The sound of shattering glass echoes throughout the forest as the last of the «Thrusting Hornets» exploded into tiny polygons. With a relieved sigh, Akiri places his «Anneal Blade» back into its sheath and took a moment to catch his breath.

Meanwhile, the brown-haired boy and black-haired girl both had amazed looks on their faces having witnessed a lone player dismiss an entire swarm of high-level monsters.

Seeing that his health gauge had dropped dangerously close to the red, Akiri immediately downed a bottle of health potion to recover his health.

Akiri: You guys okay?

He asked as he turns towards the two.

???: Yeah. Thanks

Koharu: Thank you. You saved our lives back there

Akiri: Don't mention it. Although, you two should be more careful. Those hornets were way too powerful for you guys to handle at your level

???: We know. We were just passing by the area when they just suddenly appeared out of nowhere and started swarming us before we could react

Koharu: It was so scary, suddenly getting jumped like that...

Akiri: Suddenly appeared, you say...?

He thought of different scenarios that could've caused the incident.

Akiri: (thoughts) They could've gotten unlucky and attracted the hornet's attention by accident. But then again, Thrusting Hornets are not common in this area... There's always a possibility of Monster PK... But these two doesn't look like players that might become a target...

He then brushes the thought aside, remembering that they still aren't yet safe, as there could still be more monsters in the area.

Akiri: Well, putting that aside, it's not safe out here in the dark. We should head to a safe point as soon as possible. There's one called Horunka Village just nearby

???: Horunka Village. That is where we were headed as well

Akiri: Right. Follow me

The two nodded before following closely beside Akiri. They walked quietly for a few moments before Koharu broke the silence.

Koharu: Oh! I haven't introduced myself. I'm Koharu. And this is Sora. Nice to meet you

She introduced herself as well as her brown-haired partner. Akiri decided that he should introduce himself as well.

Akiri: The name's Akiri. Nice to meet you as well

Sora: Akiri? Sounds familiar...

Akiri: Yeah... For some reason, I feel like I've met you two before. But when...?

He subconsciously puts a finger on his chin, trying to remember the two.

Koharu: Akiri...

She muttered his name, also trying to recall meeting each other. Not long after, her eyes then widened and she hits the palm of her hand with her fist in realization.

Koharu: We met on the last day of the beta!

Sora: That's it! You saved us from high-level monsters in a dungeon

Akiri's eyes also widened as he had finally remembered.

Akiri: Oh, right. You guys were there during the beta too huh? Funny we found each other the same way we met

He said with a chuckle before taking a close look at Koharu.

Akiri: Hmm. Your avatar hasn't changed a lot, Koharu. I guess that's why I was able to recognize you

Koharu: Oh, that. I just kept my real-world appearance as I did in the beta

Akiri: I see. So, what brings you guys all the way out here?

Sora: I'm looking to complete a quest called "Secret Medicine of the Forest". Argo said that it gives you a good one-handed sword

Akiri: Ah. I'm guessing that neither of you had gotten that far during the beta

Sora: Yeah. I barely have enough time to play through much of the beta. And Koharu here didn't even understand how the combat system works

Koharu: H-hey! Don't tell him that!

Her cheeks blush red out of embarrassment, earning an amused chuckle from Akiri.

Akiri: That's alright. Everyone has problems when they first start out. So, want me to help you with the quest?

Sora: You'd do that for us?

Akiri: Sure. It's not like I have anything better to do at the moment. And I see that you met Argo as well, huh?

Koharu: You know her?

Akiri: Most of the high-level players do. You'd do good to keep in touch with her. For the right price, she could give all kinds of information

He advised as they continued their walk through the beaten path of the forest.

A few minutes later, they had finally arrived at the main entrance of the village. Looking at the small watchtower in the middle of the plaza, it is already ten o'clock at night.

Akiri: Here it is. Good old, Horunka Village. The inn is right over there, and the shops are also nearby

He pointed towards one of the larger buildings in the village.

Akiri: The quest NPC you're looking for is in one of the houses deeper in the village. Meet me tomorrow morning. I'll be waiting for you downstairs

Sora: Right

With that, the two followed Akiri to the inn. Sora and Koharu checks in for a room each, while Akiri heads to his own room for a well-deserved rest.

