《Hidden Class: Handyman [Crafting, Coming of Age, Slice of Life LitRPG] - Books 1~2 stubbed》 Prologue Jack glanced over his shoulder, ensuring his supervisor was nowhere in sight. His heart raced, his palms clammy as he pulled out his phone and hit record. ¡°Yo, tubers! This is Jack of Spades. What¡¯s up? I¡¯m about to show you how to quit your job like a boss. Watch this!¡± He grabbed the gooseneck mic at the register and switched it on. ¡°One, two, one, two. Is this thing on?¡± The store¡¯s hum quieted. Customers stopped mid-shopping, their carts stalling in the aisles. Jack cleared his throat. ¡°Hey, folks. My name is Jack, and this is my last day working at Cheap Mart. Every single minute working in this joint has been hell. We¡¯re all underpaid and overworked, and corporate treats us like animals. I QUIT!¡± The speakers shrieked, and a few customers winced, covering their ears. Turning back to the camera, he delivered his grand finale. ¡°Don¡¯t forget to like and subscribe. Share this epic moment with everyone you know. This is Jack of Spades, signing off. Peace!¡± He turned the camera off and, taking off Cheap Mart¡¯s forest green vest, dropped it on the floor next to his register. Stanley, one of his co-workers, flashed him a thumbs-up. ¡°Hey, Jack! Killer speech!¡± ¡°Thanks, man! Make sure you check out the video later,¡± Jack replied, barely pausing to acknowledge the compliment. He was riding high, ignoring the stares from the other employees and customers. His heart pounded¡ªpart nerves, part adrenaline. He needed to get out before anyone could call security. The last thing he needed was to get dragged out of here like some kid causing trouble. Once outside, he breathed a sigh of relief. Freedom. Finally. He wouldn¡¯t miss this place. It sucked the life out of its workers. The last thing he wanted was to end up like his colleague Stanley¡ªin his mid-thirties, stuck in retail. Jack was meant for more. He wasn¡¯t going to waste his life away like that. He pulled out his phone and rewatched the video. Everything looked perfect, right down to the dramatic exit. If this didn''t help his channel finally take off, he didn''t know what would. He hit upload, imagining the views and comments pouring in. Hopefully, the channel would finally blow up and attract sponsors and he would never need a crappy job again. Checking the time, he realized he could surprise Lydia during her lunch break if he hurried. Jack picked up the pace, heading across the parking lot toward the bus stop. Spotting the hover bus approaching, he broke into a jog. Even though it was a short distance, he still ran out of breath. I really need to work out, he thought. If only his dad had bought him that hoverbike like he¡¯d asked. But no. His dad always told him to figure things out independently as if he were supposed to be learning some big life lesson. The only thing he had learned so far was that buying a hoverbike with the terrible pay he got from these dead-end jobs was impossible. He signaled the bus, and the driver coasted over. On the side of the bus, an ad for a new video game was playing. A hero in shiny armor faced a dinosaur. The giant beast tried stomping the hero, but he brandished his sword, sending it flying. Buy your new VRX Helmet now and receive a 20% discount on your New Earth monthly subscription. There were ads like this everywhere these days. He would have purchased a VRX helmet if he could, but those things weren¡¯t cheap. He had asked his father for one, but he kept giving him the same answer, the one he also used for the hoverbike: Jack had to buy it himself. He stared at the screen as the family in the ad shared a group hug, all wearing VRX helmets and smiling happily. Jack shook his head. If only real life were that easy. The bus was nearly empty, just a couple of people on their way to work. He should¡¯ve been at work too, but now... now he was free. Thank goodness it was over. He let the air conditioning cool him, content that he had regained control of his life. As the bus neared Lydia¡¯s workplace, he stood and signaled for the stop. His gaze flicked to another VRX helmet ad flashing on a screen in the bus, but he ignored it and hopped off. Lydia¡¯s cafe had large, inviting windows and an outdoor seating area on the sidewalk, furnished with iron tables and chairs for patrons to enjoy their coffee and fresh air. Seeing his girlfriend, Jack felt his pulse quicken. She looked great as always¡ªhair tied into a neat ponytail, with a few stray strands framing her face. Her blue eyes matched her apron, and she was busy taking an order from an elderly couple. He waved at her, and she glanced up, her eyes widening in surprise. She returned to the couple, finishing their order before excusing herself and approaching him. ¡°Hey, beautiful!¡± Jack greeted her. ¡°Jack? What are you doing here?¡± Lydia whispered sharply. ¡°Aren¡¯t you supposed to be at work?¡± The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation. Her reaction caught Jack off guard. He¡¯d expected more excitement from her. ¡°I quit,¡± he announced, trying to sound triumphant. Lydia¡¯s face fell. ¡°You quit? Jack, seriously?¡± ¡°Come on, Lydia. You know I hated that place. Besides, I made an awesome video of it! It¡¯s gonna be huge. This could be the break I¡¯ve been waiting for¡ªwanna see it?¡± Lydia bit her lip and looked away. Jack¡¯s excitement faltered, but he pressed on. ¡°You¡¯re on your lunch break, right? Let¡¯s go grab a bite or something.¡± ¡°I can¡¯t. We¡¯re short-staffed today, so I¡¯m helping out my boss.¡± ¡°Blow her off,¡± Jack said dismissively. ¡°It¡¯s not like she pays you overtime. Let¡¯s just ditch this place for the afternoon.¡± ¡°You can¡¯t be serious, Jack. I can¡¯t just leave in the middle of my shift! It doesn¡¯t work that way. I need to notify my boss well in advance before I take time off.¡± ¡°Come on, babe,¡± he said, pulling her close. ¡°I came all the way here to surprise you. Are you just going to turn me down like that?¡± Lydia shook her head. ¡°No, Jack. I can¡¯t do that to Mrs. Jill.¡± ¡°Come on. You were supposed to be on your lunch break.¡± ¡°I really can¡¯t, Jack.¡± ¡°Pfft. I can''t believe it. Your boss is the worst!¡± ¡°Jack, don¡¯t say that. Mrs. Jill¡¯s been nothing but good to me.¡± ¡°Good to you? She¡¯s got you working extra hours instead of letting you take your rightful break. How is that good?¡± Jack¡¯s voice became more pointed. ¡°Where is she? I¡¯ll talk to her. She can¡¯t take your breaks away from you like this. You deserve time to rest!¡± Lydia frowned, glancing between him and the cafe. After a moment, she let out a deep sigh. ¡°You know what? We need to talk. Wait here.¡± For a moment, Jack thought she might be mad, but when he saw her approach her manager and gesture toward him, he relaxed. Maybe she was just asking for her break. He watched as Lydia talked to Mrs. Jill, who nodded, and Jack felt a surge of satisfaction when Lydia took off her apron and left the cafe. ¡°Awesome! So, where do you wanna go? My treat.¡± Jack offered. Lydia didn¡¯t return the smile. ¡°There¡¯s a bench over there. Let¡¯s sit and talk for a moment.¡± Jack blinked. ¡°Uh, okay.¡± He couldn¡¯t shake the feeling something was off. Lydia hadn¡¯t smiled once since he got there. They walked to a nearby bench under an oak tree. Jack brushed off some debris before they sat down. ¡°Thanks,¡± Lydia muttered. ¡°What¡¯s up with you today?¡± Jack asked. ¡°You look so serious.¡± Lydia let out a long breath, and when she finally spoke, her voice was softer. ¡°Jack, I love you.¡± Jack felt a small rush of relief. Hearing her say it always made his heart skip a beat. ¡°I love you too.¡± She smiled, but it was a sad smile that twisted something in Jack¡¯s stomach. ¡°We¡¯ve talked about the future before, haven¡¯t we? You know how much I want to get married, settle down, and start a family.¡± Jack shifted uncomfortably. ¡°Is this about me not proposing yet? You know I want to marry you, too. I just... haven¡¯t caught my break yet. But this video could change things!¡± Lydia bit her lip so hard it turned white. Jack felt a sinking feeling in his chest. Something wasn¡¯t right. ¡°Jack, you¡¯re funny, smart, romantic, and sweet, but... I need someone I can rely on. Someone responsible.¡± Her voice wavered, and she cleared her throat. ¡°I¡¯ve tried to be patient. I¡¯ve given you so many chances. But I don¡¯t think you¡¯re that person.¡± A tear rolled down her face. Her words cut through him like a knife. ¡°Lydia, what are you saying?¡± ¡°You can¡¯t hold a job, Jack.¡± ¡°It¡¯s not my fault!¡± Jack shot back, his voice rising. ¡°You know how tough it is out there. These corporations work us like slaves and pay us nothing. I¡¯m trying!¡± ¡°No, Jack. You¡¯re not,¡± Lydia said, her voice firm but calm. ¡°You show up late, fool around, and keep arguing with your employers. You were ready just a few minutes earlier to get into a fight with Mrs. Jill! If you were your own boss, would you keep an employee like that?¡± Jack opened his mouth to argue, but her sad eyes stopped him cold. He clenched his fists in his lap, staring at the ground. ¡°Was it really that difficult at Cheap Mart? Just now, you said you quit because you wanted views on your stupid videos! Which one is it? Did you quit because it was hard? Or was it just a silly way of trying to make easy money online?¡± Lydia¡¯s volume grew as the conversation escalated, drawing the judgmental looks of passersby. Jack¡¯s head hung lower. He couldn¡¯t meet her eyes. ¡°For goodness sake, Jack,¡± she said, her voice trembling. ¡°You¡¯re twenty-five, but sometimes... you act like a kid.¡± Jack¡¯s face flushed with anger and fear. ¡°And you think all of this is fair? You want to call off our future because I quit some dead-end job?¡± ¡°You just don¡¯t see it,¡± she said, throwing her hands up in the air. ¡°It¡¯s not your work situation. It¡¯s your attitude.¡± Jack blinked. ¡°My attitude?¡± ¡°It¡¯s not just how you keep quitting jobs. You aren¡¯t even trying to find your place! You just keep borrowing money from your mom and mooching off your dad. What if we get married? Is that how you¡¯ll treat me?¡± Her words hit him hard. Jack tried to argue, but fear had crushed his voice. Lydia was serious. ¡°I love you,¡± he blurted out, desperate. Lydia shook her head, her expression full of regret. ¡°You say you love me, Jack, but those are just words. Do you have a plan? Do you even know when you¡¯re going to get your own place? Or when we¡¯ll actually get married?¡± Jack¡¯s heart sank further with every word. She was right. He hadn¡¯t thought about any of that. ¡°Tell me, Jack. Be honest.¡± Something about her tone told him this would be the question that would make or break things. ¡°Did you think about me when you quit your job?¡± ¡°I-.¡± Jack looked down, ashamed. He hadn¡¯t. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Jack. I wish it didn¡¯t go this way, but we need to stop seeing each other,¡± she stood up and walked away. Jack tried standing up and following her. He told himself to run and kneel before her and promise her he would change and be the man she needed. He tried but couldn¡¯t. Her words had cut deep because, deep down, he knew they were true. Ch. 1 - Rough Day When Jack reached his house, he couldn¡¯t remember how he''d gotten there. While his mind struggled to process the shock of his breakup, his legs had worked on autopilot, bringing him back home. Each of Lydia¡¯s remarks echoed in his head, torturing him, suffocating him. Were they really not together anymore? Was he that immature? He trudged toward the door, and the motion sensor turned on the front door lights, making it easier to find his keys. ¡°I¡¯m home,¡± he muttered as he entered. Hushed voices were coming from the kitchen. What was going on? Why wasn¡¯t anyone answering? ¡°Hello? Mom? Dad?¡± he called as he headed toward them. The closer he got, the clearer the voices became. They were speaking in Portuguese. Even though they had immigrated more than three decades ago, his parents still spoke their native tongue to each other. Jack had avoided speaking it himself because his cousins made fun of his accent, but he understood it perfectly. "Do you blame him? That producer broke his heart." ¡°That was two years ago! We can''t keep excusing his behavior because of one disappointment. I need you to back me up on this,¡± his father said. ¡°But, honey. Things are different from when we were young,¡± his mother replied, sitting down with flushed cheeks, probably from cooking. ¡°I don¡¯t want to put him through what we suffered. Wasn¡¯t that why we came here? To give him a better life? If we''re patient, all will fall into place.¡± ¡°Hey,¡± Jack greeted. ¡°Is everything OK?¡± Both turned toward him. His mom looked down, and his father stood up, eyes blazing. Jack knew that look. He was in trouble. His father, a short man who barely reached Jack''s chest, wore brown overalls and had tanned skin from working under the sun. His dark skin accentuated the hard lines and wrinkles on his face. Even though his English was clear, his Portuguese accent was still strong. ¡°You can explain this?¡± ¡°Yo, tubers! This is Jack of Spades. What¡¯s up? I¡¯m about to show you how to quit your job like a boss. Watch this!¡± Jack had completely forgotten about the video and hadn¡¯t even checked its performance. The video brought back the painful memory of his conversation with Lydia. After several hours online, it only had 18 views, reinforcing Lydia¡¯s accusations. Seeing his father playing the video and glaring at him, Jack knew where some of those views had come from. He felt he was on trial, with his father as the prosecutor. Lydia was the first witness, and now he was being shown exhibit A, the sorry video he had posted earlier today. What had seemed like an epic moment at Cheap Mart now looked like childish bravado. Finally, the video ended. His father waited silently. Jack knew the routine. His father would keep staring until he said something. ¡°I was going to tell you I quit, Dad, but you didn¡¯t even give me a chance.¡± ¡°Son! This has to stop. What I tell you? Never close a door. Always leave with style. Why you don''t listen to me?¡± His father wasn¡¯t shouting or angry; he was sad and disappointed, which was worse. ¡°When you told your mom you wanted to drop out of college to try your music thing, I didn¡¯t agree, but I supported you. Then you moped for weeks on end. Sitting around and watching TV.¡± ¡°Not this again,¡± Jack muttered under his breath. ¡°Jos¨¦¡­¡± his mother began, but his father continued, ignoring both. ¡°I had to find jobs for you and beg you to go. Then you quit. Then I found more jobs. But you keep quitting. ¡®It¡¯s too gross,¡¯ ¡®they pay too little,¡¯ ¡®it''s not for me.¡¯ How many jobs have I found for you, son? You know?¡± Jack felt the weight of the day crashing down on him. He had never expected to come home to this. ¡°No, Dad.¡± ¡°I do. Thirteen. The longest you lasted was three months. Your record for the shortest time is one day,¡± he said, shaking his head. ¡°I hated my job at Cheap Mart. I couldn¡¯t take it anymore.¡± ¡°You always blame the work and the boss, but the guilty man is in front of me,¡± he countered, pointing at Jack. Jack felt dizzy. This had to be the worst day of his life. ¡°Listen, Dad, I¡¯ve had a long day and need to go to bed. We¡¯ll talk more in the morning, OK?¡± ¡°No! We talk now!¡± his father demanded. "When your mom and I left Portugal and came here, we worked hard. Two jobs, sometimes three. Do you know how we made it? Do you know how we bought this house?¡± ¡°By doing the work no one else wanted to do,¡± Jack recited. ¡°Yes! Dirty work. Hard work. Honest work. Why you don¡¯t want to work? What¡¯s wrong, son? Explain to me.¡± ¡°All these little jobs aren¡¯t for me, Dad. I want to do something great. I want a good job.¡± ¡°Good job? What is a good job?¡± Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. ¡°I don¡¯t know. Something that pays well without requiring all this hard, dirty work. No offense, but you guys are the immigrants, not me. I should be able to do better for myself.¡± His father narrowed his eyes. ¡°Something like this?¡± He shook his phone at Jack. ¡°An internet star?¡± Before today, Jack would have responded confidently, but Lydia¡¯s words had shaken him. ¡°I don¡¯t know. Maybe.¡± His father turned to his mother and said in Portuguese, ¡°See what I was talking about?¡± His mother looked down again, almost as if she were the one on trial. ¡°Listen, Jack. Things are going to change around here.¡± ¡°What do you mean?¡± ¡°From now on, you¡¯ll pay rent.¡± ¡°Dad? Come on.¡± ¡°No! You will pay rent. 500 credits.¡± ¡°What? Dad, wait. I-¡± ¡°It¡¯s reasonable. It helps with the mortgage, utilities, and internet. It¡¯s the least you can do, son. If you don¡¯t want to pay, feel free to find somewhere else to live.¡± ¡°Oh, my goodness. You¡¯re serious.¡± Jack was in shock. ¡°Mom,¡± he said, looking for support, ¡°please, talk to Dad.¡± ¡°Jos¨¦, maybe we can find another way to make your point.¡± ¡°No! He will pay rent, Maria. He only works at all because we¡¯ve stopped giving him money, and I¡¯m always on top of him. We won¡¯t be around forever. He has to learn.¡± ¡°Jos¨¦, come on. We-¡± ¡°Maria, this is for his own good.¡± Turning to Jack, he continued, ¡°I¡¯m sorry, son. We can¡¯t enable you anymore. You have one month from today to pay the first rent.¡± Jack clenched his fists. He turned away and stormed off to his room. As he lay on his bed, he thought about his lousy day. First Lydia, and now Dad too? * Knock, knock. ¡°Come in,¡± Jack called out, glancing at the clock. It was 8:30 pm. He had spent the last few hours lying on his bed, staring blankly at the ceiling. His mother entered the room in her work uniform. ¡°I just wanted to check on you before I leave for work,¡± she said, approaching the bed and sitting down beside him. ¡°How are you holding up?¡± ¡°Rough day,¡± Jack muttered, rubbing his face. His jaw tightened as he thought about his dad¡¯s earlier lecture. ¡°Mom... is Dad serious? About me paying rent?¡± His mother nodded, her expression soft but serious. Jack let out a long breath, frustration gnawing at him. ¡°Can¡¯t you talk to him? I mean, 500 credits is a lot.¡± ¡°I tried, honey, but you know how your father is. Once he makes up his mind, there¡¯s no changing it,¡± she said, giving him a sympathetic smile. After a quick glance toward the door, she lowered her voice. ¡°I can pitch in 100 credits, help ease the load. So you¡¯ll just need to come up with the rest.¡± She gave him a wink, but Jack¡¯s face remained tight. 400 was still more than he could manage. Even after Cheap Mart''s paycheck, with his credit card payments looming, he¡¯d barely have enough left over. ¡°Thanks, Mom.¡± ¡°Anything for my baby,¡± she whispered, kissing his forehead. ¡°I better get to work. Take care of yourself tonight, okay?¡± ¡°Yeah.¡± As the door clicked shut behind her, Jack considered what to do. The day''s conversations played on a loop in his head, like a bad movie he couldn''t switch off. He checked his phone¡ª18 views on his Cheap Mart video. It had been stuck there all day. He felt a mix of anger and shame inside him. For a moment, he considered deleting his channel altogether. But he didn''t. What he wanted to delete was this day. Too bad that was impossible. Jack sat up, grabbed his keys, and left his room. He needed to get out and clear his head. * After walking aimlessly for what felt like hours, Jack found himself standing outside Roberto¡¯s building. His legs had apparently gone on auto-pilot again. He knew his cousin wouldn¡¯t be asleep yet¡ªit was only around 10 pm¡ªso he rang the bell and waited. A moment later, the door swung open. ¡°Jack? What¡¯s up?¡± Roberto¡¯s usually neat hair was a mess, and he was wearing sweatpants and a white sleeveless shirt. ¡°Hey, Rob. Mind if I come in?¡± ¡°Sure thing,¡± Roberto said, stepping aside. Jack followed him in and closed the door behind him. Unlike Jack, Roberto was born in sector 3, what used to be called Portugal, Spain, and France. He had immigrated a few years back and found a one-bedroom apartment near Jack¡¯s house. They had the same thick eyebrows, dark Latin eyes, and round faces. Many people who saw them together asked them if they were brothers, but they were, in reality, cousins. ¡°What¡¯s up, cousin?¡± Rob asked as he sat on his sofa. ¡°I was just about to have dinner.¡± Jack smiled, hearing it. Typical Portuguese. Having dinner super late and going to bed almost at midnight. ¡°Are you OK? You look upset.¡± Jack hesitated for a second, then sat down across from him. ¡°Not really. It¡¯s been a rough day.¡± ¡°How come? You looked like you were on top of the world when you quit your job.¡± Jack''s eyes widened, hearing that Rob had seen the video. From those 18 views on his video, how many didn''t belong to his cousin or his dad? ¡°Yeah¡­ that didn¡¯t pan out exactly as I thought.¡± Roberto chuckled. ¡°You¡¯re nuts, man. But that¡¯s why I love you.¡± Jack forced a smile. ¡°Yeah, well, the day kinda spiraled after that. I was out clearing my head and figured I¡¯d drop by since I was nearby.¡± His eyes flicked toward the giant screen covering most of the wall. ¡°New TV?¡± he asked, unable to hide his curiosity. ¡°Yep,¡± Roberto said, grabbing the remote and turning it on. Jack¡¯s jaw dropped as the display came to life. ¡°Oh my goodness, that 3D rendering is insane!¡± Roberto grinned. ¡°It¡¯s pretty sweet, huh?¡± As Jack glanced around the apartment, he noticed more new stuff. There was a sleek, top-of-the-line coffee machine sitting on the counter, which looked even fancier than the ones at Lydia¡¯s caf¨¦. In the kitchen, he spotted a cleaning droid charging in the corner. ¡°You¡¯ve picked up some nice new toys since I was here last.¡± ¡°What can I say? I¡¯ve been doing pretty well lately,¡± Roberto said with a shrug, though the pride in his voice was evident. Jack¡¯s stomach twisted. He hadn¡¯t realized how much he¡¯d been grinding his teeth until now. ¡°Yeah, I can see that,¡± he muttered. Then, before he could stop himself, he added, ¡°I¡¯m jealous.¡± ¡°Construction is hard work, but it pays good money.¡± Jack frowned. ¡°You¡¯re telling me you bought this TV with what you make at the construction site?¡± ¡°Well, I do have a new gig, too.¡± ¡°What¡¯s that? Did you get a second job?¡± asked Jack, secretly hoping that the answer was no. He didn¡¯t need another living case of success to make him feel bad about himself. ¡°Kind of.¡± ¡°What do you mean, kind of?¡± ¡°Have you heard of New Earth?¡± Ch. 2 - New Earth Hearing his cousin talk about ¡®New Earth,'' Jack remembered the ads he¡¯d seen all over town. ¡°New Earth, as in the game?¡± ¡°Yeah. I¡¯ve been playing it every night for the past few months. You can sell in-game items for real-life money. See the TV? Sold a rare gem at an auction online, and BOOM!¡± he shouted, ¡°New TV!¡± ¡°Wait, you¡¯re actually making money from playing the game? That¡¯s pretty wild.¡± ¡°It¡¯s awesome. That way, even when I¡¯m sleeping, I¡¯m making money. You know you can play it while sleeping, right?¡± Jack had read online about how more and more people were making a living through gaming. Auctioning in-game items for IRL money and making gameplay videos and guides was a market that kept growing year after year. ¡°I¡¯d love to try it, but those helmets are crazy expensive.¡± ¡°Yeap. 1000 credits only gets you the worst model.¡± Jack grimaced. That was too much. ¡°However, if you¡¯re short on cash, some companies rent a helmet for 50 credits a week.¡± ¡°Really?¡± ¡°Oh yeah. It''s a big business. If I had the money to invest, I¡¯d open a helmet rental business myself. Lots of people can¡¯t afford to buy helmets, or they want to try the system out first.¡± ¡°What about New Earth? How much does it cost?¡± He remembered that the bus ad mentioned a monthly fee. ¡°It¡¯s 100 credits a month,¡± he answered. ¡°That¡¯s steep. I don¡¯t know if I can swing that at the moment.¡± ¡°I know. And it¡¯s still the most played game right now, which shows you how good it is. They do offer you the first month free if you get a referral from an existing player. I can hook you up if you want.¡± Jack thought about the money he''d receive from Cheap Mart and the rent he had to pay. ¡°How much money do you make on New Earth a month?¡± ¡°Depends. In my worst month, I only got 300 credits. In my best month, which was when I found that rare gem¡­ 900?¡± he said after some thought. ¡°But I only play at night. Some people make much more.¡± Jack thought about his day. He had no choice but to find a way to come up with 400 credits. He got all his jobs through his father¡¯s friends and connections, but that would probably not work this time. When he compared the hassle of sending CVs and going to interviews to lying in bed playing a game, the choice seemed obvious. Sure, it wasn¡¯t guaranteed money, but neither were his job prospects. At least this way, he¡¯d enjoy himself. ¡°I think I¡¯ll want that referral, cous.¡± ¡°You got it!¡± Jack grabbed his phone and checked his balance. Cheap Mart hadn¡¯t paid him yet. ¡°By the way, Rob.¡± ¡°Yeah?¡± "Could I borrow 50 credits? I¡¯ll pay you back next week." * Jack carefully entered the house and removed his shoes. After being scolded by his father earlier today, the last thing he needed was to be told off for being out this late at night. He climbed up the stairs on his tiptoes and gently turned the doorknob of his room, careful not to make it creak. He stepped into his room and shut the door behind him. Relieved to have accomplished his stealth mission, Jack opened the box he''d been carrying. He hesitated as he picked up the VRX helmet. The dents and scratches didn¡¯t inspire much confidence, but the clerk swore it worked fine. The only one available at the store was pink, which was far from Jack''s favorite color. He just hoped that the investment was worth it and that the money-making method that worked so well for his cousin would also work for him. As he put on the helmet, his first impression was how heavy it was. No wonder people played with these while lying in bed; otherwise, they would sprain their necks. He looked for a button on the side of the helmet and, finding it, pressed it. A blue window appeared in front of him. "Wow!" This is your first time wearing this helmet. The system will now synchronize with your nervous system. Please look up. He obeyed. Please look down. He followed each command the machine gave him. He raised his arms one at a time, then his legs. He walked around the room, and finally, the synchronization was complete. He created a username, but the helmet didn¡¯t ask for a password. It would probably scan his retina or something. He could operate the system in the helmet just by willing it. He opened the VRX store and immediately found what he was looking for. The logo for New Earth, with the image from the ads of a warrior in shiny armor battling a dinosaur, was the first thing to appear in the store. He took his phone out of his pocket, checked the message Rob had sent him earlier that night, and read it aloud. This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it ¡°J-N-R-H-1-2-7-1.¡± We¡¯ve activated the referral code you¡¯ve received from Roberto Sousa. Congratulations! You can play New Earth on trial mode for the next 30 days. The game is now installing. A progress bar started loading. The internet at his parent¡¯s house wasn¡¯t the fastest, but it had a decent download speed. Even so, the game download and installation would last several minutes. He wished the bar would finish loading already, but he decided to use the time and check some things his cousin had told him about earlier. He set the helmet aside and started researching the game. The first thing he checked was the auction site. A series of colorful flashing windows competed for his attention. Seeing some of the prices being asked for in-game items, he couldn¡¯t help but gasp. At the center of the website, there was a picture of a sword. The pommel was made of dark metal, and the blade was green. It seemed to be dripping acid, which sizzled as it fell off the sword and hit the border of the window. ¡°Sword of the Slime King,¡± he read aloud, ¡°2000 credits? What?!¡± This was four months of rent! Five, if his mom¡¯s help turned out to be an every-month thing. He scrolled down and saw many other items sold for equally exorbitant prices. He found a section with gems and remembered his cousin Robert''s story. Sure enough, some gems were for sale at 900 credits and more. Why weren''t people talking more about this? This was a fantastic money-making opportunity. Visiting Roberto was the best thing he could have done today. Maybe this was his ticket out of his predicament. If he could make good money, he could prove to Lydia he was planning for the future and pay his father his cursed rent. He peeked into the helmet and found that the progress bar was still loading. ¡°How to make money on New Earth,¡± he wrote on the search engine, and thousands of results popped up. He scrolled down, looking through the different guides, but quickly lost patience and randomly selected one. New Earth, Money Making Guide I¡¯m DoomBringer, and I¡¯m a level 38 warrior. Today, I¡¯ll tell you how I quit my day job to become a full-time gamer. I used to work at the court as a clerk and hated it there. Then, I found New Earth and discovered that many people bought in-game currency in exchange for real money. As I researched, I discovered a whole economy attached to the game and started to explore and experiment. Three months after I started the game, I quit my job at the court, and I¡¯m the happiest I¡¯ve ever been. ¡°(Yawn) Blah, blah, blah,¡± yammered Jack. He didn''t remember ever feeling this tired. He felt as if he''d taken a beating. Thinking of Lydia and his dad, maybe, in a sense, he had. He forced himself to refocus on the guide, scrolled down, and found a question-and-answer section that summarized the main points. Q: How much money do you make a month? A: These days, I can obtain 4000 credits a month easily. Jack let out a whistle. Now, he was getting somewhere. Q: How do you make money in the game? A: I might disappoint some of you here because I won¡¯t reveal how I make money. If I told you what I do, many of you would try the same method, saturate the market, and force me to find something else to do. Q: OK. But really. How? A: In a nutshell, you have to find your niche. It all boils down to focusing on something that gets you items other people want to buy. Some people focus on hunting, others on exploring, and others on gathering or crafting. Those are all great ways to get good items. Q: Which is best? A: The wealthiest players in the game are all craftsmen. However¡­¡± ¡°(Yawn) We get it. Crafting¡¯s the best.¡± Jack was eager to get the helmet on, go to bed, and start sleeping while playing the game. Hopefully, he would know how to make money in New Earth when he woke up. Ding! The game had finally finished installing. He put on his pajamas, went to bed, and put the helmet on. Synchronization complete. Would you like to start New Earth? [Y/N] ¡°Yes.¡± Warning! While inside the game, all your nervous commands will be intercepted, and you¡¯ll be only able to move your avatar in the game. Make sure you¡¯re in a safe, comfortable environment. Warning! Don¡¯t spend more than 10 hours at a time in full dive. Pause the game frequently to hydrate and stretch. Full dive in 3, 2, 1¡­ The room around Jack disappeared, replaced by never-ending whiteness. ¡°Welcome to New Earth!¡± he heard someone say. It was a masculine, deep voice. Choose your avatar¡¯s name. ¡°JackOfSpades,¡± he said. Error, JackOfSpades has been taken. ¡°What? It¡¯s taken?¡± He deleted spades and, after some thought, wrote something else. Are you sure you want to be called JackOfDiamonds? He was in this game to make money. It seemed appropriate that he changed his tag from spades to diamonds. Today was hopefully the start of a gaming career that would make him rich and allow him to buy all those cool things he had seen at his cousin¡¯s house. More importantly, it would allow him to settle down with Lydia if she was willing to take him back. As he thought of Lydia, all the excitement of buying this helmet withered. Whenever Jack paused for a second, the things Lydia and his dad said crept back in. Sure, maybe they had a point, but he wasn¡¯t about to let himself dwell on that. He didn¡¯t want to think about it¡ªnot now. He had to move forward, had to prove he wasn¡¯t stuck. Please select your appearance. Jack selected the option to randomize his appearance, and the system scrambled his looks. He studied the avatar on the screen and saw his bushy brown eyebrows were intact, but his eyes were now hazel. His hair had become even shorter, and his avatar had become clean-shaven. Satisfied with the result, he finalized the customization, and epic music started playing. ¡°In a world¡­¡± ¡°Skip!¡± he called. Do you want to skip the opening cutscene? [Y/N] "Skip. No time for cutscenes when there¡¯s money to be made," Jack muttered, even though he knew he¡¯d probably end up watching it online later. There''d be time for the cool stuff¡ªjust not now. The cinematic ended before it began, and the scene around him changed. He was atop a green hill with one lone old tree. He heard chatter and, looking around, found many people wearing similar clothes: a gray linen shirt and loose gray pants. He held up his hands and, catching sight of his sleeves, he noticed he was wearing the same outfit. He experimented with moving his fingers one at a time and then took a few steps. Emboldened, he tried jumping, sprinting, and even threw a few punches in the air. ¡°Awesome,¡± he said giddily. ¡°It feels real.¡± Feeling more accustomed to the new landscape, he looked out into the distance and found a tall wall. It looked far away but close at the same time. The wall had to be huge. What was hidden on the other side of the wall? As he kept looking around, he saw another wall. Two opposing cities? He walked around the tree and soon discovered he was looking at it incorrectly. Wherever he looked, there was the same white tall wall. They were inside it. Why was there such a large construct? Was it designed to keep people in? Or to keep something out? Ch. 3 - Tutor Ezekiel Unsure of what the large looming wall meant, Jack looked for the nearest NPC to show him the ropes. That was easy enough. He just had to find the highest concentration of players. Hidden behind a cluster of noobs in gray, an old man sat under the tree. He had a thick mustache, a long beard hiding his mouth, and a huge pointy hat hiding his eyes. Over him, he found a name tag identifying him as ¡®Tutor Ezekiel.¡¯ ¡°Hello, Tutor Ezekiel,¡± greeted Jack, following basic gaming protocol. ¡°Well, well, well. Looks like we have another adventurer to help out.¡± Every word had an inflection he had only heard in famous old actors or grandfathers with a knack for storytelling. ¡°That¡¯s why I¡¯m here,¡± said Jack, trying to play along. ¡°Oh, fledgling¡­ There¡¯s so much to learn but so little time. The wall has served us well for eons, but the cracks are spreading, and it won¡¯t last forever. Time is of the essence. You have to learn how to survive the dangers of this world while there¡¯s still time. What would you like to learn?¡± A series of options appeared in front of him. The world within the wall The world outside the wall Fighting Crafting & Gathering Dungeoneering Attributes Even though the first two options caught his interest, he decided to start with where the money was. ¡°I want to learn about crafting.¡± ¡°Fine choice, young man! Crafting then. Let¡¯s see. Where to begin?¡± The man paused as if this was his first time teaching someone about this topic. ¡°Shall we start with how our wall would have long fallen if our warriors had to fight bare-handed? Think about that: without craftsmen, there would be no wall to begin with, and we would all be history. Crafting. Yes. Crafting. ¡°The key to crafting is single-minded devotion. Absolute concentration. That¡¯s why you are allowed to choose only one major profession and one minor profession.¡± ¡°Uh? Major? Minor?¡± His cousin hadn¡¯t told him about this. Now that he thought about it, he had been in such a rush to rent a helmet that he didn¡¯t know whether his cousin crafted, hunted, or did something else. ¡°Yes. I¡¯d encourage you to choose your major first. Find your calling. That will help you to choose the minor profession that best complements it.¡± Jack bit the inside of his cheek. That sounded complicated. ¡°How many majors are there?¡± ¡°I can tell you about five major professions. However, I¡¯m just an old man from a small outer town. In the wall within the wall, you may find more knowledgeable folk who know of finer crafts.¡± That means that there are other major professions. ¡°What about minors?¡± ¡°Oh, there are many! Even in my little town, there are far too many to count.¡± ¡°Can you give me some examples?¡± Jack pressed. ¡°Sure. For example, consider one of the most common and important majors: [Smithing]. Smiths can work metal and craft sturdy armor and sharp swords. Some smiths choose to mine their own ore and learn the minor: [Mining]. Others who don¡¯t like leaving the comfort of towns take other minors, such as [Recycling]. Some particularly talented smiths have a knack for precise work and end up taking [Tinkering].¡± ¡°I see. And imagine that I wanted to take [Mining] and [Recycling]. Could I do that?¡± The man paused thoughtfully. ¡°I suppose that¡¯s a possibility. But most choose to have a major. It opens the door to more opportunities.¡± ¡°Good. In that case, I think I''ll check these majors out. You were talking about [Smithing]. Let¡¯s go with that.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t you want to hear more about the other majors first? To make an informed decision?¡± ¡°No need, thank you. Where can I become a smith?¡± ¡°I¡¯ll give you the address.¡± Tutor Ezekiel has marked a location on your map. Jack turned his back on the tutor and ran downhill, past the many other beginners. Several of them held wooden swords or quarterstaves and clumsily swung them around. It was probably part of the tutorial for fighting. As he raced down the hill, he saw many others wielding their wooden weapons more confidently and fighting the numerous rabbits hopping around. Jack kept his eyes glued to the map and kept going. He had to climb another hill with a similar lone tree and another old man sitting under it. From there, he saw where he was headed. It was a small town. The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation. The town¡¯s buildings were built of dark stone, covered with crimson roofs and smoking chimneys. Jack could see something big at the town¡¯s center from the crest of the hill, but it was too far to make out any details. He guessed it was a fountain because it shimmered under the sunlight. Six roads radiated from the statue, like spokes on a wagon wheel. Jack hurried down the hill and entered the town¡¯s dirt roads. Sniffing the air, Jack¡¯s eyes widened. Smoke. He could smell it now. He closed his eyes, focused on his skin, and felt a breeze caress his cheeks. It felt so real! The developers had gone out of their way to create a realistic experience. Now, inside the town, he could see how the buildings were only one storey-high. It wasn''t a large town, but it was big enough to accommodate the many beginners walking around. Buildings lined both sides of the roads. He saw a few shops with large windows that allowed a view of different wares. From the start of the road to the fountain at its center, there were at most ten buildings. Players chatted with NPCs while pursuing their different quests. Although many still wore the same gray drabs and simple wooden swords and quarterstaves he¡¯d seen earlier, some already had leather helmets, wooden shields, rusty daggers, and ragged capes. Now that he was closer, he could better appreciate the fountain. A sculpted couple stood back to back. The man wielded a hammer, and the woman a drawn bow. The fountain''s edge was shaped like the battlements of the great wall he had seen from the crest of Ezekiel¡¯s hill. He wondered what the statues meant. Maybe the woman represented players focused on fighting, and the man represented those focused on crafting. But what was on the other side of the wall? What were they trying to keep out? Shrugging, Jack turned left at the fountain, following the map marker to a building with a large sign featuring an anvil. The flashy bronze letters spelled out ¡®Blacksmith,¡¯ and smoke puffed steadily from the chimney. The door gave way easily as Jack pushed it open. The first thing that hit him was the sweltering heat. The forge¡¯s fire blazed on the far end, where a bald man in a thick apron and cumbersome gloves oversaw several beginners hammering red-hot metal. Their faces gleamed with sweat, and Jack¡¯s eyes widened at how drenched they looked. He watched them work, imagining himself in their shoes¡ªhammering away for hours, his arms aching, the heat sucking the life out of him. Crafting might be profitable, sure, but living in a furnace? No way. This place is like one long, torturous sauna session. The master smith, noticing Jack, barked a few tips at his apprentices before approaching. He gave a hoarse chuckle. ¡°Look what we have here. Could it be that you¡¯re a smith in the making?¡± ¡°Well, I¡ª¡± Jack hesitated, glancing over at a nearby player who groaned as he hefted a glowing piece of metal with tongs. The poor guy¡¯s face was redder than the forge fire. How do people do this without melting? The blacksmith leaned in with a grin. ¡°Are you here to tame fire, to shape metal, and to bend steel?¡± Jack felt the sweat start to bead on his own forehead, and he bit his lip. Tame fire? Shape metal? I mean, I¡¯m all for crafting, but signing up for a slow roast every day? He quickly came to a decision. ¡°I think I¡¯ll pass.¡± The blacksmith blinked, thrown off by Jack¡¯s casual rejection. ¡°Uh? But didn¡¯t Ezekiel send you here to try smithing?¡± He looked genuinely disappointed, as though his epic speech had fallen flat. ¡°Yeah, well, I didn¡¯t sign up to become roast beef,¡± Jack muttered, wiping the sweat from his brow. Without another word, Jack stepped outside, breathing in the cool air. I¡¯ve gotta hand it to the developers. They nailed the realism, but no way I¡¯m signing up for that level of discomfort. He headed back and climbed the hill closest to town, trying to approach the tutor sitting there. His clothes were of a slightly different color from Ezekiel¡¯s, and instead of a bushy beard, he only had a long mustache. Jack checked his name and tried asking for information on the next major. ¡°Excuse me, Tutor Joel! Do you think that you can give me some information about crafting?¡± The man studied Jack from top to bottom and shook his head. ¡°Didn¡¯t I see you a little earlier coming from the direction of Ezekiel¡¯s hill?¡± ¡°Uh¡­ yeah.¡± ¡°I¡¯d suggest you keep talking to him then.¡± Looking back and forth between the hill and the town, Jack scratched his head. ¡°But it¡¯s much closer to come here.¡± Tutor Joel frowned and stood up, assessing the difference in distances. ¡°Isn¡¯t it just a small walk?¡± he asked, bewildered. ¡°Fine,¡± Jack answered, waving the NPC off and rushing toward Ezekiel¡¯s hill. It had been worth the try. He could have saved himself a couple of minutes if he could have talked to Tutor Joel instead. He could swear that none of the faces he¡¯d seen near Ezekiel 30 minutes earlier were the same. In the time he was gone, his fellow noobs had completed the tutorial, and a new batch had arrived. The game had been out for several months now. Was there such a big number of beginners still joining New Earth? He guessed that was good for him. The more players there were, the more potential clients would buy items he auctioned. ¡°Hi, Ezekiel.¡± ¡°Uh? Back so soon?¡± Ezekiel said, instantly recognizing him. ¡°Did you have any problems finding the local smith?¡± ¡°Yeah, I found it, but honestly, it was a bit overwhelming. The heat in there was just too much for me,¡± Jack admitted. ¡°Hot?!¡± Ezekiel laughed. ¡°Of course, it¡¯s hot. You can¡¯t work metal while it''s cold!¡± ¡°I get that, but I¡¯m not sure I¡¯m ready to handle that kind of environment just yet. Maybe something else would suit me better. What other options do you have?¡± ¡°Well, if heat isn¡¯t your thing, you could try carpentry, leatherworking, or tailoring-¡± ¡°Carpentry sounds like it might be a good fit,¡± Jack interjected, eager to find a more suitable option. He didn¡¯t care about what major he got as long as he could start making some money. ¡°Good! I like that decisiveness!¡± Ezekiel praised. ¡°In that case, you¡¯ll want to go see Master Sawyer. Here''s her address.¡± Seeing the new directions, Jack raced back to the small town. He didn''t linger, hesitate, or do any sightseeing this time, thus shaving some minutes off the trip. As he reached the fountain, he turned right and ran past a few houses and shops until he found the workshop Ezekiel had pinned on the map for him. The workshop¡¯s architecture was incredibly similar to the smith¡¯s forge. The only exceptions were that there was no smoke from the chimney here, and the sign reading ¡®Woodworking Workshop¡¯ was made of wood. Entering, he could instantly feel an improvement over the forge. There was no sweltering heat or smoke here, just the fragrance of wood and varnish. He didn¡¯t mind these smells. Maybe this would be his major after all. A woman with an athletic build and callused hands came to meet him at once. She wore a dirty mask and dusty goggles that couldn¡¯t hide her pretty green eyes. She patted her hands on her apron, causing puffs of sawdust to burst out of her clothes. She stretched out her hand, offering a handshake. ¡°Greetings adventurer, Master Sawyer at your service. Are you here to join the ranks of the carpenters?¡± Ch. 4 - Dusty ¡°Nice to meet you. Cough! Cough! Is it always this dusty here?¡± Jack asked as he covered his mouth with the sleeve of his shirt. Master Sawyer chuckled, pulling off her dusty goggles and wiping her face with her sleeve. ¡°Dust is part of the job, adventurer. We work with wood all day¡ªsanding, sawing¡ªit creates quite a mess. We sweep the floors two or three times a day.¡± Jack glanced at a player in the corner who was vigorously sweeping up a pile of sawdust while others strained to saw through a log. "And I¡¯d be sweeping floors too, I guess?" Sawyer smiled knowingly. ¡°Of course. We all do. Keeping the workshop clean is just as important as the woodworking itself. A clean workspace means less clutter and fewer accidents. Everyone starts out learning the basics, including cleaning up.¡± Jack¡¯s face twisted into a frown. He imagined spending hours each day pushing a broom instead of crafting something valuable. ¡°Well¡­ thanks for the info, but I think I¡¯ll explore other options.¡± ¡°But don''t you want to try it at least? I haven¡¯t even given you a tour of our workshop,¡± she offered. ¡°Thanks, but I think I¡¯ll explore other options,¡± Jack replied. Jack shook his head and waved as he stepped out, savoring the fresh air. Without a second thought, he was already making his way back to Tutor Ezekiel. He¡¯d had enough jobs where cleaning and dusting were part of the grind. He was not about to pay the game developers for the ''privilege'' of being a virtual janitor. Becoming a cleaner in-game? Yeah, no thanks. Having taken less time to complete the roundtrip, he recognized a few beginners this time. If he had taken a little longer, they would probably have moved from the hills with bunnies and come to town, too. He wiggled through the crowd surrounding Ezekiel and talked to him again. ¡°Hey there!¡± ¡°You¡¯re back already! Did you not find Master Sawyer¡¯s workshop to your liking? Let me tell you, she''s one of the finest carpenters in the land.¡± ¡°Carpentry just isn¡¯t the right fit for me. Is there something else that¡¯s less dusty and doesn¡¯t involve cleaning?¡± ¡°Well¡­ I suppose that leatherworking isn¡¯t hot or dusty. Maybe that would work?¡± ¡°Great, where can I find it?¡± A new pin appeared on his map. ¡°Thank you! I''ll give that a go.¡± ¡°Okay, I hope this will be your calling, my friend. Don''t forget to give it a try first. Who knows, maybe only after you feel the touch of the leather and experience the joy of creating your first piece of equipment, the craftsman in you will awaken and-¡± ¡°Thank you, bye.¡± Jack left a slack-jawed Ezekiel behind him and ran back toward the city. He wasn¡¯t trying to be rude, but he was supposed to find something that would work for him and let him start making some money. Each round-trip from the hill to the town took 30 minutes. He had been playing this game for over one hour and had nothing to show for it. Additionally, whenever he stopped for a single second, memories of Lydia and his father¡¯s earlier sermon crept in. He couldn¡¯t stop; he had to stay on the move. * ¡°Did you like leatherworking?¡± Ezekiel asked, seeing Jack was back. ¡°Not really. The place had a really strong smell,¡± Jack said, wrinkling his nose. ¡°Oh, yes. Curing hides and working leather does involve using strong chemicals. However, it isn¡¯t hot or dusty,¡± he explained. ¡°Let¡¯s try the next one. What else do you have?¡± ¡°Well, I suppose you could try tailoring.¡± ¡°Awesome. Please show me where to go.¡± * Ezekiel didn¡¯t look surprised this time around, seeing Jack was back so soon. ¡°What¡¯s the verdict this time?¡± ¡°I have needle phobia. I forgot how tailoring could trigger it.¡± ¡°I see,¡± Ezekiel said drily. ¡°Is there anything else?¡± Ezekiel sighed. ¡°There¡¯s only one more major they teach in town. Let¡¯s hope this is the right one for you.¡± ¡°What is it?¡± ¡°Chemistry.¡± A new set of coordinates appeared on Jack¡¯s map, and he set off back toward the town. This time, the road he had to take required him to move straight ahead after the fountain. Jack entered the chemist¡¯s building. There were glass vials of different shapes and sizes filled with liquids of all colors. Many plants and flowers in vases and pots were scattered throughout the workshop. Even though some chemicals were kept boiling over a small flame, the temperature in the shop was pleasant. The place was clean, and there were no needles in sight. Best of all, the master chemist was a beautiful young lady. ¡°Hi,¡± she squeaked in a high pitch. ¡°My name is Cassandra, and I¡¯m the chief chemist. Are you here to learn the craft?¡± ¡°Maybe,¡± Jack answered, unsure. He looked around and found nothing that threw him off. It looked like he would become a chemist after all. Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there. Just as he was about to ask Cassandra to learn more, the chemist caught sight of an apprentice making a mistake and rushed toward her. ¡°No, dear. You don¡¯t want the frog''s spleen. You want its liver. That¡¯s what can help you with the recipe I taught you earlier.¡± Jack stretched his neck, stood on his tippy toes, and saw a girl dissecting a red frog. ¡°Urgh.¡± Noticing Jack''s discomfort, Cassandra tried to encourage him. ¡°You get used to it, dear. But some of the ingredients we use are harvested from beasts. I¡¯m sure you can appreciate how doing this work can save lives.¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry, but I don¡¯t think this is for me,¡± he said, trying not to gag. ¡°What do you mean?¡± ¡°I¡¯m out. I don¡¯t want to become a chemist. Thank you for your time." Jack left the chemist grossed out and disappointed. He had been almost sure this was it. It looked like the major meant for him couldn¡¯t be learned in this small town. Or, perhaps crafting just wasn¡¯t for him. Sighing, he decided to return to Ezekiel and complete the rest of the tutorial. He¡¯d been rushing to start making money, but maybe it had been wishful thinking. Despite hating to study, he would spend some time reading up on the game to find out what he would do. For the fifth time today, he approached Ezekiel. ¡°Hi, Ezekiel.¡± ¡°Chemistry didn¡¯t work for you either?!¡± the tutor asked, exasperated. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. Dissecting things is too much for my stomach.¡± ¡°I was chatting with the masters I referred you to,¡± he said, leaving Jack confused. How had he talked to them? Had Ezekiel left the hill and come to town while he wasn¡¯t looking? ¡°They tell me you didn¡¯t even try crafting anything. You gave up before they could tell you anything about the majors. Is this true?¡± Jack felt his face redden. ¡°Y-Yes.¡± ¡°My, my. This is not good, my friend. Crafting requires patience; you¡¯re the most impatient adventurer I¡¯ve ever seen.¡± What a day. Even the game¡¯s NPCs were criticizing him. Ezekiel continued. ¡°However, this might indicate that you¡¯re meant for a different path. Maybe you¡¯re supposed to become a jack of all trades and a master of none,¡± he said thoughtfully. ¡°There¡¯s one last place you could try.¡± You¡¯ve received a new quest: [Jack of All Trades]. Jack of All Trades (Rare) Despite Ezekiel¡¯s best efforts, none of the majors available in town seem to suit you. He suggests you visit Mr. Kevin. He might be able to point you toward a better path. Coordinates added to your world map. Requirements: It was his very first quest on New Earth! He might not have much experience with full-dive games, but he had played plenty of games on his phone, and quests were a good way to get precious items. Jack noticed the NPC he would visit was not named ¡®Master Kevin,¡¯ but ¡®Mister Kevin.¡¯ What did that mean? And weren''t the requirements to unlock this quest a little weird? ¡°Thank you, Tutor Ezekiel." ¡°Just try it. OK? ¡°Excuse me?¡± ¡°At least try this one. Please. Remember, impatience isn¡¯t good for a craftsman!¡± ¡°I-I will,¡± stammered Jack. He left the hill in a daze. Was it his impression, or was the game criticizing his attitude? Lydia had accused him of not trying hard enough and not having a plan. His father had scolded him for being irresponsible. And now, even Tutor Ezekiel sounded exasperated and had criticized him for his impatience. Even though Jack felt the impulse to run off and complete his quest, he forced himself to sit down and stop for a few moments. First came the gnawing memories of guilt and embarrassment from being dumped by Lydia and scolded by his father. He held himself down, letting the pain and negative emotions pass through him. Was he really that unreasonable? It sure didn''t feel that way. A part of him wanted to believe that everyone else was demanding too much of him, that it was they who didn''t understand. But what were the chances that he was right while everyone else was wrong? He wanted to hold on to the thought that he was trying his best, and the world just kept getting in his way. But after everything that had happened today, it sounded hollow and unconvincing, even to him. Jack reviewed his moves in the game today. He had skimmed through one article on the internet and came running to the game unprepared, skipping every dialogue and rushing to become a craftsman without any prior research. He felt his ears getting hot and his cheeks flush. Not trying? Check. Not having a plan? Check. Irresponsible? Maybe. Inconsequential? Strong possibility. Impatient? Definitely. Jack dug his face into his hands. ¡°Could it be that they''re right? Am I¡ª¡± It was hard to form the words and say them aloud, but he made himself say them anyway: ¡°Am I lazy?¡± Just like his legs had brought him from Lydia¡¯s cafe to his house on auto-pilot, his lazy self had taken the wheel from the moment he arrived in the game. Even how he rudely parted with each NPC was like what he did to his bosses in the real world. Getting a quest despite his carelessness had been sheer luck! He slapped his face a few times. ¡°Enough fooling around, Jack! You¡¯re going to finish this quest, no matter what. You¡¯re better than this. Come on. You have to win Lydia back.¡± With newfound determination, Jack marched toward the destination marked on his map. * Jack studied the old, run-down shack Ezekiel had directed him to. It was the last house at the end of one of the stretches. Whereas all other houses in town were made of black stone and had red roofs, this shack was a mismatch of construction materials. He supposed it was impressive that someone could glue and nail together tin sheets, mud, stone, brick, and wood into a house like this. What kind of major could he learn here? This was the first locked door he found in the game, and Jack knocked carefully, afraid that it would bring the whole shack down. He did so gently the first few times and then more vigorously, seeing that the structure didn¡¯t budge. ¡°Who?!¡± came the voice from the other side. "Hello, Mr. Kevin. Tutor Ezekiel told me to come here and that you might help me find my path.¡± ¡°Hmmm¡­¡± came the pensive sound from the other side. ¡°What can you do?¡± ¡°Excuse me?¡± ¡°If Ezekiel sent you here, you want to become a craftsman. Yes?¡± ¡°Yeah.¡± ¡°What can you do?¡± ¡°I have no major,¡± Jack explained, guessing this was what the man on the other side wanted to know. Why wasn¡¯t he opening the door? ¡°No, no, no! I¡¯m asking about minors. Do you have any minors yet?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t have those either,¡± Jack said. ¡°Come back after you learn [Pottery].¡± [Jack of All Trades] has been updated. Jack of All Trades (Rare) Mr. Kevin has shown himself willing to guide you and show you a path that might suit you. He asks you to return after learning [Pottery]. Visit Mr. Kevin. {completed} Learn [Pottery]. {ongoing} ¡°Where do I do that?¡± asked Jack, seeing that no coordinates appeared on the map. The man issued a few complaints, and his voice became fainter as if he had disappeared into the back of a big house. What in the world? Jack circled the building in a few steps. Where had the man gone to if the shack was this small? He knocked on the door again. ¡°Mr. Kevin! Where can I learn [Pottery]?¡± Hearing no response, Jack took a few steps back and considered what to do. Why had the man not given him the coordinates for this task? Was it a fluke? Maybe he meant to make his job harder. And why did Mr. Kevin want him to learn [Pottery]? Hadn¡¯t Ezekiel told him it was better to obtain a major first? Jack felt a surge of frustration, but he shook it off. This was a rare quest. That meant that it was worth something. Hadn¡¯t he just decided to see it through to the end? This time, he decided to take a different approach. Ch. 56 - Blessing or Curse? ¡°So¡­¡± Jack asked, hopefully. ¡°I''m thinking,¡± Rob said. ¡°Give me some time, man.¡± ¡°Right. Right. Sorry. Take your time.¡± Jack paced back and forth, running his hand through his hair. He threw nervous glances at Rob, who meticulously studied all the windows on the TV screen as if he were a surgeon looking at CAT scans and X-rays, deciding whether to give his patient good or devasting news. What was taking him so long? Was it that hard to evaluate whether he had landed a good class? Jack''s avatar, attributes, skills, recipes, and titles were all thoroughly discriminated against on the large screen. Had Jack tried to go through this information on his phone, he would have had to scroll through multiple tabs and down a never-ending series of windows until he could sort through all this information. But Rob''s TV was that big. Everything fit. It was possible to take all the progress that Jack had made over the past few days in one look. CHARACTER INFORMATION Name: JackofDiamonds Level: 10 Fame: 6 Class: Handyman Minors: [Bushcraft], lvl. 10 [Pottery], lvl. 10 Titles: [Consistent Quality], [Junior Craftsman]; [Museum Donor], [Novice Explorer]; [Novice Firekeeper]; [Uniqueness] ATTRIBUTES Hit points: 100/120 Stamina points: 87/125 Movement Speed: 101% Attack: 0 Strength: 5 Constitution: 5 Agility: 16 Intellect: 6 Luck: 5 RESISTANCES: Defense: 0 Block: 0 Fire: 2 EQUIPMENT Right-Hand: [Empty] Off-Hand: [Empty] Head: [Empty] Torso: [Simple Shirt] Pants: [Beginner Slacks] Gloves: [Empty] Shoes: [Empty] Cape: [Empty] SKILLS: Fighting: [Blocking Stance], [Dash], [Heavy Strike], [Minor Synergy], [Unbound Knowledge] Bushcraft: [Bush Immunity], [Camping], [First Aid], [Forage], [Kindle], [Rope Weaving], [Survival Cooking] Pottery: [Clay Drying], [Clay Gathering], [Clay Molding], [Clay Tempering]; [Pot Firing], [Pottery Glazing]; [Touch of the Potter] It was humbling to see how all those hours of grinding translated to a few words and numbers on the screen. Seeing the projection of his avatar in drabs, his cheeks flushed. He hadn¡¯t expected to feel so embarrassed about wearing no equipment. But what could he do? Once he accepted the handyman class, all his gear automatically came out. Zooming out from his character information, Jack again appreciated the screen''s size. He couldn¡¯t help but feel bitter at not owning a TV like this. He had hoped that completing the [Jack of All Trades] quest would have been his ticket to getting one, but he could see he was way off the mark. ¡°All right. I think I¡¯m ready to share my opinion. Are you sure you''re the first to get this class?¡± ¡°Yeah! Check this title out.¡± Jack crossed the room in a few steps and zoomed in on the details of his legendary title. ¡°Oh wow. Legendary?! I missed that. You are the first one.¡± Rob scratched his chin, staring intently at the screen, measuring his words. ¡°Okay, I think I have bad news and good news for you, Jack.¡± Heart racing and palms sweaty, Jack gulped. ¡°What is the bad news?¡± ¡°The first part of the bad news is that I want to hit you.¡± ¡°What?!¡± ¡°You have only been playing the game for a few days and already have more fame than me! You have a legendary title! You unlocked a hidden class! You¡¯re the very first one in the game to get it!¡± The words were positive, but his cousin¡¯s tone was accusatory. ¡°And from what you told me, the story of how you got it is downright shady. You were rewarded for being lazy? Come on! Of course, I want to hit you.¡± Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site. Jack looked away, embarrassed. ¡°I wouldn''t say I was rewarded. Have you taken a look at the restrictions that my class has?¡± Rob chuckled. ¡°Yeah, true. I''ve never seen a class or a profession with so many.¡± Rob brought up the details of his class at the center of the screen. Handyman (Hidden Class) Description: You are a jack of all trades but a master of none. You can change the world with some glue, hammer, and nails! Class restrictions: ¡°Not being able to deal damage will severely limit your progress in the game. Well, you can still gain XP through quests, mazes, and dungeons. But the best way to level up in the game is to go on hunts! This is terrible, Jack.¡± Hearing his cousin¡¯s prophecy of doom, Jack¡¯s mouth felt dry. ¡°I know.¡± ¡°Unless you find a way to make yourself valuable to a party without dealing any damage, you¡¯re kind of screwed. Even healers have some DPS, and I see no healing skills that came with the class.¡± Jack clenched his fists. ¡°That¡¯s why I told you. This class isn¡¯t exactly a blessing.¡± Rob continued without pulling his punches. ¡°Not being able to do any damage is not even the worst part. The worst part is that you can only wear things you have made. And you cannot even learn a major!¡± Rob said, baffled. ¡°What¡¯s up with that? How are you going to find equipment?¡± On the one hand, Jack felt happy to see someone else other than him freaking out over the details of his class. On the other, seeing his cousin so frustrated over his class didn''t bode well for him. ¡°I mean, what are you going to wear? No plate armor, no leather armor, no cloth armor,¡± he said, counting on his fingers. ¡°That all requires majors. From what I can see in the list of recipes, all you can wear is a few pieces of moss tied together. Well, not that you could hunt anyway, so I guess it makes no difference, eh? What do you need stats for if you can¡¯t deal damage regardless?¡± ¡°Thank you for the pep talk, Rob.¡± ¡°Calm down; it''s not all lost,¡± Rob said reassuringly. Rob stood up and approached the screen, pointing at the list of unique recipes he had unlocked after obtaining this class. ¡°This is worth something, Jack.¡± Jack perked up upon hearing some good news. ¡°So far, no one has discovered any synergies with pottery, right? You''re the very first player to do so. That means that only you can make this stuff in the entire game.¡± ¡°I know. I still don''t know how much these skills will affect the value of items I make, but I think there''s some potential here,¡± Jack agreed. ¡°This isn¡¯t all. You can also learn more minors in the future. The sky''s the limit as far as this class¡¯ potential goes. If you can find the right combinations of minors, you can make up for your class''s deficiencies. I mean, for the restrictions to be this severe, there''s some broken potential here, and the game developers had to limit your growth somehow.¡± Jack took in Rob¡¯s words. He had figured out as much, but it was good to hear someone else reach the same conclusions. ¡°Do you think I should keep investing in this character then? Or should I just reset?¡± This was the question that was plaguing Jack¡¯s thoughts. On the one hand, this class seemed to offer unique benefits. On the other hand, he was blazing a new trail. He¡¯d have to put in a lot of work and count on some luck to make it work. If he reset his account now, he might still have enough time to create a new avatar and find another class. Or maybe he should just give up on his gaming career entirely. Rob stared at the screen for a while and ended up shrugging. ¡°I think it would be dumb to give up at this point without at least trying to see where it goes. I mean, at the very least, see what synergies you unlock with the two new minor slots you''ve unlocked. Have you thought about what minors to get next?¡± ¡°I don''t know. On the one hand, I need to find a minor that allows me to make equipment. It would also be awesome if I could find a minor that makes me useful in a hunting party,¡± Jack reasoned. ¡°That sounds like a solid plan, cousin. There are not many minors that allow you to craft equipment. And there are few which can be used in combat. That should narrow your search down.¡± ¡°Any suggestions?¡± ¡°Oh no. You choose, Jack. If I choose the wrong minor for you and you don''t like it, I know how you are. You''re going to come here tomorrow, crying and complaining.¡± Jack playfully punched his cousin in the shoulder, eliciting a chuckle out of him. ¡°Fair enough. I¡¯ll find a way to make this work,¡± Jack said. ¡°Have you made any money in the game yet?¡± Rob asked curiously. ¡°I was hoping this rare quest would help. But instead of giving me something I can sell, it just gave me this infuriating class.¡± ¡°I don''t think you''re giving the class enough credit. You''ve also only been playing for a few days. You have to give yourself some time. You''ll only start to see real profit toward the end of the month.¡± ¡°Right. There¡¯s something else I need to talk to you about. I kind of did something I really shouldn''t have,¡± Jack said, reddening. ¡°What?¡± ¡°I kind of lied to Mom and Dad today.¡± ¡°What do you mean? How can someone kind of lie?¡± ¡°I told you how my dad gave me an ultimatum, asking me to come up with rent.¡± ¡°Go on.¡± ¡°Well, today at breakfast, he asked me about what I¡¯ve been doing, and before I knew it, I told him that I had found a job as a handyman.¡± Rob''s eyes widened. ¡°A handyman?!¡± Rob threw a glance at the screen and burst out laughing. ¡°Why didn''t you just tell your Dad the truth?¡± ¡°Come on, Rob. After giving me such a hard time demanding I find a serious job, I don''t think my parents will take it well if I tell them I¡¯m trying my luck at gaming. It''s not exactly a traditional job, is it?¡± ¡°It''s better than lying. You''re just digging your own grave. They will find out soon.¡± ¡°It''s not entirely a lie,¡± Jack said in his defense. ¡°If I can make this class work, in a sense, I''ll be a handyman. Which brings me to a favor I want to ask you.¡± ¡°What?¡± Rob asked suspiciously. ¡°I''m not going to lie to Anty and Uncle. Not even for you, Jacky.¡± ¡°I know, I know. That''s not what I have in mind. I was hoping you''d let me come here on weekdays so my parents can see that I''m doing something out of the house, and they''ll give me an easy time.¡± His cousin¡¯s brow creased in hard lines, and he took a step back, crossing his arms. ¡°I don¡¯t know. Why don¡¯t you just talk to your mom and dad?¡± ¡°It¡¯s just¡­ I don''t want to disappoint them. You should have seen them at breakfast today, Rob. They were so happy when I told them I had found a job. I just can¡¯t break their hearts,¡± Jack said, massaging his temples. Hearing no response from his cousin, he turned toward him to find him staring. ¡°What?¡± ¡°No, it''s just that you¡­¡± he didn¡¯t finish the sentence, but his frown broke into a grin. ¡°Okay. You can come here during the week.¡± ¡°Really?¡± ¡°Yeah. But you have to promise me that you will tell your parents the truth as soon as possible.¡± ¡°Deal. As soon as I get the first rent to pay my dad, I will tell them that this gig is online and explain it to them.¡± Rob nodded. ¡°Okay, then. Just wait a minute.¡± He disappeared into his room and returned after a short while. He threw Jack a key. ¡°Here''s the spare key. When you come, you can just play over there on the couch.¡± ¡°Thanks, Rob. It means a lot.¡± Rob waved Jack¡¯s thanks off. ¡°Just make sure you do your research this time. The whole way you got started in the game was too impulsive. You have to keep your head on your shoulders if you want to make this class work.¡± ¡°I know. You''re right. I''m working on being more patient.¡± Hearing his cousin going silent again, Jack caught him staring again. He had a dropped jaw and wide eyes as if he was looking at Bigfoot or a unicorn. ¡°Why are you looking at me like that?¡± ¡°Nothing. It''s just that you''re a little different.¡± ¡°Different? What do you mean?¡± ¡°Never mind. So, it''s the weekend,¡± Rob said, rubbing his hands. ¡°That means that we have more time to play. I promised my guild I would do a quest with them, and they''re waiting for me. But maybe I can come over to Embersgate and meet you later.¡± Jack opened the duffel bag he had set on the couch, revealing his pink helmet. ¡°I already told my parents I would spend the weekend with you.¡± ¡°Awesome. I''m going to go to my room and play there. You can just lay here on the couch. See you soon in the game.¡± Ch. 57 - Reel When Jack''s figure reappeared in Master Kevin''s cavern, he immediately located the NPC. He was looking under a microscope, mumbling complaints. Jack was unsure what Master Kevin was using the gadget for, but he was happy that the NPC was distracted. That gave him enough time to figure out his next move. Before he even got to explore the details of the handyman class, there was a more pressing decision to make: should he keep pretending he was a hunchback? When they had first met, he had pretended to be a hunchback for fear that Master Kevin would hold on to the rewards if he suspected he¡¯d been peeking through the keyhole. However, he had already received the reward for the quest. What was the worst thing that could happen? He had nothing to lose now. He stood up straight and walked over to Master Kevin with confident steps. ¡°Mr. Kevin! Mr. Kevin! It''s a miracle. I''m healed!¡± ¡°Uh?! What?¡± Master Kevin looked at Jack from top to bottom, jumping from the squeaky stool he¡¯d been sitting on and circling him a few times. ¡°Healed? I thought being a hunchback was a severe condition. How can you be healed?¡± ¡°I don''t know, Master Kevin. Since I became a handyman, I feel strangely powerful.¡± Jack said as he looked at the palms of his hands, closing them and opening them again. ¡°This is the highest path Master Kevin. I feel so strong!¡± The short, stocky NPC was thrown aback by Jack''s claims. ¡°Really? Healed? Because you became a handyman?¡± Jack nodded furiously, hoping that the NPC would buy it. After a few more inspection rounds, Master Kevin seemed to finally accept the explanation. ¡°Well, the truth is that handymen are the best. And I do like the sound of that word. Master. Well, I''m glad that you¡¯re healed!¡± Jack let out a relieved sigh. At least he could walk straight in front of this NPC from now on. Since Master Kevin was the one who gave him his class, chances were that he would have to keep coming back here. Seeing that the NPC was about to return to his microscope, Jack stepped forward and put a hand on his shoulder. ¡°Excuse me, master. When you helped me take my first steps in this highest of paths, you asked me to learn pottery and bushcraft.¡± Hearing how Master Kevin had appreciated being called master, he kept buttering him up. ¡°Yes. So?¡± Mr. Kevin said, shrugging, trying to hide how happy he was to be addressed with such respect. ¡°I was wondering. Was there a reason for those two, master?¡± ¡°I just chose them at random. Ha!¡± The NPC laughed at his remark as if it was a funny joke he had heard for the first time. Jack blinked his eyes a few times, nostrils flaring. ¡°At random?¡± ¡°Yes! I could have just as easily told you to learn fishing and skinning. I just wanted to see you sweat. Pottery and bushcraft were the funniest combinations I could think of.¡± For a moment, Jack imagined a giant cave like this, hidden under every beginner village with obnoxious stocky NPCs choosing minors at random and handing quests out to noobs, making their lives miserable. He¡¯d been working hard over the past few days because of an NPC¡¯s thoughtless whim?! Seeing how calloused this NPC was, he hesitated. Should he ask him? Biting his lip, he decided he had nothing to lose. ¡°Do you have any suggestions for the next two minors I should learn?¡± Master Kevin¡¯s eyes were leaning against the contraption of lenses. Up close, Jack saw he was using two small metal needles to fix a small device. It was precise, detailed work. Was this the tinkering minor? Or engineering? After moments of silent concentration, he pulled his eyes away from the microscope and stared at Jack squarely. ¡°Nope. No suggestions. It''s up to you. Law of demand and supply, my boy. Just find what people need and offer them your services. That''s how we, handymen, stay in business. Those specializing in only one craft are at the mercy of the tides. However, we can adapt. We can evolve. We are not bound by a small clientele. You can do everything you want! Now, I need to go back to work.¡± Jack¡¯s shoulders slumped, and he dragged himself back to the armchair in the cave. Since Master Kevin wasn¡¯t in a helping mood, he would at least use his comfortable armchair while researching the different minors available. Jack activated the web browser. ¡°Guides. Minors,¡± he mumbled. He found a website with a comprehensive list of minors in a neat chart. Instead of sorting them alphabetically, Jack sorted them by type. The list was shuffled into different sections. There was one group devoted to gathering professions. It included mining, fishing, lumberjacking, herbalism, skinning, beekeeping, etc¡­ Jack immediately skipped over it. He could already gather many resources with the [Forage] skill. That wasn¡¯t what he needed most right now. He needed to make himself an asset in a hunt and to be able to craft equipment. He headed to the next group on the list: craft minors. There were tinkerers, glassblowers, potters, florists, and¡­ beekeepers? Seeing beekeeping again, Jack frowned. Wasn¡¯t that on the list of gathering professions? He circled back, and sure enough, it was. Was this a mistake? Had they tagged the profession twice by accident? Shrugging, he scrolled to the next section of the guide. If you come across this story on Amazon, it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it. There was a group of specialized minors tagged under miscellany. He spotted Rob¡¯s minor there: [Locksmithing]. There were also appraisers, bushcrafters, recyclers, and others. Finally, he landed on the section that interested him most: combat minors. He found a couple of names he recognized. There were the trapper and poisoner professions. Horace had used [Trapper] to capture beasts, while Marie used [Poisoner]¡¯s soporifics to keep them asleep. It was a powerful combo! Should he choose one of them? He looked through the other options and gasped. ¡°Beekeeping again? Uh?