Chapter 4

Alright, let's maximize the group size first. I'll include some moss that hasn't turned into a monster in my field of view. Since this place is in a forest, there's moss everywhere, which makes it easy.

The starting point should be a location that's easy to move around in, depending on the race, right? I wonder if there are any other players around?

Let's activate the group formation.

＜Consuming 1 action point to activate 'Group Formation Lv1'＞

＜Group size increased by 199＞

＜Group size has reached the maximum＞

＜Obtained 1 Fusion Evolution Point＞

Action Points: 9/10

Group Size: 500/500

Fusion Evolution Points: 3

＜Obtained the skill 'Group Dissolution Lv1' due to meeting the required conditions＞

Huh? I got a new skill right away. Let me check the details. Hmm, it's a skill to dissolve the group. Why would such a skill exist...?

Ah!? If I can't dissolve the group, I won't be able to move at all until someone else reduces my group size! I should probably try this out.

＜Consuming 1 action point to activate 'In-Group Movement Lv1'＞

Action Points: 9/10

Alright, I can move now. They mentioned moving the core of a mental life form, but it's basically like moving the player's perspective, right? Alright, next!

＜Consuming 1 action point to activate 'Group Dissolution Lv1'＞

Action Points: 8/10

＜Group size decreased by 250＞

Group Size: 250/500

I was able to activate the group dissolution in the same way as the group formation. But, the group size decreased by 250. There was a lot of moss in my field of view, so that must be the reason.

Anyway, I understand the movement method. I form a group with the moss in the direction I want to go, move within the group, and then dissolve the group to separate the moss I was previously on. However, since there's a limit to action points, I can't keep moving continuously.

Isn't this more troublesome than just walking? Well, it's moss, so it can't walk, so it can't be helped...

After repeating the group formation and dissolution for a while, I found a target. It seems to be a regular bear. First, I'll dissolve the group to open up the group size and wait for my action points to recover to the maximum. Alright, let's go.

Target: The bear ahead. Alright, I've confirmed the presence of moss at my feet! First, I'll move my action range to under the bear with the group formation!

＜Consuming 1 action point to activate 'Group Formation Lv1'＞

Action Points: 9/10

＜Group size increased by 200＞

Group Size: 450/500

Target: No change in the bear's behavior. Alright, regular creatures don't notice me. Well, it's just the beginning, so if they noticed, there would be no way to deal with it. Next, let's move to the attack!

＜Consuming 1 action point to activate 'Slip Lv1'＞

Action Points: 8/10

Wow!? The bear lost its balance a little! Ah, damn, it's hard to make it fall when it already has its feet planted. Hmm, it's starting to look around cautiously... I'll make it fall on the next step!

Oh, it took a step while being cautious. Alright, that's it!

＜Consuming 1 action point to activate 'Slip Lv1'＞

Action Points: 7/10

"Kyaa!"

"Yesss!"

The bear fell flat on its face, a huge success! I almost did a victory pose and shouted. I couldn't do the victory pose, but... wait a minute, whose voice was that "kyaa" just now...?

"...What do you mean by 'yesss'!? Who are you, come out!"

There was a very angry bear... a bear monster player. From the voice, it was probably a woman... Her gaze, which was looking around angrily, fixed on me. Alright, I'll try to get by without being noticed. Yeah, I'm just moss, so I won't be noticed. It's fine!

"Hmm, what an interesting one? What do you think, Kei the Moss?"

You got me right away!? You even know my race and name!? In that case...

"I'm very sorry!!"

"Huh?"

The only thing to do is a full apology. I feel like doing a prostration, but only in my heart. The angry bear is really scary... Imagine a realistic bear glaring at you with anger!

The bear player, who didn't expect such a sincere apology, quickly calmed down after hearing my apology.

"So, Kei, why did you suddenly do that?"

"Well, um, I was trying to experiment with a skill, and I thought it was a regular creature, and I accidentally... "

"...? Why did you make that mistake?"

"Eh? Because the cursor showed it as a regular creature."

"...Ah, I see. Kei, you were playing the offline version, right?"

"Absolutely, heavily!"

"And you didn't read the help much...?"

"...Huh? Ah!? Is that it!?"

When the bear pointed it out and I opened the help, the reason was immediately clear.

＜About the Player Cursor＞

Players of the 'Red Swarm' are red, players of the 'Blue Swarm' are blue, players of the 'Gray Swarm' are gray, NPCs and regular creatures are green, and important items are yellow.

In the offline version, regular creatures and NPCs were represented by gray cursors. I just hadn't noticed the change in notation... In the early stages, it was hard to distinguish between regular creatures and monsters, even in the offline version... Unlike other VRMMORPGs, there's no initial town or anything...

In the offline version, even if I made a mistake, it wouldn't inconvenience anyone. Yeah, I need to remember that this is an online game!

"I'm really, really sorry! It's all my fault!"

That's why I'm apologizing with all my might! In this game, PK (Player Killing) is possible, but it's probably intended for players of different factions. Well, I haven't read the help, though.

Even if I could justify it, there's no point in making an enemy of a player from the same 'Gray Swarm' on the first day of the service.

"Phew, I understand it was a misunderstanding. Things have changed a lot, so I need to be careful too..."

"So, is that it?"

"I'll forgive you, but there's one condition, okay?"

"...Condition?"

What could it be? There's no currency in this game, and I don't have any items to offer as an apology...

"It's nothing, just a simple thing. Tell me about the new moss implementation!"

"Ah, that's fine, I guess."

Yeah, you'd be curious, right? I would definitely want to know if someone else was in my position. But, I wouldn't tell a complete stranger right away. This is a great opportunity. If I were in the bear's position, I'd do the same.

"Alright, here."

With that, the bear sent a friend request. Ah, so you want to keep learning about it. This is one of the ways to enjoy online games, right? You don't seem like a bad person.

"Race: Saya the Bear"

"You can call me by my first name. I'll do the same."

"Got it. Nice to meet you, Saya."

"Nice to meet you, Kei."

And so, I made my first friend in the game. However, it's not hard to imagine that I was bombarded with questions afterward. Still, I've only just started the verification process. Saya seems interested, so maybe I'll ask her to help me?

The heroine has appeared! ...As a bear!