November 18th 2022 / Horunka Village inn

The next day, Sora and Koharu saw that Akiri is already waiting for them downstairs at the inn, sitting at one of the tables.

Koharu: Good morning, Akiri-kun

Koharu was the first to greet him, followed shortly by Sora.

Akiri: Morning. And please drop the honorifics. Just Akiri would be fine. Now come on. I want to finish the quest before it gets dark

He said as he motions them to follow him. The three went outside the inn and heads deeper into the village, straight towards a private house, belonging to an NPC.

Stepping inside the house, an NPC woman is seen stirring a pot in the kitchen.

Woman: Good evening, journeying swordsman. You must be tired, I do wish to offer you some food, but I do not have any at the moment. All I can give, is a single cup of water or so

Akiri: Say "That's fine"

He whispered to Sora.

Sora: That will be fine

The NPC poured water into an old-looking cup from a water jug, and set it down on the table with a clunk. Sitting on the chair, Sora began drinking.

With a slight smile, the missus turned back towards the pot. Upon waiting further, the steady sound of a child's coughing could soon be heard from the other side of the door to the next room. They noticed the woman's shoulders appeared to have fallen with despair.

After having waited for another few seconds, a golden question mark lit up above the lady's head. The sign of a quest's activation.

Akiri: "Is something troubling you?"

He whispered again to Sora while motioning him to speak to the NPC.

Sora: Is something troubling you?

It was one of many possible phrases of those used to accept the quest from the NPC. The woman softly turns to face Sora, with an exclamation mark atop her head, blinking constantly.

Woman: Actually, journeying swordsman, my daughter...

They listened on patiently to the woman's predetermined speech.

Her daughter was stricken with a severe illness that was completely unfazed even when given medicine from the market. There was no other way to cure her daughter aside from making her drink medicine gotten from the ovules of predatory plants inhabiting the forest further to the west.

The problem being that plants of that particular type were of extreme danger and those that actually bloom were rarely seen on top of that resulting in her complete inability to obtain any.

Hence, if only a swordsman was able to fetch it in her stead to whom she will gladly offer a long sword handed down in her family as an expression of gratitude.

They waited until the NPC had ended her speech.

Akiri: Right, that should be it. Let's get going

Sora: Before that, could you give us some time to prepare? We have to do some supply runs to stock up on some healing potions

Akiri: Stock up on healing potions, huh? Sure, go on ahead. I'll be waiting for you at the plaza

He said as he pointed towards the location and Sora nodded in reply.

Sora: Let's go, Koharu

Koharu: Right

As they went outside, Sora and Koharu heads off towards where the merchant NPC's are, while Akiri walks over to wait at the plaza area.

As he was walking, he overheard someone's distressed voice, coming from a secluded alleyway that was nearby.

???: I said, I don't want to!

The person sounded irritated about something, causing Akiri to go and investigate, walking deeper into the alleyway. He walks a little further until, he saw three male players, surrounding a lone female player, who is backed up against a wall.

It is a girl with long silver hair, tied into twin tails and a small red diamond tattoo on her left cheek. Her face and appearance made Akiri assume that she is a foreigner. She is wearing only basic player equipment; a simple red-coloured long-sleeved shirt with a leather chest plate protecting her chest area. A black skirt and similar coloured boots completes her outfit.

The equipment the three players are using, indicates that they are at least mid-level players, the same could be said for the silver haired-girl.

Player #1: We're offering you to join our reliable party

Player #2: We're attempting a high-level quest right now. We'll share with you the Col reward as well as EXP

Girl: Bozhe moy! How many times do I have to tell you, I'm not interested. Being in a party only slows me down

She said, clearly annoyed with their attempt, but the players kept on bothering her, trying to get her to join their party. The girl had no clear way to go, as she was surrounded by them, preventing her from escaping.

Player #3: Come on, don't be like that. Think of all the Col and EXP you could have

As they kept on pestering her, Akiri decided to approach them.

Akiri: Hey!

He seems to have got their attention as they turned their heads towards him.