¡± Curious about why beekeeping would be featured in so many different sections, he couldn¡¯t hold his curiosity. Beekeeping Do you like kingdom management games? Do you enjoy sitting back and seeing someone do the hard work for you? Do you want a profession that lets you do a bit of gathering and crafting and can supplement your DPS to boot? Then look no further! Welcome to the world of beekeeping! A beekeeper has to manage one or more colonies of bees. This involves checking in on them daily. If you ignore your colony often, you risk them getting sick and dying off, but once you get the hang of it, it can be done reasonably quickly, and bees will generally care for themselves. Beekeepers can produce honey, beeswax, and other specialty products and breed queens to sell to other aspiring beekeepers. As you keep progressing in the profession, the yield of your colonies will increase, and you¡¯ll be able to generate more profit. Once you reach the beekeeper journeyman level, you can start making candles, which are a great way to heal and buff your hunting partners, and at journeyman level 10, you can even command the bees to attack enemies with the [Swarm] Skill. It¡¯s limited to the area where your colony is, though, and has severe limitations. Even so, with the right planning, you can have an army of bees under your command. For the first few months of the game, the secrets to unlock this minor were kept under wraps, and honey and queen bees were sold at a premium in auctions. As more players unlocked it, and the secret to unlock the minor came out, the number of beekeepers increased, and therefore, the demand for the items in auctions plummeted. Even so, there¡¯s always a demand for beekeepers'' products, and you can guarantee a steady profit in the marketplace. Keep in mind that a colony needs a place to be in. You can¡¯t carry it around with you all the time. Therefore, factor in the rental or purchase of a lot of land or house into the profit margin before you commit to it. To learn more about this minor, visit the entomology section at the local zoo and stare at the bee exhibit for 10 hours. That will prompt a dialogue with an NPC, triggering the quest that grants you this profession. Pros: Cons: Rank: B Jack finally understood why this profession was featured in so many sections. It was similar to bushcraft: it let him do a little of everything. Even though the part about swarming enemies sounded cool, something else caught his eye. He could buff allies with candles. He looked for an example of a recipe and promptly found one. Spicy Candle (Uncommon) Description: A candle made with hot peppers and beeswax. Infuses the people around it with strength and energy. Effects: Burn it to increase the damage of allies by 10%. There were many other options. Candles that boosted defense, life recovery, stamina, etc.¡­ He envisioned Horace charging a dinosaur, followed by Amari and Marie, while Jack sat in the back burning candles and waving a fan to get the perfume over to his allies. It sounded useful, safe, and different. Maybe this was it! Maybe this was how he would make himself a relevant hunting party member. Regardless, Jack closed the window, saved [Beekeeping] in his favorites, and scrolled through the other options, looking for more. Ultimately, nothing else among the combat-oriented minors caught his eye like beekeeping. ¡°So, imagining that I learned this minor, what else should I learn to synergize with it?¡± he asked himself. Suddenly, sharp, playful tones echoed across the cavern, and Jack jolted upright. ¡°A flute?¡± The pigs running amok in the cave and the birds nesting in the nooks and crevices stampeded toward the source of the sound. Jack couldn¡¯t help but join them. Kevin daftly moved his fingers as he played a mellow tune. The pigs settled around him, swaying with the melody, while the birds perched on nearby nooks, chirping along to the music. That brutish NPC looked completely different behind that flute. He looked so refined and gentle. Jack¡¯s hand fidgeted. How long had it been since he played? It had been months. Years. He hadn¡¯t picked a guitar since he was turned down. Every time he thought of music, all he felt was empty bitterness. All those hours of practice. All that effort. For what? Despite the rush of sad memories, music was still in his mind. He couldn¡¯t help but identify the key Kevin was playing and think of arpeggios and riffs that would go well with the tune. He quieted all of that down and tried to focus solely on the melody. It was a beautiful tune. For a real flute player to play this well, it would take them at least five years, three if they practiced hard. Why was Master Kevin playing? Could this be one of his professions? Jack respectfully waited for the melody to end. Nothing was more irritating than being interrupted by a thoughtless remark when playing. He knew. That¡¯s what happened that day. Seeing Kevin putting the flute down, Jack approached. ¡°Master Kevin! That was a beautiful tune.¡± ¡°Thank you.¡± ¡°Why were you playing, if I may ask?¡± ¡°The animals spend a lot of time in this cave. Keeping them happy goes a long way to keep them well-behaved.¡± Jack gulped as his mind raced. This looked like a profession to him! He quickly opened the library of minors, looking for anything related to music. There was nothing. However, that didn¡¯t mean it didn¡¯t exist. Didn¡¯t he have a hidden class? What guarantee did he have that there wasn¡¯t a hidden minor? ¡°Could you teach me how to play?¡± Kevin¡¯s eyebrow raised. ¡°Do you like music?¡± Jack recalled all those hours of writing, recording, and editing. The call that had filled him with hope and then the devastating remarks that had shattered his dreams. ¡°Y-yes.¡± ¡°Good! Come here. I''ll play. You can sing.¡± ¡°W-what?¡± Jack asked, embarrassed, but Kevin had already begun playing. From the way he accented the bar''s first and third beats and the even, fast beats, it sounded like an Irish reel. Not exactly the kind of music Jack was used to. There was a part A where the melody went up and a part B where it went down. Jack heard the whole thing, trying to think of words that went with the melody. It¡¯s been a long time since I last sang. He thought to himself. Clearing his throat, Jack joined in. Ch. 58 - Performance Jack realized that one of his old originals could be crammed into a reel. All he had to do was slightly change the melody and stretch a few syllables. As soon as Kevin came to the end of the bar and was about to go for another round, Jack joined in. There was a man from a distant land, Who dreamed a dream bright and grand, He gazed upon the stars in the sky, His dream was to reach them and shine. He reached and stretched with all his might, To pluck a star from the endless night, But far away they seemed to be, No one told him ''bout gravity. He tried once, he tried twice, He paid his dues and rolled the dice, But in the end, what''s the point in trying, When the stars are so defying. The best musicians play their tunes, Underneath the silver moon, But in a world that runs on fame, It''s hard to find a lasting name. For a moment, Jack felt like he had left his body and become one of the spectators. He wasn¡¯t thinking. He was just hearing himself singing. The pigs swayed happily together with the song''s beat, and the birds watching from above chirped and trilled, joining in. It had been a while since he sang this song, one of the last ones he wrote. He kept expecting to hear himself trip over a word or forget a line, but he was surprised by how well he could still recall all the lyrics. It had been a while since he sang at all. The last time was when he had serenaded Lydia. He met Lydia on a windy Autumn day, just as leaves started changing colors. He was on one lunch break from one of his dead-end jobs, having had enough of the rancid coffee from the store¡¯s old, rusty coffee machine. As the proper Portuguese man, he had decided to go for some real coffee. He had sat outside, looking out the street, when Lydia appeared beside his table with a beaming smile, her short black hair rustled by the wind and piercing sky-blue eyes contrasting against the reds and browns of Fall. From then on, Jack made sure he stopped at the cafe every day. The job at that hardware store had been the one he¡¯d hung on to the longest. It wasn¡¯t because he cared for it but because he cared about the coffee and seeing that gorgeous waitress one more time. She turned him down flatly when he finally mustered the courage to ask her out. The second time, she did so even more vehemently. But he hadn¡¯t given up. He wrote her a song, appeared at her workplace one day, and sang it for her in front of all the customers and colleagues. That¡¯s how he convinced her to go on their first date. All these memories flashed through Jack¡¯s mind as his lungs, diaphragm, throat, and cords worked automatically, singing an Irish reel in an underground lab for an audience of animals and a cranky handyman. Mr. Kevin finished with a quick scale that culminated in a glissando, and Jack was confident that if pigs and birds could clap, they would have. ¡°You have a good rhythm and a mellow voice!¡± Jack had never seen Master Kevin this excited. He had never sung a song with just a flute, but it worked! ¡°T-thanks, Master Kevin. I wasn¡¯t expecting you to ask me to sing like that. I thought you would teach me how to play the flute.¡± Master Kevin smirked. He had done it on purpose! ¡°You don¡¯t need me to teach you how to become a musician.¡± He clasped his shoulder. ¡°From what I heard just now, you already are one.¡± Congratulations! You¡¯ve become a [Novice Bard]. You¡¯ve learned [Major Scale]. You¡¯ve learned [Self-Taught]. Synergy detected between [Novice Bard] and [Journeyman Potter]. You¡¯ve learned a new pottery recipe: [Earthenware Ocarina]. Jack¡¯s jaw dropped. That was it? He just sang a song, and, bippity boppity boo, he had learned a new minor? Just like that? Becoming a potter and a bushcrafter required completing a series of little tasks, but becoming a bard was surprisingly easy. All it took was for him to sing a tune, and he was immediately rewarded with the profession. Jack hurriedly opened the details of the new minor. Bard (Minor) Description: The singer of songs and teller of tales. As a bard, you spread joy and folly as you pour your soul into your performances and move the hearts of your listeners. That was just too generic. He checked the two bard skills, hoping to find more clues for what this minor did. Self Taught, Lvl. 1 Description: Practice makes perfect. You can learn to play any instrument by spending a little time on it. If you come across this story on Amazon, it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it. Effects: Do 100 major scales in an instrument to unlock its mastery and instrument-specific skills. Major Scale Description: C, D, E, F, G, A, B, C, B, A, G, F, E, D, C. ¡°That¡¯s it? This doesn¡¯t explain anything!¡± After many disappointments, he wasn¡¯t too hopeful about the recipe generated by the synergy between his two minors. He had never played flute instruments, just the guitar and the bass, and he had certainly never made a musical instrument. The idea of making a clay ocarina was surprisingly appealing. Earthenware Ocarina Ingredients: 4x[Earthenware Clay] Recipe: Shape and hollow out two matching clay halves, then join them, ensuring they are airtight. Add a mouthpiece and create a windway, then puncture finger holes and a sound hole on the body. Let the ocarina dry completely, and tune it by adjusting the finger holes. Clay Molding, Lvl. 3 Self-Taught, lvl 1. Handyman, lvl. 10. It turned out to be the most descriptive of the bunch, but it still didn¡¯t answer any of his questions. What was the point of this minor? To make pigs dance? How could he progress in it? What was the point?! Jack reread the windows and tried to understand this minor that had fallen on his lap. Here he was, trying to be rational and come to the best choice of a minor to synergize his current assortment of professions. Suddenly, he was given a minor that hadn¡¯t been featured in any of the lists he¡¯d read online. Did he want to become a bard? Did he want to dive back into music? All those hours of practice and effort had gotten him nowhere in the past. He had promised himself he¡¯d never get wrapped up in music again. At the same time, wasn¡¯t music how he had won over Lydia¡¯s heart? He thought back to the relief he¡¯d felt after singing. It was as if he had purged his soul, and a weight had come off his shoulders. Music filled a little of the void that Lydia had left. It hurt and soothed him at the same time. Looking inward, he found that putting it in the balance did more good than bad. Maybe it was time to give music one more chance. Master Kevin had already moved on to attend to another task. He headed toward a large pot, checked for enough fuel in the stove underneath, and grabbed a massive wooden spoon. It was so large that Jack wouldn¡¯t be surprised if he could also be used as a weapon. Sighing, he headed back to Master Kevin¡¯s armchair and went online. ¡°Bard. New Earth.¡± There were few hits. One was a link to a video. In it, a large bear, as tall as a tree, roared and slashed with his claws at the group of players surrounding him. It was hectic, but there was another sound underneath all the roars, grunts, and clanging metal. It wasn¡¯t a guitar, but it was a string instrument. The pluck of strings was accompanied by someone singing: a girl with a smooth contralto. The camera passed by it, and Jack paused the video, rewound it, and replayed it. ¡°She¡¯s playing.¡± Her hand movements were precise. From how her fingers moved, she was playing the instrument, not just moving her hands around while the system did the playing. The song sounded epic. It told the story of a prince slaying a dragon. As she kept singing, the group of players fighting glowed red, and the damage values grew significantly. The giant bear, feeling overwhelmed, tried to run away. The music increased in tempo; this time, a blue glow shone on the party, and they chased the bear at an incredible speed. The girl holding a mandolin or a lute was the last to give chase, always playing and singing atop her horse. ¡°Hmm¡­ So it¡¯s a buffer profession. You play and sing, and your party gets bonuses¡­¡± He had seen this kind of musician class in other games before. He did want to make himself useful in party hunts, but he had never imagined going about it this way. Even if beekeepers had the potential to deal some damage in hunts, that seemed a skill that could only be unlocked at later levels. Perhaps it wasn¡¯t a bad idea to stick to the [Bard] minor. He scrolled down to the comments section. DandyMandy: Woah! Is that a bard? I¡¯d never seen one in the game! How can I become one? DannyUli: Hi there! I noticed that a player was singing and playing. Does anyone have information on that? PeterPig: I¡¯m willing to negotiate IRL payment for information on how to become a musician. Please PM me. That was why there was not much information available online. Players who had learned the profession hadn¡¯t bothered to share it with others. Jack scrolled through the loose posts mentioning musicians in New Earth and confirmed his suspicion. Knowledge about this minor was kept under tight wraps. In that case, he had just struck gold. He gave Master Kevin an appreciative look. He had underestimated this NPC and all the shenanigans he was up to while down here. He kept rotating between tasks. Was this the way the developers had come up with to show new handymen some of the potential of their class? He should try to come here once in a while, but for now, he wanted to make his first ocarina and become a beekeeper. ¡°Master Kevin, I¡¯m heading out!¡± The NPC just waved him off without even bothering to look at him. He only had eyes for whatever was cooking inside that pot. Jack climbed up the ladder and left the little shack with a smile on his face. He had gone into this shack without a class and level seven. Now, he was level 10, had a hidden class, and a rare minor to boot! Things were starting to look up for him. Jack walked over to the coach station and found something different about the town. He couldn¡¯t put his finger on what it was, so shrugging, he walked over to the coach station and was lucky enough to find a wagon with three players already. The moment he boarded, the coach driver announced their departure. Looking over his traveling companions, he realized why he¡¯d felt things had changed around town. The other three passengers had shields, spears, helmets, or random pieces of equipment received from completing quests. Jack, however, was only wearing simple gray clothes. He had looked like a total pro when he came, but after learning the handyman class, all that equipment had become incompatible. The coach driver shook the reins, the horses neighed, and the wagon took off. Jack saw Bright Hill become smaller, and his eyelids grew heavy. Instead of fighting the drowsiness, he closed his eyes and let the wagon rock him to sleep. Jack thought of an astronaut going into cryogenic sleep before their spaceships took off space. He wondered if that was where the developers had come up with their idea for traveling in the game. Then, just as he reached the final step between being awake and dreaming, he remembered Lydia¡¯s blue eyes, beaming smile, and soft hands. He remembered her giggle on their first date and her tears when she broke up with him. He missed her. As Jack and the other passengers fell asleep, the wagon lost all pretenses of realism and became a streak of light heading toward Embersgate. Ch. 59 - Dont Sir Me ¡°Any doubts about your contract?¡± ¡°I couldn''t help but notice that IronIre has a slightly different way of handling internal disputes.¡± Kevin looked at his notes, reminding himself of the exact wording, ¡°Here. What does it mean to handle disputes courteously?¡± Wilson from IronIre nodded his head knowingly. It looked like Kevin wasn¡¯t the first to ask this question. ¡°Like every other guild, sometimes there are divergences between guild members. IronIre takes no responsibility for internal disputes. If you have any squabble with a fellow merc, you are expected to handle it between yourselves.¡± ¡°So that means no fines? No penalties for, say, fighting a fellow guildsman?¡± Wilson confirmed it with a nod. ¡°I see. Thank you for explaining that, sir.¡± Even though Wilson was a high school student, Kevin adhered to online etiquette and showed him the proper respect. Numbers such as the balance in the bank account or age didn''t matter in this world. The only figures that mattered were levels and attributes. College was expensive, and Kevin¡¯s parents already worked two jobs each to get him through it. He wasn¡¯t the best gamer in the world, but he wasn¡¯t the worst. He had managed to bring his pheromoner to level 56. Once he heard that IronIre was hiring and that they paid generously in real-life currency, he applied immediately. The salary was very generous, and there seemed to be room for progress. IronIre was one of the most known merc guilds out there. Even the Krakens were known to hire their services occasionally. The only thing that left Kevin on the fence was this funky clause. Guilds usually devoted a large section of their statutes to promoting peace between guild members. There were heavy fines if a player killed someone from the same guild; in some cases, even expulsion. Why did IronIre clearly state they didn¡¯t get involved in internal disputes? On the other hand, IronIre had a never-ending list of clauses that listed punishment for attacking customers or other guilds that hired them for the duration of their contract. It was almost as if they didn¡¯t care about their own, only about whoever was paying. Wilson kept walking through the base of operations of IronIre and explaining how the guild worked. ¡°Raids are Wednesdays and Saturdays. You can access that board for ongoing hunts and quests. You¡¯re a pheromoner, right?¡± ¡°Yes, sir.¡± ¡°You should have no trouble finding people to hunt with. Pheromoners are highly sought after in IronIre.¡± Wilson looked left and right, and finding nothing left to say, he turned toward Kevin. ¡°That brings us to the end of our tour. What did you think? Cool?¡± ¡°IronIre is impressive,¡± Kevin said. ¡°Ready to sign?¡± Kevin scratched his head and considered everything that he¡¯d seen. The way they took no responsibility for internal disputes bugged him a little, but the pay was good, and IronIre was a rising star. This was the best time to join. Even if there were jerks in the guild, as a grenadier specialized in buffing others, he was never short of friends or people trying to curry favor with him. He would likely be able to form his group of friends within the guild soon. That should be enough protection. ¡°I¡¯m in!¡± ¡°That¡¯s fantastic. Please sign here.¡± Are you sure you want to become a [Staff Member] of IronIre? Please be advised: The contract is partly enforced by the system. Failure to respect the contract can result in severe penalties. Kevin dismissed the standard message with every contract that paid money in the real world and signed. ¡°Well done! Welcome to IronIre!¡± Wilson shook Kevin¡¯s hand heartily. ¡°Thank you for showing me the ropes, sir.¡± ¡°No problem, no problem.¡± Kevin was ready to go to the board and look for quests but froze, raising an eyebrow. He had assumed the tour was over, but Wilson held his ground as if he had something to say. ¡°By the way, about our guild leader. He¡¯s a real character. We go to school together. He¡¯s pure talent. He can wreak chaos on the battlefield and just won¡¯t die.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve heard of him,¡± Kevin said. ¡°I admire the Slayer. Forming his merc guild instead of joining a top guild shows real guts!¡± Kevin spouted a little of the praise he¡¯d prepared for this job interview. ¡°Good. Good. Here¡¯s the thing. He can be a bit sensitive sometimes.¡± ¡°What do you mean?¡± ¡°Well¡­ he¡¯s a cool guy, most of the time. But if you say the wrong thing next to him, he flips and enters berserker mode. Hahaha.¡± Kevin forced a laugh, although it didn¡¯t sound all that funny. ¡°If you ever bump into him, here are a few things you should remember. Always address him as Slayer. Nothing else. Slayer. Only. Got that?¡± ¡°Yes, sir.¡± ¡°While hunting with him, don¡¯t tell him what to do. Don¡¯t scold him. Don¡¯t complain. Just let him do his own thing. It always works out. Got it?¡± This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source. ¡°O-OK.¡± ¡°Also, don¡¯t goof around. He doesn¡¯t have a sense of humor. He takes himself way too seriously. Just don¡¯t joke when you¡¯re around him. Keep it strictly professional.¡± ¡°That sounds reasonable,¡± Kevin agreed. ¡°Good. You¡¯re all set, then. Go check the board if you want to choose your first quest.¡± Kevin nodded and walked away from Wilson. What was up with all these recommendations? Successful guild leaders weren¡¯t usually ordinary people and were known to have quirks. This one, in particular, just sounded a little serious. Maybe it was a good thing and why the famed Slayer was so successful. Approaching the board, Kevin started looking over the guild¡¯s activities. There were several requests from other guilds. Some he knew, some he didn¡¯t. He noticed that the Krakens had placed several orders for rare materials. He checked one at random. Order: Shadow T-Rex¡¯s Jawbone Customer: Krakens Description: One in every ten shadow t-rexes drops the [Shadow Jawbone], an important crafting material. We¡¯re willing to pay 5,000 gold for the item or 20,000 credits. Suggested party size: 10 Suggested party level: 65 Commission: 50%, i.e., 10,000 credits or 2,500 gold. ¡°Woah! 10,000 credits split by ten players. That would be 1000 credits?¡± If he could get that kind of money, his parents could live carefree lives and drop their second jobs. However, T-Rexes were among the hardest dinosaurs to hunt in the game. There was no way he could join this kind of quest. Even so, seeing the Krakens come to IronIre for this request spoke well for the guild. After perusing several other quests and checking what other guilds hired IronIre¡¯s services, Kevin studied the raid schedule and other guild events. As he went through the board, he stumbled upon another section of the board. Hit List This is a list of people who have wronged IronIre. Copy the list into the autoID function of the game and let management know immediately if you spot any of them. Only management can add names to this list. AmariRanger ArthoriusKnight AzirianSky AvianRider ¡­ ¡±Oh, my goodness. Just how many players have they blacklisted?¡± he gasped. Sometimes, guilds kept a list of high-priority targets. But he¡¯d never heard of one this long before. He ignored it. He¡¯d leave this kind of work to rogues. His class was tailored to group hunts, and he didn¡¯t care for PVPing. He looked for parties specifically requesting a pheromoner. There were several, meaning he wouldn¡¯t be short of things to do. So far, joining IronIre seemed like the right decision. ¡°Move.¡± The voice was deep and rumbling, like thunder. Kevin turned to find a bare-chested giant with a wolf pelt covering his shoulders. He was one of the tallest people Kevin had ever met. Even though he looked younger than him, Kevin¡¯s head only reached his chest. Had this giant been a little taller, he would have had to hunch to walk around the room. He certainly had to lower his head to go through doors as he was. Unlike other tall people he knew, this wasn¡¯t a bony, thin, tall man. No. He was muscled and had broad shoulders. He had never met him in person, but once he landed his eyes on him, Kevin somehow knew he was standing before his guild leader. No wonder that he could steamroll through battlefields. This man was a beast. The giant grunted, signaling his annoyance, and focused his primal gaze on Kevin until he finally stepped aside. Usually, he would have complained that multiple people could access the board simultaneously and that he didn¡¯t have to move. But given the man¡¯s size, he obeyed promptly. ¡°Trash. Trash. Trash. Good. This one.¡± He looked over at Kevin and studied him from head to toe. ¡°You¡¯re the new pheromoner, right?¡± ¡°Yes, sir.¡± The man raised his hand and brought it up to Kevin¡¯s face. It was the largest hand he¡¯d ever seen, one as large as a frying pan. He slapped him gently three times on his cheek. It was a threatening gesture but not meant to cause harm. Even so, the Slayer¡¯s hand was so heavy and callused that he felt like his head was banging against a wall. ¡°Don¡¯t. sir. me. Slayer. Just Slayer. Got it?¡± ¡°Yes, s¡­ Slayer.¡± IronIreSlayer is inviting you to join a party. Do you wish to accept? [Y/N]. Kevin didn¡¯t dare to decline the invitation. IronIreSlayer has taken on the quest [Shadow T-Rex¡¯s Jawbone]. ¡°Come with me. We¡¯re going to hunt a few rexies together. You¡¯ll show me what kind of stuff you¡¯re made of.¡± ¡°T-Rexes? Aren¡¯t they level 70?¡± ¡°So? Any problem with that, greenie?!¡± the Slayer asked, annoyed. Kevin gulped. He was terrified of this man. He looked like a pressure cooker, ready to explode. All those giant hands needed to crush his skull was an excuse. ¡°Not at all, Slayer. Let¡¯s do it.¡± ¡°Good. You aren¡¯t a coward.¡± Kevin followed after the giant. He thought only the Krakens could hunt T-Rexes. Was this all bravado? Was he going to put together such a large guild operation on a whim? The Slayer kept walking. Kevin had to take two steps for every step the Slayer took, which meant he was running after him. ¡°Wilson!¡± the Slayer roared as he caught sight of Kevin¡¯s mentor. ¡°What¡¯s up, Slayer? Oh! I see you¡¯re hazing the new guy. Wonderful.¡± ¡°Yeah. Need to know if he¡¯s reliable,¡± the Slayer said as if Kevin wasn¡¯t there. ¡°Have the Gorgons paid us for the raid yet?¡± ¡°Not yet, Slayer. It hasn¡¯t been one hour, though.¡± ¡°Send them a message. We really should start collecting upfront, Wilson.¡± Upfront? For raids? How can someone get paid upfront without first knowing the results of the raid? Kevin screamed in his mind. Wilson shrugged. ¡°It¡¯s something to think about.¡± The Slayer grunted. ¡°Any news on the whereabouts of Klaz?¡± ¡°Not yet.¡± ¡°Amari?¡± ¡°Not either, sir.¡± The Slayer punched the wall, and the whole building seemed to shake, causing puffs of dust to rain from the wooden rafters. ¡°That bozo dares make a spectacle on his little channel. I want to kill him a few more times. He¡¯s bound to have started a new account. If he doesn¡¯t show up within a week, hire Loki to track him down. He always finds them.¡± ¡°Sure thing, boss.¡± Slayer turned his back on Wilson and walked away. ¡°Greenie. Follow.¡± Before Kevin chased after the Slayer, he exchanged a look with Wilson. It was just a look, but it said plenty. Tried to warn you, pal, Wilson¡¯s eyes seemed to say. Sighing, Kevin ran after his guild leader. Every time they crossed paths with other members of IronIre, Kevin expected the Slayer to stop and enlist more help for the hunt. However, he kept walking. Kevin gulped once the Slayer left the building and headed toward the Pearl Gate. Does he want to hunt a T-Rex with just the two of us? Should I speak up? He thought of Wilson¡¯s recommendations, remembered the Slayer¡¯s giant hands, and decided to keep quiet. He was starting to connect the dots. The funky clauses. The reason why the Slayer had started his guild instead of joining an existing one and all of Wilson¡¯s warnings. It was all because of this guy¡¯s temper! No wonder that they didn¡¯t take responsibility for internal disputes. This guild leader seemed involved in most of them! And what guild would want to hire this beast of a man? He could be very talented, but no one wished for someone this difficult running amok among their ranks. As he saw the Slayer leave through the gate without even having a meal, Kevin considered whether joining this guild was the right decision. He thought back to the reward for this quest. 10,000 credits. If there were just two of them, he would get 5000 credits if they succeeded. He¡¯d join him in this hunt and see how he did against a T-Rex. Maybe, just maybe, his talent was large enough to overshadow his temper. Ch. 60 - A Light at the End of the Tunnel Jack zigzagged through the squeaky wooden wagon wheels and the clapping horses¡¯ hooves escaping the hustle and bustle of the dusty coach station. There was a lot to do and little time, so Jack felt compelled to do something he wasn¡¯t used to: planning. On the one hand, he was now level 10 on both pottery and bushcraft. These professions were as profitable as they would ever be. He could just go into the Pottery Association and start making ceramics or go out into the woods and set up a campsite to sell food to adventurers. He still had to experiment with the new synergistic recipes unlocked by his hidden class. He had no idea of their market value and needed to know how much a clay bomb or a mudhouse sold for. He still had yet to see any cash in the real world for his efforts, and the pressure was mounting. Finding out how marketable his hidden class was was probably the most responsible decision. Furthermore, he also had to become a beekeeper and explore the potential of the bard profession. Becoming a beekeeper required him to stare at a glass case for 10 hours, so he wasn¡¯t looking forward to it. Perhaps he could kill two birds with one stone and make an ocarina first. Then, he could practice playing it while he watched the bees. This way, he wouldn¡¯t die of boredom and could make his time count. Once he became a beekeeper, he could immediately check what new synergies it unlocked. The question was: which one should he do next? As he scratched his head, looking left and right, he caught sight of a marketplace. Didn¡¯t he have several pieces of equipment he couldn¡¯t wear anymore? Perhaps he should start by dumping all these in the market and figure things out from there. Due to its proximity to the coach station, this marketplace was packed. Several players from beginner villages or other gate towns dumped their loot on the market before setting out on new adventures or exploring different cities. Jack found an empty spot close to the wall and called up the marketplace window. He dragged the [Pinewood Buckler], [Pigskin Swimming Cap], [Rusty Pitchfork], [Worn Sandals], [Worn Gloves] and [Simple Shirt] into the market window. The price pre-determined by the system was only four silver and 57 coppers. It wasn¡¯t much, but it was better than nothing. Just as Jack was about to seal the deal, he remembered the flying boots, the poisonous walls, and the underwater maze, and his hand froze. It was hard to part with these trash items. He¡¯d been through many challenges to get these. He¡¯d earned them. Come on, Jack. It¡¯s just trash. Just click sell. And he did. He only held on to two pieces of equipment: the [Junior Bugkeeper Gloves] and the boots. Amari told him that the complete set sold for 3k gold. Since the boots and gloves made up one-third of the set, he should be able to get at least 1k gold for these! He shouldn¡¯t just dump them into the marketplace willy-nilly. He had to figure out how to sell them for maximum value. He walked out of the market, sat on a nearby bench, and activated the web browser. He typed, ¡°How to auction items in New Earth?¡± Several posts appeared. He knew the gist of it, but he had been burned for not double-checking things before, and these two items were potentially worth the money he needed to pay his father¡¯s rent. He selected one post from a website he¡¯d been consulting often. An Introduction to Auctions in New Earth As we¡¯ve seen in previous posts, marketplaces in New Earth function a little like a scrapyard or a pawn shop. You dump your items, the system offers you a pre-determined value, and you get your money immediately. It¡¯s simple, quick, and reliable. However, it¡¯s not always the best way to get top value for your items, especially rarer ones. Let¡¯s discuss three ways to get more money for your items. I know I¡¯m leaving out direct trading, but I¡¯ve written a whole post about this, which you can check in this link. So, without any further adieu, let¡¯s see the three best ways to get top credit for your loot! Every gate town has a fleamarket in the slums. You can set up a stall and sell your items there. In return, you must pay a fee for a 24-hour vendor¡¯s license to the city. It¡¯s one gold, so make sure you have enough to sell and make a profit! Pros: Cons: . Every week, on Sundays, an auction is held in the capital. The entry fee is 100 gold per item, so only the best and rarest items are sold there. Top guilds visit the auction like clockwork and come with full pockets. The bidding war can help you sell prices for incredible value. Pros: Cons: IRL cash-in websites are among the best resources for professional gamers or people short on cash. There are several platforms out there offering this service, but I recommend using only these two. (Click here for option one and here for option 2) This method of trading offers many advantages but also significant setbacks. One of the biggest perks is that you can sell it in any marketplace. Additionally, if you still don¡¯t have a streaming audience or sponsors, this can be a good way for you to pay your bills. However, whenever you sell an in-game item for IRL cash, you essentially sell the goose instead of keeping it for yourself. In-game currency can continually be reinvested to generate even more wealth. Only do this if you need cash. Pros: Cons: Jack reviewed each option, considering which would be best for selling these two pieces of equipment. The auction house in Eternia was out of the question. He didn¡¯t have 100 gold and wasn¡¯t about to travel all the way to the capital just to sell these two beginner items. The fleamarket seemed interesting, but he didn¡¯t have much stuff to sell there. Perhaps if he crafted several pots and other items and then went to the fleamarket, that would make more sense, but for now, he would check the final option. He would find out how many credits these items were worth. He opened one of the suggested IRL cash-in websites and checked the prices for the two pieces of equipment. Some pairs of gloves sold for 20 to 180 credits, and the pairs of boots sold for 30 to 250 credits. There was something off here. What explained this price discrepancy? Jack checked the description of each listing and found that it was partly due to the items¡¯ durability. ¡°OK. Players buy these, hunt with them, and before they break, they sell them here for cheap. Makes sense.¡± However, there were listings with the same durability and different prices. One pair of boots with 23 durability was on sale for 250 credits and another for 180. Why such a massive difference? Also, wasn¡¯t the whole set supposed to sell for 3k gold? The last time he checked the conversion rate, 3k gold was worth roughly 2000 credits. He had expected each piece of equipment to sell 500 gold each, that is, 330 credits. The prices didn¡¯t add up! What was he missing? He kept looking through the listing and found a complete set on sale for 1900 credits. Finally, a light bulb lit in his mind. ¡°Ah! The whole set sells for 3k, but mismatched pieces aren¡¯t worth that much.¡± Satisfied with having solved part of the mystery, Jack dug deeper to discover why items with the same durability were on sale for different prices. He pulled up the price history for boots and found a graph showing how much they had sold for throughout the month. The prices spiked here and plummeted there. He compared it with the price history of the gloves. There was a similar-looking chart, but the spikes and plummets occurred on different days. ¡°OK. I get it now. If everyone has jackets on sale but no boots, then the cost of boots skyrockets.¡± Time equaled money. If he was willing to wait and surf these waves, he might make more money than if he was in a hurry. He checked if he could get a better price for selling the shoes and the gloves together. He couldn¡¯t. People sold individual pieces, bundles of three pieces, which granted the first set¡¯s buff, and complete six-piece sets, which granted the set¡¯s full buffs. He would list them individually then. It probably wasn¡¯t enough to pay rent yet, but if he sold both items for maximum value, he could pay off the VR helmet rental for the whole month and have some money left over. Besides, Jack had already received the payment for his last job and had paid Rob back his 50 credits. He could sit tight for a few days, waiting for these spikes. He marched back into the marketplace, found the option to list the items at the relevant cash-in website, and put the gloves for sale for 180 credits and the boots for sale for 250. If he managed to sell these for their top price, he would make over 400 credits! He doubted getting the maximum price for the items was easy, though. Spikes that high were rare. The last one happened more than three weeks ago. If a customer were patient enough, they would just wait out the spikes, waiting for the prices to come back down before purchasing. He tried to imagine a rich, spoiled brat in an ivory tower somewhere, checking the cash-in website and feeling too impatient to wait, thus buying the item at the maximum price. But just how many spoiled rich kids would be shopping for this set in the near future? For now, he would just wait and see. Having listed the items, Jack left the marketplace. The sky seemed bluer than before. His step was lighter, and his neck and shoulders felt loose. He hadn¡¯t yet received money for those items, but they were on sale. It would sell eventually! He was about to get his first ¡®paycheck¡¯ in the game. ¡°This gaming thing may work out,¡± he told himself. True, he wouldn¡¯t get his hands on this kind of item every day. He had been lucky enough to be invited into this quest by veterans who had carried him. He¡¯d also been working around the clock like never before, playing for no less than 20 hours every day. If he had worked this much anywhere else, he would have had enough to pay the rent by now. However, seeing some light at the end of the tunnel still felt good. He was just level 10! He was just getting started. If he kept progressing like this, all he needed was a couple of weeks, and he would have more than enough to pay his dad and make a living. Maybe even buying a house and winning Lydia back. Even though he wanted to stare at the listing on the auction website like a hawk, waiting for the money to pour into his account, he decided to use his time more wisely. He headed toward the Pottery Association. It was time to make an ocarina. Ch. 111 - An Understanding It was noon in the game, around 2 am in the real world. Around the small pond of the Between Ring, three horses grazed peacefully on patches of grass, keeping a wary eye on the giant ground sloth, who snored softly nearby. Close to a tent and a large pile of bulrush rope, two makeshift logs framed a fire, with Amari, Horace, and Marie on one side, still looking bewildered, and Jack and his cousin on the other. Jack took a moment to study Rob¡¯s in-game setup: leather armor dyed black and longer-than-usual daggers that looked closer to short swords. It felt odd seeing his cousin, usually at home in sweatpants and a plain shirt, now decked out like a rogue. Jack had started the fire to help everyone recover their health and stamina. Still, a silent tension hung in the air. ¡°So, let me get this straight,¡± Horace began. ¡°This is your cousin?¡± ¡°Yes,¡± Jack confirmed. ¡°And he just happens to be the assassin sent by IronIre to take us out?¡± Horace raised a brow. Jack nodded, glancing at his friends to gauge their reactions. Amari seemed calm, sipping from his bowl. Horace squinted, still assessing the situation. Marie looked grouchier than ever, her gaze intense on Rob. Wait. Do they suspect I¡¯m also with IronIre? The thought hit Jack like a hammer. If he were in their shoes, he would think that. This really was too big of a coincidence. He¡¯d been the one telling the gang to come meet him here, in this secluded place. And then, suddenly, his cousin of all people appears to kill them all? He tried telling himself that they couldn¡¯t possibly think that. Hadn¡¯t they been through so much together? Hadn¡¯t they completed several quests, shoulder to shoulder? Moreover, it was impossible for him to have known about Amari¡¯s identity from the beginning. Only after they had quested together did he start releasing the videos of his new account. He searched Amari¡¯s face, hoping to see that he thought the same, but his expression remained blank. For a few long moments, only the sounds of the horses, Snowy¡¯s snores, and the fire crackling filled the air. Then, Horace¡¯s face broke into a grin, and he burst out laughing. ¡°Oh, Jackie. Just when I think I¡¯ve seen it all. Things are never boring when you¡¯re around.¡± ¡°It¡¯s not really a huge coincidence,¡± Amari reasoned. ¡°The Slayer probably asked if anyone was going to Embersgate, and since Rob wanted to see Jack, he looked for missions around here. If Jack hadn¡¯t been here, Rob wouldn¡¯t have come.¡± Rob chimed in. ¡°That¡¯s exactly what happened. The Slayer posted the mission on our board, and since I wanted to come this way to see Jack, I thought, why not?¡± Jack exhaled. He was relieved his friends trusted him. Well, most of them, anyway¡ªMarie¡¯s narrowed gaze didn¡¯t budge. ¡°So the friends who¡¯ve been helping you were these guys. Were they the ones who helped you capture a queen bee?¡± Horace answered before Jack could. ¡°Yes, we were.¡± Rob laughed. ¡°Unreal, man!¡± ¡°Why didn¡¯t you tell me you were in IronIre?¡± Jack asked while passing Rob a bowl of stew. Rob shrugged. ¡°I told you I was in a guild plenty of times. You never asked which one.¡± Jack scratched the back of his head. ¡°How¡¯d you end up with them, anyway?¡± Amari asked from across the fire. ¡°Honestly? I was just walking toward the gate one day, and some stranger invited me to join IronIre on the spot. I didn¡¯t have a guild, and they promised it¡¯d be fun, so I figured, why not?¡± ¡°And is it? Fun, I mean.¡± Jack asked. Rob¡¯s face lit up. ¡°Definitely! The core group is super talented. We win a lot, and winning is fun, especially in sieges. Plus, they¡¯re a top mercenary guild, so some missions pay in IRL currency. It¡¯s a nice gig.¡± Jack pursed his lips, studying Rob¡¯s expression. ¡°It¡¯s just that I¡¯ve heard that IronIre is a guild of bullies.¡± Rob shrugged again. ¡°From these three¡¯s perspective, sure. But that''s just how guilds are, isn''t it? They get involved in little squabbles and then show the common man that they are the true rulers of the game. All guilds do this, cous.¡± Marie cut in sharply. ¡°There¡¯s a difference, though. We¡¯re not talking about a petty squabble caused by a few low-life wannabes. Your guild leader hunts down anyone he dislikes until they uninstall the game or reset the account. It¡¯s just too toxic. That Slayer kid is a menace.¡± Rob chuckled. ¡°True, he¡¯s got a temper. But he¡¯s actually cool¡­ if you don¡¯t provoke him.¡± ¡°What does joining IronIre say about someone, though?¡± Marie pressed. Jack jumped in. ¡°Marie, Rob¡¯s a laid-back guy. I swear.¡± Rob waved him off. ¡°It¡¯s fine, Jack. I mean, I did just try to kill her.¡± He smirked at Marie. ¡°Hey, Aunty, I¡¯m just a regular guy who joined a guild for fun. Don¡¯t read too much into it.¡± Jack noted Marie¡¯s face flushed with anger¡ªnot from Rob¡¯s attempt to brush her off, but from being called ¡®Aunty.¡¯ Unbothered, Rob turned to Jack. ¡°Anyway, Jack! Your armor¡¯s awesome! Did you make it?¡± Jack¡¯s cheeks warmed. His gear already looked shabby compared to Amari¡¯s and the others¡¯, but when compared to his cousin¡¯s, he looked like a beggar. ¡°Yeah¡­ Thanks.¡± ¡°It¡¯s great, man! Looks like you¡¯ve leveled up since the last time you showed me your character sheet. Mind if I check out your stats?¡± Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel. Jack shrugged and shared his character info with Rob. CHARACTER INFORMATION Name: JackofDiamonds Level: 19 Fame: 17 Class: Handyman Mount: Snowy, the Ground Sloth Minors: [Bushcraft], lvl. 10 [Pottery], lvl. 10 [Bard], lvl. 9 [Beekeeping], lvl. 9 Titles: [Consistent Quality], [Embersgate Civil Servant], [Junior Craftsman]; [Museum Donor], [Novice Explorer], [Novice Firekeeper], [Overreacher], [Pride of the Innovator], [S-Grade Adventurer], [Slayer of Monsters], [Uniqueness] ATTRIBUTES Hit points: 100/160 Stamina points: 87/141 Movement Speed: 111% Attack: 1 Strength: 6 Constitution: 10 Agility: 29 Intellect: 6 Stealth: 5 Luck: 5 RESISTANCES: Defense: 15 Block: 9 Fire: 2 EQUIPMENT Right-Hand: [Empty] Off-Hand: [Empty] Head: [Grass Rope Hat] Torso: [Grass Rope Overall] Pants: [Grass Rope Overall] Gloves: [Empty] Shoes: [Grass Rope Sandals] Cape: [Moss Cape] SKILLS: Fighting: [Blocking Stance], [Dash], [Heavy Strike], [Minor Synergy], [Unbound Knowledge] Bard: [A Morning of Spring], [Angry Void], [March of the Embers], [Ocarina Mastery], [Self-Taught], [Sitting Wind], [Sonic Valley], [Swing Step] Beekeeping: [Brood Breeding], [Friendly Scent], [Honey Harvesting], [Hive Ownership], [Nectar Harvesting], [Queen Breeding], [Sturdy Sting] Bushcraft: [Bush Immunity], [Camping], [First Aid], [Forage], [Kindle], [Rope Weaving], [Sticksmithing], [Survival Cooking], [Water Sniffing] Pottery: [Clay Drying], [Clay Gathering], [Clay Molding], [Clay Tempering]; [Pot Firing], [Pottery Etching], [Pottery Glazing], [Touch of the Potter] ¡°Whoa!¡± Rob exclaimed, eyes wide. ¡°It¡¯s amazing seeing all your skills lined up like that.¡± Jack noticed he wasn¡¯t admiring his equipment anymore. He didn¡¯t blame him; the gear definitely needed upgrading. ¡°Anyway, we need to figure out our next move,¡± Amari said. ¡°The Slayer¡¯s still on our trail.¡± ¡°Yeah¡­ Rob, think you could tell that Slayer kid you finished us off or something?¡± Horace suggested. Rob shook his head. ¡°Better idea¡ªI¡¯ll say I tracked you to another city. That should throw him off for a while.¡± ¡°Smart. Yes, please,¡± Horace said, looking relieved. ¡°But that won¡¯t fool him for long. If the Slayer¡¯s still after us, he probably won¡¯t quit until he¡¯s got his revenge. Rob, if you come up empty, he might turn on you,¡± Amari warned. Rob shrugged. ¡°Doesn¡¯t bother me. If they get annoying, I¡¯ll just leave IronIre. I joined for fun, not to get bossed around. I already have a real boss breathing down my neck at work.¡± As they talked, everyone seemed to relax a little, even Marie. Jack grinned¡ªRob was hard to dislike once you got to know him. ¡°So, where do we go?¡± Jack asked. ¡°Well¡­ Rob¡¯s cover story will buy us time. We need somewhere the Slayer won¡¯t look,¡± Amari said, scratching his chin. ¡°The Wilds?¡± Horace suggested. ¡°Nope. Crawling with IronIre players.¡± ¡°What about the Sand Sea?¡± Rob offered. ¡°IronIre doesn¡¯t have much influence there.¡± Marie shook her head. ¡°Not a chance. We wouldn¡¯t last a minute at our levels.¡± ¡°What about a breach?¡± she asked, glancing at Amari. For a moment, hope flickered in his eyes, but it quickly faded. ¡°We don¡¯t have enough fame,¡± he said. ¡°Fame?¡± Jack¡¯s interest piqued. ¡°How much do we need?¡± ¡°A combined total of 30, and at least one person with 15.¡± ¡°How much do you all have?¡± Rob asked. ¡°Four,¡± Horace said, grimacing. ¡°Same,¡± Marie muttered. ¡°Six,¡± Amari added. Jack frowned. ¡°That¡¯s all? I¡¯ve got 17.¡± Amari¡¯s head whipped around. ¡°What?! How?¡± ¡°A bunch of titles and achievements,¡± Jack replied, sharing his stats. Amari burst into laughter. ¡°Jack! You¡¯ve got a legendary title!¡± ¡°What?!¡± Horace yelped, rushing over to grab Jack¡¯s collar. ¡°Jackie boy! You¡¯ve been holding out on me! How¡¯d you get that juicy title?¡± Jack shrugged. ¡°You have to be the only one with a class in the game. Good luck with that.¡± Horace deflated, sighing. ¡°With [Uniqueness] alone, he¡¯s got five fame! Jack, you¡¯re full of surprises. That¡¯s it! We¡¯re going to the breach!¡± ¡°What¡¯s a breach?¡± Jack asked, intrigued. ¡°It¡¯s¡­ well, a special quest. Only nobles can issue it. I¡¯ll explain on the way.¡± He turned to Rob. ¡°Where are you going to say we¡¯re headed?¡± Rob considered for a moment. ¡°Uh¡­ Pearlgate?¡± ¡°Perfect! Thanks, Rob. You¡¯re a good man.¡± ¡°Nah, just a regular guy. I respect you guys. Even though I¡¯m stronger, you survived way longer than I expected before I found out you were my cousin¡¯s friends.¡± ¡°That settles it then,¡± Horace said. Amari turned to Jack. ¡°By the way, there¡¯s something I¡¯d like to discuss with you,¡± he said, nodding away from the camp. Horace and Marie visibly relaxed, making Jack suspicious that they already knew what was coming. Rob raised an eyebrow at Jack, who shrugged back, just as clueless. Jack followed Amari to the edge of the camp, where Amari stood, gazing at the pond as if it were an endless ocean. ¡°What¡¯s up?¡± Jack asked. Amari¡¯s expression turned serious. ¡°Do you know why the Slayer keeps coming after us?¡± Jack thought for a moment. ¡°Your channel?¡± Amari nodded, his tone grave. ¡°I¡¯m stuck, Jack. On one hand, I¡¯d love to start fresh with a new channel to shake him off. But I¡¯ve poured too much into it. It¡¯s my livelihood¡ªI¡¯ve got loans to pay.¡± ¡°Of course, I get it.¡± ¡°I can¡¯t keep broadcasting my location, or this will keep happening. And creating a ¡®rising from the ashes¡¯ series won¡¯t fly twice. That your cousin was sent after us was pure luck. Next time, we won¡¯t be that lucky.¡± Jack paled at the thought. Amari turned to him. ¡°That¡¯s why I wanted to talk to you. How¡¯s your own channel going? You never sent me a link for me to add to the compy raid video description.¡± Jack¡¯s face flushed. ¡°You¡¯ll probably laugh, but my parents hate the idea of me having a channel.¡± Amari blinked. ¡°Aren¡¯t you an adult?¡± ¡°Yeah¡­ but¡­ it¡¯s complicated.¡± ¡°So, no channel,¡± Amari confirmed, then smiled with a spark of excitement. ¡°Well, I¡¯ve got a proposal for you. I want to feature you on my channel.¡± ¡°Huh? Like a guest interview?¡± ¡°No. More than that. I want to do a series on you.¡± ¡°What?!¡± ¡°Think about it! You have a unique class¡ªpure gold for content. Plus, with your crafting ability, we can make videos solely focused on that without the Slayer pinpointing our location,¡± Amari explained, warming to his plan. Jack fidgeted. He liked Amari, but the sudden proposition left him wondering about the logistics. ¡°I¡¯ve done something similar with Horace already. I did a series about tanks where I organized Horace¡¯s footage and then did a voiceover and a few interviews with him.¡± ¡°Really? I didn¡¯t know that.¡± Amari grinned. ¡°You¡¯d get an extra income stream. Your family wouldn¡¯t even have to know¡ªit¡¯s all on my channel. All you¡¯d need to do is give me access to your footage, and I¡¯ll handle the rest.¡± At the mention of ¡®income,¡¯ Jack¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°You¡¯re paying me?¡± Amari nodded. ¡°For episodes focused solely on you, I was thinking a 50/50 split. For group videos, like when we¡¯re on adventures, I¡¯d cut you in like Horace and Marie¡ª10% each.¡± Jack bit his lip. He couldn¡¯t help but recall the first time he and Amari had gone off adventuring. When Amari demanded that he pay for some of the supplies, he questioned his good motives and put himself in a difficult situation. He¡¯d learned then that Amari was an honest guy. But this was different somehow. He wondered whether he should try to negotiate it. Was 50/50 truly fair? It was his unique class, his hard-earned progress. Was Amari just swooping in at the last minute to scoop up all the rewards for his hard work? Jack stared at his friend. He had a decision to make. Ch. 112 - Handshake Jack glanced at Amari, noticing a sheen of sweat on his forehead. Amari was under pressure despite his confident demeanor, and this offer meant a lot to him. Jack wasn¡¯t sure if this idea had been simmering for a while or if it was a last-minute gamble. The thought that the Slayer might have pushed Amari into inviting him left a bitter taste, but Jack reminded himself that this could work to his advantage. If Amari needed him this much, then the offer had to be good. He didn¡¯t know the industry standard, but Marie and Horace had been content with 10% royalties in exchange for Amari¡¯s right to the video feeds of their adventures. Fifty percent of something is better than zero percent of nothing, Jack reasoned. He¡¯d seen how much work Amari poured into his channel: tutorials, guides, work-life balance tips, and quest walkthroughs. Amari even had series tailored to different player classes, including an in-depth ranger guide and one for tanks featuring Horace. This wasn¡¯t the work of an overnight success but a result of Amari¡¯s relentless commitment to quality, consistency, and creativity. Jack had tried his hand at content creation, too. He¡¯d uploaded original songs, guitar tutorials, and goofy trend-chasing videos, only to see little growth¡ªjust ten followers, despite all his efforts. Starting his own gaming channel wasn¡¯t an option, especially with his parents already skeptical about his career. They¡¯d think it was another get-rich-quick scheme. Through Amari¡¯s channel, though, he¡¯d avoid that conversation altogether. He wasn¡¯t the one posting, and if his dad asked, he could truthfully say he wasn¡¯t posting content online. Plus, managing a channel would drain valuable time. It was nice to have a hidden class, but it required a lot of work. Balancing his four minors was already challenging. What would happen once he had six minors? Eight? Ten?! Grinding just one profession to the point it became profitable was time-consuming enough, so the thought of what was coming scared him. If Amari would take care of this for him, he would be glad to enlist his help. Most of all, Amari was his friend. Accepting this offer felt like a way to help him out. Taking a deep breath, Jack made up his mind. He nodded and extended his hand. ¡°Deal.¡± Amari clasped it, grinning. ¡°Awesome! You won¡¯t regret this!¡± Jack smiled, then hesitated. ¡°There¡¯s one issue¡ªI was using a rental helmet that only records ten hours of gameplay. I don¡¯t have past footage to share.¡± ¡°No problem. The game servers store the data for 30 days.¡± ¡°Really? I didn¡¯t know that.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll handle the fee to retrieve it. Also, one last thing¡ªcan we make it official with a contract?¡± Jack agreed, and Amari handed over a document he¡¯d prepared ahead of time. Amari had really been banking on his answer. As Jack read it over, everything looked straightforward: all he needed to do was play the game, and Amari would turn his footage into content. Signing the document felt like more than a formality. Doing so would tie him to Amari for good and bad. They would be in the same boat from now on. Amari¡¯s channel¡¯s success would be his success. More importantly, he would become the Slayer¡¯s target by signing this. Still, Jack took a deep breath and signed. * Amari and Jack returned to the fire. Horace shot Amari a questioning look, and Amari responded with a thumbs-up. Grinning, Horace slapped Jack¡¯s back heartily while Marie offered an approving nod. Just as Jack thought, things had shifted the moment he signed that contract. He wasn¡¯t just tagging along anymore¡ªhe was in the gang. He¡¯d found his team, his own posse, and the thought of finally belonging lit a spark of excitement in him. ¡°Well, now that we¡¯re all on the same page, I think we should run ahead to Embersgate,¡± Amari declared. Jack glanced at the pile of rope he¡¯d been working on¡ªhe still had a long way to go before his new armor was ready. ¡°One thing, Amari,¡± Jack started. ¡°What¡¯s up?¡± ¡°I came here to work on better gear. Should I go with you or stay here and finish it up?¡± ¡°Every stat will count,¡± Amari said, his tone turning somber. ¡°And there won¡¯t be any marketplaces where we¡¯re going. If there¡¯s anything you can do to boost your power short-term, then do it.¡± Jack scratched his chin, thinking it over. ¡°I¡¯m almost at level 20. If you let me get there before we leave, I can pick up two more minors.¡± ¡°Sounds good! Just finish crafting your gear, and once you¡¯re done, we¡¯ll help you get to level 20,¡± Amari replied. ¡°Thanks!¡± ¡°No need to thank me. We¡¯ll need everyone at the top of their game if we want this plan to work. Breaches are no joke.¡± Something in Amari¡¯s tone, along with the serious looks from Horace and Marie, gave Jack pause. Just what kind of mission were they heading into? What exactly was a breach? This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience. ¡°Oh, and Jack,¡± Amari said, his voice lower. ¡°You¡¯ll get an in-system message with a confirmation code soon. That¡¯s me trying to access your video data. When it comes through, can you share it with me?¡± ¡°Yeah, sure,¡± Jack agreed. ¡°Great. Let us know when you¡¯re ready to roll.¡± Amari then turned to Rob. ¡°Nice meeting you, Rob.¡± ¡°Likewise,¡± Rob replied, shaking hands with Amari and Horace. ¡°When all this is done, maybe you can join us on a quest sometime,¡± Amari offered with a friendly nod. ¡°Yeah, that¡¯d be great,¡± Rob said. Marie, however, immediately barked in objection. ¡°Amari, are you serious? This guy¡¯s dangerous!¡± ¡°Oh, come on, Auntie, don¡¯t be like that,¡± Rob teased. ¡°Who are you calling Auntie? We¡¯re the same age!¡± she snapped. ¡°Yeah, right. I¡¯m not 50.¡± ¡°You little¡ª!¡± Marie fumed, but Amari and Horace quickly intervened, pulling her back before she lunged at Rob. Just as suddenly as they¡¯d arrived, Amari, Horace, and Marie rode off on horseback, leaving Jack and Rob standing by the fire. ¡°Nice group of people,¡± Rob commented. ¡°Yeah, I like adventuring with them,¡± Jack agreed. ¡°So, what did Amari want to talk to you about?¡± Rob asked curiously. ¡°He asked how I¡¯d feel about joining his channel. He wants to make a series about my class.¡± ¡°Really?¡± Rob¡¯s eyes widened in surprise. ¡°That¡¯s awesome! I¡¯ve watched a few of his videos.¡± ¡°He¡¯s offering to handle all the video editing, post it on his channel¡ªwhich has over 10,000 subscribers¡ªand split any earnings 50-50.¡± ¡°Not bad,¡± Rob commented. ¡°Do you have any idea what kind of income we¡¯re talking about?¡± Jack shrugged. ¡°I don¡¯t know, but Amari seems confident it¡¯ll be enough to pay his bills while he¡¯s on the run from the Slayer. Definitely more than just chump change.¡± Rob nodded thoughtfully. ¡°I think you made a smart choice. And honestly, it¡¯s probably for the best not to use your JackOfSpades channel. Your parents wouldn¡¯t like that.¡± ¡°Exactly.¡± Jack paused, meeting Rob¡¯s gaze. ¡°We should talk about them, shouldn¡¯t we?¡± Rob chuckled. ¡°Yeah, I guess so.¡± ¡°I¡¯m really sorry that my parents¡ª¡± Rob raised a hand, cutting him off. ¡°Don¡¯t be. It¡¯s fine. I always thought you should¡¯ve told them the truth from the start, and you did. Well done.¡± ¡°Thanks.¡± ¡°A heads-up would¡¯ve been nice, but from what they told me, they didn¡¯t exactly fill you in on their plans, either.¡± Jack sighed, a small smile tugging at his lips. ¡°True. I never expected they were coming to see you. So¡­ how did it go?¡± Rob gave a half-smile. ¡°They were pretty mad at first, but the more we talked, the more they calmed down. I told them how hard you¡¯ve been working, and I even mentioned the money I¡¯ve been making from the game over the past few months.¡± ¡°Yeah, that lines up with what they said.¡± ¡°How were things when they got home?¡± Rob asked. Jack chuckled. ¡°My dad bought me a VRX helmet, but now I have to work with him once a week to pay him back.¡± ¡°Doing what?¡± Rob asked. ¡°Handyman work,¡± Jack said, throwing a stick into the fire. ¡°The irony!¡± he said, laughing. ¡°What¡¯s wrong? You don¡¯t seem happy about it.¡± ¡°Can¡¯t you see it, Rob? He¡¯s still not totally convinced this is going to work.¡± ¡°Or maybe,¡± Rob suggested, ¡°he just doesn¡¯t want you to put all your eggs in one basket. It¡¯s smart.¡± ¡°Or¡­ he doesn¡¯t believe in me.¡± ¡°If he didn¡¯t, why would he have bought you the helmet in the first place?¡± Rob countered. Jack exhaled, feeling the weight lift slightly. ¡°Maybe you¡¯re right.¡± Rob froze. His face quickly contorted from a relaxed mood into panic. Jack raised an eyebrow. ¡°Rob. You okay?¡± Rob whispered, ¡°The Slayer¡¯s calling me.¡± Jack gulped. ¡°W-what are you going to do?¡± ¡°Answer, of course. Here, accept this.¡± RobbieRobber has invited you to a party. Jack opened his mouth to question him, but Rob cut him off. ¡°If I mute my background, he¡¯ll know something¡¯s up. Stay quiet as a mouse.¡± As Jack accepted the invitation, a floating screen appeared before Rob. It was Jack¡¯s first time witnessing someone else¡¯s call. Rob must¡¯ve activated special settings so Jack could listen in without being noticed. From Jack¡¯s position, he could see the young face on the other side. The bare-chested teen with a wolf pelt draped over his shoulders was intense¡ªhis gaze so fierce that it felt like the temperature rose a few degrees. A few steps away, Snowy awoke and stood on her hind legs. Can she feel this presence, too? Or is it my imagination? ¡°Did you get them, RobbieRobber?¡± The Slayer¡¯s voice was low and commanding. ¡°No, sir.¡± Silence followed, punctuated only by a low, primal grunt. ¡°Why?¡± The Slayer¡¯s tone grew sharper, demanding. ¡°I was tracking them to Embersgate, but the trail went cold. I think they had help. But I picked up their scent again¡ªthey¡¯re heading toward Pearlgate.¡± Jack glanced at his usually relaxed cousin. Rob was rigid and pale, fists clenched. ¡°Help? From whom?¡± the Slayer demanded. ¡°I couldn¡¯t say for sure, Slayer. Maybe they hired some mercenaries for protection.¡± ¡°That doesn¡¯t sound like the Amari I know.¡± There was a pause, and then a slow smile spread across the Slayer¡¯s face. ¡°That means he¡¯s feeling the heat. Go find them, Robbie. Don¡¯t fail me.¡± ¡°Sure thing.¡± The call disconnected, and Rob slumped back, releasing a pent-up breath. "You''re scared of him," Jack said. "Terrified.¡± ¡°He¡¯s just a kid, though, isn¡¯t he?¡± ¡°You don¡¯t get it. If you¡¯re face-to-face with this guy, it¡¯s like staring at a lion. You dread that he¡¯ll lash out and bite." "Is he really that violent?" "He snaps over the smallest things. I¡¯ve seen it a few times.¡± Rob¡¯s voice dropped, eyes flicking downward. ¡°Once, he was passing through the guild house when someone cracked a joke about something completely unrelated. He assumed it was about him. Next thing you know, he¡¯s on them like a beast¡ªdidn¡¯t stop until everyone was on the floor." "Yikes. If this guy is really so volatile, why do you stick with his guild?" Rob looked away. Amari, Horace, and Marie might have been fooled, but Jack could see it. "You¡¯re afraid of being kicked out of the guild!" Rob nodded silently. ¡°Why?¡± ¡°I¡¯ve seen him turn on allies in seconds,¡± Rob said quietly. ¡°If I left the guild, I¡¯d be looking over my shoulder forever. I¡¯ve made some friends in IronIre, and it would be a bummer if they chased me down. They would if the Slayer ordered them to," Rob admitted, clearing his throat and standing up. "Anyway, I should probably get to Pearlgate. The boss will probably call again to check in soon." "Rob, I¡ª" "It¡¯s okay, Jack. I can take care of myself," Rob interrupted. Then, he took off running, moving at a speed that could probably leave a horse in the dust. Jack clenched his fists, watching the direction in which Rob disappeared. Rob had made it sound simple and easy to lie to IronIre for them, but things weren¡¯t as simple. Rob would face repercussions. Jack tightened his fists. He could only do one thing to protect his team and his cousin¡ªgrow stronger, more powerful. Every piece of gear, every stat boost, would make a difference. Only then could he ensure his friends¡¯ safety. Jack returned to weaving rope. It was time to pull more grass and let it dry. He wanted to finish a new, full set of armor, saddle, and saddlebags as soon as possible. Even though Rob would buy them time, Jack was beginning to fear it wouldn¡¯t be enough. Ch. 113 - A Foxs Trauma Jack wiped the sweat from his brow as he admired the new set of gear laid out on the floor. Bulrush grass was a definite upgrade over ordinary grass. His favorite thing about it was how its fibers bonded with a natural, glue-like quality when wet, and once dry, they held together firmly, leaving no stray threads or rough patches. He¡¯d taken extra care trimming stubborn fibers and meticulously tied each knot. The result was a sleek, streamlined suit of armor. If Ariadne tried to find a little piece of rope to pluck from, as she had with his last suit, she¡¯d have a much harder time now. More importantly, this armor should be a lot less itchy. ¡°Snowy, come here.¡± Snowy trotted over, sleepy-eyed. Jack removed the old saddle and saddle bags and put the new saddle over her back. Jack chuckled as Snowy let out a pleased grunt. ¡°This should itch a little less,¡± Jack said, patting her comfortingly. His ground sloth looked even cooler now¡ªand had become a little faster, too! Bulrush Rope Saddle (Common) Description: An upgraded saddle, sturdily crafted from bulrush grass and bark, designed for both comfort and durability. The natural adhesive properties of bulrush grass enhance the saddle''s structure, making it smoother and longer-lasting. Crafting grade: C Durability: 56 Effects: +12% movement speed when riding a mount; +8 satiation; Grass and bark satiate more; Resting near ponds and lakes passively replenishes satiation. Snowy seemed visibly relieved by the change in material. She did a little lap around him, inspecting the new saddle like she¡¯d won a prize, occasionally pulling at a scrap of leftover bulrush with her teeth as if to test its strength. Jack chuckled at her reaction; she looked a bit like a tailless dog chasing her shadow. ¡°Hey! Get back here. I still need to add the saddlebags.¡± Snowy stopped long enough for Jack to carefully fasten the bags in place. ¡°There!¡± he said with a proud smile. The baskets had turned out even better than the last ones, and thanks to the improved materials, they now offered an additional effect. Bulrush Saddlebags (Common) Description: Reinforced baskets woven from bulrush grass, designed to attach securely to a saddle. These saddlebags offer improved stability and protection, ideal for transporting both standard goods and live cargo. Crafting grade: B Effects: Can be used to transport live goods; +1 inventory space; Durability of perishable goods does not decrease for the first 45 minutes of transport. B-grade bonus: +45 minutes of durability protection. The saddlebags had boosted his inventory space! After getting Snowy to chip in, Jack couldn¡¯t remember how he¡¯d ever managed with only 25 slots. Now, he had a spacious 54! It was hard not to feel a little proud. He turned just in time to catch Snowy eyeing her old gear as if she wanted to snack on it. ¡°No, no. These are going to be sold at the market so that someone else can feel itchy when wearing them,¡± Jack said. He did a quick mental calculation, trying to decide whether to sell in the marketplace or on the auction website. Snowy snorted in protest. He wondered whether she wanted to get revenge on her old saddle or if she was just angry. ¡°You can just munch on whatever grass is here,¡± he said. Snowy stared blankly at him. Jack interpreted her look as: Does that mean I can eat the bulrush grass, too? ¡°Sure. Eat the bulrush grass, too. I¡¯m done with it.¡± With a few satisfied snorts, Snowy began munching away. Not only did it seem better for crafting, but if Snowy¡¯s reactions were any indicator, it was tastier, too. Jack turned toward the rest of his armor, inspecting each piece. Bulrush Rope Hat (Common) Description: A finely woven hat made from bulrush grass. The smooth, adhesive quality of the fibers provides improved comfort and defense. Crafting grade: C+ Effects: +4 constitution; +8 defense; +5 block. Requirements: Lvl. 20+ Bulrush Rope Sandals (Common) Description: Lightweight yet sturdy sandals crafted from bulrush grass. Perfect for quick movement and moderate defense. Crafting grade: C- This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. Effects: +5 agility; +15% movement speed; +4 defense; +3 block; Requirements: Lvl. 19. Bulrush Rope Overall (Common) Description: A durable tunic woven from bulrush grass, providing strong protection while keeping the wearer light. Crafting grade: C Effects: +5 constitution; +50 HP; +15 stamina; +10 defense; +6 block. Requirements: Lvl. 20+. Not only was this armor better in terms of stats, but it looked neater and cooler, too. Jack had made the hat¡¯s brim a little wider¡ªnot just for added shade or rain protection, but because it gave him a more mysterious wanderer look. The rope overall and the sandals looked sharp, too. And despite this being his first attempt at working with bulrush, he¡¯d achieved at least a level C. ¡°Sadly, I can only equip the overalls and the hat once I reach level 20,¡± Jack muttered. Still, he could already equip the sandals. Even though they had a slightly different color from the rest of the ensemble, he decided the extra 5% movement speed was worth it. He wanted to get to the rendezvous point Amari had sent him just a few minutes earlier as soon as possible. Satisfied with his work and the high-quality resources he¡¯d used, Jack nodded and beckoned to Snowy. ¡°Come on, Snowy, it¡¯s time to get moving.¡± Snowy ambled over, cheeks stuffed with as much bulrush grass as possible, clearly gearing up with a snack for the ride. Her flexible cheeks puffed out like one of the frogs living in the nearby pond, and Jack couldn¡¯t help but chuckle as he hopped onto her back. He took out his ocarina and began playing. You¡¯ve activated [Swing Step]. +10% movement speed. Jack started playing A Morning of Spring, nudging his bees to work a little harder. Getting beekeeping from level 9 to 10 would be a grind, more so than all the previous levels. Despite the hours he¡¯d spent here with his bees foraging and gathering nectar, they still had a long way to go before he could reach the journeyman tier. At least the progress bar for beekeeping kept moving. The same couldn¡¯t be said for his progress in Bard. True to real-life musicianship, the Bard profession seemed to demand relentless practice. Jack could almost hear his middle school music teacher¡¯s voice reminding him, ¡°Practice, practice, practice.¡± There was so much left to do. He needed one more character level, he had to get his professions to level 10 to reach the next tier, and he still needed to decide on his next two minors. With so much on his plate, he could use a win¡ªand hopefully, Amari¡¯s promise of an easy level-up quest would come through. A soft chime interrupted his thoughts. Someone has tried to access your video data. Is that you? If so, here¡¯s your access code: 81247. With a quick swipe, he forwarded it to Amari, satisfied to see his director so eager to gain access to all his recorded adventures. Jack couldn¡¯t wait to see what Amari would do with the footage. He chuckled to himself, imagining how Amari might add epic soundtracks or slow-motion effects, turning a simple trek like this into a highlight reel, and continued on his way. * ¡°Is this really where I¡¯m supposed to go?¡± Jack asked with a frown. He had expected the rendezvous point to be somewhere in the city. Given how many missions Amari and the rest of the gang took from the zoo or similar institutions, he assumed that¡¯s where they¡¯d be heading this time. However, he was surprised to find himself still in the Between Ring. From a distance, it looked like an ordinary farm, but up close, the place felt different. What he¡¯d first thought was a simple cellar had a few unusual features: long, low buildings with curved roofs, tripwire fences, and a farmhouse standing quietly in the background. If I didn¡¯t know any better, I¡¯d think this was some kind of prison, Jack thought, eyeing the structures warily. The layout made him wonder what else he¡¯d missed in the other farms he¡¯d passed. Maybe there was more to this part of the Between Ring than just peaceful countryside. There¡¯s no way it¡¯s all just chickens and barns. He felt a strange itch to explore a little further. Or it could be that the bulrush saddle made him itchy, too. In the grassy field around the farmhouse, Snowy was eyeing the tall grass eagerly, looking ready to snack, while Jack¡¯s attention drifted to a cluster of strange buildings towering over the treetops of the nearby woods. Tall, cylindrical silos loomed like watchtowers. The more he looked around, the less this farm felt like a simple operation. ¡°Looks like you found your way alright.¡± Jack turned to see Amari and the others emerging from within the compound. ¡°What is this place?¡± Jack asked, his voice carrying over the fence. ¡°It¡¯s a chicken farm,¡± Amari answered simply. ¡°Chicken farm?¡± Jack raised a brow, glancing around. ¡°I thought we were here to gain a level.¡± ¡°That¡¯s right,¡± Amari said, grinning. ¡°This is where you get the quest.¡± Just then, a shriek pierced the air¡ªa strange, jarring sound, somewhere between the call of a crow and the bark of a dog. ¡°What in the world?¡± Jack muttered, startled. The sound seemed to thrum through the ground. Jack felt his pulse quicken as he pinpointed the source through the heavy, pounding footsteps approaching. A massive bird strode into view. It walked on two powerful legs, almost as tall as the fence itself, with a beak like an axe blade and strong legs ending in wickedly sharp talons. Jack remembered seeing this creature used as a mount in Ember¡¯s Gate. Now, it was chasing a small orange fox that yipped and dashed toward the treeline, desperate to escape. ¡°What is that?¡± Jack asked. ¡°Oh, just some hound-elephant birds to keep the foxes away.¡± Jack grinned. If these birds were half as dangerous as they looked, it wasn¡¯t a bad way to keep foxes away from chickens. Imagine being a fox, all excited for an easy chicken snack, only to find a giant, prehistoric version waiting for you instead. Jack chuckled to himself. ¡°Shall we?¡± Amari offered, motioning for Jack to follow as he opened an unlocked gate in the fence. Jack dismounted Snowy. ¡°Go graze, girl.