Hey, careful near the slimes," she called with a grin. "They're weak, but annoying if you get swarmed."
I nodded, smiling back. The community's not so bad either.
With the first two herbs collected, I checked the quest again. The indicator pointed me straight toward the forest. The tall grass gave way to dense trees, sunlight thinning until it barely reached the forest floor. My pulse quickened—part excitement, part caution.
The first Bluepetal Flowers were easy enough to spot—small blue blossoms clinging to mossy roots under towering oaks. I knelt carefully, plucking them one by one. The scent was faint, crystalline, almost sweet.
[Quest Progress: Sunleaf Herb 5/5 | Silverstem Root 5/5 | Bluepetal Flower 3/5]
I reached for a fourth when the forest shifted. Leaves rustled overhead. The gentle hum of wind twisted into something sharper, hostile.
Guttural chatter echoed through the underbrush.
The first goblin stepped out, crooked teeth bared in a grin. Then another. Then three more. Wiry bodies, mottled green skin, crude weapons—daggers, spears, even a short bow.
"…This wasn't in the job description," I muttered.
"Nothing dangerous," Eldrin's words rang bitterly in my head.
The goblins screeched. The archer loosed an arrow before I could blink. I ducked, the shaft thudding into bark. Instinct took over. My shortsword flashed, clashing against a jagged blade. The impact jarred my arm.
I shoved it back with my shield—only for another to flank me. Too many. Too fast.
"Not today," I hissed, slashing desperately before bolting deeper into the trees.
The goblins screeched and gave chase, feet pounding after me as arrows whistled past my head. Branches whipped my face. Every step felt like a gamble between survival and failure.
This wasn't what I signed up for.
"Damn it…" I muttered, clutching my shield. Only one potion left.
Five goblins burst into a clearing, their jagged blades glinting. I raised my shield just as one lunged. The impact rattled me, knees buckling. Another arrow hissed—deflected at the last second, sparks flying.
And then—I saw a knight.
At first, I thought it was some kind of boss NPC. A figure in full plate stood ahead, tall and imposing, a longsword wreathed in blue light. For a heartbeat, the forest held its breath.
"HELP!" I shouted, raw and desperate.
The figure moved.
Steel sang. Flames ignited along her sword, cleaving the first goblin in a blazing arc. Roots burst from the earth, binding another before she cut it down.
"Stay behind me!" a sharp, commanding voice rang out from the helm.
Another goblin darted for my flank. I raised my shield, teeth gritted, and shoved it back. My shortsword lashed out—clumsy, but enough to wound.
The knight spun past me, blade sparking with lightning as she thrust clean through two goblins at once. Their bodies convulsed before bursting into black mist.
Only one remained. It screeched and lunged at me. I blocked, arm trembling, then shoved hard, opening just enough space.
"Together!" the knight barked.
I slashed low as her flaming sword came down from above. Our blades crossed in perfect rhythm, cleaving the goblin between us.
[Level Up!]
[Level Up!]
The forest fell silent. My breath came ragged, sweat stinging my eyes. The knight turned, helm gleaming with faint runes. Then she popped the visor up with a flick.
Behind the armor was a girl. Dark hair framed her sharp features, her eyes gleaming with amusement.
"You're loud," she said flatly, resting her sword on her shoulder. "If you're gonna yell for help, at least try not to look like bait."
I blinked, caught between relief and embarrassment. "…You're a player?"
She smirked. "What, you thought the devs coded goblin rescue mechanics?"
I slumped back against a tree, muttering, "I'm… still alive?"
She studied me for a moment, then sighed like I was some troublesome recruit. "You look like hell."
Before I could reply, she pulled a glowing vial from her inventory and tossed it casually. I barely caught it.
[Item Acquired: Superior Healing Potion]Heals 5,000 Health.
My eyes widened. "S-Superior?!"
"Drink it before you pass out," she said flatly.
I uncorked the vial and downed it in one gulp. A cool rush spread through me, knitting flesh, erasing fatigue. Even the dull ache in my muscles dissolved. I gaped.
This wasn't just a potion. It was a miracle.
"…You're not a beginner," I said slowly.
She tilted her head, smirk playing at her lips. "Took you that long to figure it out?"
"But why are you even here? This is a starter zone."
She rested her sword against her shoulder. "Let's just say I had a reason. And it wasn't to babysit newbies."
[Quest Progress: Sunleaf Herb 5/5 | Silverstem Root 5/5 | Bluepetal Flower 4/5]
Just one more.
As she walked deeper into the forest, I trailed after her, scanning the undergrowth.
She noticed, raising her gauntleted hand. "Stop following me. I don't have time to babysit a newbie."
"Okay," I said quickly.
"I mean it. Just go back already."
"Okay."
"I'm searching for something important. Don't get in my way."
"Okay."
It was like talking to a wall, but my eyes stayed on the ground. And then—there it was.
The last Bluepetal Flower.
[Quest Progress: Sunleaf Herb 5/5 | Silverstem Root 5/5 | Bluepetal Flower 5/5]
The moment I plucked it, the ground trembled. Ancient glyphs spiraled outward beneath my boots, glowing brighter and brighter.
"Wha—what's happening?!" I shouted in panic.
The armored girl turned as the runes engulfed her too. For a brief instant, her lips curved upward into a smirk.
The forest dissolved in blinding white.
When I opened my eyes, the air was thick with dust and decay. Towering statues of long-dead warriors loomed overhead, weapons rusted yet oppressive. Rows of cracked tombstones stretched into the mist.
A chilling notification chimed:
[You have entered: Forgotten Mausoleum of Braunheit (Class A Dungeon)]
My blood ran cold. This was no beginner zone.
Beside me, the girl planted her sword into the stone floor, smirk widening like she'd just struck gold.
"Good job, newbie," she said, voice smooth and amused.
And before I could even ask what she meant, the heavy gates slammed shut behind us.