Player #1: Huh? What do you want?

Akiri: Stop bothering her. She clearly doesn't want to join your party

Player #2: Screw off! This hasn't got anything to do with you

Sighing, Akiri opened his menu and grabbed something out from his inventory.

Akiri: Let her go, and I'll give you this

He pulled out a small glass vial, filled with some kind of purple liquid and their eyes went wide as he showed it to them.

Player #3: That's...

Akiri: A vial of Hornet Venom. A key item to complete the quest, "A Hunter's Troubles"

The four players looked at it with disbelief at such a rare item being offered to them.

Player #2: We've spent the last five days killing hundreds of those bugs... Still couldn't find it...

Akiri: It's to be expected. It's estimated that this stuff only has a 0.5 to 1% chance of dropping from Thrusting Hornets. So what do you say?

They looked at each other for a moment before agreeing. Akiri gave them the item and the three of them went on their way, peacefully solving the conflict before it could escalate any further.

Girl: You didn't need to do that

The girl suddenly spoke out, causing Akiri to raise an eyebrow at her.

Akiri: Hm?

Girl: You didn't need to give up that rare item to them

Akiri: Why not? I've completed that quest anyway. No use having it just sitting in my inventory

Girl: You could've sold it at a high price. It isn't worth giving it to those guys for free

She replied as she crosses her arms.

Akiri: If it could get someone out of trouble, that's a good enough reason for me to give it away

Girl: I wasn't in trouble. Sure, they were annoying, but it wasn't anything life-threatening

Akiri: I'm not so sure about that. I recognize one of the guys from earlier. They're bad news

Girl: What do you mean?

She asked, confused as to why he said that.

Akiri: They attract players to join their party with sweet words and promises of safety and reward. But once you accept, you will be treated as bait and distraction to agro enemy monsters to make it easier for them to grind for materials and EXP. And if you wanted to quit, they would threaten to Monster PK you. A dirty, but effective strategy

He explained, but he saw that the girl still had a confused look.

Akiri: What is it?

Girl: Monster PK. What is that?

Akiri: Just as the name suggests. It's when a player lures in hostile monsters to kill other players

Girl: But that is outrageous. They can't do that

Akiri: Actually, they can. Nothing is stopping them from doing so

He answered. The girl wanted to protest further, but she then looked down and think about what could've happened to her if he didn't come along and helped her.

Girl: Thank you...

She said while still looking down at her feet.

Akiri: No problem. Just be a little more careful next time, okay?

He said with a smile before turning around and walking away, leaving the girl standing there, staring at him.

Girl: ...

(Timeskip)

After arriving at the plaza and waiting there for a few more minutes, Akiri saw Sora and Koharu walking towards him. With a grunt, he pushes himself off the wall he was leaning against.

Akiri: So, you have everything you need now?

Koharu: Yes. We're ready to go

Akiri: Well then, time to head out

He said as he started walking with Sora and Koharu following closely behind. The three exited from the main entrance of «Horunka Village» and followed along a beaten path. Feeling curious, Koharu decided to break the silence.

Koharu: Where are we headed?

Akiri: Horunka Woods. I know an area where there are a lot of Little Nepents, all in one place. It should help you get the job done much easier and quicker

He explained and Sora just nodded seemingly satisfied with his answer.

Sora: So, umm... How rare is the item we're looking for?

Akiri: It'll take killing about a hundred and fifty Little Nepents to find one

Sora: A... A hundred and fifty?!

Koharu: T-that's quite a lot...

The two have surprised looks on their faces.

Akiri: Yeah. But the reward, the Anneal Blade, is worth the trouble. And don't worry. I'll be there to help you as well, so it shouldn't take too long

Sora: Right. Thanks again

Akiri: No problem

As they were walking along the path, Akiri had an unsettling feeling that someone might be watching them from afar. He stopped and looks around the nearby area for a moment, but to his confusion, he saw that there was no one else nearby that could be watching them.

Sora: What's wrong?

He and Koharu also looked around.

Akiri: It's nothing. Must be my imagination...

With that, they continued their journey, completely unaware of the cloaked player who is following them from behind.