¡± Snowy took off, eager to try the grass, while Jack followed his gang, curiosity starting to build. What kind of quest does a place like this have in store? The clucking of chickens grew louder as they approached the long buildings. Judging by the noise, there had to be hundreds of them in those buildings, though they were all hidden behind tin-sheeted walls. Only the sound and a faint smell of poultry hinted at their presence. Amari and the others walked as if they owned the place, moving with a confidence that made Jack feel even more like an outsider. I wonder when I¡¯ll know my way around like these three. Is there anywhere in New Earth they haven¡¯t been to yet? He followed them to the warehouse at the back of the property. ¡°You can wait here,¡± Amari told Marie and Horace. The two sat down on the ground, clearly comfortable with the idea of waiting. Inside, the scents of straw, grain, and poultry mingled in the dusty air, forming a thick, earthy aroma. Dust motes drifted in the beams of sunlight breaking through the small windows, casting a soft, muted glow over the rows of shelves. Each tray was filled with straw, cushioning hundreds of eggs. If Snowy were here, she¡¯d probably be chewing through half this room by now, Jack thought with a grin. As they walked further in, Jack began hearing a rhythmic sound. Clack, clack, clack. It reminded Jack of a director¡¯s clapperboard on a movie set. He half-expected someone to call ¡°Action!¡± at any moment. ¡°What¡¯s that sound?¡± Jack asked. ¡°Cleavers,¡± Horace explained from the other room. ¡°Cleavers?¡± Jack blinked. ¡°Are they¡­?¡± ¡°Yep. Butchering chickens. Come on, the NPC is in the next room.¡± They reached a tiled room. A tall, hunched man in a worn, red plaid shirt and jeans with suspenders moved with practiced efficiency, feathers, and bits of straw clinging to his clothes. Each flick of his wrist sent a puff of brown feathers into the air as he worked. On the far side of the room, the clacking of the cleavers was even louder. A young man dressed similarly to the NPC plucking feathers entered from a side door, carrying a tray stacked with freshly slaughtered chickens. ¡°That¡¯s the NPC,¡± Amari said, nodding toward the older man. ¡°Who¡¯s he?¡± Jack asked. ¡°His name¡¯s Jerry,¡± Amari replied. ¡°He¡¯s the owner of this chicken farm.¡± Ch. 114 - Weird Egg Jack scanned the chicken farmer¡¯s outfit, thinking about the massive operation outside and the many cleavers clacking in the next room. He wasn¡¯t sure how rich chicken farmers were supposed to be, but there had to be hundreds, if not thousands, of chickens here. He hadn¡¯t expected a tycoon running his chicken empire from an ivory tower, but he hadn¡¯t pictured such a gritty businessman either. ¡°What profession does he and the other NPCs here have?¡± Jack asked. ¡°The rancher major,¡± Amari replied automatically as if he¡¯d been asked a question by a game show host quizzing him. ¡°Many also have the butcher minor,¡± he added after a while. ¡°Butcher minor¡­ that¡¯s a harvesting profession, right?¡± Jack asked. He¡¯d skimmed over the details for it while researching minors. ¡°It basically allows you to harvest more resources from carcasses. Butchers can collect hides, bones, tendons, and meat.¡± ¡°And do I need to¡­ you know¡­¡± Jack made a clumsy mime of a knife cutting across a throat. Amari laughed. ¡°Common question¡ªno. The game doesn¡¯t make it gory; otherwise, hardly anyone would choose it. It grants passive skills that let you get extra loot after a kill in the wild or, in this case, from harvesting animals at a ranch. It¡¯s a good, lazy minor. Many players take it because it gets them more money while hunting,¡± Amari explained. Jack nodded, curious. Lazy minor. That had a nice ring to it. He already had plenty of hardworking minors to manage. If there was a minor that didn¡¯t require him to do much, he¡¯d take it. He got his mind back on the quest. ¡°What am I supposed to say to the chicken rancher?¡± ¡°Ask him about the weird egg. It¡¯ll trigger a quest. It grants a free level and isn¡¯t too time-consuming.¡± Jack nodded and took a few steps forward, positioning himself across the table from the old man. The farmer¡¯s skin was tanned and wrinkled, and his eyes looked glassy as if he were almost blind. Yet he looked straight at Jack, proving his eyesight was still serviceable. ¡°Yes?¡± the man asked, never pausing from plucking feathers. ¡°Hello, sir. I¡¯ve heard that you need help with something,¡± Jack began. ¡°Something about a weird egg?¡± The old man¡¯s eyes widened, and he nodded in understanding. ¡°That¡¯s right, young man. I do. You must have been at the tavern the other day when I was discussing it with Roger and Nancy.¡± Jack shrugged, neither confirming nor denying the man¡¯s assumption. ¡°Come, I¡¯ll show you.¡± The man put the carcass down, and led him into the next room where the racks with eggs were. Jack followed, watching as the farmer reached for one of the top shelves. Carefully, with both hands, he removed a weird-looking egg, just as promised. Unlike the other white-shelled eggs, this one seemed almost translucent. It was three times the size of the largest normal egg nearby. Jack could partially see inside it: purple, healthy-looking veins and an odd shape nestled near the shell. ¡°We get one of these every fortnight,¡± the man explained. ¡°Is this¡­ a chicken egg?¡± Jack asked, confused. ¡°It should be. We raise nothing but chickens here. The elephant birds¡­ well, they¡¯re kept in a separate roost. This was taken from the hen house. It¡¯s a chicken egg, or at least it used to be. Something made it bloat.¡± ¡°Strange.¡± ¡°This egg is extremely fragile. It also has an odd secondary effect. Something about its smell drives foxes wild.¡± Jack recalled seeing an elephant bird chasing a fox away earlier. ¡°So, what do you want me to do?¡± Jack asked. ¡°I want you to take it to the Agropastoral Institute. It¡¯s on the other side of the woods, near the silos. Be warned¡ªjust a small bump or wrong move, and the egg will break.¡± Jack grimaced. An escort quest. He¡¯d seen plenty of memes and internet reels about players going berserk after escorting something almost to the end, only to fail at the last minute. It had been funny to watch, but it looked like he was about to experience the frustration firsthand. ¡°The shortest path is right through the Vulpine Woods, but you¡¯ll need to be very cautious,¡± the old man cautioned. ¡°Those foxes will try to get in your way. Many couriers have failed my request to take it to the experts. The foxes just went crazy after smelling the egg, and they couldn¡¯t avoid them. The moment they jumped on them, the egg broke.¡± ¡°Very well, sir. I¡¯ll be glad to help you with this.¡± ¡°Wonderful. Even if you fail on the first try, I¡¯ve got three eggs like it,¡± the old man added thoughtfully. ¡°Please let me know what the experts from the Institute say. Maybe it¡¯ll be good for business, or maybe it¡¯s a disease¡ªI don¡¯t know. I don¡¯t even know if I can eat this thing.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry, sir. I¡¯ll do my best.¡± The author''s content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. ¡°Very well,¡± the man said, carefully handing the egg to Jack as if it were a newborn child. ¡°Careful now.¡± You¡¯ve accepted the new quest: [A Weird Egg]. A Weird Egg (Uncommon) Jerry is a successful chicken farmer who has noticed a strange phenomenon. Once every fortnight, one of the eggs swells mysteriously. He fears it may be a sign of disease or a missed business opportunity. He asks you to take the egg to the experts at the Agropastoral Institute. To find it, head toward the silos. Mission objectives: Requirements: Lvl. 15-19. Jack held the egg gingerly, afraid to even squeeze it too hard for fear of shattering it. The old man turned away, heading back to the room where the chicken carcasses waited. ¡°Well done!¡± Amari commented as the old man disappeared back into the room of clacking cleavers. ¡°What now?¡± Jack asked, keeping his voice steady as he glanced down at the fragile alien egg. ¡°Let¡¯s head outside. Don¡¯t lose your focus, and watch your step. You¡¯d be surprised how many players have broken eggs before even leaving the compound.¡± Jack gulped and followed Amari as he navigated through the rows of eggs toward the nearest door. The egg felt unnervingly fragile in his grip, every step making him more aware of its delicate weight. Horace and Marie were already by the door, waiting. Jack walked over to them, moving carefully, his hands steady yet hyper-aware of the quest item cradled within. ¡°You got the egg,¡± Marie stated, her gaze unwavering on his hands. ¡°Yes, I took the quest.¡± ¡°Alright, let¡¯s get to the gate,¡± Amari said, his voice firm. Jack heard the distant call of an elephant bird, followed by a whimpering sound, then another and another. It sounded like a battle was already raging outside. Combined with the heavy atmosphere that settled over the group, it was enough to make his pulse quicken. The three veterans stretched, cracking their joints as they walked, rolling their shoulders and flexing their fingers like they were gearing up for a brawl. ¡°Guys¡­ what¡¯s going on?¡± he asked, his nerves tightening. ¡°Wait, Jack. Focus only on the egg. Don¡¯t get distracted. We¡¯ll talk at the gate,¡± Amari cautioned. Jack swallowed, feeling his heart race. When they reached the gate, he spotted three elephant birds patrolling the perimeter, more vigilant than before. There were no foxes in sight yet, though. ¡°Good, no stragglers got through,¡± Amari said with relief. ¡°Horace, you¡¯re the last line of defense. Don¡¯t leave Jack¡¯s side.¡± ¡°Yes, siree!¡± Horace replied, giving Jack a confident grin. ¡°Marie, keep your focus on concussion bombs. Nothing else will stop the foxes from charging.¡± Marie fished several projectiles from her belt, slipping one of each between her fingers like a professional prepping for a showdown. Amari adjusted his metal claws and then flicked his hands to make shurikens and throwing knives appear and disappear with practiced ease, like a magician testing his tricks. He seemed to be mentally reviewing his inventory. ¡°Guys¡­ you¡¯re scaring me,¡± Jack said, eyes darting from one serious face to the next. Amari turned to him with a smile that didn¡¯t quite reach his eyes. ¡°Don¡¯t be scared, Jack. Everything¡¯s going to be fine. We promise,¡± he said, brushing his claws together with unsettling calm. Jack glanced at Marie and Horace, but they both wore that same unsettling smile. Why do they all look so creepy? Jack thought. They look like a group of psychopaths ready to ambush someone. ¡°The key to succeeding in this quest,¡± Amari began, his tone shifting into that familiar, tutorial-like voice, ¡°is absolute trust in us, Jack.¡± Jack raised an eyebrow, feeling puzzled. He¡¯d thought the key to the quest was simply avoiding foxes. But Amari, catching his look, went on before he could speak. ¡°The quest mentions that the egg drives foxes crazy, but it doesn¡¯t really explain just how crazy.¡± ¡°H-how crazy are we talking?¡± Jack asked, his grip tightening around the egg. ¡°Black Friday crazy,¡± Horace muttered with a smirk. Jack peered through the fence, noting the elephant birds patrolling the perimeter and occasionally issuing sharp warning calls. Beyond them was the meadow separating the chicken house from the woods, where Snowy was napping peacefully. He saw no foxes yet. Is it really going to be that bad? ¡°What the quest doesn¡¯t tell you outright is that you can break the egg just as easily as the foxes. People fail this quest more often because of stress than anything else. If you get too tense or worry too much about what¡¯s happening around you, you might squeeze your hands too tight¡ªand, crack¡ªyou break the egg.¡± Amari paused, casting a glance at Jack¡¯s tense grip. Jack coughed as he forcefully relaxed his hand. Amari continued. ¡°One wrong move, a sudden jerk, or even looking back too quickly¡­.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll break the egg,¡± Jack finished, feeling the weight of the task settle over him. ¡°Got it.¡± ¡°Exactly,¡± Amari confirmed. ¡°So all we want you to do is focus on the egg. Walk toward the silos without looking back. We¡¯ll handle the foxes.¡± ¡°Can I ride Snowy?¡± Jack asked, hopeful for a simpler solution. Amari shook his head after a moment¡¯s thought. ¡°It might work, but I¡¯d rather not risk it. I¡¯m confident we can do it in the three tries we have if we stick to our known method. Let¡¯s play it safe.¡± Jack nodded, calling Snowy, sprawled in the meadow, belly up, digesting her last grass meal. ¡°Here, girl!¡± Hearing Jack¡¯s voice, she rolled over and started ambling toward him. ¡°Horace, can you help me take off the pot hive from my back?¡± ¡°Sure thing.¡± Horace helped Jack take off the shoulder straps one at a time and then placed the pot hive in one of Snowy¡¯s saddlebags. Jack thought about unsummoning Snowy for simplicity, but he couldn¡¯t while she was carrying the pot hive. ¡°Horace? Marie?¡± Amari asked. The three veterans exchanged a silent glance¡ªan unspoken agreement among warriors who had clearly been through many battles together. ¡°Alright, Jack, you ready?¡± Amari¡¯s voice was steady, a hint of encouragement in his gaze. Jack glanced down at the fragile cargo in his hands. The egg felt delicate as if his own heartbeat might shatter it. He could feel the tension in his hands, aware that one wrong squeeze could end the quest instantly. He shifted his grip slightly, holding his breath as he adjusted his fingers along the shell¡¯s delicate surface. He¡¯d done his fair share of quests in New Earth. The pit in his stomach reminded him of raiding the compy nest with Amari or kidnapping the allosaurus infant with Horace. They¡¯d pulled through together back then, hadn¡¯t they? Even though he didn¡¯t have as much experience as the rest of the team, he trusted them. Jack took a final look at his team, then down at Snowy, who nuzzled him with sleepy eyes. Her calm, dark gaze met his, steadying him. ¡°Alright, Snowy,¡± he whispered, feeling her slow, steady breathing ground him. ¡°Follow after us.¡± Jack honed his gaze on the distant silos. They¡¯d make it. They had to. He took a steadying breath, focusing all his concentration on the egg. ¡°I¡¯m ready. Let¡¯s do this.¡± Ch. 115 - Horde The moment the gate swung open, the group took off. Amari and Marie ran ahead. Horace stayed close to Jack, his breath ragged and quick in rhythm with Jack¡¯s own. Snowy and the bees took up the rear, their presence less of a promise for protection. At most, Snowy¡¯s [Largeness] skill would prevent foxes from sneaking up on them. Despite the veterans¡¯ warnings, there was nothing but silence as they crossed the meadow. Jack¡¯s heart pounded with every step, his ears straining for any hint of danger. All he could hear was the rustle of dry grass and the muted thuds of his friends¡¯ footsteps. He kept his gaze fixed on the egg, cradled tightly in his arms. ¡°I thought there¡¯d be foxes already¡­¡± he muttered, barely lifting his head. ¡°Remember, Jack! Focus on the egg,¡± Amari replied instantly, his voice tense. ¡°The presence of the elephant birds is keeping them away for now. The second we reach the trees, though, it¡¯s going to be chaos.¡± Jack kept his eyes down, watching for the slightest dip or root that could send him sprawling. The ground began to shift, turning from the firm, dry meadow to softer, loamy ground. He could tell they were approaching the woods by the way the sunlight flickered and dimmed, filtering down in shards between the trees. The temperature dropped, the air turning cool and damp as they left the open field. And then, suddenly, things got busy. The first sign of the foxes was a faint whiff of musk and a sharp, earthy scent of disturbed undergrowth. A distant snap echoed from somewhere ahead, sharp enough to send a shock down Jack¡¯s spine. Somewhere, the low growl of a fox pierced the silence, joined by others until it became a steady chorus. Jack tried not to tighten his grip on the egg as he waited for the inevitable chaos. ¡°At 2 o¡¯clock!¡± Amari called. ¡°At 7!¡± Marie said shortly after, and the first explosions rang through the woods. The yapping of foxes grew louder, underscored by the thunderous blast of grenades and the swift slash of Amari¡¯s claws cutting through the air. Jack kept his gaze down, resisting every urge to look up. The ground here was treacherous, roots coiling and the uneven forest floor threatening to trip him. One wrong step, and it would all be over. ¡°Darn it, I let one get away!¡± Marie¡¯s scream rang out. A thud followed as daggers sliced through the air, landing with a whimper. Jack fought the instinct to look up, but the sound had drawn him in. Against his better judgment, he stole a glance around¡ªand instantly regretted it. In that brief moment, he glimpsed a flash of orange fur closing in from every angle. He snapped his attention back to his feet, heart pounding faster. The swoosh of Horace¡¯s war hammer sliced through the air nearby. Foxes yelped and whimpered as they took blows from the hammer or felt the sharp sting of Amari¡¯s shurikens. Some were sent sprawling by the firecrackers exploding around them, sending bursts of searing heat and smoke that Jack could almost feel against his skin. ¡°This way, we¡¯re not going to make it,¡± Horace shouted, his voice strained. ¡°We underestimated how many people we need to carry someone on this quest.¡± ¡°Even if we fail, we have two more tries. Just focus,¡± Amari barked, though Jack could hear the tension in his voice. ¡°But I¡¯m running out of stamina,¡± Horace said, his breathing coming in heavy gasps. Jack kept his eyes glued to the ground, each step a battle against the soft, uneven earth. Suddenly, the snarling grew closer, and he looked up just in time to see a fox leaping toward him. He skidded to a stop, heart lurching, ready to turn and flee. But then¡ªwhizz¡ªsomething sliced past his ear. A shuriken hit the fox, who turned into motes of light, clearing his path. ¡°I can¡¯t keep holding them!¡± Marie¡¯s voice was strained. ¡°I need more stamina!¡± Horace¡¯s voice echoed her distress, sounding drained. Jack bit down on his lip, his heart racing. The relentless growls and snapping jaws around were something straight out of a nightmare. He could feel they were close to failing. In a split-second decision, Jack broke into a sprint, but this time, he spun on his heel, racing in the opposite direction. ¡°Jack! Where are you going?¡± Horace yelled, his voice nearly swallowed by the cacophony. ¡°Since we¡¯re about to lose this anyway, I might as well try something,¡± Jack called back. ¡°Argh! Fine! I¡¯ll cover you.¡± Jack sprinted toward Snowy, their paths converging so quickly it felt like they¡¯d closed the distance in an instant. He slid to a stop beside her and looked at the egg. It remained unscathed. It¡¯s time to see if Snowy doesn¡¯t break you. ¡°Stay still, girl,¡± Jack murmured, his voice low but firm. Carefully, he lifted the egg and lowered it into one of Snowy¡¯s saddlebags. The egg was too delicate to stash in his inventory, but the saddlebags, designed for live cargo, were their best hope. Jack leaned forward, practically diving in with it, until his arms reached the basket¡¯s bottom. Slowly, he let the weight of the egg shift from his hands, barely daring to breathe. The bulrush basket stretched just enough to cradle it, its elasticity forming a cushion around the precious cargo. You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version. A wave of relief washed over him, but it quickly twisted into cold dread as he looked up at the chaos that had erupted around them. For the first time, Jack could see what was happening. Since he¡¯d stopped running, Amari, Marie, and Horace had halted, too, forming a protective line around him and focusing all their energy on holding off the foxes. The foxes didn¡¯t look particularly strong. Even the weaker swings from Horace¡¯s war hammer sent foxes flying back, but for each that fell, three more took its place. Though much lower-leveled than his friends, the crazed animals kept coming, relentless and snapping, each with the same unsettling red eyes fixed on the saddlebags. What about this egg can make the foxes this crazed? he wondered. His friends looked exhausted, their movements slowing despite their best efforts. Jack knew he had to act quickly, or they wouldn¡¯t last much longer. Without missing a beat, he snatched up his ocarina and blew the first note. Sitting Wind filled the air, soft but steady, weaving around them with a calming rhythm. You¡¯ve played [Sitting Wind]. Success rate: A +300XP in [Bard] Audience bonus: +150XP in [Bard] ¡°Oof. Perfect timing. Thanks, Jack!¡± Horace¡¯s voice regained some of his usual energy. He drew on his replenished stamina and charged through a group of foxes, sending them flying. ¡°Thanks!¡± Marie echoed, sounding breathless. ¡°No worries! Let¡¯s move!¡± Marie dug a few bombs from her pouches and sent them flying ahead, the most powerful blast yet, opening a way through the wall of crazy foxes. Jack ran, urging Snowy to follow. Horace, Amari, and Marie tried to keep the path open, but the foxes were already filling the space left by Marie¡¯s special bombs. Jack¡¯s fingers moved instantly to start another song. This one was different, demanding precision that was nearly impossible in the middle of a fight. ¡°I don¡¯t know this one,¡± Amari managed to say in the middle of the chaos, intrigued. ¡°Oh, you¡¯re in for a treat,¡± Horace said with a grin in his voice. This better work. Jack¡¯s heart hammered as he attempted Sonic Valley, but the chaos made it impossible at first. Twice, his fingers slipped, the melody collapsing into dissonance. He grit his teeth, trying a third time, and finally, the notes flowed together, spiraling outward in a disorienting pulse. You¡¯ve played [Sonic Valley]. Success rate: C +150XP in [Bard] Audience bonus: +400XP in [Bard] Foxes began stumbling mid-charge, yipping as they veered off course, disoriented. It was working, but this respite was fragile. ¡°What a massive confusion debuff!¡± Amari shouted, impressed. ¡°Well done, Jack!¡± Horace added. With the stamina boost and the foxes¡¯ confusion, they finally had a brief reprieve. Jack kept his ocarina to his lips, pouring out song after song, creating a barrier of sound that slowed and scattered the foxes just enough to keep them from overwhelming the group. He managed to get Snowy through the corridor, and they were out of the encirclement. Horace and Marie took the rear now while Amari took the front. Jack¡¯s melodies, while not too powerful, made a huge difference. His friends could play more energetically without having to worry about managing their stamina so much. Slowly, the forest began to thin, and up ahead, the Agropastoral Institute came into view. ¡°One last stretch! Come on, guys!¡± Amari¡¯s voice urged them forward, though Jack could hear the strain that even he couldn¡¯t quite hide. They broke free from the trees, but the foxes still trailed them, relentless and hungry. Then, a low, rumbling call shook the air, followed by the unmistakable thunder of heavy stomps. Elephant birds appeared on the horizon, massive and fierce, charging toward the foxes with their beaks flashing. The giant birds stormed past Amari and the others, plunging into the horde of foxes, scattering and pecking until the creatures yelped and turned back to the forest. The group didn¡¯t stop running until they¡¯d passed through the metal gates of the institute. Safe at last, Amari, Horace, and Marie turned to Jack and flashed him a thumbs-up. "Well done, Jack," Amari praised, clapping him on the shoulder. ¡°Smart move putting the egg with Snowy.¡± Jack exhaled, feeling the tension drain from his shoulders as he carefully lifted the egg out of the basket. Snowy¡¯s calm temperament had been a blessing; any other creature, even at her level, might have panicked or jolted with the chaos around them and broken the egg, but Snowy had plodded forward, completely unbothered by the swarm of foxes snapping at her cargo. "With this, the hard part of the quest is over. Now we just need to check in with an NPC." ¡°We¡¯re going to head out now, guys,¡± Horace announced. ¡°You¡¯re leaving already?¡± Jack asked. ¡°Yep. I need to stock up on poisons,¡± Marie replied. ¡°Same here. I need to gather wood for crafting and restock materials for traps,¡± Horace added. ¡°Smart. I¡¯ll help Jack wrap up the quest and then head to the count¡¯s mansion,¡± Amari said. Wait. They didn¡¯t get the quest! Are they getting nothing out of it? It dawned on Jack that his friends had done all of this only for his benefit. When he raided the compy nest with Amari, he¡¯d unlocked a title. When he did the allosaurus quest with Horace, he got a mount out of it. When he and the group had gone out to look for a queen bee, they had spent plenty of time hunting, and they¡¯d been paying back for a favor. This time, they had gone out of their way to help Jack with nothing in return. Jack looked back at the Vulpine Woods. Dealing with the crazy foxes had been very stressful. They had given everything they had to ensure that Jack could gain a level. Jack took a step forward. ¡°T-thanks, guys! Thank you for going out of your way to help me.¡± ¡°What are you talking about, Jackie? We¡¯re a team!¡± ¡°If you grow stronger, we grow stronger,¡± Marie added. Jack smiled. He wasn¡¯t sure what the future might bring them and what it would be like to be on the run from IronIre together. But he didn¡¯t regret his decision to side with this team. ¡°Alright! I¡¯ll make sure I keep growing stronger.¡± ¡°Just make sure you learn a song to boost defense quickly,¡± Horace said jokingly. ¡°No. Learn one that makes bombs explode louder.¡± ¡°What¡¯s even the point of that?¡± Horace shot back. ¡°It will make it more fun to go on hunts.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll do my best,¡± Jack said, laughing. Marie and Horace summoned their horses. ¡°Need a hand getting on your horse, Marie?¡± Horace teased, grinning. ¡°Bite me, you stupid gorilla,¡± Marie shot back, smirking as she mounted her horse. Horace laughed, and the two veterans waved goodbye before riding off toward Embersgate. ¡°Come on, Jack,¡± Amari said, turning toward the institute. ¡°Let¡¯s get this egg delivered and wrap up this quest.¡± Ch. 116 - A Mysterious Creature Despite being technically in the countryside, the compound had an industrial opulence that made Jack feel like he¡¯d stepped back into the city. Metal wheels squeaked along steel tracks, and the carts, crafted from wood and reinforced with iron, were brimming with grain, crates of fruits, caskets of wine, jars of honey, eggs, and even slabs of meat. The facility buzzed with efficiency. The Agropastoral Institute was a five-story white building, one of the tallest Jack had seen in the game. Even so, the most impressive sight was the cluster of silos adjacent to the building. The towering white structures dwarfed even the institute¡¯s height. Jack wondered what was taller, the outer wall that kept the dinosaurs outside of the human¡¯s domain or these siloes. If the cylinders didn¡¯t have painted in huge letters the names of different cereals, Jack would have suspected that there were rockets or missiles hidden inside them. ¡°It¡¯s a lot busier than I expected,¡± Jack murmured, taking it all in. ¡°Yeah, these institutes work as drop-off points for farmers and ranchers so they don¡¯t have to trek all the way to the city,¡± Amari explained. ¡°There¡¯s also a marketplace here if you need to sell any loot.¡± Jack shook his head. ¡°I¡¯m good for now, thanks.¡± They approached the institute¡¯s front doors, where a guard in a simple but imposing uniform, halberd in hand, blocked their path. ¡°Identify your purpose,¡± the guard intoned, his gaze scrutinizing. ¡°We need to talk to someone in the Poultry Department,¡± Amari said, handing over a silver coin with a practiced motion. The guard eyed the coin, pocketing it with a curt nod as he stepped aside. Jack sighed, handing over his own silver piece. Why are all the guards in this game dirty? Inside, the high-ceilinged hall was bustling. NPCs in white, tunic-like coats moved quickly, carrying crates or jars. Several players mingled among them, their leather and metal armor clashing with the sterile, clinical surroundings. ¡°Why do players come here?¡± Jack asked. ¡°The institute offers quests that help unlock achievements and progress in farming and ranching,¡± Amari replied. Jack frowned as he observed the odd mix of modern and ancient aesthetics. ¡°It¡¯s like the NPCs are the real people, and the players are the NPCs,¡± he muttered. Amari chuckled. ¡°I hadn¡¯t thought of it that way, but yeah. It¡¯s almost like this place belongs to our own time. But there¡¯s no advanced technology here. That means we¡¯ll have to use the stairs. No elevators.¡± Amari led him up a broad, stone staircase. After navigating a maze of corridors, they finally reached the Poultry Department''s lab. The room was bathed in a dim, sterile light from dozens of oil lamps set into glass enclosures on the walls. Shelves lined with jars held chicken parts suspended in a faintly green liquid, giving the place an eerie look. Scientists carefully inspected eggs under magnifying lenses. A faint antiseptic smell mingled with an earthy musk, creating an unsettling scent. In one corner, a technician poured reagents onto strips of chicken meat, observing each reaction with intense focus. ¡°That¡¯s the NPC we need,¡± Amari said, nodding toward a man in a tunic-like lab coat who was adjusting his glasses as he reviewed a tray of eggs. Jack walked over to the NPC. ¡°Excuse me, sir. Jerry from a local farm asked me to show you this.¡± ¡°Jerry. I know him,¡± the scientist replied, taking the egg and laying it neatly on the table. ¡°He¡¯s one of the ranchers closest to here. Let¡¯s take a look.¡± The scientist examined the egg closely, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. ¡°So, what¡¯s this all about?¡± Jack asked. ¡°This phenomenon has been happening more and more in this region. Did Mr. Jerry tell you how often he finds this kind of egg?¡± ¡°Yes, he said every fortnight,¡± Jack confirmed. The scientist walked over to a wall map with a detailed layout of the area. The map was hand-drawn and slightly worn; its colors faded from repeated handling, and Jack could see pins scattered across the region. ¡°It¡¯s becoming more frequent,¡± the scientist murmured. ¡°This is happening at other farms, too?¡± Jack asked, his curiosity piqued. The scientist nodded as he added another pin to the board, marking what Jack assumed was Jerry¡¯s farm. ¡°What¡¯s causing this?¡± Jack pressed. ¡°Our theory is that it¡¯s a prehistoric bird trying to fertilize chicken eggs.¡± Jack blinked his eyes in disbelief. Theory? They don¡¯t know? ¡°Some eggs react like this, but true crossbreeding between species isn¡¯t possible. The egg never progresses beyond this stage and rots after a few weeks.¡± ¡°And why do foxes react so strongly to it?¡± Jack asked, trying to get some information. The scientist shrugged. ¡°Perhaps this species is a natural enemy of the foxes, or maybe it¡¯s just coincidence. There¡¯s so much we don¡¯t know.¡± Jack looked at Amari, who shrugged, clearly as bewildered as he was by the whole mystery. The game¡¯s quests often took strange turns, but this one was particularly odd. Stolen story; please report. The scientist adjusted his glasses. ¡°We¡¯d like to keep this egg for further experiments. Please tell Jerry that if he finds more, he should bring them here. We need all the data we can gather to reach a conclusion.¡± ¡°Very well,¡± Jack agreed. You¡¯ve completed [A Weird Egg]. See Jerry for your reward. As the notification flashed across his vision, Jack felt the familiar satisfaction of completing a mission. ¡°It¡¯s done!¡± Jack said. ¡°All that¡¯s left is to go see Jerry.¡± ¡°Let¡¯s go then. I¡¯m also heading in that direction,¡± Amari offered. * Now that they weren¡¯t carrying the egg, the Vulpine Woods seemed to exhale, returning to a peaceful stillness. Foxes lay in cozy heaps, fur ruffled as they slept in their dens, while birds filled the canopy with cheerful songs. Jack glanced around, taking in the tranquility. Jack rode side by side with Amari as they chatted. ¡°Was it difficult to get the footage?¡± Jack asked, breaking the silence. ¡°Nope. Easy-peasy.¡± ¡°And what do you think of it so far?¡± "So far, it''s good. Lots of great material," Amari assured him. Jack grinned. "And when are you thinking of releasing the first video?" "As soon as possible. What are your plans after you gain a level at Jerry¡¯s chicken farm?" Amari asked. "After I gain this level, I¡¯m going to equip my new gear," Jack replied with a hint of longing in his voice, "and then I have to choose two minors. From what you told me, we won¡¯t be doing any shopping where we¡¯re going, and I¡¯m guessing that there won¡¯t be any NPCs to teach me professions either." Amari nodded. "Have you considered what the next two minors will be?" "Between bard, bushcrafting, and pottery, I already have my hands full¡ªat least for now. I was thinking of getting two professions that aren¡¯t too time-consuming, something akin to beekeeping. Maybe fishing?" Jack said. "Seems relaxing." Amari chuckled. "Oh, yes. It¡¯s a favorite among retired players. They make for incredible competitors if you join the fishing scene. But don¡¯t be fooled. Fishing can be time-consuming, too." Jack nodded, recalling the veterans who¡¯d stopped by his diner while he farmed bushcrafting XP at the bushcrafting site. They¡¯d shared plenty of tall tales about their fishing exploits as they ate Jack¡¯s cooking. "Well, since there won¡¯t be any water where we¡¯re going¡ªor at least the chances are very low¡ªI¡¯d leave fishing for later," Amari advised. "Then what do you suggest?" Jack asked. Amari drummed his fingers on his saddle. "You already have the [Forage] skill from bushcrafting, which lets you gather a variety of resources. But you don¡¯t have any skills to preserve perishables. Maybe pick a profession that¡¯ll help you gather other resources¡ªsomething like mining or lumberjacking." The woods soon gave way to open fields, and Amari halted, turning his horse slightly to face Jack. "Well, this is where we part ways. My destination is that way." "Where are you headed?" Jack asked. "I¡¯m going to the country house of a count. It¡¯s one of the places where you can trigger a breaching quest," Amari replied. ¡°You haven¡¯t really explained what a breach is,¡± Jack said, sounding a bit annoyed. Amari nodded thoughtfully. "Have you ever done a dungeon run?" Jack perked up. "Yes, that¡¯s how we first met. Remember? I asked you where the pyramid was?" "Oh, right, I¡¯d forgotten about that. That was you, wasn¡¯t it? Well, I guess I¡¯ll see that bit in the footage later," Amari said. Jack¡¯s shoulders slumped. He¡¯d thought their first encounter was memorable. But to Amari, it had been just another day, just another player. ¡°Anyway, it¡¯s like a defensive dungeon run,¡± Amari continued. ¡°The royal family delegates territory to noble families. They¡¯re assigned stretches of wall, outposts, and fortresses to defend. Sometimes, animals slip through, and breaches open. That¡¯s where we come in.¡± ¡°Breaches, as in holes in the wall?" Jack asked, remembering the crumbling sections he¡¯d seen outside the city. ¡°Sometimes. Or it could be a tunnel that some creature digs under the wall. Basically, we go to a noble, volunteer to defend a breach, and we¡¯re transported to a special map. There, we defend an outpost or wall segment for a set time. The longer we last, the better the rewards.¡± ¡°A special map, uh? So we¡¯ll be isolated from the outside world.¡± ¡°And safe from the Slayer,¡± Amari added with a foxish grin. ¡°But aren¡¯t we too low-leveled? We shouldn¡¯t last long, right?¡± Amari shook his head. "The challenge is tailored to your starting level. If you¡¯re quick and learn fast, you can last pretty long." Jack imagined himself fending off waves of dinosaurs in some remote, dimly lit outpost. "What¡¯s the record?" Jack asked. "Last I checked, it was 88 waves." "That¡¯s a lot, right?" Amari grinned. "If it weren¡¯t, it wouldn¡¯t be the record, genius. Anyway, all the best with your quest. Looking forward to seeing what two minors you pick up.¡± Jack watched Amari ride off, his horse trotting steadily into the distance. Turning to Snowy, he patted her side with a smile. "Well, Snowy, it¡¯s just you and me again. Let¡¯s go gain a level!¡± As Snowy trotted through the meadow toward the chicken house, Jack shot a message to Rob. "Hey Rob, just checking in. You alright?" Rob replied almost instantly. "No worries, cuz. I¡¯m fine." The message came a little too quickly. Jack stared at the screen, trying to convince himself that Rob was truly alright. But something gnawed at him¡ªa nagging feeling that not all was well on Rob¡¯s end. Jack steered Snowy toward the chicken farm and left her grazing at the entrance. He traced his way back to Jerry, who was still hard at work, plucking feathers from a row of chicken carcasses. ¡°I¡¯m back, sir.¡± Jerry looked up, a gleam of curiosity in his eyes. ¡°Oh? Did you make it to the institute?¡± Jack nodded, feeling a flicker of pride. ¡°So, what did they say about the egg?¡± Jerry asked, his hands never stopping their work. ¡°They¡¯re not entirely sure,¡± Jack replied. ¡°Their best guess is that some sort of creature fertilizes the eggs, causing them to mutate.¡± ¡°A creature, huh? Any idea what it might be?¡± Jerry paused, his gaze resting on Jack as if inviting him to speculate. Jack hesitated, wondering if Jerry expected him to guess or if he might offer a follow-up quest. But after a moment, Jerry chuckled and went back to plucking. ¡°Guess it¡¯ll stay a mystery, then. Thanks for your help, though. I suppose it¡¯s time to hand you your rewards.¡± A notification popped up: Completion rate: A Calculating reward¡­ Jack¡¯s eyes widened, and a grin spread across his face. He¡¯d completed the quest on his first try, heading straight to the Agropastoral Institute without any detours. His effort was about to pay off. You¡¯ve received 1 gold; You¡¯ve received 20x[Jumbo Eggs]; You¡¯ve received 30x[Medium-Sized Eggs]; You¡¯ve received one free level. You¡¯ve reached level 20. You¡¯ve received a free profession level. Jack threw his fists in the air, barely able to contain his excitement. Not only had he leveled up, but the XP bar didn¡¯t stop at 20¡ªit crept just a bit beyond, leaving him at the same percentage of progress toward level 21. A small boost, but one that could save hours of grinding. To top it off, his high completion rate had earned him additional rewards: a stash of eggs and a free profession level. The quest¡¯s difficulty made the rewards feel that much sweeter. Eager to see his upgrades, Jack equipped the rest of his new gear. The bulrush overalls and matching hat fit him perfectly, adding a practical yet rugged look. Oh yeah! World, here I come! Next came the choice between leveling up bard or beekeeping. He¡¯d been at level 9 as a bard for a while now, and his XP bar was already at 28% of the way to level 10. Beekeeping would grow passively on its own, but bard would still take many hours of grinding. Jack made up his mind. The decision was easy. Ch. 117 - Dance of the Turtles Jack operated the menu and selected the obvious choice, causing several notifications to flash across his screen. A sense of accomplishment settled over Jack. You¡¯ve reached Bard, level 10! You¡¯ve reached the journeyman tier in the bard profession! You¡¯re now a journeyman bard, lvl. 1. [Ocarina Mastery] has upgraded. You''ve unlocked a new skill: [Soulful Performer]. You''ve learned a new song: [Dance of the Turtles]. Journeyman bard, lvl. 1, synergizes with [Touch of the Potter], lvl. 1. You¡¯ve learned a new song: [A Clay Dome]. Jack¡¯s eyes widened as he absorbed the updates. Journeyman bard? Ocarina mastery upgrade? And two new songs? He grinned, feeling a thrill as the notifications piled up. I¡¯m really moving up! [Soulful Performer] was especially exciting. Soulful Performer (Uncommon) Skill level: 1 Skill description: Your music touches your listeners'' souls in extraordinary ways. Bonus Effects: Enhanced effects to melodies with a high completion rate; intermediate melodies unlocked. Getting a high-performance grade on a song wouldn¡¯t only boost his experience¡ªit would now strengthen a melody¡¯s effects, too¡ªextra motivation to keep perfecting his performances. The upgraded version of [Ocarina Mastery] was simple enough. Ocarina Mastery (Rare) Skill level: 2 Skill description: You¡¯ve become proficient in the art of ocarina-playing. You can use the clay flute to bring life to a party or tears to someone¡¯s eyes. Skill effects: You can play basic and intermediate ocarina melodies. It simply lets me play intermediate melodies now, Jack thought, eyeing the two new songs he¡¯d unlocked. Dance of the Turtles (Melody) Difficulty: Intermediate Melody description: A song of patience and resilience. A tune that will encourage the front line to brace for impact and withstand the fiercest storms. Melody type: Soothing A Clay Dome (Melody) Difficulty: Intermediate Melody description: A song of roundness and sturdiness. A tune that reaches into the heart of the creation of a potter¡¯s hands Melody type: Soothing Oof. Two intermediate songs. I wonder how difficult they are to pull off. In his mind, Jack had already graded the songs he knew into ¡®easy,¡¯ ¡®intermediate, '' and ¡®difficult.¡¯ The slower ones, like Sitting Wind and Morning of Spring, were the easiest. He could play them with his eyes closed. Then, there were songs with faster tempos, which required more precision and were harder to play while moving around. March of the Embers fits into that category. Then, finally, there were melodies that were dissonant and tricky to play, like Empty Void and Sonic Valley. Whenever Jack played these last two, there was a strong chance the melodies would fall apart halfway through. He wondered if the system was hiding something special in intermediate songs¡ªmaybe a subtle effect that wouldn¡¯t appear until he performed it flawlessly. Or maybe it isn¡¯t subtle at all. Wouldn¡¯t it be cool if this song actually summoned turtles and got them to line dance for me? Or if it created a clay dome that would withstand the assault of a dinosaur. Whatever the songs did, he¡¯d have to get good enough to unlock it. He selected Dance of the Turtles and let the system play it for him. The song was slow, a ballad. It had several bent notes. Guitarists bent notes by pulling the string up as it rang. Bending on the ocarina was new territory for Jack. Other than that, the melody didn¡¯t seem overly complicated. He turned to A Clay Dome next. It went a little further, with bending notes that covered more than half a step, transitioning slowly across different notes of the scale. Despite this new bending technique, the songs don¡¯t sound more difficult than Sonic Valley, he thought, tilting his head. Then why are they considered intermediate? He scanned through the song¡¯s description but found nothing that explained it. Curious, he decided to try it himself. After letting the system play it one more time, he opened a browser tab to learn how to bend notes on woodwind instruments. He learned that bending a note on a woodwind instrument wasn¡¯t all that complicated¡ªit was just a matter of shifting his finger slightly to adjust the airflow, letting the pitch rise or fall slowly. He practiced, lifting his fingers in subtle, controlled movements until the notes glided up and down smoothly. If Jack knew anything about music, it was that practice made perfect. He¡¯d drill it as many times as it took to get it right. He tried to do the more complex variation, bending across more than an interval between two notes, but couldn¡¯t quite pull it off. It¡¯ll take more practice before I can play A Clay Dome. I¡¯ll focus on Dance of the Turtles for now. Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there. Soon, he was comfortable enough to perform Dance of the Turtles. He concentrated, letting his fingers dance along the notes. The melody was soft and unhurried. It began with a deep, earthy tone. Low, resonant notes grounded the song, steady and calming, while higher notes occasionally lifted above them. A series of winding, bending notes brought the melody to life, reminding Jack of the way turtles swim: slow, with careful but assured movements. Occasionally, the melody would dip into minor notes, giving the tune a wistful undertone. When the melody ended, a new notification appeared. You¡¯ve played [Dance of the Turtles]. Success rate: C +300XP in [Bard] You¡¯ve listened to [Dance of the Turtles]. +5 defense for 1 minute. Defense, uh? Horace is going to love this! Its effects are pretty good, Jack confirmed, satisfied. So maybe intermediate songs aren¡¯t harder to play but just offer better buffs. Jack kept practicing the song, excited to see if he could improve the buff. But around his seventh try, something strange happened. His fingers started moving erratically as if they had a life of their own¡ªa deep, prickling ache built up in his hands, making him clench his jaw. A sudden, sharp pain jolted through his hand, freezing his fingers mid-note. Jack cursed under his breath, barely able to move his fingers without feeling a twinge. ¡°What in the world?¡± He shook his hands out, trying to stretch his fingers, but they still felt locked and stiff, refusing to relax. Your hands are exhausted. You ran out of stamina. You¡¯ve been hit with a new debuff: [Cramped Hands]. Regain stamina before you can play again. He glanced at his stamina bar and grimaced¡ªit was completely out. ¡°Is this why it¡¯s considered an intermediate song?¡± he asked incredulously, staring at his fingers. It''s a song that eats up more stamina¡ªnow that was a problem. Basic songs barely touched my stamina, he thought, looking at the stamina bar that had betrayed him. From now on, I¡¯ll have to keep an eye on it, or I¡¯ll end up with cramped fingers mid-battle. Wait! What if- He hurriedly checked the details of the ocarina and grimaced. Not only had his stamina dropped, but the instrument¡¯s durability had also taken a hit. Looks like I¡¯ll be needing a backup ocarina, or maybe five, he thought with a groan. The difficulty of the bard minor had risen by one tier. Stamina and durability management would make buffing his party a delicate balance, forcing him to alternate between easier songs to recover stamina before diving into intermediate pieces and switching instruments more often. The system had upped the ante. Now that he¡¯d peeked around the corner, he couldn¡¯t help but grow apprehensive about what came next for the next tier of beekeeping. Sure, a power boost was coming, but that would come with some sort of counterbalance¡ªa challenge or complication. I¡¯ll cross that bridge when I get to it. Jack already had the gear; bard was at journeyman level one, and beekeeping would progress slowly even if he didn¡¯t actively work on it. It was time to fill the remaining slots with ¡®lazy minors.¡¯ Jack wasn¡¯t above putting in hard work, but if there were minors he could level up just by looting or gathering, he¡¯d take them. The choice only seemed more appropriate after learning that professions got tougher once they hit journeyman. It was time to learn the [Butcher] minor. Whenever Jack hunted with Horace, Amari, and Marie, they always left animal corpses in the wake of their hunts. After Amari explained how the butcher minor worked, Jack realized they had been missing out on many resources. Jack was essentially the team¡¯s support¡ªthe one responsible for keeping everyone¡¯s HP and stamina bars full. Often, while the rest of the team was finishing stragglers, Jack gathered the loot. Given he¡¯d be on loot-picking duty anyway, he figured he might as well increase the party¡¯s yield. With an upcoming quest on the horizon, Jack knew the team needed every advantage they could get. Besides, time was of the essence, and he had an NPC that taught the job right here. Taking a deep breath, Jack decided it was now or never. He approached the counter where Mr. Jerry was plucking a chicken. ¡°Excuse me, Mr. Jerry?¡± Jack said. ¡°Oh, you¡¯re still here, young man? I thought you¡¯d left.¡± ¡°No, I¡¯m still here. I was wondering if you could teach me how to be a butcher,¡± Jack asked. Mr. Jerry¡¯s eyes lit up with a passionate fire. For the first time since they¡¯d begun talking, he stepped away from the table, leaving the still-feathered chickens behind. ¡°How nice to see young men like yourself willing to take up this noble profession. It¡¯s sad, really, but many people don¡¯t appreciate us.¡± ¡°Is that so?¡± Jack asked, waiting for the quest prompt that would let him gain the new minor. ¡°Yes, many disregard that it is us, butchers, who stand on the front lines, who hunker down in the trenches.¡± ¡°Front lines? Of what?¡± The old man regarded Jack with a baffled look. ¡°Animal rights, of course. We, butchers, are the champions of animal rights,¡± he said, clenching a fist and gazing intently at the horizon. ¡°Sadly, society ostracizes us. The word ¡®butchering¡¯ is even a synonym for violence when it should be a synonym for love.¡± Jack blinked and furrowed his brow. Animal rights? Did this man not hear himself? He glanced around, half-expecting someone to pop out and confirm it was a joke. ¡°But don''t you kill chickens for a living?¡± Jack asked. ¡°Only after they¡¯ve had a happy, fulfilling life.¡± ¡°But you still kill them.¡± ¡°But I don¡¯t force-feed them, and I don¡¯t cram them all together. They¡¯re happy. They live happily and die happy,¡± the old man assured him. Jack was still baffled by the man¡¯s twisted logic, but he kept listening. ¡°When I was a young boy, I worked for a rancher. Oh, young man, you wouldn¡¯t believe the waste or what they did to chickens,¡± Mr. Jerry said, his face darkening. ¡°That man cared more about speed and profit than the animals themselves. Birds were kept in overcrowded pens, barely able to move, with nothing but piles of grain shoveled in just to fatten them faster. They¡¯d be crammed together, left in their own mess, and if any got sick or injured, well, he¡¯d just toss them aside like spoiled fruit.¡± ¡°And the waste¡­¡± Mr. Jerry sighed, shaking his head. ¡°The rancher was only after the choice cuts. He¡¯d carve out the breast meat and thighs and toss the rest aside like garbage. Dozens of birds a day, and all the bones and skin were left in piles to rot in the sun. Just imagine! Perfectly good material, gone to waste. It was an insult to nature itself.¡± ¡°So that¡¯s why I promised myself, when I grew up, I¡¯d run my own shop and treat the animals right. A bird¡¯s life, you see, has value beyond just a piece of meat. We¡¯re not just butchers, young man¡ªwe¡¯re stewards of dignity and guardians of nature¡¯s bounty!¡± Jack tried to understand the rancher¡¯s perspective. ¡°So you¡¯re making sure you kill chickens the right way?¡± ¡°No, no, no. Ha! You have a lot to learn. Look. The feathers can be used for pillows. The bones for soup. The fat for soap. I''m ensuring every last bit of the chicken isn¡¯t wasted. Because of my efforts, somewhere out there, there are that many fewer chickens that need to be killed!¡± It all seemed a little twisted to Jack. If this man was an advocate for animal rights, he shouldn¡¯t be a butcher. It sounded paradoxical. ¡°Anyway, if you want to learn how to become a butcher here,¡± the old man continued, yawning widely. ¡°I need to take a nap. Can you pluck the feathers off these chickens for me?¡± You¡¯ve become a butcher-in-training. You¡¯ve temporarily learned [Skinning]. Skinning (Common) Skill level: 1 Skill description: You can collect the bounty of carcasses that are most easily accessible. Skill effects: When harvesting a carcass, there¡¯s a chance of gaining feathers and scales. Seeing the skill that lay just around the corner, Jack nodded happily. It was every bit as lazy as Amari promised. However, the system placed a trial to make butchers-in-training sweat a little before they could take up the mantle of the butcher profession. ¡°Sure,¡± Jack said, moving over to where the old man had been standing. The old man walked over to the wall and settled on a stool by the counter. It didn¡¯t take long before he was snoring. Jack huffed, glancing at Mr. Jerry. The ¡®animal rights champion¡¯ was snoring louder than a wild boar. Typical, Jack thought, rolling his eyes. He glanced at the passionate animal rights advocate, who was deep asleep, then shrugged and started plucking. Ch. 118 - Plucking The faint, stale smell of raw chicken clung to the air. Feathers spiraled down like lazy snowflakes, soft at first but prickling against Jack¡¯s skin. Jack worked steadily, plucking feather after feather until his movements became mechanical. His shoulders ached, and his thoughts wandered, but his hands never stopped. He chuckled, finding an odd parallel between this and yanking grass to dry. The task was mindless, sure, but technique made all the difference. Wide, sweeping motions kept the feathers from falling back onto cleared sections. With time, his pace quickened. Meanwhile, Mr. Jerry lay sprawled on his stool, snoring softly. His arms were folded across his chest, his head tilted back like a man without a care in the world. A stray feather landed on his nose, but even that didn¡¯t rouse him. Jack glanced at the growing mountain of feathers he¡¯d plucked and shook his head. The old man looked like he was sunbathing on some tropical beach instead of presiding over a chicken farm. Jack hadn¡¯t timed himself, but he was pretty sure it took him three times as long to pluck a chicken compared to Mr. Jerry¡¯s effortless speed. He kept going¡ªone chicken, then two, then three. By the fifteenth, he stopped counting. His eyelids drooped, and his grip slackened. Counting chickens, he realized, was just as good at making someone drowsy as counting sheep. His fingers throbbed, and his back protested each time he leaned over the table. He paused to stretch, earning a satisfying crack from his neck. Relief surged through him, but it was fleeting. With a resigned sigh, he went back to yanking feathers. The grind dragged on, and Jack grew restless. Over an hour had passed, and Mr. Jerry still hadn¡¯t stirred. Jack coughed, shuffled his feet, and even thumped the table several times, but the old man kept snoring. Eventually, Jack gave up on subtlety and turned to the web browser on his device. Maybe someone else had asked the question that was gnawing at him. Poster: "Hi, guys, I¡¯m doing the butcher quest, and they told me to start plucking chickens. I¡¯ve done ten already, and NOTHING happened. How long is this supposed to take? Am I missing something? Going insane here!" TomTum: "Ten chickens? That¡¯s barely a warm-up, bro. Bad news: you¡¯ve got 90 to go. Buckle up¡ªit¡¯s a marathon, not a sprint." Navarro: "Keep going. You¡¯re about to unlock greatness." Jack smirked as he scrolled through the replies. What¡¯s up with this guy? Ten chickens and he¡¯s already whining on the forums? Youth these days. He yanked out another feather and chuckled quietly. He yanked out another feather, chuckling quietly. It struck him how, two weeks ago, he could have been this player, venting his frustration in an online rant. Guess I¡¯ve learned a thing or two about patience, he admitted, even if the realization was a little begrudging. Looking for motivation, Jack pulled up his browsing history and reopened the description of the minor he was working for. Butchering This one-tier profession is one of the easiest to pick up and remains a favorite among players. Often called the ¡°no-brainer¡± minor, it doesn¡¯t require any special skills or fancy mechanics. Just hunt, harvest, and loot¡ªsomething every player does naturally. The difference? Butchers get more from their efforts. For example, imagine you¡¯re hunting a porky, one of the game¡¯s most common mobs. A regular player might loot porky spikes and call it a day. But as a skilled butcher, you¡¯ll also extract porky bones, scales, tendons, and even rare materials. Overall, butchers can harvest five times the resources from a corpse compared to ordinary players. But that¡¯s not all. You¡¯ll unlock access to the [Salting] skill, which keeps meat in your inventory fresh for longer, saving you time and money. Additionally, butchering is highly synergistic with several other professions: However, keep in mind that butchering has its downsides. It¡¯s a highly competitive field due to its simplicity, and you¡¯ll often have to sell your resources to intermediaries like leatherworkers or chefs, who make the real profit. If you want to take up the butcher minor, approach any NPC butcher and let them know you¡¯re ready to learn. It¡¯s that simple! Pros: Cons: Rank: C Jack felt a spark of determination reignite as he reread the guide, especially the part about the profession being ¡°highly synergistic.¡± If it was already considered so with the mainstream professions, what would happen once it was thrown into a pot with all his minors and his handyman class? This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it. He worked quietly, plucking feather after feather until, at long last, he yanked out the final one. Stepping back, Jack surveyed the results. A few chickens looked a little patchy, but at this point, he figured Mr. Jerry wouldn¡¯t mind. One minor down, countless more to go, he thought, giving himself a mental pat on the back. After two hours and fifteen minutes, the old man finally stirred. Mr. Jerry yawned, stretched, and rubbed his eyes like a cat waking from a nap. ¡°Oh, uh, what¡¯s going on? Oh, right. I needed a nap,¡± he muttered. The old man stood up and inspected the pile of chickens. ¡°Good!¡± He then turned toward all the feathers lying around. ¡°Excellent! Do you know what you can do with these?¡± The old man asked with a grin. ¡°With the chicken feathers?¡± Jack confirmed. ¡°Yes.¡± Jack shrugged, ¡°I don¡¯t know. Pillows?¡± The old man laughed. ¡°Insulation! Jewelry! Clothes! Paper! Food!¡± He shouted, each one louder than the other. ¡°There¡¯s so much you don¡¯t know yet, young one.¡± As he walked over to Jack and placed a wrinkled hand on his shoulder, the old man said, ¡°But you know enough to get started. You¡¯re now a butcher!¡± Jack frowned. ¡°Already? That¡¯s it?¡± ¡°That¡¯s it,¡± Mr. Jerry confirmed. ¡°Easy work, right?¡± Congratulations! You¡¯ve become a [Novice Butcher]. You¡¯ve learned: [Skinning]. [Skinning] synergizes with [First Aid]. You¡¯ve learned a new recipe: [Hearty Wound Dressing]. Jack¡¯s face broke into a grin as the notification blinked across his vision. All the aches, feathers, and stale smell of raw chicken had been worth it. He felt like he was truly progressing. This wasn¡¯t just a profession¡ªit was proof that patience and perseverance could lead to something real. The [Skinning] skill alone felt like a win, but the recipe? That was the real prize. Recipe for: [Hearty Wound Dressing]. Ingredients: Instructions: Requirements: It was a potential power-up for the bandages he made. He looked at the ingredients and the many feathers Jerry was collecting and stuffing in bags. It looks like chicken feathers can also be used as medicine. He couldn¡¯t wait to see how better these bandages were than the regular [Moss Wound Dressing]. Jack glanced at Mr. Jerry, who was already plucking a chicken and humming a tune. ¡°One last thing before I go,¡± Jack said, crossing his arms. ¡°Huh? What is it?¡± Mr. Jerry replied, not even bothering to look up. ¡°When you told me about the egg, you mentioned a tavern. Is that somewhere nearby?¡± * The tavern Jerry visited was just a ten-minute ride from his farm, a short enough trip that Jack didn¡¯t mind slowing down to take in the scenery. The path wound through rolling fields of golden wheat, the sun hanging low in the sky. Jack glanced at the guide on brewing, rereading it and making sure he really was going to go through with this profession. Brewing Even though cooks hold the gold medal for the most powerful buffs in the game, brewers aren¡¯t far behind. Wine, beer, cider, and rum are just a few of the beverages that can be crafted by this versatile and rewarding minor. Brewers don¡¯t just brew¡ªthey age. A properly aged beverage, made with the right ingredients and recipes, can fetch a fortune and even mean the difference between finishing a boss fight or wiping out the entire party. Plus, gifting a rare wine or finely aged rum is one of the best ways to gain favor with influential NPCs. But this profession isn¡¯t without its challenges. Brewers often warn newcomers about two major hurdles: To start this minor, head to any place where beverages are served and offer to buy a round for everyone. The NPC will then offer to teach you the profession. Pros: Cons: Rank: A The guide¡¯s glowing praise only strengthened Jack¡¯s resolve. The requirement to explore dungeons didn¡¯t scare him. Grinning, he let Snowy take him toward the coordinates shared by Jerry. It wasn¡¯t what he expected. Jack had imagined a grand building¡ªa tall house with polished wood paneling, a shiny bar counter, and patrons crowded together while old men threw darts or played pool. Instead, he found a makeshift counter flanked by mismatched chairs outside an unassuming farmhouse. Farmers sat in small groups, their wooden mugs raised as they laughed and shared stories. The air was thick with the mingled scents of hops, honey, and fermented apples. Frothy foam spilled over the rims of mugs, glinting in the sunset. The counter was a patchwork of reclaimed wood, its uneven planks hinting at years of service. Behind it, a woman with her sleeves rolled up to her shoulders poured drinks with practiced efficiency. Three enormous barrels stood behind her, their spouts dripping with residual foam. Finding one of the barrels was running low, she hefted it onto her shoulder with startling ease and carried it to the back to replace it. Jack raised an eyebrow. She had the kind of strength he¡¯d expect from a warden or someone corralling kindergarteners, not a tavern keeper. Jack approached the counter, glancing at the menu: apple cider, mead, and beer. None were too expensive. Looking at the number of farmers, he counted no more than 20. He was going to spend, at most, 30 silvers here. Clearing his throat, he spoke loud enough for the farmers to hear. ¡°The next round is on me.¡± The response was immediate. ¡°Hey!¡± ¡°Thank you kindly!¡± ¡°You¡¯re one of the good ones!¡± The farmers cheered, their voices ringing out in a chorus of gratitude. The woman behind the counter gave him an approving nod, her smile broad and warm. ¡°Careful, stranger. These folks drink more than you¡¯d think¡ªespecially Uncle Billy over there,¡± she teased, jerking her chin toward a particularly jovial old man. ¡°I heard that!¡± Uncle Billy barked. ¡°You were meant to!¡± she shot back. Jack chuckled. ¡°It¡¯s fine. If I can spread a little joy in this sad world, why shouldn¡¯t I?¡± The woman¡¯s expression softened. ¡°The name¡¯s Gretchen,¡± she said, extending a hand. ¡°Jack. Nice to meet you,¡± he replied, shaking it. ¡°Well, Jack, if you¡¯re serious about spreading joy, I can teach you how to make these yourself,¡± she said as she put her hand on one of the barrels. ¡°You can¡¯t throw a proper party if everyone¡¯s thirsty, right?¡± Jack grinned. Thank goodness for online guides. It was easy to trigger the quest when one knew what to do. Jack grinned. ¡°Tell me more.¡± Ch. 119 - Mead Gretchen wiped her hands on her apron and nodded toward the counter. ¡°Uncle Billy, keep an eye on things, will you?¡± The old man raised a bushy eyebrow but lumbered over with surprising enthusiasm. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll keep the mugs flowing. Just don¡¯t blame me if I drink half the profits.¡± ¡°You touch the cider barrel, and you¡¯ll have to answer to me,¡± Gretchen shot back with a smirk. ¡°Come on, Jack. Let¡¯s start with the basics of brewing.¡± Jack followed eagerly. Gretchen didn¡¯t seem to be willing to wait to begin her lesson. She started lecturing him right away. ¡°You know,¡± Gretchen said as they walked, ¡°brewing isn¡¯t just about making drinks. It¡¯s about creating memories. A good drink can turn strangers into friends, enemies into allies. And if you get it just right, it leaves a mark¡ªa little piece of you¡ªin every bottle. Are you ready to begin?¡± ¡°I am!¡± Congratulations! You''ve become a brewer-in-training. That was easy, Jack thought, eyeing the notification. ¡°The simplest and oldest recipe in the book is mead. The recipe is simple: water and honey.¡± You''ve unlocked a new recipe: [Mead] Recipe for [Mead]: Ingredients: Recipe: Requirements: Is this even a recipe? Jack thought with some apprehension. It was just the two ingredients. It didn¡¯t take a genius to do it. He couldn¡¯t help but pat himself on the back. He¡¯d found two lazy minors. It''s too bad that Master Kevin hadn¡¯t given him these two when he first began. That would have saved him a lot of pain and hassle. Anyway, it¡¯s interesting. This is the first time I have started training in a minor by receiving a recipe instead of a skill. I wonder why that is. Jack followed Gretchen around the side of the farmhouse, his curiosity piqued. The path led to a large backyard alive with the hum of bees. Sunlight glinted off neat rows of hives, their wooden boxes painted in soft pastels. They stood among a sea of yellow and purple wildflowers. ¡°Mead is mead,¡± Gretchen said as if it were a profound truth. ¡°Water and honey. That¡¯s it. But I want you to understand that although the recipe is simple, many tiny things can influence the result. Great outcomes come from small adjustments.¡± Jack raised an eyebrow. Gretchen, the earthy farm owner, suddenly sounded like a philosopher. It was like he was looking at a whole different person. Gretchen gestured to her hives proudly. ¡°When making mead, the bees are where it all starts. You can¡¯t make good mead with bad honey. Now, I want you to do me a favor,¡± she said, pointing at the hives. ¡°Taste the honey they make.¡± Jack frowned. He had an inventory full of honey. It seemed like a pointless exercise. ¡°OK. Where¡¯s the pot of honey? Or do you have a jar somewhere?¡± ¡°What are you talking about? The honey is all there,¡± Gretchen said with a hint of playfulness, gesturing toward the hives. She wants me to go to the middle of the hives and take the honey from inside them, Jack realized. He couldn¡¯t help but think of the times when his customers had been assaulted by his hive. He never imagined that the mechanic would be placed here as an obstacle to brewers-in-training. It seemed that this hurdle was designed to prevent just anyone from learning the minor, but it was no problem at all for Jack. He marched confidently toward the boxes and lifted the lid of a random hive. The bees hovered around him cautiously but didn¡¯t do anything to him. Gretchen watched the scene, her eyes narrowing. ¡°You¡¯re a natural with them,¡± she said. ¡°That¡¯s not something you see every day. You might have an easier time as a brewer than most.¡± Jack smiled. His passive skill, which made him attractive to bees, had worked its charm. Seeing that no item appeared in his inventory, Jack scraped the combs and then raised his finger to his mouth and licked it. ¡°What do you taste?¡± Gretchen asked. ¡°It¡¯s honey¡­ it¡¯s sweet.¡± Gretchen shook her head. He¡¯d said something wrong. ¡°Do you see those trees?¡± Jack nodded. Here and there, little patches of woodland separated farms. Most were smaller than the Vulpine Woods, as was the case here, but Jack still saw the trees easily. ¡°Go there, and you¡¯ll find some hives like these. Taste the honey there and then return. Tell me the difference between the two honeys.¡± This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there. What is she getting at here? Even though Jack was skeptical, he still obeyed. Jack began his march toward the woodland. The wildflowers in the meadow danced in the gentle breeze. Here and there, he spotted bees visiting the flowers on one last nectar-harvesting trip before nightfall. He glanced over his shoulder. The farmhouse stood sturdy and well-worn, its wooden beams painted red, darkened by years of sun and weather. Gretchen was using the waiting time to tend to her hives. Just what does she want me to taste in the honey? Jack grabbed a pot from his own stash, honey collected by his own bees. He put some in his mouth. It tastes exactly the same, he thought. Oh well. Let''s just hurry this up. The ¡°woodland¡± was little more than a cluster of fifty or so pine trees. As he neared it, the atmosphere shifted. The air grew cooler and heavier, and there was the resinous tang of pine in the air. He found the hives among the trees. These weren¡¯t neat and pastel like the ones by Gretchen¡¯s farmhouse; they were rough-hewn and weathered, their wood darkened by age and exposure with moss clinging to their bases. Jack approached one and opened it carefully. The bees buzzed around him, but instead of swarming aggressively, they hovered curiously, almost lazily. For a moment, it felt like the bees were welcoming him as if they knew he was here to learn. Jack couldn¡¯t help but grin. His passive skill was proving super useful. He scraped a bit of honeycomb and tasted it. His eyes widened. Something about this honey felt different. It felt¡­ edgy. He got another taste. There was definitely a difference in flavor. It was still sweet, but there was an unexpected sharpness, almost like a whisper of citrus. Jack compared it to his own stash and confirmed it. Had Gretchen not pointed it out to him, he might have missed it, but now that he¡¯d detected it, it was undeniable that it was there. Is it because of the pines here? Around the hives back at Gretchen¡¯s farm, there were mostly wildflowers. Most of the landscape on this map was like that: meadows filled with wildflowers. His bees had collected nectar from such meadows while traveling through the rural properties, granting honey a sweet, flowery taste. That¡¯s why both his honey and Gretchen¡¯s tasted the same! But here, surrounded by pines, the bees had produced a different type of honey. Oh, my goodness. I thought honey was all the same! There¡¯s actually more to it. Does what the bees eat make a difference in the game? Jack¡¯s mind was racing. In some corner of his mind, he already knew that there were different types of honey out in the real world. But, in New Earth, the [Honey] item always had the same item description, no matter where he harvested it from. It turned out that there was more to it. Gretchen had just helped him discover another hidden layer in the game! He placed the lid back on the hive and ran back to Gretchen¡¯s farmhouse, his thoughts buzzing as loudly as the bees. If honey could vary so much, what else had he overlooked? He had a million questions. Did this affect what the honey did? Did it affect its price? He found Gretchen had finished attending to her hives and waited for him with a smug look on her face. ¡°Hello, there. How was the trip?¡± ¡°Good! I got it now. The honey here,¡± Jack said, gesturing at the hives nearby, ¡°has a sweeter, light taste because of the flowers. In the trees,¡± he said, pointing at the distant patch of woodland, ¡°it¡¯s sharper because of the pines.¡± Gretchen clapped her hands with a pleased expression! ¡°That¡¯s it! You got it! You¡¯re starting to think like a brewer!¡± You¡¯ve temporarily learned a new skill: [Brewmaster''s insight]. Brewmaster¡¯s Insight (Common) Skill level: 1 You can see beyond what is obvious and find out more information about things related to the craft of brewing. Skill effects: Passive. Highlights the ability to discern the essence or hidden nature of honey. So there was a skill, after all! Jack exclaimed. This professional tutorial proved to be very different from all the others he¡¯d done so far. He only learned the skill after training his senses to taste the differences in honey. He opened his inventory, and sure enough, the description of his honey had changed. Now, instead of just honey, it read: [Wildflower Honey]. ¡°Thank you for teaching me this,¡± Jack said wholeheartedly. Even without considering what this would mean to the brewer profession, as a beekeeper, he gained a whole new appreciation for honey making. So far, he¡¯d just been running around with his hive on his back and letting the bees harvest nectar on auto-pilot. But if plants made a difference in the taste of the honey, then perhaps he should be more active in the process. He had a whole new bunch of things to experiment with. ¡°Every detail matters in brewing¡ªwhat the bees eat, where they forage, even the time of year,¡± she said, tapping the side of one of the hives. ¡°But we¡¯ve only begun to scratch the surface. Come with me now.¡± Gretchen led Jack into a small shed next to the farmhouse. The inside smelled of wood and dust. Something subtly sweet was also in the air, not quite as overpowering as fresh honey but comforting nonetheless. ¡°It smells nice in here,¡± Jack said, taking a deep breath. ¡°I¡¯m glad you like it,¡± Gretchen replied with a small smile. ¡°This is where I age my batches.¡± She gestured toward the rows of barrels lining the walls, each marked with dates and inscriptions. Without missing a beat, she turned to a small barrel with a faucet, grabbed a cup, and poured its contents. ¡°Here, taste this,¡± she said, handing the glass to Jack. ¡°What does it taste like?¡± Jack accepted the glass. The liquid was a golden, shimmering hue, catching the light in a way that made it look almost unreal. Jack raised the cup to his lips, but before he could drink, a message appeared in front of him. Warning: The brewing profession includes the creation of alcoholic beverages. Alcohol should always be enjoyed responsibly and in moderation. Players under the age of 21 or adults who prefer a non-alcoholic option may activate an alternate mode. In this mode, players will craft non-alcoholic beverages and take on the role of Juicers instead of Brewers. Would you like to activate the non-alcoholic option? Jack blinked at the wall of notifications. They pulled him out of the immersion. Someone has probably tried to sue New Earth, he thought, or maybe they¡¯re just playing it safe. The message raised an interesting ethical consideration: should a game feature alcohol? On the one hand, for those who enjoyed drinking, this was the perfect way to enjoy the drink without worrying about intoxication. On the other hand, he could imagine a recovering alcoholic stumbling on his recovery just by the taste of in-game alcohol. He shrugged. While he enjoyed the occasional beer, he wasn¡¯t much of a drinker. If the game wanted to keep things safe for kids and adults, he was all for it. However, he left the option to taste the alcohol in the drinks. You¡¯ve chosen to keep the non-alcoholic mode off. Warning: New Earth allows players to brew and consume alcoholic beverages, simulating real-world scenarios. However, there is a daily consumption limit. Excessive alcohol consumption can lead to: Please enjoy responsibly and always drink in moderation. Once the windows were dismissed, he finally took a sip. Ch. 120 - First Batch The first sip of mead was an unexpected delight. Sweeter and lighter than beer, it coated Jack¡¯s tongue with a gentle sweetness. Beneath the honeyed notes was a subtle tang, bright and zesty, reminiscent of lemon peel. As he swallowed, a comforting warmth spread through his chest, leaving behind an earthy, spiced aftertaste. ¡°So. How would you describe it?¡± Gretchen asked. ¡°It¡¯s really good,¡± Jack said, lowering the cup with a satisfied nod. Gretchen frowned, her brow knitting with displeasure. ¡°Try it again,¡± she said, her tone almost scolding. What did I say wrong? Jack blinked but obeyed. Just as he tipped the cup to his lips again, she added, ¡°Don¡¯t just drink it. Taste it. Focus. What¡¯s happening in your mouth?¡± He paused, letting the liquid linger on his tongue this time. He closed his eyes, concentrating on the flavors unfurling across his palate. ¡°I think I can taste that citrusy note again¡ªthe one from the pines,¡± he said thoughtfully. ¡°Good! Exactly!¡± Gretchen said, her face lighting up. ¡°You¡¯ve caught the essence of the honey I used for this batch.¡± With practiced ease, she reached for another barrel and poured a fresh glass. The liquid shimmered as it caught the light, a shade darker than the first. ¡°Now, try this one. Tell me what you taste.¡± Jack hesitated, noting the way her gaze sharpened as if daring him to trigger a trap she prepared for him. He sipped cautiously, letting the new mead rest on his tongue. The citrus and resinous pine notes were still there, but something had shifted as though the mead had lost some weight. ¡°It feels¡­ lighter,¡± he said after a moment. ¡°Exactly,¡± Gretchen said, nodding with approval. ¡°Now, why do you think that is?¡± Jack scratched his chin, brow furrowing in thought. ¡°I¡¯m not sure. Did you use a different honey?¡± ¡°Same honey,¡± she replied, a teasing smile tugging at her lips. ¡°Didn¡¯t you notice? The pine and resin flavors are still there.¡± ¡°Right.¡± He shook his head, perplexed. ¡°Then I don¡¯t know. It just feels lighter.¡± Gretchen chuckled. ¡°That¡¯s because I changed something else entirely. And it¡¯s not your fault you didn¡¯t catch it¡ªthis one¡¯s tricky.¡± ¡°So, what¡¯s the difference?¡± Jack asked. ¡°The secret,¡± she said, leaning in conspiratorially, ¡°is in the water.¡± ¡°Water?¡± he echoed, genuinely surprised. She nodded. ¡°Water is just as critical as honey when it comes to brewing. Spring water, for instance, carries minerals that add subtle richness. Distilled water is pure, giving the brew a clean, crisp finish. And rainwater? It¡¯s fresh and lively, brightening the flavors. The first mead you tasted was made with spring water. The second one was made with distilled water.¡± Jack stared down at the golden liquid in his cup, his thoughts racing. ¡°I didn¡¯t think water could change mead so much.¡± ¡°Everything matters in brewing,¡± Gretchen said, her voice firm. ¡°The honey, the water, the temperature¡­ even the air in the room while you¡¯re mixing. Every choice influences the final product.¡± Jack exhaled slowly, leaning against the work table as he absorbed her words. ¡°It¡¯s simple¡­ but complicated,¡± he said. Gretchen nodded with approval, her enthusiasm infectious. ¡°We¡¯ve barely scratched the surface. Aging¡ªthat¡¯s where the real magic happens,¡± she said, her eyes alight with excitement. ¡°Letting the mead rest gives the flavors time to mellow and blend. Give it a little time, and you¡¯ll have something drinkable. But give it a good, long time on the shelf? That¡¯s when it transforms into something extraordinary. The longer it ages, the more complex it becomes¡ªassuming you¡¯ve done everything correctly.¡± She strode to the far corner of the shed, where a weathered barrel sat on a sturdy wooden stand. It was made of dark wood worn smooth, with rusted metal hoops, and faint etchings of flowers barely visible beneath the patina of age. ¡°Here,¡± she said, gesturing dramatically at the barrel. Opening the tap, she let a thick, golden liquid flow into a cup. This batch was darker than the others, its amber hue deep and inviting. She handed it to Jack with a knowing smile. He took a cautious sip, and his eyes widened in astonishment. The honey¡¯s sweetness had deepened, taking on a caramelized richness akin to burnt sugar. The sharp citrus and pine notes had softened into a perfectly balanced harmony, and subtler flavors emerged¡ªa delicate hint of vanilla and spice. It was smoother than anything Jack had tasted. The finish lingered like the comforting glow of embers, refusing to fade. You¡¯ve received [Pine Mead VIII Buff]. +20% Attack for 30 minutes. You cannot consume more brewed beverages for the next 12 hours. Jack stared at the notification, slack-jawed. That¡¯s¡­ a strong buff! The boost outperformed anything he¡¯d seen recently, short of the junior bugkeeper set¡¯s permanent bonuses. While the set still won because it lasted for as long as someone wore the set, this mead¡¯s raw power made it a serious contender. And here is the limitation that the system warned me about, Jack reasoned as he saw that he couldn¡¯t drink any more alcohol for the next 12 hours. The role of the brewing profession was starting to form a picture in his mind. He could now understand why that brewer he¡¯d met at Ariadne¡¯s camping site had wanted to take barrels of mead on his hunt. Whenever a party was about to deal with a demanding boss, they could all have a drink together and increase their chances of success. Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original. What does the VIII after the item mean? Does it have to do with how long it aged? ¡°How long did this mead age?¡± Jack asked. ¡°Ooof. A long time!¡± Gretchen said with an exaggerated sigh. His stomach dropped. It couldn¡¯t take years, could it? ¡°Three days,¡± she added, shaking her head as if lamenting the wait. Relief washed over Jack, and he exhaled audibly. He¡¯d heard stories of fine wines and liquors aging for decades. Thankfully, the game¡¯s logic took some creative liberties with reality. Even so, crafting something that required three in-game days was no small feat. ¡°Can I leave it aging for less time?¡± ¡°Oh yes, but the longer you wait, the better the flavor!¡± Gretchen warned. ¡°So, what¡¯s next?¡± Jack asked, his anticipation growing. ¡°Now, it¡¯s your turn, my friend,¡± Gretchen said with a sly grin. She gestured toward the table, where tools and ingredients were neatly arranged. ¡°Time for you to mix your first batch!¡± You¡¯ve temporarily learned: [Brew]. Brew (Common) After adventuring through the wild, vestiges of yeast remain on your hands. When you mix drinks, you transfer these yeast traces, which ferment sugars into alcohol, enhancing the flavor. Skill level: 1 Skill effects: Passive. You can brew drinks with a 50% fermentation failure rate. The failure rate decreases with higher intellect. Jack¡¯s eyes widened at the details. Fifty percent failure rate? That was absurd! Half his batches would be ruined. He couldn¡¯t help but think of Felix from the Pottery Association. Hadn¡¯t he said that half of the porcelain statuettes he made cracked in the oven? But that was the most advanced thing that could be done in pottery. This was the very first skill! He shook off his doubts and focused on the task at hand. ¡°So, how do we start?¡± ¡°First, gather some honey and water,¡± Gretchen said. ¡°Once you¡¯re ready, come back, and we¡¯ll get to work.¡± Jack grinned, already one step ahead. He pulled a pot of honey and several water vials from his inventory and set them on the table. ¡°Oh! Look at you, all prepared,¡± Gretchen said, raising an eyebrow. Jack shrugged modestly. Carrying water was second nature; it was essential for his survival stews and pottery crafting. As for honey, his industrious bees ensured he always had plenty to spare. Gretchen¡¯s grin brimmed with encouragement. "Alright, let''s get started," she said, tying her apron snugly. She moved to the workbench, gathering a few tools: a wooden spoon, a funnel, and a large, weathered glass jug. Jack placed his pot of honey and vials of water on the table. ¡°So, what¡¯s first?¡± he asked. ¡°First, we measure,¡± Gretchen said, dipping a ladle into the honey. ¡°Three parts water to one part honey is a good starting point.¡± ¡°Is that a hard rule?¡± Jack asked, tilting his head. He didn¡¯t recall the recipe specifying exact ratios. ¡°Not really,¡± she replied. ¡°It depends on what you¡¯re going for. Some people like it sweeter, others lighter. Experimenting will help you find what works for you. Just remember¡ªtoo much honey and the yeast struggles; too little, and the mead ends up thin and watery.¡± Swell. Yet another thing that influences flavor. The water and honey ratio. Jack poured the honey into the glass jug. The golden liquid slid down the sides in slow, thick streams, pooling at the bottom like molten sunlight. ¡°Does it have to be glass?¡± he asked, eyeing the wide-mouthed jug. ¡°Not at all,¡± Gretchen said with a shrug. ¡°But glass lets you see what¡¯s happening, which can be useful.¡± She nodded toward his vials. ¡°Now, pour the water in. Slowly. Take your time.¡± Jack unscrewed the caps and carefully poured the water into the jug. The water mingled with the honey, swirling together but resisting at first. Gretchen handed him a wooden spoon. ¡°Stir,¡± she instructed. ¡°Gently, but make sure it¡¯s mixed well. You want the honey to dissolve completely.¡± Jack took the spoon and began stirring, his movements tentative. The honey clung stubbornly to the spoon and the bottom of the jug. ¡°Good. Keep at it,¡± Gretchen encouraged. Gradually, the mixture transformed into a golden, slightly cloudy liquid. Gretchen leaned in to inspect, then gave an approving nod. ¡°Not bad for your first try.¡± She reached for a small jar filled with dark powder and scooped a spoonful into the jug. ¡°What¡¯s that?¡± Jack asked, curiosity piqued. The recipe hadn¡¯t mentioned this step. ¡°Extra yeast,¡± she explained. ¡°It helps ensure the fermentation goes smoothly.¡± ¡°Where can I get some of that?¡± Jack asked. Gretchen laughed, a rich, warm sound. ¡°Oh, this is from my personal stash. You¡¯ll earn your own in time.¡± Jack grinned at the thought. An item that improved brewing success? He had to get some of that. ¡°Now for the fun part,¡± Gretchen said, picking up a square of clean cloth and a length of twine from the workbench. She smoothed the cloth over the jug¡¯s opening, tying it snugly with practiced hands. ¡°This,¡± she said, stepping back with a satisfied nod, ¡°will let the gases escape while keeping out bugs, dust, or anything else that doesn¡¯t belong. Mead likes to breathe.¡± Jack tilted his head, intrigued. ¡°Why not just use a cork?¡± Gretchen froze mid-motion, turning to look at him with wide eyes. ¡°A cork?¡± she asked, her voice dropping to a grave tone. ¡°Not during fermentation. The yeast produces gas as it works, and if you seal it with a cork, the pressure has nowhere to go. Best case, the cork pops out on its own and makes a mess. Worst case?¡± She made a dramatic exploding motion with her hands. ¡°Your jug shatters. Mead everywhere.¡± Jack winced at the image. ¡°That sounds¡­ messy. And dangerous.¡± Gretchen leaned in, lowering her voice as if she were about to reveal a dark secret. ¡°I had a neighbor once. Lovely guy. Name was Errol. He decided to seal his fermenting mead with a cork because, and I quote, ¡®it looked classier.¡¯¡± She paused for dramatic effect, her gaze steady on Jack¡¯s. Jack furrowed his brow. ¡°And?¡± ¡°And,¡± Gretchen continued, her voice rising, ¡°three days later, I found Errol¡¯s house in shambles. The roof¡ªgone. Windows¡ªblown out. His corpse was covered in honey and shards of glass.¡± She shook her head solemnly. ¡°He didn¡¯t even see it coming.¡± Jack snorted, struggling to keep a straight face. ¡°You¡¯re kidding, right?¡± Gretchen leaned back and crossed her arms. ¡°Do I look like I¡¯m kidding?¡± Jack gulped. ¡°Noted. Cloth and twine it is.¡± ¡°Smart choice,¡± Gretchen said. ¡°It¡¯s not as fancy, but trust me¡ªit¡¯s far less dangerous.¡± ¡°And now we wait?¡± Jack said, trying to steer the conversation away from Erol¡¯s cautionary tale. ¡°Exactly,¡± she said with a nod. ¡°This beginner batch only needs about an hour to ferment before it¡¯s ready to taste.¡± She carried the jug to a wooden shelf, where several other jugs and barrels rested. ¡°Make sure it stays somewhere cool and dark. Too much heat and the yeast will throw a tantrum.¡± Jack wiped his hands on a cloth, admiring their work. ¡°That¡¯s it?¡± ¡°For now,¡± Gretchen said with a wink. ¡°We¡¯ll check if it¡¯s ready to bottle in an hour. Let the yeast work its magic in the meantime.¡± You¡¯ve successfully crafted your first batch of mead! [Mead] is fermenting. Time remaining: 1 hour. Jack leaned against the workbench, his thoughts spinning. While crafting the mead itself hadn¡¯t been complicated, it demanded careful planning and, as the guide had promised, a fair amount of patience. He glanced at Gretchen. Although he was satisfied with the process so far, questions still lingered. Could he control the buffs his drinks provided? If flavor depended on the honey, water, and ratios, did that also affect the bonuses it granted? Could he make mead give attack speed or defense rather than attack, for example? Or could he only control if the buff was stronger and shorter or weaker but longer? He resisted the urge to ask. NPCs rarely gave direct answers about game mechanics. They¡¯d speak vaguely about strength or stamina but not outright acknowledge attributes or stats. Gretchen broke his train of thought. ¡°Shall we meet back here in an hour? I must check if Uncle Billy hasn¡¯t drained all of my barrels.¡± Jack chuckled. ¡°Can I wait here?¡± ¡°Sure. I¡¯ll see you soon.¡± Gretchen left the shed with a wave, leaving Jack alone with his thoughts. Waiting for an hour suited him fine. It was time to wake up in the real world and have some breakfast. He gave one last look at his first batch of mead. Bubbles were starting to form in the bottle, a sign of the fermentation. He logged out of the game, a satisfied smile on his face. Ch. 121 - Aging After a nutritious breakfast and a rejuvenating shower, Jack lay back on his bed, staring at his phone. No texts. The disappointment was familiar, a daily ritual since he and Lydia broke up. He¡¯d swipe through his apps, hoping for something¡ªanything¡ªbut the screen always stayed silent. Today, though, it wasn¡¯t just Lydia weighing on his mind. Rob hadn¡¯t answered Jack''s text earlier, and the silence gnawed at him. ¡°Hope you¡¯re doing okay, man,¡± he muttered, setting the phone aside. His gaze drifted to the VRX helmet on his nightstand. Running his fingers over its sleek surface, Jack smiled faintly. Compared to the clunky rental he¡¯d used before¡ªneon pink, cheap plastic, and overpriced¡ªit was a revelation. ¡°That guy at the rental place was ripping me off,¡± he thought with a wry grin. This thing had been a game-changer¡ªliterally. For once, he¡¯d woken up without the usual aches in his neck and shoulders. But it was more than just the comfort. It meant something: It was proof that his parents supported him. Cautious support, Jack reminded himself. But it was better than no support at all. Without further delay, Jack grabbed the helmet and slid it on. The dim light of Gretchen¡¯s shed greeted him. Wooden barrels stood in neat rows along one wall, steel casks gleamed in another corner, and glass fermenters sparkled high on the shelves. Jack wandered through, skimming labels: dates, percentages, and brewing jargon he still didn¡¯t fully understand. The air smelled of fermenting honey, mingled with the warm, earthy tang of wood. For all its clutter, the shed had an almost cozy feel. I wonder if I¡¯ll have a shed like this one day, Jack thought, running a hand over one of the barrels¡ªa space full of barrels with my name on them. Jack¡¯s eyes lingered on the glass container where his batch was fermenting. There were still bubbles all over the drink, and something dark was starting to gather at the bottom. He wondered if that was good or bad. A glance at the timer showed just a few minutes left before the mead finished fermenting. Jack opened his message log and saw there were new messages on the group chat he kept with the rest of his team. Amari: ¡°Hi, everyone! I triggered the quest with Count Spruce Beanstein (yes, that¡¯s really his name). Meet me at Embersgate Pyramid when you¡¯re ready. Just for Jack: you¡¯re off the hook for most of this since you¡¯re not on the frontline. Just bring fire supplies, cloth for bandages and ocarinas¡ªyou know, all the fun stuff. Not sure if we¡¯ll have wood where we¡¯re headed.¡± Horace: ¡°I¡¯m almost ready. Need 45 more minutes.¡± Marie: ¡°I¡¯ll be there in 15.¡± Jack typed his reply: ¡°Almost done here. Should be there within the hour.¡± Jack¡¯s eyes widened, seeing that Felix had also texted him. Jack was curious. Usually, he texted Felix, but not the other way around. Felix: ¡°Hi. Since we last spoke, I¡¯ve been thinking about you and your parents. How are things now?¡± Jack smiled faintly, his chest tightening with a mix of gratitude and guilt. When they conversed while making ceramics at the Pottery Association, he assumed it was just chatter to pass the time. It looks like it wasn¡¯t just that. Felix did care about him. Jack tapped out a reply. Jack: ¡°Hi, Felix. I¡¯ve talked to them. You were right¡ªthey appreciated me telling the truth. They¡¯re kind of on board with my gaming career. Reluctantly, but I¡¯ll take it. Thanks for the advice¡ªit really helped.¡± It looks like I¡¯ve made a new friend, Jack thought to himself. It was a nice feeling. Just a few months ago, he wouldn¡¯t have had anyone to text, let alone people who cared. Now, he had a growing team; people worried about him and relied on him. Especially after losing Lydia, there was such a massive hole in his life that he hadn¡¯t even realized was there. Only as he adventured with his new team did he realize how lonely he was. Emboldened by Felix¡¯s message, Jack was now itching to send more messages. Jack flipped to his friend list and looked over the names in there. He shot off quick texts to Ariadne and Beeatrice: ¡°Hey, how¡¯s it going?¡± With a few minutes still to kill, Jack decided to check on auction house prices. He opened his browser on the auction website and clicked on the consumables section, running a quick search for ¡°mead.¡± His jaw dropped. The cheapest barrels started at 50 silver, and the price skyrocketed all the way up to 50 gold! That was as much as he got for selling a pot hive, which required meticulous work. Mead was just water and honey! The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. The brewer profession wasn¡¯t just interesting¡ªit was a gold mine! Jack¡¯s mouth watered as he thought about the mountains of honey his bees had harvested. To think he¡¯d been selling it for mere silver coins when he could have mixed it with water, turned it into mead, and increased his profit by 1000%. There were many different meads for sale. He looked at the different filters available. He saw a section for aging, showing Roman numeral numbers between I and VII. He turned options on and off. It looks like my hunch was right. The number has to do with aging. Only three barrels were available for sale at fifty gold, which all had a ¡°VII¡± after it. If the aging speed was consistent between NPCs and players, it had been aged for three days. Jack turned the filter from Mead aged to tier VII and changed it to tier III. Let¡¯s see what difference flavor can make in buffs, Jack thought, digging into the details. Jack kept scrolling through the listings, studying the variations. He caught three barrels of mead III sold for the exact same price, but all with different buffs: It seems I can adjust the buff slightly depending on the flavor profile, but the core effect remains the same, he mused. Then he found something even more intriguing¡ªa batch of more expensive tier III mead that offered dual buffs: +10% attack and +10% health for 5 minutes. Frustratingly, the description gave no clue about how the brewer had achieved such a result. Interesting. Jack stroked his chin as he mulled it over. Jack kept studying the different effects, building upon his discoveries. All the buffs are percentage-based. Early-game players with low stats wouldn¡¯t see much benefit¡ªWhat¡¯s a 10% boost to 10 attack?¡ªbut these buffs could be a game-changer for late-game players with hundreds of points in attack. He closed the window and leaned back, digesting what he¡¯d learned. Brewing seemed to be an incredible way to make money! What else can brewers make? Reopening the auction house, Jack typed ¡°brewer¡± into the search bar and sorted by price, highest to lowest. The results made his pulse quicken. A barrel of Port Wine, aged to tier X, was up for auction. Current bid? 1,000 gold. And the bids were still climbing. Jack leaned back, his imagination spiraling. One thousand gold? For a barrel of wine?! He felt a surge of excitement bubbling in his chest. If someone else can do it, so can I. In his mind¡¯s eye, he was already lounging in a sprawling mansion. He imagined the glint of a sports car pulling up to Lydia¡¯s door¡ªher jaw dropping as he stepped out, cool and collected. Ping! A notification jolted him back to reality. Your mead has finished fermenting! Right on cue, Gretchen appeared in the shed. ¡°Hello, Jack!¡± ¡°Hi, Gretchen.¡± She approached the glass fermenter, examining it with a satisfied nod. ¡°Smells divine,¡± she said, pouring a small sample into a cup and offering it to Jack. He sipped. Sweet, smooth, with just a hint of warmth. It wasn¡¯t bad. Not bad at all. Now that he knew this stuff could be sold at a premium, it tasted all the sweeter. ¡°Now comes the last step,¡± Gretchen said, gesturing for him to follow. She grabbed a small wooden barrel from the corner of the shed. It looked brand new, and Jack caught the faint scent of varnish. ¡°Aging.¡± Jack watched as she placed a sieve over the barrel and began transferring the mead. The sieve caught bits of dark debris collecting at the bottom of the fermenter. ¡°What is that dark stuff?¡± Jack asked, grimacing. ¡°Dead yeast,¡± Gretchen replied. Jack¡¯s mouth twisted in distaste. ¡°Good thing you¡¯re taking it out, then.¡± She chuckled. ¡°Some people leave it in.¡± ¡°Why?¡± ¡°It can add complexity to the flavor, but only if you know what you¡¯re doing. For beginners, it¡¯s best to keep things clean. Trust me on that.¡± Jack nodded, grateful for her guidance. As the golden liquid continued to flow into the barrel, he noticed the variety of barrels lining the shed¡ªsome wooden, others steel. ¡°I¡¯ve noticed you use wooden and steel barrels,¡± he said. ¡°Is there a reason for that?¡± ¡°The material affects the flavor,¡± Gretchen explained. ¡°Wood adds richness, depth¡ªit gives the drink character. Steel barrels, on the other hand, give a cleaner, purer taste. It all depends on what you¡¯re aiming for.¡± Jack nodded thoughtfully. Yet another factor to consider when aging. Once the barrel was full, Gretchen added a cork and sealed it. ¡°So I guess adding a cork now is no problem?¡± Jack asked. ¡°Oh, no. Fermentation is finished,¡± Gretchen confirmed. ¡°It won¡¯t explode now. I promise. All we have to do now is let the flavors meld and settle.¡± You¡¯ve temporarily learned: [Spirits Aging]. Spirits Aging (Uncommon) By giving the drink time, the taste becomes more refined and its effects stronger. Skill level: 1 Skill effects: Passively ages drinks. Chances of successful aging decrease by 50% per tier. Jack blinked and rubbed his eyes. He reread the skill effects. ¡°Chances of successful aging decrease by 50% per tier.¡± What?! Jack¡¯s stomach dropped as the reality sank in. His dreams of mass-producing tier-X wines for easy gold were dashed. The skill came with a steep tradeoff¡ªthe higher the tier, the lower the chances of success. ¡°So, it¡¯s not guaranteed that the batch will age well?¡± he asked, deflated. Gretchen chuckled. ¡°Of course not. Many things can go wrong.¡± She began ticking off points on her fingers. ¡°Temperature fluctuations, contamination, barrel defects. Even the type of honey and water you use can affect the process. Aging isn¡¯t an exact science¡ªit¡¯s an art. That¡¯s what makes it valuable. A lot of batches fail before you get a masterpiece. One time, I thought I could leave the barrel in direct sunlight to speed up the process. Let¡¯s just say I learned the hard way that mead and heat don¡¯t mix. Ended up with something closer to vinegar than anything drinkable.¡± ¡°I see¡­¡± Jack thought of the tier-X Port Wine at the auction house. How many failed barrels had it taken to get there? Let¡¯s see¡­ If tier I is 100%, then tier II is 50%, tier III is 25%¡­ By tier IV, it¡¯s 12.5%. Tier V would be 6.25%. And by tier X? Jack¡¯s head spun. The chance of success would be infinitesimally small. No wonder the Port Wine was so expensive. Just getting something to tier III was a gamble, and higher tiers were near impossible without serious expertise¡ªor luck. Jack leaned against a nearby counter, trying to process it all. Brewing wasn¡¯t just about finding the right honey, water, or barrel. It also had to do with luck. ¡°For now, let¡¯s aim small,¡± Gretchen said, placing the barrel on a rack. ¡°Let it sit for thirty minutes. I¡¯ll be back then to check on it.¡± Jack frowned. ¡°I have to wait thirty more minutes?¡± ¡°Oh, yes,¡± Gretchen said with a smile. ¡°It¡¯s no time at all, right?¡± Jack sighed. ¡°If you say so¡­¡± As Gretchen left, Jack glanced at the barrel and let his thoughts wander. Brewing wasn¡¯t just another skill¡ªit was another way to buff his team. He could already do so with the leveled-up form of [Survival Cooking] and his ocarina. Adding brewing to his repertoire meant he could elevate Amari, Horace, and Marie to new heights, turning them into an unstoppable force. The ultimate support, Jack thought, a grin forming. I could make it happen. Ch. 122 - Synergies Jack raced up the stairs. I shouldn¡¯t have gone for that last lap around the block. The mead finished aging 10 minutes ago! On the one hand, he had never been as sedentary as he was now. On the other hand, he had never enjoyed physical activity as much as he did now. Every bone, joint, and muscle in his body screamed thanks every time he did something physical. I should go for a run later, he noted to himself. It would all depend on how busy it would be at the Breach today. Despite Amari¡¯s explanations, he still couldn¡¯t quite visualize the challenges that being at a Breach would entail. He ran over to the bed, put on the helmet, and logged back in. The familiar rush of light and sensation filled him as he transitioned into the game. It was always a jarring experience, the sudden shift from his room''s quiet hum to the game''s vibrant world. The faint scent of virtual wood and honey greeted him. Forty minutes had elapsed, and Gretchen was already in the shed, waiting for him. ¡°Oh! Look who¡¯s back! Did the mead not sit well with you?¡± ¡°Uh? What do you mean?¡± ¡°Weren¡¯t you gone because you went to the bathroom? You were taking so long that I was starting to get worried.¡± Jack coughed, embarrassed. ¡°Bathroom?¡± ¡°Well, yes?!¡± Gretchen said, her cheeks also reddening. ¡°I assumed that¡¯s where you were.¡± Jack blinked in disbelief. Is this what the developers program the NPCs to believe? That when a player mysteriously disappears and reappears, they¡¯re going or returning from the toilet? He wasn¡¯t against bathroom humor, but whoever had managed to get this snarky programming into these NPCs had really pushed it. Really? Did someone on the development team think this was the pinnacle of immersion? He coughed away his embarrassment and tried to regain his composure. ¡°Anyway, the important thing is that I¡¯m here!¡± Jack said. ¡°Of course. Let¡¯s see how your mead turned out.¡± Gretchen took the small casket from the shelf and removed the cork. A faint aroma wafted out, disappointing in its subtlety. Compared to the richer, more enticing scents Jack had experienced with other meads, this one barely made an impression. It carried a hint of sweetness like someone had whispered ¡°flowers¡± into a barrel of water. She poured a glass for herself and another for Jack. The mead glimmered faintly in the glasses, a pale golden hue that looked more promising than it smelled. ¡°Let¡¯s have a taste, shall we?¡± Jack nodded and took a sip. The mead was gentle, flowery even¡ªpleasant but unremarkable. The floral notes hinted at potential but lacked the complexity he¡¯d tasted in Gretchen¡¯s aged batch. It was drinkable, even refreshing, but it felt unfinished, like a story missing its final chapters. He glanced at the item¡¯s details. Mead I (Common) An amateur brewer¡¯s first attempt. Simple, sweet, and unrefined. Effects: +1% attack for 10 minutes. Ah, yes, he thought, the legendary 1% buff. Fear me, world, for my enemies will tremble before this mighty brew. It was a pitiful buff, especially after seeing what was out there. He didn¡¯t know how high Amari¡¯s attack was, but he doubted that even he, the one with the strongest raw power in the party, would gain a single attack point from drinking this. Amari couldn¡¯t have more than 100 attack already. Unless there was a pity system that rounded the attack boost up. In that situation, he would gain one single attack point. It was little. ¡°Very good! I approve!¡± Gretchen said, landing her glass on the table as if she were a judge using a hammer to issue a verdict. She beamed at him. ¡°Congratulations on your first batch, my friend. Every master brewer starts with something like this.¡± Despite himself, Jack felt a small flicker of pride. Sure, it wasn¡¯t much, but it was a beginning. And beginnings had power. ¡°Thanks, Gretchen.¡± She took a step forward and stretched out her hand. Jack shook it. ¡°Welcome to the family of brewers, Jack.¡± Congratulations! You¡¯ve become a brewer! You¡¯ve learned a new skill: [Brew]. You¡¯ve learned a new skill: [Brewmaster¡¯s Insight]. You¡¯ve learned a new skill: [Spirits Aging]. Jack held his breath, waiting for synergies to activate. For a second, nothing happened, but sure enough, the notifications rolled in, and they didn¡¯t disappoint. [Pottery] and [Brewing] synergize. You¡¯ve learned a new recipe: [Stoneware Amphora]. [Pottery], [Bushcraft], and [Brewing] synergize. You¡¯ve learned a new recipe: [Fermentation Bomb]. [Bushcraft] and [Brewing] synergize. You¡¯ve learned a new recipe: [Molotov Cocktail]. [Bard] and [Brewing] synergize. You¡¯ve learned a new melody: [Jolly Good Fellow]. Jack felt like dancing. Four new gifts in one go! The list of possibilities with these synergies made his head spin, but he forced himself to focus. ¡°May your journey on the brewing road¡ª¡± Gretchen was still going on, wishing him the best, but her words faded into the background as Jack zeroed in on the new recipes. The first one was a new type of ceramic vessel. Recipe for: [Stoneware Amphora] Ingredients: Instructions: This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience. Requirements: Jack scanned the recipe, his excitement cooling a little. It wasn¡¯t that the recipe was bad¡ªceramic vessels seemed practical enough¡ªbut the thought of spending even more time gathering clay, molding it, and firing it felt exhausting. He already had his hands full learning songs, making tools, and now aging spirits. How much time am I going to spend prepping instead of playing? he wondered. His eyes drifted to the elaborate barrel from which Gretchen had poured the aged mead. The craftsmanship was exquisite, a piece that spoke of more than utility. Maybe containers come with special effects, he thought, a flicker of curiosity breaking through his initial disappointment. To test his theory, he opened the auction site and searched for aging containers. The very first listing made him freeze. Charred Oak Barrel (Rare) A work of art made by an expert carpenter, it is perfect for storing wine while imparting flavor to the drink. Durability: 121 Effects: Price: 400 gold Jack¡¯s breath hitched. 400 gold? For a barrel? He clicked on other listings, only to find that even the most basic containers cost several gold each. His earlier disinterest evaporated as the staggering cost of brewing dawned on him. Brewing might be profitable, but it¡¯s not cheap, he realized. Tools and ingredients were one thing, but barrels were a long-term investment¡ªand one that didn¡¯t last forever. He scrolled down to the barrel¡¯s durability and frowned. Wear and tear would eventually force replacements, chipping away at his profits. Then there was the matter of cellars. He hadn¡¯t even looked into those yet, but he could already imagine the cost. Rent, upkeep, or even buying one outright¡ªit all sounded like yet another expense. Jack gulped hard. How much is this profession going to bleed me dry? ¡°It¡¯s OK to cry,¡± Gretchen said, her voice cutting through his thoughts. ¡°Uh?¡± Jack looked up, startled, and found Gretchen wiping a tear from her eye. ¡°A-are you OK?¡± he asked hesitantly. ¡°Yes¡­ It¡¯s just that this poem about beer always gets to me. My teacher also told me about it when I became a brewer, you know? If you like poems, let me tell you one about wine pressing.¡± Jack blinked, his mind catching up. Gretchen thought he was emotional because of her poem. That wasn¡¯t it¡ªhe felt like crying because of how expensive brewing was promising to be. With a sigh, he tuned Gretchen out again and glanced back at the [Stoneware Amphora] recipe. His earlier impression of the recipe shifted. This isn¡¯t just another craft¡ªit¡¯s a lifeline. If barrels were this expensive, making his own containers could save him hundreds of gold. The amphora recipe wasn¡¯t just practical; it was a game-changer. It gave him control over an otherwise costly bottleneck in the brewing process. And then another thought struck him. What if I sell these? Most brewers would be stuck buying barrels from the auction site. If he could produce amphorae, he¡¯d not only save money but potentially make a profit. A grin spread across Jack¡¯s face. The recipe now felt less like a chore and more like an opportunity. Not bad. Not bad at all. He turned to the next recipe, his spirits rekindled. Recipe for: [Fermentation Bomb] Ingredients: Instructions: Requirements: A mix of fascination and disbelief washed over Jack. Explosives? In a brewing profession? He hadn¡¯t expected this turn of events. The concept was crude yet brilliant: a combination of fermentation gases and shrapnel to create a devastatingly simple bomb. He couldn¡¯t help but recall Gretchen¡¯s story about the unfortunate farmer whose house exploded due to overfermented barrels. If there was even a shred of truth to her tale, this recipe could become a potent tool for dealing damage. Since it was barrels¡ªor rather, fermentation pots¡ªdoing the exploding and not him fighting directly, this just might work. Wait! Am I actually going to start joining the fights? Jack¡¯s heart raced with excitement at the thought. The idea of contributing to combat, even from the relative safety of the backlines, thrilled him. Jack then recalled how expensive containers to age spirits were, and his mood soured. Wait¡­ This isn¡¯t a fermentation bomb. It¡¯s a money bomb! For a moment, he envisioned a crazy millionaire buying this casket, turning it into a bomb, and sending it into a pack of ornithopods to explode. It was essentially a 300-credit attack. He shuddered at the waste but then allowed himself a small smile. If it¡¯s this expensive, it probably deals a lot of damage, then! Still buzzing from the potential of the [Fermentation Bomb], he moved on to the next recipe. Recipe for: [Molotov Cocktail] Ingredients: Instructions: Requirements: The simplicity of the [Molotov Cocktail] recipe was almost charming. A container, alcohol, and cloth. With these two recipes, Jack could envision himself standing alongside Marie in the backlines, finally helping the party deal damage. The thought was empowering. He wasn¡¯t just a support player anymore¡ªhe could become a hybrid, lending buffs while dishing out fiery chaos. Still, his excitement dimmed slightly as he considered the practicalities. Both recipes required a significant amount of prep work. Gathering materials, ensuring proper fermentation, and crafting everything meticulously would take time¡ªtime he wouldn¡¯t have in the heat of battle. Not to speak of the costs. Was it even worth it? He frowned, drumming his fingers on the table as he pondered. The damage potential of these items wasn¡¯t clear yet. If they turned out to be lackluster, all that prep might be wasted effort. On the other hand, if they packed a punch, they could be game-changing tools for the party. Jack glanced back at both recipes. He wasn¡¯t convinced, but he was intrigued. Jack turned to the last reward. It was a new melody. Jolly Good Fellow (Melody) Difficulty: Beginner Melody Description: A lively and uplifting tune that inspires camaraderie and boosts the spirits of all who hear it. Perfect for rallying the team and fostering unity in even the direst situations. Melody Type: Joyful It was a new song! Jack¡¯s face lit up. It wasn¡¯t an intermediate-level melody, which suited him just fine. He liked how manageable the beginner songs were¡ªless room for error, more time to focus on their effects. I¡¯ve got to add this to my list, he thought, mentally stacking it alongside his other priorities. Between learning [Jolly Good Fellow], practicing [Clay Dome], and perfecting [Dance of the Turtles], he had plenty of rehearsing to do. He could almost hear the hours of plinking notes on his ocarina ahead, but he didn¡¯t mind. In the meantime, Gretchen had finished her epic speech. Jack turned back to her with a smile. ¡°Thank you, Gretchen. I learned a lot from you,¡± he said earnestly. ¡°Don¡¯t mention it, my friend,¡± Gretchen replied, her warm grin as steady as ever. ¡°When you come to visit, make sure you bring some of the stuff you brew in the future. Deal?¡± ¡°Deal,¡± Jack said, nodding firmly. With their pact sealed, Jack left the shed and stepped outside, where the moon had risen, casting a pale glow over the surroundings. He summoned Snowy. The sloth yawned as it was called to serve him yet again. Hopping onto Snowy¡¯s back, Jack guided her toward the city. His thoughts turned to his friends. Everyone was already at the pyramid, waiting for him. Ch. 123 - Departure Jack caught sight of Amari and the others at one of the pyramid''s corners. Amari stood, holding the reins of his horse in one hand. Horace¡¯s and Marie¡¯s horses were hitched to a sturdy carriage. As he approached, he noticed how different they were from their usual selves. Typically, they¡¯d be joking and teasing, but today, their movements were tense, their eyes darting toward the crowds that surged around the pyramid. Horace and Marie wore hoods that shaded their faces, though the nervous glances they cast over their shoulders gave away their unease. Amari, conspicuously bareheaded, stood tall and steady. Jack couldn¡¯t tell if it was pride, a movement to inspire confidence in his team, or a tactical decision¡ªthree hooded figures might have drawn even more attention. Perhaps it was just so that Jack could find them more quickly. Either way, their nervousness was palpable. Something about the way they clung to the vicinity of the pyramid¡¯s shadow unsettled Jack further. They weren¡¯t just hiding from IronIre¡ªthey were poised, like coiled springs, ready to dive into the pyramid at the slightest hint of danger. Jack¡¯s stomach suddenly tightened. Wait. I thought that the pyramid was just a rendezvous point. But they are all practically leaning against it. No. It can¡¯t be¡­. He practically dashed toward them. ¡°Hi, guys,¡± he said, his voice a little too high-pitched as his eyes flicked nervously to the pyramid. ¡°Why are you whispering?¡± Horace asked, raising an eyebrow. Jack noted that Horace himself was whispering, too, but he didn¡¯t use that as a retort. He cleared his throat. ¡°Nothing, nothing. So, why are we meeting here?¡± he asked, already dreading the answer. ¡°This is where we can activate the transport to the Breach.¡± Amari reached into his pocket and pulled out a key. The key gleamed in his hand, its triangular shape mimicking the pyramid¡¯s silhouette. It was carved from polished black stone, its edges etched with faintly glowing lines that pulsed like veins. ¡°So the pyramid is taking us to the Breach?¡± Jack confirmed, dreading where this was going. ¡°That¡¯s right.¡± ¡°So is the Breach a dungeon, or not a dungeon?¡± Jack asked. ¡°It¡¯s not really a dungeon, per se. You¡¯re not going to enter the pyramid. But we¡¯ll be transported to a special map that no one else can access and the portal is activated at the pyramid.¡± ¡°Just say it¡¯s a dungeon,¡± Marie snapped. ¡°So the pyramid will manage this special map?¡± Jack asked, afraid of the answer. ¡°Well. I guess.¡± ¡°Right, right. That¡¯s¡­ great,¡± Jack said, his knees trembling. Piri¡¯s going to be involved in this whole affair. We¡¯re doomed. His friends frowned at Jack¡¯s questioning, but he didn¡¯t dare explain. They¡¯d think he was crazy for being afraid of an AI¡ªor worse, Piri might be eavesdropping and take offense at what he said. He wasn¡¯t risking her making their lives miserable out of spite. It wasn¡¯t that Jack hated dungeoneering. He¡¯d had good times running mazes in Piri. But Piri had also put him through hell. Memories of flying darts, spiked boots, and near-drowning made his palms clammy. He also remembered the puzzle where Piri had ominously made ¡®I see you,¡¯ the combination to open a chest. ¡°What¡¯s up with the carriage?¡± Jack asked, eager to change the subject. ¡°A good way to bring more stuff along with us,¡± Horace said with a grin, patting the side of the carriage. ¡°This baby can haul plenty.¡± The carriage¡¯s sides were reinforced with iron plating, and the bed was packed with carefully stacked logs and empty bomb shells¡ªtools of survival and destruction, all neatly organized for the unknown ahead. The way that Horace spoke of it made Jack think of when he talked about his beloved motorcycle. ¡°Did you make it?¡± Jack asked Horace. ¡°Parts of it,¡± he said, with a puffed-up chest. ¡°But I still need to reach the expert level before I can do the whole thing. I¡¯m still at journeyman carpenter, level 3." ¡°Blah, blah. It¡¯s a dungeon. It¡¯s a carriage. Are we ready to go or what?¡± Marie asked, her voice edgy. Jack noticed the way Amari¡¯s steady presence contrasted with Marie¡¯s jittery movements. She kept scanning the crowd, her hand never far from one of her bombs. Horace, meanwhile, seemed utterly preoccupied with his carriage, patting the iron plating with a kind of paternal pride. ¡°I actually still need to go to the marketplace and buy supplies,¡± Jack said quickly. ¡°I just got back to town.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll go with you,¡± Amari offered, stepping forward. His expression didn¡¯t leave room for argument. ¡°We can make sure you get everything you need.¡± ¡°That would be great,¡± Jack muttered, shooting one last uneasy glance at the pyramid. It almost seemed to gleam in amusement, its reflective surface catching the sunlight in a way that sent a shiver down his spine. As they walked toward the market, Jack decided to break the silence. ¡°What do you think about the pyramids? Where did they come from?¡± he asked, his tone casual. He reasoned that Piri wouldn¡¯t find the topic offensive, even if she was eavesdropping. Amari raised an eyebrow. ¡°What brought that up?¡± Jack shrugged. ¡°Curiosity. You¡¯ve been playing longer than me¡ªyou must have theories.¡± This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source. Amari sighed, but his tone lightened. ¡°In my old account, I triggered an epic quest that involved following clues about the pyramid¡¯s true origins. I spent months on it without much progress, and then¡­ well, I had to reset my account because of IronIre.¡± The last word was said with bitterness. Jack frowned. ¡°What was the quest like?¡± ¡°It started with tracking a scholar that had gone missing. I found him, and he told me I had to steal a document from the black market in the suburbs, which contained important clues about the origin of the artifacts. I was stuck at that part.¡± ¡°I see. But did you learn anything about the origin of the pyramids while you were trying to do it?¡± Amari hesitated. ¡°You ever heard the theory that the stones used to build the Great Pyramid of Giza were too heavy to move and didn¡¯t come from nearby?¡± ¡°Not really.¡± ¡°Some scholars say that the old civilizations couldn¡¯t possibly have built the pyramids with the technology they had at hand. Some theorize that they had access to superior tech. Something gifted to them by aliens.¡± ¡°Aliens?¡± Jack said, baffled. ¡°Aliens,¡± Amari confirmed, chuckling. ¡°It¡¯s just a theory, mind you. But the developers probably drew inspiration from that. I think the pyramid here ties into something bigger¡ªextraterrestrial tech. Nothing you wouldn¡¯t have heard from the tutorial NPCs, though.¡± Jack paused. He¡¯s right! He hasn¡¯t said anything that Tutor Ezekiel didn¡¯t. But he just presented things in such a way that they made them look more mysterious and interesting. Argh. Experience from having a channel. He really is a good streamer. Nevertheless, the idea that aliens might be involved in the game somehow gave wings to Jack¡¯s imagination. Maybe it was a civilization of jerks. The Jerkians. That would explain why Piri was so insufferable. He didn¡¯t love being at the mercy of something alien, but at least Amari didn¡¯t sound spooked. They left their mounts outside and wove into the crowded marketplace, Jack¡¯s unease temporarily dulled by the buzz of activity. ¡°Anyway, what minors did you get?¡± Amari asked, deftly changing the subject. ¡°Butchering and brewing,¡± Jack replied. ¡°Hmmm¡­ interesting choices. Butchering is a good one for the Breach.¡± ¡°How come?¡± Amari shrugged. ¡°Well, the only thing we¡¯re sure we¡¯ll find plenty of are beasts trying to kill us. You can harvest meat from them, which will keep us fed.¡± ¡°Right,¡± Jack said, unsure if he should be happy about Amari¡¯s prophecy of doom. Nevertheless, he was glad to hear Amari¡¯s tone of approval. ¡°Any words of wisdom before I start shopping?¡± Jack asked as he opened the marketplace window. ¡°Since you¡¯re a butcher now, don¡¯t worry too much about bringing food. Just make sure you can cook it. Bring plenty of water. We might not have any where we¡¯re going.¡± ¡°That¡¯s it?¡± Jack asked, confirming that it was all that Amari had to say. ¡°That¡¯s it.¡± Jack opened his inventory. There were several ocarinas in different colors. He¡¯d let them be. He would need them. There were also several honey pots, half of them full. He would keep them as well. He was going to take his hive along, and the honey had to go somewhere. He had the vials Ezekiel had given him in the tutorial a week ago, which he¡¯d been using to carry water. They were at breaking point. He put them on sale in case a restorer or recycler wanted to buy them and got ten new ones, already filled with water. It felt a little wasteful to spend silver on containers when he could have made jars using his pottery skills, but he¡¯d already wasted a lot of time, and the gang seemed in a hurry. He already had a tent but needed new stakes. He got two new tinderboxes, two simple knives, two new cooking pots, and ten stacks of wood for burning. Even so, he still had ten stacks to fill. ¡°Amari, here is what I have. What do you think?¡± ¡°Bring cloths for bandages. More water. More fuel, too.¡± ¡°Right.¡± Even with the extra slots from Snowy, it wasn¡¯t enough for everything he wanted to take along with him. He looked through the window at Snowy and her saddlebags with empty pot hives. ¡°How long do you think we¡¯ll stay at the Breach?¡± ¡°I hope at least two days. A week would be incredible. The longer, the better.¡± Jack weighed his options and finally made up his mind. ¡°I¡¯ll be right back.¡± He went outside and grabbed two empty pot hives from his saddlebags. He opened the market¡¯s system window and selected the ¡®storage¡¯ option. Jack deposited the empty hives for a few coppers in the marketplace¡¯s bank. That should free up some space. He then started taking logs from his inventory and stuffing them into the saddlebags. Snowy didn¡¯t mind the extra weight and stood still as Jack loaded the fuel. Then, Jack bought more water, cloths, and wood with the freed slots. ¡°I¡¯m good to go.¡± ¡°Won¡¯t you need those pots?¡± Amari asked curiously. ¡°I doubt I¡¯ll get three new queens wherever we¡¯re going. At best, I¡¯ll be able to get a second hive. I¡¯d rather have some more fuel.¡± Amari nodded approvingly. Jack double-checked everything in his inventory as they marched back to the pyramid. What if I missed something obvious? I hope I¡¯ve got everything I need. Glancing at Amari, he imagined their leader¡¯s mind was going through a similar checklist. He had not only his inventory to think about, after all, but everyone¡¯s. ¡°Amari, you said that, at most, we¡¯ll last one week in the Breach. Right?¡± ¡°Excuse me. What? Right. One week. Yes.¡± Jack was right. Amari was laser-focused on the expedition. ¡°Do you think that will be enough to get off the Slayer¡¯s radar?¡± ¡°When someone has a short fuse like the Slayer, making enemies doesn¡¯t take long. If we give him time, he¡¯ll just find someone else to chase.¡± Jack nodded. ¡°It would be awesome if we lasted a week. I¡¯m guessing the rewards are incredible, uh?¡± ¡°I¡¯m not sure we can do it¡­ You¡¯ll see,¡± Amari said, a faint smile tugging at his lips. ¡°The Breach has¡­ layers. Just be ready for anything.¡± Jack and Amari rendezvoused with the group, and Amari took the key from his pocket. ¡°Everyone ready?¡± ¡°Ready.¡± ¡°Ready.¡± ¡°Ready,¡± Jack echoed. Amari held the key for a moment, its polished surface catching the sunlight. ¡°Just remember,¡± he said, his voice unusually grave. ¡°Stay sharp, stick together, and don¡¯t get cocky. Surprises are the only guarantee.¡± ¡°Great pep talk,¡± Horace said with a nervous laugh. ¡°Stick together, don¡¯t die. Got it. Anyone want to bet on how long we last?¡± Horace added, his grin twitching. ¡°I¡¯m putting three silver on myself making it at least three days before I heroically kick the bucket.¡± Marie glared at him, her fingers drumming on the side of a bomb she¡¯d pulled from her belt. ¡°Not funny.¡± ¡°What? We¡¯re supposed to be the A-team here. Gotta have confidence, right?¡± Horace¡¯s voice cracked slightly, betraying his forced humor. ¡°Horace, focus,¡± Amari said firmly. Marie huffed, her eyes scanning the crowd one last time. ¡°The longer we stand here, the more likely IronIre sends someone. Let¡¯s get this over with.¡± As Amari raised the key, Jack glanced at the pyramid. For a split second, he thought he saw something¡ªa faint glow, a pattern etched into the stone¡ªbut it was gone before he could be sure. I¡¯m imagining things. Aren¡¯t I? Amari pressed the key to the pyramid, and a sharp, resonant chime rang out, making Jack flinch. The air grew heavy, vibrating faintly, and the ground beneath them shifted like something ancient had stirred awake. The pyramid flared with light, intricate patterns racing across its surface before converging on the key. A system message blinked into view, its edges flickering with faint symbols Jack didn¡¯t recognize: Warning! You¡¯re about to be transported to a special map! Warning! You can¡¯t leave the map until you die or finish your quest. The longer you last, the greater the rewards. Are you sure you want to be transported? Amari must have clicked yes because another message soon appeared. You will be transported to a Breach. Prepare for transport. The world around them fractured, the lines between objects breaking apart like shards of glass. Jack¡¯s stomach lurched as the colors bled together, swirling into an endless void. For a moment, there was nothing¡ªno sound, no light, just the weightless, disorienting sense of falling. Then, with a jarring snap, the world reformed around them. Ch. 124 - The Breach The world snapped back into focus. A sharp gust of icy wind hit his face, stealing his breath. Around him, gray stone dominated the landscape, jagged and unyielding. The group stood atop a narrow plateau on the side of a mountain, with the faint outline of a fortress looming above. The sky was overcast, a heavy blanket of gray clouds threatening snow. Below them, a winding road snaked its way down the mountainside, its full length hidden from view by rock and clouds. It was littered with the bodies of animals and the odd soldier. Behind them, the fortress wall stood, battered and breached. Chunks of stone lay scattered across the road, and the gate hung awkwardly off its hinges. Jack shivered as another gust of wind howled through the broken defenses, carrying a faint, acrid smell of rot and smoke. ¡°What should we do?¡± Jack asked. ¡°Explore,¡± Amari declared, his tone steady and confident. ¡°For the first hour, there are no waves. We have to make sense of the situation first.¡± Jack nodded, glancing nervously toward the fortress. The hole in the wall seemed to gape like an open wound, and the wind howling through it sounded like a distant scream. The group moved cautiously up the road, their boots crunching against the frosty ground. Horace was uncharacteristically quiet, his eyes darting to the still forms of the creatures they passed. ¡°Shagrats and marmosets,¡± he muttered. ¡°Keep moving,¡± Amari said, his voice low. As they stepped through the breached wall, the devastation became even clearer. The fortress was in disarray¡ªfires still burned in pockets of debris, sending trails of smoke spiraling into the sky. Soldiers lay scattered across the courtyard, their armor dented and their weapons broken beside them. Nearby, the remains of the invading animals were oddly still, as if frozen mid-struggle. ¡°Check for survivors,¡± Amari ordered, his gaze scanning the area. The group fanned out, stepping carefully over the debris. It was Marie who heard it first¡ªa low, ragged grunt coming from near the wall. ¡°Over here!¡± she called, gesturing to the others. They hurried to her side and found a soldier slumped against the wall, his breathing labored. His armor was scratched and dirt-streaked, and his face was pale, his eyes barely open. ¡°W-who?¡± the soldier croaked, his voice barely audible over the wind. ¡°The Duke sent us,¡± Amari said, kneeling beside him. The soldier gave a weak, bitter laugh that quickly turned into a cough. ¡°We¡¯ve¡­ tried our best, but¡­ they just don¡¯t stop coming.¡± ¡°Are there provisions in the fortress? Weapons? Anything we can use?¡± Amari asked urgently. But the soldier wasn¡¯t listening. His eyes were glassy and unfocused. ¡°I¡­ I can¡¯t do anything else to help. More¡­ reinforcements. Hold the wall. I leave it¡­ in your-¡± With a shuddering breath, the soldier slumped forward, his body going limp. A new system message flashed before Jack¡¯s eyes: Quest Updated: Defending the Breach (Uncommon) Duke Spruce Beanstein has been entrusted by the royal family of Eternia with the protection of an outpost deep in the mountains, northward of the Walled Realm. After an ominous message from the captain of the regiment saying that the local fauna had gone berserk and were attacking the fortress, the Duke asks you to visit the outpost and see if the local garrison needs help. You find a soldier, who, with his last breath, asks you to hold the fortress until reinforcements arrive. Jack stared at the message, his heart sinking. ¡°We¡¯re it, aren¡¯t we?¡± he said, his voice barely above a whisper. ¡°It was always going to be just us, Jack,¡± Horace said from the side. Amari rose to his feet, his expression grim. He stood still for a moment, his gaze fixed on the soldier¡¯s lifeless form. His expression was unreadable, but Jack could see the gears turning. Amari wasn¡¯t just processing what they¡¯d seen¡ªhe was weighing it, calculating their next steps. Finally, he took a deep breath and turned to the group. ¡°We¡¯ll need three layers of defense,¡± he began, his voice calm but firm. ¡°One at a choke point farther down the road, where the aperture narrows. The second at the gate¡ªit¡¯s damaged, but we can reinforce it. The third inside the citadel itself, our final fallback.¡± He turned to Horace. ¡°Horace, start working on the gate. Patch it up as much as you can. Use debris, barricades, or anything sturdy. Keep the entrance tight, manageable.¡± Horace nodded, his usual humor subdued. ¡°Got it.¡± ¡°Marie,¡± Amari continued, ¡°prepare the citadel. That¡¯s our last stand, and I want it secure.¡± Marie¡¯s fingers brushed over the bomb at her belt, her expression grim. ¡°On it.¡± Amari¡¯s gaze swept over the others. ¡°We also need to explore as much of the map as we can before the waves start. There might be resources farther out¡ªherbs, food, weapons, anything that can help us hold out longer. I also want to check on the beasts down the road. Maybe it¡¯s a clue to the kind of monsters we¡¯re fighting. If we know what we¡¯re up against, we can prepare better. I¡¯ll let you know when I find the right spot on the road, Horace. You can come and meet me there to help me fortify it.¡± This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience. Finally, his eyes landed on Jack. ¡°Jack, I need you to scout the fortress. Look for anything useful¡ªwood, food, water. Anything.¡± Jack nodded, his nerves settling slightly under Amari¡¯s steady leadership. ¡°I¡¯ll see what I can find.¡± ¡°Good. Let¡¯s move.¡± The group split off, each moving with purpose. While Horace started working on the gate, Jack stayed closeby to explore the central courtyard, where fallen soldiers and beasts lay tangled in the frozen aftermath of battle. The remains of beasts far outnumbered those of soldiers¡ªfive to one. Jack knelt to examine one of the creatures, his breath puffing in the cold air. It was stocky with matted fur streaked with frost and grime. It had powerful-looking hind legs, while its front claws, long and jagged, seemed designed to rip into soil, wood, or stone. Its flattened, rodent-like face was unsettling, with large yellowed incisors. The second creature was smaller, its wiry frame partially curled. Coarse, pale fur clung to its sinewy limbs, and a bushy tail trailed behind it. Its claws were shorter but sharper. Jack brushed a hand against its fur, only to feel the frost embedded like glass shards, making the creature''s form rigid and unyielding. He stood, brushing the frost from his gloves, and took in the rest of the courtyard. The signs of destruction were everywhere: shattered ballistae, splintered arrows, and scattered broken beams. The walls bore deep gashes, and here and there, chunks of stone were missing entirely. The fortress had been torn apart in its final stand. But even in the chaos, Jack noticed opportunities. The wood from the broken siege engines could be salvaged¡ªsome of it still looked sturdy enough for repairs or fires. He made a mental note to collect it later. That¡¯s when he spotted the well. Tucked away in a shadowed corner near a collapsed section of wall, it was easy to miss. Its weathered stone edges were cracked and crumbling, yet the structure itself seemed remarkably intact. Jack approached cautiously, brushing away loose debris as he leaned over the edge. Peering inside, he was greeted by nothing but a void of darkness. The air wafting up from below was dry and stale, carrying none of the damp, earthy scent of water. He frowned and grabbed a small pebble, dropping it into the well. He strained to listen, but the sound of the pebble bouncing off the sides faded quickly into silence. No splash. ¡°Great,¡± Jack muttered, his voice heavy. ¡°A well with no water. Exactly what we need.¡± Having found nothing else in the courtyard, Jack decided to climb the wall, hoping to get a better view. The stone steps were slick with ice, forcing him to move carefully. Reaching the battlements, Jack paused to take in the scene. The wall stretched in both directions, its once-mighty structure now riddled with cracks. Frost clung to the stone beneath his feet. From his vantage point, Jack could fully grasp the fortress¡¯s isolation. The winding road that led here ended abruptly at the northern wall, severing it from the world below. To the west, a sheer cliff wall loomed over the fortress, its jagged face offering a natural barrier against any approach. To the east and south, the mountain plunged into a dizzying abyss. As he continued along the wall, something caught his eye¡ªa narrow set of stairs carved into the mountain itself. The steps were rough, uneven, and ancient, leading upward into a shadowy trail cut through the rock. Curiosity tugged at him, and after a moment¡¯s hesitation, Jack began to climb. The trail was narrow, barely wide enough for one person to traverse. In some places, Jack had to turn sideways to squeeze through, his shoulders scraping the icy walls. Horace wouldn¡¯t have fit here, he thought. Just as he was about to turn back, his vision blurred for a split second, and a soft chime echoed in his mind. A faint glow appeared on his map, a small, blinking icon he hadn¡¯t noticed before. [Water Sniffing] activated. Water source detected: 87 meters south. Jack blinked, staring at the notification. ¡°[Water Sniffing]?¡± he murmured. ¡°I completely forgot I had this bushcraft skill¡­.¡± The map displayed the location¡ªa spot just ahead where the trail seemed to descend. Gulping, he pressed forward. The path sloped downward into a small depression, its walls narrowing into a pit. The air here felt different, damp, and heavy. At the bottom, water trickled from a crack in the rock, pooling into a shallow basin before seeping into the frozen ground. Jack crouched beside the pool, a grin spreading across his face. The water was crystal clear, and the soft, steady sound of its flow was like music to his ears. ¡°Well, hello there,¡± he said softly, dipping his hand into the spring. The water was icy, numbing his fingers, but it was fresh. Perfect. ¡°This solves a lot of problems,¡± Jack muttered. The basin wasn¡¯t large, but the trickle was steady¡ªenough to supply their group. As he stepped into the shallow water, the chill soaked into his rope sandals, but something else caught his attention. The mushy soil beneath his feet yielded slightly. Jack crouched again, his fingers digging into the soaked reddish-brown earth. It was dense, sticky, and unmistakable. ¡°Clay,¡± he said, his voice tinged with excitement. His mind raced as he realized the implications. The minerals carried by the water had settled here, forming a clay deposit! Water and clay! Not bad! Before leaving, Jack marked the location on his map. This spot was a treasure trove, and he couldn¡¯t afford to forget it. Satisfied, he began his descent back to the fortress, his thoughts buzzing with plans for how this discovery might help them survive the waves to come. Back in the main courtyard, Jack resumed his exploration. The air grew quieter as he moved away from the central ruins and headed toward the south wall. It was smaller and less fortified. It looked hastily constructed, perhaps as an afterthought, but it was still intact. He ascended carefully. The bitter wind picked up as he reached the top, and when he stepped onto the battlement, the view stole his breath. Beyond the wall was a sheer drop, the mountain plunging steeply into a vast canyon below. The landscape wasn¡¯t entirely barren, though. Jack¡¯s eyes picked out patches of tenacious greenery clinging to life against the harsh backdrop. Stunted pines rose from the cliffside and tangles of shrubs dotted the rocky terrain. Here and there, bright specks of white and purple marked the location of alpine flowers. Jack¡¯s mind immediately turned to his hive. These flowers might not be abundant, but they were enough. His bees wouldn¡¯t have the luxury of a meadow or forest, but these hardy plants could still sustain them. He pulled the pot hive from his pack, carefully setting it down on a flat section of stone sheltered by the battlement¡¯s parapet. For a moment, nothing happened. Jack remained crouched, watching the hive in silence, wondering if the bees would emerge at all in this harsh environment. Then, slowly, a few began to crawl out, their fuzzy bodies catching the faint sunlight as they hesitated at the entrance. One by one, they took off, their tiny wings buzzing faintly in the cold air. Jack followed their flight with his eyes, marveling as they dipped toward the cliffs below. A small smile tugged at Jack¡¯s lips. ¡°You¡¯re tougher than you look,¡± he murmured, watching the bees work. For a while, he stayed there, observing the hive and the canyon beyond. The fortress felt even more remote from this vantage point, perched precariously at the edge of the world. He stood, brushing frost from his knees, and took a final glance at the hive to ensure it was secure. Jack lingered for a moment, taking in the view. The fortress felt even more isolated from up here, perched on the edge of the world. Time to report back, he thought, climbing down carefully. There was still much to prepare before the waves began. Ch. 125 - The First Wave A bee returns to the hive with nectar. +10XP in [Beekeeping] Knowing his bees had a way to keep producing honey¡ªand that his [Beekeeping] minor would keep leveling up¡ªgave Jack relief. He wouldn¡¯t have much time to care for them, and seeing them thrive despite that made him smile. The air around the gate smelled of sawdust and damp stone. The fortress gate had transformed in the short time he¡¯d been exploring. What was once a gaping wound now looked like a patchwork of makeshift repairs. Beams and stone jutted out at odd angles, bound together with debris and thick ropes. It wasn¡¯t pretty, but it held¡ªfor now. The same couldn¡¯t be said for the other breaches in the wall. They still yawned open, exposing the fortress to any potential attack. Jack frowned as he scanned the scene, his eyes catching on the pile of empty bomb shells and wood stacked neatly in the courtyard corner. It seemed everything Horace and Marie had hauled in the carriage had been unloaded. ¡°Jack!¡± Marie waved from a short distance away, her face urgent. He jogged toward her, and without another word, she turned on her heel and left the fortress. ¡°So, how was the citadel?¡± Jack asked as he caught up, his breath puffing in the cool air. ¡°Pitiful,¡± she replied bluntly. ¡°But I¡¯ve done what I could. Let¡¯s hurry. Amari and Horace are running out of stamina, and they¡¯ve had to use some of their emergency snacks already.¡± ¡°Right, right.¡± They followed the winding road downhill. The road ahead narrowed sharply, the cliffs pressing in. At a sharp curve where the cliffs loomed close, Jack stopped short. ¡°Wait. Is that¡ª¡± ¡°Yeah,¡± Marie smirked. The carriage angled across the path like a barricade. Its reinforced metal plating caught the light, suddenly making sense. They had turned the carriage into a wall! ¡°That¡¯s smart,¡± Jack said, impressed, though his mind immediately jumped to what would happen if the barricade failed. He could already picture the beasts swarming over it like a living tide. Beyond the carriage, Horace was hard at work, burying thick wooden stakes at sharp angles into the rocky ground. With every log he hammered into place, he swiftly sharpened it into a deadly point. Nearby, Amari moved with practiced efficiency, scattering caltrops like he was spreading seeds in a field. ¡°Jack! Marie! Glad you¡¯re here,¡± Amari called, wiping the sweat from his brow. ¡°Jack, could you¡ª¡± ¡°On it!¡± Jack said before Amari could finish. He moved quickly, grabbing nearby rocks and forming a circle for the fire. He placed the fuel, and his hands moved automatically, striking flint against steel until sparks flew. The fire roared quickly. You¡¯ve crafted [Mid-Temperature Fire]. +500XP in [Bushcrafting] The only ingredient Jack had on him was honey. Cooking this recipe was going to be straightforward¡ª too straightforward. Water. Honey. Boil. The notification blinked into existence moments later: You¡¯ve crafted [Survival Stew]. +110XP in [Bushcrafting] The sweet, earthy aroma of honey filled the air as he stirred the pot, the flames crackling beneath it. He stifled a sigh at the system¡¯s quirk: no matter what he cooked, it always resulted in [Survival Stew]. Jack ladled the golden liquid into bowls and passed them out. Amari slurped it down as though it were the finest broth he¡¯d ever tasted. ¡°The citadel¡¯s gate was breached,¡± Marie said, her voice matter-of-fact. ¡°I¡¯ve barricaded it as best I could. There were a couple of weapons left inside¡ªnothing great, but usable.¡± ¡°Which ones?¡± Horace asked. ¡°No war hammers, sorry. But I found a mace, a spear, a couple of swords.¡± After a dramatic pause, she added, ¡°Oh, and two or three shields.¡± ¡°Shields?! That¡¯s awesome!¡± Horace said, sighing in relief. As the tank, his equipment dropped its durability the fastest. Having a couple of more spares would go a long way. ¡°What about you, Jack?¡± Amari asked. ¡°I found a spring of water and clay. There¡¯s also a spot where my bees can forage, so honey production is good for now.¡± Amari nodded, taking it all in. ¡°Very well. Water and food are guaranteed.¡± He paused for a few moments, gathering his thoughts. ¡°The map is quite wide, and I still have much to explore. Here¡¯s what we¡¯re going to do. The first few waves should be the easiest. Marie, you¡¯ll defend the fortress on your own. With our traps and your bombs, you should easily handle it. Do as we discussed.¡± Jack clenched his fists. Marie was more than capable¡ªshe¡¯d proven that time and again¡ªbut the thought of her facing even a ''small'' horde alone gnawed at him. He glanced at her satchel of bombs, then at her calm expression, wondering how she could stay so steady while he felt like a bundle of nerves. ¡°Horace, keep working on the gate and the wall,¡± Amari continued. ¡°Once that¡¯s done, lay as many traps as you can between the carriage and the gate.¡± You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story. ¡°Roger that,¡± Horace replied. ¡°As for me,¡± Amari said, cracking his neck, ¡°I¡¯ll keep exploring the map. There¡¯s a lot we haven¡¯t seen yet. There might be hidden advantages we can use. Marie, hit me up once the first boss comes.¡± ¡°Aye, aye, sir,¡± she said. Jack nodded along, but the unease in his chest lingered. The idea of Marie alone in the fortress didn¡¯t sit right with him. ¡°And me?¡± Jack asked hesitantly. ¡°For now, keep Marie topped up with stamina and health. Don¡¯t you have the butcher profession now? After each wave, you¡¯re on loot duty.¡± ¡°OK!¡± Jack said, his voice firm. Loot duty wasn¡¯t glamorous, but it was necessary. ¡°If you have free time, do whatever else you want that can help. Music, crafting items,¡± Amari added, standing up. Amari stood up. ¡°5 minutes until the first wave. We¡¯ll stay in touch.¡± With that, he ran down the road. Horace ran in the opposite direction, and Marie climbed the carriage, standing heroically facing the upcoming waves. Jack couldn¡¯t help but notice a new energy about the group. This kind of scenario was not relaxing, but now that they were on a secluded map, they were out of IronIre¡¯s reach and seemed lighter. The Slayer couldn''t disturb them no matter how much he wanted to. Not here. With free time on his hands, Jack grabbed the ocarina. He had three new songs to master: [Dance of the Turtles], [Jolly Good Fellow], and [Clay Dome]. He didn¡¯t even know what the last two did. He really should find out. If they could increase the group¡¯s chance of survival, he had to learn them fast. His fingers hovered over the holes of his ocarina as he replayed the [Clay Dome] melody in his mind. It wasn¡¯t too complicated, but the note bends across several steps were tricky. He tried working on the glissandos, fingers aching as he worked to perfect the technique. For a moment, all that could be heard on the cliff was the imperfect glissandos and Horace hammering wood planks to close the wall up the road. Just as he felt he was getting the hang of it, a system notification rang. The 1st wave comes! Beware! The notification sent a jolt through him. Marie, standing on the carriage, calmly checked her satchel of bombs. She murmured to herself as she counted the fuses, her fingers moving quickly and precisely. Jack had seen her do this a dozen times, but it still amazed him how calm she stayed in the face of an incoming horde. For a moment, nothing happened. Then, Amari sent a message. ¡°Roaches,¡± it said simply. A faint skittering noise broke the silence, growing louder with every passing second. It was subtle at first, almost like the rustling of leaves in the wind. But soon, it grew, echoing off the cliffs. Jack hauled himself up the carriage out of curiosity. His imagination got ahead of him. Roaches¡­ He pictured them already¡ªglossy black creatures the size of horses, with massive pincers and legs that could crush a man. His grip tightened on the edge of the carriage as he braced himself for the monstrosities to appear. Then, he saw it. A patch of black in the distance, moving in eerie unison. Jack squinted. At first, he thought they were far away, but the closer they got, the more he realized something was off. "Wait¡­ no way," Jack muttered. There were about thirty cockroaches marching up the road in a straight line. Each one was about the size of a small mouse. Jack blinked in disbelief. This was the Breach? He sat back, slack-jawed. "Seriously?" Marie glanced up from her satchel, unimpressed. She casually lobbed a small cracker into the mass with the same energy she might use to toss breadcrumbs to birds. The explosion went off with a faint pop, barely louder than a firecracker. When the dust cleared, there was nothing left but a few singed shells scattered on the road. The rest of the roaches had been vaporized. 1st wave clear You¡¯ve won 1 breach point. Breach store unlocked. The next wave will come in 2 hours. Jack stared at the road for a long moment, then turned to Marie. "Uh¡­ that¡¯s it?" Marie smirked, shaking her head. "Dude. It¡¯s the first wave! If they sent a pack of T-Rexes on the very first wave, who would want to do this?" Jack glanced back at the charred remains of the tiny roaches, a mix of disbelief and annoyance flickering across his face. "I guess you have a point," he muttered. Reading the notifications, Jack¡¯s eyes landed on the store. What is this Breach store? He clicked the new icon in his vision. Three options appeared: [Next Wave], [Aid Package], and [Reward Chest]. The chest and the box looked rusty and falling apart, reminding him of the first chests he¡¯d seen in Piri¡¯s mazes. ¡°What is this Breach Store all about?¡± Jack asked. ¡°I¡¯ll tell you later. Just get the loot already! Hurry, or we¡¯ll lose the bonus!¡± ¡°What bonus?¡± Jack asked. Marie planted her hands on her hips and shot him a withering glare. ¡°Do you ever listen? Loot! Now!¡± ¡°Fine! Fine!¡± Jack hopped off the carriage and immediately regretted it. He narrowly avoided stepping on a caltrop¡ªthen landed squarely on another. ¡°Ow!¡± Jack yelped, hopping on one foot as a caltrop embedded itself in his boot. He grumbled under his breath as he picked his way through the stakes and traps, limping slightly. Finally, he reached the blast site and he started picking up the loot. You¡¯ve looted a black roach. You¡¯ve picked up eight coppers. +1XP in [Butcher] You¡¯ve looted a black roach. You¡¯ve picked up eight coppers. +1XP in [Butcher] Sweet! I¡¯m farming butcher XP! Sadly, his only butchering skill, [Skinning], only worked with scales and feathers, none of which the roaches had. ¡°You¡¯re slower than molasses in January,¡± Marie yelled. ¡°Hurry!¡± Jack finished looting the last roach and scrambled back to the carriage. ¡°There! Done!¡± The crabby grenadier relaxed somewhat. Marie seemed to be the kind of person who was happy as long as you did what she wanted. Sighing, Jack asked again. ¡°So. Care to explain the store?¡± ¡°Hmmm. I guess we have the time. So, here¡¯s how it works. You can invest points to get better rewards. That¡¯s the chest.¡± ¡°What kind of rewards?¡± Jack asked. ¡°Weapons. Armor. Recipes. Mounts. Use your imagination,¡± Marie said. ¡°Or, you can invest in aid packages to survive longer on the map.¡± Jack raised an eyebrow. ¡°What kind of stuff can you get from aid packages?¡± ¡°Food. Supplies. Maybe, if you¡¯re lucky, arrow towers or NPC soldiers. But don¡¯t hold your breath.¡± ¡°What about the bonus you were talking about?¡± As if to answer his question, a new message popped up in his window: You¡¯re quick and efficient. You¡¯ve won 1 breach point. The next wave comes. Jack blinked. ¡°What just happened?¡± Marie grinned, her tone smug. ¡°I clicked the [Next Wave] icon. You get double Breach points if you do it within 5 minutes of the wave ending. Easy, right?¡± Jack stared at her, dumbfounded. ¡°Wait, I thought we were trying to last as long as we could on this map! Shouldn¡¯t we wait the two hours out?¡± Marie shrugged, looking far too pleased with herself. ¡°By getting this extra Breach point, we can invest in better aid packages. Better aid packages mean more resources. More resources mean we can last more waves. Trust me. It will be worth it.¡± The skittering grew louder again, sharper and more insistent than before. Marie adjusted her stance, a small, almost gleeful smile tugging at her lips as she reached for another bomb. ¡°OK! Here we go again.¡± Sighing, Jack didn¡¯t even bother to practice the ocarina. Something told him that clearing this wave wouldn¡¯t take much time, and he was about to pick more loot before he knew it. Ch. 126 - Fat Jack could hear the third wave coming, but he wasn¡¯t worried. Wave two had been annihilated as easily as the first one; one of Marie''s bombs had done the trick. There was no reason to doubt this one would be any different. Between the first two waves the only difference was in the number of black roaches: fifty instead of thirty. Judging from the skittering sound growing louder and the black moving patch, it was roaches again. Jack covered his ears, knowing what followed. The wave was the lightning, and Marie¡¯s bombs the thunder. After seeing one, one would surely hear the other. Pop! Bang! Twin explosions rocked the battlefield. 3rd wave clear. You¡¯ve won 1 breach point. When the dust settled, he coughed and waved a hand in front of his face, trying to clear the air. ¡°Two bombs this time?¡± he muttered under his breath. ¡°As many as are needed,¡± Marie answered. Jack moved forward to collect the loot. He stooped to harvest a roach and froze mid-reach. At first, he thought it was a trick of the light. But no, scattered among the glossy black carcasses were splashes of color¡ªtiny tufts of purple fur. ¡°It¡¯s a roach, but it¡¯s hairy?¡± Jack¡¯s lip curled in disgust. A roach was already the stuff of nightmares, but adding fur? That was just wrong. What scared him most, though, was the choice of color. It was oddly reminiscent of Piri¡¯s pink mazes. This has Piri written all over it. Only that psycho would bother to create such a gross thing. ¡°H-how nice,¡± he forced himself to say aloud, in case Piri was listening. Maybe if she fell for his act, she would stop sending these disgusting bugs. Jack straightened, his gaze sweeping over the battlefield. This wave had 50 bald roaches and ten hairy ones. It¡¯s too bad nothing with scales or feathers has shown up yet. At least [Skinning] would trigger, and I could see [Butchering] accomplishing something. He glared at the purple tufts dotting the battlefield. What am I supposed to do with these? A roach-skin rug? Shoving the thought aside, he focused on the task at hand. He was close¡ªso close¡ªto leveling up [Butchering]. His fingers worked quickly, sifting through the remains with practiced efficiency. Every coin and scrap of material brought him closer to the notification he¡¯d been waiting for. And then it came. You¡¯ve looted a furry roach! You¡¯ve picked up 13 coppers. +2XP in [Butchering] Congratulations! You¡¯ve reached butchering, level 2! You¡¯ve learned a new skill: [Lipid Extraction]. New synergy between [Butchering] and [Bushcrafting]. You¡¯ve learned a new recipe: [Oil]. You¡¯ve learned a new skill: [Saut¨¦ing]. You¡¯ve learned a new skill: [Fat Coating]. Jack froze. The notifications poured in like an avalanche, one after another until his vision swam with text. ¡°What¡­ just happened?¡± ¡°Something wrong?¡± Marie asked from the perch. Jack blinked, shook his head, and forced a grin. ¡°Uh¡­ no. It¡¯s fine. Just leveled up. Everything¡¯s fine.¡± But his mind was racing. Jack skimmed the endless stream of notifications, his mind struggling to keep pace. What was [Fat Coating]? What about [Lipid Extraction]? Curiosity itched at him, but discipline came first. That and the heartless general watching him from atop the carriage. Jack looked away from the notifications and searched the battlefield. As soon as he looted again, he found one of his new skills was already working. You¡¯ve looted a black roach. You¡¯ve picked up eight coppers and 1x[Insect Fat]. +1XP in [Butchering] Jack grimaced as he held up a sticky glob of translucent yellow fat between his fingers. Thankfully, the system kept it neatly into a ball. ¡°Insects have fat?¡± he muttered. This item hadn¡¯t appeared in any of the roaches he¡¯d looted before. Not even when we hunted hundreds of midnight centipedes did I see any. This must be the effect of [Lipid Extraction]! He stuffed it into his inventory and kept going. Sure enough. Every other roach now dropped this new resource. Jack tried guessing what the other new skills and recipes did as he worked. [Fat Coating]? He had no idea. He just hoped it didn¡¯t involve making a coat out of fat. No one would ever want to wear such a thing. Oil. Did it refer to machine oil? Or was it fuel, like for machines? He wasn¡¯t an engineer nor a tinkerer, so that didn¡¯t sound useful to him, but as he considered the name of one of his other skills, he got it. ¡°[Saut¨¦ing]. Wait! Is this oil for cooking?¡± Maybe the two were related! He saw his mom use lard when she cooked some dishes. Maybe this oil could be used similarly. Was he going to learn more complex cooking techniques now where he could use oil? If so, the thought of using insect oil to cook was a little gross. After looting, Jack practically flew to the carriage, eager to read the descriptions of his new skills and recipes. ¡°Got anything good?¡± Marie asked expectantly. ¡°Don¡¯t know yet,¡± Jack said. ¡°Give me a second.¡± This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author''s work. Before Marie summoned the next wave, Jack read through his new skills First, he confirmed that he¡¯d guessed right about the nature of his new butchering skill. Lipid Extraction (Common) Skill level: 1 Skill description: Animals use fat as an energy reserve, insulation, cushioning vital organs, and to support various physiological processes. As a butcher, you know which cuts of meat are the fattiest, and you let nothing go to waste. Effect: Passive. The number of animals that drop fat has increased. ¡°First feathers and scales. Now fat, huh?¡± he muttered. ¡°I guess it¡¯s better than nothing.¡± So far, the only use he¡¯d seen for fat was making torches, but maybe his handyman class would help him squeeze the untapped potential of this resource. Sure enough, his new synergistic recipe helped him make something else out of fat besides torches! Recipe for [Oil]: Ingredients: Instructions: Requirements: or It is a cooking recipe! Jack thought excitedly. The process seemed quite simple. He just didn¡¯t have a sieve, but he could try making one with cloth or out of clay if he needed it. He looked at the one skill that made use of this resource. Saut¨¦ing (Common) Skill level: 1 Skill description: By caramelizing the sugars in ingredients, you can make them tastier. Skill effect: Active. Fry ingredients before using them in other recipes to enhance flavor and buffs. He could already picture it: frying vegetables or meat before tossing them into a stew. The thought of caramelized flavors making his survival cooking not only tastier but more effective filled him with a strange sense of pride. Who said survival cooking couldn¡¯t be gourmet? The final skill, however, was a bit harder to swallow. Fat Coating (Common) Skill level: 1 Skill description: By smearing grease on your skin, you create a barrier that protects you from the elements. Skill effect: Active. Use fat to gain a boost to cold resistance and HP regeneration. Jack wrinkled his nose. ¡°So, I¡¯m supposed to¡­ rub this stuff on myself?¡± The thought grossed him out. ¡°Wait. It¡¯s a skill. Not a recipe!¡± That meant that maybe he didn¡¯t need to do anything disgusting to benefit from the buff. With a deep breath, he activated the skill. Fat Coating! The insect fat melted into his skin, leaving a faint, oily sheen. A greasy warmth spread through him, and suddenly, the little nip in the air didn¡¯t bother him anymore. Jack couldn¡¯t decide if it felt comforting or just gross. You¡¯ve consumed 10x[Insect Fat]. +5 cold resistance for 10 minutes. +1HP regeneration per 5 seconds for 10 minutes. Jack was very happy with the skill. It lasted quite a while, and it should come in handy during the Breach quest. He tried activating the skill again, but this time, he focused on Marie. Fat Coating! You¡¯ve consumed 10x[Insect Fat]. ¡°Cool! Nice buff!¡± she praised. After a few seconds, her voice became edgy. ¡°Wait. Did you just seriously use bug grease on me?!¡± ¡°It¡¯s functional,¡± Jack shot back with a grin. ¡°And eco-friendly.¡± Marie didn¡¯t smile. ¡°Argh. Fine. OK! Next wave!¡± You¡¯ve fast-tracked the next wave. You¡¯re quick and efficient. You¡¯ve won 1 breach point. The 4th wave comes. Beware! Jack tensed as the skittering mass approached. This wave was half purple, half black, the colors swirling together in a dizzying patch of movement. He grimaced. The insects were multiplying too quickly for comfort. Marie hurled four bombs, the explosions ripping through the swarm. 4th wave clear. You¡¯ve won 1 breach point. Jack moved toward the battlefield without hesitation, stepping over twitching legs and shattered shells as he began looting. His hands worked fast, but there was too much. Too many resources scattered everywhere. If he was counting it right, there were close to a 100 roaches in this wave. ¡°Jack! Get back here!¡± Marie¡¯s voice was sharp. ¡°I haven¡¯t finished looting,¡± he snapped, not pausing. ¡°Doesn¡¯t matter. Five minutes are almost up. Get back here¡ªI¡¯m summoning the next wave.¡± Cursing under his breath, Jack sprinted back to the carriage. The battlefield still had many materials and coins, but there wasn¡¯t enough time to gather it all. You¡¯ve fast-tracked the next wave. You¡¯re quick and efficient. You¡¯ve won 1 breach point. The 5th wave comes. Beware! This time, something was different. The approaching patch wasn¡¯t uniform. A black strip moved forward while a purple one hung back. Jack frowned, glancing at Marie, looking for an explanation for this sudden change. ¡°Breach 101, Jack,¡± she said. ¡°Waves ending in 5 come with elites. Waves ending in 0 come with bosses.¡± The swarm halted just short of where the corpses of their companions lay. It stood there for an eerie moment. ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± Jack asked. ¡°You¡¯ll see,¡± Marie said. Then, only half of the black roaches advanced, leaving the rest of the roaches behind. Marie wasted no time hurling a bomb that obliterated the first group. The next group hesitated, then staggered forward in disarray. They¡¯re not huddling anymore! Are they learning?! ¡°Argh, come here already!¡± Marie muttered, flinging bombs in a fan pattern. The black roaches fell, one cluster at a time. Then came the purple roaches. They advanced in small, organized groups, their movements oddly deliberate. Jack¡¯s stomach twisted as he watched. It¡¯s as if they have suddenly grown a brain! Pop! Bang! Bang! Marie kept her cool, dispatching each group with precision. Bang! Pop! Bang! Finally, the battlefield fell silent. ¡°Don¡¯t loot yet, Jack!¡± Marie snapped just as he was about to leave the safety of the carriage. You¡¯ve fast-tracked the next wave. You¡¯re quick and efficient. You¡¯ve won 1 breach point. You¡¯ve unlocked a hidden Breach achievement: [Quick and Efficient]. You¡¯ve won 10 breach points! Jack blinked at the notification. ¡°The bonus,¡± he muttered, realization dawning. He turned to Marie, his voice sharper. ¡°You didn¡¯t mention this bonus when you explained the store.¡± Marie smirked, unbothered. ¡°Now you know why we¡¯re rushing through waves.¡± Soon came two messages in their party chat. ¡°Sweet! Good job!¡± Horace said. ¡°Well done! All according to plan,¡± Amari added. Jack¡¯s annoyance simmered, especially because he was the only one who hadn¡¯t known about this bonus. He was able to get over it quickly, though. This bonus was awesome. It had doubled their breach points! They were now at 20BPs! The 6th wave comes. Beware! More roaches. The patch approached. Even without an elite in this wave, the insects still moved in sync, their lines more disciplined compared to before. Wave 5 marked a shift in the difficulty of the game. Marie kept her focus, her bombs carving through the mass with patient efficiency. When the wave was finally clear, Jack scanned the battlefield. Only the occasional twitching leg disturbed the eerie stillness. ¡°You can still summon another wave,¡± Jack pointed out. The timer hadn¡¯t yet hit five minutes. Marie nodded, her posture relaxed. ¡°I know. But from now on, we¡¯re stopping the fast-clearing. We got the hidden achievement, and that¡¯s all that mattered.¡± Jack couldn¡¯t say he was unhappy about the change. He glanced at his [Butchering] progress and felt the itch to try his new recipes. Constant looting duty left him no time to experiment. ¡°I¡¯m going to pick up the loot,¡± he said, already moving toward the battlefield. The combined spoils of two and a half waves awaited. He was almost certain this would push him to level 3 in [Butchering]. Marie called out to him from the carriage. ¡°Can we have a meal after that? I¡¯m running out of stamina. Horace could probably use something, too.¡± ¡°Sure. Fetch him. I¡¯ll meet you guys by the fire in a second.¡± They hopped off the carriage on opposite sides, Marie heading back to the base while Jack navigated the now-familiar field of traps. He moved through caltrops and snares with ease, his boots finding the safe paths without hesitation. Still, as he neared the edge of the field, something gave him pause. One of the purple roaches had made it to the caltrops. It lay there, motionless but intact. Jack frowned. That was the first time one had gotten this far. Ch. 127 - Battle Charisma Jack sifted through the battlefield, crouching by each fallen roach to trigger the system''s notifications. The rewards were monotonous¡ªmostly a few coppers, with the occasional [Insect Fat]. Each looted corpse dissolved into shimmering motes of light, leaving the battlefield a little cleaner with every pass. The task was mechanical, almost meditative until a burst of vivid color broke the monotony. Jack froze. Among the drab, lifeless bodies was something new. This roach was smaller than the rest, its spindly legs unnaturally long, like a marionette¡¯s. Its neck twisted at unsettling angles, giving it an air of grotesque mockery. The garish stripes adorning its shell¡ªpurple, red, and yellow¡ªseemed almost too bright, too intentional, for this grim battlefield. This was one of the insects they¡¯d had to capture for the [Entomology Specimens] quest. A smile tugged at his lips as a memory surfaced: their first adventure as a team. Back then, he¡¯d barely known Amari, Marie, and Horace, and now, they felt like family. It was funny how such a gross bug could dredge up fond memories. But his smile faded as he eyed the roach again. Another way to look at it was that, even after all his progress, he still hadn¡¯t graduated from squashing cockroaches. ¡°So these are the ones turning the mindless swarms into an army.¡± Its name, the long antennae, legs, and how each of these was still touching other roaches even after death hinted further at this. These were the commanders of the roach army. Jack reached out and touched the roach, causing the system to chime. You¡¯ve looted a manipulator cockroach! You¡¯ve picked up 25 coppers. +3XP in [Butchering] You¡¯ve picked up [Insect Fat]. Jack frowned at the underwhelming loot. Despite its special characteristics and how it brought order to the mindless roach horde, it was still a low-level mob. ¡°Figures,¡± he muttered, moving on. Soon, he found another manipulator roach and then a third. But as he reached for the third, something about it stopped him cold. This one wasn¡¯t the same. It was smaller, its carapace gleaming as if polished, and its shape had an eerie refinement. His pulse quickened as he crouched to examine it. You¡¯ve looted a puppetmaster cockroach! You¡¯ve picked up two silvers. +50XP in [Butchering] Jack¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°This must¡¯ve been the elite from the fifth wave! A puppetmaster, huh?¡± This explained the fifth wave¡¯s eerie precision. If Jack was looking at this right, on wave 5, this little guy had appeared, and in the subsequent wave, a downgraded version, the manipulator cockroach, came into play. As the elite roach disintegrated, Jack noticed something hidden beneath its remains. His breath hitched as he reached out and picked it up¡ªa skill book. Battle Charisma (Common) Skill description: You stand above your kin in battle. Skill effects: Passive. Aura: Nearby allies gain +1 Attack, +1 Defense, and +1 Block when near you. It was something perfectly suited for his role as a supporting character. Yet, instead of learning it immediately, he placed it in his inventory. He would show it to the others, and they could decide together who got it. There wasn¡¯t a single player in their team that wouldn¡¯t be able to make use of this. At the same time, since they were all adventuring together, it made little difference who learned it. They were a team. What mattered wasn¡¯t who got the skill¡ªit was how it could serve the group. Satisfied with the decision, Jack resumed looting the battlefield, his boots crunching over debris. The experience bar for his [Butchering] skill crept upward as he worked through the corpses until, finally, it happened. Congratulations! You¡¯ve reached level 3 in butchering. You¡¯ve learned a new skill: [Meatpacker]. Meatpacker (Common) Skill level: 1 Skill description: As a butcher, you know how to organize your wares efficiently, saving space in your pack. Skill effects: Group related items in your pack, double their stack size. ¡°Good skill,¡± Jack murmured, genuinely impressed. While it didn¡¯t directly synergize with any of his other minors, he was happy to have it. The stacks of fat he¡¯d been collecting consolidated immediately. Where before they capped at 10, he could now stack them up to 20. This saved critical inventory space¡ªa boon, considering they were only on wave five of the Breach with many more to go. By the time he was done with looting duty, he had gathered four full stacks of fat, each with 20 units. Jack headed toward the rest of the crew¡¯s meeting point, where Horace was already by the fire, his broad frame silhouetted against the flames. ¡°Hey, guys,¡± Jack greeted as he approached. ¡°Hi!¡± ¡°Yo!¡± The fire burned steadily, but he tossed another log on anyway. Better to be safe than scrambling for fuel later. Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site. Reaching into his inventory, Jack pulled out the skill book and lobbed it to Marie with a grin. ¡°Look at what I found!¡± Marie caught it deftly, her eyes lighting up. ¡°Sweet!¡± ¡°What? What? Let me see!¡± Horace leaned over, snatching the book from her hands. He flipped it open, nodding approvingly. ¡°So, who should learn it?¡± Jack asked. Horace rubbed his chin thoughtfully. ¡°Makes sense for it to go to the person with the least chance of dying. That way, the buff sticks around even if things get ugly.¡± ¡°Agreed,¡± Marie said without hesitation. Horace turned and tossed the book back to Jack. ¡°You learn it.¡± Jack blinked, taken aback. ¡°A-are you sure?¡± ¡°Of course. You¡¯re our support. You stick to the backlines, so you¡¯re the safest bet.¡± ¡°But you¡¯re the tankiest in our team!¡± ¡°True, but I¡¯m also the first to go when things get dicey.¡± Marie¡¯s silence was telling, but the small nod she gave Jack solidified her agreement. Jack regarded them for a long moment, but then his excitement finally won out. ¡°Cool! Thanks, guys!¡± Jack said, a genuine warmth in his voice. He opened the book, the system prompt appearing before him. Are you sure you want to learn [Battle Charisma]? Without hesitation, he selected yes. The process wasn¡¯t flashy¡ªno burst of light or triumphant fanfare¡ªjust a faint shimmer as the new skill took hold. Their party¡¯s attributes ticked up slightly, a quiet but satisfying confirmation of his new skill. Jack couldn¡¯t help but smile. It felt good to finally learn a new battle skill after such a long dry spell. As much as he loved the handyman class, its focus didn¡¯t always translate into immediate combat utility. This felt like a step toward balancing the scales. Turning to Horace, Jack asked, ¡°How¡¯s the wall holding up?¡± Horace sighed, his expression tight. ¡°The gate¡¯s done, but the wall¡¯s a mess. I¡¯ll have to use all the wood I brought to patch it up. Unless Amari finds a good lumber source, we¡¯re in trouble. I only brought two spare shields.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t forget the ones I found in the armory,¡± Marie reminded him. ¡°Right, right,¡± Horace said, running a hand through his hair. ¡°Still not enough, though.¡± Jack nodded, pulling out ingredients for a quick meal. As the fire crackled, he prepared a simple survival stew, the golden broth warming in their bowls. The honey base filled the air with a sweet, comforting aroma. ¡°So,¡± Jack asked as they ate, ¡°we¡¯ve got 20 breach points to spend. Are we using them now?¡± ¡°That depends,¡± Horace said around a mouthful of stew. ¡°On what?¡± Jack prompted. Marie leaned in. ¡°On what Amari finds on the map.¡± Jack frowned. ¡°What do you mean?¡± Horace set his bowl down, his tone turning serious. ¡°Breach maps always have hidden aid packages. Amari might find a cave with supplies, materials for the wall, or even NPCs to recruit. We¡¯re waiting to see what he finds.¡± Jack nodded, recalling the hidden spring he¡¯d stumbled across earlier near the fortress. If Amari found something similar, it could be a game-changer. ¡°How long do we give him before calling him back?¡± Jack asked. Marie added, ¡°Right now, I can hold off the waves on my own. This buys Amari time to explore as much of the map as possible. But that window won¡¯t last. We¡¯ll need him back soon.¡± ¡°We¡¯ll need him for the wave boss,¡± Horace replied grimly. ¡°Wave 10 is no joke.¡± ¡°Yeah,¡± Marie agreed, her tone unusually somber. ¡°Things are going to get much harder after that.¡± Horace drained the last of his stew and stood. ¡°Thanks for the meal. I¡¯m heading back to work.¡± Marie followed suit. ¡°I¡¯ll check the citadel again. See if I missed anything¡ªand barricade it better.¡± ¡°OK, guys! See you soon.¡± As his teammates departed, Jack checked the wave timer. 1 hour and 45 minutes until the next wave. Perfect. He had just enough time to be productive. Near the fire, Jack found a flat rock to use as a makeshift workbench. He swept away debris with his sleeve and rubbed his hands together, grinning. It was time to do some crafting. Jack set the clay from the hidden spring on the makeshift workbench, his fingers sinking into the cool, pliable material. After spending so much time handling gross roaches, the smooth, pure clay was a relief. Soothing, even. He pulled up the recipe for an amphora. If Horace was right about how terrifying the wave bosses could be, having aged mead might be the edge they needed to survive. A brewer by title only¡ªhaving made exactly zero batches of mead¡ªJack knew this was his chance to change that. But first, he needed containers. Lots of them. Jack scanned the recipe again. Recipe for: [Stoneware Amphora] Ingredients: Instructions: Requirements: ¡°Seems simple enough.¡± The challenge wasn¡¯t shaping the amphora¡ªit was deciding the most efficient way to approach the task. He considered his options. He would have loved to throw the amphorae, but sadly, there was no wheel nearby. Coiling was strong and reliable but time-consuming. Instead, he settled on a simpler technique: pinch pot construction. Kneading a lump of clay to eliminate air pockets, Jack pressed his thumbs into its center. Slowly, he pinched and rotated the clay, thinning the walls evenly. The wide body of the amphora began to take shape under his hands. It can¡¯t be too big, he reminded himself. Firing large pots would be risky without a kiln. A memory surfaced¡ªof the brewer at Ariadne¡¯s camp, their small, portable barrels. Jack¡¯s hands moved purposefully, shaping something roughly that size. Once the base was complete, he added a narrow neck, just wide enough to pour liquid but tight enough to prevent spills. He attached small handles on either side, smoothing the joins with care. As the amphora took shape, Jack leaned back to inspect it under the flickering firelight. It was small and sturdy, its rounded body transitioning gracefully into the neck. He ran his fingers over the surface, satisfied with its smooth texture and compact design. You¡¯ve crafted a [Stoneware Amphora]. +30XP in [Pottery] ¡°Good! I¡¯m on the right track,¡± Jack murmured, smiling. He set the amphora aside to dry and began on a simpler pot¡ªone with a wider neck for mixing mead, but not so wide that it was hard to cover it with a cloth later. By the time he finished the second container, the amphora had reached the leather-dry stage. Jack grabbed the pot and started carving whirly patterns into the surface with a knife, the small flourishes adding a touch of artistry. You¡¯ve etched a [Stoneware Pot]. Artistry has increased. +10XP in [Pottery] Once dry, Jack placed the pot into the fire for its first firing. You¡¯ve fired [Stoneware Pot]. +20XP in [Pottery] Now for glaze. Gathering flint from the mountainside, Jack crushed a small piece in his mortar and pestle, mixing it with slip to create a rudimentary glaze. With a brush¡ªa trusty tool he always carried¡ªhe carefully applied the glaze and fired the pot again. As the pot emerged from the flames, the glaze crystalized, leaving a shiny, gray finish. You¡¯ve crafted a [Stoneware Amphora]. +120XP in [Pottery] Stoneware Amphora (Uncommon) A vessel made of clay ideal for storing and aging spirits. Crafting grade: D- D-grade debuff: +5% chance that spirit will not age properly. Durability: 19 Artistry: 2 ¡°Only a D-grade?¡± Jack exclaimed, frowning. He ran his hands over the pot, tracing its smooth surface and streamlined form. It wasn¡¯t perfect, but it didn¡¯t seem that bad either. ¡°Come on, it¡¯s not like I have access to a professional workshop out here¡­.¡± Still, the grade stung. Jack replayed the process in his mind, searching for mistakes. Was it the firing? The glaze? Were the pot¡¯s walls uneven? He was about to dig deeper when a system notification interrupted him. [Pride of the Innovator] has been upgraded to [Innovating Pioneer]! Jack¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°Wait, what?¡± He opened the title description, his heart racing. As he read the new effects, a grin spread across his face. ¡°No way! This upgrade is awesome!¡± Ch. 128 - Innovating Pioneer Jack reread the details of his new title, his eyes lingering on every word. Innovating Pioneer (Epic) Title description: Instead of following the footsteps of others, you brave new ground with fearless experimentation. Title effects: +10 fame +3 intellect 75% chance of the system upgrading a minus grade to a full grade All recipes you have discovered are now considered your signature recipes. Unique bonuses are granted when you craft them. Current recipes: [Amphora], [Clay Smoke Bomb], [Mud Hut], [Ocarina], [Pot Hive]. Conditions to unlock [Innovating Pioneer]: Be the first in the game to craft five original items. {Complete} ¡°Whoa!¡± Jack¡¯s jaw dropped. The system hadn¡¯t just upgraded his title¡ªit had launched it into the stratosphere. The fame boost from 3 to 10 alone was incredible, but the new bonus to intellect was great. And the increase from 50% to 75% chance to salvage bad grades? It would come in handy. Moreover, it came with a unique feature. ¡°Unique bonuses. I wonder what they are,¡± he said with longing. This was leagues ahead of [Pride of the Innovator], the title he¡¯d earned after crafting his first clay ocarina. He didn¡¯t realize that the system was still tracking his efforts. Seeing this new title, with all its recognition of his hard work and creativity, hit him harder than he expected. He scrolled through the list of recipes he had discovered, pausing at each one. Every item carried a memory¡ªmud-streaked hands, long crafting sessions, and endless tweaking until it was just right. To have his contributions officially recognized wasn¡¯t just satisfying¡ªit was validating. Grinning, he fired off a message to the group chat, attaching the title details. Amari: ¡°I can¡¯t believe it! Epic?! Oh my goodness! This is insane!¡± Horace: ¡°...¡± Marie: ¡°I hate you, Jack.¡± Jack burst out laughing, especially at Marie¡¯s reply. He could almost picture her pouting. Amari: ¡°The list of recipes¡­ I don¡¯t recognize the amphora. Does it have anything to do with the brewing profession?¡± Horace: ¡°¡­ What¡¯s an amphora?¡± Marie: ¡°Ancient pottery for storing wine and spirits. You uncultured swine.¡± Horace: ¡°Oink, oink.¡± Once the excitement of his new title faded, Jack forced himself to refocus. A nagging problem remained. Despite the title¡¯s perks, his last crafting attempt¡ªa stoneware amphora¡ªhad earned a dismal grade. Somewhere along the line, he¡¯d messed up. Now, he had to figure out where. He grabbed the amphora and scrutinized its surface. For a pinch pot, it looked good¡ªsmooth, even walls, a flat base, and pleasing curves. The handles were sturdy, securely attached, and capable of supporting the pot¡¯s weight. So far, so good. His fingers moved almost automatically, smoothing the surface and checking for imperfections. ¡°Did I pierce the wall while etching?¡± he muttered, even though he already knew the answer. Just in case, he inspected every etched line and filled the amphora with water. Not a drop leaked. It was fully waterproof. The glaze? Uniform. The firing process? Perfect. No cracks. He rubbed his forehead in frustration. ¡°What am I missing?¡± He turned the pot over and over, searching for flaws, but it looked fine. With no other leads, Jack read through the recipe again¡ªtwice, just to be sure. He¡¯d followed every step. He¡¯d even gone the extra mile by etching and glazing the pot. ¡°Maybe that¡¯s the problem,¡± he mused. Determined to test his theory, Jack started from scratch. This time, he followed the recipe exactly, skipping the extras. No etching, no glaze, just a straightforward amphora. You¡¯ve crafted a [Stoneware Amphora]. +200XP in [Pottery] [Innovating Pioneer] kicks in. Stoneware Amphora (Uncommon) A vessel made of clay ideal for storing and aging spirits. Crafting grade: C [Innovating Pioneer] bonus: +5% aging success; +5% aging speed. Durability: 14 ¡°Yes!¡± Jack had a double reason to celebrate. For one, the [Innovating Pioneer] title¡¯s bonuses were incredible! The bonus to aging success and speed would make aging mead successfully to the maximum tier much easier. Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings. For mead to get from tier 1 to 2 took 30 minutes with a 100% chance of success. But the time doubled with each tier, while the chance of success halved. By the time it reached tier 6, the aging time was sixteen hours, and the success rate was only 6.25%. That extra 5% chance from [Innovating Pioneer] nearly doubled the odds. The second reason for the celebration was that Jack had zeroed in on the problem. ¡°Okay, now we¡¯re getting somewhere.¡± The problem was related to the etching or glazing. To narrow it down, he made two more amphorae: one with etching only and another with glazing only. The etched amphora scored a solid B. Stoneware Amphora (Uncommon) A vessel made of clay ideal for storing and aging spirits. Crafting grade: B B-grade bonus: +2% chance that spirit will age properly. [Innovating Pioneer] bonus: +5% aging success; +5% aging speed. Durability: 15 Artistry: 3 Jack¡¯s heart soared. Finally, progress! That left glazing as the culprit. To confirm, he crafted a pot with no etching but added glaze. The result? Another D grade. Mystery solved. ¡°I wonder why,¡± he muttered, frowning at the glazed pot. The only other item he left unglazed was the clay smoke bombs, which was intentional¡ªhe wanted them to break, and the brittle shells made them more effective. But brittleness didn¡¯t seem to be the issue here. He pondered the problem, then turned to the in-game browser for help. He started looking for articles about aging mead and the containers used in it. An article caught his eye, and one line jumped out: ¡°...wood allows a small amount of air to pass through, helping the spirit mature.¡± Jack¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°That¡¯s it!¡± The glaze must have sealed the amphora completely, preventing any air from reaching the contents. Spirits needed to breathe to age properly! The solution was simple: skip the glazing. Less work, less time¡ªexactly the kind of efficiency Jack loved. This is right in my wheelhouse, he thought with a grin. His mind wandered to the possibilities as he began molding a new amphora. ¡°If this works as well as I think, I¡¯ll need more space to scale this up. But renting a cellar for aging¡­ ugh. It¡¯s going to cost a fortune.¡± He sighed, already imagining the in-game economy draining his funds. Still, Jack couldn¡¯t stop the grin spreading across his face. ¡°Amphora assembly line, here we go!¡± He reached for another lump of clay, already envisioning the next amphora in his growing collection. The fire crackled warmly nearby, casting flickering shadows across his workspace. For a brief moment, the rhythm of crafting and the satisfaction of progress made everything else fade away. * A voice pulled him out of his focused state. ¡°Well, aren¡¯t you industrious,¡± Marie said, stepping into the firelight with a smirk. ¡°So those are the amphorae.¡± Jack looked up and grinned, wiping his hands on a rag. ¡°For mead. I figure a little aged mead might help when the big guys show up.¡± Marie crouched beside one of the amphorae, her fingers brushing lightly over the smooth surface. ¡°Not bad.¡± She straightened, brushing her hands together as if shaking off imaginary dust. ¡°Well, keep at it. Gonna summon the wave now.¡± Jack raised an eyebrow. ¡°We still have a couple of minutes until the next wave,¡± he pointed out, glancing at the system clock. ¡°I know,¡± Marie replied casually, the glint of mischief in her eyes unmistakable. ¡°But if I keep fast-tracking the waves, even if just a little bit, we¡¯re going to unlock another achievement.¡± Jack tilted his head. ¡°Which is?¡± he asked, grateful Marie was actually sharing her plan this time. ¡°I forget the name. Amari¡¯s the team¡¯s library,¡± she joked with a shrug. ¡°But it¡¯s at ten fast-tracked waves, and it gives a few more breach points. Neat, uh?¡± She climbed onto the carriage and pulled up her system window, her fingers moving deftly through the interface. The 7th wave comes. Beware. ¡°Need any help?¡± Jack called from his spot near the fire. ¡°Nope! Just come clean up the battlefield when I¡¯m done here,¡± Marie replied, her tone breezy despite the tension in the air. ¡°OK!¡± Jack said with a chuckle. As the first explosions rang out from the other side of the carriage, he returned to his work, whistling to himself while carefully firing his latest batch of amphorae. As Jack casually worked, the steady rhythm of crafting was punctuated by the sharp cracks and booms of bombs exploding on the other side of the carriage. The contrast was almost surreal¡ªchaos on one side, calm on the other. Every now and then, a particularly loud blast made the fire in his kiln flicker, but Jack hardly flinched. He glanced over at Marie, the team¡¯s grenadier. Despite the constant noise, she seemed completely at ease, her movements fluid and deliberate. ¡°She makes it look so easy,¡± Jack muttered, shaking his head before returning to his work. This time, it took Marie fifteen minutes to clear the wave. She jumped down from the carriage and strode over to the fire, where Jack already had a bowl of stew waiting. She grabbed it and began drinking it without even bothering to sit down. ¡°So? How was this wave?¡± Jack asked. ¡°They¡¯re starting to come closer, but I can still deal with it easily.¡± ¡°By the way,¡± Jack said, glancing at the clock. ¡°How do we do breaks and stuff? Not everyone has a fancy capsule.¡± ¡°If any one of us stays on the map, the clock keeps ticking. We¡¯ll need to coordinate it so that we all leave at the same time. Talk to the others on the chat. I¡¯m easy.¡± Jack frowned. He hadn¡¯t known that was how it worked in the Breach. That meant they were all tied to each other. If Jack wanted to come to the game on his own to get some crafting done while the others were offline, he couldn¡¯t. The thought irritated him, but there wasn¡¯t much he could do about it. Marie finished the stew and handed the bowl back to Jack. ¡°Here. I¡¯m going back to the citadel. Need to keep barricading. See you in ninety minutes, give or take.¡± As Marie left, Horace arrived and helped himself to a serving, and Jack left to go clean up the battlefield. As he touched every dead roach on the battlefield collecting the spoils, he pulled up the team chat to sort out their break schedule. Jack: ¡°Hey guys? When can we have a lunch break? After the next wave is cleared? Shall we make it one hour?¡± Amari: ¡°Let¡¯s make it ninety minutes instead. I want to work out.¡± Horace: ¡°Agreed. Ninety minutes might be better for Jack, too. He¡¯ll have enough time to use the bathroom.¡± Jack: ¡°Are you making fun of me for not owning a capsule, Horace? That¡¯s prejudice against the poor.¡± Horace: ¡°Right. Because poor people have epic titles.¡± Jack: ¡°Touch¨¦.¡± Horace: ¡°Oink. Oink.¡± In the meantime, Jack finished collecting the loot and he headed toward the hidden spring. Thank goodness he¡¯d found that place¡ªit had saved him from running out of materials mid-crafting. The trek was quick, and he gathered as much clay as the spring could offer. With their break plans settled and an inventory full of clay, Jack returned to his work. Mold, dry, etch, fire. Mold, dry, etch, fire. The rhythm was soothing, almost meditative. Each amphora he crafted came together more easily than the last. The fire crackled in the background, its warmth mingling with the earthy scent of drying clay. Jack¡¯s hands moved instinctively, smoothing and shaping the material, his mind drifting. He thought about the amphorae lined up against the wall and their potential to make a real difference in future waves. But his thoughts soon strayed to Rob. He pictured him at the construction site, sweating under the midday sun. He then thought about Rob¡¯s situation in the game. Was Rob¡¯s avatar holding up alright? Had IronIre found out about his betrayal? And then, almost unbidden, his thoughts turned to Lydia. The familiar pang of hurt surfaced but felt duller this time, more distant. Was it because he had friends now¡ªpeople who cared, who worked beside him in this strange, shared world? Or was it simply that he was too busy to dwell on the past? His movements grew faster as he found a groove, and the line of finished amphorae against the wall steadily grew. Ch. 129 - Someone ¡°You sure have been busy, eh?¡± The sudden voice jolted Jack from his trance. ¡°Ha!¡± he shouted, nearly dropping the amphora he¡¯d been etching. His heart raced as he looked up to see Marie smirking at him. ¡°What?¡± she asked, clearly amused. ¡°I thought you were going to work at the citadel,¡± Jack said, trying to steady his breathing. ¡°I did. For ninety minutes.¡± Jack blinked, his hands freezing mid-motion. ¡°Wait¡­ ninety minutes?¡± His gaze flicked to the system clock, confirming her words. Slowly, he turned toward the wall of amphorae. Rows of neatly crafted pots stared back at him like evidence of a crime. ¡°I-I must have lost track of time.¡± ¡°I can¡¯t believe you made this many in under four hours.¡± ¡°Me neither,¡± Jack admitted, a hint of pride creeping into his voice. He rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. ¡°Guess the next step is to fill them, huh?¡± Marie didn¡¯t bother answering, her silence a clear signal that crafting wasn¡¯t her domain. Instead, she climbed back onto the carriage with practiced ease, her small frame moving confidently across the bulky vehicle. Jack couldn¡¯t help but find the sight amusing. Marie always had that eccentric air¡ªan adult woman dressed like a little girl, wielding an oversized arsenal with the attitude of someone twice her size. The juxtaposition was absurd, yet somehow, it suited her perfectly. As she hoisted herself onto the roof, Jack bit his lip to stifle a laugh. The mental image of her tiny, pigtailed figure commanding the battlefield from atop the carriage was too good. But he wasn¡¯t about to let his amusement slip¡ªhe valued his life too much to risk Marie catching on. ¡°Only a couple of waves until the first boss,¡± she called down from the top of the carriage. ¡°It won¡¯t be long before we need Amari to join us.¡± Jack nodded slowly, his gaze drifting to the fire and the row of amphorae he¡¯d crafted. Were they ready? Would these amphorae even matter? The doubt lingered for a moment before he shook his head firmly. No time to overthink it. He started wrapping up his assembly line, grabbing the batch of etched amphorae he¡¯d been working on and placing them into the fire to finish. Then, he began collecting the scattered amphorae, carefully stacking them in neat rows. Once finished, he glanced over at Marie, who was already deep in battle. Her bomb throws were speeding up, a sign the waves were growing in number and difficulty. Eventually, this first line of defense would break. Gretchen¡¯s advice about mead aging echoed in his mind: shady places with stable temperatures. She hadn¡¯t mentioned aging mead next to a battlefield, but that much went without saying. He needed a better spot¡ªsomewhere safe from monsters and fluctuating temperatures. Wave 8 cleared. +1 breach point. Marie jumped off the carriage, landing lightly. ¡°Gonna log out. See you in a bit,¡± she said before disappearing. Jack didn¡¯t waste time. He hurried to the battlefield to gather the loot. As he sifted through the remains, something unusual caught his eye: a new kind of roach. It was massive¡ªfive times the size of the others. Its carapace glistened like polished obsidian, and its mandibles clicked menacingly, towering over its smaller kin. ¡°Okay, that¡¯s new,¡± Jack muttered, reaching out tentatively. You¡¯ve looted a giant roach. You¡¯ve picked up 32 coppers. You¡¯ve picked up 4x[Insect Fat]. +5XP in [Butchering] ¡°Oof! These are filled with fat, huh?¡± Jack muttered, tucking the loot into his inventory. He surveyed the field as he looted, the sheer number of enemies staggering¡ª150. A quick message from Horace popped up: ¡°Starting my break. You and Amari got this.¡± Jack sighed as he finished looting. ¡°Argh! Almost at level 4!¡± He let out a frustrated groan as he checked his progress. Despite the massive wave, he was just shy of leveling up his minor skill. Well. It would have to wait until the next wave. Jack gave the Breach one last look, his gaze lingering on the fortress and the rows of amphorae. The looming thought of the boss fight weighed heavily on his mind, but for now, he allowed himself a brief flicker of satisfaction. ¡°Logging out,¡± he wrote in the party chat. ¡°Logging out, too,¡± Amari answered. Then, with a deep breath, Jack logged out. * Jack pulled off his helmet and stretched, a satisfying crack echoing as he rolled his shoulders. Hours in the game had left his muscles stiff, his body protesting the prolonged stillness. Restlessness prickled under his skin, a craving for movement he couldn¡¯t ignore. Grabbing a hoodie, he headed downstairs, laced up his sneakers, and stepped outside. The crisp air struck his face like a splash of cold water, jolting his senses awake. He set off jogging down the block, his steps uneven at first as he adjusted to the rhythm of real life. The burn in his calves returned after a few strides¡ªfamiliar now but less punishing than in his early jogging sessions. Progress. The cool wind on his skin, the steady thud of his sneakers on the pavement¡ªit all felt grounding, pulling him back into his body. The usual park came into view, its paths busy with late-morning joggers and dog walkers. On impulse, Jack veered toward the playground, stopping at the pull-up bar. He stared at it for a moment, catching his breath. ¡°Alright,¡± he muttered, rubbing his palms together. ¡°Let¡¯s see if I¡¯ve got one in me.¡± He jumped, gripping the cold metal bar. It bit into his hands as he pulled with everything he had, his arms trembling and shoulders screaming in protest. He barely made it halfway before his grip gave out, and he dropped back to the ground with a thud. Jack sat there for a moment, panting and glaring at the bar like it had insulted his ancestors. ¡°Guess that answers that,¡± he said with a self-deprecating laugh. Determined to salvage his pride, he rolled onto his stomach and dropped into a push-up position. Fifteen push-ups later, his arms gave out, burning and useless like jelly. Groaning, he hauled himself to his feet and started running again. His pace slowed, but he kept it steady, pushing through the final stretch back home. By the time he stepped inside, his lungs were heaving, and his shirt was plastered to his back with sweat. Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings. Kicking off his shoes, Jack headed straight for the shower. Hot water cascaded over him, loosening the knots in his shoulders and washing away the stickiness of exertion. He emerged refreshed, throwing on a clean shirt before heading to the kitchen for a quick lunch. Scrambling some eggs and toasting a slice of bread, he settled at the table, scrolling through messages as he ate. Rob hadn¡¯t replied yet. Jack sighed. Looks like I¡¯ll have to go to his place and talk to him face-to-face. He switched to browsing New Earth news and checking his auction listings. The money was trickling in. The remaining ocarinas and pot hives were selling steadily, earning him another hundred credits. Satisfaction flickered as he saw his bank account refill¡ªespecially after covering the rent for his dad and paying off the helmet rental company. By the time he finished eating and started brewing coffee, the clock on his phone caught his attention. ¡°Good thing Amari said to take ninety,¡± he muttered, glancing at the time. ¡°Couple minutes late,¡± he grumbled, shoving his plate into the sink. With a renewed sense of urgency, Jack wiped his hands, dashed back to his room, and climbed into bed. He donned the helmet, the familiar hum of the game system settling over him like a second skin. ¡°Time to get back to it,¡± he said, logging in. When Jack spawned back into the game, a string of messages from his teammates greeted him. A quick glance confirmed he was the last to return. ¡°Time to get to work,¡± Jack muttered. He stuffed all his amphorae into his inventory, his fingers moving quickly as he mentally mapped out his next steps. The first task was crafting a torch. Easier said than done in a rocky mountain environment. He scanned the area for materials, his eyes landing on a bushy plant perched on a hillside. It was an awkward climb, his boots scraping against loose gravel as he made his way up. Once there, he stripped off a few branches and carefully descended. Back at ground level, he grabbed one of the strips of cloth from his inventory. Smearing it generously with insect fat, he worked it into the fabric, ensuring it absorbed the oily substance. The smell was pungent, sharp enough to make him wrinkle his nose, but he ignored it. Finally, he pulled out his tinderbox, striking it until a flame caught. You¡¯ve crafted 1x[Torch]! +50XP in [Bushcrafting] Now that he was set, Jack made his way toward what he hoped was the safest spot in the fortress for storing the mead. On his way, Jack couldn¡¯t help but admire the changes in the fortress. Horace had clearly been hard at work. Wherever there had been gaps in the walls, Horace had filled them with debris and sealed them with sturdy wooden planks. Jack had always seen Horace as a tank, absorbing damage and holding the line during battles. But this was the first time he¡¯d witnessed his crafting skills in action. ¡°Hey, Jacky!¡± Horace called out, pausing briefly to wave. Jack grinned. ¡°Good job on the walls,¡± he said. ¡°Thanks,¡± Horace replied simply, already focused on his next task. The defenses were shaping up nicely, and the fortress was starting to feel like a place they could actually hold down, even against tougher waves. Jack nodded to himself in approval as he passed through the gates and toward the courtyard. The courtyard was still littered with corpses of soldiers and beasts alike. Where such sights churned his stomach just a few hours prior, Jack now found himself unfazed. It was strange how quickly he¡¯d become desensitized to the carnage. At the edge of the courtyard, the well loomed¡ªa gaping, uninviting mouth swallowed by shadow. Jack hesitated, realizing with a start that he didn¡¯t have any rope. ¡°Of course,¡± he muttered, shaking his head. ¡°No rope and no grass to make one.¡± His eyes darted around until they landed on a rusted chain nearby, coiled like a forgotten snake. He tested its strength, pulling hard against the creaking metal. Satisfied it would hold, he secured it to a nearby pillar and began his descent. The well wasn¡¯t deep¡ªfive meters at most¡ªbut the darkness seemed infinite. The air grew cool and damp as Jack descended, each step on the chain ringing out against the oppressive silence. Good thing I made that torch. Jack reached the bottom and took the torch from his inventory. The flickering flame banished the darkness, revealing the rough stone walls of the well. Jack took a moment to scan his surroundings. The space was wider than expected, the cool air thick with the scent of earth and stone. It seemed perfect for storing mead. Frowning, Jack raised the torch higher. Its light danced across the uneven walls, revealing a dark opening set into the stone¡ªa tunnel. ¡°What¡¯s this doing here?¡± he murmured, stepping closer. The opening was wide enough to crawl through, its edges worn smooth by time. A faint, cold draft whispered out, brushing against his face. The logical explanation was that it was part of the well¡¯s reservoir, maybe a channel for overflow. His heart raced as he remembered Horace and Marie¡¯s talk of hidden caches. This was too strange to ignore. Maybe the tunnel led to something valuable! Jack crouched at the entrance, tightening his grip on the torch as he ducked his head and stepped inside. The passage was narrow and uneven, forcing him to stoop lower as he moved. His boots crunched on loose gravel, the sound ricocheting eerily down the stone corridor. ¡°Alright. Even if this doesn¡¯t lead anywhere, it¡¯s all extra space for mead. So far, so good,¡± he muttered, his voice low and fragile in the heavy silence. The tunnel suddenly veered sharply to the left. Jack paused, peering around the bend, and stepped forward cautiously. Then he heard it. Faint at first, like the rustling of leaves. Whispers. The sound crawled through the tunnel, faint and disjointed, just out of reach of comprehension. ¡°H-hello?¡± Jack called. The word echoed down the passage. The whispers stopped, and then there was the frantic sound of something scrambling deeper into the darkness. Jack froze, the torchlight quivering in his hand. His breath hitched, his pulse hammering in his ears. There¡¯s someone here! Ch. 130 - A Hand For a moment, Jack hesitated. Should I run? Should I keep moving forward? Maybe I should call Horace to back me up. The silence pressed in on him, broken only by the distant sound of dripping water. Whatever it was ahead, it should be harmless. They were in between waves¡ªthere shouldn''t be any beasts here. Shouldn¡¯t. Jack swallowed his uncertainty and followed the tunnel to its end. It opened into a small chamber, its uneven floor littered with debris¡ªbroken pottery, old rags, and what looked like rusted tools. But what caught his attention wasn¡¯t the mess. A figure huddled against the far wall¡ªa woman clutching a young boy. The woman¡¯s face was pale, streaked with dirt and sweat. Her wide eyes locked onto Jack, brimming with terror. In one hand, she held a crude dagger, the other wrapped protectively around the boy who was pressed tightly against her side. The child peeked out from her tattered cloak, his big, frightened eyes staring at Jack. ¡°Wait!¡± Jack blurted, raising his free hand and lowering the torch. ¡°I¡¯m not here to hurt you.¡± The woman¡¯s grip on the dagger tightened, her gaze darting between Jack and the tunnel as if calculating an escape route. ¡°I¡¯m part of a group defending the fortress,¡± Jack said, keeping his tone calm and measured. ¡°We¡¯re fighting back the waves. Are you... survivors from the Breach?¡± She didn¡¯t answer right away. Her shoulders sagged with exhaustion, her shallow breaths hinting at how fragile her strength was. ¡°Please,¡± Jack urged gently. ¡°I can take you somewhere safe. You don¡¯t have to hide anymore.¡± The boy whimpered softly, clutching at his mother¡¯s cloak. She hesitated, her eyes narrowing with suspicion. Then, slowly, her grip on the dagger eased. ¡°My husband¡­ He¡­¡± she said, her voice hoarse and trembling. ¡°Since the soldiers fell. My son and I... we couldn¡¯t get out.¡± ¡°You¡¯ve done well to survive this long,¡± Jack said. ¡°But you don¡¯t have to stay here. We¡¯ve fortified part of the fortress. There¡¯s food, water... safety.¡± The woman didn¡¯t respond immediately, still holding the boy as if letting go would mean losing him. Jack took a cautious step forward, lowering himself slightly to appear less threatening. ¡°I promise,¡± he said softly. ¡°You¡¯ll be safe with us.¡± The boy peered out from the cloak again, his dirt-streaked face curious despite his fear. He whispered something to his mother. After a tense pause, she nodded. Her movements were stiff, cautious, but it was enough. ¡°Alright,¡± she whispered. She rose unsteadily, her legs shaking. Jack offered his hand to steady her, but she declined, pulling her son up with her. Together, they began retracing the tunnel. Jack held the torch high, lighting their path as his mind raced with questions. Survivors in the Breach? Was this one of the hidden packages that Horace told him about? If so, what could this ragged pair possibly do to help defend the fortress? When they reached the well, Jack paused. ¡°We¡¯ll need to climb up,¡± he said, gesturing to the chain. ¡°I¡¯ll go first and help you from the top.¡± The woman gave a silent nod. Jack climbed quickly, tucking the torch into his belt, and once at the top, he extended his hand to help them out. The boy gasped in awe as he emerged into the courtyard¡¯s light. ¡°We made it,¡± he whispered. The woman, however, froze. Her eyes swept over the courtyard¡ªlittered with the carcasses of beasts. Seeing the remains of the animals that had killed her husband and her friends, her face paled, her nostrils flaring. For a moment, Jack feared that she would dive back into the dark well, and he took a step forward to offer a hand to the woman. However, her gaze landed on the dead soldiers, and her expression shifted. Her gaze hardened, and she regained composure. ¡°You said you¡¯re defending the fortress,¡± she said, her voice sharper now. Jack hesitated. ¡°T-that¡¯s right.¡± Her lips thinned into a determined line. ¡°Then my son and I will help.¡± Jack blinked. She couldn¡¯t mean... fighting? They looked frail, worn down by hunger and fear. He glanced at the wall, stalling. ¡°What... what can you do to help?¡± ¡°We¡¯ll work the back lines,¡± she said firmly. ¡°Just give me something to do. Anything. My son, too. Where do you want us?¡± The moment she spoke, a notification flashed before Jack¡¯s eyes. Hidden aid package discovered! You¡¯ve recruited two NPC aids. Esther, the Survivor Backstory: Esther came to the fortress with her husband, a soldier recently promoted to a key post. She quickly gained a reputation in the fortress for being industrious and resourceful, ready for whatever work was necessary. When the Breach overwhelmed the fortress, Esther¡¯s husband fell defending the walls. Alone and desperate, she channeled her resourcefulness and grit to protect her son, Riku. NPC skills: Riku, the Apprentice Backstory: Riku is a bright and courageous young boy who grew up idolizing his father, often mimicking his drills and stories of bravery. From his mother, he inherited a talent for crafting, spending hours tinkering with scraps to create small tools and toys. When the Breach came, Riku¡¯s resilience shone through¡ªdespite his fear, he remained a source of comfort to his mother. Though malnourished and weary, his spirit remains unbroken, and he¡¯s eager to prove himself. NPC skills: Jack stared at the notifications, his eyes wide. Is this what I think it is? Two assistants! Jack couldn¡¯t help but think of Ariadne¡¯s gibbon, who helped her manage her camp while she leisurely hosted and welcomed the guests. The moment he saw that gibbon, he¡¯d been dreaming of having a similar assistant, someone who he could boss around and who would do some of the grinding for him. Piri had answered his prayers! As he scanned their skills again, his mind raced with possibilities. Having two extra hands to take on the professions they couldn¡¯t manage was incredible. The only downside was the [Malnourished] debuff. Esther and Riku looked the part¡ªpale, gaunt, and visibly weak. Having two more mouths to feed would put an extra strain on their supplies. Still, if the beasts in the next waves packed a little meat on their bones, that wouldn¡¯t be a problem. Jack smiled brilliantly. ¡°Of course! Your help is more than welcome. Let me cook you something¡ªyou must be starving. We can then talk about work.¡± He began building a cooking fire, his mind still churning over how best to allocate their new assets. Meanwhile, Amari¡¯s messages started flooding in. ¡°Jack, you lucky duck, I love you! How did you get this package?! It¡¯s awesome!¡± Jack grinned. Looks like they got the notification, too. Wait. Does that mean that Amari hasn¡¯t found anything yet? The realization hit him hard. If Amari got a notification when Jack unlocked a hidden package, the reverse was true, too. Amari had been exploring the map for hours, and Jack hadn¡¯t received any notifications triggered by his finds. Had Amari come up empty-handed so far? Horace and Marie arrived on the scene, drawn by the notifications. ¡°Hi!¡± Horace greeted the NPCs with a broad smile, then immediately zeroed in on Jack. He threw an arm around him and gave him a playful noogie. ¡°Jack! I hate you, you beautiful doofus!¡± ¡°You¡¯re sending some mixed signals here,¡± Jack said, wriggling free. Marie, on the other hand, didn¡¯t bother with pleasantries. She gave Esther and Riku a long, appraising look before turning to Jack. ¡°The question now is: what do we do with them?¡± Horace nodded, already considering the possibilities. ¡°Having someone assist with trapping would be great,¡± he said, glancing at Riku. ¡°There¡¯s no such thing as too many traps.¡± Marie shot him a sharp look. ¡°Yes, there is.¡± Horace blinked. ¡°What? No, there¡¯s not!¡± ¡°Yes, there is,¡± Marie insisted. ¡°The first time we came to the Breach in our old accounts, I died because I stepped on one of your traps. You forgot to mark it for the rest of the team.¡± Horace scratched the back of his neck awkwardly. ¡°Okay... fine. Almost no such thing as too many traps. Especially when you have a blind teammate.¡± ¡°You¡­¡± While Horace and Marie bickered, Jack weighed their observations against his assortment of professions. It would be useless to give beekeeping away. The bees did most of the work, and he had nothing to gain from using one of the slots with it. Bushcrafting could be useful if he wanted to leave one of the NPCs in charge of cooking or crafting medicine, but that wasn¡¯t taking much of his time. Then there was pottery and brewing. He could leave one NPC making pots and the other making mead in an ongoing operation. Unlike Marie¡¯s concerns, they could do so within the safety of the fortress and harvest clay, water, and honey safely. Finally, there was bard and butchering. Having one of the two constantly playing songs to buff the party while Jack stayed in the backlines crafting and attending to other stuff was tempting. Regarding butchering, he could also leave the kid doing loot duty, freeing him up for other things. But what about teaching them? Jack wondered as he stirred the pot. Do they just pick up the professions automatically, or do I have to teach them? The notification wasn¡¯t clear. The pot finished boiling, and Jack served the golden, honey-thickened broth in two bowls. Riku¡¯s and Esther¡¯s mouths watered as they watched him ladle the food, their eyes wide with hunger. ¡°Here you go,¡± Jack said, handing them the bowls. The mother and son devoured the food. Esther paused long enough to meet Jack¡¯s gaze. ¡°Thank you,¡± she said softly, her voice filled with gratitude. Jack nodded. ¡°You¡¯ll get stronger in no time,¡± he said. Marie and Horace were still discussing the best solution to allocating the resources. ¡°Amari¡¯s professions are useless here. If he gives away archaeology or paleontology, he loses all his attack buffs,¡± Horace said. Seeing that Jack was done cooking, Marie beckoned him to join the conversation. Jack approached, and Amari¡¯s hovering screen appeared around the circle. His background moved at high speed. ¡°Cool! I didn¡¯t know we could do this,¡± Jack said, glancing over his shoulder. The NPCs seemed unalarmed by the sight of a hovering screen. ¡°How¡¯s it going over there?¡± Jack asked Amari. ¡°Busy! But good,¡± Amari said. ¡°Have you found any aid packages?¡± Jack pressed. ¡°Yes. I¡¯ll explain later,¡± Amari said, keeping his comments brief and never stopping movement. Then why haven¡¯t we received notifications? His thoughts were interrupted by a loud, guttural roar from Amari¡¯s side. Jack stiffened. ¡°What was that?¡± Amari¡¯s screen wobbled slightly as he moved, but he didn¡¯t stop. ¡°I¡¯ll explain later.¡± Jack sighed. What on earth is he doing? Marie took the reins of this brief meeting. ¡°So, we have two extra pairs of hands to help with things. We have to decide what to do with them. Amari, what are your thoughts?¡± ¡°None of mine,¡± he said simply. ¡°Horace?¡± Marie asked. ¡°I¡¯m almost done at the wall. Not much use for carpentry. Trapping would be handy, though.¡± Marie nodded. ¡°My stocks of poison are full, and I don¡¯t feel comfortable sending the woman alone into the mountains. She could get killed.¡± ¡°Jack. What do you think?¡± Amari asked. Marie and Horace turned to Jack expectantly. Jack gulped hard. Jack could tell that they were relying on his opinion here. It made sense. He alone held half of the team¡¯s professions. Moreover, he was the one who found these two. Even though they were a team with equal say, he could tell his voice would speak louder here. ¡°Carpentry, trapping, herbalism, poisoning, archaeology, paleontology, pottery, bushcrafting, beekeeping, bard, butchering, and brewing,¡± he muttered, trying to organize his thoughts. ¡°I see nothing in their skill description that says we can¡¯t change this decision later. Right?¡± Everyone nodded in agreement. ¡°In that case, I have a suggestion,¡± Jack said. He hesitated. This decision could have a significant effect on their survivability. He just hoped that he was looking at this right. Ch. 131 - Assistants Jack took a deep breath, glancing around at his teammates. ¡°Alright,¡± he said. ¡°Here¡¯s my suggestion. Let¡¯s have Riku help with trapping. Esther can stay with me and help me with mead. We can revisit this once Amari gets back and the waves get tougher.¡± ¡°So we give a minor to the mother? Even though she could potentially have a major?¡± Marie asked with a raised brow. ¡°That¡¯s right.¡± ¡°Isn¡¯t that a little wasteful?¡± Horace asked. ¡°In this case, I believe it¡¯s the most efficient,¡± Jack said. ¡°Why not just have the kid brew instead?¡± Horace asked. Jack frowned. ¡°He¡¯s a kid. I don''t feel comfortable with having him make alcohol, man.¡± ¡°But wouldn''t the system make it so that he thinks he''s mixing juice?¡± ¡°Maybe. But even so¡­¡± ¡°I agree,¡± Amari said, interrupting the pointless discussion. ¡°Fine,¡± Marie echoed. Jack paused, reflecting on how easily the team trusted him now¡ªa stark contrast to how things had been with Amari in the beginning. Back then, Amari had accused him of being ill-mannered and a jerk. And now? Amari had just taken his advice and implemented it without a second thought. The contrast was almost startling. Jack clenched his fists slightly. He¡¯d worked hard to earn this trust, and he wouldn¡¯t let them down. Horace laughed. ¡°So¡­ we outsource trapping, uh? Like I said¡ªno such thing as too many traps.¡± He gave Marie a sheepish grin before adding, ¡°Properly marked traps, of course.¡± Marie rolled her eyes but didn¡¯t object. ¡°Just make sure he¡¯s safe, okay? The last thing we need is any accidents out there.¡± There was another roaring sound coming from Amari''s side. ¡°Gotta go,¡± Amari said abruptly before disconnecting the call. Jack frowned. What was going on on his end? What was that roar? And why has he found aid packages, but we have no notifications on our end? He had so many questions, but Amari seemed too busy to answer. Jack approached Esther and Riku, crouching slightly to meet the boy¡¯s eyes. ¡°Riku,¡± he began gently, ¡°we¡¯d like you to help Horace set traps outside the walls.¡± Riku¡¯s eyes lit up. ¡°I get to set traps? Really?¡± Jack smiled. ¡°Really. Horace will teach you everything you need to know.¡± Esther¡¯s lips pressed into a thin line as she glanced between Jack and Horace. Horace approached and placed his hand on the boy''s shoulder. ¡°I won¡¯t let anything happen to him. We¡¯re just reinforcing areas we¡¯ve already cleared, and I¡¯ll be right there by his side the whole time.¡± Esther hesitated, her gaze flicking to her son, who was practically vibrating with enthusiasm. Finally, she exhaled and gave a small nod. ¡°Alright. But if there¡¯s any danger, you bring him back immediately.¡± ¡°Of course,¡± Horace said with a reassuring smile. The pair walked away under Esther''s concerned gaze. With that settled, Jack turned to the mother. ¡°I¡¯ll need your help with brewing. We¡¯re going to mix up a batch of mead. It¡¯s not difficult. We just need to figure out where to do this,¡± Jack said, glancing around the courtyard. ¡°We could set up here or go back to the well where it will then age. The fermentation process might work better down there, but¡­¡± He trailed off as Esther stiffened, her gaze lingering on the well. Her shoulders tensed slightly. ¡°You¡¯d feel better staying here, wouldn¡¯t you?¡± Jack asked. ¡°I just want to keep an eye on my son. He¡¯s excited, but¡­¡± Her gaze flicked back to Riku, who was chatting animatedly with Horace near the walls. ¡°Then here it is. We¡¯ll make it work.¡± Jack focused his gaze on her, prompting the system to divulge more information. Sure enough, a window opened, and he found the option to deposit a profession. Jack selected [Brewing], feeling a slight tug as it left his list of skills. You¡¯ve temporarily loaned the [Brewing] profession to Esther. All [Brewing]-related skills and recipes are locked. Jack opened his menu, and his suspicions were confirmed. Not only were the exclusive brewing recipes grayed out, but synergies like the amphora recipe and the Jolly Good Fellow tune were locked, too. That answers what happens with synergies, Jack thought. ¡°Do you need me to walk you through it?¡± he asked, pulling supplies from his inventory. ¡°I¡¯ve done some work at the local winery before. I¡¯m good. Just tell me what you want me to do.¡± ¡°Simple, really. Just make mead. You have the honey and water here, and I¡¯ve prepared jars you can use for fermentation. Use these amphorae to store it once it¡¯s ready to age.¡± Esther nodded and set to work. She first took stock of the ingredients and materials available. She started moving the pots around, grouping the largest ones. She ended up with ten huge pots Jack had made using the coiling method, lining them up in two rows of five. Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings. She disappeared briefly and returned with a ladle, a large spoon, and a few cloths. Where did she get those? She¡¯s just as resourceful as her system description makes her out to be. She began pouring the honey into the ladle and counting aloud as she measured how much went into each pot. The faint aroma of honey filled the air, blending with the earthy scent of the courtyard. Jack inhaled deeply, finding the smell oddly comforting. She then reached for the water, carefully pouring it into a ladle and then into the pot to mix with the honey. After pouring the right amount into each pot, she stirred the mixture. The gentle slosh of liquid mingled with the soft clink of pottery, creating a calming rhythm that filled the courtyard. The firelight flickered against her features, highlighting the faint sheen of sweat on her brow. Her sleeves were rolled up just enough to stay out of the way, and every so often, she brushed a stray lock of hair from her face with the back of her wrist. Finally, she finished mixing her first batch of mead. She grabbed a cloth and placed it over the pot. Esther has crafted [Mead]. +1XP in [Brewing]. [Mead] is now fermenting. Jack watched from the sidelines, letting her work uninterrupted. When Esther finally ran out of water, she paused, straightening up and wiping her hands on her skirt. Her movements slowed as she glanced at the empty jars, then turned to Jack. ¡°I¡¯ll get more from the spring,¡± she said, her tone calm and matter-of-fact. Jack raised an eyebrow. ¡°Do you know where it is?¡± ¡°I do,¡± she replied simply. ¡°Alright,¡± Jack said after a pause. He considered offering to go with her but decided against it. She seemed confident, and he suspected she¡¯d welcome the chance to check on her son from atop the walls. ¡°Just be careful,¡± he added. Esther nodded and walked off, her movements as steady and deliberate as they¡¯d been while brewing. Jack couldn¡¯t help but watch her departing figure with admiration. She¡¯s an incredible worker. Even though she was just a computer program, Jack felt nothing but respect for her. Widowed, left to care for her son on her own, famished and weak, yet here she was¡ªworking tirelessly without a single complaint. I wish I could take these two with me, Jack thought. Having an NPC like her around makes everything so much easier. But he knew it was wishful thinking. All he could do was appreciate her help while he had it. Turning back to the fire, Jack decided to get busy, too. He grabbed a cooking pot and threw in a stack of insect fat, setting it over the flames to boil. Just in case we need oil. The fire crackled beneath the pot as the fat blobs began to melt, bubbling and hissing into a thick, golden liquid. The acrid smell became sharper, mingling with the earthy, slightly sweet scent of the melting fat. Jack watched the transformation with a mix of curiosity and distaste. While the fat melted, Jack pulled out his ocarina. This was why he had asked Esther to help with brewing¡ªher task was mechanical and time-consuming, freeing him to focus on mastering the new songs in his repertoire. The Clay Dome song still eluded him, and he didn¡¯t even know what it did yet. But he was determined to figure it out before the next wave hit. Settling onto a low stone near the fire, Jack began working through the tricky sections of the melody. Bending a note on the ocarina required a delicate balance of breath control and finger adjustment. He had to partially uncover a hole, tilting his fingers slightly to regulate the airflow while simultaneously modulating his breath. Too much pressure and the note would shriek sharply out of tune; too little, and it would waver, losing its clarity. He leaned forward, his brows furrowed as he played each note. Every time a bend sounded too sharp, or a transition faltered, he paused, carefully adjusting his fingers and breath until the sound felt right. The progress bar over the pot indicated the fat was ready. Jack stopped playing, shuffled to remove it from the fire, and placed another pot on the ground to prepare for straining. Grabbing a large cloth, he spread it over the second pot to use as a makeshift sieve. He picked up the hot pot with both hands, the searing heat biting into his palms. ¡°Ouch! Ouch!¡± At first, he winced, but the sensation quickly dulled into a faint warmth. ¡°Must be my fire resistance. Cool,¡± he muttered. Slowly, he poured the fat through the cloth. The liquid passed smoothly into the second pot, leaving behind little fragments of insect shells caught in the makeshift sieve. Jack examined the cloth, nodding in satisfaction. ¡°Good. It worked.¡± He put the strained fat back on the fire for a final round of refinement before resuming his ocarina practice. After one more round of straining, he received a notification: You¡¯ve crafted [Insect Oil]. +30XP in [Bushcraft]. ¡°That wasn¡¯t so bad,¡± he thought, looking at the golden oil shimmering in the pot. He took a cautious whiff. The smell wasn¡¯t unpleasant, but it wasn¡¯t exactly appetizing either. Shrugging, he poured the oil into a pot and stored it in his inventory before placing another batch of fat on the fire. By the time Esther returned with fresh water and resumed mixing honey, Jack was fully immersed in his playing. Esther moved quietly, pouring and stirring with steady efficiency. The faint clink of pottery and the rustle of her skirt occasionally broke through Jack¡¯s focus, but for the most part, he was lost in the melody. As Jack worked on each transition and bend, Clay Dome began to take shape. It was an earthy, calming tune, its opening notes low and steady, rolling into one another like waves lapping against the shore. As the song progressed, higher passages added a delicate, fragile beauty, reminiscent of pottery spinning on a wheel. In some sections, as Jack bent the notes, the empty amphorae around him trembled faintly, resonating with the frequency of the ocarina. While each batch of fat slowly converted into oil, Jack¡¯s mastery of the song improved. The sections he could play in one go grew longer, but his first attempts to play the entire melody fell apart. The system didn¡¯t recognize his efforts, no matter how hard he tried. Gritting his teeth, all Jack could do was adjust his fingers and try again. Meanwhile, one by one, the pots of mead finished fermenting. Esther began straining the dead yeast out of the mead and transferring it into amphorae. Once they were filled, she placed the stoneware containers to the side, away from the sun and the fire. Jack had to admit that he failed to play Clay Dome properly more than once because of the sheer number of notifications flooding his vision. Each batch of mead that finished fermenting brought a generous reward: Esther has fermented [Mead]. +30XP in [Brewing] Esther has fermented [Mead]. +30XP in [Brewing] By the time the fourth pot finished fermenting, Jack was rewarded with a pleasant surprise: Congratulations! You¡¯ve reached level 2 in [Brewing]. Sadly, the level-up didn¡¯t unlock any new skills, but progress was progress. And then there were his bees, who hadn¡¯t stopped working since their arrival. A bee returns to the colony with nectar. +10XP in [Beekeeping] A new egg is laid. +5XP in [Beekeeping] To top it all off, he kept receiving notifications about the oil. You¡¯ve crafted [Insect Oil]. +30XP in [Bushcraft] Jack was progressing in multiple professions simultaneously, and the steady flow of notifications was exhilarating¡ªbut also distracting. He took a deep breath and tried to refocus, determined to master Clay Dome. Pushing aside the system messages, he poured all his effort into playing the song correctly. Finally, after what felt like hours, the song clicked into place. It wasn¡¯t perfect by any means, but it sounded musical enough. Jack felt a subtle shift in the air as the final note rang out. The amphorae, jars, and cooking pots trembled violently as though gripped by an earthquake that ignored everything else. A dull red glow spread across their surfaces. It wasn¡¯t bright or blinding, but it carried a certain weight¡ªa quiet, unshakable confirmation that the melody had done something. ¡°What¡¯s happening?!¡± Jack yelped. Ch. 132 - Clay Dome You¡¯ve played [Clay Dome]. Success rate: D- +300XP in [Bard] Audience bonus: 150XP in [Bard] All ceramics in the area are shielded from durability loss. ¡°Oh my goodness, this is what Clay Dome does?¡± Jack exclaimed, a smile breaking across his face. The melody shielded ceramics from durability loss! The system had graded his performance a measly D-, and the red shield faded almost as soon as the song ended. Determined to improve, Jack played the melody again. The amphorae began glowing red once more, their surfaces pulsing faintly in time with the music. This time, his ocarina shone brighter, matching the rhythm. You¡¯ve played [Clay Dome]. Success rate: D+ +300XP in [Bard] Audience bonus: 150XP in [Bard] All ceramics in the area are shielded from durability loss. With a better performance grade, the buff lasted significantly longer. Even twenty seconds after the melody ended, the shield persisted around the amphorae, the cooking pot, and his ocarina. Jack set the ocarina down, his thoughts racing. Durability¡ªhow critical was it in brewing? Probably not much. However, several potential uses for this skill have already come to mind. Intermediate melodies like Dance of the Turtles ate away at ocarinas¡¯ durability at an absurd rate. With Clay Dome, he could shield his instruments, extending their lifespan. And then an old recipe sprang to mind¡ªXP-boosting vases. Every time someone gained XP near them, their durability drained so fast they weren¡¯t worth crafting. But Clay Dome changed everything. If Jack could perfect the melody... His mind whirred with ideas. What if he continuously played Clay Dome to protect vases while grinding XP in his bard profession? Or paired it with his beekeeping setup? He pictured his pot hive glowing alongside a cluster of vases, the hardworking bees buzzing in harmony with his melodies. The XP gains would be incredible! But the biggest combo idea hit him like a lightning bolt. If he placed vases near the backline while his friends fought enemies, shielding the pottery with Clay Dome could double¡ªor even triple¡ªthe XP they earned during a hunt. It was practically cheating! Of course, this was all theory. He had no idea how much stronger the melody would become with a higher performance rating. Still, the possibilities made him giddy. Who would have guessed pottery could synergize so well with the bard profession? Jack couldn¡¯t wait to see his friends¡¯ faces when they realized what he could do. Horace¡¯s wide-eyed disbelief, Amari¡¯s skeptical smirk, Marie¡¯s quizzical head tilt¡ªit would be priceless. The melody unlocked for advancing to the journeyman tier in his bard profession was incredible. The leap in power between novice and journeyman was staggering. It opened doors and opportunities Jack hadn¡¯t even considered before. Still, he frowned slightly. Alternating between Clay Dome and other songs, managing vases and hives¡ªit sounded incredible in theory, but executing it would be another story. The melody was tricky to play. At least handing off brewing duties to Esther had freed up his schedule. That extra time had allowed him to stumble upon this potentially broken combo sitting in his arsenal. Jack picked up his ocarina, ready to dive back into practice. He was just about to play another round of Clay Dome when a sharp ping interrupted him. The ninth wave comes. Beware. ¡°Already?¡± Jack yelled, the words escaping him before he could think. Moments later, the distant rumble of explosions echoed through the fortress while flashes of orange and red lit up the cliff walls of the mountain pass beyond the battlements. Esther didn¡¯t flinch. If anything, the chaos seemed to sharpen her focus. She continued methodically mixing water and honey. It was as though she believed the battle¡¯s outcome depended on her task, even if the connection wasn¡¯t obvious. Jack took a deep breath, forcing himself to refocus. He set the ocarina down and strode over to inspect Esther¡¯s progress. The rows of stoneware amphorae stood proudly in the corner, each displaying a glowing progress bar above it. Thirty vessels, nearly filled, were lined up neatly. The mead had finished fermenting and was now aging. He crouched beside the amphorae, rubbing his hands together in anticipation. The vessels filled earliest were just moments away from crossing the threshold into the first tier of mead. Jack¡¯s excitement bubbled up. Not only would he get to taste his own mead for the first time, but the XP gain promised to be substantial¡ªmaybe even enough for a couple of levels in the brewing profession. He could almost feel the bonuses already. Jack stood there, watching the progress bars climb for the last few moments. Then, it finally happened. You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version. 3x[Mead] has aged successfully! +90XP in [Brewing] Congratulations! You¡¯ve reached level 3 in [Brewing]. You¡¯ve learned a new skill: [Enduring Flavor]. Enduring Flavor (Common) Skill Level: 1 Description: Your refined palate allows you to vividly recall the tastes and nuances of spirits you¡¯ve brewed, even long after the last sip. Effects: Buffs from spirits you brew last 50% longer on yourself. The skill was simple, but as far as Jack was concerned, a little useless to him. Mead primarily boosted attack damage. He would have preferred to grant longer bonuses to his colleagues who fought on the frontlines. Still, there might be a way to make it worthwhile¡ªif he brewed spirits that granted different buffs down the road. The thought stayed in the back of his mind as he turned back to inspect his mead. Mead I (Common) An amateur brewer¡¯s first attempt. Simple, sweet, and unrefined. Effects: +1% attack for 10 minutes. It was the same mead effects he¡¯d gotten when crafting his first batch with Gretchen. He grabbed the ladle, took a tiny bit, and put it in his mouth. There were the neutral tones of wildflowers coming from his honey. There was a crisp freshness from the spring water, and then there was a certain depth he hadn¡¯t tasted before. Maybe it came from the amphorae? He wasn¡¯t sure. Either way, he couldn¡¯t wait to see what happened once it aged a little more. ¡°Thank you for your hard work,¡± Jack said, offering Esther an encouraging smile. ¡°You¡¯re welcome,¡± Esther replied, nodding slightly, though her hands never slowed as she continued working. ¡°I¡¯ll take all the amphorae down to the well later,¡± Jack decided aloud. ¡°In the meantime, keep up the good work. You can take a break once you¡¯ve used up all the honey I gave you. After that, please run to the spring and fill the water containers. I¡¯ll need water for cooking.¡± At the mention of another meal, Esther¡¯s eyes lit up. She perked up slightly, a telltale reminder of the hunger still gnawing at her. Jack winced internally¡ªhe¡¯d been so consumed with practicing the new songs that he hadn¡¯t checked on their two malnourished newcomers. He made a mental note to prioritize food distribution more evenly and ensure everyone was taken care of before losing himself in tasks again. Leaving Esther to her task, Jack walked to the back of the fortress. His gaze lingered on the amphorae for a moment longer as he thought about his brewing strategy. She¡¯s an excellent worker. I wonder if going all in on mead is the best approach. I also have those fermentation bombs and the Molotov cocktail recipes. However, doesn¡¯t Marie already bring enough explosions to the battlefield? No. I think I made the right call. Jack found the green pot hive resting near the foot of the wall. The sturdy little hive stood out against the rugged stone. He crouched down, carefully inspecting it before pulling up his notifications. The hive had yielded one stack of honey since he¡¯d placed it here, which he eagerly collected into a pot. So far, the beast waves had only brought insect fat. His team was running on stews made from this honey. Most notifications were routine: new bees were born, and more nectar was harvested. But one line made him pause. A bee has died. Cause: cold. Jack frowned. The mountain chill was noticeable, but he¡¯d assumed the bees could manage. Evidently, even they had limits. Still, the notification seemed rare enough not to spell doom for the colony. Only one death in several hours¡ªit was a manageable loss. I wonder if I should keep a fire burning here next to them, Jack mused. Or maybe bring them closer to the well. But then they¡¯d have to fly farther to reach the slopes where they gather nectar. Relocating the hive might keep the bees more comfortable. Perhaps he could move the entire mead-making operation here or find a sheltered spot among the ruins. The idea of building a small mud hut for the hive crossed his mind. It wouldn¡¯t take much effort, and it could better shelter the hive. His eyes then turned to the progress bar in the beekeeper profession. It hovered at 90%. Just a little more, and he¡¯d reach journeyman tier in beekeeping. The thought made his pulse quicken. His earlier success with Clay Dome showed how transformative the leap from novice to journeyman could be. What upgrades awaited here? Jack¡¯s mind raced with possibilities: more hives, better honey production, even candles. He couldn¡¯t wait to see where it led. Wave 9 cleared. +1 breach point. "Marie worked through this wave faster than the last one," Jack noted aloud, watching the notification fade. He turned toward the fire, where four hungry faces awaited him, their expectant eyes flicking between him and the large cooking pot simmering by the flames. Jack sighed, pulling out his supplies. The honey he¡¯d collected earlier wasn¡¯t much, but it would have to do. He poured the golden liquid into the pot, watching as it pooled, and began to bubble gently over the heat, filling the air with a faintly sweet aroma. ¡°When are we getting something we can actually chew?¡± Riku complained, his voice cutting through the quiet. Jack turned to Riku, who sat cross-legged near the fire, arms crossed and a pout firmly in place. ¡°Very soon,¡± Jack replied, forcing a reassuring tone. Then, eager to shift the focus, he looked at Marie. ¡°By the way, I noticed you cleared this wave faster than usual. What happened?¡± Marie adjusted the straps on her armor, her expression tightening. ¡°There were so many of those big roaches, I had to use the heavier bombs. I¡¯ve been trying to save the big stuff for later, but I didn¡¯t have a choice. If I hadn¡¯t, they would¡¯ve reached the carriage.¡± Jack nodded, frowning slightly. ¡°I see¡­¡± His gaze drifted to the wall beyond the fire. The waves are getting tougher. ¡°Riku here did good work with the traps,¡± Horace added, his tone warm with praise. The boy flushed under the attention, mumbling a quiet, ¡°Thanks.¡± ¡°Esther, too,¡± Jack said quickly, making sure to acknowledge the NPCs¡¯ contributions. The pair exchanged a weak but grateful smile. Jack couldn¡¯t help but feel relieved they¡¯d found these two. A good aid package made all the difference. Which reminded him... ¡°What about Amari? He should be coming back soon, right?¡± ¡°Haven¡¯t you seen the messages?¡± Horace asked. Jack blinked, sheepishly scratching the back of his head. ¡°Uh, no¡­ I might¡¯ve been a little distracted.¡± ¡°He¡¯s already on his way back,¡± Marie said. ¡°Already? He¡¯s still got over an hour until the boss spawns.¡± ¡°Right, but he wants to brief the team. He¡¯ll be here in about fifteen minutes.¡± Jack¡¯s curiosity piqued. What has Amari been up to all this time? After serving the meal¡ªa thin, honey-sweetened broth¡ªJack stood and dusted off his hands. He didn¡¯t take a portion for himself. His stamina bar was low, but he could replenish it later by playing Sitting Wind. Right now, there was still a field to clear. ¡°Be right back.¡± The team barely acknowledged him as he left. The ungrateful bunch¡­ Jack thought, a flicker of annoyance crossing his mind. Now that they¡¯ve been fed, they couldn¡¯t care less. Shaking it off, he crossed the courtyard, heading toward the newly repaired wall. The structure looked even sturdier now; its clean lines and reinforced beams starkly contrasted with its battered state when they first arrived. Beyond the gate, Jack paused, taking in the transformed landscape before him. The stretch of land between the gate and the carriage had changed dramatically. Ch. 133 - Meat Horace had put Riku to work. What had once been an open stretch was now a sprawling minefield of traps¡ªa chaotic patchwork of caltrops, stakes, bear traps, and nooses. Little colorful flags fluttered in the wind, marking the narrow, safe paths through the hazards. Jack couldn¡¯t help but chuckle, shaking his head. ¡°Horace took Marie¡¯s advice to heart,¡± he muttered. The sheer number of beasts attacking now made subtlety irrelevant. Horace wasn¡¯t worried about hiding the traps anymore. It didn¡¯t matter; the creatures were so numerous they¡¯d likely shove each other into the hazards. Carefully navigating the flagged path, Jack made his way to his old workstation. Hauling himself onto the carriage, he paused to take in the battlefield. The remnants of the last wave painted a grim picture. Whereas before, the roach carcasses had fallen mostly beyond the trap field, now several lay alarmingly close to the carriage. More than a few had reached Marie¡¯s position before falling, likely surviving her bombs with only a sliver of HP left. The caltrops had finished them off, but the proximity was unsettling. Jack scowled. ¡°Yeah, we¡¯re definitely going to need someone else here with Marie from now on,¡± he muttered. The leisurely pace of the early breach waves was over. The shift in the enemy composition didn¡¯t go unnoticed, either. The familiar hordes of black roaches were gone, replaced entirely by purple, furry roaches. Larger and far more aggressive, they now dominated the battlefield. Their sheer size and numbers left little doubt in Jack¡¯s mind: the breach was escalating. ¡°What¡¯s the boss going to be like?¡± Jack wondered aloud, the question sending a shiver down his spine. With careful steps, he descended into the field and began his work. Navigating the caltrops, Jack harvested carcass after carcass. As he reached for another, a notification appeared. Congratulations! You¡¯ve reached level 4 in [Butchering]. You¡¯ve learned a new skill: [Meat Carving]. Meat Carving (Common) Skill level: 1 Skill description: Whereas amateurs might miss cuts of meat that are less obvious in the carcass, you leave nothing behind and make the most of nature¡¯s bounty. Skill effects: You can now harvest meat from creatures that wouldn¡¯t normally drop it. For creatures that already drop meat, you¡¯ll extract larger yields. ¡°Finally!¡± Jack muttered, his voice brimming with triumph. ¡°Meat on the menu, at last.¡± He barely had time to process the news when a second notification appeared. Synergy detected between [Bard] and [Butchering]. You¡¯ve learned a new melody: [Tenderizing Repercussions]. ¡°Cool,¡± he said, excitement sparking in his chest. Another melody to add to his bardic arsenal. Thank goodness I found Esther to help me. I¡¯ll need a lot of time to rehearse this one. With his spirits lifted, Jack turned his attention back to the task at hand. He approached one of the giant roaches, its glossy, purple-furred shell glinting faintly in the fading light. As he worked, his new butchering skill kicked in. You picked up 2x[Roach Meat]. Roach Meat (Common) A hunk of meat harvested from a roach, surprisingly dense and slightly oily. It has a faint earthy aroma and a toughness that suggests it¡¯s best cooked thoroughly. Durability: 16 Jack recoiled slightly, holding the slimy, dark slabs of meat in his hand. ¡°That¡¯s gross,¡± he muttered, his nose wrinkling. The smell was earthy and faintly acidic, not entirely pleasant. He forced himself to look past it. A wicked grin crept across his face as a thought struck him. ¡°Weren¡¯t they complaining about wanting something they could chew in their stew?¡± he said, chuckling darkly. He stuffed the roach meat into his pack. As he moved from one carcass to the next, the field began to feel less like a battlefield and more like a harvest. Notifications trickled in, his butchering XP creeping upward at a snail¡¯s pace. By the time Jack finished scavenging, the battlefield was picked clean. He stood, wiping his hands on his rope overalls, his pack noticeably heavier now, stuffed with meat and fat. As he trudged back toward the fortress, the low hum of conversation reached his ears. The team was still gathered around the fire, their shadows flickering against the fortress walls. To his surprise, Amari was already there. ¡°Hello, Jack!¡± Amari greeted, raising a hand in his usual unbothered manner. "Hi, Amari! How did you get here? I didn¡¯t see you on the road," Jack asked, genuinely curious. "Climbed the southern slope," Amari replied with a casual shrug, as if scaling a mountain was another Tuesday. ¡°Really?¡± Jack¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°That¡¯s¡­ impressive!¡± ¡°I could use a meal,¡± Amari said, his tone as nonchalant as his entrance. At the mention of food, Esther froze mid-stir, her hands hovering over the honey mixture. Beside her, Riku perked up like a startled meerkat, clutching his empty bowl tightly in both hands. Their synchronized reactions were so perfectly timed that Jack had to bite back a laugh. "Do you want some more?" Jack offered, barely containing his grin. Riku nodded so vigorously that his hair bounced like a bobblehead. Esther stayed silent, but the hopeful sparkle in her eyes was impossible to miss. If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. Jack sighed. ¡°Alright, give me a minute.¡± He rummaged through his supplies, pulled out a jar of oil, and set to work. As the oil began to heat in the pan, the faint smell of frying wafted through the air. ¡°That¡¯s new. Is that oil?¡± Horace asked, sidling closer with a suspicious look. ¡°Yep,¡± Jack replied simply. ¡°Where¡¯d you get it?¡± Horace¡¯s tone carried a pointed edge. ¡°Found it,¡± Jack said, waving off the question with a vague gesture. He turned back to the pan, refusing to elaborate. Horace narrowed his eyes, clearly unconvinced. ¡°Found it where?¡± ¡°Somewhere¡­ out there,¡± Jack said, gesturing vaguely toward the battlefield. Horace looked like he wanted to press further, but Jack swiftly pulled some meat from his inventory, distracting him. The game¡¯s system had pre-diced it, sparing Jack the mess and letting him toss the pieces directly into the sizzling oil. Jack was happy to throw everything he¡¯d collected into the pan. The meat¡¯s durability was dropping by the minute, and if he didn¡¯t use it, it would spoil anyway. The meat hit the pan with a satisfying hiss, its edges curling and browning almost instantly. The rich, savory aroma filled the courtyard, earning a collective inhale from the group. "Do you even know what you¡¯re doing?" Horace teased, leaning on a nearby crate. "I¡¯m not much of a cook, but I¡¯ve fried eggs before," Jack replied, stirring the meat with exaggerated confidence. "Horace doesn¡¯t even know how to open an egg. He probably eats it raw¡ªshell and all," Marie quipped, her grin as sharp as her words. "Aha. Very funny," Horace retorted, rolling his eyes. ¡°But seriously, what kind of meat is that?¡± Jack shrugged, keeping his movements deliberately casual. ¡°Didn¡¯t you all say you wanted something to chew on?¡± As he spoke, he cast a fleeting, nervous glance toward one of the carcasses still lying near the fortress walls, its grotesque form half-hidden in the shadows. Horace followed his gaze, his expression shifting to one of mild understanding. He didn¡¯t say anything, but his slight nod and the way he stepped back told Jack everything he needed to know: Horace assumed he had figured it out. He totally bought it! Jack thought triumphantly, fighting to keep a grin from spreading across his face as he stirred the stew. Perfect misdirection. Congratulations! You¡¯ve saut¨¦ed the ingredients of your [Survival Stew]. The flavors grow stronger. +100XP in [Bushcraft] Good! It¡¯s working! The meat was cooked to a golden brown, and Jack added water, letting the mixture simmer before seasoning it with salt and pepper. The aroma grew richer, drawing the entire team closer, bowls clutched eagerly in their hands. ¡°Not bad for a first try,¡± Jack said, patting himself on the back as a system notification popped up. Congratulations! You¡¯ve crafted [Survival Stew]. +150XP in [Bushcraft] Survival Stew (Common) Crafting grade: C Ingredients: [Roach Meat], [Roach Meat], [Roach Meat]. Item description: A nutritious, tasty meal made from ingredients gathered in the wild. Item effects: ¡°Wow, nice buff,¡± Jack muttered, reading the effects. ¡°What¡¯d you get?¡± Amari asked, leaning in. ¡°See for yourself.¡± Jack ladled steaming portions into bowls and passed them around. ¡°Wow! This is¡­ interesting,¡± Amari said. ¡°10% damage to bugs for 30 minutes? That¡¯s incredible. This¡¯ll definitely come in handy for the boss.¡± ¡°Not bad,¡± Marie agreed, nodding. ¡°It¡¯s almost at the level of what a professional cook could make¡ªwell, almost.¡± Horace watched the others warily, his eyes narrowing at Jack¡¯s smug grin. The rich aroma was irresistible, though, and with a reluctant sigh, he finally scooped a spoonful into his mouth. His eyes widened as he chewed. ¡°It is good!¡± ¡°Yeah, saut¨¦ing the meat made it stronger,¡± Jack explained, leaning back with obvious pride. ¡°New skill, courtesy of my handyman class.¡± ¡°Well done, Jackie,¡± Marie said. ¡°What can I say?¡± Jack replied, beaming. ¡°I aim to please.¡± But Horace wasn¡¯t done. He paused, his spoon hovering midair, a frown creeping onto his face. ¡°What¡¯s wrong, Horace?¡± ¡°Nothing. It¡¯s just¡­ this taste is unique. I¡¯ve never had anything quite like this before.¡± ¡°Is this your first time eating roach stew?¡± Horace froze. His face twisted in horror as he spat out a half-chewed chunk of meat onto the ground. ¡°You¡¯re kidding me!¡± he sputtered, wiping his tongue frantically with his sleeve. Jack burst out laughing, the sound echoing across the camp. Amari and Marie remained unphased. Amari simply raised an eyebrow, continuing to eat without missing a beat. ¡°Protein¡¯s protein,¡± he said with a shrug. Marie set her bowl down and actually began defending his unusual choice of ingredients. ¡°What¡¯s with the disgust? Have you never eaten insects before? Fried locusts are a delicacy in some places.¡± ¡°Of course not!¡± Horace snapped. ¡°Insects are a staple in so many cultures!¡± Marie said, her eyes lighting up as she launched into her explanation. ¡°I¡¯ve heard there¡¯s this lake where people collect mosquito eggs using buttered pans and turn them into hamburgers. Some people fry crickets and grasshoppers until they¡¯re super crispy and say they taste like roasted nuts. Others roast termites and grind them into flour to make bread, which is supposed to be super nutritious. And I¡¯ve read about people glazing locusts with soy sauce and sugar to make a crunchy, sweet snack. Honestly, I don¡¯t know why we don¡¯t eat more bugs. They¡¯re packed with nutrients, sustainable, and honestly kind of fun!¡± Jack blinked, caught off guard by her enthusiasm. Marie, the usually quiet one, suddenly proved herself to be a chatty fountain of obscure culinary trivia. Is this a weird hobby of hers or something? As the group finished their meal, Esther and Riku lingered near the pot, their eyes darting to the small amount of stew that remained. Jack chuckled. ¡°There¡¯s a little left. Feel free to help yourselves,¡± he said, waving them over. They didn¡¯t need to be told twice. As Esther and Riku eagerly helped themselves to another serving, all eyes turned to Amari. ¡°So, how did the exploration go?¡± Marie asked. ¡°Let me show you,¡± Amari said. Amari would like to share his world map with you. Jack accepted, and a 3D projection unfolded in midair, shimmering with light. The map displayed the fortress, its surrounding pathways, and the encircling mountains in crisp, intricate detail. Amari gestured toward the projection, his voice steady but brimming with satisfaction. ¡°I¡¯ve mapped the entire Breach,¡± he began. ¡°Most of it is mountainous terrain, but there are a few noteworthy features. For instance, this lake here,¡± he said, pointing to a sparkling blue patch, ¡°and a small forest. That means wood for you, Horace, and herbs for you, Marie,¡± he added, nodding to each of them. ¡°And finally, there¡¯s this snowy peak¡ªthe tallest mountain on the map and the only place with snow.¡± Jack raised an eyebrow, genuinely impressed. Given how small the fortress was and how vast the mountain range appeared, Amari had covered an extraordinary distance to gather this information. Jack¡¯s admiration wasn¡¯t just for the map; it was good to see Amari back to his usual talkative self. ¡°So, were you just mapping, or did you find any hidden packages?¡± Jack asked, tilting his head. Amari smirked and tapped a few buttons on his interface. Several red pins materialized across the map, scattered like breadcrumbs. ¡°I scouted potential locations for hidden packages and marked them,¡± he explained. Jack studied the pins before glancing back at Amari with a skeptical look. ¡°So, you just found suspicious-looking spots, marked them, and moved on?¡± ¡°Exactly.¡± ¡°Why not just get the packages right away?¡± Jack pressed. Amari gave him a familiar smile, the one Jack had come to recognize as his way of savoring a teachable moment for his channel. Turning to Jack¡ªand, by extension, whoever would watch the video later¡ªAmari began explaining, ¡°Hidden packages often require time-consuming quests to unlock. That¡¯s why I focused on fully exploring the map first. Now, we can organize ourselves to hit these locations. Between waves, we¡¯ll target them and try to collect as many packages as possible.¡± Jack leaned in closer, his gaze fixed on the glowing red markers. If each one represented something as valuable as Esther and Riku had been, this map was a gold mine. A grin spread across his face as confidence bubbled up inside him. Suddenly, the Breach didn¡¯t seem so terrifying anymore. Ch. 134 - Jolly Good Fellow ¡°So, what¡¯s the plan now? How are we organizing this?¡± Jack asked, barely able to contain his excitement. Amari¡¯s map was riddled with pins. Each might mark the location of another Esther and Riku, just waiting to be discovered. If he could recruit more NPCs to share in the load, that would be amazing. Jack almost drooled, thinking of an army of NPCs doing his bidding as he sat back and enjoyed a glass of mead. ¡°I¡¯ll visit the farthest sites,¡± Amari said as he held his chin and studied the map. ¡°With my speed, I can handle a round trip between waves. I was thinking of having Marie and Horace focus on the closer ones.¡± ¡°Fine by me,¡± Horace said. Marie just nodded. ¡°What about me?¡± Jack asked, leaning in. ¡°You¡¯ll do a bit of both,¡± Amari replied. ¡°We¡¯ll need you here for the boss waves. We also need you to keep us topped up on stamina and health. Thanks to these two, you¡¯ll probably be able to be gone for two waves at a time, maybe even more.¡± He nodded toward Esther and Riku. Jack nodded. The plan made sense. ¡°Where¡¯d you find the NPCs, anyway?¡± Amari asked. ¡°Down that well,¡± Jack said with a casual shrug. Amari¡¯s gaze shifted back to the map. ¡°Since you found a package there, I¡¯ll take another look around. There could be more secret rooms.¡± Jack frowned, bristling slightly. He¡¯d already combed through the fortress grounds and didn¡¯t like the idea of someone implying he¡¯d missed something. Amari caught the look and grinned, raising a hand. ¡°Relax, Jack. I¡¯m sure you did a fine job exploring. It''s just that we, rogues, have special bonuses that help us find secret rooms.¡± ¡°Fair enough,¡± Jack said, letting it slide. Nearby, Horace and Marie stepped away from their quiet conversation, and Horace spoke up. ¡°The forest isn¡¯t far. I¡¯m heading there for a lumber run.¡± Marie pointed at the map. ¡°There are two pins in the forest. I¡¯ll tag along and see if I can grab a package while Horace works.¡± Horace rubbed the back of his neck. ¡°There¡¯s one problem, though¡ªI don¡¯t have the lumberjack minor. I¡¯ll need help collecting wood. Jack, think you can lend a hand?¡± ¡°Uh¡­ I¡¯m not a lumberjack,¡± Jack said. ¡°No worries. You can still harvest basic lumber with your [Forage] skill. I brought axes, so we¡¯re covered.¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t know that. What about those two?¡± Jack asked, nodding toward Esther and Riku. ¡°What about it? Riku can keep assembling traps, and Esther can... keep doing whatever she¡¯s doing,¡± Horace replied with a shrug. ¡°No, she can¡¯t...¡± Jack tapped his foot. Esther had already used up all the honey. Without more mead to mix, her options were limited to watching the amphorae age in the well. That left Jack with a decision to make. He could follow Horace and Marie into the small forest Amari had found down the road, or he could assign bushcrafting duties to Esther and let her go in his place. Neither choice felt perfect. On one hand, the forest intrigued him. He was curious about what resources it might hold, and he missed having Snowy around. Out there, he could summon her and let her forage freely. On the other hand, as his eyes scanned his character sheet, Jack noticed several skills that he¡¯d been overlooking. CHARACTER INFORMATION Name: JackofDiamonds Level: 20 Fame: 24 Class: Handyman Mount: Snowy, the Ground Sloth Minors: [Bushcraft], lvl. 10 [Pottery], lvl. 10 [Journeyman Bard], lvl. 1 [Beekeeping], lvl. 9 [Butcher], lvl. 4 [Brewer], lvl. 3 Titles: [Consistent Quality], [Embersgate Civil Servant], [Innovating Pioneer], [Junior Craftsman]; [Museum Donor], [Novice Explorer], [Novice Firekeeper], [Overreacher], [S-Grade Adventurer], [Slayer of Monsters], [Uniqueness] ATTRIBUTES Hit points: 180/180 Stamina points: 142/146 Movement Speed: 116% Attack: 1 Strength: 6 Constitution: 14 Agility: 31 Intellect: 9 Stealth: 5 Luck: 5 RESISTANCES: Defense: 24 Block: 14 Fire: 2 EQUIPMENT Right-Hand: [Empty] Off-Hand: [Empty] Head: [Bulrush Rope Hat] Torso: [Bulrush Rope Overall] Pants: [Bulrush Rope Overall] Gloves: [Empty] Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. Shoes: [Bulrush Rope Sandals] Cape: [Moss Cape] SKILLS: Fighting: [Battle Charisma], [Blocking Stance], [Dash], [Heavy Strike], [Minor Synergy], [Unbound Knowledge] Bard: [A Morning of Spring], [Angry Void], [Clay Dome], [Dance of the Turtles], [Jolly Good Fellow], [March of the Embers], [Ocarina Mastery], [Self-Taught], [Sitting Wind], [Sonic Valley], [Soulful Performer], [Swing Step] Beekeeping: [Brood Breeding], [Friendly Scent], [Honey Harvesting], [Hive Ownership], [Nectar Harvesting], [Queen Breeding], [Sturdy Sting] Brewing: [Brew], [Brewmaster¡¯s Insight], [Enduring Flavor], [Spirits Aging] Bushcraft: [Bush Immunity], [Camping], [Fat Coating], [First Aid], [Forage], [Kindle], [Rope Weaving], [Saut¨¦eing], [Sticksmithing], [Survival Cooking], [Water Sniffing] Butcher: [Lipid Extraction], [Meat Carving], [Meatpacker], [Skinning] Pottery: [Clay Drying], [Clay Gathering], [Clay Molding], [Clay Tempering]; [Pot Firing], [Pottery Etching], [Pottery Glazing], [Touch of the Potter] Even though Jack would have loved a change of scenery and the chance to explore the forest, his bard skills desperately needed attention. [Soulful Performer], the passive skill unlocked when Jack became a journeyman bard, promised new buffs or effects if he achieved high grades in melodies. But he still had no clue what those bonuses actually were. And that wasn¡¯t all. He had songs like Jolly Good Fellow and Tenderizing Repercussions in his repertoire, but he didn¡¯t know how to play them yet¡ªlet alone know their effects. Then there were the intermediate-tier pieces, like Dance of the Turtles and Clay Dome. He could barely manage them, and it was clear they would require a lot more practice before he could perform them effortlessly. Jack had been so consumed by other tasks that his bard skills had fallen by the wayside. If he didn¡¯t take time to hone his craft now, he risked being unable to perform in critical moments¡ªespecially in the heat of battle. Jack weighed the pros and cons. Bushcrafting allowed him to make useful tools like clay bombs and Molotov cocktails, but none of those felt urgent right now. Besides, her complexion was healthier now¡ªsome hearty meals and proper care had restored a pink hue to her cheeks, replacing the pale, starved look she¡¯d had before. She seemed strong enough to chop wood. The more he thought about it, the clearer his decision became. ¡°You know what,¡± Jack said. ¡°I think I¡¯ll leave Esther with you. I¡¯ll deposit my bushcraft profession on her, and she can be the one to help you. How does that sound?¡± ¡°Sure,¡± Horace said with a nod. ¡°Fine by me,¡± Marie added. Jack nodded, satisfied. ¡°In that case, it¡¯s settled.¡± He walked over to Esther, who straightened up as soon as she saw him coming. ¡°Listen, Esther,¡± Jack began, keeping his tone steady. ¡°Horace and Marie are heading to the woods down the road. They¡¯ll need your help chopping wood.¡± Esther¡¯s gaze darted to the carcass of a dead beast, and she wrung her hands nervously. "Does that mean I¡¯ll be leaving the fortress?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper. Jack met her gaze and smiled. "You¡¯ll be safe with them. Besides, Horace has a horse, and he¡¯s fast. If anything happens, they¡¯ll get back here before you even break a sweat.¡± Esther glanced at Horace and Marie, her uncertainty plain, but after a few moments, she nodded. ¡°Okay.¡± Jack glanced over at the fire. Given how Esther would be gone, he threw several logs into it to keep it going until they came back. Then, Jack opened her NPC interface, bringing up her information window. With a quick adjustment, he swapped brewing out of her major skill slot and replaced it with bushcraft. ¡°We¡¯re counting on you,¡± Jack said with a small smile. ¡°Very well. Thank you, sir,¡± Esther replied, her voice more resolute now. ¡°Let¡¯s move,¡± Marie called, the horse already summoned, ready to depart. Horace helped Esther climb atop his horse. Jack stood by the fire, watching as the horses kicked up clouds of dust, their silhouettes growing smaller and disappearing after crossing the gate. He lingered for a moment, caught between the pull of the tasks ahead and the nagging fear of missing out. Let¡¯s go, Jack. The forest isn¡¯t going anywhere, but your skills might. Time to get to work. The fire crackled faintly, its warmth barely pushing back the evening chill. With the team out working in the forest, the fortress felt peaceful. Jack leaned back by the fire, settling his instrument in his lap. It was time to focus. He decided to start with Jolly Good Fellow, a song he¡¯d unlocked through the synergy of [Bard] and [Brewing]. First, he had the system play the tune for him. The cheerful, lighthearted melody felt simple and refreshing¡ªsomething one might hear at a lively party. Jack grinned. "Finally, a song with no glissandos!" When he began practicing, the notes came more easily than expected. Several riffs fell into place on the first try, and to his relief, this melody was far more forgiving than the frustrating complexity of Clay Dome. Progress felt attainable, for once. The song had three distinct sections, and Jack worked through each one methodically. As he started practicing the second part, a notification popped up: Esther has collected [Pinewood]. +10XP to Bushcraft. Jack paused, a small smile creeping across his face. His team was already hard at work, and the best part was that the experience Esther earned was credited to him. Delegation had never felt so rewarding. "I need to work hard, too!" he muttered, tightening his grip on the instrument. With a deep breath, he refocused and resumed practicing. After about ten minutes of effort, the full melody came together for the first time. You play [Jolly Good Fellow]. Performance rate: C 100XP in [Bard] No brewing buffs detected. Skill failed. Jack raised an eyebrow, staring at the notification. "Really? No buffs, no effect?" He shook his head, lips curling into a grin. "If it¡¯s a brewing buff you want, it¡¯s a brewing buff you¡¯ll get." Jack walked over to the amphorae nearby, scanning their progress. About half had finished aging to tier I, and he was close to reaching level 4 in [Brewing]. He opened one of the finished batches, letting the sweet aroma of mead waft up. For a moment, he hesitated. The golden liquid shimmered faintly in the firelight. Do I really want to waste a batch of mead that can age more and become more valuable? The thought tugged at him. But then, he shook his head. Tools or skills were pointless without mastery. Better to use it now and learn its secrets. He poured himself a glass and drank. You¡¯ve received [Mead I Buff]. [Enduring Flavor] kicks in. Buff lasts longer. +1% attack for 10+5 minutes. You cannot consume more brewed beverages for the next 12 hours. Armed with the brewing buff, he picked up his instrument and tried Jolly Good Fellow again. You play [Jolly Good Fellow]. Performance rate: C+ 120XP in [Bard] [Mead I Buff] is extended by 5 minutes. Jack¡¯s eyes lit up. [Enduring Flavor] let him benefit from longer buffs. But being able to now share buff extensions with his team was so much more promising! Sharing this advantage with his team could make all the difference in a drawn-out battle. Buffs from drinking spirits were rare and limited, but now he had a way to stretch their impact. "Good thing I stayed behind. This is an important discovery," he murmured, feeling vindicated in his decision. As he inspected the newer amphorae, he saw that their progress bars were nearly full, meaning it would soon be time to move the mead to the well. While he waited, Jack went back to practicing the melody. At first, his efforts only earned him a string of C grades. But gradually, as his fingers found the right rhythm, he improved. A notification popped up: Performance Rating: B Jack grinned. "That¡¯s more like it!" Finally, the remaining batches of mead finished aging. 3x[Mead] has aged successfully! +90XP in [Brewing]. Congratulations! You¡¯ve reached level 4 in [Brewing]. Jack frowned. ¡°No new skills?¡± It felt a little anticlimactic. His experience was that minors with more tiers spread recipes and skills more sparsely across levels, but it still stung. Shaking off his disappointment, he turned to the task at hand. "Let¡¯s move all of this down to the well," Jack said, rolling up his sleeves. New progress bars hovered over each stoneware container, marking the slow journey to tier II. The very first batch was well ahead¡ªanother half hour, and it might progress again. Jack began loading the amphorae into his inventory, though each one consumed its own slot. He groaned. "No wonder the guides talk about cellar rental." At least here in the Breach, his would-be shabby cellar had its perks¡ªit was free. With the amphorae secured, Jack grabbed a torch and climbed back down into the well. The damp, earthy air enveloped him as the flickering light cast long shadows across the rough stone walls. He started by placing the amphorae at the well¡¯s base, carefully positioning them away from the chain he used to climb. Then, he carried the rest down the little tunnel that led to the chamber where he¡¯d found Esther and Riku. The tunnel was cool and dark, the perfect spot for aging. Jack took his time, laying each container neatly, ensuring they wouldn¡¯t topple or roll. When he was done, he stepped back and surveyed his work. The amphorae lined the tunnel in orderly rows, their smooth, rounded surfaces glowing faintly in the torchlight. It wasn¡¯t much, but it was his. Satisfied, Jack climbed back up the well, brushing off the dust as he settled by the fire again. Brewing was coming along well, but if he wanted to take full advantage of those buffs, he needed to keep improving his bard skills. He picked up his instrument and played Jolly Good Fellow a couple more times, the notes flowing more smoothly now. Finally, judging that he¡¯d made enough progress, he decided it was time to move on to the next song. Ch. 135 - Tenderizing Repercussions "I wonder what this one does in a fight," Jack said, leaning forward. The most recent skill Jack had unlocked was Tenderizing Repercussions, a song born from the synergy of [Butchering] and [Bard]. He had the system play it, closing his eyes to focus on each note. The rhythm pulsed steadily, driving like a marching beat. Its lower tones were grounded and deliberate, setting a powerful cadence. But the ending was where the melody truly shone¡ªa cascade of soaring arpeggios and sharp intervals that hinted at chaos and triumph, like the final moments of a heated battle. Jack grinned. "This one¡¯s going to be fun." The first section came naturally, its repeating riff easy to grasp. The ending, though, was trickier. Jack¡¯s fingers stumbled at first, but the hours he¡¯d spent practicing arpeggios and scales kicked in, guiding him through the quick successions and shifting intervals. After a few minutes, the system finally registered his efforts. You¡¯ve played [Tenderizing Repercussions]. Performance Rate: C- 100XP in [Bard] No beasts were detected nearby. Skill failed. Jack groaned, slumping back. "Again, with a failure?!" he muttered, exasperated. The skill clearly needed a battlefield to reveal its effect. "Figures," Jack said with a heavy sigh. But he wasn¡¯t about to let the challenge beat him. He raised the ocarina again, diving into the melody. Each repetition of the ending felt smoother, his fingers learning the quick transitions with growing precision. After a few more attempts, Jack lowered the instrument and smirked. "I¡¯ll try it in the next fight and figure out what it does then." With two new songs under his belt, Jack¡¯s confidence swelled. His gaze flicked to the fire as he tightened his grip on the ocarina. "Time to up the ante," he muttered. [Soulful Performer] was supposed to trigger additional buffs when Jack hit high performance rates. He was ready to push the limits and see just how far it could take him. Jack shook out his hands and wrists, trying to loosen the tension. This wasn¡¯t just about playing well¡ªit was about breaking through to something greater. Taking a few deep breaths, Jack brought his ocarina to his lips and began playing the first melody he¡¯d ever learned. You¡¯ve played [Sitting Wind]. Performance rated: A +250XP in [Bard]. +1 stamina every 5 seconds for 10 minutes. "Oof! Not even an A was enough?" Jack groaned. As far as he could remember, he¡¯d never earned a rating higher than A. For the game to require something beyond that felt insane. It¡¯s not impossible, he thought. It can¡¯t be. Otherwise, why would this skill even exist? Jack paused, trying to think of ways to improve. He thought back to the days when music had been his whole life. His favorite guitarist came to mind. What set him apart wasn¡¯t ¡ªnot just his technical skill, though he had that in spades. It was something deeper: his ability to make the guitar sing, as if it had a soul of its own. Every note he played told a story. Jack had always admired how effortlessly the guitarist blended precision and passion, never letting one overshadow the other. It wasn¡¯t just about hitting the right notes¡ªit was about the feeling behind them, the ability to transport people with a single melody. How can I do that? Jack wondered. His ocarina wasn¡¯t a guitar, but the principle was the same. He needed to stop thinking like a player chasing a perfect performance and start thinking like a musician telling a story. Closing his eyes, Jack took a deep breath, and shifted his focus. It wasn¡¯t just about accuracy; it was about emotion. He closed his eyes and imagined a swaying breeze rolling over hills, blades of grass moving in harmony. Bees floated lazily through the warm air, their hum blending into the melody. Jack poured everything into the song, letting the emotions carry him. When the song ended, a notification popped up: Performance rated: A+ +500XP in [Bard] +1 stamina every 5 seconds for 10 minutes. [Soulful Performer] activates: +50 stamina for 10 minutes. ¡°Wow,¡± Jack muttered, staring at the notification. A simple melody, performed perfectly, had rivaled the buffs granted by chefs or the museum. Not only could he recover stamina, but he could increase his stamina bar. Suddenly, the potential of his bard profession became crystal clear. If he could consistently perform songs at an A+ rating¡ªor even higher¡ªhe could make his entire party significantly stronger. It¡¯s easier said than done, though, Jack thought. Perfecting every performance isn¡¯t going to be easy. Still, the possibilities were too exciting to ignore. What other buffs might his songs unlock? An idea came to him. There was another melody he felt confident he could play to near perfection, but for that, he¡¯d need to relocate. Jack headed to the back of the fortress, near his beehive. The bees flitted over the wall, diving toward the steep cliffs beyond to forage for nectar among the sparse shrubbery and flowers. Despite the cold, they kept working, though Jack noticed another bee had succumbed to the weather and lay motionless at the colony¡¯s gate. The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. Jack crouched by the hive, his gaze lingering on the lifeless worker. ¡°Poor bee,¡± he murmured. A pang of guilt tugged at him¡ªthe sight of another fallen bee was a harsh reminder of their fragility in the cold. ¡°Is there anything I can even do?¡± he muttered. Bees needed nectar to survive, but he couldn¡¯t shield them from the chill as they flew. All he could do was gain levels in [Beekeeping] hoping to unlock some skill which boosted their resistances. Straightening, Jack pushed aside his sadness. If he wanted to help the hive, he needed to focus. The song¡¯s effects might be just what they needed. He brought the ocarina to his lips and began playing Morning of Spring, a melody he¡¯d practiced countless times. His first attempt was shaky, earning him a B. ¡°I got too melancholic from that dead bee,¡± Jack muttered, rubbing his hands on his pants in an attempt to relax. This melody was supposed to be cheerful. He closed his eyes and tried to shift his focus. Happy thoughts, he reminded himself. He pictured Snowy grazing in a field. He thought of Lydia and the thrill he¡¯d felt when she agreed to go out with him. A warm memory of his parents¡¯ gift surfaced, their decision to support his gaming career filling him with gratitude. He thought of Horace bickering with Marie. Finally, his mind wandered to a vibrant field of flowers, each bloom swaying gently in a soft breeze. Just as the cheerful mood began to settle in, a notification blinked into view, interrupting his thoughts. AmariNinja has discovered a new hidden package: Armory. ¡°What?!¡± Jack exclaimed, quickly checking the details. Armory The fallen soldiers fell due to a lack of manpower, not of good equipment. If only there had been more men to don the armor and pick up arms. Package effects: Worn equipment receives 100 bonus durability. Bonus only lasts inside the Breach. ¡°Woah! Good buff!¡± Jack couldn¡¯t help but exclaim. ¡°I love you, Amari!¡± Horace messaged immediately. ¡°Thanks!¡± Marie added. The buff was incredible, especially for Horace, who tanked most of the team¡¯s damage. Amari had come through again. ¡°And I got defensive about him wanting to search the fortress¡­¡± Jack muttered, feeling his cheeks redden. ¡°What did I miss?¡± He made a mental note to ask Amari exactly where he¡¯d found it. His competitive spirit ignited, Jack lifted the ocarina again. On his third try, he finally managed a calm, steady performance that elevated the melody. You¡¯ve played [Morning of Spring]. +500XP in [Bard] Performance rated: A+ Your bees work harder. [Soulful Performer] activates: +20% movement speed for all bees for 30 minutes. Increased resistance to disease for 30 minutes. The hive came alive with activity as the bees moved faster, their tiny bodies darting back and forth with renewed energy. Jack smiled, watching them work. Not only had the usual productivity bonus been triggered, but this time, they got a movement speed bonus and increased resistance to diseases. Hopefully, this helps them fight the cold, too, he thought. The buffs granted by [Soulful Performer] were elevating his already-powerful songs, taking them to an entirely new level. This made Jack wonder: What would [Soulful Performer] do for his other songs? Angry Void¡ªcould its taunting melody become even more potent, drawing enemies more effectively? And Sonic Valley¡ªif it was already strong enough to confuse an adult allosaurus, what would happen with [Soulful Performer] boosting it? Even more tantalizing were his intermediate songs, like Clay Dome and Dance of the Turtles. These melodies already had significant effects, but what would happen once they were boosted even further? There was only one way to find out. Jack needed to perfect his skills. He picked up his ocarina and began working through his repertoire, striving for perfection in every melody. Each note needed to feel effortless, flowing from instinct rather than thought. He wanted to make his music second nature¡ªan extension of himself. As he practiced, another notification appeared: Hidden Package Unlocked: [Heracle Moles Outsourcing]. Description: You¡¯ve discovered a pouch of Heracle Seeds, prized for their ability to attract the legendary Heracle Moles¡ªsmall, powerful creatures known for their incredible digging prowess. These industrious moles have an uncanny ability to carve through even the hardest terrain, making them invaluable for excavation in mountainous and rocky regions. Package effects: You have found 20 seeds that summon Heracle Moles to dig in the designated area. By planting these seeds strategically, you can direct Heracle Moles to dig trenches, tunnels or loosening the soil. ¡°Woah! A second hidden package. Just like that, huh?¡± Jack muttered, blinking at the message. If he was interpreting this correctly, the package could simplify digging in rocky terrain. In the mountains, breaking through stone was backbreaking work, but this package offered a clever solution. Horace had done his best with the terrain, placing stakes wherever he could find cracks, their pointy edges facing the direction of incoming waves. But if the ground were softer, burying stakes and creating ditches would¡¯ve been far easier. Jack imagined the possibilities¡ªfortified defenses, obstacles to slow enemies, and trenches to protect the carriage and, eventually, the wall. This package would really help them with their preparation. Turning his focus back to his ocarina, he lingered on Sonic Valley and Clay Dome. Both melodies carried immense potential, and Jack wanted to push them to their limits. Suddenly, the noise of approaching horses broke his concentration. Jack glanced toward the main gate as Horace and Marie came rushing in. They dismounted quickly, their urgency drawing Jack¡¯s attention to the clock. There were still over ten minutes left. ¡°You guys are early,¡± Jack said, a little bitter about having his practice interrupted. ¡°You don¡¯t want us fighting on an empty stomach, do you?¡± Marie shot back, hands on her hips. ¡°Besides, we need to summon the wave early to get that achievement.¡± ¡°Shoot! You¡¯re right!¡± Jack exclaimed, panic setting in. ¡°I still have to cook!¡± He¡¯d completely forgotten. Amari appeared moments later, drawn by the commotion. ¡°Hey! How¡¯d it go?¡± ¡°It was good,¡± Marie replied, a hint of pride in her voice. ¡°I got a hidden package just in time.¡± ¡°Was it the one in the grass field with the dirt mounds?¡± ¡°That¡¯s the one.¡± ¡°Cool. I found an armory hidden in the citadel,¡± Amari added casually. ¡°What? In the citadel?¡± Marie asked, baffled. ¡°It was hidden behind a secret door, right behind the captain¡¯s suit of armor,¡± Amari explained. Jack couldn¡¯t help but stand a little taller. It wasn¡¯t him who had missed the hidden package¡ªit was Marie. Vindication felt sweet, but there was no time to savor it. He had work to do. Jack hurried over to Esther. The trip had clearly been hard on her; she looked exhausted, her movements sluggish. ¡°Are you alright?¡± he asked gently. ¡°Yes, just hungry,¡± she said with a faint smile. ¡°Got it. You just rest for now.¡± Jack withdrew the [Bushcraft] profession from her and turned his attention to the fire, which was dangerously close to going out. Without [Kindle], he hadn¡¯t been able to maintain it properly, but now he quickly fed the flames and placed a cooking pot over the rekindled fire. Unfortunately, all he had to work with was honey. ¡°What¡¯s the point of bug meat if it doesn¡¯t even last long enough for a meal when it matters?¡± Jack muttered in frustration. Still, he worked with what he had, preparing a basic meal as best he could. Once the food was ready, Jack served it, letting his team help themselves. He noticed Esther¡¯s expression brighten slightly as she took a portion. Then, as he wiped his hands on his pants, Jack glanced at his notifications. His jaw tightened. While he¡¯d been rehearsing, some important notifications had slipped through. Now, they caught his attention. He turned to his teammates. ¡°Give me a moment. I¡¯ll be back,¡± he said, already moving. ¡°Sure,¡± Amari replied. ¡°We¡¯ll finish eating and get ready to head to the carriage.¡± "Very well," Jack muttered as he dove into the tunnel where he¡¯d left the mead to age. Ch. 136 - The Boss The well was nearby, so he reached his makeshift ¡°cellar¡± quickly. The amphorae were just as he¡¯d left them, but something immediately caught his attention¡ªabout 40% of them no longer had progress bars. Frowning, Jack reviewed the notifications he¡¯d overlooked while practicing: Your mead has aged successfully. +50XP in [Brewing] Your mead hasn¡¯t aged properly and has become bitter. Out of the 30 amphorae he¡¯d deposited, only 60% had successfully aged to the second tier. The rest had gone bad. ¡°What a hassle,¡± Jack groaned. ¡°All that honey wasted.¡± It wasn¡¯t all bad news, though. As he practiced, he¡¯d gained another level in brewing: Congratulations! You¡¯ve reached level 5 in [Brewing]. You¡¯ve learned a new skill: [Cellar Management]. Cellar Management (Uncommon) Skill level: 1 Skill description: You know how to position casks for aging spirits to increase the likelihood of enhancing flavor depth. Skill effect: +1% success rate for aging spirits if conditions are met. The bonus wasn¡¯t massive, but it was better than nothing. More importantly, the results highlighted just how powerful the stoneware amphorae were. Their 5% aging success bonus was five times as effective as this skill¡¯s effect. Without them, he¡¯d have lost half the batch. Jack picked up one of the amphorae containing the spoiled mead, inspecting its durability. ¡°Wow,¡± he muttered, scratching his head. ¡°The durability really drops when the mead doesn¡¯t age properly.¡± The stoneware amphorae were holding up thanks to Jack¡¯s fine craftsmanship, but even they could probably only handle one or two more failed attempts before breaking. The idea of constantly having to craft replacements felt like a huge time-sink. "Maybe Clay Dome will help," Jack mused. If he played the melody while the mead aged, it might protect the amphorae from damage. Curious, he inspected the durability of the amphorae that had successfully aged the mead. Their durability had decreased, too, though not as significantly. It seemed durability dropped every time the mead advanced to a higher tier. This was valuable information. He might even need to transfer the mead to new containers as it progressed to higher levels. Finally, Jack turned his attention to the second-tier mead itself: Mead II (Common) An amateur brewer¡¯s batch. Simple and sweet. Effects: +3% attack for 10 minutes. The buff was still simple, but the increased damage potential was clear. It wasn¡¯t game-changing yet, but it was a step in the right direction. Jack set the spoiled mead aside and tucked one amphora with good mead under his arm and started heading toward the frontlines. Jack walked toward the gate, curiosity tugging at him. How many more traps had Riku managed to squeeze into the stretch of road between the carriage and the gate? When he reached the area, Jack frowned. ¡°It¡¯s the same!¡± he muttered, his brows knitting together. During the 90 minutes Riku had been left alone, nothing seemed to have changed. No new traps were visible. What has Riku been doing all this time? He followed the marked path, little flags fluttering in the breeze. Hoof marks from earlier rides helped guide the way as well. Jack eventually reached the carriage, where Horace, Amari, and Marie stood watching the terrain. Climbing up to join them, Jack froze as his eyes widened at the sight before him. ¡°Oh my goodness,¡± he exclaimed. ¡°So this is where Riku¡¯s been busy.¡± What had once been a sparsely trapped battlefield was now a maze of deadly obstacles. The new hidden package had been put to use brilliantly. Three freshly dug ditches now cut across the terrain, creating layers of defense. The first ditch, just before the carriage, made the ground below two meters lower. The carriage¡¯s elevated position would make it far harder for beasts to climb up and attack. The second ditch stretched farther out, positioned just beyond where the initial field trap had ended. The third ditch was farthest away, the ground between it and the second ditch a zigzagging field of caltrops, pits, and other traps. Jack¡¯s gaze followed a small figure weaving carefully through the minefield. It was Riku, making his way back to the carriage. As the boy climbed up, Horace stretched out a hand to help him. ¡°Good job, Riku,¡± Horace said with approval. ¡°Thanks, sir,¡± Riku replied, his voice tired. Like his mother, the boy looked worn out, his movements sluggish. ¡°I left some stew for you in the pot pit,¡± Jack said. Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions. ¡°Thanks,¡± Riku replied, hopping off the carriage and jogging toward the fortress to find his mother. Jack glanced at the clock. Four minutes remained. Amari¡¯s commanding voice broke the silence. ¡°Here¡¯s the plan. We start by defending the first ditch. Then we fall back to the second one, and finally to the carriage. After that, we retreat to the wall and, if necessary, to the citadel. Got it?¡± Marie and Horace, seasoned warriors accustomed to serving under Amari¡¯s leadership, nodded without hesitation. Jack gave a short nod of his own. ¡°Got it. Oh, by the way, guys, I have something for you,¡± Jack said, pulling out a few glasses he¡¯d crafted earlier during his first pottery session. The amber, silky liquid caught the light as he poured a little into each glass. ¡°Oh, nice!¡± Horace said, his voice full of appreciation. Jack shrugged, trying to play it cool. ¡°Yeah, I figured now¡¯s as good a time as any for us to drink it.¡± ¡°This has a 12-hour cooldown,¡± Amari noted, inspecting the mead. ¡°We should be able to use it again on the next boss. Awesome job, Jack!¡± The group downed the beverage, their spirits visibly lifting, before jumping off the carriage to assume their battle positions. Jack decided to stay on the carriage, where the sound of his ocarina could still reach them all. As the others prepared for the fight, Jack took a moment to steady himself. With no enemies yet in sight, he focused wholeheartedly on the yellow ocarina in his hands and began playing Jolly Good Fellow. The cheerful melody rang out, a stark contrast to the tension filling the battlefield. Jack felt a little ridiculous playing something so upbeat in such a dire situation, but the system quickly reassured him with a notification: You have played [Jolly Good Fellow]. Performance rating: B The brewing buff is extended by 10(+1) minutes. ¡°Awesome!¡± Horace called out, clearly pleased with the added boost. Almost immediately, Marie stepped forward and summoned the wave. As she did, a notification appeared for all of them: Beware! The 10th wave comes! You have unlocked a new breach achievement: [Early Bird]. By summoning 10 waves sooner than necessary in a row, you demonstrate eagerness as a warrior. +10 breach points. Jack barely had time to process the achievement before a piercing sound ripped through the air¡ªa horrifying mix of a scream, a shriek, and a howl. Then, there was a rumble. This wave was going to be much larger than any of the others. He could tell just from the sound: the relentless clatter of countless legs pounding against the ground. Then, the creatures began to emerge from the haze. First, a wave of purple, furry, skittery, and grotesque insects. Then came the bigger cockroaches¡ªobsidian-colored, large, and heavy. Jack¡¯s mind raced as he analyzed their movements. The order in which they marched hinted at the presence of manipulator roaches guiding this army¡ªor a boss with similar abilities. Now that Jack knew what to look for, his sharp eyes picked out the telltale circus-like stripes marking the manipulator roaches. He counted at least two. It wasn¡¯t just the boss¡ªelites were here, too. And then, the star of the show appeared: the boss. Jack¡¯s breath caught in his throat. He didn¡¯t know what to make of it. The creature was hideous, alien¡ªunlike anything he had ever seen. Its grotesque body was a fusion of roach and giraffe, its long, stick-like neck bristling with grotesque appendages. At the top was a gaping mouth full of jagged teeth, snapping rhythmically as though anticipating its next meal. It looked like something ripped straight out of a horror movie. Jack shuddered. He couldn¡¯t tell if the developers had taken full artistic license or if this abomination was inspired by fossils. Whatever it was, Jack was just relieved this monstrosity didn¡¯t exist in the real world. The creature screeched again, its howl rippling through the air like a physical force. As it did, the roaches around it began to glow with dark purple light and surged forward with renewed speed and ferocity. Amari¡¯s voice cut through the chaos. ¡°It¡¯s a buff boss! It strengthens the others!¡± The boss howled again, and the entire swarm surged forward as one unstoppable tide, charging up the road straight toward the fortress. Jack waited eagerly to see how the strategy would shift now that Amari and Horace had joined the fray. He imagined Horace charging headfirst into the enemy formation, smashing through their ranks, while Amari darted nimbly through the chaos, chipping away at the boss¡¯s health. Meanwhile, Marie would keep the smaller critters at bay with her bombs. ¡°Wait¡­ are they just going to stand there?¡± Jack muttered. Their approach was nothing like what he had expected. Horace and Amari stood next to Marie, waiting. Marie held the center, poised and ready. The moment the enemy came within range, she unleashed hell¡ªbomb after bomb raining down in fiery explosions. Jack immediately noticed something was different. The purple roaches, which Marie usually eliminated with a single hit, now had enough defense to survive the brunt of her explosions. Jack realized it had to be the boss¡ªthe buff was significantly bolstering their durability. But Marie didn¡¯t falter. She kept her focus, hurling bombs left and right to thin their ranks. Despite her efforts, the boss¡¯s buff and the swarm¡¯s speed and reinforced defenses allowed several roaches to break through the barrage. They reached the first layer of defense: the ditch. That¡¯s when Amari sprang into action. He jumped down into the ditch, his claws cutting down stragglers as they attempted to climb out of the ditch. He was on cleaning duty, as usual. Horace, meanwhile, stood silent and steady, biding his time. As the swarm pressed on, more than just purple roaches began reaching the ditch. Amari had to start using throwing stars to reach the roaches that were too far away from him. When the giant roaches joined the fray, not even Amari¡¯s great damage could finish their remaining health with one hit. He had to deal three to four slashes to each giant roach before moving on to the next one. Marie remained relentless, her bombs continuing to pound the other side of the ditch. Then, it happened. One of the giant roaches managed to evade Amari¡¯s salvo of shurikens. Its sheer size and momentum carried it almost to the other side of the ditch. That¡¯s when Horace moved. With his shield glowing in a brilliant golden hue, he charged forward like a battering ram. His figure flashed as he collided with the giant roach, sending it tumbling back down into the ditch. Amari was quick to finish it off. The team¡¯s strategy was clear now¡ªthey weren¡¯t just defending. They were holding the line. No enemy would advance beyond this point. Seeing how the strategy was unfolding, Jack zoned in. He had to contribute¡ªhe wasn¡¯t just there to cook meals and handle loot duty. Digging into his inventory, he pulled out one of his red ocarinas. He gripped it tightly, the familiar weight giving him confidence, and began playing March of the Embers. The epic melody surged through the air, matching the frantic energy of his companions as they battled to hold the line against the endless tide of disgusting roaches. Jack felt a rush of familiarity as the notes poured from his ocarina. He¡¯d played this song countless times in the past¡ªback when he and the gang hunted centipedes while waiting for the queen bee to appear or that unforgettable day when he and Horace had single-handedly cleared the bat cave. The melody flowed naturally from his fingers, and on his very first attempt, he achieved a solid performance. You¡¯ve played [March of the Embers]. Success rate: B +130XP in [Bard] Audience bonus: +318XP in [Bard] All your allies deal +10(+2%) damage for 20 seconds. ¡°Good job, Jack!¡± Amari sent him a quick message, finding the time to encourage him even amidst the chaos of battle. The March of the Embers stacked with the bonus from the mead, pushing the party¡¯s overall damage boost to 15%. Jack felt a flicker of pride. Whatever buff the boss was giving to its underlings, Jack was countering it. Marie was back to one-shotting the riffraff¡ªthe gross, furry roaches falling in droves under her bombs. Amari was shredding through the giant roaches with precision, his shurikens cutting through their reinforced defenses. But Jack wasn¡¯t done yet. It was time to find out what Tenderizing Repercussions could do. Ch. 137 - Field of Traps The steady rhythm of Tenderizing Repercussions was the perfect follow-up to March of the Embers. Even though Jack had less practice with this melody, it was fresh in his mind. On his first try, he managed to play it well enough to finally discover what it did. You¡¯ve played [Tenderizing Repercussions]. Performance rate: C+ +100XP in [Bard] Audience bonus: +500XP in [Bard] The beasts¡¯ meat becomes more tender. A pulse emanated from Jack¡¯s ocarina, rippling across the battlefield. Every roach on the field¡ªwhich had been charging forward without hesitation despite Marie¡¯s relentless barrage¡ªsuddenly stopped. It was as if the entire battlefield had glitched for a split second. Then, just as abruptly, the roaches resumed moving. ¡°Oh my goodness! What was that?¡± Horace¡¯s excited voice cut through the din of battle. ¡°I-I don¡¯t know,¡± Jack admitted, bewildered. The system message about ¡°the beasts¡¯ meat becoming more tender¡± didn¡¯t make any sense. He hadn¡¯t dealt damage. Yet somehow, the entire swarm had been briefly stunned. Does it mean I¡¯ll be able to harvest better meat from them? Or will I get more of it? Whatever the case may be, staggering the whole wave made it more than worthy to play it. If it worked, Jack wasn¡¯t going to question it. He quickly settled into a rhythm, cycling through his repertoire: Sitting Wind, March of the Embers, and Tenderizing Repercussions on an epic loop. The mini-stun effect from Tenderizing Repercussions was enough to halt the momentum of the roach horde, disrupting their charge and leaving them vulnerable to Marie¡¯s bombs and Amari¡¯s deadly precision. March of the Embers kept the party¡¯s DPS high, while Sitting Wind ensured they could fight without worrying about their stamina running out. The team held the line precisely and efficiently, steadily chipping away at the swarm. Jack kept playing time and time again. The pressure was real, but he forced his fingers to steady as they danced over the ocarina. Everything seemed to be under control¡ªuntil the boss finally entered the fray. The boss advanced, its massive frame surrounded by a contingent of giant roaches. For a brief, heart-stopping moment, Jack feared the creature was so large it could cross the ditch without having to descend. But his fears were unfounded. The boss lumbered down into the ditch. ¡°Horace! It¡¯s our time to shine,¡± Amari called. ¡°Marie, hold the flanks!¡± As the boss hauled one of its spindly, segmented legs onto the edge of the ditch, preparing to climb out, Horace came charging. Hammer of Justice! The blow from Horace¡¯s hammer struck the creature¡¯s leg with a resounding crack, forcing it to recoil. The boss teetered, momentarily stunned. Horace¡¯s body glowed golden as he charged forward again, slamming into the boss with incredible force. Heroic Charge! The impact sent the massive creature tumbling back into the ditch. Amari leaped into the fray, his claws flashing as he unleashed a rapid flurry of strikes, each aimed at the boss¡¯s long, vulnerable neck. The creature roared in fury, its voice reverberating through the battlefield, but the cramped confines of the ditch hindered its movements. The boss made repeated attempts to climb out of the ditch, but every time it seemed on the verge of escaping or pinning Amari down, Horace intervened, countering their efforts with impeccable timing. Jack¡¯s fingers danced over his ocarina as he played, heart pounding with excitement. This is in the bag! he thought, his confidence soaring. But the tide began to shift. The giant roaches surged forward, eager to aid their leader. Despite their efforts, the boss finally managed to plant one massive leg on the edge of the ditch, its bulk beginning to haul itself upward. ¡°Stop it, Horace!¡± Amari shouted. ¡°I can¡¯t¡ªall my CC skills are on cooldown!¡± Horace called back. ¡°Fall back to the second ditch! Marie!¡± Marie turned on her heels and sprinted toward their fallback position. Without pausing, she hurled a bomb over her shoulder. It detonated mid-air with a blinding flash of light, leaving the roaches momentarily stunned and disoriented. Seeing the chaos, Jack knew he had to step up. He swapped to a new song. The dissonant arpeggios and half-tone steps made it challenging, but Jack pressed on. Though not perfect, he pulled it off. You¡¯ve played [Sonic Valley]. Performance rate: C +150XP in [Bard] Audience bonus: +500XP in [Bard] The roaches, once moving in perfect unison, scattered chaotically in all directions. Their orderly army now resembled a swarm of bumper cars, colliding into one another in their frenzy. Some were sent careening into others, the impact sending unfortunate roaches tumbling down the ditch. The queen remained unaffected, roaring furiously as she tried to rally her underlings, but her efforts were in vain. The song, amplified by Marie¡¯s flash bomb, bought Horace, Amari, and Marie the crucial seconds they needed to retreat to the second line of defense. The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation. ¡°We should remember this combo for later,¡± Marie screamed to Jack. ¡°Good job covering our retreat, Jack!¡± Amari called, his voice full of gratitude. ¡°You¡¯ve got so many new songs. I didn¡¯t know this one or the one that stops them for half a second!¡± Jack shrugged, a small smile on his face. ¡°And there might be even more you haven¡¯t heard yet.¡± Amari glanced back at him, the gleam in his eye unmistakable¡ªthe look of a streamer who¡¯d just found content for a new series of videos. ¡°You have to tell me all about it later,¡± Amari said, grinning. The boss roared, its fury shaking the battlefield as the effects of Marie¡¯s flash grenade and Jack¡¯s dissonant Sonic Valley wore off. Order began to return to the swarm¡¯s ranks. With another guttural howl, the boss rallied its underlings, activating a frenzy skill that sent the roaches charging forward in renewed chaos. But what awaited them was pure destruction. Marie was already at work, lobbing bombs with pinpoint precision. Explosions rocked the edges of the first ditch, sending roaches tumbling back into the pit and making it nearly impossible for them to climb out. Those that managed to escape the ditch found themselves in a merciless gauntlet. The terrain between the two ditches was littered with caltrops, bear traps, and jagged stakes. Trap after trap sprang to life, cutting down the roaches before they could regroup. Meanwhile, Jack unleashed another Sonic Valley, the dissonant melody throwing the roaches into disarray again. They stumbled into one another, triggering even more traps. Jack grimaced as his gaze shifted to the boss. It remained behind the swarm, observing. Its gleaming eyes reflected the battlefield like mirrors, and Jack realized its strategy: It¡¯s using the smaller roaches as fodder to expose the traps. The boss let out another guttural growl, commanding its cohort of massive roaches to advance. These towering tanks shielded the smaller swarm from Marie¡¯s bombardment, taking the brunt of the explosions and creating gaps in the defenses. As the larger roaches breached the ditch and pushed forward, their movements became sluggish, hindered by the relentless traps. Bear traps snapped shut with brutal efficiency while pointed stakes pierced through legs and torsos. The swarm''s progress was slow and punishing, yet it remained steady. Traps began to falter. Some snapped under the strain, their mechanisms rendered useless. Others were buried under the growing heap of roach carcasses, their sharp edges dulled or completely blocked. What was once an unforgiving field of defenses now grew less effective with every advancing roach. Sensing the shift, the boss stirred, moving into the fray. Its massive frame triggered multiple traps with each step, taking significant damage as it advanced but clearing a path for its kin. Amari, perched above the battlefield, seized the opportunity. Shurikens flew from his hands, each strike landing with lethal precision. The boss¡¯s health bar visibly dwindled under the assault. By the time the horde reached the second ditch, much of the swarm had fallen, and the boss had lost half its health. Amari and Horace were waiting at the edge of the second ditch. The giant roaches that had once shielded the boss were gone, leaving it exposed. Horace charged in, his hammer strikes landing with thunderous force, while Amari targeted the boss¡¯s vulnerable neck with a relentless flurry of attacks. Bad luck for the boss that Amari¡¯s wearing the Bugkeeper set, Jack thought, smirking as he saw the streak of critical hits. Those crits are insane. Marie¡¯s bombs kept pummeling the wave with ruthless efficiency, keeping the smaller roaches at bay and preventing them from aiding their leader. The team¡¯s strategy was working. The traps, the buffs, and their coordinated attacks had turned the tide of the battle. The second layer of defenses held strong, and victory seemed within reach. Jack surveyed the battlefield, his eyes darting from one chaotic scene to another. Explosions erupted in fiery bursts, Amari¡¯s throwing stars glinted as they sliced through the air, and Horace¡¯s shouts mingled with the booming sound of his skills. Everywhere he looked, something was happening. There was a click in Jack. A surge of inspiration. He took a deep breath, raised the ocarina to his lips, and played March of the Embers again. It was the eighth¡ªor maybe ninth¡ªtime Jack had played the melody since the battle began, but this time, something was different. The urgency of the fight coursed through his fingertips, infusing the notes with raw energy and emotion. Each sound was sharper, more intense, as if the melody was alive, capturing the battle¡¯s chaotic rhythm and desperate momentum. Jack wasn¡¯t just playing music anymore; he was telling the story of the battle through his instrument. As the final note echoed across the battlefield, a message appeared: You¡¯ve played [March of the Embers]. Success rate: A+ +300XP in [Bard] Audience bonus: +512XP in [Bard] All your allies deal +10(+2%) damage for 1 minute. [Soulful Performer] kicks in: All your allies receive +10(+2) attack for 10 minutes. ¡°Woah! I pulled it off!¡± Jack thought, exhilarated. The effect was immediate. Amari¡¯s critical strikes became sharper, slicing through the boss¡¯s defenses with brutal efficiency. As its health bar dipped into the yellow zone, the creature shrieked in agony. Marie¡¯s bombs exploded with greater force, sending waves of destruction through the swarm, while even Horace began landing heavy, punishing blows. But Jack didn¡¯t stop there. He kept playing, cycling through melodies that kept the enemies disoriented while invigorating his allies. Confusion spread among the remaining roaches, and Jack¡¯s melodies ensured his team stayed sharp, refreshed, and relentless. Finally, the boss let out a final, piercing roar. Its massive form quivered, then collapsed into a heap of twitching limbs. You¡¯ve defeated the Mother Roach. +1 breach point. The moment the boss fell, the rest of the wave lost its buffs. Their heightened speed and defense vanished, and they crumbled under the onslaught. Within moments, the battlefield fell silent. Wave 10 is cleared! +1 breach point. Jack lowered the ocarina, letting out a breath he hadn¡¯t realized he was holding. Victory was theirs. He ran over to meet the others. ¡°Good job, everyone!¡± Amari called out from the ditch, his voice brimming with satisfaction. ¡°That went much better than I was expecting.¡± ¡°No kidding,¡± Marie said. She glanced toward Jack, a grin tugging at her lips. ¡°Bards really are something else.¡± Jack tried to look humble, but Marie¡¯s praise hit hard. He couldn¡¯t help but stand a little straighter, his chest puffing slightly. ¡°Dude! What was that at the end?¡± Horace shouted from below, his face glowing with excitement. ¡°I got 10 attack just like that. It was awesome!¡± Jack scratched the back of his head, a sheepish grin spreading across his face. ¡°I got this new bard skill that triggers additional effects in my songs when I get a high enough performance grade. But it¡¯s really hard to pull off.¡± Horace¡¯s eyes sparkled with admiration as he looked up at him. ¡°Hard to pull off? You made it look easy!¡± Amari nodded in agreement. ¡°Seriously, Jack. I didn¡¯t even know bards could be this impactful. The way you made the whole wave stagger? That was awesome.¡± Jack laughed nervously, rubbing his neck. ¡°Guess I¡¯ll have to keep practicing to make sure it wasn¡¯t a fluke.¡± Amari smirked. ¡°If that was a fluke, I can¡¯t wait to see you at your best.¡± ¡°Jack, can you come down here and loot the boss?¡± Horace asked, gesturing toward the hulking carcass nearby. ¡°Since you have the butcher profession, it¡¯s better if you do it!¡± ¡°Right, right,¡± Jack replied. Marie stepped aside, allowing Jack to descend into the ditch where Amari and Horace stood near the slain boss. The Mother Roach¡¯s grotesque form loomed larger than he expected, its cracked carapace glinting faintly in the light. Its massive mandibles twitched faintly, even in death, sending a shiver down his spine. Horace and Amari moved aside to give him space as he approached the carcass. Jack hesitated for a moment, his heart racing. He had looted elites before, but this was his first time looting a boss. What kind of treasure would it yield? He reached out and touched the grotesque body. The system¡¯s golden light flared to life, and Jack braced himself for the rewards. Ch. 138 - Sweet, Sweet Loot You¡¯ve looted [Mother Roach]. +1 gold and three silver. You¡¯ve looted: 18x [Exquisite Roach Meat]; 63x [Insect Fat]; 3x [Mother Roach Chitin]; [8-Leg Slash]. +500XP in [Butcher] As expected of a boss, the drops were far more generous than those from an elite. While the first Manipulator Roach had only dropped a single skill book, this boss had delivered a skill book and then some. ¡°Eighteen meat from one beast,¡± Jack muttered, shaking his head. ¡°And sixty-three fat? That¡¯s uncanny.¡± Curious, Jack decided to inspect the [Exquisite Roach Meat] and compare it to the regular roach meat he¡¯d harvested earlier. Roach Meat (Common) A hunk of meat harvested from a roach, surprisingly dense and slightly oily. It has a faint earthy aroma and a toughness that suggests it¡¯s best cooked thoroughly. Durability: 16 Exquisite Roach Meat (Uncommon) A premium cut of roach meat, richer in nutrients and flavor. It carries a subtle sweetness under its earthy aroma and is notably tender for insect protein. When cooked, meals made with this meat yield enhanced effects. Durability: 45 The difference was striking. The durability of the exquisite meat was nearly triple that of the regular cut. Sadly, given how quickly perishable ingredients degraded, the meat would spoil by the time the next wave hit. Still, the potential was undeniable. He couldn¡¯t help but wonder what kind of buff meals cooked with this rare ingredient might provide. Next, Jack examined the skill book. His brows furrowed as he read through the description, and he quickly clicked his tongue. It was an incredible skill¡ªbut not for him. 8-Leg Slash (Uncommon) Skill level: 1 Skill description: You¡¯ve observed how an insect overlord uses their eight legs in quick succession during fights and have managed to mimic the technique. Skill effects: Active. Perform eight slashes in rapid succession. Each strike deals 10% more damage than the last. Finally, he turned his attention to the Mother Roach¡¯s hard shells. Mother Roach Chitin A fragment of the Mother Roach, useful for reinforcing items to make them sturdier. Effects: Boosts the defense of any item by 30%. Only effective within the Breach. Jack immediately thought of Horace, whose defensive playstyle would benefit the most. He turned toward his teammates, holding up the items. ¡°Here¡¯s the skill book. Amari, I think this one¡¯s best for you.¡± Amari accepted it without hesitation. ¡°Let¡¯s see what this can do,¡± he said, stepping to the side. In a blur of motion, he unleashed a flurry of strikes, each faster and harder-hitting than the last. When he finished, he turned back to the group with a wide grin. ¡°This is going to be fun.¡± Jack pursed his lip. Compared to the skill he¡¯d acquired earlier¡ªa modest boost to nearby allies¡ªAmari¡¯s was much cooler. It was a pure offense designed to turn Amari into a damage-dealing powerhouse. Next, Jack held up the chitin fragments. ¡°What should we do with these?¡± Horace stepped forward, inspecting the pieces in Jack¡¯s hands. ¡°I can probably reinforce my shield or chestplate with this. Since we¡¯ve got three, I¡¯ll use one for myself, and the other two can go toward strengthening the gates of the wall.¡± Jack tilted his head. ¡°Can you do that? Use it on the gates?¡± "There''s only one way to find out," Horace replied, already turning toward the gates. As much as Jack wanted to follow and see how Horace would use the fragments, his work wasn¡¯t done. He gestured toward the battlefield, a mountain of roach carcasses littering the ground. ¡°You guys go ahead,¡± Jack said. ¡°I still need to finish looting the field.¡± With that, Jack pivoted back to the sea of corpses, rolling up his sleeves and preparing to get to work. The battlefield was a chaotic mess, littered with roach carcasses and battered traps. Caltrops were buried under the weight of lifeless giant roaches, while bear traps clamped onto thick limbs, their metal frames bent and twisted. Stakes that had been once sharp were now dulled and broken. The air carried a strange mix of smells¡ªdamp earth, burnt wood, and something Jack could only describe as ¡°wet bug.¡± The wave had pushed dangerously far. The line of destruction crept uncomfortably close to the second ditch. Jack¡¯s stomach tightened. If this was just the first boss wave¡­ how much stronger will the next boss be? He shook his head, forcing the thought away. No point worrying about something I can¡¯t control. He had work to do. At least this time, he didn¡¯t have to worry too much about the traps, which made the cleanup easier. This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there. Touching each carcass, Jack activated the looting game mechanic, the familiar system notifications popping up as he worked. You¡¯ve gathered: 7x [Insect Fat]; 1x [Exquisite Roach Meat]. +1XP in [Butchering] Jack blinked in surprise, a grin spreading across his face. ¡°The exquisite bug meat isn¡¯t just because of the Mother Roach!¡± he exclaimed, his voice breaking the battlefield¡¯s quiet. ¡°It¡¯s because of my new song!¡± Tenderizing Repercussions wasn¡¯t just about staggering enemies¡ªit seemed to improve both the quality and quantity of his meat harvests. Even the amount of insect fat was noticeably greater. He couldn¡¯t help but feel a surge of pride. This song¡¯s awesome. The idea of stacking it with Soulful Performer made his pulse quicken. Just imagining the effects made him eager to practice it more. Each critter dropped fat, meat, and a handful of copper coins. While none of it was particularly flashy, it would all add up. As Jack moved systematically across the battlefield, he came across two elites. One of them yielded a welcome surprise: a pair of boots. Manipulator Carapace Boots (Uncommon) Boots crafted from the vibrant, chitinous shells of colorful manipulator roaches. Lightweight yet reinforced for durability, they enhance mobility and precision, making them ideal for those who thrive on calculated chaos in the heat of battle. Durability: 31 Effects: +8 agility; +5 explosion radius; +10% movement speed; +4 defense; +5 block; Requirements: Grenadier, lvl. 20. Jack sighed, holding the boots up to the light. ¡°Argh. These are surely for Marie.¡± A pang of frustration hit him. Everyone else seemed to walk away with something valuable from this wave, while he felt stuck with crumbs. He huffed, shaking his head. ¡°What¡¯s the point of getting upset?¡± he muttered, tucking the boots into his inventory. It was pointless to sulk. The boots would still be useless to him even if they hadn¡¯t come with a class restriction. Jack couldn¡¯t equip gear he hadn¡¯t crafted himself. That was the reality of being a handyman. Besides, they were all in the same boat¡ªif anyone on the team became stronger, it ultimately benefited him too. We¡¯re all on the same team, Jack thought, his frustration fading as he got back to work. About a third of the way through the carcasses, a notification popped up: Congratulations! You¡¯ve reached level 5 in [Butchering]. You¡¯ve learned: [Meat Salting]. Meat Salting (Common) Skill level: 1 Skill description: By salting meat, you can preserve it for longer. Skill effects: If you have salt in your inventory, meat will not spoil at the expense of salt consumption. Jack grinned. It was an amazing skill, and the timing couldn¡¯t have been better. With this, he could preserve meat for much longer. Amari had once mentioned that some professions had perks to keep their materials from spoiling, so it made sense that his minor would include something similar. The only downside? Jack didn¡¯t have much salt. He carried just enough for cooking, but it wouldn¡¯t last long. As he mentally tallied his supplies and considered where he might find more salt on this map, another notification appeared: Synergy detected between [Butchering] and [Bushcrafting]. You¡¯ve learned: [Fat Preservation]. Fat Preservation (Rare) Skill level: 1 Skill description: By storing meat in fat, you can extend its shelf life. Skill effects: If you have fat in your inventory, meat will not spoil at the expense of fat consumption. The notification popped up before Jack could finish weighing his options for salt. His grin widened. With this, he didn¡¯t even need to worry about his limited salt supply. Between the two new skills, he now had a complete solution. With preserved meat at the ready, he and his team could head into future battles stronger and better prepared. I¡¯m practically a walking pantry now, Jack thought with a smirk as he resumed harvesting. When Jack finally finished looting the field of carcasses, his inventory was filled to the brim with meat and fat. He rolled his shoulders, feeling the ache from what felt like hours of work, and turned toward the fortress. Time to rejoin the party. As Jack approached the wall and the gate came into view, he stopped in his tracks. The previously broken gate¡ªonce patched with wooden planks and whatever Horace could scrape together¡ªwas now covered in a smooth black sheen, gleaming faintly in the dim light. It looked like the entrance to an alien spaceship, sleek and impenetrable. Jack examined the gate with an approving look. It finally looked sturdy enough to withstand an assault. Until now, he hadn¡¯t felt like he could fully trust the fortress¡¯s defenses, but after this transformation, the place was finally living up to its name. On the other side of the wall, Jack found his companions huddled around the fire, their eyes lighting up as they spotted him. They were clearly waiting for him to replenish their health and stamina. Jack sighed. He was starting to feel like everyone¡¯s mom around here. Esther and Riku, too, were seated eagerly, eyeing him like hungry puppies. ¡°Hey. I found these for you,¡± Jack said, tossing the boots to Marie. She caught them easily and examined them with a raised eyebrow. ¡°Didn¡¯t they come in another color?¡± ¡°Ha, ha,¡± Jack replied dryly, rolling his eyes. Without further ado, he approached the pot and grabbed some oil from his inventory. He still had enough to cook a few dishes, but he¡¯d soon need to render more fat into oil. That could wait¡ªright now, he had a hungry party to feed. Jack pulled out the exquisite meat. Even in its raw form, the square chunks looked far more appetizing than the stale, oily meat he¡¯d been using before. Esther and Riku¡¯s gazes sharpened, their eyes glued to the meat as though it were a treasure. With a grin, Jack tossed the meat into the pan. A satisfying sizzle filled the air as the oil greeted the premium cut. Almost instantly, the courtyard was filled with a rich, savory aroma with hints of caramelized sweetness. Jack stirred the meat with a wooden stick, watching as the pieces browned on one side before flipping them to reveal a perfect golden sear. Finally, I can save the honey for mead, Jack thought as he worked. With my new skills, I can just keep feeding meat to the party. Congratulations! You¡¯ve saut¨¦ed the ingredients of your [Survival Stew]. The flavors grow stronger. +500XP in [Bushcraft] ¡°Woah! The XP is huge. Is it because I¡¯m using exquisite meat?¡± Jack muttered to himself, impressed. Jack filled the pot with fresh spring water once the meat had gained a rich, caramelized color. The water hissed as it hit the hot pan, sending up another wave of fragrant steam. Jack added a pinch of salt and pepper from his inventory, stirring carefully to mix the flavors. The stew began to bubble softly, the simmering broth transforming into a deep amber hue. Every so often, Jack gave it a stir, ensuring nothing stuck to the bottom and that the ingredients blended evenly. As the stew simmered, the aroma became even more inviting. Jack¡¯s stomach growled, and he wasn¡¯t the only one. Marie tapped her foot impatiently, while Esther practically vibrated in her seat. ¡°Almost ready,¡± Jack said with a small laugh, pleased with their reactions. The pot gave a gentle gurgle, the stew thickening as the meat softened, releasing even more flavor. Jack couldn¡¯t help but smile. This was shaping up to be the best [Survival Stew] he¡¯d ever made. Ch. 139 - Squishy Jack Finally, the stew finished cooking. Congratulations! You¡¯ve crafted [Survival Stew]. +630XP in [Bushcraft] Crafting grade: C+ Ingredients: [Exquisite Roach Meat], [Exquisite Roach Meat], [Exquisite Roach Meat]. Item description: A nutritious, tasty meal made from ingredients gathered in the wild. Item effects: Jack¡¯s eyes widened as he reviewed the results. The effects of using exquisite bug meat were far superior to anything he¡¯d achieved with ordinary meat. His meals were inching closer to the quality of those sold at the city¡¯s food markets. The poor cooking grade left a sour taste in his mouth, though. I wonder why I¡¯m getting such poor grades when I cook. Maybe I need to get some pointers from a chef. Or start watching cooking shows. Regardless of how much room for improvement there was in his cooking, one thing was clear: Tenderizing Repercussions was now a must-play in every battle. The skill¡¯s ability to improve both the quality and quantity of meat was incredible. But it wasn¡¯t just about the buffs. As Jack sampled the stew, the flavors melted in his mouth. ¡°Whoa, this is so much better,¡± he said, savoring the taste. ¡°This is incredible,¡± Horace added, breaking into a grin. Any hesitation he¡¯d once had about eating insect meat seemed to have vanished entirely. Jack nodded in agreement. ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m surprised too. It¡¯s thanks to my new song¡ªthe one that made them all stagger for a moment. It improves the quality and quantity of the meat we harvest.¡± ¡°Fifteen percent more bug damage? I¡¯ll take it!¡± Horace said, flexing his arm dramatically. ¡°The longer stamina bar is nice,¡± Marie commented ¡°Well done. This level of cooking is beginning to compare to a chef. I¡¯d say a level 2 novice chef.¡± ¡°Is that a compliment or an insult?¡± Jack asked, teasing Amari. ¡°A compliment. To think that bushcraft had this much potential,¡± Amari added. Jack caught a slight tremble in his voice, though he couldn¡¯t tell if it was excitement at the thought of a future series of videos featuring Jack¡¯s cooking prowess or regret for having abandoned bushcrafting as a minor in the past. The group ate their stew eagerly, finishing it in record time. ¡°Alright, everyone,¡± Amari began, leaning over the map riddled with red pins. ¡°Let¡¯s make sure we¡¯re all on the same page and finalize our plans. Horace, do you think you and Marie can handle the next wave on your own?¡± Horace glanced at Marie, who nodded confidently. ¡°I think we¡¯ve got it covered,¡± he said. ¡°It¡¯s just the first wave of the next series. Shouldn¡¯t be too hard.¡± Amari turned to Jack. ¡°What about you?¡± ¡°I¡¯m thinking of leaving for two waves,¡± Jack said. ¡°I want to check out one of the farther packages. But we need to figure out what minors I leave with the NPCs. Horace, is Riku staying on trapping duty?¡± Horace nodded. ¡°Yeah, if that¡¯s okay with you.¡± ¡°It is,¡± Jack replied. ¡°Then I¡¯ll leave bushcrafting with Esther. She can cook for you while I¡¯m gone.¡± ¡°No need,¡± Marie interjected. ¡°I¡¯ve still got enough rations.¡± Jack frowned slightly. ¡°A-are you sure? Those aren¡¯t cheap, last I checked.¡± ¡°It¡¯s fine,¡± she said with a shrug. ¡°We need to eat them before their durability runs out anyway. Might as well use them for what they¡¯re meant for. That¡¯s why we brought them.¡± Jack nodded in understanding. Adventurers without a bushcrafter or cook in their party always carried rations as a backup. They lasted a long time but not forever. ¡°In that case, I¡¯ll leave [Butchering] instead. That way, Esther can loot while I¡¯m gone.¡± ¡°Works for me,¡± Horace said. Amari nodded. ¡°Good. That settles it.¡± Pulling up his map, he tapped two pins, changing their color from red to gold. ¡°Here are the pins I¡¯m heading to. Everyone, mark your plans too, so we stay organized.¡± Jack observed the map. Amari hadn¡¯t been kidding about venturing far¡ªhis pins were on the opposite side of the map. A few more pins changed color from red to orange and pink. Horace and Marie had settled with finishing exploring the forest. I need to decide where to go to. Jack¡¯s eyes landed on the one snowy peak on the map. It was far, but not as far as Amari¡¯s pins. There were two paths he could take to get there. If I take one road going and another road coming back¡­ Feeling competitive, he selected three pins: one in the snowy peak itself and the other two on the roads he¡¯d take to go and return from it. They formed a little triangle of bright blue pins on the map. Horace whistled. ¡°Someone¡¯s trying to prove himself.¡± Jack shrugged. ¡°It¡¯s not a race. But if it was, you¡¯d be losing, Horace. You¡¯re the only one who hasn¡¯t found any packages.¡± Horace flushed. ¡°O-oh yeah?¡± He tapped four more pins at random, turning them orange. ¡°You¡¯re on.¡± Marie sneered. ¡°Boys¡­.¡± Amari looked up from the map with a faint smile. ¡°Alright, settle down. You can collect as many packages as you want but don¡¯t forget what we¡¯re dealing with. Even though the waves only show up near the fortress, there are still plenty of other ways to get yourself killed out there. When you¡¯re exploring, speed is your enemy. Take your time. Rushing into something you¡¯re not ready for could end badly.¡± His eyes lingered on Jack. ¡°Especially you, Jack. You¡¯re the squishiest of us all.¡± Horace burst into laughter. ¡°Haha! He called you squishy. Squishy Jack. Squishy Jack.¡± Jack clenched his teeth, feeling a vein pulsing in his temple. Stolen story; please report. ¡°Alright. Enough wasting time. Stay safe, everyone. I¡¯ll see you when I get back,¡± Amari said. He dashed away, heading toward the far reaches of the map. ¡°We¡¯re heading out too,¡± Marie said, standing up. In a puff of smoke, two highlander horses appeared. Jack couldn¡¯t help but look at them enviously. Since Horace and Marie were heading into the forest, they could use their horses, which would have plenty of pasture. Jack, traveling through the mountains, didn¡¯t have that luxury. Snowy would have little to eat in the stark landscape of the Breach. He sighed but managed a grin. ¡°Alright. See you when I¡¯m back. Good luck.¡± ¡°You too,¡± Horace said, giving a firm nod. Marie mounted her horse and tossed Jack a casual wave. ¡°Don¡¯t get yourself killed out there.¡± Jack smirked. ¡°Same to you.¡± As he watched them ride off toward the forest, Jack tightened his fists. I¡¯d better get ready, too. Jack turned to Esther, who was still eating her stew. She ignored him, keeping her full attention on the meal. He prompted her information to appear, and as he was about to deposit the [Butchering] minor on her, he paused. ¡°Wait a minute. If I leave the [Butchering] minor with her, won¡¯t all that meat spoil?¡± [Fat Preservation] was a skill that came from the synergy between butchering and bushcrafting. If he left one of them with Esther, the skill would become disabled. ¡°Argh¡­ What do I do now?¡± He turned to the NPC. ¡°Esther¡­ Do you have an¡­ inventory?¡± Jack asked, afraid that the NPC would feign ignorance of what an in-game inventory was. ¡°I can keep some things for you if that¡¯s what you¡¯re asking.¡± An inventory window of 5x5 appeared in front of him. Jack sighed in relief. ¡°Good. Here is all the meat I have. Here is some salt, too. It will help you keep it fresh.¡± Jack deposited most of the fat and meat he had on Esther¡¯s inventory and then handed her the [Butchering] skill. He turned to the gate, but as he was about to leave, he paused. Amari¡¯s warnings echoed in his mind. He didn''t know what was out there, but if Amari said it could get dangerous, he had no choice but to take it seriously. The thought gnawed at him¡ªhe was the only one on the team who couldn''t defend himself. Horace had his shield and war hammer, Marie had her bombs, and Amari had his mad ninja skills. He could, at most, play a song to confuse adversaries. It didn¡¯t feel like much. After a long pause between the gate and his flickering campfire, Jack sighed and turned back to the flames. He opened his menu, searching for inspiration among his known recipes. Pottery Bowl Clay Ocarina Clay Smoke Bomb Clear Glaze Cooking Pot Forest Green Glaze Gardening Pot Iron Red Glaze Plate Pot Hive Slip Stoneware Amphora Turmeric Yellow Glaze Vase Equipment Moss Cape Moss Suit Rope Hat Rope Overalls Rope Sandals Wooden Vest Weapons Wooden Spear Consumables Hearty Wound Dressing Mead Moss Wound Dressing Oil Survival Stew Specialized Items Basic Torch Clay Smoke Bomb Fermentation Bomb Molotov Cocktail Survivability / Bushcrafting Average Rope Basic Tent Low-Temperature Fire Mid-Temperature Fire Mud Hut Rope Basket Rope Mat Saddle Baskets Weak Cord Weak Rope Altogether, there were over 30 recipes¡ªnot including the list of combinations for his survival stews, which he kept in his personal notes. He scrolled through the list, hunting for anything that could boost his survivability while exploring the Breach map on his own. Some options, like clay smoke bombs, would¡¯ve been ideal¡ªbut they required sugar and bat droppings. He¡¯d brought sugar along, knowing it was useful for more than one recipe, but he¡¯d been counting on finding a cave with bats for the rest. He shot a quick message to Amari. ¡°Hey, Amari, have you seen any bats anywhere?¡± ¡°Nope. Sorry,¡± came the swift reply. Better let that one go, then. Frustration pricked at him, but he pressed on. "I¡¯ll start with a couple of torches and Molotov cocktails," he muttered, glancing back at the fire. "Maybe even a fermentation bomb or two. Time to get to work." He pulled up the recipes he¡¯d learned the day he took on [Brewing] as his sixth minor. With the memory jogged, Jack settled into his makeshift workstation in the courtyard of the fortress. First, he gathered materials for the fermentation bomb casings. He grabbed some [Stoneware Clay] and began shaping the first pot. Slowly, the clay took form, becoming a mid-sized, sturdy pot with a narrow neck. You¡¯ve molded [Fermentation Bomb]. +50XP in [Pottery] Setting it aside, he molded the second pot. Once the casings were molded, Jack left them to dry and ventured down into the well. The progress bars hovered above the amphorae, showing the slow crawl from tier 2 to tier 3. He sighed, knowing many in the batch would fail. He selected one amphora of mead that had soured and another with good mead, then climbed back up from the well. ¡°Time to get some vase shards,¡± he muttered. After dumping the sour mead, he hoisted the amphora over his head and smashed it against the ground. The amphora shattered with a deafening crack, sending shards skittering across the courtyard. Jack winced as one grazed his shin, leaving a faint scratch. ¡°Careful, idiot,¡± he muttered, stooping to gather the pieces with more caution. By now, the pots had dried, so he brought them to the fire for firing. You¡¯ve fired [Fermentation Bomb]. +30XP in [Pottery] If letting the clay breathe was key for mead aging, the opposite was true here. Sealed tight and without porosity, the containers would build up pressure, ensuring the biggest possible punch. He prepared some slip and glazed the casings before placing them into the fire again. He checked his menu, half-expecting a system prompt. None came. Of course¡ªit wasn¡¯t finished yet. Without water, honey, sugar, and sealing, it was just another clay container. He tucked the half-finished bomb into his inventory, knowing he¡¯d have to complete it on the go if necessary. Time to move on to something a little more immediate in case I encounter trouble. Jack pulled out the glass vials he¡¯d purchased outside the pyramid. Originally meant to store water, he decided to adapt them for something more useful. With plenty of water available in the spring, he could afford to repurpose a few. Grabbing the good mead, Jack carefully poured it into five glass containers, leaving just enough air space at the top of each. Then he reached for a bundle of [Cloth Scraps], tearing them into strips and rolling each one tightly to make wicks. The faint, honeyed aroma of mead filled the courtyard as Jack worked, mingling with the earthy scent of clay. He stuffed a makeshift wick into the neck of one of the glass containers, twisting and pushing it until it felt snug. His fingers brushed against the rough cloth as he worked, silently hoping it would absorb enough mead to ignite properly. He took a deep breath. ¡°Hopefully, I¡¯m doing this right.¡± As he finished with the first glass container, a notification rang. Ch. 140 - Cocktail Jack had done well with the recipe. The game¡¯s system gave its blessing. You¡¯ve crafted [Molotov Cocktail]. Crafting grade: C+ +200XP in [Bushcrafting] [Innovating Pioneer] kicks in. Molotov Cocktail (Uncommon) A makeshift bomb with some incendiary potential. Handle with care. Effects: Deal 20(+5) fire damage in a 3(+1)-meter radius. [Innovating Pioneer] bonus: Expands damage and explosion radius. Forms a pool of fire in the blast zone that keeps dealing damage for 5 seconds. ¡°Good item!¡± he muttered to himself. Jack couldn¡¯t help but smile as the system prompt appeared. Finally, a crafted item with real damage potential. After weeks of relying on distractions and buffs, he had something he could use to deal some damage. He¡¯d forgotten all about [Innovating Pioneer]. He felt just like when he put on clothes he hadn¡¯t in a while, only to find money in one of the pockets. The additional damage and expanded radius were sizable improvements, making the cocktails hit harder. The best bonus was the persistent effect after the explosion. It could increase damage even further or create a barrier that would persist for a few seconds, buying him enough time to make a run for it or play a melody to buy himself even more time. After testing the seals on all the Molotov Cocktails, Jack packed them carefully into his inventory. Next, Jack grabbed a piece of wood debris from the courtyard ground. The surface was rough and splintered, but the core felt solid enough to withstand flames. Running his hand along its length, he brushed away dirt and stray fibers, then nodded¡ªit would serve well as a torch. He grabbed blobs of insect fat, smeared them on a rag, and wrapped them tightly around one end of the wood. The fabric clung as he tied it off, ensuring it wouldn¡¯t unravel. Repeating the process twice more, he crafted three simple torches. You¡¯ve crafted [Basic Torch]. +50XP in [Bushcrafting] ¡°Good! This way, I can see where I¡¯m going if I have to explore somewhere dark.¡± The torches, made of splintered wood, shabby rags, and insect fat, weren¡¯t elegant, but they felt dependable in his hands. Before setting out, Jack made his way to the pot hive nestled against the wall at the back of the fortress. He paused, gauging their activity. The bees buzzed busily around the hive, undisturbed by his presence. He prompted the system to harvest whatever honey was available. The golden liquid pooled into one of the pots in his inventory. I wish I could save it for making mead, but I don¡¯t have much choice here. Honey never went bad, and it would sustain him if he found nothing to forage during his expedition. This time, there were no bees dead from the cold. The enhanced version of [Morning of Spring] had boosted their resistance enough to face the cold. He grabbed the ocarina and tried to buff them again, but his thoughts kept going toward the expedition ahead, and he just couldn¡¯t focus enough. He gave up after three tries. His XP bar from novice level 9 to journeyman level 1 in beekeeping was tantalizingly close¡ª96%. Just a little more, and he¡¯d break into the journeyman tier. He wished he could be here when the level-up happened, but he shook his head. Not now. Everyone had left more than fifteen minutes ago, and he should head out too. He¡¯d delayed his departure long enough. Back in the courtyard, Jack reviewed his preparations one last time: two fermentation bomb casings, several Molotov cocktails, three torches, honey, and water. It wasn¡¯t much, but it would have to do. He mentally adjusted the arrangement in his inventory slots, feeling the reassuring presence of his crafted items. Finally, he made his way out of the citadel. He traversed the first field of traps. As he climbed over the chariot, he found Riku groaning as he pried open a bear trap that had sprung on some unfortunate cockroach earlier. All over the minefield, Jack saw signs of Riku¡¯s hard work. There was a pile of ruined traps, and some new ones were already set up. Patting himself on the back for finding such good help, Jack waved at the boy and proceeded to cross the three ditches and travel down the road. Jack opened the map. A small hologram manifested before him, courtesy of the game¡¯s system. His eyes traced the paths marked in neat lines, confirming his route. Amari mapping out the terrain makes all the difference, Jack thought with a nod of appreciation. The canyon stretched out before him, its rocky walls rising high on either side. The terrain here was wider and less constricted than the narrow choke point where they¡¯d placed the carriage and the field of traps. Jack couldn¡¯t help but marvel at how well they¡¯d chosen that spot¡ªit had forced the waves of roaches to funnel through, maximizing the effectiveness of their defenses. Here, in this broader section of the pass, such tactics wouldn¡¯t have worked nearly as well. As he walked, Jack¡¯s sandals crunched softly on the dusty path. The ground was filled with the clawed marks of hundreds of roaches. Overlapping them were the clear hoofprints of Horace and Marie¡¯s highlander horses, their deep indentations revealing the weight of the animals. Amari¡¯s lighter footprints danced alongside them. Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere. Jack pressed on. After about fifteen minutes, he came to the fork¡ªa narrow trail cutting to the left. According to the map, this was the route to the forest. The trail dipped into a valley that began as a tight squeeze between rocky slopes but eventually opened into a wider stretch of sloped, green terrain¡ªthe Breach¡¯s only forest. The only hint of the forest beyond was the odd pine needle or the faint scent of resin carried by the wind. Jack knelt briefly to inspect the ground. The hoof prints veered left toward the forest. A faint smile tugged at his lips as he imagined Marie and Horace already venturing among the trees. But his path lay in the opposite direction. With a deep breath, he stood and continued forward along the other route. The canyon began to narrow again, the rocky walls closing in. The road dipped lower and lower, the incline becoming steeper with every step. Jack steadied himself, his sandals skidding slightly on loose gravel as he descended. Jack consulted the map again and then looked up, squinting. Hidden within the shadows, he spotted a faint trail etched into the rock face¡ªa narrow climb about four meters up. He tested the first foothold. The climb was tricky but manageable. The stone was cold and rough beneath his fingers, providing a decent grip as he hoisted himself upward. After a few minutes of careful maneuvering, Jack pulled himself up and stood on a ledge overlooking the hidden path. ¡°If Amari hadn¡¯t marked this place, I would have probably missed it. I have to ask him what bonuses rogues get while exploring,¡± Jack said, trying to make some noise to fight the eerie quiet. The trail was tucked away between jagged cliffs, a secret route carved into the mountain itself. It reminded Jack of the path to the spring near the fortress. The similarities were striking¡ªboth concealed, both requiring effort to find, and both holding the promise of something valuable at the end. Jack paused for a moment, catching his breath. The faint hum of wind whispered through the canyon. The path stretched ahead, rugged and uneven, inviting him deeper into the mountains. He steeled himself for whatever lay ahead and marched onward. The wind picked up, weaving through the narrow aperture in the road. It created a high-pitched whistle that carried an icy bite, sending chills down Jack¡¯s spine. He glanced at the clock. Ten minutes had passed since he started following the trail. The canyon walls began to shift, opening up into a new stretch of terrain. Jack slowed his pace as the path narrowed dramatically: a sheer drop to his left and a towering cliff on his right. He checked the map and gulped. The precarious stretch wouldn¡¯t last forever¡ªAmari¡¯s notes promised the path would widen soon. Still, the sight of the deep precipice made his stomach churn. Just then, he received a notification. Horace has discovered a new hidden package: Lazarus Herb. ¡°Cool! Horace has found something in the forest.¡± Lazarus Herb The Lazarus herb can grow in the mountains when the conditions are just right. It¡¯s a powerful medicine that can cure almost any illness. Package effects: If you or any of your teammates perish, they can respawn on the map with no penalties. ¡°So cool!¡± Jack exclaimed. It wasn¡¯t as if he was planning on dying in the Breach, but getting a lifeline like this would go a long way. ¡°Horace - 1 | 1 - Jack. I¡¯m winning,¡± came the sudden message from Horace. ¡°In what universe are you winning?¡± Jack sent back. ¡°I just am. Better step up your game, Squishy Jack.¡± It was all silly banter, but it ignited Jack¡¯s competitive spirit and gave him the courage he needed to keep going. Jack opened the map and confirmed that the faint pin marking the nearby package was beyond this perilous stretch, offering a further incentive to keep moving. Jack turned sideways, carefully balancing himself along the thin edge of the trail. His sandals skidded slightly on the loose gravel, sending a cascade of pebbles tumbling into the abyss below. His heart hammered as he gripped the cliff wall for support. Don¡¯t look down, he told himself, breathing deeply. Remember. You¡¯re safe in your bed at home. This is just a game. This is just VR with incredible graphics. The wind gusted suddenly, and Jack gasped as his footing slipped. For a terrifying moment, he teetered on the edge, his arms flailing as his right foot dangled over the precipice. This is it. I¡¯m going to fall, he thought, panic flooding his chest. Jack pressed himself hard against the rock wall, his fingers clawing at jagged edges for stability. The stone bit into his palms, but he didn¡¯t care. Slowly, shakily, he pulled himself upright, his breath coming in short, panicked bursts. His heart raced as he stood still momentarily, trying to steady his nerves. For a fleeting second, the thought of turning back crossed his mind, but he shoved it aside. He thought of the package Horace had just found. Everyone was doing their best and braving dangers. If I can¡¯t handle this, what use am I to the others? Regaining his composure, he kept moving slowly, steadily. At last, the cramped stretch of road began to widen. Oof. I made it. Jack¡¯s gaze lifted as the path leveled out, and the precipice transitioned into a steep slope. Still daunting but far easier on the nerves than the sheer drop he¡¯d left behind. Jack exhaled shakily, the tension easing from his shoulders. Now, he could walk more comfortably. The wind, sharper and colder than ever, sliced through the canyon with relentless force, but it no longer felt like a direct threat. Then, the wind shifted. It carried something new¡ªnot just the whistling chill of cold air but another sound, low and steady, rumbling like distant thunder. Jack froze, tilting his head to listen. It fluctuated, fading at times before surging back louder, like a pulse. The uncertainty gnawed at him¡ªwas it an echo, or was something moving? Jack pressed onward, following the trail as it continued to widen. The incline was still noticeable, but his footing felt sure. With each step, the noise grew louder, resonating through the canyon walls like a deep drumbeat. That¡¯s when he saw it: an opening in the mountain ahead. A large, dark hole gaped in the rock. Jack checked the map, his eyes darting to the nearby pin Amari had marked. He swallowed hard. Amari did well to flag this spot. The cave practically screamed ¡°suspicious.¡± The rumbling grew louder, vibrating through the air and into Jack¡¯s chest. He froze, realization dawning. The noise wasn¡¯t thunder. It was coming from inside the cave. ¡°My goodness,¡± Jack muttered, his voice barely above a whisper. His eyes widened as the sound became more distinct and rhythmic, like the rise and fall of something vast. ¡°Is that¡­ something breathing?¡± Ch. 141 - 1st Pin The low, rhythmic rumble reverberating through the cave¡¯s walls sent a shiver down Jack¡¯s spine. He held a Molotov cocktail as he stood at the threshold, peering into the black void. What kind of hidden package could be inside? Jack wondered, a knot of unease tightening in his stomach. The thought of a reward wasn¡¯t enough to quell his growing dread. For a moment, he stood there, torn. Should I skip this pin? On the one hand, Jack wasn''t looking forward to meeting whatever was snoring in there. On the other hand, why would Amari mark this spot on the map if not to tell Jack to explore it? He¡¯d seen Jack select this pin. He would have told him if there had been anything particularly dangerous about it. Right? He did warn me to be careful. I wonder if he had this cave in mind when he did. As Jack considered his next move, a notification popped out. AmariNinja has discovered a new hidden package: Christoff, the Lone Hunter. Christoff, The Lone Hunter A seasoned hunter, Christoff has long supplied the fortress with fresh game and valuable hides. Recently, he noticed the absence of buyers but didn¡¯t realize the gravity of the situation¡ªuntil now. When you inform him of the tragedy that has unfolded, including the loss of his friends and a cousin within the fortress, Christoff is deeply shaken. Determined to honor their memory, he pledges his skills to help you repel the approaching beast wave. Package Effects: You have enlisted the aid of Christoff, The Lone Hunter. Jack¡¯s eyes widened. They had just enlisted the help of a third NPC. Unlike Esther and Riku, he seemed to be one that would directly aid them in battle. ¡°Awesome job, Amari!¡± Horace said. ¡°He¡¯s going to be a great help against bosses. He deals good single-target damage,¡± Amari sent back. Jack took a deep breath. This notification was just the push he needed. Amari had traveled twice as far as he did and already had something to show for his efforts. Jack couldn¡¯t afford to lag behind. Mustering up the courage, Jack entered the cave. This feels like walking into a lion¡¯s den. The cave seemed to swallow the dim light from the entrance, the darkness growing thicker with every cautious step. Jack hesitated. His rope sandals scuffed softly against the rocky floor. Each breath he took felt loud, almost intrusive. He froze mid-step. Do I risk it? The question lingered, pressing on his mind. His fingers brushed the torch at his side. Lighting it would mean risking exposure. Whatever was in here might see him, but without it, he was utterly blind. The decision clawed at his nerves. Jack clenched his jaw. I need to know what¡¯s in here. Better to see it than stumble blindly into danger. With deliberate care, he pulled the torch from his belt and struck it alight. The flame flickered to life, casting an orange glow that danced across the jagged walls. Shadows loomed large, shifting eerily with each movement of the flame. The cave seemed impossibly vast now, its depths barely touched by the light. The beam of the torch landed on something dark brown and massive. Jack¡¯s breath hitched as he took a step back, his heart pounding in his chest. The light played over its surface, revealing coarse, fur-like textures and the slow, rhythmic motion of something breathing deeply in and out. The rumbling sound he¡¯d mistaken for distant thunder emanated from the creature. Its sheer size made the air feel heavier, oppressive, as though the cave itself had come alive. Jack swallowed hard, the taste of fear bitter on his tongue. It¡¯s a beast. The realization hit him like a cold wave. The creature¡ªwhatever it was¡ªlay fast asleep, its breaths steady and undisturbed. But the question remained: Should I risk moving closer or leave while I still can? Jack felt a sudden, overwhelming urge to bolt, to run as fast as he could. But the creature, whatever it was, continued to ignore him entirely. It lay there, undisturbed, its massive form almost blending into the cave¡¯s shadows. Steeling himself, Jack made a small video and sent it to his team. ¡°Guys, what is this?¡± he typed, not daring to speak aloud for fear of waking the beast. Amari responded immediately. ¡°That¡¯s a short-faced bear, Jack. It¡¯s a level 35 creature. Is it sleeping?¡± Jack felt a surge of annoyance. Of course it¡¯s sleeping. If it weren¡¯t, I would be dead. If it was dead, then I wouldn¡¯t be calling. He typed back more politely than he felt, ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s sleeping. What do I do? Is this a hidden package?¡± The cave¡¯s damp air pressed in around him, carrying the musk of animal fur. Jack¡¯s heart pounded as he glanced back at the beast, its massive form casting deep shadows that flickered with the dim light of his torch. The slow, rhythmic sound of its breathing reverberated through the cavern walls, each exhale a reminder of just how dangerous this creature could be. Jack couldn¡¯t believe this was meant to help him. A level 35 beast, which would undoubtedly tear him apart if awake, didn¡¯t seem like a "hidden package" at all. Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences. Amari sent another message. ¡°Is there anything else in the cave?¡± Jack scanned the area, moving cautiously around the beast. The torchlight illuminated more of the cavern, revealing jagged walls that seemed to close in the deeper he went. On the far side of the cave, he got a better look at the creature. Its face was oddly shaped, its snout shorter and more compact than any bear he¡¯d seen before. Now he understood why it was called a short-faced bear. His grip tightened on the torch as he typed, ¡°No, there¡¯s nothing else here. Just the bear. What do I do?¡± Frustration crept into his voice as he glanced back at the beast. ¡°I¡¯m not sure,¡± Amari replied. ¡°Maybe the hidden package only manifests if you wake it.¡± ¡°Are you serious?¡± Jack typed, pausing to take a deep breath. The thought of waking the creature made his stomach churn. He glanced again at the massive beast, its claws twitching faintly in its sleep. The thing could shred him before he had a chance to blink. ¡°Yes, but be careful. If you provoke a beast that¡¯s 15 levels above you, you¡¯re in trouble. Try looking around the cave. Maybe there¡¯s something outside that can help you wake it¡ªsafely.¡± Jack exhaled, the weight of the decision pressing on him. His eyes lingered on the bear for a moment longer. There¡¯s no way I can handle this thing if it wakes up angry, he thought. Stepping cautiously backward, Jack turned toward the cave entrance. The cool mountain air hit his face as he stepped outside, its sharp bite a stark contrast to the heavy warmth of the cavern. His eyes darted across the rocky landscape, his mind racing. If there was a way to wake the creature without triggering its wrath, he needed to find it fast. Now aware of the bear, Jack examined the slope below more carefully. Deep grooves scored the rock face¡ªmarks likely left by the creature¡¯s claws as it descended from its lair. He scanned the surroundings for anything to help him deal with the bear. The rocky terrain offered little assistance. Desperate, Jack attempted to climb over the cave entrance. The initial ascent was straightforward; the vertical section provided solid handholds, and he moved quickly. But as the slope began to level out, disaster struck. His foot slipped on loose soil and crumbled rock, and suddenly, he was sliding uncontrollably. His stomach lurched as gravity took over, dragging him down the slope toward the cave. He tumbled through the entrance, landing hard on the floor, but the momentum of his fall didn¡¯t stop there. Panic surged as he slid toward the precipice. He scrambled to regain his footing, clawing at the rocky ground, but it was no use¡ªhis momentum carried him over the edge. Frantically, Jack flung out his hands, grasping for anything¡ªrocks, branches, anything that might save him from tumbling into the abyss. His fingers brushed against something jagged: one of the grooves left by the bear¡¯s claws. Clinging to it with everything he had, he hauled himself up. Loose cobbles and soil cascaded down the slope below as he climbed. Jack¡¯s heart pounded as he reached a more stable patch. He looked up to the slope over the cave entrance. It was riddled with unstable sections, each one a trap waiting to be sprung. ¡°I guess that¡¯s what they call a slippery slope,¡± Jack muttered to himself. As he steadied himself, an idea began to take shape. The loosened soil and precarious terrain had given him an idea. He studied the slope again, this time with purpose. A plan began to form. All Jack needed now was a bit of preparation. * After climbing to a safe position, Jack got to work. He grabbed the two fermentation bomb casings and began filling them. First, water, then honey, and finally sugar. He sealed the openings with soft clay, bringing a torch close to harden the seals. You¡¯ve crafted a [Fermentation Bomb]. +500XP in [Bushcrafting]. Fermentation Bomb (Rare) Whereas most brewers dread the horrific explosions caused by the buildup of gases during fermentation, you embrace the chaos. Crafting grade: C Effects: Deal 50-200(+100) damage in a 10(+2)-meter radius. Pressure builds for 30 minutes. It will explode after that. [Innovating Pioneer] bonus: +100 damage and +2-meter radius. ¡°It works!¡± Jack exclaimed, a grin spreading across his face. ¡°And, oh my goodness, look at that damage!¡± The story of Gretchen¡¯s neighbor who¡¯d blown up his entire farm over a poorly brewed batch of mead didn¡¯t seem like an exaggeration anymore. His excitement dimmed as the vase in his hands began flashing bright red every few seconds¡ªa system warning to remind him the bomb was ticking, literally. Gulping hard and with shaky hands, Jack repeated the process, crafting a second bomb. ¡°Now comes the hard part,¡± he muttered, staring up the slope where he¡¯d slipped earlier. Jack moved cautiously as he ascended the slope. The thought of two ticking time bombs in his inventory that could one-shot him wasn¡¯t exactly comforting. His boots slid on loose patches of dirt, and sharp-edged rocks jabbed into his palms as he steadied himself. Finally, he reached a suitable spot¡ªa jagged boulder jutting out from the unstable soil. It wasn¡¯t perfect, but it would have to do. Jack knelt and carefully placed the bombs together against the rock. His hands trembled as he adjusted their position, ensuring they wouldn¡¯t slide or topple. Satisfied, he climbed higher, just outside the blast radius. The flashing of the bombs quickened their ominous rhythm, a constant reminder of how little time he had. He glanced at the timer. Ten minutes. The pressure was mounting, and not just inside the bombs. Jack set a Molotov cocktail beside him for easy access and pulled out his ocarina. He¡¯d need both if this plan was going to work. His mind raced as he considered his next steps. The goal was simple: wake the bear, lure it out, and let the bombs do the rest. If it didn¡¯t work, he¡¯d be out of options. Even though there was the prospect of resurrection thanks to Horace¡¯s [Lazarus Herb], he¡¯d rather not waste it here. He pressed the ocarina to his lips and began playing [Angry Void]. The sharp, jarring melody cut through the air, carried by the biting mountain wind. You¡¯ve played [Angry Void]. Performance rate: B- +130XP in [Bard] The notes echoed down the slope and into the cave. Jack¡¯s fingers fumbled slightly as he played, the tension making his hands slick with sweat. From inside, the bear¡¯s snoring faltered, uneven for the first time. Jack¡¯s heart leaped, but nothing else happened. He bit back a curse. ¡°Probably need to get a better grade on this song,¡± he muttered, frustration bubbling beneath his breath. He kept playing, glancing nervously toward the cave every few moments. The thought of a level 35 beast waking up and charging him sent a chill through his spine. He adjusted his position, his back pressed against the jagged rock as he braced himself. Five minutes left. The bombs flashed in rapid succession now, their urgency seeping into Jack¡¯s nerves. The bear¡¯s snoring grew louder, more irregular, but still, the creature didn¡¯t stir. Jack¡¯s frustration mounted. His team was counting on him, and he hadn¡¯t accomplished anything yet. Failure wasn¡¯t an option¡ªnot when everyone else was working so hard. Determined, Jack poured all his energy into the song, letting his irritation seep into the melody. The tune sharpened, growing edgier and more intense until one of his passive abilities was finally triggered. You¡¯ve played [Angry Void]. Performance rate: A+ +130XP in [Bard] All beasts in the vicinity become enraged. [Soulful Performer]¡¯s bonus effect activated: All beasts in the vicinity go berserk. The snoring stopped. A low, guttural rumble replaced it, vibrating the ground beneath Jack¡¯s feet. Ch. 142 - Dislodging Jack froze, his breath catching as a patch of black fur emerged from the cave¡¯s shadowy mouth. The short-faced bear stepped out, its massive shoulders hunched and nostrils flaring as it sniffed the air. Its head turned sharply, and Jack felt the crushing weight of its piercing gaze. The ground seemed to tremble under the bear¡¯s weight as it climbed, each step deliberate and menacing. A low growl rolled like thunder from its throat while thick, glistening drool dripped from its maw, trailing down in long, sticky threads. Jack felt like a mouse under a hawk¡¯s shadow. Every instinct screamed at him to run, but he held his ground, forcing his legs to stay rooted. They trembled beneath him, his grip on the Molotov slick with sweat. He needed the bear closer¡ªhigher. Just a few more steps. His gaze darted toward the two fermentation bombs he had carefully planted. Their red glow pulsed faster now, signaling the countdown¡¯s imminent end. A quick glance at the timer: two minutes left. The beast clawed its way toward him, its massive paws digging into the loose soil. Rocks and dirt tumbled down the slope with every movement, the unstable terrain groaning beneath its weight. But the bear¡¯s claws found purchase on the jagged rock beneath, pulling it upward with unnerving ease¡ªeffortlessly navigating the very slope that had nearly killed Jack earlier. Jack¡¯s breath hitched as the bear¡¯s gaze locked onto him. It felt like a physical force pinning him in place. His legs screamed to run, to abandon the plan and flee down the slope. But he couldn¡¯t¡ªhe wouldn¡¯t. His teammates were counting on him, and this wasn¡¯t just about survival anymore. It was about proving to himself that he could do this. His heart pounded as he reached for the torch. Its flame flickered wildly in the wind, the heat brushing his face. He lit the Molotov¡¯s wick, the fire crackling as it caught. No room for error now. The bear snarled at the sight of the flame, hesitating for a moment. Its primal instincts seemed to sense the trap, but its fury won out. It roared and climbed higher, its rage building with every step. ¡°Hold it, Jack. Just a little longer,¡± he whispered under his breath, steadying his shaking hands. When the beast was directly under the location where he¡¯d planted the fermentation bombs, Jack made his move. With a swift motion, he hurled the Molotov. The glass shattered on impact, igniting a searing blaze that engulfed the bombs. BOOM! BOOM! The detonation hit like a thunderclap, a deafening shockwave that shook the mountainside. The fermentation bombs erupted with violent force, tearing into the slope and unleashing a tidal wave of loose earth and debris. The bear roared in alarm, its guttural cry echoing across the mountainside. It clawed desperately at the shifting ground, trying to find an anchor, but the landslide was merciless. The avalanche surged forward, swallowing everything in its path. The bear¡¯s massive frame tumbled backward, its claws thrashing wildly as it was dragged helplessly down the slope. The same treacherous incline that had nearly claimed Jack¡¯s life now proved unforgiving to the far heavier predator. Jack caught one last glimpse of its thrashing form before the debris swallowed it, sealing the cave¡¯s entrance beneath a mound of rubble. Jack ducked, shielding his face as the blast¡¯s shockwave rippled through the air. Smoke stung his eyes and filled his lungs, and the roar of the avalanche drowned out all other sounds. As the dust began to settle, Jack cautiously straightened, coughing against the gritty air. The mountainside was a chaotic wreck of shattered rocks and churned earth. The bear was nowhere in sight, and the entrance to its lair was completely blocked by fallen rocks and debris. For a moment, Jack just stood there, his legs trembling from the adrenaline. His breath came in short, ragged gasps as he stared at the destruction below, the enormity of what had just happened sinking in. Then, after a few moments, a sound cut through the quiet like a knife. ROAAAAR! ¡°It survived?!¡± Jack gasped. How could something survive this catastrophe and still have such a mighty roar? ¡°What if it¡¯s coming back?¡± Just as Jack prepared to run for it, a system notification appeared. You¡¯ve unlocked a new hidden package: The Short-Faced Bear. Jack paused. ¡°Wait. It worked after all?¡± He hurriedly opened the details of the package, hoping to find some clues as to whether he should bolt or if he was in the clear. Hidden Package Description: Over these mountains, short-faced bears hibernate during the winter. They are fiercely territorial. After you dislodge this bear, it relocates and establishes a new home closer to the road¡ªnearer to the fortress. The short-faced bear will occasionally attack incoming waves of enemies. Its presence adds additional pressure on the beast waves, diverting some of the burden from the fortress''s defenses. Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings. Jack read the notification twice, a smile creeping onto his face. What hunter, what herb?! He had recruited a massive level 35 bear! It would act as an occasional ally, striking at the incoming waves of enemies and alleviating some of the burden on the fortress¡¯s defenses. He didn¡¯t know if the bear would appear during every wave or how it would handle elites or bosses, but even sporadic assistance was valuable. The thought of such a powerful creature wreaking havoc on the waves made him feel like he¡¯d truly contributed to the team¡¯s efforts. Jack exhaled in relief. The plan had worked. He had unlocked the hidden package without getting himself killed. A few weeks ago, he wouldn¡¯t have had the skills¡ªor the courage¡ªto pull something like this off. Facing a level 35 beast and living to tell the tale felt surreal. Messages from his team started trickling in. ¡°Oh my goodness! OH MY GOODNESS! You¡¯re the luckiest human alive! How is this fair? I¡¯m out here dodging claws and tails, grinding for hours, and you just stumble into a level 35 bear package? Unreal. UNREAL! I need to lie down. I¡¯m done,¡± Horace sent in a block of text so dramatic Jack could almost hear his voice cracking through the words. Jack smirked, fingers tapping quickly. ¡°Horace, please remind me. What¡¯s the score like now?¡± No reply. Jack chuckled. Horace wasn¡¯t about to admit he was losing their little competition over hidden packages. The silence said it all. ¡°Good job, Jack,¡± came a more composed message from Amari. Jack smiled. Amari¡¯s acknowledgment, however brief, carried weight. Then Marie chimed in. ¡°Even though Horace isn¡¯t answering your message, Jack, I can confirm how much of a sore loser he is.¡± Attached to her message was a video. Jack opened it, snickering as Horace¡¯s meltdown played out. In the clip, Horace was banging his head against the metal plates of the carriage, muttering, ¡°I can¡¯t believe it. That squishy know-it-all dealt with a short-faced bear. Lucky noob! Lucky noob!¡± Jack raised an eyebrow. Horace and Marie were already back at the carriage. He looked at the clock. It was nearly time for wave 11! Between getting ready for the expedition, getting out all the way here, and then dealing with the bear, close to two hours had elapsed. No wonder they were back at the fortress. ¡°I guess I should get going.¡± He¡¯d told his team that he¡¯d be gone for two waves. He had to make the time count. Jack navigated the debris and fallen rock, carefully descending the slope. He gripped outcroppings of stone for balance, his gloves scraping against the jagged surface. Every so often, he paused, scanning for a safe route through the tangle of debris below. Huge slabs of rock lay scattered from the earlier collapse, some precariously balanced, others partially buried in snow and dirt. The climb required focus. His earlier success thrilled him, but the steep terrain demanded respect. At one point, he had to leap down a short drop, landing with a grunt as his legs absorbed the impact. Dust kicked up around him, the faint smell of disturbed earth filling his nostrils. Ahead, a narrow gap between two boulders caught his eye. Beware. Wave 11 comes! Jack felt strange knowing that as he explored the Breach map, Horace and Marie were fighting the wave off on their own. Even so, his steps felt lighter now. He had faced a level 35 beast, survived, and turned it into an asset for the team. He wondered whether the bear was already there, helping Horace and Marie. He also thought about the hunter Amari had recruited. Had he arrived yet? Finally, Jack reached the path leading to the next pin. The snowy peaks loomed ahead, jagged and imposing, their icy tips cutting into the sky. The thought of what secrets might be hidden there filled him with anticipation. What secrets did the snow hide? Ancient ruins? More allies to recruit? Wave 11 is cleared! +1 breach point. ¡°That was fast!¡± It hadn¡¯t even taken them ten minutes. He wondered if this wave was still made up of roaches or if Piri had decided to mix things up. Just as he was about to ask for footage, he saw Amari was inviting him to a group call. Three floating screens appeared before Jack, each displaying one of his teammates. Amari¡¯s backdrop was stunning¡ªa mountaintop bathed in white clouds, giving the impression he was calling them from Heaven itself. In stark contrast, Horace and Marie¡¯s background was chaotic: a field littered with the corpses of furry orange beasts, smoldering flames rising lazily from the ground. ¡°Hi, everyone!¡± Amari greeted, his tone calm and composed as always. ¡°How was the battle?¡± ¡°Romies. Nothing to worry about,¡± Horace answered, his mouth full as he popped what looked like dried fruit into his mouth. Jack guessed it was one of the rations they¡¯d brought to the Breach. ¡°Romies? What¡¯s a romie?¡± Jack asked. ¡°Its technical name is ischyromys. Giant prehistoric rodents,¡± Horace said. ¡°They look like squirrels.¡± ¡°Are they dangerous?¡± Jack asked. Before Horace could elaborate, Amari spoke over him. ¡°Guys, I¡¯m lagging behind on video editing, and I really need to finish this week¡¯s video. I always post on Mondays. Would you mind if we take a break?¡± Marie chimed in, deadpan as usual. ¡°I don¡¯t mind.¡± ¡°Fine by me! I could use the time to recover from Jack¡¯s ridiculous bear luck,¡± said Horace. Jack chuckled at Horace¡¯s antics but couldn¡¯t help feeling curious about Amari¡¯s video. Was he already going to release a video featuring him? Was he going to release the video of the compy raid? Or was he going to show how Jack had gotten his hidden class? What kind of angle would he put on it? ¡°Jack? Is it OK with you?¡± Amari prompted. ¡°I¡¯m fine with it too. How long are we talking for the break?¡± Amari scratched his head. ¡°Three hours, maybe more.¡± Jack grimaced. He was itching to see what lay ahead in the snowy peaks, but a break wasn¡¯t the worst idea. He¡¯d been playing for hours, and Rob¡¯s situation still weighed on his mind. Jack hesitated for a moment before suggesting, ¡°Maybe we should exchange phone numbers IRL.¡± It still felt strange to him¡ªthis idea of being part of something bigger than just himself. A few months ago, he never would have imagined asking a team for anything, let alone their personal contacts. But these weren¡¯t just teammates; they were starting to feel like friends. Amari raised an eyebrow, a hint of approval in his expression. ¡°Where do you live?¡± ¡°Sector 1.¡± ¡°Oh, nice! Same timezone. Here.¡± Amari shared his number, and Jack quickly saved it. His helmet was synced with his phone, so he¡¯d be able to get notifications even offline. ¡°I¡¯ll add you to our group chat,¡± Amari added. ¡°That way, we can stay in touch outside the game. Deal?¡± ¡°Deal!¡± Jack replied. ¡°Alright, guys. See you later,¡± Amari said, signing off. Jack¡¯s screen flickered off, leaving him alone on the path. He turned back to the snowy peaks, taking in their cold, distant majesty one last time before letting out a sigh. The adventure would have to wait, but the mysteries up there weren¡¯t going anywhere. Logging off, he followed his teammates out of the game and into the real world. Ch. 141 - 1st Pin Ch. 143 - Casual Gamer ¡°What¡¯s up?¡± Rob looked up from the bottom of the stairs. ¡°Figured you¡¯d visit me tonight.¡± ¡°How could I not?¡± Jack said, crossing his arms as Rob climbed the stairs. Rob unlocked his apartment door and stepped inside, leaving it open. Jack followed without hesitation. ¡°How was work?¡± ¡°Good. Got a lot done,¡± Rob replied. He tossed his bag to the floor, grabbed a can of cola from the fridge, and gulped it down. Jack leaned against the counter, his arms still crossed. ¡°I sent you a few messages earlier. It¡¯s not like you to go radio silent.¡± Rob looked guilty for a moment as he set the can down. ¡°Sorry, man. I didn¡¯t even check my phone today. I¡¯ve just been trying to figure out this mess.¡± Jack studied him for a moment. ¡°So, what¡¯s the plan?¡± Rob pursed his lips, then set the now-empty can down with a thud. ¡°Well¡­ ideally, I want to keep the Slayer off your back forever. I just have to come up with something that doesn¡¯t make me sound incompetent or lose the Slayer¡¯s trust in me but not worrisome enough that he feels the need to look further into it.¡± ¡°That¡¯s a thin line to walk,¡± Jack said, worry etched in his tone. ¡°What happens if he realizes you let Amari go?¡± Rob shrugged, a wry grin tugging at his lips. ¡°Traitors are hunted mercilessly by IronIre. It¡¯s practically a spectator sport. They even run bets on how many levels people will lose before they give up and reset their account. Real classy, huh?¡± Jack winced. ¡°That¡¯s¡­ dark. What about you? Would you reset if it came to that?¡± Rob hesitated, tapping his fingers on the counter. ¡°I¡¯ll cross that bridge if I get to it. Honestly, it¡¯s not like this is my main gig. I¡¯m just a casual gamer. But yeah¡­ it¡¯d suck to lose it.¡± Jack nodded slowly, his thoughts spiraling. Rob played it cool, but the hours he¡¯d poured into his account weren¡¯t nothing. And if IronIre came after him, it wouldn¡¯t just be a game¡ªit¡¯d feel personal. Being chased by one¡¯s former allies had to sting. ¡°You shouldn¡¯t have to clean up his mess,¡± Jack finally muttered. Rob smirked. ¡°Family comes first! Between choosing you and the guys at IronIre, it¡¯s a no-brainer.¡± Jack sighed, his concern lingering. ¡°You¡¯ve worked hard, Rob. Even if it¡¯s just extra money, it¡¯s still your time on the line. I¡¯m sorry for causing you trouble.¡± Rob softened, leaning against the counter beside him. ¡°You don¡¯t need to worry about me. I¡¯m a big boy.¡± Jack managed a small smile. ¡°Thanks, Rob. For everything.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t mention it. Seriously. I¡¯m not kidding¡ªdon¡¯t mention it to anyone. Not even Amari.¡± Jack chuckled dryly. ¡°I got it.¡± Rob opened the second cola and took a swig. ¡°So, why aren¡¯t you in the game right now?¡± ¡°Amari¡¯s editing a video,¡± Jack replied, welcoming the shift to lighter conversation. ¡°Ah, one of the videos with you in it?¡± ¡°Probably.¡± ¡°Looking forward to it.¡± Rob paused. ¡°Wait a minute. You could be playing while you wait for him to finish. Unless¡­ you¡¯re at the Breach, huh?¡± Rob asked, his grin widening. Jack nodded. ¡°What kind of terrain did you get?¡± ¡°A fortress map up in the mountains.¡± ¡°Lucky. When I did it, we got stuck in a swamp. Half the team got killed off by mosquitoes, the other half was done in by quicksand.¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t know you¡¯d run the Breach. How far did you get?¡± ¡°Wave 30, if I¡¯m not mistaken.¡± ¡°Was it worth it?¡± ¡°Oh yeah! I got one of the daggers I use as a reward. I also got three or four levels off it, if I remember right.¡± ¡°Woah! That¡¯s awesome.¡± ¡°What¡¯s the strategy you and your team are taking?¡± Jack filled him in on the waves, the scouting, and the achievements they¡¯d unlocked. Rob listened intently, nodding along. ¡°For just four of you to get that much done? That¡¯s impressive,¡± Rob said when Jack finished. ¡°Thanks.¡± Rob stretched, his tone becoming casual again. ¡°Well, I¡¯m going to shower and log in. What about you?¡± ¡°I¡¯ll head home and wait.¡± Rob glanced at him, studying his face. ¡°You okay? You seem¡­ off.¡± Jack hesitated, then chuckled weakly. ¡°I¡¯ve been spending so much time in the game that I don¡¯t even know what to do with myself when I¡¯m not playing. I¡ª¡± I¡¯d call Lydia if we hadn¡¯t broken up, but what would I even say? That I missed her? That gaming filled the silence she left behind? That¡¯s what he wanted to say, but he caught himself in time. He¡¯d already burdened his cousin enough. The last thing he needed was to hear him moping. Rob looked at him sadly as if he¡¯d heard it all anyway. ¡°Tell you what¡ªI¡¯ll let you spectate me while I play.¡± Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author. Jack blinked. ¡°That¡¯s a thing?¡± ¡°Yeah. We can chat and hang out. Plus, I could use your help brainstorming how to keep the Slayer off your trail. It¡¯s a thin line, as you said. Probably helps to have a second opinion on whatever wild tale I spin.¡± Jack grinned, feeling the weight in his chest ease just a bit. ¡°Deal. How does this spectating thing work?¡± ¡°Go home. When I log in, I¡¯ll send you a message. All you have to do is put on the helmet and wait for a message from me.¡± Jack pushed off the counter. ¡°Can¡¯t wait.¡± * By the time Jack finished dinner with his parents and slipped on his VRX helmet, his cousin had already texted to let him know he was online. Jack settled into bed, the cool comfort of fresh PJs making him feel ready for a deep dive until morning. He powered on the helmet, its glow casting soft patterns on his vision as the holographic interface flickered to life. Ding! Roberto Sousa has invited you to spectate him as he plays New Earth. Would you like to accept? ¡°Is it that easy?¡± Jack muttered, selecting Accept without hesitation. The world blurred, and a strange, weightless sensation overtook him. For a moment, it felt as if he was hurtling through a tunnel of rushing light, his senses caught between exhilaration and disorientation. When the sensation ebbed, the scene re-formed, and Jack blinked against the sudden clarity. This wasn¡¯t the Breach. He was moving¡ªfast. Streets and rooftops below became a blur of smears and shadows. Jack¡¯s breath caught as he tried to process the surreal sensation of being there without being in control. Every stride seemed effortless yet forceful, each landing precise as Rob vaulted across a rooftop gap, landing with a grace that made it seem as easy as stepping off a curb. He had the [Sprint] skill himself, granting a brief burst of 100% movement speed for a second, but Rob moved like someone under the permanent effects of something like it. It was uncanny. Looking around, Jack quickly realized this wasn¡¯t Embersgate. The layout was familiar¡ªanother gate town hugging its protective walls¡ªbut everything else was distinct. Where Embersgate exuded a dark, brooding atmosphere with its weathered stone and heavy, primal designs, this city was brighter, softer. The pale sandstone of its buildings caught the morning light, bathing the town in a warm, golden hue. The facades were clean and sleek, adorned with minimalist carvings that lent the city an understated elegance. ¡°This is amazing¡­¡± Jack murmured, still taking it all in. ¡°Oh, you¡¯re here!¡± Rob¡¯s voice chimed in Jack¡¯s ear, bright and familiar. His cousin vaulted effortlessly from one rooftop to another, the gap between them wide enough to make Jack¡¯s stomach flip. ¡°Rob! This is¡­ amazing! You¡¯re moving so fast!¡± Jack exclaimed. Rob chuckled, his tone casual. ¡°Never spectated someone in VR before?¡± ¡°I¡¯ve watched streamers, but never like this,¡± Jack admitted, trying to make sense of the sensations. ¡°It¡¯s like I¡¯m strapped to the back of your head.¡± ¡°That¡¯s a good way of putting it. No one else can see or hear you, so we can chat freely. Oh, and I gave you access to my character sheet and inventory. Feel free to poke around while I run.¡± Jack grinned. ¡°You just want to show off, don¡¯t you?¡± Rob snorted, leaping across a dizzying gap. ¡°Of course. Why else would I invite you?¡± Jack could feel the playfulness in Rob¡¯s voice. Seeing him so carefree despite the awkward situation he was in was a relief. Navigating the interface, Jack opened Rob¡¯s character sheet. His grin faltered. CHARACTER INFORMATION Name: RobbieRobber Level: 38 Fame: 28 Class: Assassin Guild: IronIre Minors: [Journeyman Herbalist], lvl. 10 [Expert Lockpicker], lvl. 4 Titles: [Artful Dodger], [Beast Slayer], [Blade in the Shadows], [Dungeon Delver], [Efficient Gatherer], [Expert Explorer], [Guild Swindler], [Guild War Veteran], [Light on Your Feet], [Lock Whisperer], [Midnight Stalker], [Notorious in the Shadows], [Poison Maker], [S-Grade Adventurer], [Siege Specialist], [Silent Eliminator], [Slayer of Monsters III], ATTRIBUTES Hit Points: 280/280 Stamina Points: 215/220 Movement Speed: 212% Attack: 37 Strength: 32 Constitution: 21 Agility: 90 Intellect: 11 Stealth: 31 Luck: 18 RESISTANCES Defense: 56 Block: 18 Fire: 8 Cold: 9 Poison: 11 Mental: 18 EQUIPMENT Right-Hand: [Shimmerfang Dagger] (Attack +4, Crit Damage +10%) Off-Hand: [Blacksteel Dirk] (Bleed Damage +5, Stealth +4) Head: [Nightveil Hood] (Stealth +5, Crit Damage +5%) Torso: [Darkleather Jerkin] (Defense +8, Attack +3, Movement Speed +50%) Pants: [Shadowwoven Trousers] (Agility +4, Stealth +4) Gloves: [Silent Striker¡¯s Gloves] (Attack +3, Jump +2, Bleed Damage +3) Shoes: [Shadowstep Boots] (Movement Speed +12%, Crit Damage +5%) Cape: [Ebon Cloak] (Stealth +6, Jump +3) SKILLS Fighting: [Backstab], [Blade Flurry], [Bleeding Graze], [Critical Strike], [Evasion], [Quickstep], [Shadow Ambush], [Throwing Knife], [Vanishing Step] Herbalism: [Aromatic Extraction], [Basic Toxin Crafting], [Efficient Gathering], [Foraging Expertise], [Herb Drying], [Medicinal Mixtures], [Plant Identification], [Preservation Techniques], [Rare Herb Locator], [Refined Oil Extraction], [Spore Harvesting], [Toxin Enhancement], [Wild Growth Recognition] Lockpicker: [Advanced Lock Composition], [Alarm Bypass], [Bypass Alarm], [Counter-Trap Engineering], [Disabling Mechanism], [Key Crafting], [Lock Fortification], [Lock Whisperer], [Master Key Tinkering], [Safecracker¡¯s Touch], [Silent Mechanism], [Simple Trap Design], [Trap Disarmament], [Trap Reverse Engineering], [Vault Optimization] ¡°Rob,¡± Jack said, his voice wavering slightly. ¡°Are you really just a casual gamer?¡± His cousin laughed. ¡°Not bad, right?¡± ¡°Not bad? Are you kidding me?¡± Jack scrolled through the screen, his disbelief growing. ¡°You have triple my agility! And I invest most of my attribute points in it.¡± Rob landed smoothly on another rooftop, his movements so effortless it seemed like second nature. ¡°Hey, it¡¯s not like I¡¯m leading raids or anything. I¡¯m just good at sniffing out bargains.¡± ¡°A knack?¡± Jack raised an eyebrow. ¡°Dude, this jacket alone? Where did you even get this?¡± ¡°I might¡¯ve spent a week of vacation grinding for it.¡± Rob¡¯s tone was casual, but the flicker of pride in his voice didn¡¯t go unnoticed. ¡°You¡¯ve definitely been putting in the hours,¡± Jack muttered, shaking his head. Despite his admiration, guilt settled in his chest. Rob had invested so much time into his character. The thought that he might lose it all because of him was hard to swallow. Rob laughed again, breaking the tension. ¡°Hey, you¡¯ll get there. Just keep at it.¡± Jack forced a smile and tried to shift his focus. ¡°Where are we?¡± ¡°Pearlsgate,¡± Rob answered simply. ¡°And where are you going?¡± Jack asked, his eyes following the streak of rooftops blurring past as Rob sprinted. Rob tilted his view slightly to the left, gesturing with a nod. ¡°I¡¯m heading toward the gate so we can leave the city. See it over there?¡± Jack¡¯s gaze locked onto a massive, gleaming archway. The mother-of-pearl circle atop the gate caught the sunlight, adding elegance to the city. ¡°At this speed, it¡¯ll only take a couple of minutes to get there.¡± ¡°Why do you want to leave the city, though? Do you have a quest outside?¡± Jack asked. ¡°There have been some developments since we chatted in the apartment.¡± Rob¡¯s tone grew sharper, more focused. ¡°As soon as I logged in, I got a message from my guild. There¡¯s a battle happening a little ways outside the city¡ªIronIre versus Prejudice. They want all hands on deck.¡± Jack frowned. ¡°Why do you sound so happy about that?¡± Rob¡¯s laugh carried a note of triumph. ¡°Some guy the Slayer has a beef with ambushed one of our teams. Told them to pass along a few choice insults for our guild leader after stealing a wild boss. Word got to the Slayer, and he¡¯s here now. Everyone¡¯s been called up to teach Prejudice a lesson.¡± Jack¡¯s frown deepened. ¡°And you¡¯re happy because¡­?¡± ¡°Can¡¯t you see, Jack? This is perfect! With my guild at war, the Slayer¡¯s attention is fully occupied. It leaves me completely off the hook.¡± Jack mulled it over for a moment. ¡°I guess that makes sense. But doesn¡¯t the Slayer being in Pearlsgate mean there¡¯s a chance he¡¯ll remember his unfinished business with Amari? What if he wins quickly and remembers Amari is also here?¡± Rob¡¯s movements slowed just slightly as he leapt to another rooftop. His earlier excitement dimmed, replaced with a thoughtful pause. ¡°I guess that depends on whether Prejudice puts up a fight,¡± he said finally, his voice quieter now. The massive gate loomed closer, its shimmering circle catching the light like a beacon. Jack stared at it, his unease deepening. He wanted to trust Rob¡¯s confidence, but he couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that a storm was coming. *** Ch. 144 - Ryder The food market outside the Pearl Gate was every bit as bustling as Embersgate¡¯s. The difference lay in the aroma. While Embersgate¡¯s market had been rich with the sharp tang of citrus, Pearlsgate¡¯s was heartier, filled with the scent of smoked meats, roasted roots and the nutty undertones of dried grains. Rob stopped by a stall where a player was expertly crafting jerky from a fresh velociraptor tail. The chef, a muscular man with a headband holding back his sweat-soaked hair, dipped long strips of meat into a glaze before laying them across a sizzling grill. The glaze bubbled, releasing a burst of sweetness mixed with the charring meat''s scent. Finished jerky smoked lightly over glowing embers on a small rack nearby, their edges darkened to a perfect crisp. With a deft hand, the chef sprinkled bright red flakes onto the drying strips, adding a final touch of color and spice. ¡°One serving?¡± the chef offered with a beaming smile, his voice cutting through the hum of the market. ¡°Yes, please,¡± Rob replied, handing over three gold without hesitation. Jack watched the transaction with a mix of astonishment and mild envy. Three gold for a meal? Were all players at Rob¡¯s level this rich, or was his cousin just an exception? Still, as Rob accepted the neatly wrapped portion of Veloci-Jerky, Jack couldn¡¯t deny that it looked worth every coin. Veloci-Jerky (Uncommon) Smoked strips of velociraptor tail marinated in thunderleaf sap and ember pepper. Item effects: Jack¡¯s only regret was that, as an observer, he couldn¡¯t actually taste it. Judging by the vibrant colors of the jerky and his cousin¡¯s gusto, it had to be incredible. Empowered for the upcoming battle, Rob joined the steadily moving line at the gate, his mood visibly lifted by the meal. Jack finally let the questions swirling in his mind spill out. ¡°Prejudice¡­¡± Jack murmured. ¡°I haven¡¯t heard of them.¡± ¡°They¡¯re well-established as mercs,¡± Rob explained. ¡°They¡¯re not the biggest guild, but they¡¯ve got serious talent. IronIre¡¯s fought with and against them before. Their leader, Ryder, is one of the few players who can actually go toe-to-toe with the Slayer. And he doesn¡¯t just hold his ground¡ªhe wins.¡± Jack¡¯s eyebrows shot up. ¡°Really?¡± ¡°Yeah,¡± Rob said, practically buzzing with excitement. ¡°Ryder and four other Prejudice knights once held off twenty IronIre members¡ªincluding the Slayer¡ªand still managed to steal a wild boss we were after. If anyone can handle the Slayer, it¡¯s Ryder.¡± Jack hummed thoughtfully, his mind racing. A conflict between two guilds, especially one involving a player like Ryder, sounded like a spectacle worth witnessing. ¡°Let¡¯s hope this Ryder guy keeps the Slayer too busy to bother you,¡± Jack said. ¡°That¡¯s the plan,¡± Rob replied. The Pearl Gate loomed ahead, its mother-of-pearl insignia catching the sunlight in dazzling hues of pink, blue, and gold. The guards stationed here didn¡¯t seem any more respectable than the ones at Embersgate. Some lazed around, gambling with dice on overturned barrels, while others called players randomly from the line. ¡°Hey, you!¡± one barked, pointing at Rob just as he reached the exit. ¡°Good morning, guard!¡± Rob responded cheerfully. ¡°I¡¯m in the mood for some acrobatics. Care to entertain me and the boys?¡± ¡°Sorry. Too busy,¡± Rob said casually, flicking a coin toward the guard. The guard caught it with practiced ease, bit into it, and grinned. ¡°Thank you for your patronage, sir.¡± Jack shook his head in disbelief. Rob really is rich. And on top of everything, he¡¯s a rogue! Acrobatics would¡¯ve been a piece of cake for him. Rob stepped through the gate, and the landscape beyond came into view. There was no dense jungle. Beyond the clearing, where players milled about in groups or waited in line to enter the city, stretched a vast meadow. The endless green rippled gently in the wind like waves on a calm sea. ¡°It¡¯s so open out here,¡± Jack said, his voice tinged with awe. ¡°Right,¡± Rob replied. ¡°Have you ever traveled east from Embersgate alongside the wall?¡± ¡°Yeah,¡± Jack said, scratching his head. ¡°Until I reached a swamp.¡± Rob nodded knowingly. ¡°The rivers here flood down into that area, creating the marsh between the jungle and the plains. If you¡¯d kept traveling east, you would¡¯ve eventually ended up at this gate.¡± Without waiting for a response, Rob took off, darting into the open fields. The meadows were alive with activity. Here and there, groups of low-level players hunted grazing herbivores or defended themselves from roaming predators. Small streams snaked through the grasslands, their crystal-clear water sparkling in the sunlight. If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. To their left, a group of four players battled a mid-sized dinosaur¡ªa horned beast with scaly green skin and a thick, club-like tail. The dinosaur let out a guttural roar, its muscular tail swinging in a wide arc toward the party¡¯s tank. The tank stood firm, bracing his shield just in time to deflect the blow. His teammates retaliated with a volley of arrows and bombs. A grenadier lobbed an explosive that struck the dinosaur¡¯s side, leaving a scorched patch of flesh and eliciting another angry bellow. Finally, a rogue darted in from behind, twin daggers gleaming as they plunged into the beast¡¯s exposed flank. The dinosaur staggered forward, let out a final, guttural cry, and collapsed. The ground trembled slightly under its weight. ¡°Nicely done!¡± one of the players shouted, already looting the creature¡¯s corpse while the others caught their breath. Rob didn¡¯t slow, weaving effortlessly through the activity and deeper into the plains. He had to cross several creeks and swim through a river. Beyond it, the terrain grew steeper as the meadow transitioned into rolling hills. Jack¡¯s breath caught in his throat when Rob crested one of the hills. They had reached the battlefield. At the center of it all was the massive carcass of a red triceratops. Its body was a mountain of flesh, and its once-proud shiny horn caught the sunlight like a beacon. All around it, players clashed in a chaotic melee. Swords flashed, arrows arced through the air, and explosions from thrown bombs sent dirt and grass flying. The shouts of commands, battle cries, and the clash of steel created a deafening symphony of war. ¡°There¡¯s the fight,¡± Rob said, dropping into a crouch. Jack scanned the battlefield, his heart racing as he took in the chaos. IronIre¡¯s warriors were unmistakable. Their brutal, close-quarters combat resembled a pack of jackals tearing into their prey. Swords flashed, axes swung wildly, and shields smashed into enemy lines with a ferocity that was as unnerving as it was effective. It wasn¡¯t coordinated or calculated¡ªit was raw, unrelenting aggression. ¡°Is it just me, or does everyone in IronIre look like they¡¯re trying to out-Slayer the Slayer?¡± Jack muttered. Rob snorted. ¡°That¡¯s the thing about IronIre. The guy¡¯s bloodlust rubs off on people. If you fight alongside him long enough, it¡¯s like you forget what strategy even is.¡± ¡°Do you also fight like that?¡± Jack asked, trying to wrap his head around it. His cousin was usually so chilled. Rob laughed weakly. ¡°It¡¯s hard to explain. It¡¯s impossible to understand unless you¡¯ve fought side by side with someone like the Slayer. There¡¯s this¡­ fire in him. When he¡¯s at your side, nothing scares you. Nothing feels impossible.¡± For the first time, Jack heard something other than fear in Rob¡¯s voice. There was genuine respect. Jack frowned, caught off guard. There was more to this Slayer kid than met the eye¡ªsomething that had drawn Rob to him. Jack¡¯s gaze shifted to the Slayer himself, an unmistakable presence even amidst the chaos. Bare-chested with a wolf pelt draped over his shoulders, he wielded two massive swords as though they were weightless. His swings were brutal and unrelenting, each strike leaving devastation in its wake. The Slayer wasn¡¯t fighting alongside his guildmates. Instead, he was deep in enemy lines, a one-man hurricane of destruction. Players scattered in his wake, their health bars plummeting faster than Jack could track. Even IronIre¡¯s own warriors seemed wary of him, instinctively giving him space as he tore into Prejudice¡¯s forces with reckless abandon. The few who stayed close were cautious, their attacks half-hearted as if afraid of becoming collateral damage. There was a wildness to him, a drooling rage that seemed almost too real for a game. Jack shivered. On the other side of the battlefield, Prejudice¡¯s forces moved like clockwork. Their core held the line against IronIre¡¯s reckless assault while their knights orbited the battle in perfect formation. As the IronIre frontline seemed about to break through Prejudice¡¯s formation, the cavalry charged IronIre¡¯s back line, cutting through IronIre¡¯s defenses with surgical precision. The warriors of IronIre were forced to fall back to support their comrades, but by the time they arrived, the cavalry had already retreated. Prejudice¡¯s discipline and strategy were slowly wearing down IronIre¡¯s unrelenting rage, and Jack could see the frustration building among IronIre¡¯s players as their scattered attempts to regroup fell apart. ¡°Prejudice looks a lot more organized,¡± Jack said. ¡°They are,¡± Rob replied. ¡°Ryder runs a tight ship. See those cavalry charges? They¡¯re not just picking off players¡ªthey¡¯re going straight for our rangers and beastmasters. They know exactly who to take out to disrupt us.¡± Jack watched as a group of IronIre rangers scrambled for cover, only to be intercepted by a trio of Prejudice knights. The clash was swift and brutal, the rangers forced to retreat deeper into IronIre¡¯s lines. ¡°And what¡¯s IronIre¡¯s plan to deal with that?¡± Jack asked. Rob let out a bitter laugh. ¡°Plan? With the Slayer in charge, the plan is always the same¡ªfollow him, hit harder, and hope it works. Strategy isn¡¯t exactly our thing.¡± Jack frowned, his eyes drawn back to the Slayer as he cleaved through another group of players. His health bar dipped alarmingly low at times, only for him to sidestep a lethal blow or tank a hit with sheer brute force. Every movement was calculated chaos, a dangerous blend of skill and madness that kept even Prejudice¡¯s disciplined ranks on edge. If he seems not to care about his own safety, how can he care for my cousin¡¯s? Watching the Slayer, he couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that Rob¡¯s guild didn¡¯t deserve his loyalty. ¡°Rob,¡± Jack said, his tone serious. ¡°When you talked to the Slayer, didn¡¯t you hint that they had gotten help from someone?¡± ¡°Yeah. So?¡± Rob asked, his tone guarded. ¡°Well¡­ Why not say it was Prejudice who aided Amari?¡± Jack suggested. ¡°Prejudice? That¡¯s¡­ risky.¡± ¡°Think about it. They¡¯re already butting heads with IronIre. If the Slayer thinks they¡¯re in cahoots with Amari, he¡¯ll stay focused on them instead of you¡ªor us.¡± Rob shook his head, his unease deepening. ¡°The Slayer¡¯s not stupid, Jack. If I tell him that, and it doesn¡¯t add up, it could backfire. He¡¯s all pure instinct. The guy¡¯s sharp when it comes to sniffing out lies. In my opinion, it¡¯s better to let him keep clashing with Ryder and just stay out of it. Trust me, you don¡¯t want to see what happens when the Slayer thinks someone¡¯s playing him.¡± Jack hesitated. ¡°Okay, but that¡¯s it? You keep feeding him vague leads and hope he doesn¡¯t get suspicious?¡± Rob let out a bitter laugh. ¡°That¡¯s the plan, yeah. It¡¯s not like I have a better one. I¡¯m just trying to keep him off your backs long enough for Amari to rebuild his strength and for you guys to level up enough to defend yourselves.¡± Jack looked down at the battlefield, the chaos below mirroring the conflict in his mind. He just wished he could find a way to get his cousin out of this situation. A message broke Jack¡¯s thoughts. AmariNinja: ¡°Hi, Jack! I¡¯m done here. Ready to log back in?¡± JackOfDiamonds: ¡°Coming.¡± Jack sighed, closing the chat window. ¡°Rob, my team is logging back in. I¡¯m going. What will you do?¡± Rob stood, twirling his daggers as though testing their weight. ¡°I¡¯m going to join the fray. If I want to keep the Slayer off your backs, I need to stay in his good graces. That means proving myself¡ªagain.¡± Jack lingered, watching as Rob descended the hill with long strides. Before long, he slipped seamlessly into IronIre¡¯s chaotic ranks, joining a berserker in trying to unseat a knight from her horse. His movements were precise, deadly, and so unlike the relaxed cousin Jack knew outside the game. Jack clenched his fists, frustration simmering beneath the surface. Rob shouldn¡¯t have to keep risking himself for their sake. One day, Jack vowed, he¡¯d be strong enough¡ªstrong enough to protect his team and strong enough to pull Rob out of IronIre¡¯s shadow. With that, Jack exited spectator mode, leaving his cousin to the chaos below. Ch. 145 - Snow The shift from being a passenger aboard Rob¡¯s head amidst a battlefield in the rolling hills outside Pearlsgate to returning to the cramped path in the mountains of the Breach left Jack a little dizzy. He slapped his cheeks a few times to snap himself out of it and started moving. ¡°Hi, everyone!¡± came the message from Horace, his cheerful tone practically leaping off the screen. ¡°Hi, guys! Thank you so much for waiting. I¡¯m sorry it took me so long,¡± Amari sent. That¡¯s right! The video! Jack smiled despite himself and quickly typed back, ¡°How did the video turn out?¡± ¡°It turned out amazing,¡± Amari replied almost immediately. ¡°I¡¯ve scheduled it for release in a couple of hours. Once it¡¯s live, I¡¯ll send you the link.¡± Jack nodded to himself. At least something''s going smoothly, he thought, but his expression soon darkened. Even though he was back at the Breach with his teammates, his thoughts lingered on Rob and his situation. How was the battle going? How long could Rob keep deceiving the Slayer? And how exactly was Jack supposed to help him out of this mess? The weight of it pressed on him as he clenched his fists, the memory of Rob¡¯s determined face keeping him moving forward. The mountain trail didn¡¯t let him dwell on those questions for long. The breeze, which had been a mere whisper of cold, suddenly turned into a sharp, icy blast that cut through his clothes and sank into his bones. ¡°Why didn¡¯t I unlock a skill to make a fur coat or something?¡± he grumbled, trudging forward. His rope outfit, while functional, offered little protection here. The cold seeped through the gaps in the thick, coarse weave, chilling him to the core. ¡°This is just a game. It¡¯s just a game. Your real body is warm, wearing soft PJs, and safe in bed,¡± he muttered under his breath. It did little to help. He wrapped his arms around himself, shivering as the path climbed higher. The landscape shifted with the elevation¡ªpatches of rock and dirt gave way to streaks of frost and stubborn clumps of snow. A distant howl cut through the wind, low and mournful, sending a shiver down Jack¡¯s spine that had nothing to do with the cold. He paused, glancing around, but all he could see was the swirling snow carried by the relentless breeze. ¡°Probably just the wind,¡± he muttered. The wind grew crueler, carrying with it tiny shards of ice that pricked at his exposed skin. Jack¡¯s fingers stiffened, his movements slowing as numbness crept in. He flexed his hands, desperate to keep the blood flowing, but it wasn¡¯t enough. You¡¯ve been afflicted with the [Cold] debuff. -10% movement speed. ¡°Oh, great! As if this wasn¡¯t miserable enough.¡± His trembling hands left him no choice but to activate one of his newer skills. Fat Insulation! 10x[Roach Fat] consumed from inventory. +10 cold resistance. You¡¯re no longer [Cold]. A comforting warmth spread through his body as the skill activated, driving back the biting chill. Jack exhaled a relieved sigh, flexing his fingers as the feeling returned. For a moment, he smirked. Who knew hoarding roach fat would save my butt from freezing off? But the reprieve was brief. The farther Jack climbed, the colder it became. The wind, no longer content to nip at his clothes, now clawed at him with icy talons. The system was quick to remind him just how unforgiving the peak could be. You¡¯ve been afflicted with the [Cold] debuff. -10% movement speed. The patches of snow thickened, spreading until they blanketed the ground completely. The trail disappeared beneath drifts, forcing Jack to navigate an uneven stretch of ice and powder. Each step crunched underfoot, his sandals slipping as frost tendrils clung stubbornly to the straps. You¡¯ve been afflicted with the [Nose Icicle] debuff. 20 points of your stamina bar are now locked. ¡°Nose Icicle? Really?¡± Jack muttered, swiping at his face and finding two little icicles under his nose. Without his pitiful cold resistance and [Fat Insulation], he¡¯d be in far worse shape. Even now, with the skill active, every step felt like an effort. The path suddenly widened, spilling out into a stark field of white. Jack stopped to catch his breath, turning to look behind him. He gulped hard, realizing just how high he¡¯d climbed. The landscape ahead was no less daunting. The endless expanse of white stretched out before him, broken only by jagged black rocks. The silence was absolute, save for the howling wind. Jack shivered, though whether it was from the cold or unease, he couldn¡¯t tell. Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author. ¡°Oof. I¡¯ve made it,¡± Jack muttered, pulling up his map to confirm his location. Sure enough, he was at the peak. He paused briefly to scan the area. Amari had marked this location as suspicious but hadn¡¯t gone further after encountering the snow-covered terrain. Now it was Jack¡¯s turn to uncover whatever secrets lay hidden here¡ªand hopefully find something useful for the team. ¡°Let¡¯s go!¡± Jack adjusted his rope hat and trudged forward. The wind at his back was relentless, unbridled by the rocky outcrops that had shielded him lower down. It whipped loose snow into a swirling haze, blurring the horizon. Each step left shallow prints in the snow, but the shifting wind erased them almost as quickly as he made them. Jack squinted against the blinding white, his eyes scanning for anything unusual. Whatever¡¯s up here, he thought grimly, it better be worth the frostbite. * Holly adjusted the straps snugly around her head and leaned back on her bed. Three lectures, two labs, and four hours of tutoring in the campus library had left her body heavy with exhaustion. The day wasn¡¯t over yet¡ªthere was still studying to do¡ªbut she needed a break. She sighed as she turned on her VRX helmet. The familiar hum filled her dorm room, drowning out the whispered gossip of the other girls. When the program loaded, Holly found herself in her VR room. It was minimalist but functional¡ªa digital reflection of her disciplined, overworked life. Shelves on one wall held perfectly aligned books and notes on circuits, mechanics, and thermodynamics, while her sleek study desk was clutter-free except for a glowing to-do list hovering above it. A calming blue light suffused the room, chosen to soothe her nerves. If not for VR, Holly doubted she could keep up with her engineering program. Sleep-studying had become her lifeline. Still, even in this meticulously organized space, a pang of longing crept in whenever she glanced at the poster of New Earth. The idea of logging into a fictional world like that¡ªto quest, craft, and explore alongside other players¡ªwas a far-off dream. She didn¡¯t have the time, the money, or the freedom to lose herself in that kind of adventure. Watching streams was her compromise, her escape. Holly didn¡¯t just enjoy the streams; she needed them. They gave her a taste of the camaraderie, the thrill, the beauty of a world she couldn¡¯t afford to be part of. Sometimes, she wondered if she¡¯d ever have that kind of freedom¡ªif she could finish her program, land a good job, and finally build a life where there was time for something as frivolous as fun. Her fingers tapped at the air to open her stream feed, and the familiar algorithm greeted her with a curated list of streamers she liked. A thumbnail caught her eye: ¡°Compy Ruins Raid ¨C Exciting New Announcement!¡± ¡°That¡¯s right. It¡¯s Monday! Amari¡¯s new video is out!¡± She tapped the thumbnail, the screen flickered to life, revealing the vibrant chaos of a bustling fantasy city. Prehistoric beasts served as mounts for players navigating the cobblestone streets, their claws clicking against the stone. A troop of armored knights marched in disciplined formation, their polished gear catching the light from glowing lanterns. In the background, a grand market building loomed¡ªa structure of pale stone with arched entrances, its stained-glass windows glowing faintly as players hurried in and out, clutching satchels and parcels. Amari¡¯s warm baritone filled her VR room. ¡°Hi, everyone! Welcome back to Rising from the Ashes, my series where I¡¯m starting fresh as a ninja. As I showed you in my last video, I arrived at a gate town, where the game really begins. I¡¯ve already got some basic gear from the quest [Helping the Museum Janitor]. Make sure you check my last video where I walk you through the quest, if you haven¡¯t seen it yet.¡± Holly smirked. Amari had a way of making even the simplest quests sound like epic achievements. ¡°I¡¯m about to embark on a new adventure,¡± Amari continued, ¡°and my traveling companion is... interesting.¡± At this moment, someone stepped out from the marketplace, scanning the area until his eyes landed on Amari. He was a lean young man with short brown hair and hazel eyes. He wore practical but simple gear¡ªnothing flashy or impressive. Amari turned to him. ¡°Just a moment, Jack. I¡¯ll be right there with you.¡± Turning back to the camera, Amari smiled. ¡°Let me show you how we met.¡± The scene shifted to Amari walking the grand hallways of the Historical Society when a voice rang out, ¡°You with the buckler!¡± The camera turned to Jack, waving enthusiastically and peppering Amari with questions. Holly tilted her head. ¡°He¡¯s... kind of clueless,¡± she murmured, a slight grin forming. Then she smiled as Amari patiently answered each question. ¡°Aww. Amari¡¯s so patient. I wish my professors were like that.¡± Amari started to walk away, but Jack chased after him, clearly determined. ¡°Please, wait! I need help with this quest,¡± Jack blurted. The camera lingered on Amari¡¯s face as he weighed the request, then nodded. ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll help.¡± Holly leaned forward slightly. ¡°This Jack fellow just hit the jackpot! To have Amari help you on a quest? This should be interesting.¡± Amari went on to show Jack where to find the NPC and then took him to the taxidermy section. Jack¡¯s reaction to the stuffed compy had Holly laughing. ¡°Is this it? We just have to deal with these chickens?¡± he joked, gesturing at the diminutive dinosaur. ¡°This guy is funny,¡± Holly murmured with a giggle. But the next scene brought a sharp change in tone. The dialogue became awkward as the two prepared for their quest. ¡°We¡¯ll need to prepare some items for the trip. How much money do you have?¡± Amari asked. ¡°50 silver,¡± Jack replied, his hesitation obvious. ¡°That¡¯s too little. You¡¯ll need at least one gold to get us the necessary supplies.¡± ¡°Can¡¯t you chip in?¡± Jack asked. Holly raised an eyebrow. ¡°Are you serious? The nerve! You have Amari helping you do your quest! What more do you want?¡± Amari¡¯s sharp reply came immediately. ¡°I already am. Since you¡¯re a bushcrafter, it¡¯s your job to keep us fed and maintain stamina. Didn¡¯t you know that?¡± ¡°So, I¡¯m buying everything? What¡¯s your role then?¡± ¡°I was thinking I¡¯d get consumables to deal with the compies. Man, why are you acting so defensive? I thought you were cool,¡± Amari shot back, clearly irritated. Holly winced at the tension, but then Jack stammered, ¡°I¡ªI just wanted to check. I¡¯m sorry. I started playing the game yesterday, and I was afraid you were scamming me. I¡¯m trying to make a living out of the game. I don¡¯t even own a helmet¡ªI¡¯m just renting one. I really can¡¯t afford to use my in-game money carelessly. I was just making sure you weren¡¯t making unreasonable requests.¡± Amari sighed, his posture relaxing. ¡°I guess I can¡¯t blame you. I¡¯d be suspicious, too, if I were you.¡± Jack gave a sheepish grin. ¡°Thanks for understanding. And I promise, I¡¯ll do my part.¡± Holly leaned back, intrigued. ¡°At least he admitted he was wrong. If only every guy was like that. Hmph.¡± His honesty and willingness to learn were refreshing, and Amari, though clearly exasperated, seemed to recognize it too as he continued explaining the supplies without skipping a beat. As they wrapped up their shopping, Holly smiled. Jack wasn¡¯t like the polished players she usually watched¡ªhe was rough around the edges, awkward, and sometimes a little too bold. But there was something about him. He was authentic, maybe. She was curious to see how he¡¯d handle the rest of the quest. She kept watching the video as Jack and Amari tackled the compy raid. For a little while, the weight of deadlines, exams, and work faded away. She was right there with them¡ªlaughing at Jack¡¯s quips, marveling at Amari¡¯s expertise, and simply enjoying the adventure. Ch. 146 - Prejudice vs. IronIre Rob spotted an opening. The archer he¡¯d been eyeing had a full-healing build, her arrows trailing green smoke that healed every teammate they passed through. She had her back turned, focused on firing long-range skills to patch up Prejudice¡¯s knights. He tightened his grip on the hilt of his dagger, ready to spring through the ranks and unleash a flurry of attacks. Every downed healer in the enemy ranks added pressure to Prejudice. He took off. As he approached, something caught his attention¡ªan enemy rogue lingering in the periphery of his vision, watching him. The rogue¡¯s sharp gaze made it clear¡ªhe¡¯d seen through Rob¡¯s intentions. The enemy rogue didn¡¯t move, but his eyes tracked Rob with predatory precision. It was a silent standoff. Rob shifted his weight, considering his options. One misstep and the rogue would pounce, but if he lingered too long, he¡¯d lose his chance to strike the healer. A bead of sweat slid down his temple. He hated how these games of shadow and steel always felt like playing chess with a knife to his throat. Rob licked his lips, hesitating. Should he go for it anyway? He considered messaging one of IronIre¡¯s assassins for help breaking through, but before he could act, the enemy rogue flicked his wrist, sending poisoned needles flying in his direction. Rob dodged, but the rogue was coming his way to make sure he stayed away from the archer. He clicked his tongue in frustration. The battle between Prejudice and IronIre had devolved into a grueling stalemate. Both sides had taken heavy losses, but neither could claim the upper hand. Prejudice¡¯s pheromoners and rangers bolstered their frontline with healing bursts and supportive grenades, keeping their forces alive against IronIre¡¯s relentless assault. Rob¡¯s fingers twitched on the hilt of his dagger. Every second wasted was another chance for the archer to heal more of Prejudice¡¯s knights. But rushing in carelessly wasn¡¯t an option either. One wrong move, and he¡¯d be the one lying in the dirt. He¡¯d tried slipping through to the enemy healers multiple times, but they were well-protected. Ryder had stationed Prejudice¡¯s rogues on defensive duty, creating a frustrating wall to guard the healers and tie up IronIre¡¯s own rogue troops in endless skirmishes. His eyes flicked toward the Slayer. As always, the man dominated the battlefield, as if he were the sun and everything else revolved around him. Ryder had assigned four of Prejudice¡¯s tanks just to keep him occupied. Two tanks engaged him at a time, rotating out just before the Slayer could finish them off. Even so, their foreheads gleamed with sweat, and several had already swapped out their battered armor and shields. The Slayer was carving through their health bars faster than Prejudice¡¯s healers could restore them. Rob could feel it¡ªa breaking point was near. The Slayer was about to tear through. Rob noticed the way Ryder¡¯s knights shifted in their saddles, their horses stamping the ground with restless energy. They could feel the shift too, and they weren¡¯t about to let things go the Slayer¡¯s way. Ryder¡¯s cavalry took off, sending tremors throughout the field. They gained momentum, heading toward IronIre¡¯s backline. For a moment, Rob felt a flicker of unease. If the backline broke, there¡¯d be no regrouping, no second chances. The ground shook beneath the pounding hooves. His throat tightened as the lances lowered, gleaming like the teeth of a predator. ¡°Slayer, they¡¯re going to kill our rangers and pheromoners! If we lose our healers, we¡¯re done!¡± Wilson, one of IronIre¡¯s captains, shouted over the chaos. ¡°Fall back! Fall back!¡± For a moment, the Slayer actually paused. His weapon hung still as he surveyed the battlefield, his sharp eyes scanning the fray. Then, without hesitation, a command lit up the party chat. ¡°Don¡¯t go after the riders. All in! Charge!¡± Xana, IronIre¡¯s best grenadier and one of the few bold enough to question him, messaged back. ¡°But Slayer! What about us? Our healers¡ª¡± ¡°JUST DO AS I SAY!¡± IronIre surged forward in unison, abandoning their backline to Ryder¡¯s cavalry. A wave of fighters crashed into Prejudice¡¯s backline, their sudden aggression throwing the enemy into disarray. Rob saw his chance in the chaos. The enemy rogues faltered, their coordination unraveling under the pressure. High-value targets were left exposed. He slipped through the confusion and reached the archer he¡¯d been stalking earlier. Pommel Strike! His dagger struck true, stunning her for one second. It was all the time he needed. Bleeding Puncture! -5 -5 Triple Slash! -45 -5 -31 -5 -45 -5 Backstab! -164 The archer crumpled. Her equipment was focused entirely on healing bonuses, leaving her defense paper-thin. Rob pocketed the armor piece she dropped, his eyes already scanning for his next target. One by one, he eliminated distracted rangers and pheromoners, dismantling Prejudice¡¯s support network. If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it. IronIre¡¯s frontliners pushed forward with determination, scattering Prejudice¡¯s rangers and grenadiers. The battlefield descended into chaos as Prejudice¡¯s knights retaliated, doing the same to IronIre. Within moments, both guilds¡¯ backlines were in tatters, leaving only the frontliners to clash in a unabating melee. The tables had turned. Ryder hadn¡¯t expected IronIre to abandon their backline entirely, and his army, so reliant on its support network, was suddenly vulnerable. His shouts echoed across the battlefield as he tried to regroup, but it was every man for himself now. Rob watched the scene unfold, his pulse quickening. For the first time, Ryder¡¯s forces seemed shaken. IronIre was pushing harder, faster. Victory felt close enough to taste. Rob set his sights on Ryder. The enemy guild leader had to be at least ten levels higher than him¡ªmaybe more¡ªbut he was clearly flustered. If Rob could take him down, it would earn him serious points with the Slayer. Rob ran toward Ryder, carefully avoiding the Slayer, who could easily kill him without even realizing they were allies. The Slayer thrived in chaos, and now, with the battlefield in disarray and no healers to save Prejudice¡¯s forces, he was unstoppable. The four tanks assigned to pin him down had already fallen. Ryder seemed to realize the danger. Letting the Slayer run loose would seal his guild¡¯s defeat. Spurring his horse forward, Ryder charged. The warhorse gained momentum as Ryder activated a series of buffs, each one amplifying the power of his charge. The Slayer crossed his blades and activated [Parry] at the last possible moment. A deafening clash of metal on metal reverberated across the battlefield as Ryder¡¯s attack was canceled. Rob froze, his breath catching in his throat. He kept [Parry] off cooldown? Amid all this chaos? The Slayer¡¯s battle sense and timing left him stunned, as always. Ryder, too, was caught off guard. He recovered quickly, using his mount¡¯s speed to his advantage. Darting in and out of range, Ryder dictated the flow of the engagement, his horse carrying him just beyond the Slayer¡¯s reach. For a brief moment, a semblance of stalemate settled over the battlefield. Fighters from both guilds clashed, but many spared glances toward their leaders¡¯ duel. Everyone knew the outcome of this fight would likely decide the battle. As Rob watched, his instincts flared. From the corner of his eye, he caught movement¡ªa second rider circling wide. It was one of Ryder¡¯s best knights, Basher. The knight banged his lance against his shield, activating a series of self-buff skills while eyeing the Slayer. Then, his horse took off. Rob¡¯s heart pounded. He¡¯s going to ambush the Slayer! For a moment, he weighed his options. Should he try to save the Slayer? Should he let him die? The points he¡¯d score with the guild if he stopped this sucker punch would earn him real trust from the Slayer. His decision was made. He moved like a shadow through the chaos, slipping past distracted fighters. Timing it perfectly, he leaped with all his strength and struck the knight¡¯s helmet. Pommel Strike! The blow landed cleanly, stunning the rider and throwing him off balance. His charge faltered as the warhorse reared, breaking its momentum and sending the knight tumbling. Rob turned just in time to see the Slayer seize his moment. Ryder¡¯s brief distraction was all it took. The Slayer closed the distance in a flash, his weapon arcing through the air. Ryder¡¯s form burst into motes of light, leaving behind a shield clattering to the ground. Rob exhaled, relief washing over him as he realized he¡¯d done just enough to keep the duel clean. The battlefield fell eerily quiet for a moment. The absence of Ryder¡¯s commanding presence was palpable, a void that even the most disciplined Prejudice knights couldn¡¯t ignore. Without healers or a leader to rally them, their formation fractured. IronIre¡¯s berserkers seized the moment, surging forward. Their life-saving skills and damage-scaling abilities gave them the upper hand in a skirmish without healers. Prejudice¡¯s remaining forces, no matter how brave, couldn¡¯t hold out under the relentless assault. As the dust settled, Rob exhaled again, adrenaline still coursing through him. The field was theirs. IronIre¡¯s reckless, all-or-nothing tactics had prevailed once again. His instincts screamed a warning. He whirled toward the source of his alarm, fearing an enemy, and instead found himself face-to-face with the Slayer. The towering guild leader loomed over him, his presence as overwhelming as ever. Rob felt a rush of conflicting emotions¡ªrelief, admiration, and a tinge of dread. ¡°Good timing there, Rob,¡± the Slayer said, stretching out one of his bear-sized hands. Rob gulped and took it, shaking firmly. ¡°Don¡¯t mention it, Slayer.¡± The Slayer studied him, his gaze sharp and probing. ¡°Don¡¯t you usually hang out in Thundergate? How are you all the way out here? Oh, wait a minute.¡± His eyes narrowed slightly. ¡°You were chasing Amari and the others, weren¡¯t you?¡± Rob¡¯s heart skipped a beat. Jack¡¯s prophecy of doom had come to pass. Spotting him in Pearlsgate had jogged the Slayer¡¯s memory. Worse, with Prejudice defeated, the Slayer was already hunting for his next challenge. Rob forced a casual smile. ¡°That¡¯s right. I heard the guild message and came running.¡± ¡°Any news on where he is?¡± The Slayer¡¯s voice hardened, his intensity making it clear this wasn¡¯t small talk. ¡°Not yet,¡± Rob replied quickly, keeping his tone even. ¡°Still looking into some leads.¡± The Slayer tilted his head, an eyebrow rising. ¡°Leads? What leads?¡± Rob¡¯s mind raced. Great. Now what do I say? The thought of the Slayer turning his attention to his cousin churned Rob¡¯s stomach. I have to keep playing along, no matter what it costs. Before he realized it, he was already spinning the lie Jack had suggested. ¡°Actually, it has to do with Prejudice.¡± ¡°Say what?¡± the Slayer asked, his interest piqued. ¡°Amari paid Prejudice for protection,¡± Rob said, forcing his tone to remain steady. The Slayer paused, considering the claim. His eyes narrowed slightly. ¡°Really? How did you find this out?¡± ¡°I was lucky,¡± Rob replied, his words flowing faster than his thoughts. ¡°They closed a deal near a hobo NPC. I paid for the information through the slum network.¡± The hidden NPCs in the slums weren¡¯t cheap, and using them was always a gamble. Players had to pay 300 gold upfront with no guarantee of valuable information. However, if a target¡¯s interactions occurred within earshot of one of the many beggars scattered throughout the city, the NPCs could reveal good intel. All that¡¯s left is to see if he¡¯ll buy it. Will he believe I¡¯d fork over 300 gold just for a lead like that? Rob¡¯s thoughts churned. It depends on whether he thinks I love the guild that much. The Slayer¡¯s gaze lingered, sharp enough to carve through Rob¡¯s composure. Then his eyes flicked to the spot where Rob had intercepted Basher. His lips curved into a faint, approving smile. ¡°Those hints aren¡¯t cheap. Well done. Feel free to withdraw the sum from the guild¡¯s vault. You shouldn¡¯t have to cover that yourself.¡± ¡°T-thank you, Slayer.¡± The Slayer turned toward the spot where Ryder had fallen. ¡°So Amari has sided with Prejudice. I thought he despised mercs.¡± A grin spread across his face, sharp and dangerous. ¡°I guess I really broke him, huh? But if he¡¯s clinging to them¡­.¡± His expression darkened. ¡°It just means he has more to lose.¡± Turning back to Rob, he added, ¡°Good job stunning Basher. And good job finding out about Amari and the others. Keep at it. I want to know his level and where he¡¯s hunting. Once he hits 30, I¡¯ll go after him,¡± the Slayer said, pausing thoughtfully. ¡°If I take off all my armor and fight him with my bare hands, we should be even in terms of stats.¡± He started to walk away, and Rob exhaled deeply, relief washing over him. It worked. It worked. I can¡¯t believe it. But the Slayer stopped and turned back, his gaze locking onto Rob. ¡°Rob?¡± ¡°Yes, Slayer?¡± Rob¡¯s voice wavered slightly despite himself. ¡°Send me a video of him once you find him, will you?¡± ¡°Sure thing!¡± As the Slayer left, Rob¡¯s breath hitched, his stomach knotting. A video. Proof. There was no way to bluff his way out of that. He glanced westward toward Embersgate. Alright, cousin. I bought you a couple of days at most. But I can¡¯t keep shielding you forever. Ch. 147 - The First Fan ¡°Yes!¡± Holly exclaimed, throwing her fist up in triumph as the rewards from Amari and Jack¡¯s quest flashed on the screen. It felt like she¡¯d earned those rewards herself. Amari appeared at the end of the video, his signature grin lighting up the screen. ¡°Hi, folks! What did you think of this video? Did you have fun?¡± Holly nodded as if he could see her. ¡°That was a good one. Well done, Amari.¡± ¡°What about Jack? Did you enjoy meeting him?¡± In her mind, she responded. Watching Amari¡¯s crew was always a blast¡ªthey were a well-oiled machine, seamless and efficient. But Jack was a nice addition, a wildcard. His inexperience brought unpredictability, keeping her on edge. She kept waiting for the mistake that would ruin everything. But somehow, against all odds, he¡¯d pulled through, completing the quest alongside Amari. ¡°I guess I did enjoy meeting him,¡± she thought. ¡°Shortly after we completed this quest together, Jack unlocked a hidden class! One that¡¯s completely unprecedented in the game¡¯s history: the handyman class.¡± Holly sat up straighter, her eyes narrowing. ¡°What?! A hidden class? How?¡± Either he¡¯d stumbled into it by sheer luck, or maybe there was more to him than she¡¯d given him credit for. Hidden classes were her obsession. She loved how they broke the mold, offering something new and exciting. She followed every streamer who shared details about theirs. ¡°I¡¯m excited to announce that Jack has officially joined my crew,¡± Amari continued. ¡°To celebrate, I¡¯m releasing the first adventure the four of us went on together. Plus, we¡¯re starting a new series about Jack¡¯s unique gameplay and the cool traits of his class. If you¡¯re into crafting, you¡¯re going to love this. The first episode comes out later this week. Stay tuned for The Rise of the Handyman! And if you haven¡¯t subscribed yet, now¡¯s the time.¡± Holly¡¯s curiosity burned. ¡°Handyman. I wonder what that does.¡± Did it tie into his pottery and bushcrafting? Or was it based on some obscure mechanic no one had figured out yet? At the end of the video, a link appeared for Jack¡¯s first adventure with Amari¡¯s crew. Holly glanced at the clock, hesitating as a pile of notes on her desk caught her eye. But then she shrugged. ¡°Just one video,¡± she told herself. ¡°I¡¯ve earned a break.¡± She clicked the link, watching as Amari¡¯s team took on a quest collecting bugs. * Beware! Wave 12 comes. It had been two hours, and despite Jack¡¯s best efforts, he still hadn¡¯t found anything in this forsaken peak. The notifications that kept coming, which should be boosting his morale, were actually discouraging him. Marie had unlocked a hidden package, granting them all 50 more HP, and Amari had discovered a necklace that doubled all of his attributes for one minute but could only be used once¡ªand only inside the Breach. Amari had sent the link to the first videos featuring him, and even though he wanted to watch them, he just couldn¡¯t right now, not with having to explore this frozen wasteland. Jack¡¯s only consolation was that Horace had also come up empty-handed in his search near the fortress. How am I supposed to find anything in these conditions? Jack thought bitterly. At this rate, I¡¯ll waste hours and come up with nothing. Maybe I should just move on to a different pin. He glanced at his map. Two hours remained before he had to return to the fortress. Maybe it was time to call it a day. Just as he was about to give up, a faint sound carried on the breeze. It was subtle at first, almost lost beneath the howling wind. But as Jack stopped and tilted his head, it grew clearer¡ªsharp, grating, and rhythmic. It reminded him of a car horn, discordant and out of place in the wilderness. Curiosity prickled his spine as he followed the sound. The wind whipped around him, flinging loose snow into his face as he climbed a small rise. Against the black rock ahead, he spotted a flash of red and white. Jack¡¯s heart quickened as he approached. The shape became clearer: a goat, sleek and furry, lay half-buried in the snow. Its back was pressed against a jagged rock. There was blood staining the snow before it. Its wide eyes turned to Jack as he approached. Maybe that¡¯s the hidden package! Jack reasoned. A goat for milk between waves would be genius. He stepped closer, his movements deliberate to avoid startling it. But something nagged at him. The goat was strangely calm, its eyes unblinking as they tracked him. ¡°Shouldn¡¯t it be scared since it¡¯s hurt?¡± he murmured. As he moved closer, his gaze fell to the snow around it. A splash of red stained the ground near its hooves, stark against the white. The blood wasn¡¯t a trail, just a single, vivid splash, as though something had been struck or cut nearby. This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings. The goat¡¯s fur, however, was clean and pristine. No sign of a wound. This doesn¡¯t make sense. Jack frowned, unease curling in his stomach. Where¡¯s the source of the blood? As Jack stepped closer, the ground beneath him shifted with a low, ominous groan. Oh no. The snow gave way with a deafening crack, the crust collapsing into a hidden crevasse. Jack¡¯s balance vanished as the world tilted beneath him. ¡°Aaahh!¡± he screamed, tumbling through the cascading snow, the wind roaring in his ears. The world spun in a blur of white until he hit the bottom with a bone-jarring thud. You¡¯ve fallen! -32 The impact rattled his body, knocking the air from his lungs. Snow seeped through his clothes, the cold stinging his skin as he lay dazed. His head swam, thoughts sluggish and unfocused. Groaning, Jack tried to sit up, but something held him back. He blinked slowly, trying to make sense of his surroundings. A coarse, knotted material was hindering his movements. Jack twisted his neck and froze. He was caught in a net. ¡°What in the world?¡± Panic edged his voice as he thrashed against the ropes. The more he struggled, the tighter they seemed to pull. His breathing quickened as the realization dawned: This wasn¡¯t an accident. Someone had set this trap. His breathing quickened as questions swirled in his mind. Who would even come this far into the mountains? Why set a trap here? A sound from above snapped him out of his thoughts. Jack craned his neck to look upward. Someone¡ªor something¡ªwas climbing down into the hole. The soft flicker of a torchlight cast long, dancing shadows on the icy walls, growing brighter as it descended. He squinted against the glare, straining to make out the figure. When it finally came into view, his heart stopped. This wasn¡¯t a person. Jack¡¯s breath hitched as he got his first clear look at the creature. It was small, no taller than his waist, its bright yellow fur fluffed into tufts as if styled by chaos itself. Irregular green spots peppered its body, adding to its wild, unnatural appearance. But its face¡ªif it could be called that¡ªwas what held Jack¡¯s attention. The creature had a single, massive cat-like eye dominating the center of its head. The iris glinted like polished glass, and the pupil swiveled unnervingly as it scanned Jack, taking him in. Jack blinked rapidly, half-expecting it to disappear like a glitch in the game. But it didn¡¯t. It was very real, and it was staring right at him. His fingers twitched against the net¡¯s rough fibers, his breath forming short puffs in the freezing air. The closer the creature got, the harder it became to keep his panic from spiraling. His thoughts scrambled for context, for something familiar. Then it hit him. He¡¯d seen something like this before¡ªor at least drawings of it. Back in one of Piri¡¯s mazes, there had been crude hieroglyphs on the walls showing strange, fluffy creatures with a single eye. At the time, he¡¯d laughed and dismissed them as Piri¡¯s wild imagination. But now, hanging helplessly in a net, Jack felt no urge to laugh. ¡°What¡ªwhat even are you?¡± Jack stammered, his voice cracking as he fought to keep his fear in check. The creature called out to its colleagues at the top of the well, chittering. The sound was high-pitched and rapid, like a cross between a bird¡¯s chirp and the scrape of ice on glass. The others responded with an eerie chorus of clicks that made Jack¡¯s skin crawl. ¡°Please help me!¡± Jack pleaded. The creature paused, its massive single eye swiveling to focus on him. For a brief moment, Jack dared to hope it might listen. But instead of assisting him, it kept chittering to the others above in its strange, high-pitched language. Finally, the one-eye adjusted the net, tightening the rope around him. ¡°Hey! What are you doing?¡± Jack protested, wriggling in the net. The creature worked quickly, its one two-thumbed small hand darting around him as it secured his bindings. Within moments, Jack found himself completely immobilized. The creature climbed him and chittered urgently to its companions at the top. ¡°Wait! Let me go!¡± Jack¡¯s protests fell on deaf ears as they hoisted him up. Once out of the pit, Jack found that there were at least 20 of the creatures eyeing him from all sides. Their one-eyed stares were unnerving. As the net tightened and Jack¡¯s struggles proved futile, panic gave way to exasperation. Now what? Is this even supposed to be a Hidden Package? Stupid Piri. I knew that with her in charge of the map, things wouldn¡¯t go well. The fact she put these creatures here is a reference to when I called her cute. I knew it! She¡¯s still holding a grudge against me. But as the creatures chittered and their single eyes gleamed, Jack realized he had bigger problems than her grudge. The one-eyes huddled a few meters away, glancing furtively at him and gesturing wildly with their stubby hands. Though Jack couldn¡¯t understand their high-pitched, scratchy language, he imagined the conversation went something like this: ¡°Should we roast him or boil him?¡± ¡°Boil! Less cleanup.¡± ¡°I still think we should deep-fry him. Crunchier!¡± Jack swallowed hard. This was not how he¡¯d pictured his day going. He tried opening his inventory, but a sharp system notification popped up: You¡¯ve been trapped! Inventory is locked! He stared at the message, dread pooling in his stomach. He¡¯d been banking on using his bushcraft knife to cut himself free, but that plan was officially out the window. There¡¯s only one thing left to do. Call in the cavalry. With a flick of his wrist, Jack opened his comms and made a video call to Amari. ¡°Sup, Jack!¡± Amari greeted, grinning¡ªuntil his expression shifted to confusion. ¡°Woah! Why are you covered in a net?¡± ¡°Amari!¡± Jack hissed, glancing at the chittering one-eyes. ¡°I came to the peak, and I¡¯ve been captured. The one-eyes have taken me hostage!¡± Amari blinked. ¡°Say what, Jack?¡± ¡°Listen to me! I think they¡¯re going to eat me. You¡¯re a quick ninja, right? Run here! Come save me!¡± Before Amari could respond, a sudden, eerie howling sound rose over the wind, cutting through the creatures¡¯ chatter like a knife. Every one-eye froze mid-gesture, their giant pupils swiveling toward the direction of the noise. ¡°What was that?¡± Amari asked. ¡°I¡ªI don¡¯t know. Something¡¯s happening! COME QUICK!¡± Jack yelped. ¡°Okay, okay! I¡¯m coming. I¡¯ll be there in 20¡ªno, 15 minutes!¡± Amari said, and the screen blinked off. The creatures, apparently deciding they didn¡¯t want to stick around to meet whatever made the noise, exploded into action. It was pure chaos. A few of them darted around, covering the blood in the snow with frantic swipes of their hands. Another one tied Jack¡¯s net to the goat, which, judging by its complete lack of reaction, was clearly in on this bizarre operation. ¡°Wait¡ªwhat are you doing?¡± Jack protested as they began to drag him across the snow. Turning to the goat, he spat. ¡°And to think I wanted to help you! You traitor!¡± He struggled against the bindings, but the creatures were surprisingly strong for their size. The goat bleated lazily as though to mock him. ¡°I don¡¯t taste good! I don¡¯t taste good!¡± Jack shouted, twisting in the net as he was hauled along. The one-eyes didn¡¯t so much as glance at him, too busy dragging him toward whatever terrible fate awaited. As the creatures dragged him, Jack found himself latching onto one odd thought: Just how many fermentation bombs would it take to explode a pyramid? Ch. 148 - The Settlement The one-eyes had been carrying Jack through the snow for several minutes now. The spot where he¡¯d been captured had disappeared behind the mist of snow carried by the wind, leaving him disoriented. Each step jolted his body as the creatures dragged him along, the net biting into his arms and back with every bounce. Snow soaked into his clothes from where he¡¯d been jostled against the ground, and the cold crept deeper into his muscles with each passing second. All the while, notifications kept coming from Esther¡¯s side as she went through the loot of another wave. Esther has collected [Ischyromys Meat]. +10XP in [Butchering]. Esther has collected [Ischyromys Meat]. +10XP in [Butchering]. Congratulations! You¡¯ve reached level 6 in [Butchering]! [Skinning] has been upgraded. Skinning (Common) Skill level: 2 Skill description: You can collect the bounty of carcasses that are most easily accessible. Skill effects: Synergy detected between [Butchering] and [Bushcraft]. You¡¯ve learned a new skill: [Pelt Mantle]. Pelt Mantle (Uncommon) Skill level: 1 Skill description: Draping a pelt over your shoulders not only showcases your triumphs but also grants you the strength of the creatures you''ve hunted. Skill effects: Equipping a pelt as a cape provides minor bonuses. The most basic [Butchering] skill, the very first he¡¯d learned when plucking chicken at Jerry¡¯s farm, had been upgraded, and now there was a small chance of gaining pelts. It was good timing. Now that furry beasts had started joining the waves, this would be a new source of income. Moreover, he loved the new synergistic skill! The only item he could wear until now was [Moss Cape]. Being able to just grab a pelt and use it without any work was the perfect, lazy solution to increase stats without wasting a lot of time. As the waves grew stronger, he could immediately gain new items. Next time that the guys all get items, at least I¡¯ll have a consolation prize. The only thing that bugged him was that the Slayer wore a pelt as his only piece of equipment. He wondered if there was some sort of berserker skill that gave players this ability, too, or if berserkers gained a bonus from going into battle with nothing but a pelt over their shoulders and their underwear, like the Slayer. Jack grunted as another hard jolt sent him spinning slightly in the net, his shoulder slamming against a rock hidden beneath the snow. What he wouldn¡¯t give to have a pelt already. It would protect him much more from the stones and the cold than his moss cape. ¡°Would it kill you to be a little more careful?¡± he complained, though the One-Eyes didn¡¯t seem to care. Their strange, feline gazes swept the horizon, their single eyes swiveling as if they could pierce through the mist of blowing snow. The farther they carried him from the ambush site, the more relaxed they seemed, though their vigilance never completely faded. Their erratic movements softened into a steady pace, their shoulders rising and falling as they chittered softly to one another. Occasionally, one would stop to scan their surroundings, its head tilting at an unnatural angle, and then motion for the group to continue. Jack watched them through half-lidded eyes, trying to make sense of their behavior. Whatever they were looking for, they seemed nervous about being caught. He bit into the coarse fibers of the net in frustration, but his teeth barely made a dent. Without his inventory, he had no knife, no rope-cutting tool¡ªnothing but his wits and the hope that Amari would get to him in time. The thought of the ninja scaling the mountain at breakneck speed offered some small comfort. Still, Jack couldn¡¯t shake the unease curling in his gut. The One-Eyes weren¡¯t stopping, and the chittering between them was growing louder. A dark, large shape loomed ahead as the One-Eyes trudged through the snow. Jack squinted, trying to make it out through the misty haze. It was a rock wall¡ªmassive, jagged, and imposing. One of the mountain¡¯s final attempts to challenge the sky, Jack thought grimly. Whatever lay beyond that wall was hidden by swirling clouds and flurries of snow, though Jack couldn¡¯t imagine the mountain growing much taller than this. The One-Eyes marched directly toward a narrow crack in the wall, the jagged aperture barely wide enough for Jack to squeeze through. The creatures lined up single file, chittering softly as they disappeared one by one into the fissure. The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. Jack craned his neck, straining to see beyond them. His heart sank as the end of the crack came into view, seemingly blocked. He frowned, narrowing his eyes. It wasn¡¯t rock blocking the passage¡ªit was something else. Something soft. Hide? The One-Eyes pushed through the material with ease, vanishing into whatever lay beyond. When Jack¡¯s turn came, the net pressed against the hide, and the material stretched around him like taut fabric before snapping back into place. The texture was coarse and leathery, and the faint scent of musk clung to it. On the other side, the air felt thicker, warmer, and tinged with an earthy smell that made Jack¡¯s nose crinkle. His first thought as he emerged was how stifling it was compared to the crisp, biting cold outside. This place smelled like a crowded bus with broken AC in the summer. His second thought, as his eyes adjusted to the dim, filtered light, was disbelief. It¡¯s a village! The One-Eye¡¯s settlement was cramped and vertical, every inch of the jagged walls covered in ladders, ropes, and small, spherical structures that looked like hide-wrapped pods. The entire space was enveloped by an enormous membrane, creating a massive, tent-like roof. The village buzzed with activity. One-Eyes peeked out from their hanging pods, their single eyes glinting as they observed Jack with a mixture of curiosity and caution. Others scurried along the lattice of ropes, their movements precise and practiced, like spiders in a web. They were surprisingly agile climbers even though they only had one hand. Jack grunted as the net holding him was dragged unceremoniously through the hard ground. Pain shot through his side where the ropes pressed against his ribs. Finally, they stopped. The One-Eyes quickly climbed up the nearest ropes, forming a loose circle above him. Their single eyes all turned upward, and Jack followed their gaze. Descending slowly from the heights of the village was a One-Eye unlike any Jack had seen. While the others had yellow fur with green polka dots, this one had green fur with yellow spots. Its movements were deliberate, its posture exuding an air of authority. Jack couldn¡¯t tell if it was a leader or something else entirely, but the deference from the others was unmistakable. The green-furred One-Eye reached the ground and approached Jack. Its massive eye studied him with unnerving focus, scanning him from head to toe. Jack felt like a bug under a magnifying glass. The creature began chittering urgently, its voice sharp and rhythmic, like the rapid clicking of stones. The other One-Eyes above responded in a chorus, their tones rising and falling as though engaged in some kind of debate. ¡°What does that mean?¡± Jack asked, his voice cracking slightly. One of the yellow-furred One-Eyes dropped down from the ropes, holding a sharp knife. Its single eye was fixed intently on Jack, unblinking. ¡°Wait! I won¡¯t tell anyone you guys live here. I swear!¡± Jack¡¯s voice rose in desperation. ¡°Please don¡¯t eat me. I taste terrible!¡± The One-Eye ignored his pleas, stepping closer with the knife gleaming in the dim light. Jack¡¯s heart pounded as he squeezed his eyes shut. At least I¡¯ll resurrect because of that [Lazarus Herb] Horace picked up, he thought bitterly. And then this nightmare can finally be over. A harsh scraping sound pierced the tense air, and Jack flinched. When nothing happened, he cracked one eye open cautiously. The One-Eye was cutting the net, not him. Jack blinked in confusion as the ropes fell away, freeing him from the confines of the net. He stared at the creature, who stared back, its knife now lowered. ¡°What¡­ you¡¯re letting me go?¡± Jack asked hesitantly. The One-Eye didn¡¯t respond, climbing up the ladder again. Jack stood up straight, brushing snow off his clothes as he did. Now that he was upright, the One-Eyes seemed smaller and less imposing, barely a third of his size. Their bright, unblinking eyes still unnerved him, though. The ones who had carried him remained on guard, their heads swiveling slightly to track his every move. The green-furred village elder chirped a few sharp notes and turned its back to Jack, walking away with deliberate steps. Jack hesitated, unsure of what was expected of him. He glanced around, noting the way the other One-Eyes kept their distance, crouched on ropes or clinging to ladders like wary spectators. When he failed to follow, one of the yellow-furred One-Eyes on the ropes above him kicked him in the head with its small, surprisingly tough foot. ¡°Ouch!¡± Jack yelped, rubbing his temple. ¡°I¡¯ve got it! I¡¯ve got it!¡± The One-Eye chittered something that sounded like a mix of impatience and amusement before retreating. Jack sighed and followed after the elder, ducking under a low-hanging rope as they wove through the cramped village. The narrow walkways and clustered pods gave way to a wider space, the crack in the rock gradually opening up into a chamber. In a village so cramped, the chamber was prime real estate. It felt expansive in comparison, with its high ceilings and rough-hewn walls. A fire burned in the center of the room, its flickering light lighting the many drawings on the stone. The warmth was a welcome change from the frigid air outside, and Jack stepped closer to the flames, feeling his fingers tingle as the cold left them. The walls of the chamber were covered in drawings etched into the rock with surprising precision. Despite the stone-age setting of the village, the illustrations had a hieroglyphic quality, reminiscent of the carvings Jack had seen in the pyramid. The village elder gestured with one stubby hand toward the wall, chittering softly as it pointed to a sequence of images. Jack stepped closer, studying the story they told. The first image showed a group of One-Eyes herding goats, the creatures¡¯ distinctive horns and shaggy coats rendered in careful detail. In the background, smaller One-Eyes¡ªchildren, Jack realized¡ªplayed in the snow, their tiny bodies huddled together. The next panel was darker. A massive bear loomed over the One-Eyes, its body disproportionately large and menacing. Its jaws were open, teeth bared as it charged the group. Dead One-Eyes lay scattered in the snow, their bodies tiny and defenseless against the beast. Jack¡¯s breath hitched as he stared at the bear. He recognized it immediately¡ªthe short-faced bear he¡¯d driven out of its lair. Was this what the bear had been eating? The One-Eyes and their goats? Had he unknowingly saved them? His thoughts raced as he moved to the next image, which depicted a battle. The One-Eyes were grouped together, wielding crude spears and rocks as they faced off against several bears. The struggle was chaotic, with more bodies strewn across the snow, but the One-Eyes stood their ground. The final panel showed the One-Eyes retreating into the crack in the rock, the bears snarling outside but unable to follow. Inside, the One-Eyes appeared to regroup, their figures gathered closely as they built their strange, towering village. Jack frowned, his eyes lingering on the final image. These creatures had been forced to retreat to this cramped, hidden space to escape the bears. He glanced at the elder, whose large eye remained fixed on him. The One-Eye didn¡¯t move, its gaze unblinking and unreadable. Was this some kind of test? A warning? Or a plea for help? The drawings show more than one bear. Could there be more of them out here in the snow? Was that why they built that trap? Does he want my help in hunting the other ones? As he finished studying the sequence, a soft chime interrupted his thoughts. You¡¯ve learned a new pottery recipe: [The One-Eyes and the Bears]. Ch. 149 - The Bears Jack blinked, his eyebrows lifting slightly as he processed the notification. ¡°Pottery etching?¡± he muttered. Of all the things to learn here, an etching recipe was the last thing he expected to find. Pottery etching was a skill Jack had learned what felt like an eternity ago while tackling the [Jack of All Trades] quest. It allowed him to engrave beautiful patterns on ceramics. Until now, he had relied on his artistic instincts to create designs ranging from waves, swirls, and simple lines to adding customers'' names to pieces. The only etching recipe he had was one he¡¯d picked up when he became a handyman: [Rope Etching]. It involved tying a rope to a pot, imprinting the fibers¡¯ pattern onto its surface. Firing the pot with the rope still wrapped around it would burn the rope away, leaving a unique engraved design. The recipe wasn¡¯t anything special¡ªit added no more artistry points than if Jack had created his own patterns. Still, the result was beautiful. But this¡ªdrawing an actual image¡ªwas a first. It reminds me of those vases I saw at the Historical Society, Jack thought, recalling the day he met Professor Grant and Amari. While walking through the exhibit on his way to the professor¡¯s office, a series of vases had captured his attention. They told a story of a blacksmith crafting a sword, climbing a mountain, and placing it in a scabbard of a statue where it was struck by lightning. Back then, Jack had assumed the drawings were clues to some sort of quest. He hadn¡¯t considered that the patterns themselves might be valuable, holding benefits for the pottery pieces engraved with them. So far, the only tangible benefit of using the Pottery Etching recipe was gaining artistry stats. Jack had seen that artistry boosted the value of items, though he still didn¡¯t know why. Felix had mentioned that it made a house more versatile, but the details were fuzzy. He opened the description of the recipe. [The One-Eyes and the Bears] Recipe: Etching pattern 1: Peace Etching pattern 2: Preyed Upon Etching pattern 3: Battle Etching pattern 4: Retreat The description was little more than a copy of the drawings he was seeing on the cave¡¯s wall. So, I guess I have to make these four scenes into a pot¡ªor maybe spread them across four pots, like what I saw at the Historical Society. Around this time, Jack received a message. ¡°I¡¯m already at the peak.¡± Jack messaged back: ¡°There have been some developments.¡± He attached a brief video he¡¯d recorded of the village and added: ¡°Please stay put. I¡¯ll message you in a moment.¡± ¡°Take your time,¡± Amari texted back. Jack found himself torn. The one-eyed elder was clearly worried about the threat of the bears, but the other drawings on the chamber walls could hold more etching recipes! If they really were as valuable as he suspected, he couldn¡¯t ignore them. His gaze flicked between the carvings and the elder. Finally, unable to resist, Jack gestured toward the nearest set of carvings. ¡°Can I take a look?¡± he asked, glancing at the elder. The elder¡¯s chittering grew sharper, their single hand stabbing repeatedly in the direction of the bears. Their one eye narrowed, their expression taut with urgency as they pointed again. ¡°I get it,¡± Jack said, raising his hands. ¡°You want me to get rid of the bears for you. But let me check out the other drawings first. Is that okay?¡± The elder let out a loud, protesting screech, their hand curling into a fist as they pounded it against the ground in frustration. Ears burning, Jack ignored the elder and inspected the carvings nearby. The images next to the bears depicted a completely different scene: one-eyed figures helping a goat give birth, milking goats, making cheese, and preparing a feast by slaughtering a goat. Jack leaned in, studying the sequence carefully, his fingertips brushing the rough, timeworn carvings as he waited for a notification. Nothing happened. I need to have the elder¡¯s blessing to learn it, Jack reasoned. Fair enough. There were ten sets of carvings on the walls, and unlocking them all at once would¡¯ve been a bit overpowered. Jack¡¯s gaze swept over the room again, imagining the secrets these carvings might hold. Would he even have enough time to learn them all before the Breach was over? Still, the discovery sent a thrill through him. Pottery had always been his favorite minor¡ªnot just because of Felix, though his influence couldn¡¯t be ignored. There was something calming about shaping clay, about turning something raw into something functional and beautiful. The prospect of uncovering a new layer to the craft made his heart beat faster. Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences. With a sigh, Jack turned his attention back to the bears. The engravings confirmed there was more than one, which meant his previous reward wouldn¡¯t be enough to unlock whatever prize was hidden here. He noticed there were never more than three bears depicted in a single image. Just to be safe, he took screenshots of the carvings, noting their arrangement and any key details. Jack thought back to the large bear he¡¯d managed to dislodge from its lair. He¡¯d only succeeded because he had prepared several bombs and Molotov cocktails beforehand and made full use of the terrain. The idea of dealing with two more wasn¡¯t exactly thrilling. Still, Piri wouldn¡¯t place this quest here if it wasn¡¯t doable¡­ right? When he was done, Jack gestured to the elder. ¡°I¡¯ll deal with the bears,¡± he said, pointing at the images and miming a swiping motion across his throat. The elder¡¯s chittering shifted to a pleased tone. They banged their fist against the ground once before pointing toward the cave exit with a quick, sweeping motion. Their movements were sharp and deliberate, as if eager for Jack to take action without delay. ¡°Fine! Fine! I¡¯m going already.¡± Jack left the village under the wary gaze of the one-eyed figures staring at him from above. As he squeezed through the crack in the wall, a piercing blast of frigid wind slammed into him, biting through his clothes and cutting into his skin. He stumbled forward, looking longingly at the warm village of the One-Eyes. ¡°I wish I could hunt the bears from the safety of the village,¡± Jack muttered, shivering. ¡°It¡¯s really cold up here.¡± As Jack walked out of the narrow passage, he realized he wasn¡¯t alone. A ninja dressed like one of the zookeepers in Embersgate leaned comfortably against the rock. His braids and black skin were covered in frost, glittering faintly under the light, but he seemed unaffected. ¡°Hi, Jack!¡± ¡°Hi, Amari! Thank you for coming.¡± Jack placed his hand on Amari¡¯s shoulder. Fat Insulation! 10x[Roach Fat] consumed from inventory. +10 cold resistance to NinjaAmari. Amari blinked as the buff activated, flexing his fingers experimentally. ¡°Oh? Neat skill. Thanks, Jack.¡± ¡°You¡¯re welcome.¡± ¡°Is the cute furry creatures¡¯ village there?¡± Amari asked, flashing Jack a grin. ¡°They¡¯re called One-Eyes, and I wouldn¡¯t exactly call them cute. But yeah, it is,¡± Jack said. Amari practically bounced on his heels, his grin splitting wider. ¡°Man, this adventure of yours, combined with the one I just finished with the archer, is shaping up to make some really interesting content!¡± ¡°I¡¯m glad,¡± Jack said. ¡°By the way, have you watched the videos I sent you?¡± Amari tilted his head, his bright eyes searching for approval. Jack shook his head, a wry grin tugging at his lips. ¡°Sorry, I¡¯ve been a bit busy¡ªtrying to survive bear attacks, getting kidnapped, and being thrown around by this piercing cold. Haven¡¯t had the chance.¡± Amari laughed, his breath misting in the cold air. ¡°Well, they¡¯re doing well. We¡¯re already getting positive comments. A lot of people enjoyed seeing you become part of our team. I¡¯m feeling confident about the crafting series.¡± ¡°Really?¡± Jack asked, his eyebrows rising. ¡°Oh yeah. We already have 2,000 views between the two videos. It¡¯s pretty good.¡± Jack¡¯s jaw dropped, his breath fogging in the cold air. ¡°Two thousand? That¡¯s¡­ incredible,¡± he said, struggling to wrap his head around the numbers. If he added up the total views from every video he¡¯d ever made, they still wouldn¡¯t come close. ¡°That¡¯s amazing. I¡¯m really glad, Amari,¡± Jack said sincerely. Amari nudged him playfully, his grin softening. ¡°Anyway, I digress. Let¡¯s focus on this package. What can you tell me about it?¡± Jack quickly navigated the menu, selected the photos he¡¯d taken of the cave wall, and sent them to Amari. Amari studied the images, leaning closer to the interface. His brow furrowed, and his lips pressed into a tight line as his eyes darted across the carvings. ¡°So, as far as I can tell, there are maybe three short-faced bears hanging around the peak. I mean¡­ it¡¯s only a guess based on the hieroglyphs in the village. The number might not mean anything,¡± Jack said. ¡°It very likely does,¡± Amari agreed. ¡°In many of the pyramid¡¯s mazes, the number of things in the drawings is usually a relevant clue. Since the pyramid is involved, logic would suggest there¡¯s a strong possibility that there are three.¡± Jack straightened instinctively, his shoulders pulling back. Hearing Amari agree with his assessment felt like a small victory. ¡°In that case, I¡¯ve already dealt with one of them,¡± he said, his voice carrying a touch of pride. Taking down a level 35 creature on his own wasn¡¯t a small feat. But as he thought of the challenges ahead, his chest deflated slightly. ¡°But there seem to be two more out there. My guess is that if we find a way to deal with the other two, we¡¯ll unlock some sort of mega package.¡± Amari nodded, a pleased smile spreading across his face. ¡°This is great work, Jack. It wouldn¡¯t be unprecedented, either. I¡¯ve seen videos from one of the streamers I follow¡ªafter they worked through four hidden packages, they unlocked an upgrade that tied them all together.¡± ¡°Really?¡± Jack asked, his curiosity piqued. ¡°Oh yeah.¡± ¡°So, what are we waiting for? Let¡¯s go bear hunting!¡± Amari chuckled. ¡°I¡¯d love to do that, but Horace and Marie really need you back. They¡¯re running low on rations. If you don¡¯t return with supplies, they¡¯ll be in trouble.¡± ¡°Okay, but we can¡¯t just leave this unfinished. What do we do?¡± Jack asked, concerned. Amari scratched his chin, his expression thoughtful. ¡°Since you found a short-faced bear on one of the routes leading to the mountain, it stands to reason that the spot I marked on the way out could be the lair of another bear.¡± Jack nodded. ¡°Do you remember if it¡¯s a cave?¡± ¡°I think so, yes,¡± Amari said after some thought. ¡°And it could very well be the spot. Why don¡¯t we start heading back along the other route? We should still have time to deal with that bear as we make our way back to the others.¡± ¡°What about the third one?¡± ¡°Did you see anything while you were up here exploring?¡± ¡°No, not really. And I did roam a lot.¡± Amari bit his lip. ¡°On my way here, and during my first pass-through, I didn¡¯t spot anything either. Maybe there¡¯s some trick to finding the last bear.¡± ¡°So what¡¯s the plan?¡± Jack asked, realizing that he was starting to act like Horace and Marie¡ªlooking to Amari to make the calls. ¡°I think we have no choice but to come back later.¡± ¡°I wish we could just finish this now. The two of us are here, after all.¡± ¡°Do you have a better idea?¡± Amari asked. Jack strained to think of a solution. A rustling sound and a bleat broke the silence. Jack and Amari froze, their eyes snapping toward the source. The rustling grew louder, followed by the crunch of footsteps in the snow. Moments later, a line of One-Eyes emerged from the crack in the wall, leading a goat. Some carried spears, others shovels, and bundles of nets rested on the goat¡¯s back. Jack tensed, watching the group pass. They barely acknowledged him and Amari before starting to march away. Seeing them, Jack slapped his forehead. ¡°Amari! I know how to find the third bear!¡±